Salon owners, therapists and nail technicians attending Looking Good LCN’s recent annual event in Pretoria East were encouraged to never abandon their dreams, despite the challenging economy.
So said Candice Abrahams, who won the Mrs South Africa and Mrs World titles in 2016. An LCN brand ambassador, Abrahams said: “The global worth of the beauty industry is currently valued at $32bn. I think we would all agree that 2019 was a difficult year for South Africa. However, moving forward, you need to think of what is your ‘why’, what is your ‘how’ and what is your ‘what’. I believe you should think about what you can do to make things better for others, as our purpose in life is to lift each other up.
“We all have things that are blocking us from doing things. Let go of negative talk and be aggressive about loving yourself. Use your talents, uniqueness and what people love about you.”
Staying on a positive note, Looking Good LCN founder and owner, Lea Castro, reflected on the company’s achievements in 2019.
She said: “Last year we announced the opening of our training spa for the purposes of moving trainees into salons. We ran a three-month long internship programme, a 12-month bursary programme and a mentorship programme. The latter ran for six months and our mentee worked with Franzelle De Villiers, one of our top LCN nail professionals.
“Looking Good LCN is all about growing people, but then also taking them one step further. Some of our LCN salons have a ‘rent-a-chair’ arrangement that our graduates can take advantage of.”
Castro went on to speak about the concept of ‘My beauty partner’. “You are the centre of what we do and for that we thank you,” she told delegates. “Together we can do more and change the industry.”
She noted that the LCN Africa Expert Group is on Facebook and closed to the public. “That’s how we communicate with our clients.”
Award winners announced
Castro announced the winners of the Annual Looking Good LCN Awards at the event.
Excellence Award (Overall Highest purchases value in South Africa)
SP – Spot & Beauty
Success Award (Highest growth percentage in South Africa)
Roosthaven Spa
Small Business (Awarded to the single owner/therapist offering service with the highest purchase value)
Martie's Nailtastic
Prestige Award (Highest Purchase value in each Province)
Eastern Cape
· LCN Beauty & Nails By Liezl
Gauteng Pretoria
· LCN Aesthetic & Slimming Clinic
Gauteng Johannesburg
· SP – Sport & Beauty
KwaZulu-Natal
· Keleido Nails
Mpumalanga
· Sheer Elegance Nail & Beauty Salon
North West
· Chez Amé
Western Cape
· Redlipstick Pamper Lounge
Africa
· African Treat Spa
Concept Awards (Highest purchase value in the concept categories)
Retail Hands Award
LCN Aesthetic & Slimming Clinic
Retail Feet Award
LCN Aesthetic & Slimming Clinic
Professional Award
SP – Sport & Beauty
Retail Make-Up Award
Zen Spa & Rasul
New product releases
At the event, a large number of LCN’s new product releases were presented by Looking Good LCN’s Jessica Verwey and Michelle Coetzee. These included the ‘I Love My Smoothie’ collection, described as ‘creamy, fluffy and very yummy’, while the new ‘Wild Desert Collection’ radiates power, energy and passion.
On the professional side, Bio Glass Tek has been upgraded to include a special active ingredient, Bel-Even, which intercepts stress and reduces its effects, resulting in even less nail breakage. This product is dubbed LCN’s ‘Nail Nurse’.
The Bonding Gel Vegan Power has been introduced and is compatible with all LCN resins. This 100% vegan ‘miracle weapon’ is ideal for sensitive nails. Also vegan is the new Anti Aging Fiber NailTech sculpting gel, for nails that have deep grooves and lifting problems.