Beauty at the Heritage owner says Windsor is a service destination

But not how to do brazilians.

Her first experience with this particular craft was during her first day on the job, when her boss asked her to hop up onto the salon bed.

“If you’re going to learn how to do a brazilian wax, you first have to have one so you know what’s it like!” her boss told her.

And so, Ms Xiberras hopped up onto the bed – and that was how she learnt.

“You need to know what pain [your customer is] going through, how that feels, where you should put your hand, what pressure to apply,” Ms Xiberras told the Gazette.

“I was taught that way and I continue to do it with my apprentice – every treatment she performs, she has to have it done first.

“You have to be exposed because in beauty salons, clients are exposed. You’re looking at them half naked and you’re the person they have to trust. You need to make them feel like you’re not judging them or picturing them like that when they walk out.”

Ms Xiberras owns Beauty at the Heritage – a beauty salon based in the Old Post Office at the end of the mall on George Street, in Windsor.

She bought the business a year ago and – at 23 years old – she is one of a growing number of young locals setting-up service-orientated businesses on the Windsor shopping strip.

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The results of a quick Google search show 10 beauty salons in the Windsor shopping precinct – and countless others in neighbouring Hawkesbury suburbs.

While some might see this as over-saturation in a small market, Ms Xiberras views the situation positively.   

For Ms Xiberras, it proves Windsor’s strength as a destination suburb for discerning customers seeking positive service experiences – something she’s been striving to provide since that first day with the brazilian.

“Honestly, many of the treatments we offer are the same, but I focus on the service I give clients and make them feel happy within themselves,” she said.  

“We do do laser – and not many salons do laser along with all the other services – but more than anything, it comes down to customer service.

“I think it’s changed a bit out here: not as many people walk around and go for a stroll anymore. But a lot of places that take bookings – like hairdressers and salons – they are doing quite well, especially with recommendations.” 

Ms Xiberras grew up around the Hawkesbury, and went to school at Bede Polding College. It was during a trip to a local beauty salon as a teenager that a young Ms Xiberras heard her calling.

“I was going through this stage of having bad skin myself and my mum booked me into Richmond to get a facial. Afterwards, I walked out and I told my mum, ‘I want to do this for people when I’m older’,” she said.

Investing in Windsor seemed like a logical step, having completed her training at a salon in Mulgoa.

“Mulgoa has a small town, community feel. When I was looking around for businesses, I looked around a lot of places but Windsor felt like it had a bit more of that community feel,” she said.

“Everyone was very close and people out this way are very loyal compared to bigger suburbs where people walk in and out. It’s better for a small business than moving into a one of those massive shopping centres.”

Ms Xiberras said during the past 12 months she had witnessed numerous businesses change hands

“I feel there’s a new generation of people coming through. It’s good because they’re all quite young and we can try to support each other,” she said.

In terms of trends, styling has really gone back to basics, according to Ms Xiberras – particularly with eyebrows and nails.

“It’s all about shaping and getting a good nice thick brow, but a natural brow,” she said.

“A while ago acrylics and false nails were big but it’s gone back to everything being natural – your makeups and eyebrows and nails.

“And anti-ageing is big, but that’s always been a massive trend. Everyone wants to stay young and look young forever.”

Do beauty therapists have any secret weapons? In Ms Xiberras’s case, it’s her equipment.

“This might sound weird, but I have a set of makeup brushes that no one's allowed to touch!” she said.

“They’re mine and they get cleaned all the time and I make sure they’re perfect.”