Hidden in the heart of Curepipe, the place looks like a doll’s house. Or a tiny little princess’ palace. When you open the door, you feel at ease, bewitched by the smell of incense and the sound of soft oriental music.

It all started five years ago “on the eve of the new Millenium”. When Marie-Claire and Catherine met and decided to combine their talents and open “Cathy’s Beauty Parlour”. Marie-Claire had been working in marketing and administration for the Rogers group for 25 years. And she had decided to quit her job to do something related to beauty and fashion. Catherine was already working in this field.

First, they set up a hairdressing and fashion space. Catherine was the hairdresser, Marie-Claire was doing the accounts. And together, they were choosing the trendy clothes from Australia that they were selling. Then, a year later, as the business was doing well and they had acquired regular customers, they decided to move. They found a bigger place, in Curepipe, where they fitted out a new space devoted to beauty care: massage - reflexology and shiatsu - waxing, eyebrow shaping, manicure and pedicure, make up… All kind of activities that made this cosy nest a paradise for women.

It was very natural for Cathys to open to other experiences last year. As Marie-Claire was travelling in Australia, she discovered Om’Veda, an Australian ayurvedic skincare and haircare brand. The brand’s motto: « If you cannot eat it, do not put it on your skin. » Marie-Claire loved those natural products, adapted to any kind of skin, and without any risk of allergy. She knew there was nothing like that in Mauritius. So they decided to become Om’Veda’s exclusive retailer here.

The two women learnt ayurvedic techniques and started to attract new customers. Catherine explains that “it is very creative because the treatments are a mix of Om’Veda organic herbs and fresh products, like vegetables, plants and fruits”. Currently, Cathy’s offers a large range of Ayurvedic care, from relaxing and slimming massage (only for women) to facial care, such as pigmentation, acne and anti-wrinkle treatments. “The pigmentation treatment is one of our landmark products”, says Catherine. “We have an Italian customer who saw all kinds of specialists in Italy for her pigment problem. No one was able to solve it. She tried our Om’Veda care, and now she is cured !” Catherine and Marie-Claire are now creating “Ayurveda packages” for Mauritian hotels. “Tourists will pay an inclusive price for a stay in the hotel and a range of Om’Veda products”, explains Marie-Claire. The first of these packages will be available in January 2005. The two fairies are continuing in their pursuit of women’s wellbeing…