Silsden's Equilibrium nails a place in Beauty Salon of the Year regional finals

Equilibrium times four: Silsden salon owner Sarah Wilkinson (third from left) is pictured with her team of beauty-treatment specialists (left to right) Viki Heaps, Samantha North and Mandy Foxworthy. Equilibrium Aesthetics, Beauty & Nails, of Kirkgate, which Sarah started in 2016, is a finalist in the North West 'Boutique Salon of the Year' contest run by the trade magazine Professional Beauty.

The salon offers an extensive suite of high-end treatments covering nails, eyes, facials, tanning, holistics, waxing/threading, electrolysis and laser tattoo removal. Clinics for anti-wrinkle injectables and dermal fillers are also available. The fashion for beauty treatments has been driven by celebrities and the pulling power of Instagram and other social media. According to the trade magazine, the industry nationally employs 300,000 people and generates £7 billion in revenue.

The modern face of Kirkgate: Equilibrium at No 86 (pictured last year) is proving popular with women of all ages. Pedicures are particularly in demand in summer  while nails and facials generally top the list of treatments. About 5% of the clients are men. The winners of the regional awards will be announced in October. The awards champion the industry's best practitioners.