YOUR BEST LIFE BY THE SEA

Head to the Kent coast with HELENA BIGGS, who steps inside YBL, a quirky & inclusive salon that spreads happiness to all

“‘Your Best Life’ represents happiness and success – for you, on your terms.”

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside – particularly when it involves meeting a passionate beauty team and exploring a stylish nail space. The maritime town of Margate beckoned: a popular tourist hotspot with an air of eccentricity.

England’s earliest seaside resort, dating back to 1736, merges the contemporary with the historic, with galleries and nightclubs housed in 18th century buildings, and a mix of modern and vintage-style shopfronts decorating the high street. The bold yellow signage of the YBL salon caught my eye, exuding a 1950s aesthetic with a fashion-forward edge that’s perfectly in keeping with the town’s character. I noted a Progress Pride Flag sticker on the salon door, and stepped inside to be welcomed with beaming smiles by owner, Abby Edwards, and her team.

YBL is an acronym for ‘Your Best Life’, and the team’s ethos is that everyone deserves to live a life that makes them happy. It’s for this reason that inclusivity is paramount, and the branding, décor, treatment menu and staff’s approach to client needs ensures that their comfort and choices are respected, and all are welcome.

“At YBL, we don’t make bold statements about being allies,” Abby revealed. “Instead, our inclusivity is voiced by our clients, who speak to their communities about how comfortable they feel in the premises. This is testament to the way we operate: embracing anyone who desires hair, beauty or nail services.”

Entrepreneur, Abby, divides her time between homes in London and Margate, and relies on Sarah Kirby, the salon manager, and three nail and beauty pros: Jo Twomey, Claire Watt and Francesca Tchuitcheu, to deliver exceptional services. Open until 7pm, three nights per week, the team offers brow and lash treatments, facials, massages, blow dries, up do’s and make-up application. The most popular services are waxing treatments and gel polish overlays.

The GelBottle Inc is the nail brand of choice, owing to the team’s admiration of its colour range and BIABTM builder gel, while medical-grade pedicure brand, Elim, is used for foot services, with ToeFlex for toenail reconstruction.

“While I don’t possess a background in the beauty industry, I have been a nail client for many years, and know what makes a great nail service,” Abby shares. “I have built relationships in the industry through appointments with pros in London, namely Imarni Ashman of @imarninails, Sophie Stocker of Creative Rebels Ibiza, and Peckham’s Keshia Elcock of Yo Keshh.

“We believe that everyone deserves to be living their best life, and our salon is a safe, inclusive and welcoming space to help you do just that.”

“Two years ago, I leased the premises that is now YBL, with a vision to bring the high standards of London nail stylists to Margate,” Abby continued.

“The journey has been challenging, as clients in Margate have different expectations and views about what makes a fantastic nail service. However, now that many have experienced the care of the YBL team and quality of the services provided, word has spread and we enjoy a busy schedule.”

Setting up shop

Inspired by the interior of Blue Tit Peckham, a south London hair salon, Abby sought to create a comforting, cosy environment at YBL, and admits that she had a lot of fun sourcing furniture for its various rooms. She purchased the sofa in the reception area from a pop star, and attended various auctions to get her hands on wooden dressers and chairs.

The street-level floor presents space for hair styling and make-up services, with vintage suitcases housing retail products and a radio encased in a brown leather-like material to match. Downstairs, in a well-lit white room, two nail desks are located, with coasters reminiscent of a slice of rock paying homage to the seaside location. While Francesca created a glossy gel manicure for her client, Abby invited me to view the top floor, where the pedicure and beauty rooms reside. in a rainbow-print fabric, subtly enhancing the salon’s ethos. “I often buy ends of fabric for project upcycling, and saw the colourful butterfly fabric on sale,” Abby revealed. “When the order was completed, I discovered that the fabric is by Gucci!”

The final stop on my tour of YBL was the beauty room, where wax and massage services take place. The cosy wooden theme from the main floor continues, with a fireplace creating the feel of a living room. I spotted another Margate-themed Easter egg: a souvenir tower of Margate Lido with the word ‘calm’ on the front.

Love for the local community

As Abby and I made our way towards the main floor, I noticed framed pieces of art along the stairs. She explained that the works are by local artists, who she recommends to clients. This revelation reminded me of stickers I saw on the pavement of the high street outside, which pictured Margate’s most notable landmarks and text that read ‘Shop & Eat Local’ and ‘support our businesses’. “There is room for everyone to succeed, so I believe in making great relationships with local businesses, and championing independent companies,” Abby shared. “If you are doing what’s right and making a good living, there’s no harm in offering help to others.”

Sunshine poured through the pedi space, and the salon owner shared that the chairs have been upholstered in stripy deckchair material, and the stools purposely covered

The YBL team members take extra steps to support Pride when the LGBTQ+ parade takes place in Margate every August. Last year, they invited Alex Philamond of @alexdidyournails, Surrey, to join the salon celebrations and create themed nail looks. During each Pride weekend, YBL donates a percentage of takings to relevant charities. “We are part of a community, and respect others within that community,” Abby smiled.

It’s clear that YBL, while still in relative infancy, is making all the right moves to ensure that the people of Margate feel valued, happy and well groomed. The team has a magical bond, with each member sharing the same response when asked what they love most about working at YBL: their colleagues and the comfortable, inclusive environment. Suffice to say, it’s not just the clients who are living their best life – but the staff, too.