Rachael Thomas Telemaque was born in St Georges Grenada, The Spice Island, a fact that many may not know. Her parents, very early on, moved to Trinidad as her father founded a cosmetic manufacturing company, Bon Genie, and her mother began Pamela’s Health Club, no doubt inspiring her interest and decision to further a career in health and beauty.
She began her specialised studies at Champney’s Beauty College in Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom. Rachael graduated at the top of her class and went on to work at Champney’s Manor Spa, and then on to the world-renowned Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salon. She also began her illustrious modelling career with The London Academy of Modelling. She eventually left London to live in Paris to work at Orlane, model and spend time with her family. After spending enough time away from home, she returned to Trinidad and entered The Miss World Pageant in 1981 influenced by her late mother Pamela Hosten Procope and her aunt who just happens to be Jennifer Hosten, Miss World 1970. Upon her return to Trinidad she joined her mother again in opening ‘The Academy of Health and Beauty’ to train and encourage aesthetics in the Caribbean. After a lot of success at the Academy they opened the lavish ‘Institut De Beauté' bringing a combination of her mother's knowledge as a nurse and hers as an aesthetician for a total body health, wellness, beauty and medi-spa experience. Seventeen years later, she is now the founder and aesthetician at Salon De Beauté Trinidad. The salon has changed its location, but not its philosophy, and is founded on utilising cutting edge technology for optimum results in beauty, health and skin care. The salon offers a host of treatments including; Bespoke Skincare, Non-Invasive Body Contouring/Lipo, Laser Hair Removal, Laser Skin Rejuvenation, LED-Light Therapy, Ultrasonic Facials, Micro-Dermabrasion, Lash Extensions, Lash Lifting, Threading, Waxing and more. Her involvement in beauty is deep-rooted, long lasting and continuously motivated by her love of helping clients feel more confident and become more knowledgeable about what they put into and onto their bodies. Inspired by Rachael’s outstanding work in the local beauty industry, the WE Mag team sought to learn a bit more about her. Here’s what she shared with us:
1. What has the journey in the field of health and beauty been like over the years?
My profession is my absolute passion, I’m not sure how many people can say this and mean it 100%. My job is never boring, my clients make it ever changing. I might see the same client on a different day and his/her skin is different; new clients, new challenges; changes in the environment mean changes in my clients' skin. This profession is also continuously evolving and challenging me and that’s what I live for, and that’s what the journey has been like.
2. What is your favourite part about being an aesthetician?
This is a tricky question, I have many favourite parts but I think the winner has to be making a positive difference in people's lives, especially internally and externally. You can’t imagine how what I do makes a difference in how people feel about themselves and gives them a much needed confidence boost to put their face forward to the world. There's nothing more rewarding than that, helping people be the best version of themselves.
3. What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome and how did you deal with it?
The beauty, cosmetic and skincare industry is always evolving and improving, while it’s another one of my favourite things about what I do, It’s been a challenge to sift through the noise, choose the most effective treatments and technologies and bring them into the salon. Exciting but challenging nonetheless.
4. Tell us something about you that people may not know?
There's a lot! But, I love the outdoors, even though I spend most of my time in my salon. I love fishing and water sports, believe it or not. I love following the stock market and I stay grounded in my faith and family life.
5. As a former model and Miss T&T World, do you have any advice to give to any upcoming young women in such a competitive field?
I think other than the regular advice, what I strongly believe in, and taught my children is to be a leader, be absolutely and completely yourself. You have to live with yourself at the end of the day. Have the courage of your convictions and let that be your guide. Never stop learning, there is always something new to learn and someone to teach you. Two priceless tips that have never failed me.
6. Do you have any advice to give to women wanting to get into the beauty business?
I think the last question leads me right into this one. If this is your absolute passion then follow it. It’s not a profession for the faint hearted or partly committed. You have to live for helping people, and be open to learning every day.
7.What are you most grateful for?
I’m most grateful for health, life, my family, my clients and of course, to be able to help people in any way I can.
8. Why do you do what you do?
I feel like I grew up in this field. I spent a lot of time with my mother between Pamela's Health Club, The Academy of Health and Beauty and Institut De Beaute, and at my fathers Cosmetic Manufacturing Company ‘Bon Genie’. So definitely those two for starters. I keep saying the same thing but I do it because I love seeing my clients constantly improve, I live for that. It’s more or less in my veins and I can’t imagine doing anything else.