We asked our female brand founders why they thought it was important to recognise and celebrate International Women’s Day, here is what they said.
“International Women’s Day creates a bond between like- minded women and it also gives motivation for those women who feel they would like to achieve but do not have the confidence or means to do so. The sky is the limit for all of us!!” Susan Gerrard, Gerrard International, Chairwoman and Mii founder.
“I think it’s really important to shine a spotlight on the success and achievements of women to provide encouragement and positive role models for young girls and young women to aspire to. Despite progress in the right direction, recent world events like the Covid-19 pandemic has set women back and we are not near achieving gender equality in the UK. For example, even pre-pandemic, only 1 in 3 UK entrepreneurs were female – a gender gap equivalent to 1.1 million missing businesses (1). We have to push women up as hard as we can and amplify their voices. This is what International Women’s Day is for – celebration, unity, support, advocacy and action.” Lucy Palmer, founder, Hair Gain
“Women around the world have contributed so much to their families, careers and life in general. Tirelessly, they have helped to keep things together even through wars, economic hardships, sickness and tragedies. Not to mention the women who have achieved great scientific and medical findings as well as those who have fought along their fellow country men and stood up for what they believed in. We are a strong group often thought of as soft and weak but have proved this not to be true. Recognizing women around the world is key to the future of humanity.” Elaine Binder, founder, Spongellé
“Women have come a long way. We are proud, hardworking and deserve a day to celebrate all women.” Nadia Shamsi, daughter of Jessica Vartoughian founder of Jessica nails
Gerrard International is proud to support all our female founders and all of the amazing women within the industry we get to work with, as well as training the next generation of beauty therapists through the Susan Gerrard Beauty Academy.
Our chosen charities and organisations for this year:
tpot (the power of touch)
Future Dreams
Refuge for women and children. Against domestic violence.
Beauty Banks
Next week, as part of our female founders series, an interview with Gerrard International chairwoman, and Mii founder Susan Gerrard.
Men’s Fashion Week always offers something tantalisingly different, and Samuel Ross’ theatrical catwalk at Brick Lane’s Old Truman Brewery was no exception. It saw dancers and dogs emerging from a dark black water abyss running along either side of the runway, while the models walked in a slow sombre procession, turning back once to look behind them, before progressing into an uncertain future. The juxtaposition of fluidity and structure, light and dark ran through the entire show. The nails, led by Pebbles Aikens accompanied by the Jessica Hands On Team were designed to give a light reflective mirror-like shine to reflect the water-dripping-effect on the models’ skin.
Jessica’s Gentlemen’s Club range is designed to give men perfectly groomed cuticles, hands and nails.
Buff Cuticle Gel was used to gently eliminate excess cuticles, leaving the models nails neat and natural. Nails were filed, following the natural shape with a Natural Nail Company Professional Emery Board. Matte 4 Men Matte Conditioner and Treatment was then applied as a base coat to leave a creamy matte healthy look to the nails, before one brush stroke of Brilliance Top Coat was applied to the centre of each nail. This gave the mirrored effect when the catwalk light caught the centre of the nail.
Gerrard International is tremendously proud to announce that our brands swept the board, winning 10 awards at the prestigious Beauty Bible Awards, now in its 23rd year, standing tall amongst beauty industry greats.
Susan Gerrard, Chairman of Gerrard International says: ‘We’re delighted to win the Beauty Bible Awards for products that have been tried and tested. This gives both us and you – our spas and salons – the opportunity to shout about our brands with extra pride. We love our brands and now we know your customers do too.
‘The panel of beauty testers are real women with real beauty issues and their honest endorsements count for so much more,’ continues Susan. ‘The credibility of these awards – and gaining the love and trust of beauty-savvy women – is invaluable to our continued success. It is an incredible achievement for our brands to be recognised in these Awards – they’re real products for real women that really work.’
Incredible tester comments ranged from: ‘I would add this as a Holy Grail product without a doubt’ for BeautyLab’s Black Diamond Pearl Dermabrasion; Phenom was called: ‘A brilliant polish – I have already repurchased this in different colours’; while Mii’s Beautifying Brow Wand was described as: ‘A great product – natural, colour, easy application, blends beautifully, and lasts all day’.
Brow Definer: Mii Beautifying Brow Wand
Nail Brand: Jessica Phenom
Day Cream: BeautyLab Skin Perfecting Moisture Cream
Highlighter: Mii Light Loving Illuminator
Mineral Makeup: Mii Minerals Irresistible Face Base
Facial Exfoliator: BeautyLab Black Diamond Pearl Dermabrasion
Sleep Aid: Scentered Sleep Well Therapy Balm
Mascara: Mii Showstopping Lash Lover
Gradual Tanner Body: Kissed by Mii Daily Boost Body Cream
Sleep Aid: Scentered Sleep Well Home Therapy Candle
Polish Up Your Nail Art Skills at The Susan Gerrard Beauty Academy
The Susan Gerrard Beauty Academy has introduced a fresh spin on nail art, ready for the festive season, using GELeration. Over the last two months, senior trainers have run fully-booked half day courses nationwide, covering ombré, ombré with glitter, raised effects using Build including unicorns and baubles, and freestyle Halloween and Christmas themes.
Julie Richards, of Looking Glass Aesthetics said: ‘What a fabulous afternoon of learning! Our trainer demonstrated and explained each design in detail, making it easy to understand. I came away confident I could re-create the designs and wanting to be even more adventurous with ideas.’
On completion of the course, delegates are awarded a Susan Gerrard Academy certificate in Advanced Nail Art and three hours of CPD.
For more information or to book a place on a future course, contact: training@gerrardinternational.com (account holders), academy@gerrardinternational.com (non account holders) or call 0345 217 1360.
Jessica Nails London Fashion Week SS19
For the Spring/Summer 2019 catwalks Jessica Nails and the Hands on Team painted the fingers and toes of over 100 models, joined forces with top session manicurists Cherrie Snow and Pebbles Aitkens – whose editorial work graces the pages of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, collaborated with incredible fashion designers, was interviewed by the likes of Vogue, Hello Fashion Monthly and Marie Claire backstage, and spread the ‘Jessica love’ across social media.
Over the course of four days, the shows Jessica Nails sponsored included:
Temperley London: Jessica Custom Colour in Juicy Melon – Temperley’s show was full of incredibly strong female muses from actresses, top models, celebrity chefs, and musicians.
David Koma: Jessica Custom Colour in Tease with No Shine Matte Finish top coat – a beautiful soft lavender nude that played against eye-popping lime and mirrored/sequinned clothing collection.
J JS Lee: Jessica Phenom in Dare To Dream and Angel – healthy shiny nails set against a utilitarian androgynous look on the catwalk.
Eudon Choi: Jessica Custom Colour in NEW Natural Splendor, Bobo Chic and Simply Sexy – impactful geometrics and a palette of warm nuanced tones in ochre and aubergine contrasted harmoniously with the nail look we created for the show.
Additional shows that Jessica supported – Mark Fast, Phannatiq, Zeynep and Apujan.
Susan Gerrard Beauty Academy named Habia Centre of ExpertiseGerrard International’s Susan Gerrard Beauty Academy has been named a Habia Centre of Expertise, exclusive to the South of England, and one of only six centres in the UK.
To gain this prestigious recognition, the Academy successfully met rigorous assessment criteria and passed a site visit by an industry assessor.
‘Centres of Expertise are a national network of learning providers delivering the very highest quality programmes,’ explains Nicola Turner, Head of Sales and Marketing at Habia. ‘Open to all centres – regardless of which awarding organisation they work with, Centres of Expertise recognise those providers delivering the very highest level of training.’
‘The premises were viewed and all our documentation assessed, covering areas such as standardisation, health and safety, trainer qualifications, training and certification,’ explains Samantha Kendrew, training and development manager at Gerrard International. ‘We were thrilled to be awarded a Centre of Expertise in Nail Services, Beauty Therapy and Retail Level 3.’
‘The team worked extremely hard for this – an amazing achievement to be recognised for the high standards we set at the Academy,’ says Susan Gerrard.
Bill Shaw, Habia Chairman said “My congratulations to the team at Gerrard International on achieving the Habia Centres of Expertise accolade. It is recognition of their hard work, professionalism and high standards.’
Last year South Wales’ luxury 5* travel destination, the Celtic Manor Resort unveiled a unique Champagne & Beauty Bar offering both Jessica and Mii – and has been enjoying a fizz of attention ever since.
With its cool contemporary vibe and ‘List List’ treatment menu, offered against a backdrop of cocktails, champagne and ambient music, the space is a stylish and sophisticated twist on a modern beauty salon. This new development to the leading resort invites guests to sit and sip while enjoying some heavenly pampering, whether it be to unburden the brows or lengthen the lashes, alongside manicures, pedicures and make-up. The space is also available for private hire with the exclusive ‘Luxe Lock In’ package – ideal for Hen Parties, Baby Showers or Girlie Get-togethers.
Celtic Manor Resort Director of Spa and Leisure, Marieke Teagle said: “Guests can take their pick from a decadent range of treatments on our Lust List and sip a selection of tantalising tipples from our drinks menu. Our expert team of pros will tackle untamed brows, lengthen lashes, and maser makeup to leave guests looking and feeling gorgeous.”
Manicures and pedicures are a signature treatment for Celtic Manor Resort’s all-new Champagne & Beauty Bar. Marieke explains: “We offer everything from signature champagne manicures and pedicures, finished with either Jessica Phenom (a power polish manicure that gives nails a high-gloss, gel-like shine that dries naturally in daylight) or GELeration – all the beauty of Jessica but in a unique gel formula.
The bar’s beauty offering is boosted by the inclusion of Mii Cosmetics and Brow by Mii. Marieke shares her passion for the products: “Having worked with luxury beauty brands spanning my career in the industry, I instantly fell in love with Mii. With skin loving formulas, thirteen tailored brushes as well as a 100% pure mineral line, Mii has set its sights on ensuring that you are filled with the confidence that every make-up decision will be the right one.
“Their passion, commitment and enthusiasm make Gerrard International a pleasure to work alongside. Gerrard International is a family affair, right to its core… it stands head and shoulders above its competitors. Susan personally chose the selection of fabrics and materials to be used for the bespoke furniture and we talked through all the proposed treatments together.”
Susan Gerrard, chairman of Gerrard International, adds: “It has been a pleasure working with Celtic Manor on the Champagne & Beauty Bar – it’s a wonderful showcase for our brands.”
Meet Mii in New Zealand
Gerrard International, creator of Mii Cosmetics, is delighted to announce a new international distributor for Mii – Grace Beauty in New Zealand, taking our international presence to 21 countries.
Husband and wife team Jason and Terri Grace, founded Grace Beauty Ltd, launching and marketing leading beauty brands to the professional beauty market in New Zealand.
With her extensive knowledge of the beauty industry, CIDESCO-trained Grace is ‘very passionate about the beauty industry and truly believes in all the brands Grace Beauty represents.’ And with 20 years’ experience importing products into New Zealand, Jason believes in ‘keeping business simple and fun.’
‘We were looking for a makeup range that was new and fresh and were aware of Mii’s growth, both in the UK and internationally. Mii also fits perfectly with our cosmeceutical skincare offering and we can see them working well together in salon and spa.’
Grace Beauty’s Brand Manager Holly Anderson travelled all the way to the UK for her training at Gerrard International’s head office. She said: ‘I fell in love with every aspect of Mii – everything from product story to performance and packaging is so thought out and credible.’ She continues: ‘We were very taken with the professionalism and great communication, and coupled with the immense support from Gerrard International, makes us very excited to begin this partnership.
The brand offers a fresh approach to professional makeup,’ explains Holly. ‘And we feel that Brow by Mii will resonate very well with brows being big in our market. The whole system and treatment plan is something we feel was missing in our market.’
Danielle Gerrard, who leads Mii’s International Markets Team, concludes: ‘It’s been a delight working with Terri, Jason and Holly to launch Mii in New Zealand. We welcome Grace Beauty to our Gerrard International family and look forward to a successful partnership together.’