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beauty
Meet The Melbourne Facialist Taking A Holistic Approach To Beauty
26/11/24
Author: Ingrid Kesa
DOCUMENTED BY: @her__solis
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For Stephanie Walsh, 28, beauty is much more than skin deep. Through her Melbourne-based facial studio Her Solis, she takes a holistic approach to skin health. “Beauty is about feeling good from the inside out,” she says. “My approach to facials and skincare is deeply rooted in naturopathy and the healing powers of nature.”
Growing up on a farm in country Victoria and being surrounded by nature’s plenty throughout childhood instilled in her a deep appreciation for skincare ingredients that come from the earth. Stephanie would observe her aunty making her own skincare products using flowers and herbs harvested from the garden. Stephanie’s philosophy is pared-back and largely informed by her own experiences in the industry.
After studying beauty and working at health retreats and spas across Australia, Stephanie returned back to Melbourne and was employed as a facialist for four years at a fast-paced local business. “I realised how easy it was to become overwhelmed and burnt out in this field. It made me reflect on what I truly wanted for my career and how I could create a better experience for myself and my clients,” she says. It inspired her to launch Her Solis, under which she strives to address the gaps she identified in the beauty industry and cultivate a more holistic and customised approach to skincare.
"I bring a whole-body focus into everything—whether it's through the clean, natural products I use, like manuka honey and botanical oils, or by working to ease tension and inflammation in the body. I see the skin as part of the bigger picture, so it’s all about supporting it from the inside out.”
“I focus on helping the skin do what it naturally does best, using techniques like gua sha, facial cupping and lymphatic drainage. I bring a whole-body focus into everything—whether it's through the clean, natural products I use, like manuka honey and botanical oils, or by working to ease tension and inflammation in the body. I see the skin as part of the bigger picture, so it’s all about supporting it from the inside out,” she tells RIISE.
This supportive underpinning is woven into each touchpoint of a Her Solis treatment. “What I love most about my work is helping people feel better about themselves. It goes beyond just giving a facial; it’s about nurturing the whole person,” she says. The two Her Solis studios in Carlton North and Moonee Ponds are cosy and inviting, reflective of Stephanie’s own welcoming demeanour. Each treatment is tailored to an individual’s skin and concerns, but centres around releasing emotions and tensions stored in the face via various massage techniques.
Documented By: @her__solis
Stephanie might perform a TMJ release massage, using her hands to manually ease tension in the neck and jaw. Or she might draw upon gua sha or facial cupping to gently lift the skin and clear away stagnation. These “ simple and intentional” techniques are aimed at encouraging lymphatic flow throughout the body. Stephanie became particularly interested in the lymphatic system during her naturopathy studies. “I started to understand how important it is for keeping the body in good health and clearing out toxins. When it’s working well, you can actually see the difference in your skin and body—it looks clearer and less puffy. It’s a simple yet gentle way to take care of both your skin and your body that makes such a difference,” she explains.
Below, Stephanie shares her five tips for skin health.
