Following our UK Salon of the Year 2018 award earlier this year we didn’t think it would get any better. Then, we found out that our very own senior therapist Jen Glen has been shortlisted as a finalist for Therapist of the Year at the Professional Beauty Awards 2019! As the Oscars of the beauty world, they are the most prestigious and established in the country so we couldn’t be more proud of Jen. We will find out which of 6 the talented therapists from around the country will be the winner at the awards ceremony in London in February.
In celebration of her nomination, we spoke to Jen to find out a bit more about her career and her love of all things beauty.
Jen, how did you find your way into a career in Beauty?
I’ve been passionate about the beauty industry since I was 14 years old. I was sent on a school work experience placement tothe Spa at Peebles Hydro and at the time I thought beauty was really just painting nails and massages. There was an Elemis rep doing training one day and I got to take part. I was fascinated and it was an really enlightening experience. From that moment I knew this was what I was meant to do. I went on to train at Mary Reid Spa Academy and have been a therapist for 12 years now.
I knew early on that I wanted to work at Zen Lifestyle so after graduating I moved back home to Galashiels to build up some experience for a couple of years before applying. Owner Fiona trained me when I started 7 years ago and now she’s entrusted me as a Zen trainer which is a real honour.
What is an average day like for you?
When I arrive at work, I look through my treatment list and clients for the day. Because I’ve been working at Zen for so long I have a wonderful loyal clientele so I know many of my clients very well and its lovely to look through my appointments and see so many familiar names. I genuinely look forward to seeing each and every one of them.
Our working days vary in terms of treatments that we do – we aren’t like a spa where you generally do massage and facials all day. There’s such a large treatment repertoire that every day is different. However, I do tend to do more brows and facials as clients specifically book me for them.
Which treatments are you most passionate about and why?
I’m passionate about all treatments! Even if it’s just a leg wax, I’m passionate about making sure that I remove every single tiny little hair, quickly and as efficiently as possible.
I absolutely adore facials and we are lucky at Zen to have such an array of high end, results-driven products and treatments. There is something so satisfying about educating clients about skincare and seeing the results. I’m motivated about educating clients on which products will work best for them and find it so rewarding to see their results over the following weeks. How many times have we been handed random samples of a skin product in a department store, only for them to sit in our handbags or go in the bin? It’s because we don’t know how the product benefits us, or how to use it. So, I love to do detailed skin consultations and offer advice on treatments and products.
How has the beauty industry evolved since you started?
There’s been a huge amount of technological development in the equipment we use and advances in product innovation. I’m very fortunate to work in a salon which is always innovating and seeking out the best in the market. This means I am able to offer my clients some of the most leading-edge equipment and advanced products around.
But it’s the little changes too in treatments everyone will be familiar with. Just look at Shellac polish for manicures. We didn’t have that when I was training; they had a heavy, thick gel that tended to cause damage to the nail plate and was notoriously hard to remove. Gel polish now is much lighter, more flexible and with an incredible shine.
Broad spectrum SPF is now a staple for any good anti-ageing skin care routine and cosmetic brands are adding it to their original day creams because we all have far greater knowledge about how uva & ubv rays accelerate ageing of the skin.
You’ve been nominated as UK Therapist of the Year – how does that feel and why do you think you made it through to the shortlist?
Like a dream come true. I screamed, I shouted, I cried, I jumped around and ran around my flat when I received the news! I feel so incredibly honored to be recognised with this nomination and I am so grateful to Zen, because I wouldn’t be the therapist I am today without all the training and support I’ve received.
I’d like to believe I got shortlisted because for me rather than treatment protocol. I’d like to think it’s something to do with the fact that I put my heart and soul into my treatments. It’s the little details that can take a facial from “nice” to “absolutely wonderful.” I’m very particular and I’m only happy if I’ve given 100%. It doesn’t matter if I take a client at the start of my shift or at the end of a shift – they will receive the exact same dedication and focus. It’s taken me a long time to get to where I am, it’s been an amazing journey and I know due to the beauty industry developing so quickly that I will forever have something else to learn. I will never tire of this industry, it fascinates me.
