The Temple Skincare & Spa turns 18 this month! It is by far, the most exciting, utterly courageous and extremely satisfying adventure ever. And, we’re ready for many more years of pampering bliss with you!
18 years ago, Rene opened a small spa offering Castle Hill facial treatments, with the hope of combining her two true passions… results in correcting skin concerns, and nurturing her clients’ souls through her healing kinetic touch. Through all the ups and downs, the Temple Skincare has grown into the best choice for the most relaxing haven for tired souls and stressed out hearts.
Furthermore, Temple Skincare & Spa has grown to be the ‘trusted-go-to’ place for men, women and teenagers in the Hills. They come for honest advice when desperate to correct their skin concerns. Supported by their tribe of thousands of (mostly) women raving fans that they call their Temple Family, the once small day spa has now blossomed into a multi award winning luxury Day Spa and cutting edge Medi-Spa with treatment modalities from all over the world. Temple Skincare & Spa is the perfect place for a girls’ day out with packages including high tea and a replenish by the pool, or simply some much deserved ‘me time’. It offers 8 tranquil treatment rooms including a newly added Couples Suite.
See images of the Temple spa renovations here.
Looking back, there are so many milestones that could be shared. So, here are 18 stories that Rene, the Temple Team and the Temple Family can share about being a part of the Temple Tribe.
- From Yagoona to Castle Hill
Call it synchronicity or a message from the Divine… but early on in my career as a therapist, I was doing a treatment on a client and was asked, “If you’d open your own spa, where would it be?” And I said Castle Hill!… Never been there, and I grew up an hour away. But for some reason I said that I’d like a place in Castle Hill. Years and years later, a former boss of mine, she now owned a Day Spa in Queensland, just rang me out of the blue and asked whether I’d like to take over the lease of an existing shop, and I said yes!
18 years later (and counting), I have an amazing spa, with an equally amazing team of women who share in the same passion for beauty, love and kindness. Most especially, I am so proud to have you, our Temple family of clients and superfans who have made every single day worthwhile. It has been an incredible journey together! — Rene xx
- “My passion is skin… and the magical things we can do with our hands.”
I’ve always felt passionate about correcting skin and touching souls of my clients through kinetic touch in holistic treatments. I believe in the unique, giving and healing powers of touch, and the gift that comes from pure intention. In such a busy and fast-paced world we live in, many of us are touch-deprived and missing that connection with other human beings. When you come to The Temple, our therapists have been trained to make you feel like you’re home and about to embark on only the best, most spectacular spa experience. A spa experience to make you feel loved and valued just as you are. My philosophy has always been ‘where advanced skin treatments meet the holistic’, meaning we love to bring you that holistic nurturing experience as well as offering you advanced, results-orientated skin treatments to help you achieve the real results you deserve. — Rene xx
Watch Rene talk about how Temple Skincare started
- Love and Kindness
The beauty industry was known to be shallow. There was a standard of beauty that is often very unattainable for ordinary and real women out there. These “standards” caused women to feel alienated from their own beauty and their bodies. The Temple Skincare & Spa treatments, plant seeds of healing and cultivate empowerment in breaking the shallowness. The professional therapists are always very caring and considerate of your needs. And even without much talking, we understand what you need — no judgements, no fuss, only love and kindness. You will also often hear Rene refer to her leadership style as one based on love and kindness. In fact, Love and Kindness is one of their core values and behaviours that the Temple Team live by. At The Temple, all clients are treated with love and kindness, as are all team members. We all live such busy lives that a little essence of love and kind intentions are welcomed by everyone’s souls. — Karina, Temple Team
- See results that matter
Rene puts a huge emphasis on training to become specialists in our field. All of us at the spa have skills and are passionate about what we do. Truly, we love pampering our clients. But, Rene also helps us grow in our careers. She regularly takes the time to sit down with each one of us and asks us what we want for ourselves or our careers. And she supports us and opens up opportunities for training to allow us to achieve the goals we set out together. The training of course, only benefits our clients — whether it’s a brow lift or an Uplift HIFU Glow Facial; a massage or a foot scrub — we are confident that we can provide our clients with the very best care and advice for their skin or body goals. All of our Temple team members are encouraged to be experts in skin and skin conditions, so we can best offer honest advice to avoid wasting our clients’ time or hard earned money.
- Translation Bloopers
Temple has always enjoyed the diversity of a multicultural team and although our team members are mostly Australian, we love recruiting global talent too. This has led to some funny “lost in translation” conversations at Temple and hilarious team shenanigans.
We were first amused by the lovely Laura from Ireland, who asked“ Am I in room tree..?” of course she meant room three, but we did wonder what she was saying for a while.
Similar to this, one of our therapists with a strong Czech accent was quite surprised, when we did not understand why she needed “boiled eggs” for her spa therapy client. She said they use them in most spas for client comfort… and after wondering how the boiled eggs might help our clients relax, since we are always open to improvement…we realised she was referring to “Boy Legs” which are a type of spa pants provided during body scrubs and yes… of course we have those, LOL.
- Team Adventures
Lucille did mention she does not have great balance, but we thought a Segway Tour in the Hunter Valley would be fun anyway! Little did we know how much entertainment this would provide as she turned around and around for hours in one spot , the camera guy could not get a single pic of her facing the right way… and moments later she ended up under a bridge with Kangaroos staring at the whole performance. No therapists were injured during the making of this memory.
- We relax your pants off!
One of my favourite spa memories is when Elouise, one of our senior spa therapists did such a great massage on a client, he walked into reception wearing just his shirt and boxers… Elouise found the pants on returning to fix the room for the next client, so she left them in the waiting area for the guest to collect, but that’s our Elouise… she will relax the pants off of ya!
- Our Massages are as good as a sleeping tonic
Another of our fabulous senior spa therapists is so gifted, 9 out of 10 of her clients fall fast asleep. Katherine’s favourite and slightly stressful funny moment was when she came into reception a little flustered one day to say that she does not know how to wake her client up. The client had fallen asleep during Katherine’s massage and was so deeply relaxed that they were not responding to her gentle knock on the door to offer a glass of water.
- Memorable comments after treatments
“That was so beautiful, I just want to cry, but I feel too relaxed to cry.”
“That was better than chocolate!”
“OMW – My whole body is floating, I can’t even walk straight.”
“You have the hands of an Angel!”
One that all of us have had at one or another time… “I hope your hands are insured, because they are worth gold!”
- There’s only the language of healing hands at the Temple Skincare & Spa
I’m very happy to be working at The Temple Skincare & Spa. I’m a holistic therapist and I love what I do, because it isn’t just a job, it’s my way of being in the world. So I want to specially thank René for seeing me and for letting me be. Since I started, I’ve been lucky enough to receive a few treatments from my colleagues. They are amazing. I could feel their energy, their knowledge and their experience working on me at once. Every movement is in a perfect rhythm, a beautiful dance of arms, hands and fingers with super duper products, water, aromas and warmth. The whole experience is amazing because our angels in reception always have a smile and a solution to whoever needs it, even if they don’t get you at first because you have a strong accent like me. Muchísimas gracias ❤ — Carmen, Temple Team
- No competitors, only Family
“Rene & her Temple Skincare & Spa Family are absolutely wonderful! Being an award winning Spa ourselves we know what treatments and service are outstanding — and you get that all here at The Temple. The beautiful staff are delightful, caring and nurturing — the spa menu and range of treatments…Amazing!!” — Jorja James Spa, Industry Pillar
- The Temple Skincare is the best in the industry
“There is a very low turnover of staff, which creates great continuity of care. All the treatments are done with respect and kindness. All the staff take great pride in the work they do and do it with excellence. The atmosphere is calming and I always enjoy my ‘time out’ from the kids here.” — Kate, Temple Superfan
- No matter where you come from in the world
“Huge thanks to Lucille whose expertise and fabulous taste has made me confident and camera-ready! Even with a bandaged arm from an accident last week. Walking into this spa feels similar to the standard you get on a luxury cruise or at a 5-star resort in North America. I’m a lifelong fan now 🦋🌈💕” — M6791JXsue, Trip Advisor Superfan
- Temple takes the cake
“The girls did an amazing job at giving me an hour of relaxation. I forgot what package my boyfriend got me but whichever you choose I can guarantee you will walk out a relaxed human with a new zen (if that’s a thing). Also I find it adorable and cute that after the massage they serve you tea and a small piece of cake.” — KMPGKH, Trip Advisor Superfan
- Helping you reach your skincare goals
“I’ve had skin problems from my teens due to very oily skin. I’ve tried all the medical solutions including Roaccutane. I have been to numerous skin therapists over the years and my skin just got systematically worse. I started treatments with Rene from The Temple Skincare 18 months ago and she transformed my skin. I have clear and perfect skin for the first time in 20 years.” — Tertia, Temple Superfan
- Completely exceeding expectations
“I was with Rene who is extremely knowledgeable. We spent a lot of time consulting and figuring out my exact issues and goals of treatment; had a wholistic approach; and made up a prescription and treatment plan! The therapy was spot on — I have lovely-feeling skin, and I can’t wait for the rest!” — Jamel, Temple Superfan
- Temple Retreats adventures
“This trip exceeded all my expectations! The best part about it was that all I did was pack my passport and clothes, check my flights, and head off into the unknown. It was so wonderful not to have to think about logistics and plans but just turn up each day for a day full of surprises. Every detail was taken care of and the work and thought that went into the trip was phenomenal — from a daily thoughtful gift to the experiences and food each day. I would not hesitate to make it an annual trip. It was food for my mind, body and soul and couldn’t have come at a better time for me personally.” — Angela, Temple Superfan
- Love, love, love The Temple
“I have been going to The Temple Skincare for approximately 20 years now and trust their knowledge, advice, treatments provided and products sold. Always professional and caring, they go out of their way to ensure I have a wonderful experience. I now live one hour away and I am more than happy to drive the distance for a treatment.” — Elisa, Temple Superfan
These stories only make up a small portion of all the wonderful hearts and souls who were impacted (and continue to be impacted) at Temple. In return, all who step through the spa doors bring joy to the lives of the ladies at Temple Skincare. With this, 18 years feels like it’s only the start.
Most importantly for Rene and the Temple Team though, is that they are extremely thankful for the support all throughout their years in the spa and beauty industry. Through countless awards, including the Australian Beauty Industry Awards Salon of the Year four years in a row, it is heartwarming to see and experience such a humble, friendly and welcoming spa for all.
“The way we, at The Temple, try to touch the lives of our clients, you need to know that YOU, our clients, actually touch our souls on a daily basis. We are truly grateful to have you all in our spa and we are honoured YOU choose us to care for you. THANK YOU XXX” — Rene
Here’s to 18 years and many, many more years ahead!
Would you like to add your own Temple Skincare experience to the list? We welcome you to leave us a message in the Comments below. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram too to tell us about your Temple Skincare Experience there.
Leanne Spring says
I Love your journey and love for what you do Rene, huge congratulations to you and your magnificent team !!!! x
Temple Admin says
Thank you so much Leanne!!! xx We are so happy that you are part of our Temple Family!