Next
'I have been in this business for eighteen years, I am a true specialist'
MASTERS EXPO exhibitor Lindsay van der Looij and her team make every skin more beautiful and radiant in BLOY Insitute. With something for everyone and the latest treatments, the clinic is a household name in Amsterdam South. In the latest edition of MASTERS MAGAZINE, Lindsay tells her story.Text: Bart-Jan Brouwer | Online editing: Mical Joseph
Image: Photography via BLOY Institute
Joffers
“As a young girl, entrepreneurship was already in me. When I was sixteen, I started my own salon at my parents' home. My mother, who had a hair salon, referred customers to me and people also came to me through the perfumery shop - that's how it started. At one point I wanted more and started working four days a week as an account manager for three different cosmetics brands. In that position I visited 180 salons and saw how they were doing there. I can do that better, I thought. It started to bubble and I started looking for a property. At that time my best friend moved to Amsterdam. I looked her up and we went for a coffee together at Brasserie Joffers. 'Amsterdam South is so beautiful!' I said. 'If I ever had my own business here…' I drew up a business plan and on that basis received a loan from the bank. In the middle of the financial crisis, I started a salon in a modest practice space on the Parnassusweg. A year later there was a collaboration with a cosmetic doctor. For the first few years, I worked seven days a week and put every penny I earned into my business. To generate awareness, I made my own newspaper, sent out flyers every day, provided goodie bags at the right events... I got a number of famous Dutch people as customers. That's how I became enormously famous. We outgrew ourselves. I wanted to take the next step and opened a second location on Willemsparkweg, where I have five treatment rooms. Funnily enough, the salon is located right opposite Brasserie Joffers.”
Total concept
“When corona came, I decided to stop the Parnassusweg and fully focus on the new salon, which I named BLOY Institute. The salon is distinguished by the most advanced equipment. I make no concessions, I only want the very best. In October we get a new laser device, a stunner that is loved in America. The Kardashians also have their skin treated with this powerful laser. I never choose the latest in equipment, but instead consciously choose the best, proven techniques and equipment. The salon is also distinguished by a total concept. We have everything under one roof: skin therapists, beauticians and cosmetic doctors from the leading Clinic 28. They all work very closely together and are extremely well attuned to each other. You don't see that often. People can also contact us for body treatments, anti-aging advice and supplements, among other things. Many famous Dutch people, politicians and entrepreneurs are our customers. Someone who comes here for the first time will first have an intake interview. We then do a free skin scan to measure, for example, sun damage, as well as a collagen scan to see the condition of the skin: how thick is it, how quickly does it age, how healthy is it for its age? Every skin is different and requires a specific approach. That is why we create a personal treatment plan for each client. Our treatments and products aim to put the skin itself to work. This is to boost cell division and collagen production so that the skin can effectively regenerate itself. The treatments in most demand are Venus Legacy Body, which produces collagen using radiofrequency, and Oxygen Power Facials, oxygen treatments to keep the skin naturally young – you look great the same evening.”
My secret
“I have been in this business for eighteen years and I am a real professional. Every year I take courses and visit international fairs to stay informed of the latest innovations. I am extremely eager to learn and continue to educate myself through training and courses. I am always reading books to broaden my knowledge. I also spar a lot with colleagues and doctors in the Netherlands and abroad. Currently, in collaboration with a team of various specialists, I have been working for three years on a unique project that I personally always dreamed of. This project will be exhibited at MASTERS EXPO. We will announce more about this from the end of October. What is my secret to keep looking beautiful? I exercise three times a week, eat very healthily, sleep eight hours a day, exfoliate my skin every day and always wear SPF. I am critical of myself and very perfectionist. That's what I am in my work, that's what I am for myself and that's what I am towards my staff. They're happy if I'm not there for a day every now and then, haha. In terms of skincare trends, I expect things to become a bit more natural. People wear less make-up, which undoubtedly has to do with corona: they have been indoors more and going out less. They are now doing more to keep their skin looking nice and natural. BLOY is also the right place for that.”
MASTERS MAGAZINE
Would you like to read more Masters to Watch? With the new MASTERS Magazine you will get through the autumn well and read the other unique entrepreneurial stories from the Masters. Order your copy now via the button below!
