Amanda Lee owner and founder of Iris Avenue studied business management at Kings College London and studied nail technology alongside studying. After many years of working in and researching other salons both in the UK and Toronto, she created Iris Avenue in 2021 with her business partner Edward Power.
Amanda is always on the forefront of finding and creating new beauty trends such as; wispy lashes, nail art, making Iris Avenue the one stop shop beauty destination in the heart of Fitzrovia.
I love working in the Beauty industry because….
When I fell into the beauty industry at 17, it became clear how nice it was to work in such an aesthetically pleasing industry that’s constantly evolving. It’s so fun to always be on the lookout for new trends. I’m also a huge people pleaser, so I worked out early on that being able to make people look and feel good would make me feel the same. Not many industries get the privilege of using human touch to affect people’s days. It’s so special!
Iris Avenue is best known for…
Our complete guest experience – from the talented nail artists that can do the most crisp detailed nail art, the beauty therapists that can perform lush top to toe treatments to our mixologist that serves the yummiest cocktails, Iris Avenue is a little world of its own.
My biggest achievement to date is…
Opening Iris Avenue. I’ve wanted to open up a space since the age of 16, so to finally achieve this was a huge achievement. Iris Avenue has turned out to be everything that I dreamed of and more. Seeing so many enjoy being at our beauty bar for services as well as a cocktail bar has been so special.
I’m inspired by…
My team. Iris Avenue turns two this month, and we’ve got the most talented, fun team. It’s insane to see what we’ve been able to achieve in such a small amount of time, and to see what can come out of one store. I love evenings when the beauty bar is booming, a couple are on a first date at the bar, friends have met up after work to get the nails done enjoying cocktails and someone ending their busy day with a hot stone massage. It’s so inspiring to see our team come together to create these memories for our guests.
The current beauty trends I’m loving are…
Brow laminations – such a fun treatment that can make such a difference to your look. They can be done to tame the brows, give them volume, or just frame the face. I’m also loving how many guests are going for nail art – it’s a trend that literally has infinite possibilities. We get so many different types of guests that use their nails as a part of self expression and an accessory. Airbrush nails are on the comeback, as well as the many different ways to do a french mani.
Our hero treatments for brides are…
Our SOS gel manicure is the perfect bridal manicure. Lasting up to 3 weeks, it’s great to ensure there are no chips and breakages. It’s also a great option to grow nails naturally, a couple of appointments prior to the wedding is enough to get some length on them. We also do Wispy lash extensions which are so nice for that ‘barely there’ bridal look. They are made up of varying lengths that give eye-catching definition without feeling heavy or false. It’s great for brides that have a few events before and after the big day, as you won’t have to worry about lashes the whole time (they last up to four weeks).
Our hero treatments for grooms are…
Manicures and Pedicures! Not revolutionary, but so many grooms underestimate the power of well manicured hands and baby soft feet. So many men after getting their first pedicures are addicted and leave feeling like they’re walking on clouds. Our Dreamy Bespoke Skin Ritual is also a lovely option for grooms who want to give their skin an extra glow ahead of the big day.
The best person to follow on Instagram for big-day inspo is…
My brother got married back in 2019, he had a magical wedding at Ashridge House and I’ve been following their Instagram ever since. We had lots of friends and family fly in from Singapore so the couple were in search of a quintessentially British location. The house was originally a monastery that became Henry VIII’s residence. With so much history and the stunning grounds, it was the most perfect fairytale wedding.
And finally, what’s next for Iris Avenue…
More of the same!. We love being part of peoples lives – whether it’s a fortnightly manicure, or complete head to toe services for a special occasion. We’re also just about to launch new body services such as our Purifying Back Ritual – a relaxing facial for the back, perfect for the summer months when we’re all getting more skin out.
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