Diana Jenner Is breaking The Stereotypes And Setting Up Higher Standards For The Beauty Industry | An Interview

The standards of the beauty industry are shaped by amazing artists and entrepreneurs who are keen on bringing new practices and trends for the evolution in the industry. With their expertise and insightful approach, they are constantly introducing effective treatments that cater to boosting confidence and making people feel good in their skin.

The idea of beauty is always aimed towards making one feel beautiful about themselves and while beauty treatments are still considered a taboo in our society, beauty experts like Diana Jenner believe everybody should be entitled to their bodies and should feel free to enhance their features as they please.

With her extensive experience and years of knowledge, she has established herself as an expert in the industry and with her conscious efforts, she has been trying to get rid of the stigma attached to getting beauty treatments and is actively educating people of all ages about building their confidence using her platform, Orchids Retreat.

It is natural to get curious about an impressive  personality like Diana Jenner and, to get to know her better, we have curated the following interview where she answers some important questions related to her career journey:

Que 1: What inspired you to establish Orchids Retreat and how your journey has been so far with the boutique?

Having my own business has been a lifelong dream and over the years this has come in many forms. It started with working in a Las Vegas Spa then after further training and a transatlantic move to England, Orchids Hideaway was founded. I set up in my bedroom at my Mom’s house in 2003 after five years of continued client base growth, I took on a high street premise above a hair salon. As different life chapters are written our goals change and business adapts. I set up Orchids Retreat in a rural purpose built cabin at the foot of the garden. This has been a blissful retreat for the past decade whilst creating and raising a family. When the pandemic hit, my business pivoted to online virtual skincare lessons and physical treatments for pain relief and mental wellbeing. I was introduced to a new way of working and worked in conjunction with chiropractors and osteopaths to treat pain. This inspired the new Orchids Retreat Beauty and Wellbeing Clinic which will open in July 2021 in Lymington, England.

Que 2: Beauty treatments are still considered taboo for some parts of our society even in the 21st century. What are your views on that and how you are using your platform to highlight the issue?

Beauty is individual and I feel our role as a professional in the skincare, holistic and beauty industry is to help our clients feel better about themselves by sharing our knowledge and educating them about ingredients, treatments and homecare. This enables individuals to put their best face forward and live their best life being comfortable in their own skin.

Que 3: How cosmetic surgeries have proved to be helpful in making people feel good about themselves and how much is it responsible for boosting confidence?

In 2016 I ran the New York Marathon and met Dr Andrew A. Jacono, an American Plastic Surgeon and creator of the M.A.D.E. facelift, a minimally invasive hybrid facelift. We discussed the importance of skincare to compliment the procedures he performs to help boost confidence and enhance appearance. A cosmetic procedure doesn’t wave a magic wand, yes it enhances but it is essential to follow a daily homecare regime and to have regular professional treatments. We need to look after ourselves, we are only given one body in this life. It’s important to focus on our mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing.

Que 4: It is no doubt that you are doing an amazing job in the beauty industry, can you shed some light on your achievements so far?

Thank you. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to partake and achieve awards such as the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology BABTAC Beauty Therapist of the Year, Waxing Therapist of the Year and to win the CIBTAC Confederation of International Beauty Therapists and Cosmetologists Gold Award for my contribution to the beauty industry. 

I have also had the wonderful experience of having a residency at Firmdale’s Soho Hotel in Central London where I was able to build a portfolio of celebrity clientele. 

When Dermalogica set up a British Ambassador program, I was lucky to have been selected as one of the first UK Ambassadors and as a member of this team we work closely with the executive board to help trial new products, offer ideas about products and promotions and support other therapists and accounts. Our salon has also held the Dermalogica Derm Circle award for the past six years which recognises our commitment to education, innovation and client care. 

My business Orchids Retreat has also been nominated and selected for several awards over the past six years in the UK, Europe and in our region such as Luxury Travel Guide’s Treatment of Excellence - Europe, SME’s Beauty Salon of the Year and more recently Corporate Live Wire’s Luxury Beauty Salon of the Year 2021. We have also just been awarded Leading Provider of Holistic Beauty – Hampshire, and Customer Service Excellence Award 2021 by Lux Life Magazine. 

I also had the honour of supporting the United Kingdom Government’s Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy to devise the guidelines for the beauty industry to help business owners, spas and salons navigate their way through the covid restrictions and how to bounce back with a clean touch to ensure clients and therapists were able to work in a safe environment.

Que 5: If I am not wrong you are known as the "Queen of Customer Service" by your clients, what do you feel are your most impressive qualities that earned you this title?

I am honoured to have this title, but really I just love to please and make people feel good. I always try to tailor each treatment or service to ensure my guests are receiving the highest level of quality.  I love getting to know my clients and follow up after their treatments to ensure they are happy and confident with their homecare. Education is power so I try to enable my clients to be their own skin experts and inspire confidence in their appearance.