Hi there, and welcome! I wanted to take a moment to share something a little more personal — the story behind Shikha Wadhwa Aesthetics and how my journey in the world of beauty and skin therapy began.

Many years ago, in the heart of India, I was introduced to the world of beauty by someone very special – my mum. She now has two successful salons of her own. I remember watching her work with so much love and commitment since I was a child. It wasn’t just a job for her – she was there for her clients at all hours, helping clients & getting up for brides at 6 in the morning, showing up when they needed her most. I admired her passion and kindness deeply, even then. She inspired me in more ways than I could count. And I guess, today, when I see my own beautiful clients and feel that same connection, I know a part of her lives on in the way I work too with that passion and care to help and make you feel at peace.

As I grew older, especially in my teenage years, I naturally started working alongside her. It wasn’t something I planned – it just came to me, like second nature. I loved doing what most girls enjoy makeup, henna, facials – but there was something different about the way it made me feel. I found joy and peace in it. The lovely people who came to my mum’s salon often complimented my work, and slowly, that appreciation built my confidence. One day, my mum looked at me and said, “Let’s do something better with this.” She sent me to pursue a formal beauty qualification right after school – my very first step into professional training. Working with real clients during that time gave me hands-on experience and a true understanding of what it means to be trusted with someone’s face, their self-esteem, their skin. It lit something in me.

But life has its way of gently shifting paths. Later, after that foundation in beauty, my mum and I decided I should try something different – to experience more, to learn more – and that’s how I found myself in beautiful Dunedin, New Zealand, studying fashion design.

While there, I was still drawn to beauty – offering treatments to friends and family simply because I loved it. Their trust, compliments, and the happiness on their faces slowly made me realise: this doesn’t have to be a hobby – it could be meaningful, and maybe, something I truly meant to do… unless my body tells me otherwise, haha!

While studying in Dunedin, life brought me something even more special – I met William, my partner. He’s been by my side through all of life’s chapters since then. From our early days of figuring things out together, to growing into a family, William has always been my quiet strength. He believed in me when I was just starting out, encouraged me to follow my passion, and stood by me as I took each step toward creating a life and career that felt true to who I am.

After having our first baby, we moved to Christchurch to be closer to William’s family – my second family. It was here, in this new space filled with love and support, that I finally had a moment to pause and ask myself,
“What do I really want?”
And the answer was clear: I wanted to keep doing what made me feel alive – caring for skin, helping others feel confident, and doing it all in a way that also allowed me to be present for my family.

I worked in a local salon where I gained hands-on experience, deeper product knowledge, and a better understanding of skin concerns specific to clients here in New Zealand. I also completed my New Zealand beauty qualification, which added another layer to my skills. With both international training from India and a New Zealand qualification, I began to feel more confident and capable – not just as a therapist, but as someone who could truly make a difference in someone’s journey. That time taught me so much, and it also reassured me that this path wasn’t just a passion — it was a profession I was meant to grow in.

After my younger one was born, I decided to take that leap and work for myself. Not to be on my feet till 8pm, not to spend every Saturday and Sunday in a rush, but to create balance – where I could care for my clients without burning myself out.

Because I’ve learned that when I take care of my own energy, I can share the best of it with you. I don’t rush treatments. I don’t work for numbers. I work to give you time, care, and attention – everything I’d want if I were in your place.

Whether you come in for a facial, a brow makeover, or a more advanced skin treatment – I want you to feel that this moment is truly for you. That someone is listening. That you’re in good hands.

If you’ve been to my studio before, you’ve probably felt that difference.
And if you haven’t – I would love to welcome you and give you the kind of experience that feels genuine, personal, and filled with care.

Thank you for being here, for supporting this dream of mine, and for trusting me with something as personal as your skin.

With love,
Shikha