INVERNESS SALON TEAM
Helen Gillespie
Position: Senior Therapist
Hours: Helen works Tuesday-Saturday.
Background: Helen studied at City of Glasgow College. She joined Sleeping Beauty in 2018 as Salon Manager at the Aviemore location before moving to Margaret Street in 2023.
Qualifications: HND Beauty Therapy, HND Sports Therapy Diploma in Remedial and Sports Massage, Elemis, Biotec, Intimate Waxing, CACI, Hot Stones Massage, Reflexology, Lash Lift, Threading.
Personal: Helen says ‘I like keeping myself to myself not much of a social butterfly these days. Love getting out on the hills but am a fair weather walker.’
Expert Areas: Waxing, Massage, Advanced Facials
Lauren Smith
Position: Senior Therapist (also Group Customer Service & Treatments Manager)
Hours: Lauren works at the Margaret Street salon on Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays.
Background: I joined Sleeping Beauty in 2009 whilst in my last year of HND Beauty Therapy at Inverness college. After graduating I joined the Sleeping Beauty team as a full-time therapist and became manager in 2015.
Qualifications: HND Beauty Therapy, Elemis Facials, CACI Non Surgical Facelift, Comcit, IPL Hair Removal, St Tropez Spray Tan, Artistic Colour Gloss Nails, Indian Head Massage, La Stone Massage, Elizabeth Arden Pro, Elemis Biotec, Threading, Microdermabrasion, Intimate Waxing, Novalash, Reflexology, Lash Lift Perm.
Personal: Lauren says 'I have been a therapist at Sleeping Beauty since 2009. I love working in the industry and meeting new clients everyday and being able to perform all the treatments I am trained in. '
Expert Areas: Advanced Facials, Endermologie, Lash Lifts
Melissa Sanderson
Position: Senior Therapist
Hours: Melissa works at the Inverness salon Monday-Thursday.
Background: Melissa qualified with an HND in beauty Therapy in 2005 and has over 20 years experience. She joined Sleeping Beauty in 2006.
Qualifications: HND Beauty Therapy, Dermalogica Skincare, CACI Non Surgical Face Lift, Elemis Facials, IPL Hair Removal, Artistic Colour Gloss, IBX Repair, St Tropez Spray Tanning, Eyelash Extensions, Novalash, Novalash American Volume, Lava Shell Massage, Hot Stones Massage, Universal Contour Wrap, Crystal Clear Skincare & Microdermabrasion, Lycon Wax, Advanced Hot Waxing, Derma-tech Skin Needling.
Personal: Melissa says 'My day can be varied and I enjoy all aspects of beauty from an eyebrow tidy to a specialised facial or body treatment.’
Expert Areas: IPL, Waxing, Facials
Laura Pollock
Position: Assistant Manager
Hours: Laura works Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays.
Qualifications: HNC Beauty Therapy, Elemis Facials, CACI Non Surgical Facelift, Microdermabrasion, COMCIT, Crystal Clear, Hot Stones Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, St Tropez Spray Tan, CND Shellac, Artistic Colour Gloss, Calgel, Eyelash Extensions, Novalash, Hollywood Waxing, Elizabeth Arden Pro.
Background: Laura studied beauty therapy at Inverness College and gained an HNC. She joined the Sleeping Beauty team in October 2012.
Personal: Laura says 'I especially enjoy doing advanced facial treatments such as COCIT, CACI & microdermabrasion as the results are noticeable straight away. Outside of work I enjoy socialising with friends (i.e cocktails :-)) and enjoy going to the gym & exercise classes to keep me fit.'
Expert Areas: COMCIT, CACI, Intimate Waxing
Lexy Ballatyne
Position: Beauty Therapist
Hours: Lexy works Wednesday-Saturday.
Background: Lexy joined Sleeping Beauty in 2023 after completing her HND in Beauty Therapy.
Qualifications: HND Beauty Therapy, Elemis manual and Biotec facials, Intimate waxing, Lash lifts, Pregnancy massage, Deep tissue massage, Hot stone massage, Image peels, IBX and St tropez Spray tanning.
Personal: Lexy says ‘My favourite treatments to do are Manicures, Pedicures and Spray Tans. I love the instant result they give but I also enjoy a range of different treatments throughout my day too. Outside of work I enjoy running, the gym and spending time with friends and family!’
Expert Areas: Manicures & Spray Tans.
Taylor macqueen
Position: Beauty Therapist
Hours: Taylor works Tuesday-Saturday.
Background: Taylor joined Sleeping Beauty as an apprentice in November 2022. She has completed her SVQ Level 5 and is now completing her Level 6.
Qualifications: SVQ Level 5, Elemis, Spray Tan, Lash Lift
Personal: Taylor says ‘Spray tans and manicures are my favourite treatments, i enjoy chatting to clients and meeting new people, outside the salon i like socialising with friends and family and going on holidays, I also do competitive dancing.’
Expert Areas: Manicures & Waxing.
Kasia kaplon
Position: Beauty Therapist
Hours: Monday, Friday, Sunday
Background: Kasia has been working in the beauty industry for almost 18 years, graduating in Poland. When she came to Scotland she undertook an HND at Moray College in Elgin in 2010 and worked in several spas and salons before joining Sleeping Beauty in 2024.
Qualifications: HND Beauty, Elemis, Endermologie, Elemis facials, Microdermabrasion, intimate and regular waxing, Nails, Lash Lift, Indian head massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Hot Stones Massage, Threading
Personal: Kasia says ‘Since I remember I have always been passionated about Spa treatments and my favourite treatments are facials and body massage. Outside of work, I’m happily married and being a mum of 8 years old daughter. In my free time I like reading books, long walks and improving my cooking skills.’
Expert Areas: Massage
LAURA GOW
Position: Receptionist
Background: Laura joined the Sleeping Beauty team in June 2019. She is a fully qualified beauty therapist.
Personal: Laura says ‘Since starting in the salon, I have enjoyed getting to know all of our clients, especially our regulars. The salon is always busy and I work in a very fast paced environment, which is quite challenging at times but I really enjoy it. I love working with very friendly people and feel very lucky to have a job that I love.’
Arriann Macleod
Position: Beauty Therapist
Hours: Currently on Maternity Leave.
Background: Arriann did work experience at Sleeping Beauty when at school and enjoyed it so much she applied for a Saturday job.
Personal: Arriann says 'I have now been working on Saturdays at Sleeping Beauty since 2015 and am now at college studying beauty therapy. I am looking forward to learning lots of different treatments especially eye enhancements. '
Expert Areas: Facial, Manicure
Chloe Mason
Position: Beauty Therapist
Hours; Chloe works Mondays, Fridays & Saturdays.
Background: Chloe joined Sleeping Beauty in 2025 while completing her HNC at UHI.
Personal: Chloe says ‘I enjoy pilates and shopping! I currently do waxing, massages, facials, manicures and pedicures, and tinting.’
Expert Areas: Massage & Waxing.
Isla Ross
Position: Junior Therapist
Hours: Isla works Tuesday-Saturday.
Background: Isla studied at Charleston Academy and joined Sleeping Beauty in 2024 as an Apprentice.
Qualifications: Manicure, Pedicure, Massage
Personal: Isla says ‘I enjoy dancing and meeting friends outside of work, I enjoy my job and like meeting new people.’
Expert Areas: Nails