Sponsored
‘I don’t follow trends’: Skin by Olga on her sustainable skincare philosophy and business approach
Sponsored By
With a reputation for excellence and a devotion to staying on top of the latest expertise, without following fads, Skin by Olga is celebrating nine years in business.
Facialist to the stars and crowned the IMAGE Business of Beauty Awards Best Facialist last year, Olga Kochlewska is an expert in her field. Having opened the doors of her Donnybrook boutique salon, Skin by Olga, nine years ago, her passion for caring for her clients’ skin has not waned. “I know how it sounds,” she reflects, “But I truly love what I do. I spend all my time in the treatment room. I work as much as I did in the beginning – I haven’t lost my passion for looking after clients’ skin.” It’s a testament to her expertise and dedication to what she does that many of her clients from when she opened her doors nine years ago, are still her clients today.
Olga’s honest approach is not a one-treatment-fix-all solution; it’s a journey that she works towards with each client, creating bespoke facials which intuitively respond to the skin’s needs. “The philosophy is progressive, not aggressive,” she says. “A consistent, measured approach to skin care delivers better, more sustainable results than overly aggressive treatments.”
To get the best out of your skin, a facialist needs to be an expert in everything from skin analysis to ingredient and product use, as well as understand what technology will provide optimum results. Driven by providing the best treatments for clients, Olga is always searching for the top technology and companies to work with, travelling to the USA, Paris and Switzerland, developing relationships, and meeting and learning from the people behind some of the best skin brands.
As a result, Olga was one of the first skin professionals to bring the OxyLight machine to Europe, which uses some of the most in-demand technologies in one treatment, ensuring that skin is red-carpet ready.
Working with Auteur skincare is also something that Olga is extremely proud of – a skincare company created in collaboration with leading scientists and laboratories in Germany, featuring a thoughtfully edited selection of products with specific, targeted functions – an exclusive partnership that is not easy for many independent salons to secure.
“All our technology is purchased not because it’s trendy,” Olga explains. “The purchasing process is really complex. A lot of calls and site visits are made. We invest heavily in technology that is well backed by science, tried and tested by people we know and trust. A lot of damage can be done if it’s not used correctly.”
There is no quick fix – invest time in your skincare routine now, to achieve healthy supple skin for the future.
Technology for the skin may have improved how we approach our skin health, but Olga has always been a firm believer in the power of your hands – there may have been a resurgence in manual facials the last couple of years, but manual muscle stimulation is something that Olga has always incorporated as part of her treatments.
Skin trends ebb and flow, but Olga is steadfast in her approach. “Skincare is ever-changing. Don’t be tricked by trends. Formulas are changing, trendy ingredients come and go. As more machines are brought to the market, you really need to recognise what’s best.
“I don’t follow the trends; my strong background in biochemistry and medicine is solid, I know what is good for skin, and I will promote that. Clients know that, and they trust me. As a result, I’ve been working on something special that I’m looking forward to launching next year to make our 10-year anniversary extra special.”
Working alongside Olga in the salon, her team are as passionate about skincare as she is. “Passionate people work for us,” Olga says. “Understanding and love for skincare is everything. The second treatment room in the salon is Katarina’s kingdom. We were really lucky to find this super smart and experienced facialist. She knows best! That is why I go to her to get my facial. Also keeping the ship afloat is our wonderful salon manager, Natalia.”
The team at Skin by Olga may be small, but they are all led by the same result-driven philosophy – helping clients to understand their skin so that they can get the correct skincare to address their concerns. For Olga and Katarina, facials are not just a treat; they are necessary for healthy skin. “There is no quick fix – invest time in your skincare routine now to achieve healthy, supple skin for the future.”
Photography by Dora Kazimierak
Follow Skin by Olga on Instagram for more of their ninth birthday celebrations. To learn more, visit skinbyolga.ie.
Also Read
