At 17, Lower Hutt-based beauty therapist Nicole Jones started a business that has not only grown but thrived over the past 16 years. Here, editor Trudi Brewer shares why the art of touch was always her first career choice, her advice on achieving skin longevity, and her latest national award.
Read on to learn more.
Nicole Jones, owner of The Beauty Room in Lower Hutt, Wellington ABIA’s New Zealand Salon of the Year 2025
A career highlight for any business is being well regarded in an industry you love, and for Wellington-born Nicole Jones, that came in spades after her recent win as ABIA’s 2025 New Zealand Salon of the Year. Her Alicetown business in Wellington’s Lower Hutt, The Beauty Room, was judged Salon of the Year across New Zealand, for its business acumen and cutting-edge beauty solutions. For Jones, it was more than an award. It represents years of hard work, passion, and belief. Starting her business young, she always dreamed of creating something special. A destination where women could feel confident, connected, and cared for. “To see how far we’ve come, over the past decade and to have that recognised on such a big stage, is incredibly humbling. It’s more than just a trophy; it’s a reflection of our team’s passion, consistency, and the belief that you can build something incredible from the ground up when you truly love what you do.” Like most success stories, it takes dedication and hard work to be at the top of your game; that resilience, supported by family. “Building The Beauty Room into what it is today, alongside my best friend, my mum, and such an incredible team of 14, has been the most rewarding part of the journey.”
Here, editor Trudi Brewer shares why The Beauty Room is a cut above the rest and the secret to skin longevity.
Career
What sets The Beauty Room apart from other clinics?
Our heart. We’re a results-driven clinic, but it’s our personal connection and care that truly set us apart. Every treatment, every recommendation, and every client experience is tailored — not just to skin type, but to the person behind it. We’ve built a team culture that’s warm, supportive, and grounded in education — where clients feel seen, heard, and cared for. Our focus on advanced skin technology and clinical results is balanced with genuine connection, so every visit feels both professional and personal. That combination is what makes The Beauty Room experience different.
Why did you become a skin therapist?
It’s something I always knew I wanted to do. From 16, I was drawn to the beauty industry, and as I grew, that interest evolved into a genuine passion for skin health and helping women feel confident in their own skin. I started my business at 17, which was never scary, but exciting. I’ve always believed in dreaming big and just going for it. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing someone leave the clinic feeling refreshed, radiant, and proud of their natural beauty. It’s about more than treatments; it’s about connection, confidence, and empowering women to age gracefully and feel their best at every age and lifestage.
What motivates you every day?
Our clients and our team. Seeing the real change in our clients’ skin and confidence is always inspiring, but it’s equally motivating to watch our team grow, evolve, and share that same passion for helping others. We’re a small, family-run business, so everything we do comes from the heart. We’ve built a culture where everyone genuinely cares about results, about learning, and about making each client feel seen and valued. No two skins are the same, and that’s what keeps every day exciting. Watching the team succeed, seeing the clinic thrive, and knowing we’ve built something that makes a real difference in people’s lives drives me.
The Beauty Room, 417 Cuba Street, Alicetown, Lower Hutt, Wellington
Skin
Skin undergoes many changes as we age. What is the best way to treat it when you reach perimenopause, then menopause?
Hormonal changes can’t be fixed with skincare alone, but serums, facials, and SPF help your skin stay strong. Focus on hydration, barrier repair, and calming, strengthening ingredients like vitamin C. Gradually introduce retinol for collagen support, and never skip SPF — O COSMEDICS Mineral Pro SPF 50 Tinted is non-negotiable, tinted for convenience. Skin reflects what’s happening inside. Sleep, stress, diet, and toxins affect hormones. Support with: Greens Powder, is your hormonal daily green juice. Collagen Supplements: keep skin firm. Magnesium and vitamin D: help you relax and restore, and Omega-3: helps with mood, joints, and helps with hot flashes.
What about a breakout? What is the best plan of attack for correcting this?
Start with a solid routine: BHA products with salicylic acid clear congestion, and hyaluronic acid keeps skin hydrated without heaviness. Add vitamin C for brightening, and retinol + vitamin B3 (niacinamide) for cell renewal. Lifestyle matters too; reduce inflammatory foods and eat plenty of fresh produce. Professional treatments like Dermapen microneedling or O COSMEDICS peels can also fast-track results.
How important is it to follow a skincare routine, and what are the most important steps?
Consistency is everything. This is how to keep it simple with this routine: Cleanse: O COSMEDICS Gentle Antioxidant Cleanser. Correct: O COSMEDICS Pure Age-Defiance Serum or O COSMEDICS Smart Serum Hydrate: O COSMEDICS Immortal Cream or a suitable moisturiser for your skin type. Protect: O COSMEDICS Smart Serum and O COSMEDICS Mineral Pro SPF 50 Tinted.
What sets cosmeceutical skincare apart from pharmacy/department store brands?
Professional skincare is potent. Higher active ingredients, advanced delivery, cellular-level results. Over-the-counter products feel nice, but mostly sit on the surface — professional products change your skin.
What should we splurge on, and what should we save on?
Splurge on serums. This is where the magic happens to the skin. Try O COSMEDICS Pure Age-Defiance Serum, O COSMEDICS O-Biotics 3D Hyaluronic Serum,
O COSMEDICS O-Biome Retinoic Oil, or O COSMEDICS O-Biotics EGF Booster. Save on moisturisers; a simple, well-formulated moisturiser with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides works. Finally, SPF is non-negotiable—it’s the one product you should never miss, it’s an investment in skin longevity.
Top three skincare tips for NZ women:
Consistency: stick to what works and tweak as skin needs change. Apply sunscreen everywhere—don’t forget the neck, chest, and ears. Nourish from within: eat the rainbow for healthy foods, cut out high-sugar foods, and support your skin with key supplements.
Do you recommend internal supplements for skin?
Yes. Collagen, Omega-3s, vitamin B, C, and D, and magnesium. Stick to high-quality, clinically proven formulas with functional actives, meaning they are formulated in the correct doses to make a real difference to the skin.
What skincare ingredients should everyone use after 40?
Retinoids for anti-ageing, vitamin C for brightening and protection, niacinamide (vitamin B3) for texture and discolouration, and hyaluronic acid for hydration. Keep your barrier strong with ceramides and protect the skin daily with SPF.
O COSMEDICS Pure Age-Defiance Serum, $147. O COSMEDICS O-Biotics 3D Hyaluronic Serum, $121 O COSMEDICS O-Biome Retinoic Oil, $182, or O COSMEDICS O-Biotics EGF Booster, $188.
Treatments
With a range of active facials and the gold standard in skin rejuvenation, Dermapen, to high-tech skin correction such as BBL Hero IPL laser, and body sculpting like Emsculpt Neo. The Beauty Room is a go-to for almost every beauty enhancement, from a luxurious pedicure to Cosmetic medicine. Active facials and a registered nurse in the clinic, well known for her gentle injection techniques. Owner Nicole Jones is still a hands-on skin therapist and finds joy in transforming complexions so people can feel like their best selves.
Nicole Jones Skin Therapist and owner of The Beauty Room
What skin types can benefit from IPL, and how many sessions are needed?
Best for fair to medium skin tones with high contrast pigment. Darker skin may need to approach skin treatments with caution. Typically, three to six sessions, four weeks apart, are recommended, but you will see noticeable results after two to three sessions. For lasting results, a series of treatments is recommended, depending on the skin concern.
BBL has become a beauty buzzword — what is BBL Hero?
BBL HERO is next-generation IPL—faster, stronger, and more precise. It targets pigmentation, redness, and sun damage while also stimulating collagen, giving you clearer, smoother, and more even skin. Think of it as an all-in-one treatment for bright, healthy skin that genuinely glows from within. It’s one of our favourite ways to safely and effectively transform skin texture and tone.
Best advice
One skincare myth you’d like to debunk
Eye cream isn’t essential. The eye area is thin, sensitive, and prone to dark circles and puffiness. A targeted eye cream addresses what an everyday moisturiser can’t.
What is your desert island beauty buy?
SPF, always. If I could only take one thing, it would be the O COSMEDICS Mineral Pro SPF 50 Tinted— it protects, hydrates, and doubles as a light tint. You can have the best skincare routine in the world, but without sun protection, you’re wasting your time and money applying it. SPF is your daily insurance policy for healthy, glowing skin longevity.
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO VISIT THE BEAUTY ROOM?
We sent our wine writer, Wairarapa-based journalist and author, Joelle Thomson, to the beauty room for one of their signature treatments. Here’s how it went.
“The Beauty Room feels like an oasis of calm as soon as you step in the door. The gorgeous wallpaper, with its tropical vibes and soothing aromas, heightens that feeling of calm before stepping into a treatment room and sinking into the bed. You know you are in good hands when a therapist makes you feel relaxed and helps you let go of the stress after a busy day, as she expertly massaged my face. The steps of this facial are swift but nurturing. A deep cleanse, followed by exfoliation and an oxygen enzyme peel, prepares my skin for more massage. The facial massage is done using an O-Rejuv device, followed by the application of the O-Biome oxygenating mask, which is customised with an activator for specific concerns, such as lifting or brightening. In my case, both were welcome. The facial concludes with a hot towel and the application of finishing products, culminating in the holy grail of skincare: sunscreen. My therapist was experienced and down-to-earth, which always puts me at ease. My skin felt like velvet afterwards, and that feeling lasted for a couple of weeks. The O-Biome Oxygenating Facial at The Beauty Room reminded me that our skin is our body’s largest organ, weighing up to 15 per cent of our total body weight. Yet, we often ignore it or, in my case, struggle to keep it well hydrated. This facial was a welcome reminder of how much I need to focus on my skin health, and that soothing experience is a timely reminder to commit to looking after myself in ways that often get ignored during life’s busy times. If you get a chance to visit The Beauty Room, two things stand out. The therapist’s ability to achieve such a positive result makes my skin feel so smooth and has an instant uplifting impact on my health and wellbeing. This facial left me feeling calmer and coooconed, with that silky skin —the icing on the cake.”
O COSMEDICS O-Biome Oxygenating Facial, allow 90 minutes, cost $265.
Nicole Jones and The Beauty Room team
A top tool in the quest for skin longevity.