Now men are off to beauty salons (From Swindon Advertiser)

Now men are off to beauty salons

2:34pm Wednesday 18th October 2006 in

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The summer has gone, winter's well on the way and it's time to have your body waxed and tanned - and that's just the men.

The fact that more and more men are visiting beauty parlours is music to the ears of Lee-Ann Rixon, a beauty and holistic therapist, who is regarded among the top qualified practitioners in Swindon.

"No longer is a visit to a beauty parlour regarded as something for sissies," said Lee-Ann, pictured right.

"I've got plenty of male clients that come to me for massage and you'd be surprised the number who want their backs waxed to get rid of the hair."

But waxing and massage are just two of the many skills that she has.

Lee-Ann, who is 32, left Warneford School, Highworth when she was 16 with not much of an idea of what she wanted to do.

She went to college to study secretarial and computer skills, sold advertising for the Swindon Advertiser and started doing beauty treatments on a part-time basis.

"While I was at work through the day I went to night school to learn beauty therapy and it's something that I just fell in love with."

Her clients say she's good at it as well.

She started work at a beauty parlour in a local hotel and then started her own business Top to Toe which has become busier by the month.

A typical day for her is to get up at 6am and go for a session at the gym before work at 9am.

That will go through to 9pm at the earliest and later if she runs a pampering party in the evening. "I just can't get enough of the work and I admit I can't stand still for a second.

"Even at the weekends I'll probably work some of a Saturday and on the Sunday I'll be with friends or family."

The list of what Lee-Ann can do is exhausting in itself and to many people it might as well be written in a foreign language. As well as the run of the mill manicure, pedicure, facial and massage there are things such as body polishes, salt scrubs, the use of Australian tooth crystals and a top up tan.

And then there's the hands on holistic stuff such as reflexology.

Not only does Lee-Ann know all about these treatments, she will also have been on the latest course to find at exactly what they do, how it's done and what benefit it will be for her clients.

"I must keep up to date with all the treatments for the benefit of my clients," she said.

Next year she's getting married so the way she organises things now that's probably sorted out already.

For more information about what you can have done to yourself or organise a party or appointment ring Lee-Ann on 01793 821613 or 07904 012881.