How Should a Beauty Therapist Present Themselves? with Karla McDiarmid of Macquarie Medi Spa

Is presentation in the salon important? We sat down with Karla McDiarmid, Director of MacQuarie Medi Spa in Bathurst, Australia to discuss the importance of presenting yourself professionally at work.

How important is a professional image to you and your business?

Maintaining a professional image is extremely important.
In an industry that is all about looking and feeling great its important for a team member to represent the entire industry with pride & not just that individual business.
Ensuring our team look professional and can be recognised outside of the business with our branding on the front and back of the uniform is also an essential part of marketing and branding our business.

Do you believe that looking presentable can impact sales and/or business?

Yes, definitely. The more professional you look combined with fantastic sales and product education. The consumer is likely to buy more from people they trust.
There is nothing worse then going into a business and not being able to tell who actually works in the business too.

What steps do you take in your business to ensure all therapists present themselves well?

In our employee contracts we have a section for appearance to ensure the business’ reputation is always maintained to a very high standard. All team members must sign the contract before employment begins.
We run through this contract and give all staff a copy so they always know what is expected as an employee of our business especially when it comes to presentation.
We provide our uniforms (Diamond Designs) to all staff.
We also ensure all team members have a name badge so customers know who looks after them.
All staff are required to wear the same colour socks/ shoes and a bow / hair accessory is given to each employee.

How important, in your opinion, are uniforms in presenting a professional image?

Extremely important. Our community can tell a ‘Macquarie Medi Spa’ employee. All of our business and staff photos show us in clean, professional uniforms with hair and makeup always on point.
To know at any time the local paper or media could walk in and ask for a story, we know we need to always be looking professional.

Which Diamond Designs Uniform is your favourite?

We are in love with Lili tunic. Every week I would receive a comment on the diamante buttons and people asking if we sew them on ourselves! It adds a little extra luxury to our uniform design and I do love a little bling!