Twenty years ago, Michelle Reeve founded Waterlily – a skincare company rooted in the study of biotechnology and its connection to personal wellness. To this day, every product housed under Waterlily’s extensive portfolio is handcrafted at the brand’s Brisbane-based botanical lab.
To celebrate the milestone, the Australian brand invited local members of the spa, wellness and beauty industries to The Wellness Summit, held at The Calile Hotel in Brisbane, QLD. Professional Beauty’s Editor-in-Chief Hannah Gay was in attendance.
The two-day event featured a string of educational talks by leading KOLs in the sector. A range of topics were discussed, with each referring back to the wellness industry boom of recent years. Tribute was repeatedly paid to Michelle, whose Waterlily plays a major role in bridging the gap between spa offerings and targeted cosmeceuticals.
20 years of Waterlily
Waterlily, Michelle shared, is a culmination of her personal “passion for aromatherapy and naturopathy.” The founder said remaining committed to the brand’s “grassroots ideals” has allowed Waterlily to stand the test of time.
“We’re entering medicine phase 3.0 – with a focus on prevention over cure,” Michelle explained, noting that for too long have wellness and spa treatments been “undervalued”. “Wellness is about engaging all our senses – touch, smell, taste and sight.” Michelle offered recommendations to businesses on how to maximise in-clinic offerings that involve considering all of these senses.
“No amount of AI and automation can replace the human connection in providing a truly personalised experience.” She similarly suggested therapists no longer view selling retail as just a “transaction”, but as an opportunity to “create meaningful connections with customers”. Michelle added, “we should encourage our clients to create their own at-home wellness ritual.”
Waterlily develops nutritionally-dense formulations to create nutritionally-rich skin, underscored by independent clinical trials. “We’re moving from ‘clean beauty’ to ‘biotech beauty’,” Michelle added in light of the future of the sector.
At the Wellness Summit, guests were treated to a timetable of informative and emotional talks by leaders from all walks of the wellness sector:
What’s trending in the wellness space?
CEO and founder of Sprout Strategy and FutureEQ, Elisa Adams shared a string of updated Australian wellness statistics. Ultimately, she advised that we are seeking more health and wellness experiences now than we were pre-pandemic. She shared that in 2024, we feel less physically and mentally healthy than we did in 2020.
“More self care” is one of the megatrends set to impact Australians beyond 2024. Elisa revealed “personal health and wealth dominate our thinking [in Australia today].” 18-34 year-olds were found to be most impacted by mental health concerns.
Statistics show that the healthier we are, the wealthier we are, and the happier we are – there is linkage between each. “We have a better value radar now than we did a few years ago,” Elisa added. Interestly, Elisa also noted “74% of Aussies value honesty [as the number #1 value].”
Wellness consultant Samantha Dunn introduced guests to the concept of biohacking – a term coined by Dave Asprey in 2004. According to Samantha, biohacking involves several pillars, from nutrition to mental health. “Biohackers attempt to do things faster; they are obsessed with data – they like to measure everything.”
She ran guests through a series of wellness strategies and technologies that are currently – and set to – infiltrate the salon and spa market in the near future. Those flagged fell under the categories of biohacking, hydro and thermal offerings, medispa services, detoxification and lymphatic drainage, and massage technologies.
The roles of stress and gut health
Dr Libby Weaver, nutritional biochemist and author, discussed the biological composition of the endocrine system and the definition of hormones. The health of this system, guests learnt, can impact a woman’s wellbeing in various ways. She said that for 300,000 years, high adrenalin meant our life was in danger. Now, it is simply a daily experience. “The hypothalamus is constantly looking out at the world to confirm we are safe,” Libby said. High adrenalin suggests to the body we are not safe. “Not fostering a personal surge of progesterone is one of the biggest health concerns amongst women today.”
“There is real stress in life. There is also a great deal of stress in our lives caused by our own perceptions. We don’t always hear what someone says – we hear what we think people mean.” Libby linked early biological stressors with fertility issues and menopausal symptoms later in life. “Stress is a big disruptor to ovulation. Your body will shut down ovulation to stop it from falling pregnant and bringing a child into the world that is stressful.”
She also detailed how microbiome health can impact estrogen levels and ultimately, the workings of our hormones. “The only way cells can speak to each other is when nutrition is present,” Libby said. “Digestion is also impacted when there is too high adrenaline in the body.”
Building personal resilience
TV personality Barry Du Bois shared his emotional journeys with both cancer and depression, and offered advice on how to build personal resilience. “I went through a series of events that put me in self-destruction mode. People push their bodies too much. I was holding onto the trauma of others and holding it in my own body,” Barry said. “I journaled a lot of the mistakes I had made as a form of therapy. I’m emotionally brave enough that my mum’s passing makes me really sad… and I’m proud of that.”
He led guests in a breath work exercise he’s found personally beneficial. Practicing breathwork, yoga and meditation helps the body to produce healthy stem cells. “Mindset is super important for your physical health.” Barry added, “We need the best oxygenated cells to function well.” He recognised the work conducted by therapists in the room, noting “you’re a group of people that allow people to nurture themselves. When we have a community that is strong, empathetic and free, we all do better.”
Creativity and wellbeing
Dilshani Weerasinghe, Executive Director of Queensland Ballet, led a thought-provoking talk on creativity and its connection to personal wellbeing. “Creativity and connection is a pas de deux – not a solo performance.” To Dilshani, no one idea has been born out of one person. We should seek to collaborate, support others, and be kind.
“Our young people are in crisis. Let’s think about what corporations can do. There’s no need to sacrifice profit for the sake of purpose, or visa versa,” she said. “Every single person is carrying their own invisible backpack, and we don’t always know what’s in it.”
She engaged the therapists and business owners in the room with a simple sentiment: “If you have found your purpose, it shines through your eyes. Ask yourself – are you still aligned to your purpose? If you are, you will never work in your life.”
Advice to salons, spas and clinics offering wellness services
Media gurus Kris Abbey and Judy Chapman offered advice to wellness professionals on how to view and market wellness services. “The recession is not slowing the wellness industry,” Judy remarked. Discussion was had around the need to alter public perception of the sector. Kris said, “spa is not pampering. It is preventative health.”
A panel discussion was held on the topic: Hosting & Elevating 5 Star Experiences. It featured insights from Glow by Sarah’s Sarah Laney, Living Valley Health Retreat’s Giselle Martin, and Ultra Medi Spa’s Karen Formosa. The women flagged ongoing issues of dropouts and high burnout rates rife in the wellness industry.
For Sarah, “I wanted to feel fulfilled by work but not at the expense of my own health. I find ways to nurture myself before I even arrive in the treatment room. Everybody else will reap the benefits of your self care and positivity.” Her advice to therapists was to “set yourself up for the day so you have the same productivity at the end of the day that you would at the beginning of the day.”
The women agreed that incoming Gen Z staff are wired to their devices and aren’t used to communicating with people one-on-one. “We need to approach the situation with curiosity and empathy. Be a lighthouse, instead of a tugboat.”
KAILO founders Kath Merlo and Kristy Morris concluded the event by offering guests a sneak peak into the distinguishing elements of the KAILO wellness journey.
The Waterlily Wellness Awards
Michelle Reeve presented awards to a slew of stockists in recognition of their efforts.
Winners of the Waterlily Wellness Awards for 2024 were as follows:
- Best Wellness Advocate: Danielle Grinev, Burleigh Beauty Wellness Clinic
- Best Digital Campaign: Rachel McNeil, Heart Space Beauty
- Best Spa Therapist: Gill Rogers, Living Valley Health Retreat
- Best Sole Operator: Ingrid Harb, Le Ora Skin and Beauty
- Best Retailer: Marisa Zines, Time Out Beauty
- Best Spa Manager: Lilly Kele, The One Life Centre
- Best Salon: Sevine Foster, The Facial Hub
- Best Day Spa: Irene Thompson, Ellenis Day Spa
- Best Overall Spa: Ultra Medi Spa.
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