Sasha

I've been working as a beauty therapist for over 17 years, and I still feel incredibly lucky that this is what I get to do every day.

Looking after people has always been the part of the job I've loved most. Taking the time to understand what someone needs, whether that's support for their skin, a moment to slow down, or simply an hour to themselves, is what inspired me to create Held.

Over the years, I've trained in a wide range of traditional and contemporary therapies, from Ayurvedic massage and advanced facial sculpting to natural hair removal through sugaring. As a trained corneotherapist, my approach is rooted in working with your skin rather than against it, supporting its natural barrier and long-term health through treatments that are both effective and kind.

Before opening Held (formally Balanced Beauty Bristol), I worked across luxury spas, beauty salons and holistic wellness spaces, experiences that taught me as much about people as they did about skincare. Every treatment begins with conversation, curiosity and care, allowing me to tailor each appointment to the person in front of me.

Creating Held has given me the freedom to build a business that truly reflects my values: thoughtful care, environmentally conscious choices and treatments that help people feel comfortable in their skin, rather than encouraging them to change it.

There are very few jobs where you get to spend your day helping people relax, reconnect with themselves and leave feeling a little lighter. I never take that for granted.