DARLINGTON beauty therapist Erin Harper has finally realised her dream and opened a salon in the town

Erin Harper started early in the beauty business. At the age of nine she would drag her mum down the aisle to look at the beauty products in the local supermarket, and by the age of ten she even had a little beauty business on the go, doing her friends' mothers nails for £2.50 a time.

Now she's all grown up – 22 years old – and has just opened a beauty salon in Cockerton, where, as well as offering basics like manicures and pedicures, she offers high-tech solutions to skin problems and ageing. "I'm a big believer in low maintenance, feelgood treatments that deliver huge results," says Erin, who lives at Little Stainton.

At the REJOY salon on West Auckland Road, she specialises in Medik8 skincare and chemical peels, CACI and LightFusion phototherapy, "the only clinically backed LED therapy", which is said to be effective on fine lines and improves skin texture and tone. She also offers LipoFirm Pro, which hit the headlines recently thanks to celebrities Katie Price and Ferne McCann.

"This is exclusive in the immediate area to REJOY and is a non-surgical skin tightening and head-to-toe body sculpting treatment," says Erin. "The bum lifts are already causing lots of interest." Erin is also an eyelash specialist. Semi-permanent make-up artist Gina Shephard will also be available at the salon once a month.

On her own skin, Erin uses Medik8 Cosmeceutical skincare and Youngblood mineral make-up religiously, and is an exclusive stockist of the latter in Darlington. "These products exceed expectations every time, both for me and my clients," she says. "They are natural and paraben-free. The skincare is created by a pharmacist from Leeds. They make everything look healthy and glowing – without the ridiculous price tag."

And Erin should know what she's talking about. Since leaving Hurworth Comprehensive in 2010, she has collected qualifications in hairdressing, beauty, massage, nails, holistic health and spa management. "I have also completed advanced skin courses, tanning, non-surgical courses and I'm always attending top-ups on the newest trends," she says. To make sure the business runs smoothly, she also did some work experience to gain an overview of business management.

Erin's role models have been her hard-working parents, mother Diane, who works part time at BHP Law and is also helping out on reception at REJOY, and father Tim and brother Ben, both property developers. "They have always had their own business, and made it hugely successful, no matter what obstacles came their way," she says.

The whole family has mucked in to help Erin realise her dream. After choosing Cockerton "because the village is thriving with lots of successful businesses in it", Erin spotted a two-bed end-of-terrace which her father and brother have transformed into a luxurious boutique salon with two treatment rooms, a spray tan and pedicure room and hairdressing studio headed up by colour and photoshoot specialist Dianne Jefferies.

"The work was huge, but the finish is flawless and the atmosphere is so warm and calming. It's a lovely place to be," says Erin. "I'm delighted I chose this path because it doesn't really feel like work. I'm passionate about what I do and I think that passion comes through to my clients."

  • The official opening of REJOY is from 5pm to 7pm on Monday and people are invited to pop in and take a look.

SPECIAL OFFER

Until the end of April, REJOY is offering ten per cent off first treatments to readers of The Northern Echo. Just take a copy of this article along when you go along to the salon. To book, call 01325-351947.