This quaint, hard-to-miss, charmingly restored cottage on Christchurch’s Brougham Street is the home of
Lashform Studio – a distinctly bespoke business focused on specialist beauty treatments by a team of dedicated professionals
Property owner Lisa White created the unique environment when she recognised the need for beauty treatment by specialists, rather than generalists dabbling across multiple disciplines. Establishing a team of four women, each experts in their fields, Lisa has successfully brought together four separate businesses that operate as a collective under the same roof. Everyone has their own work space, but it’s a wonderfully welcoming environment, the women connected in their goals for excellence, service and quality.
Regarded as a Master Eyelash Extension Artist, Lisa owns Lashform Studio and specialises in eyelash extensions, lash lifts, lash and brow tinting, brow lamination and brow staining, as well as spray tanning. She’s passionate that her clients achieve their goals, whether that’s ‘as natural as possible or as far out as they want!’ However, Lisa won’t compromise on the quality of the products she uses. ‘We only use really good products with proven FDA standards.’ Combining care and quality, Lisa urges brides to ‘come in for a trial and then we can tweak before the wedding day’.
Complementing the work of Lashform Studio is Isabela Verdes, owner of
ProEsthetics. A qualified makeup artist with a degree in psychology, Isabela’s first love is the science of skin, and, since moving to New Zealand over two decades ago, she has advanced her qualifications to become a leader in the field. Focused on a science-based holistic approach to beauty, Isabela recommends brides begin their journey to the altar six months out from the big day with a complimentary skin consultation. ‘Come in for a skin analysis for a holistic assessment and from there we create a bespoke plan.’
Also prioritising natural health is Sue Jones, the woman behind Studio Nails. An all-inclusive boutique nail salon, Sue prioritises natural nail health and laments some of the harmful products available on the market. ‘We do all kinds of nails but we specialise in helping people grow their own natural nails. People can actually grow their natural nails for their wedding day and we’d normally start the process a few months out. With regular appointments and maintenance, they can get really good results.’
Rounding out the collective is Kasey Louise of Louise Glamour. Kasey works from a garden studio at the rear of the cottage and specialises in eyebrows, from maintenance to henna and cosmetic tattooing. Working at a shallow dermal level, Kasey removes the fears around cosmetic tattoos. ‘Body tattoo is a lot deeper than cosmetic. We go a lot lighter so this means it fades back, making it more workable.’
Requiring an annual top-up, cosmetic tattooing is customisable with options for everything from soft brows to full glam. With a six-week healing period between an initial appointment and the follow-up session, Kasey urges brides to plan ahead, especially as the first session can appear dramatic while pigment oxidises and healing occurs.
Independent but working collectively, Lisa, Isabela, Sue and Kasey are highly professional with a strong focus on specialised beauty. However, they also bring an undeniable sense of warmth and joy to the cottage. Laughter erupts and conversation flows as they welcome both individuals and groups into their fold. With bridal packages available, they can create bespoke experiences for wedding parties, even arranging hairdressers and photographers, bubbles and canapés.
It’s a simple concept – experts working collectively to provide specialist solutions from one site. However, it’s a model that sets Lisa, Isabela, Sue and Kasey apart in the beauty industry. Combining the best of a holistic and science-based approach that’s liberally layered with warmth and care, it’s not just the cottage that’s charming, but the people within.
