Everyone aspires to look their best. Men and women are eager to spend money on beauty products and services, whether they choose to take care of their appearance at home or visit a beauty salon for a professional touch. Brenda Phua considers beauty services as a necessity for all women, and she is on a quest to help them improve their self-confidence and appearance by providing them with these services.
Empowering women through beauty business
Everyone wants to look their best, so it’s no surprise that men and women are willing to spend money on treatments and services that can enhance their appearance.
While some people enjoy and are skilled enough to groom themselves at home, others may prefer to visit a beauty studio for a professional touch.
Brenda Phua is on a mission to help women boost their self-confidence and image by offering beauty services.
The 27-year-old is the owner of Magic Touch Beauty Studio, which is located at Milan Square, Jalan Wan Alwi in Kuching.
From eyebrow shaping and tinting to body waxing, Brenda described her beauty services as a necessity for all women.
“I love helping women in enhancing their natural beauty, and this is the most rewarding aspect of my job,” she told New Sarawak Tribune.
Like mother, like daughter
Brenda said that she has always been interested in providing beauty services.
She was inspired by her late mother, who had taught her facial treatments.
“My mother was very supportive of my interest and encouraged me to pursue it. She was the one who taught me how to do facials and enrolled me in several beauty courses,” she said.
Brenda described her mother as a role model, saying she was a full-time housewife raising five children while battling breast cancer.
Brenda said that despite her mother’s health issues, she did not let it stop her from pursuing enterprises to help support the family.
“In addition to doing facials and selling beauty products, my mother was also good at sewing. She took orders from customers to make bed sheets, curtains, and clothing.
“When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she was involved in selling health supplement products and raising awareness of the importance of taking care of one’s health,” she said.
Brenda mentioned that her mother stressed the importance of being independent, especially financially, in order to have more control over one’s life.
She admired her mother’s ability to have multiple sources of income despite having many responsibilities at home.
She revealed that after her mother passed away, Magic Touch Beauty Studio became her full-time job.
“I often wonder what my mother would think if I decided to pursue a full-time career in the beauty industry,” she said.
Of trust and loyalty
Intimate waxing can be frightening for some people, especially first-timers.
Brenda, on the other hand, assures them that it is never the nightmare they imagine.
While it is natural for first-timers to be shy about going into an intimate waxing session, she has seen many of them become comfortable and return to her beauty studio for future sessions.
“I’ve seen clients who came in looking terrified but left with a smile and returned frequently after that,” she said.
Brenda would usually strike up a conversation with her customers in order to divert their attention and get to know them better.
At the same time, she would educate her clients on body waxing aftercare.
“My advice to first-timers is to not be too worried; I promise it is not that bad. It is important to let your hair grow out and exfoliate before your appointment.
“You are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes and, if necessary, take a painkiller prior to your appointment. In my opinion, talking to your service provider or playing with your phone during the session is the best way to distract yourself,” she said.
Brenda said that the most rewarding aspect of her job is the ability to empower and help other women in enhancing their natural beauty.
She added that she feels empowered when she sees women take care of themselves by wanting to look their best.
“The majority of my services are not luxuries; they are necessities for women. Your brows, for example, can influence the shape of your face.
“A well-trimmed and shaped brow can create a polished appearance even without the use of makeup,” she said.
Social media to promote
Brenda actively uses social media and utilises platforms like Facebook and Instagram to promote her business.
She quite often shares her work and special promotions on the Magic Touch Beauty Studio’s social media pages.
“The responses on social media have been incredibly positive. Most of the time, I am so booked up that I have to extend my operating hours.
“Most of my new customers learn about Magic Touch Beauty Studio through social media and word of mouth,” she said.
Overcoming challenges
Brenda admitted that there were many challenges she had to face and overcome when she first started.
She described herself as being clueless about business at the time, but she did a lot of reading and research to improve herself.
“I was clueless at first and had no idea if I was doing things correctly. Reading and conducting my own research provided me with some guidance on how to start my own business,” she said.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she revealed that she had quit her full-time job to pursue her dream of starting a beauty business.
As such, it was her sole source of income, but she was grateful that her family was very supportive and helped her in getting through the difficult times.
Brenda began honing her skills by shaping and waxing her sisters’ and friends’ eyebrows.
“Although I made mistakes, that is how I learned and improved — it is true that practise makes perfect,” she said.
Future undertakings
Brenda hopes to eventually expand Magic Touch Beauty Studio to other locations in Kuching.
“I still have a long way to go, but this is a goal I’d like to achieve,” she said.
Brenda encouraged those interested in working in the beauty industry to invest in good courses and to never stop learning.
She emphasised the importance of practise, as well as the importance of focusing on customer satisfaction in order to achieve consistent sales.
“Continue to learn and keep up with current trends, changes, and developments in the beauty industry.
“When you decide to work in the beauty industry, I believe it is important to put your heart into it. It will be the most motivating factor to keep going even when things get tough,” she said.
While there are many paths in the beauty industry, she added that in order to be successful, one must be willing to try new things and learn new skills.
For more information on Brenda’s services and to make an appointment, call 010-7671931 or visit @magictouchkch on Facebook and Instagram.
