Salon in the Spotlight: Essentials Hair, Beauty and Aesthetics Clinic, St Neots
By Kat Hill | 09 May 2018 | Feature, Salon & Spas
Nina Munday
Established 31 years ago, Essentials Hair, Beauty and Aesthetics Clinic has become a staple of St Neots. “The salon was one of the first in the town,” reveals owner, Nina Munday. “I have owned and managed the salon for the last 11 years. I am originally from London but moved to St Neots was to send my children to a reputable school. They did very well and have moved back to London, but my passion and desire still is solely with the salon. I knew there was huge potential in this salon when I first saw it to and over the years I’ve have grown the business and move it forward into the world of aesthetic treatments too. I feel clients are results driven and as a result, also feels that treatments should be results driven.”
With a strong ethos behind her, Nina has seen the salon go from strength to strength – providing a professional service in a serene environment. “The rooms are painted with a warmth feel to the salon, bursting with a mulberry colour on the walls giving it that cosy, relaxing ambience. It’s actually deceiving from the outside; it looks quite small but when clients come in, they cannot believe the size of it. We have nine treatment rooms, spread over two floors.
“Our treatments rooms are specifically set up for individual treatments, so we don’t need to set up rooms for each treatment. I believe it’s why the salon runs efficiently; we have the space to do the treatments professionally and effectively.
“I have a team of seven staff, four therapists, including myself, and three hairdressers. My staff have been with me for many years; some have worked with me for up to 12 years. We all work as a team and help each other so that the day runs smoothly and efficiently. No two days are ever the same; it varies from day to day, treatment to treatment. We never get bored!”
Nina and her team pride them on providing services that are more than a pamper; “I have invested in equipment that yield results; it’s results that the client looks for, whether it’s face, hands or feet. Investment for salon owners is crucial. If salon owners put in the time, they will make the money and the business will grow.
“As my business grew, we started to offer podiatry services in the salon. It took our pedicure offering to the next level. We now use ‘septic’ techniques in the salon; we use only disposable sundries for services. For example, we do not double-dip into the lacquers. We decant and then apply the first layer with a disposable brush. I believe this level of detail is why we stand out from the rest, as well as using the finest brands, like LCN, because its products give us results.
“I discovered LCN and its Wilde-Pedique system about 12 years ago. I trained with Beauty Concepts International and introduced the treatment in the salon.
“When we first launched the Wilde-Pedique treatment, I was amazed to see how many people had traumatised nails and where too embarrassed to wear open-toe sandals or shoes. Clients are so happy that they can have a nail that will be finished with a polish, too! This gel is applied to the toe to create a false ‘nail’ and, when finished, replicates a natural-looking nail on the toe.
“I would advise technicians to train in this treatment. It’s a very good investment to make; there are many people out there who don’t want to show their toes because of traumatised nails. This is an ideal treatment that works hand-in-hand with pedicures, so don’t delay with summer approaching!”
