Ashleigh Scott - The Facialist Diploma in Beauty and Spa Therapy

The beauty therapy industry is highly competitive, meaning it can be difficult to stamp your mark. But it’s something that one of our Elite graduates, Ashleigh Scott, has managed to do in the years since she graduated from our Auckland campus with a Diploma in Beauty and Spa Therapies.

Ashleigh has become an influential figure on the Auckland beauty scene by creating a skin care boutique with a difference. This difference has beauty bloggers and influencers spreading her ‘old-fashioned’ philosophy, of machine-free, massage-based facials and a holistic approach to skin care, and has her featured in the latest edition of Beauty NZ Magazine as someone to watch.

Ashleigh was drawn to beauty therapy from an early age.

"It just felt like a natural step for me to follow this path. I can remember being 12 or 13 and giving my mum and dad facials using mum's skincare products."

After graduating in 2009, Ashleigh moved to London and began working in an exclusive Knightsbridge clinic as a specialised facialist. When her two-year working visa came to an end, Ashleigh returned home with a clear-sighted vision for the clinic she wanted to create and the values she would hold true no matter what fads and trends emerged.

"I want to inspire and educate women on how to care for their skin holistically," says Ashleigh. "As well as giving amazing facials and products, we teach about the impact of their diet, stress levels, hormones, lifestyle, and home and work environments on their skin."

It's an approach that is striking a chord with consumers. Since The Facialist opened its doors in early 2014, Ashleigh has filled her space and her schedule to capacity, and taken on and trained three therapists in her clinic — not bad for a 25 year old!

Now that Ashleigh's clinic is running smoothly and at capacity, she is motivated to pass on both her signature facial technique and her holistic skincare discoveries to other beauty therapists and business owners.