Meet The Team

Amanda completed a three year course in Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy, Theatrical Make-up & Wig Making at Thames Valley University, Reading. Whilst there she also managed to do some work experience at the hairdressing salon Forresters, and the Beauty Salon Heavenly Bodies Day Spa.

During this period Amanda discovered her passion for Beauty Therapy and found the positive and uplifting effect of performing treatments on others to be really rewarding. As a result of her work experience and university qualifications she was then offered her first job in beauty working at Heavenly Bodies Day Spa in Oxford.

Amanda’s experience then continued when she was offered a position at Danesfield House Hotel in Marlow, where she enjoyed working as part of a much bigger team and gaining valuable experience working with some of the beauty industries best products.

In 2010 Amanda was approached to work at Essense Beauty Salon in Wallingford, whilst under the management of the Hightone Gym. However it was not long before the opportunity arose for Amanda to take the business over herself and in her words “I jumped at the chance and have loved every minute of it since”

Steph studied her Beauty therapy level 2 full-time at college after leaving school, while using her mum, sister and even the pet golden retriever to practice on!! While working part-time as a dental receptionist she did evening courses to complete her massage level 3.

After working at the dentist for two years gaining experience talking to people and managing people’s questions and concerns Steph was offered a job at Hair and Beauty Works in Benson to cover maternity leave.

After jumping in feet first and making the most of every minute she was asked to stay on full-time permanently. After nearly 5 years she has felt it’s time for new scenery and is looking forward to meeting new clients.

I’ve been a beauty therapist for the last 18 years. I started my career working for Elizabeth Arden in Boots and soon moved onto working in the Boots beauty salon. In 2003 I starting working for Essense, it was here I disvoverd my passion for facials whilst working with Decleor products. I had a wonderful five years working at Essense, gaining valuable experience. I then moved onto a hair and beauty salon where I have been for the last 11 years. In this time, as the beauty industry was changing and growing, I obtained further training with spray tanning, lash lifting treatments and gel polish manicures and pedicures.

I enjoy all aspects of being a beauty therapist but the part I love the most is making someone feel better and completely relaxed, there’s nothing more satisfying than that.

I’m really excited to be coming back to Essense and hope to see some familiar faces, as well as getting to know some new ones.