AWARD: Jill O'Donoghue from Killarney Toning and Beauty Studio pictured with the Sothys 'Top Performing Salon/Spa 2019' award. Photo: Michelle Crean

By Michelle Crean

It's been a tough year for businesses but one local beauty salon is celebrating being named the Sothys 'Top Performing Salon/Spa 2019'.

It's the second time Killarney Toning and Beauty Studio has received the award, the last time being 18 years ago in 2002.

Proprietor Jill O'Donoghue says it's a wonderful achievement and good news for her business considering the year that she has endured.

"We are delighted to get it as we have worked hard to bring it to Kerry," Jill told the Killarney Advertiser. "Sothys has been here at Killarney Toning and Beauty Salon for 25 years.

"It just shows the commitment to Sothys over the years, they are a results driven professional salon brand. And it's all thanks to the clients and their loyalty to the brand."

Located in Auriac in the Corrèze region, the homeland of the Mas family, Les Jardins Sothys is an exceptional botanical garden which has become the main source of inspiration for Sothys research.

A strong symbol expressing all of the brand’s respect for nature and for the natural benefits of plants, with Les Jardins Sothys, Sothys also aims to emphasise a real commitment to sustainable development. The Sothys philosophy is dedicated to beauty, cosmetics and well-being.

To gain the award against all the other Sothys salons in Ireland, Jill and her staff had to show product knowledge, undergo continuous service training and offer new treatments to keep clients up to date with the Sothys products on the market.

"There's a criteria to follow to get the award," Jill added.
"One of the categories is to go to Dublin to refresh our training. Obviously that's changed this year and we've been doing it on Zoom over the last few months."

And due to the current restrictions, Jill has missed out on this year's award ceremony.

"There was to be a big gala dinner in Dublin but that has been cancelled."