The Secret to Getting Seriously Affordable Beauty Services in South Africa
It’s pretty much a given that we’d all like to spend a lot more time at the spa or beauty salon, indulging in manis and massages. But, the reality is, not everyone has the budget to book multiple beauty and wellness treatments every month. Fortunately, I’ve found the secret to getting seriously affordable beauty services in South Africa. Yes indeed, treating yourself to a regular pamper session is possible without blowing an entire month’s salary.
I’ve found a budget gal’s sanctuary in the Beauty Therapy Institute (BTI) and the treatment prices are sure to leave you feeling absolutely giddy. The beauty and skincare training institution is where aspiring beauty and wellness therapists go to learn the tools of the trade. First started in 1996, BTI prides itself on upholding the promise of providing students with expert training and a quality education in the beauty industry.
Beauty Therapy Institute is accredited with Services SETA, and offers nationally recognised certificates for all its modules and courses. All BTI campuses are accredited with iTEC (British) and run international exams annually. Additionally, BTI is a corporate member of SAAHSP (South African Association of Health and Skincare Professinals).
Of course, when therapist are in training, they often need models to complete their training hours and exams and that’s where we — the beauty loving babes on a budget — come in. The BTI student salon is open to the public for a wide range of beauty and wellness treatments at a fraction of the price you would pay at an ordinary spa or beauty salon.
Sure, the therapist carrying out your treatments may be a student, but they’ll have a highly experienced supervisor watching very closely (and sometimes even getting hands-on themselves) throughout your treatment. Plus, you can feel confident that the student salon uses the same professional products that many top beauty salons and spas use. The students’ professionalism combined with their familiarity of high quality products helps you get the same great salon experience.
Anyone interested in the beauty treatments can contact the BTI student salon to make an appointment with supervised students for everything from manicures and pedicures to massages, facials, and more. The treatments are delivered with the signature BTI experience that clients expect from professionally trained staff.
If you’ve never been to a student salon for nail, skin care or wellness services, then you’re genuinely missing out. These learning institutions are havens for the latest styles, best stylists, highest-quality products, and … The cheapest prices. Sound too good to be true? It’s not!
I paid a visit to the BTI student salon in Salt River for a sports massage and it was truly exceptional. At R230, the treatment is a must-try for active types on a budget. Ordinarily you’d pay anywhere between R500 – R1,000 for a sports massage at a day spa or beauty salon, making this the deal of the century!
The deep-tissue massage treatment started with a short consultation and full body scan to see where I was holding tension and the severity of my muscle tightness. The therapist asked me to perform a series of small movements to get a good picture of where I needed the most release and it was great going into a massage treatment with the confidence that the treatment would focus on my specific needs. It’s a truly results-driven massage treatment and I would highly recommend it to anyone who frequently engages in high intensity exercise and sport.
I cannot wait to go back to this gem of a find to try more treatments and discover where else I can save on my monthly beauty treatments. Other services offered by the BTI student salon include: Full Facial at R210, Microneedling at R595, Bikini waxing at R110, Gel Manicure at R230, or a Full set of Acrylic or Gel Nails at R265. Check out the full treatment menu with prices on the BTI website.
Of course, with all great finds in life, there are a few things to consider when booking your treatment at a BTI student salon. The student salons are located in a working school and the set up is modest. If you’re concerned about the glamorous aesthetics and decor you’d find in a professional beauty salon then visiting this student salon may not be for you. However, if the quality of the treatment is all that matters to you then you’ll love BTI.
Visiting a student salon has loads of benefits, but I also love that by visiting BTI’s student salon you are able to help a student with their education. It’s a rewarding feeling knowing that you’re helping someone progress in their passion. Going to a student salon means that you’ll see the love these students have for beauty and you can witness as they practice and develop their skills in the area they’re most passionate about.
The BTI student salon also operates within limited hours so some flexibility is required, to book your preferred treatment you simply need to contact the salon to inquire about available times for that treatment and if there is a student available to perform the treatment for you.
BTI has student salons throughout South Africa including, Salt River and Brackenfell in Cape Town as well as Randburg and Rivonia in Johannesburg. For a full list of student salon locations visit the BTI website here.
