Meet the faces behind Hong Kong’s top beauty centres

Hong Kong’s beauty industry took a knock last year, after salons and beauty centres had to close for six months. These five beauty entrepreneurs share their trials and tribulations of running a beauty business during a pandemic.  

Solène Verrot

Managing director of EstheClinic Hong Kong

Originally from the South of France, Solène Verrot decided to move to Hong Kong in 2019 with her partner Leo, bringing his family run business, EstheClinic with them. While opening in August of 2019 was the start of what would be a difficult two years for the city, Verrot is happy with their decision and even plans to open a new branch later this year. 

Combining medical expertise and ground-breaking technology EstheClinic is a new generation of beauty clinics that offer pain free, non-invasive and aesthetic treatments. “I am very meticulous about beauty treatments, always looking for the most natural option,” she says. All of  EstheClinic’s treatments use cutting-edge technology to stimulate cells or collagen, leaving your body and skin to do the rest. “Sometimes our bodies just need a little nudge and this is where we come in.” 

While permanent hair removal is the clinic’s most popular treatment in France, Hongkongers are more interested in facial treatments, “everyone here does a facial at least once a month, as part of a beauty routine, I think this could be due to humid weather.” 

Verrot has always been a fan of the beauty industry, spending hours browsing through products and treatments, so EstheClinic Hong Kong is a true passion of hers. What makes the clinic so unique is its family run element, which is lacking in many international businesses. Verrot loves the close knit business environment but recommends “it is crucial to find a balance in any relationship, at first it was difficult to not talk about work at home, even more so being in a city like Hong Kong where everything goes so fast and requires fast decision making, but at some point you find a natural rhythm.”

What is your top beauty tip?

Never wash your face in the morning (your skin works hard all night building its own natural barrier against the world) but always hydrate. Hydration is key.

Dion Leung 

Managing Director of Sense of Touch

Having worked for the award winning day spa, Sense of Touch for over a decade, Dion Leung knows the health and beauty industry by heart. “It’s been an honour to have been part of the Sense of Touch team growing from a boutique spa in Central.” Originally known for its painless waxing treatments in 2002, the brand has grown into a Hong Kong wide spa with three locations across the city, including a five-star hotel spa in partnership with Crowne Plaza in Kowloon East.

While the business has grown, the warm and friendly service has remained the same, “many of our highly qualified therapists have been with us since almost the beginning and know many of our loyal clients,” says Leung. 

Along with award-winning treatments including facials, massages and mani-pedis, Sense of Touch has also branched out into high tech beauty treatments, the latest being Emsculpt and Ultra 360,which offer non-invasive skin tightening, muscle building and fat burning. “I started my beauty journey as a teenager and progressively did more in-depth research into beauty treatments. An industry slogan I like to quote is ‘invest in your skin as it is going to represent you for a long time’.” 

While the spa had to close for six months last year, the pandemic hasn’t stopped Leung and the Sense of Touch team, who are gearing to become more environmentally sustainable in the upcoming years. “We are planning to exclusively use beauty brands that are committed to reducing their environmental impact,” she says. “While it pays off to think big in terms of your growth and marketing strategies, you must not lose sight of the small details.”

What is your everyday beauty routine?

Skincare is obviously more important to me than makeup. I have a baseline six-step regimen consisting of cleanser, toner, serum, eye cream, moisturise and then SPF sunscreen during the day. 

Read more: Sense of Touch takes over Flawless Spa Packages

Rebecca Chung 

Founder of High Society Skin Clinic, Princess Brows, House of PMU, G.E.L Lashes and Glowagen

With an array of successful beauty companies under her belt, one would assume Rebecca Chung has always had a passion for beauty and healthcare, but she actually started her working life as a music teacher. It was only when Chung reached the age of 30 and had her first child that she decided to make a pivotal change in her career. “Initially, I decided to learn permanent makeup as a hobby, but quickly realised that there were a lack of specialists in Hong Kong and decided to create Princess Brows and my other vertically-integrated ventures,” she says. “I felt it was a dying art and couldn’t find someone to do it to an exemplary standard with quality tools and pigments.”

At the beginning of her business venture Chung admits to being the guinea pig for many treatments, “I wanted to ensure that every part of the experience for my clients was up to my standards of quality.”

Today, semi-permanent makeup has become a very popular trend with people frequently opting for it over traditional cosmetics, “Hong Kong’s climate is definitely one beneficial factor because the humidity affects the longevity of cosmetics. However, it’s also beneficial for those who are allergic to cosmetic products and new mothers who need the convenience of looking and feeling ready.” In fact, with the mandatory mask law Chung states that there has been an increase in women getting lip tattoos, as they don’t smudge in the mask. 

Chung’s most recent milestone is the launch of the MOKO branch of High Society Skin Clinic. Opening just last month the clinic offers a range of face and body treatments and a space to relax and unwind. “I’ve had so many negative experiences at beauty salons where treatments were interrupted to upsell. I wanted to eliminate this and create an experience focused solely on the client and the purpose of them being there; a little self-love.”

What is your everyday beauty routine?

I am a firm believer in the no-makeup makeup look. I have semi-permanent makeup, which saves me a great deal of time. Most importantly I take my Glowagen supplement every day to glow from the inside out. 

Dolma Gurung

Founder of Dolma Waxing Boutique 

As one of Hong Kong’s most trusted waxing boutiques, Dolma Gurung and her team strive to offer their clients premier brazilian waxing and hair removal treatments including bikini waxes and eyebrow threading. 

Gurung previously worked for premier spas and salons in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and even took on the role of a personal beautician to a royal family. She moved to Hong Kong in 1997 with the dream of opening her own boutique. “I’ve always wanted to offer personalised, high quality treatments to my clients in a friendly environment. By running my own salon I can be assured we are using the industry’s best practices.” After working in top Hong Kong salons including the Firm and Salon Chandler along with celebrity hairstylist Shayne Chandler, she officially opened Dolma Waxing Boutique in 2007. 

Originally from Nepal, Gurung has always been passionate about beauty, “I started getting facials when I was in my early teens,” she says. 

Located in the heart of Central on Queens Road, Dolma Waxing Boutique is the perfect place for busy office workers to get a quick and efficient treatment without needing to travel. 

While the salon had to close for an extended period last year, Gurung remained positive. “We had regular communication with our clients and managed to run the business as soon as the Government allowed.” She even plans to open her second salon in Tsim Sha Tsui in the coming year.

Read more: Best waxing salons in Hong Kong

Jansen On

Founder of The PLACE

Starting his career as a trading operator at Morgan Stanley in Singapore, Jansen On was inspired by many of his coworkers’ side businesses and decided to have a go himself. After meeting his wife Haruka Ishii, the couple moved to Hong Kong to start up a beauty business together. 

The PLACE went on to open in Tai Kok Tsui in May 2019, “It was all very fast, we moved back to Hong Kong and settled into our new home, within a week I’d signed the lease and kick-started the renovations,” says On. The salon will be opening its second location in the heart of Central this year. 

The PLACE specialises in eyelash extensions and treatments, with On’s wife taking on the role of stylist director. After attending the Japan National Cosmetic School in 2014, Ishii wanted to bring the unique Japanese extension techniques to Hong Kong. “Our extension service is delivered in a real Japanese way with an international operation model,” says On. All the materials and staff are subjected to Japanese quality control to guarantee a high standard. 

While On is the Founder, he takes pride in being front of house at the centre, “I handle almost every booking activity myself, I want customers to feel like they’re being served by someone who owns the company.” With many eyelash treatments and extensions on the market, On wants to remind people to be cautious, especially when it comes to more dramatic lashes. “Eyelash extension should never affect your natural lashes growth cycle or cause abnormal fall out. Dramatic lash volume can overload your eyelid or cause unusual loss of lashes,” he says. To avoid this The PLACE  adopts a natural design that avoids any harm.