30 years in the game, ready for change.
This year makes 30 years since my journey began in the skin and beauty industry.
The journey has allowed me to learn and grow my knowledge of the human body and the wonder of its systems. It has allowed me to be a mum, grow a family, and now my own business. I am very proud of the Plume Skin story and acknowledge the support of my family, friends, and clients over the years to have reached this milestone.
How did it all start?
I’ve always been fascinated by how the human body functions, and working with my hands has always come naturally to me. Rather than following a traditional university path, I chose beauty therapy, which aligned perfectly with my passion. Through studying the physiology and anatomy of the body — particularly the skin — I gained valuable knowledge and qualifications that have continuously expanded my expertise. This hands-on approach allowed me to develop a dynamic and evolving skill set that has shaped my career.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to apply my skills in a variety of settings — beauty therapy clinics, high-end salons, day spas, pharmacies, and even aged care facilities. Now, with Plume Skin, I’ve come full circle, running a dedicated skin clinic that focuses solely on skin health and long-term function, rather than the grooming services like manicures and tanning.
By the time I launched Plume, I was ready to shake things up and rock the boat a little. I’d grown tired of the “beauty industry” dictating what skin should look like — telling us that if it wasn’t flawless, it wasn’t normal.
I wanted to help my clients understand why their skin looks the way it does and, more importantly, how they can support it to achieve healthier, more radiant skin. I’m grateful that I now get to do this every single day.
What has changed within the industry, that you have liked or disliked?
The industry has gone through massive changes over the past three decades—some of them, unfortunately, have been harmful, both for our skin and for us as individuals. Too often, companies have profited off our fears of not fitting a certain image. But I’m glad to see things shifting in a positive direction. There’s more education for consumers now, and people have the choice between the traditional cosmetic approach and healthier, long-term plans focused on skin health and function.
What excites me most as a therapist is how much more we understand about what influences the skin. We now know so much more about:
the nervous system,
gut health,
nutrition,
the effects of stress and hormonal changes,
how active ingredients in skincare products work, and
the impact of medications and their side effects.
It’s a constantly evolving field, and I love being part of it.
What trends do you never want to see again?
Thin or non-existent eyebrows!
And removing the top layer of skin by scraping, peeling, or blasting it off!
What’s your favourite thing about your job?
Helping people understand more about their own skin and creating long-term goals for skin health. The way our skin works is simple and complex all at once. Getting to the fundamentals of skin function is key to making progress. It is of the utmost importance for us to gain some understanding of that. Helping to take the guesswork out of skincare is what I see my role as.
An evolving industry- what do you look forward to seeing?
I’m excited to see the industry moving more towards understanding skin health and function, rather than focusing solely on how we should look in the moment. It’s not just about standout ingredients, but how those ingredients actually work within the skin. It’s no longer about quick fixes, but about achieving long-term goals for truly healthy skin.
There’s a growing interest in women’s health, which will bring big rewards for women of all ages. I believe this shift will have a positive impact on how women view themselves and their expectations, leading to more realistic ideals of beauty and self-worth.
I love that I’ve reached a point in my career where I can choose the methods, products, and philosophies that I believe work best.
At heart, I’m an old-fashioned facialist, and I’ll always cherish the classic parts of a facial—like the cosy bed, relaxing music, massage, and luxurious products. But I also embrace the science of skin health, and I’m committed to using the best contemporary methods available. For me, this blend of tradition and science offers the ultimate in skin care treatments.
Looking ahead, I see continued growth in this approach to taking care of people and their skin health. The Plume Skin community will keep growing as we strive to improve and innovate in every aspect of the industry.
Thank you for joining me in the journey.
- Janet XO