SHOWCASE
Not so long ago, brazilians and threaded
brows were reserved for women only. But
a growing number of men are joining the
ranks of the silky smooth and Ladies and
Lords in Blenheim is helping blokes de-fuzz
with confidence.
Ladies and Lords owner and beautician
Cheila Da Silva, who specialises in
hair removal, spotted the growth in
manscaping when she first set up her
beauty salon at 9 Sutherland Terrace four
years ago.
Cheila wanted to make men feel as
comfortable and welcome as women, and
the business name reflects that. “Male
grooming is one of the fastest growing
sectors in the beauty industry,” she says.
“When I first moved to Blenheim 14 years
ago, there might have been one male
customer, but now we have heaps of men
coming in for all sorts of treatments.”
Common treatments for men include
massages, facials, and waxing for the
eyebrows, shoulders, back and chest, as
well as manzilians - the male equivalent
to the women’s brazilian.
Beautician Olivia Myles who specialises in
facials says the big push for male grooming
is coming from their partners. “A lot of the
guys coming through have been booked
in by their wives and girlfriends, many
of whom have been routinely removing
unwanted hair for years and would
appreciate the same in return.”
Beautician Oana Cleland specialises in
massage and says men generally seem
to be looking after themselves a lot
better these days and are enjoying the
benefits of regular facials and massage -
particularly if they work outside or have
physical jobs.
Nail expert Melissa Henderson is
available two days a week and specialises
in acrylic nails.
With the wedding, festival and holiday
season approaching with summer, the
team will be busy with beauty treatments
such as spray tanning, eyelash extensions,
manicures and pedicures on top of the
usual maintenance treatments.
Cheila is already taking bookings for
Christmas and recommends people book
well ahead. Gift vouchers are a great
present idea for loved ones to treat
themselves with something special, while
their delicious range of body care products
from The Bon Bon Factory are also popular
gifts, she says.
Cheila has been working in the beauty
industry for 18 years and works hard
to provide her customers with unique
services. “I love my job, meeting new
people, learning about new techniques
and products,” she says. To say thanks
to her loyal customers, regulars receive
50 percent off the cost of the treatment,
on every sixth visit.
Specialty treatments include laser
tattoo removal, IPL (intense pulsed light)
facial treatments, SHR (hair removal)
and henna brows, a semi-permanent
eyebrow treatment.
Microblading - tattooing of the brows
- has been hugely popular, Cheila says.
“Microblading is great for people who
have over plucked brows, lost their hair
due to medical reasons such as alopecia
or cancer, or just want a fuller, more
defined brow. “It’s got a very natural look
and imitates the hair, saving people time
and giving them confidence.”
She’s always on the lookout for new
and exciting treatments and is looking
forward to expanding the business, with
the addition of a floating pod for pod
float therapy and a barbershop to help
the blokes feel at home. “It’s going to be
old school, with the hot towels and all
the treatments for men and boys,
including cutting, dressing, grooming,
styling and shaving.”
To check out Ladies and Lords full range
of treatments, head to their website:
www.ladiesandlords.nz or keep up to date
with all the new and exciting treatments
available, as well as their monthly specials
on Facebook: @ladiesandlordswaxbar and
Instagram: @ladiesandlordsnz.
Download the free app to manage your
bookings and receive special offers.
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