Pampering with peace of mind for parents
A new North Lakes beauty salon is taking the guilt out of juggling children with finding time for a beauty treatment.
The brainchild of Ashleigh Kapper, Bubs and Beauty Salon provides free childcare onsite while parents are pampered.
In the beauty industry for nine years, Ashleigh realises how difficult it is for mums to find care for their children while they have a haircut, massage or manicure.
“But it’s really important to have that self-care,” Ashleigh says.
“There’s no beauty salon in Brisbane with a creche and there’s such a need for it.
“Gyms have creches, so there’s no reason this wouldn’t work.”
Bubs and Beauty offers free play dates on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, where people can drop in for morning tea and meet other parents while their children are cared for in the creche.
Salon a godsend
All staff at the salon have Blue Cards and all creche workers have a child service certificate or diploma, first aid qualifications and CPR.
For Michelle Lampshire, the salon is a godsend because it means she doesn’t have to worry about a babysitter.
She moved to Australia from New Zealand about seven years ago, and while she has some family nearby, her partner works six days a week and she doesn’t like to impose.
“It’s great – I brought my five-year-old in while I had a facial and I nearly cried,” Michelle says.
“It was the best facial I’ve ever had because I didn’t have to worry about my kids.”
Ashleigh says the salon has been designed so some treatment rooms have windows overlooking the creche.
Creating community
“A little bit of noise comes through and the mums say it’s lovely to hear the kids playing happily,” she says.
After their salon treatments, clients are welcome to have a cuppa and a chat in a separate relaxation area before collecting their children.
“We wanted to make it really relaxing and stress-free and guilt-free.
“The better they look after themselves the better support they are for their family.”