New role for talented Faye at spa

The Marriott Portsmouth, in Southampton Road, North Harbour, has hired Faye as a beauty therapist.

The 174-bed hotel recently won the Hospitality Leisure and Tourism Award, as well as Team of the Year, at The News’ Business Excellence Awards last month.

It was also named at the best European sales team, beating cities such as Berlin and Paris, within Marriott last year.

Faye, from Cosham, spoke of her excitement at taking up the role, and she said she has been interested in beauty for all her life.

Through word of mouth among her friends, she found out about the position at the Marriott, applied and was offered the job.

‘Working in a hotel is the culmination of everything I have learnt so far in my career,’ she said.

‘No two days are ever the same – one of my first days in the job involved massage, a facial, waxing, manicure, pedicure and body scrub – and you get to work as part of a much wider team with people who have a variety of responsibilities and interests.

‘It’s a really exciting opportunity I am thrilled to have been given.’

The 24-year-old completed her GCSEs at Horndean Technical College, before embarking on four years in further education, two at South Downs and two at Fareham College, to reach the highest NVQ beauty qualifications, taking additional courses in a variety of subjects including aromatherapy and reflexology.

Faye’s first work experience was during a three-month placement at Champneys Spa in the New Forest.

In 2011, she become a spa manager at the Botleigh Grange Hotel in Hedge End and she oversaw a complete overhaul of the venue’s facilities.

‘The most satisfying part of working in the beauty industry is that you make people feel happy with themselves,’ she said.

‘Some people use the time to switch off and relax away from their lives, while others gain more confidence after a treatment. Seeing people smile as they leave is the best part of the job.’

In 2013, Faye decided to experience working in a salon in Winchester, but she then felt it was time for a change.

She said: ‘Beauty is a demanding industry with long hours six or seven days a week.

‘You need to be available both during and outside the normal working day and after five years of going non-stop, I wanted to experience something else.’

Faye took a position at Specsavers in Cosham, but after two-and-a-half years, she was giving advice to a friend about how to get in the beauty industry and realised how much she missed it.

She took up her role at the Marriott Portsmouth earlier this month.

For more information, or to book Faye for treatment, go to marriott.com or call (023) 9238 3151.