County Derry beauty salon shortlisted for prestigious award

A County Derry beautician, who opened her new salon just four months ago, has been shortlisted for a prestigious award.

Charmaine Humphries was recently nominated for the best new beauty salon in the UK Hair and Beauty Awards.

Charmaine, who has been working in the industry for more than a year, was delighted when her Claudy salon 'Blissful Beauty by Charmaine' was nominated for the top award.

The UK Hair and Beauty Awards celebrates the outstanding talents and exceptional contributions of hairdressers, stylists, beauticians, and salons across the UK.

Originally from the Waterside area of Derry, former community care worker Charmaine had to give up her job five years ago after moving to Dungiven to become a full time kinship carer for her two nephews.

She admits she always had a desire to go into the beauty industry however she never felt confident enough to take the leap.

It was only after her husband Andrew encouraged her to stop putting her dreams on hold that Charmaine made the move into the beauty industry.

“I always wanted to work in the beauty industry, I've went on about it for years and I’d never have taken the leap if it wasn’t for my husband Andrew, he’s been amazing and he kept telling me to stop putting it off and just jump headfirst at it, but I kept putting it off until one day I said enough is enough. I looked up training courses and I have never looked back,” said the 35 year-old.

Charmaine initially began working from home but as demand for her services grew, she knew she needed to open her own salon.

“I started off at home doing lash extensions and waxing, then over time I added more and more services to where working at home wasn’t working and I needed more space,” she said.

Just four months ago, Charmaine opened her own salon 'Blissful Beauty by Charmaine', based within Fiona's Hair Salon in Claudy.

“I can’t believe the support I've received since opening even though I'm only in Claudy a short time, I’m so thankful that Fiona gave me the opportunity to open up there and I’m so forever grateful to all my clients.”

Speaking about the award nomination and the upcoming VIP red carpet event to be held in Birmingham on June 1, Charmaine said she is so grateful that her hard work is being recognised.

“I was ecstatic (when I found out about the nomination) as it’s proven to me that the hard work and long hours are paying off and being noticed,” she said.

“I can’t wait to go and to get all glammed up as it’s a red carpet event. Myself and my hubby are attending.  If I won I’d be over the moon as it would be great achievement in my first year, to even make the top 50 would be amazing.”

Charmaine currently offers a wide range of beauty services including makeup, spray tanning, waxing, brows, brow laminations, lash lifts and derma-planing facials.

She has also just started offering gel polish and biab nails. 

Charmaine also has ambitions to launch her own brand of products in the future and hopes to eventually expand to a bigger salon.

For now though, she is delighted to be able to provide a service to all of her loyal clients.

“My favourite thing is flexibility to work my own hours around my customers and to provide a tailored service with my standards and not an employers. I love that I can take my time and get a good chat with my clients and have a laugh too,” she said.

“I love making people feel good, I want people who come to my salon to know it’s a safe space, judgement free zone. Working in the beauty industry is all about making people feel and look good, Whether it's giving my client a new look to boost their confidence, making them feel pampered, or offering advice on how they can bring out the best look in themselves, it's extremely rewarding. I just love my job.”