Jenny Farrell provides beauty advice for groomers

from Total Grooming Magazine September 2021

Lia Henderson on getting creative

Beauty Tips for Groomers

Groomer and beautician, Jenny Farrell, shares some of her beauty secrets:

Ithought I would switch things around and give out some human beauty tips this month! It’s all good and well making our furry friends beautiful but what about ourselves!

Working in the grooming salon can cause issues with our own beauty regime.

A lot of groomers tie their hair back, this can cause thinning of the hair at the front of the face and also cause damage and breakage to the area where you tie your hair up. Try using silk scrunchies if you want to tie your hair back as these cause less damage to your hair.

Also, the use of blasters and dryers in the salon can cause your own hair to dry out, make sure you mask your hair using coconut oil, argan oil and or extra virgin olive oil once a week for 2-10 hours. When you dry your hair, apply oils before to hydrate your hair. Argon, castor and nut oils are really great for your hair and you only need a tiny amount - 1 drop for long hair - after washing and before drying will work wonders on your hair.

I always recommend keratin smoothing treatments. They can be expensive but you can create a similar smooth glow at home using oils before drying!

Use really good grade shampoo, do not use dog shampoos! Use a salt free,chemical free shampoo that will restore hydration into your hair, especially if you treat your hair (colour / keratin).

Hands are also a major problem area with contact dermatitis, psoriasis, dry skin, hard skin, broken nails the list goes on! So here we go!

Always moisturise your hands throughout the day and after wetting your hands. Use a good quality moisturiser made to hydrate skin.

Use a barrier cream before starting the day, this will prevent hair, dirt and chemicals drying out your hands. It is used by mechanics to prevent oil

build up on their hands.

Do not wear fake nails, acrylic extensions etc I can not tell you how gross this is and really not a great idea. Acrylic nails will lift with bathing and bacteria can breed under the lifted acrylic causing the nail bed to lift or rot.

If you want nice nails a gel polish is the best, replaced every 2 weeks and soaked off properly. If you get a chip, fill in the chip to prevent lifting.

I personally think natural short nails for grooming is best and look nice, natural short nails prevent nails damaging the dog (poking the eyes or scratching them).

Use good quality natural hypoallergenic shampoos in your salon, this will save your hands and if you have to use perfumes and sprays try to avoid rubbing them in with your hands, use a comb instead.

Lastly, if you use flea treatment or have a dog that has medicated shampoo or a skin condition you should be wearing gloves to prevent contact dermatitis or irritation.

Lots of groomers suffer with aches and pains, my advice for this is to use good shoes that have support in them, use back and arm supports where and if needed and make sure you use proper equipment that will help you stay in shape such as electric tables that adjust height to suit your needs.

Getting regular beauty treatments like massages, facials and pampering will help recharge your energy and make you feel refreshed and beautiful so make sure you are treating yourself not just your furry friends!