Virtual consultations thrive during lockdown

As spas closed their doors during the recent lockdown, innovative brands considered new ways to stay connected with their customers, with social media providing a natural channel of communication for many brands.

Some, however, saw an opportunity to connect on a deeper, more personal level and introduced one-to-one skincare consultations with therapists and their customers. Leading the way were a number of renowned spa facialists, including Teresa Tarmey, Dr Barbara Sturm and Beata Aleksandrowicz.

Aleksandrowicz, who also offers group face massage classes, believes there are a number of essential elements required to make online consultations a success.

“The most important thing is to forget that there is a virtual barrier and treat it like a physical one-to-one appointment,” she says. “Prepare yourself mentally for the session, have good light and sound and a backup plan if the internet fails.”

As the lockdown continued, more brands developed virtual one-to-one skin consultation programmes.

Caudalie introduced a complimentary 20-minute Online Skincare Consultation via Facebook. The French vinotherapy brand also provides its customers with personalised skincare advice and product recommendations.

FOREO launched 30-minute virtual sessions with Chris Luckham, the brand’s UK and Ireland education specialist, to discuss skincare issues and concerns while teaching participants how to look after their skin (pictured above).

Meanwhile, Clarins developed its Clarins & Me concept, a complimentary, virtual, 15-minute service enabling clients to discover seven bespoke do-it-yourself skin rituals over the phone.

Your Virtual Aesthetician, from 111Skin, allows access to bespoke 20-minute skincare consultations from knowledgeable aestheticians, providing some reassuring at-home advice.