Tracey Korsten’s new set of chrome nails courtesy of Jude.
The northern suburbs holds a secret little gem in the beauty industry. Tucked away in a home in Gawler East is Back to Beauty, owned and run by the indomitable Jude.
Specializing in nails, B to B also offers a full range of services including waxing, spray tans, make-up, facials and lash and brow tinting.
Jude has spent her whole working life in beauty and is still passionate about her chosen field. Adelaide born and bred, she has only recently returned to her home town after 25 years in Darwin. And along with that move came the decision to open her own business. “I was sick of working for other people who didn’t want to do the best for the client”, she says, “People who didn’t have a love for the industry, because they were too busy trying to make money. For me this work is all about doing good for people. I’ll never become a millionaire in the trade that I love but it’s nice to be able to be really happy at work, and have someone walk out thinking that their nails are awesome.”
B to B has been around for nearly 12 months now, and is already booking up with clientele who enjoy the expert service, and Jude’s bubbly, down-to-earth personality. What is it about this business that puts it above many others in the area?
Jude tells us “I really like my people! I get to know my people and they become part of my little beauty family. Their birthdays get remembered, their husbands get remembered, their children are remembered by name. It’s true, personalized service.”
And this is what many beauty therapists often forget: that most women go to salons, not so much because they need their nails done, but because they need to be pampered, to feel cared for and to have someone to chat to. Jude agrees, “One of my clients calls this her respite centre!”
As well as being disillusioned with the industry, Jude is also unimpressed with many products, which are over-priced and full of chemicals. She has found her supplier of choice: a quirky naturopath in Queensland who developed his product range as an answer to his wife’s dermatological issues. The Simplicite range is cruelty-free, vegan and certified organic, and made from fresh, natural ingredients. It includes a full range of skin-care, hair-care, exfoliation and masks, nail care, bath and shower and sun-care. It is also very reasonably priced, something which is important to Jude’s philosophy of caring for the client, with value-for-money.
Some of the other products Jude uses and endorses include: Elleebana One Shot Lash Lift, which gives a lash curl that last up to 8 weeks; Henna Spa eyebrow colouring; Bio Sculpture Gel everlasting manicure; and Signature Nail Systems, which is a healthy alternative to acrylics. B to B carries an enormous range of colours and styles of nail varnish: possibly the largest range I’ve ever seen in a small salon. I dislike most standard nail colours, and was thrilled to find an electric blue “chrome” varnish, which Jude expertly applied whilst we chatted. (Pictured) Jude has also trained in nail art and has an extensive collection of stencils for painting designs on nails.
Working on her own gives this highly personable woman a chance to get to know her clients better. “Working in big salon is different. Working on your own you gain much more closeness with your clients.”
B to B specializes in make-up services for the over 40s market, and keeps the price low by asking clients to bring their own foundation and their own lipstick “So you can take it with you for touch-ups and I don’t have to flog you a lipstick! I don’t do the new age make-up that the younger girls are looking for.”
One of the treatments Jude highly recommends is eye-brow tinting and lash curling.
“Tinting your brows and lashes, and doing a brow shape is probably one of cheapest make-overs you can ever get: it’s really a mini face-lift. For less than $50 you walk out with lashes that are open and there for everyone to see. That’s because nobody has colour root-to-tip, so colouring really brings them out. Tinting will always give that illusion of longer lashes. Same with the brows: you get that depth of colour. Once you show up your eyes and lips, you’re showing up your features, rather than dulling them out with contour make-up.”
With a beautiful, comfortable and roomy salon in the front of her home, and her welcoming, fun personality, Jude should see her client list fill up quickly, so make an appointment now, or you might miss out.
Waxing starts at $28 for a ½ leg, a mini-facial is $45 and an eye-lash tint is $18.
Back to Beauty is located at 5 Berrett Road, Gawler East, and Jude is available on 0438323949.
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