Love Your Work

Sun Herald

Sunday January 6, 2008

Chris Sheedy

At the pointy end of a Virgin Atlantic aircraft, passengers can call on in-flight beauty therapist Shay-Lee Bender, 34, for a massage or manicure.

Do you have the greatest job in beauty?

Yes. I've done beauty therapy for more than 15 years and this is certainly the best part of my career so far.

How did you get into it?

I was managing a salon in London and one of my staff resigned to take a job with Virgin Atlantic. That got me interested, so I applied and got the job.

What services do you offer?

There are four main services: pressure-point massage for the neck, shoulders, back and arms; reflexology for the hands and arms; a mini "facial" for the hands; and a mini manicure.

Is there anything you do differently in the air?

We don't use any sharp objects and we're much more careful with everything because if someone has an adverse reaction to a treatment, you don't have the resources you have on the ground to cope with it.

Do you have any in-flight beauty tips?

We use Barielle products, which are lanolin-based and ultra-hydrating. Flying can cause dehydration.

Did you have to train as an airline steward?

Yes, for security reasons. We go through the usual training with the air crew, then we do an extra three weeks of specialist training for our particular job.

Are people tense on bumpy flights?

That definitely happens with the more nervous passengers. Quite often we will sit with them and run through breathing exercises to calm them down.

Have you had to fend off unwelcome advances?

You often get business cards handed to you but you learn to brush it off. Virgin has an image where passengers feel they can be a bit flirtatious. That's fine but there's a line that mustn't be crossed.

© 2008 Sun Herald

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