Digital Co-Lab

Embrace Your Power: Alice Henshaw

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 I love the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia

and I can't wait to go back early next year for

my skincare launch.”

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Alice Henshaw was born in New Zealand and moved over to London in her late twenties. She opened Harley Street Injectables in 2014. Her desire is for every client to experience a highly tailored one to one service. The clinic is unique in its holistic approach to aesthetics and very natural results. She has a large international clientele base including many VIP clients from the UAE and Middle East. The huge success of her clinic led Alice to creating a clinical skincare range – Skincycles which will launch in the UAE early next year.  It is a pleasure to have Alice as our cover star this month.

 

Tanja Beljanski: Please tell us more about your background and why you started your business in cosmetic industry? Why did you choose this career?

Alice Henshaw: I opened my first clinic Harley Street Injectables in London 8 years ago. This came from a logical progression of academic training, practical learning in hospitals and finally clinics I worked at before deciding to open my own business. I set up my own business as I knew that by working for myself, I could determine the consultation period, treatments and offer a more bespoke service. At the time many clinics inimized consultations and pushed for numerous treatments in an aggressive sales model which I did not believe in as it reduced the quality in patient experience and results.

I chose this career because I gain personal satisfaction from the genuine and often life changing ways in which a clients confidence can be improved. Many people have insecurities about their facial features or appearance and being able to fix’ these and improve that persons self-esteem is very rewarding for me.

My skincare range was a logical extension from my existing business. By controlling the products from manufacture to application, I can provide a greater degree of continuity and quality for my clients in the journey.

 

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 " I can erase wrinkles, give a face more symmetry

and balance features but I couldn't recommend

a skincare range I felt matched

in quality of ingredients and efficacy.

There was a missing part to the puzzle in my clients

’ treatments plan — that is how my range

of skincare Skincycles evolved”

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McQueen trench coat, Loewe trousers, Cartier bag, Cartier bigger hoops, Cartier love Bangles

TB: As an entrepreneur, what has been the biggest challenge you had to overcome?

AH: Learning to run a business is extremely challenging, and I continue to learn every day! I innately understand what my clients need. I have studied and perfected my technique to ensure my delivery of treatments is to the highest standard. This has led to success for which I am grateful but a successful business has to be more than just me to function properly.

My clinic now employs many staff all with their own specialties but whom work as a team to the same goal of creating the best start to finish experience for clients. However, managing staff and being pulled into non-core business problems as the owner was a challenge. It was not something I had initially anticipated or been trained for.

No one can expect employees to be as passionate about a business as the creator but managing expectations to work dedication is difficult. Learning to delegate to relieve pressure is essential but also learning not to micro-manage those you delegate to is easier said than done. Especially when you feel emotionally attached to the business created from the ground up. I think that is something most business owners can relate to.

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TB: What has been the highlight of your career so far?

AH: Creating Skincycles. I have put years of work into the development of my own brand as I was not satisfied with skincare on the market and when my clients asked me to recommend a skincare that matched the standard of my in-clinic treatments I struggled. So, I embarked on the journey to create a skincare range which effectively treated my clients most common concerns and one that could be used post treatment.  I wanted to target the main skin concerns that clients came to see me with in clinic which are; anti-aging, acne, pigmentation and compromised skin barrier.

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TB: How long did it take you to develop Skincycles?

AH: Over three years. My products have had numerous clinical trials which is why I didnt want to rush them. There was an initial period of using and evaluating products on the market to establish what I believed was missing. Then there is the process of identifying a manufacturer who could create the bespoke products, offer the quality of ingredients I wanted and create a formula that was unique to the skincare brand. I also wanted my manufacturer ethically aligned to my business, by this I mean; environmentally friendly, no animal testing and with high employee welfare standards.

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TB: What makes Skincycles unique?

AH: Skincycles uses a patented active transportationtechnology to deliver nano-sized liposome particles engineered for instant skin-cell penetration. The products all contain a high grade of active ingredients targeting anti-aging and rejuvenating benefits.

 

TB: What was your favorite part of making this happen?

AH: I think being able to personally recommend products that I truly believe in and that I know work. It is very rewarding and powerful being able to be a part of a journey of helping someones self-esteem. I personally suffered from acne in my mid-twenties and I remember how that effected my confidence. At the time I invested so much time and money in to trying to find products that would work for my      skin — its a minefield out there! Particularly now we have so many skincare brands popping up in the market all claiming they will do miraculous things for our skin when the reality is they probably wont. The industry needs to be more regulated.  For me, being able to stand by my products and recommend them to clients makes me feel very proud.

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TB: Which countries are your biggest markets?

AH: United Kingdom, Europe and the UAE.

 

TB: What are your future plans for your business? 

AH: I am expanding my skincare range internationally so people can experience at clinic grade skincare in the comfort of their own home.  I am also already in plans of opening several other clinics which will be specialising in Skincycles facial treatments.

Outfit: The Deck London suit, Cartier emerald green ring and necklace, Cartier watch

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“As a woman you need to wear many hats.

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TB: What do you think is the biggest challenge to female leadership?

AH: Having a business and fulfilling the roles of mother/wife/friend. Many barriers have fallen as traditional gender roles have relaxed but I believe women are harder on themselves as they attempt to juggle fulfilling their traditional roles whilst being leaders in their academic/commercial roles. There is rarely time to do both but women can feel they need to try and be both. As a woman you need to wear many hats.

Being a female leader is a very powerful thing because you can channel both your masculine and feminine sides. I have a very dominant side which I use for the difficult contract negotiations at work. I am also gentle, empathetic, and caring for my clients, and of course in my personal life.

Women generally think more emotionally than men. The historic lack of women practitioners has led to consultations/treatments being skewed towards a male perspective. Women on average will better interpret what other women want. This variance is on display in the aesthetic industry with female vs male practitioners.

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TB: Have you ever been to UAE? If yes, how was your experience?

AH: I have been to Dubai many times I was thinking about living there at one stage but have ended up settling down in London. But never say never! I love the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia and I cant wait to go back early next year for my skincare launch.

 

TB: Which statement best describes you?

AH: I’m extremely motivated at producing results and passionate about my job.

 

TB: What do you want to achieve next?

AH: Finding a work life balance would be good. But until then I love what I do so I will continue doing it well.

The Deck London suit, Cartier emerald green ring and necklace, Cartier watch

Talent: Alice Henshaw @alice_henshaw_

Photographer: Isabella Lombardini @isabellalombardini

Stylist: Georgie Gray @georgiegraystyle

Make up: Alex Reader @alexreadermakeup

Hair: Christos Kallaniotis @christoskallaniotis

Location: Rosewood Hotel, London @rosewoodlondon

Written by: Tanja Beljanski @tanjabeljanski