In our 10 Minutes With ... Kai Laus, she talks to Tatler about her journey from aesthetician to master facialist and global spa director for Tata Harper Skincare, how she designs spa treatments around the world and more
There are some jobs where all the work is invisible—if that job is done right, and done well, then no one will notice work had gone into the final product at all.
In the wellness industry, that can describe many of the jobs within the industry. And it makes sense: wellness is defined by its ease and ability to help its consumers relax, if one can sense the hard work that goes into it, then the magic is lost. This is something Kai Laus, the master facialist and global spa director for Tata Harper Skincare, knows well.
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The wellness veteran, who was an aesthetician in Canada, had the opportunity to pivot her career when a client told her about an all nature lifestyle store she wanted to open in Toronto, and asked Laus to be the manager there. It was from working at this store that Laus learnt about Tata Harper and immediately fell in love with the brand. “As an aesthetician, it has been my passion to heal the skin naturally,” so when she was invited by Tata Harper to join the company, it was “a dream come true”.
When the skincare brand then developed a spa division, Laus—with her background as an asethetician—was a natural fit as its spa director.
In August this year, Yun Wellness at Island Shangri-La in Hong Kong became the first wellness space in Asia to host Tata Harper facial treatments. And Tatler sat down with Laus at the pampering launch event to talk skincare, balance and female leadership.
For those who don’t know, what is the difference between an aesthetician and dermatologist?
The main difference is that an aesthetician is trained to treat skin on the surface level and provide beauty services like massages, facials, and body treatments. A dermatologist is a medical professional who can diagnose the skin and give prescriptions. While aestheticians are treating the skin, dermatologists are working on a deeper level.
Ideally, should someone have an aesthetician they see regularly as well as a dermatologist to treat problems that are coming from within?
Absolutely. If there are severe skin concerns, then a dermatologist is a huge help. Because at the end of the day, the skin is our body’s mirror and shows what’s happening inside the body. And it’s good to work together with a dermatologist and your personal doctor to see if your body is balanced or not. [For example,] dairy, gluten and sugar can [create] imbalance, and even wrinkles can show up when you haven't had enough sleep. and when you really get good rest, your skin will rejuvenate itself.
It’s incredible how smart the body is—it’s a superhero. We need to just give the body the building blocks, and that's what natural skincare does. It’s ingredients that your body can recognise and use as the building blocks to build itself.