After years in Queensland, beauty therapist Gabrielle Beaufils has come home and opened a new studio in Stanwell Park. She took time to tell us more about her career, her specialties and her family, including her inspirational eldest sister, Dr Annette Beaufils.
Please tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a mother and businesswoman. A Helensburgh/Stanwell Park local since my teenage years, I recently moved back to Stanwell Park, to be close to my family and the community I love so much.
I love making people feel their most authentic and healthy versions of themselves, and my beauty practice is holistic and grounded in my clients individuality.
My ethos is simple – to customise every single treatment to suit my individual clients skin care needs, style and personality for your best result every time.
How long have you been working in the beauty industry and what changes have you seen?
I've been working in the health and beauty industry for about 34 years. Seven years as a gym instructor, gym manager and personal trainer, then 27 years as a beauty therapist graduating from the Strand College of Beauty in the Sydney CBD.
I was always interested in health, fitness and grooming. Fascinated with how diet and lifestyle can affect our overall health and wellbeing, which presents in how we look and feel. Colour and makeup has always been an obsession with a very good eye for symmetry and fine detail.
I originally opened my first beauty business in Helensburgh the year I graduated from beauty school. Then after three years, I made the decision to move my daughter and myself to the Gold Coast and purchase my first small salon in Broadbeach with one staff member and myself. Over the next 10 years, I grew that to eight beauty therapists and myself still working hands on as a therapist. I sold that around 2012 and later started a smaller one in Burleigh. Last year, I sold that one and made the move back to Stanwell Park, a community where my family is firmly connected to.
Over my beauty therapy years, I have been committed to always upskilling and keeping updated in a fast evolving industry. I am multi skilled in beauty with many diplomas and certificates. I have a passion for advanced skin treatments and brow design, colour and makeup.
The industry has changed a lot in the last 10 years, with therapists specialising in different areas of beauty, with salons evolving to specialist salons either in Dermal Therapy, Injectables & Lasers, Retreat style Spas, Brow And Lash salons, Body Therapy & Nail salons.
Whereas we as therapists once did it all, technology and products have advanced so much, it would be impossible for a business or therapist to offer the best and latest treatment in everything. We now hone our skills into a speciality that we are passionate about. Myself, I love working with faces – skin health, colour and symmetry.
In the next few months, I will be studying a colour therapy design course and then I would like to do a degree in dermal studies.
What inspired you to start a local business?
My family has inspired me to make the move back to Stanwell Park and commit to opening a beauty room. My daughter lives in Eastern Suburbs of Sydney and my eldest sister, Dr Annette Beaufils, has always been an inspiration both personally and professionally. Her support has been immeasurable.
What are your top 3 most popular treatments?
My three most popular treatments are facials (especially Pro Power peels), brow design and makeup design. I will be soon adding makeup workshops to my list of beauty services.
Who has helped you launch the Beauty Room?
I believe in working with other community members and have had some great service from Dan at Apex Signs and Decals, Kiralie at Charli Design and also Mattias, Simon and Erin from Ray White guiding me with community advice and marketing. A big thank you to Stuart from Rees Building for building my beautiful treatment room and Andrew Dove for the electrical work. And Husk Organic for making me great coffee every day. So very happy with my local people.
I’d love to thank my family who have owned and operated core local businesses for decades in our area and have always served our community with love.
Gabrielle is available by appointment at 64 Stanwell Avenue, Stanwell Park. Phone/text 0456 232 241, visit Gabriellebeaufilsbeautyroom.
