This full-service beauty clinic just got a serious glow up

Though Steph Powell was only 21 when she landed in Adelaide in 2011, it didn't take her long to develop a reputation as a formidable beautician.

Now the Director of Urban Glow, the Manchester native has worked in salons since she was 17, “so I'd been doing lash extensions for years, which was really exciting because people in Adelaide weren't doing things like that when I first arrived.”

After beginning her journey as a beautician at Orbe, she became a partial owner before eventually buying out the beauty side of the business and rebranding it as Urban Glow in 2021.

The two businesses have shared the same premises for the past four years, but a recent renovation means that Urban Glow will now have a standalone shopfront.

“But I still have a good working relationship with Joe and Ida [Orbe owners] – I describe them as like my mum and dad,” Steph says.

“They sponsored me to stay in the country so I'll be forever grateful to them and we get on very well.”

Hair and beauty are a natural match in many ways, but Steph wanted to turn Urban Glow into a peaceful oasis where the clients can relax and let their troubles drift away.

After constructing an internal wall to separate the two businesses in April, she recently added an impressive nail bar that doubles as a reception area, then brought the makeup stations, pedicure area and tanning beds forward.

That helps to keep noise to a minimum in the treatment rooms at the back, and she's added a shower that allows her to offer exfoliation, body scrubs and wraps.

A refreshed website and a new treatment menu (which includes skin needling and a 75-minute signature massage covering the full body, head and scalp) complete Urban Glow's evolution from a salon to a full-service skin and beauty clinic.

“The aim was to elevate everything and bring a touch of luxury to our massages so people just float out of the room,” explains Steph.

“That's why all of our skin treatments that include a massage now have a signature facial  massage included as well.”

The rebrand has already been a hit with customers, though Steph adds that she regularly gets curious passers-by popping in to ask if the business is new.

“I've been having a bit of a laugh about that, because even though we didn't have a shopfront, I've been here for 14 years!”

“A lot has changed in that time,” she adds, “and there's always something new when it comes to beauty.

That's what I love about our industry – we're always moving forward.”

Visit them today!

176 The Parade, Norwood
W: https://urban-glow.com.au/
I: /urbanglow_adl/