Beauty done better, not faster. Slow Beauty offers sustainable skin services without compromising quality, efficacy or the environment. We are an intersectional beauty business providing a COVID-safe environment for women in Canberra.
A sustainable alternative to conventional beauty therapy.
My ultimate goal is to help you slow down and tune into yourself and the world around you so that life becomes more intentional.
With meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to excellence, I’ve created a space that inspires, supports, and enriches the lives of those who spend time here.
Launched in 2012, Slow Beauty Eco Salon redefines Beauty Therapy through a commitment to safety, quality and professionalism. The studio is a fresh and modern take on beauty salon culture.
Built on the foundation of sustainability and healthy living, Slow Beauty grew from a simple concept: First, do no harm.
Slow Beauty Eco Salon is an intersectional environmentalist COVID-19-safe beauty salon that operates by appointment in the leafy suburb of O’Connor. Slow Beauty uses ethical products to give premium results to all skin types. Slow Beauty Eco Salon takes a holistic approach to skincare and health, creating a peaceful and serene environment for guests.
History
Established in 2012 and formerly known as Beauty By Natalie, my little studio saw a rebrand in 2017 and re-opened in April 2018 as Slow Beauty Eco Salon.
The name “Slow Beauty” was inspired by the Slow Food movement, later to become the Slow Living movement. Slow Beauty is about self-care, inner beauty, and joyful living so you look and feel amazing.
Origin Story
What inspired you to start your business, and how did you come up with the initial concept?
I’ve always preferred experiences over things, so at the time my husband-to-be would treat me to a spa day as a birthday present. Because I loved it so much, but didn’t have the budget for regular visits, I spent much of my time trying to memorise the steps of a manicure or pedicure, and would rush to write them down as best I could once I came home again, so that I could replicate them for myself when I did my own self-care. I was a stay-at-home-mum searching for cheap waxing when the opportunity for government-funded training presented itself. I undertook the training, and graduated from Canberra Beauty Academy in November, 2011.
I studied my Certificate IV full time while living in supported accommodation for 11 months following homelessness and domestic/family violence. I started my business soon after receiving permanent housing as I’d been granted three bedrooms – one for my daughter, one for myself, and one to accommodate a carer, as I was due to have a significant number of surgeries due to my rapidly declining health. In July, 2012 I moved in, and used my spare bedroom as a makeshift studio to practice my newly acquired skills on friends and family.
I started my business because I loved being pampered on on my birthday, and wanted to make others feel good in themselves. The initial concept was fairly basic – I did a fast-tracked course which focussed on theory, and not a lot of practical. I’m perfectionistic and was concerned that my waxing speeds wouldn’t be at an employable standard, so I set about honing my new skills.
As it turns out, a home-based business without foot traffic or capital for advertising and promotion is very difficult to grow, and I wasn’t earning enough to support my family even four years in. After the frustration of “mutual obligation requirements” working-for-the-dole five hours a day at The Salvos, I decided the only way I could continue to grow my business was enrol in further study. In 2015 I enrolled at Canberra Institute of Technology, and studied full time for six months, graduating in 2016 with a Diploma in Beauty Therapy. In 2017 I was forced to close down my business in order to meet the government’s requirements for single parenting payment. I enrolled in the NEIS program, completing a Certificate IV in New Small Business, and relaunched my business as Slow Beauty Eco Salon.
Slow Beauty was a concept I came up with after having worked in education for a decade, and being inspired by one employer’s take on “slow education”. The concept of doing better, not faster really appealed to me, and I grew Slow Beauty borrowing from the Hippocratic Oath of “First, do no harm”.
Helping you create small habits to better care for yourself.
Experience the fusion of personalised expert guidance and support with Slow Beauty—where sustainability meets serenity and education intertwines with empowerment.
Meet Your Therapist
My goal is to address the causes of your skin concerns, not just the symptoms. I’m excited to partner with you to investigate the causes together, and use my working knowledge of cosmetic chemistry to understand how they’ve contributed to your skin condition.
Natalie McBurney
Founder, CEO & Beauty Therapist
Slow Beauty has some of the best clients.
Enhance your self-care journey with the 30 Days of Self Care Calendar.
- Small, achievable tasks.
- Self-care from head to toe.
- Start the new month looking like a new you.
Coming Soon!
You must be logged in to post a comment.