ImagesMagUK-July-2020

www.images-magazine.com JULY 2020 images 49 KB MARKET INTELLIGENCE professionalism to clients and reinforce a strong brand identity. The logo also gives all of the therapists a sense of belonging and pride.” Post-pandemic PPE While the uniforms can still be worn when the spa reopens after the lockdown, staff will also be required to wear masks and gloves, as well as disposable aprons to protect their clothing. “In addition to this, uniforms are washed at the highest temperature to remove any germs, and the footwear worn within the spa is sanitised throughout the day and never leaves the building,” she adds. All clients will be required to wear a mask in the spa, which will be provided by Cecily along with gloves. All of the new PPE has had to be bought from different suppliers and, when asked if it would help to be able to get all the uniforms and PPE from one supplier, Nikki was emphatic in her response: “Yes, absolutely!” Images also spoke to Clare Rogers, owner of an award-winning beauty salon in Brighton, The Treatment Rooms, who confirmed that she bought her uniform and PPE from multiple suppliers: tops are purchased from Inline London, and trousers are from Buttercup Uniforms and Florence Roby. On the PPE side, Clare reports: “We always purchased our disposable masks from Dental Sky but they have restrictions at the moment. A lthough the government had yet to rubber-stamp it, at the time Images went to press, the health, beauty and hair industries were working towards re-opening to the public on Saturday 4 July. (Many osteopaths have reopened their clinics and pharmacists have continued to work throughout lockdown as government- designated key workers.) During lockdown, salon and spa owners that have been forced to temporarily shut their businesses have been making their establishments as safe as possible for both their staff and clients, a process that has also seen their uniform needs altered. Cecily Spa is an award-winning business in Berkhamsted that offers a wide range of treatments that range from massages to pedicures. Spa manager Nikki Marsh, overseen by spa owner Haylee Benton, is responsible for the uniform purchasing decisions. Following the spa’s refurbishment at the beginning of the year, she had chosen tunics and trousers in blush pink for the therapists and a grey tunic and trousers for the spa manager, as these matched the new branding and styling of the spa. The therapists’ tunics feature the Cecily Spa logo embroidered in grey on the left of the chest, while the manager’s uniform features pink embroidery. “The uniforms were chosen due to a range of factors, including their durability, comfort and the easiness with which they could be cleaned,” notes Nikki. The new styles were bought from Buttercups Uniforms, a workwear supplier for beauty, health and pharmacy professionals, which also handled the embroidery. “We sent them our logo and, after a one-off admin charge, it was only a small amount extra for each tunic to be embroidered. With the delivery and embroidery time taking around a week, it made sense for us to get both done in one place.” Branded clothing is important to the spa, she explains. “All of the staff’s tunics are branded with the Cecily name and logo to demonstrate absolute Uniform needs for the beauty industry have changed following the pandemic. Images uncovers what spas are looking for and how decorators can win their business We have washable masks from Florence Roby. We’ve purchased face shields from Denman. Our nitrile glove supply come from Carlton, Capital and Salons Direct.” Like Nikki, Clare would prefer to get uniforms and PPE from either one or two suppliers. Garment decorators able to offer the complete uniform and PPE package to beauty salons and spas may find this gives them a winning advantage over competitors. When choosing uniforms and PPE, Nikki looked for cost-effective equipment that could be used by both staff and clients, as well as their compliance with legal requirements – but the look was also important. “Equipment that appears very medical has its pros and cons,” she points out. “Clients want to feel safe and know that you and your team are doing everything possible to keep them protected and secure, but they’ve also arrived to be pampered and take their mind off things, so won’t want to feel like they’re in a hospital. “Our solution was to find masks and gloves that matched the pink of our uniform. The equipment will still protect both staff and clients, but also works to soften the appearance of them, and makes everyone feel more comfortable and at home.” www.cecilydayspa.co.uk www.thetreatmentrooms.co.uk The beauty’s in the detail Pink masks and gloves are used at Cecily Spa to soften their medical appearance Branded uniforms demonstrate “absolute professionalism”, says Nikki Marsh of Cecily Spa