Lalapanzi Health Beauty Education is a family run Salon and Private beauty/holistic education centre in the heart of Banbridge. The business is run by two sisters who originate from Southern Africa but who have strong family connections to Ireland and made their home in Northern Ireland some 10 years ago.

Laura Rutherfoord-Jones and Kathy Casey have worked in the beauty/holistic and education sectors in Northern Ireland for the past 10 years and have now built Lalapanzi into an extremely successful beauty and education centre.

The name Lalapanzi was chosen to conjure up the image of relaxation, peace and quiet, and is pronounced La-la-pun-zi. It is derived from a Zulu word meaning to ‘lie down’ or ‘to sleep’. The Baobab tree emblem is known as the ‘Tree of Life’ in Africa and also embodies the ‘Tree of Knowledge

Kathy is a qualified teacher with 25 years experience in the education field. She owned her own private school in Africa and has taught at a private beauty school in Newry for 6 years. She has also managed a health spa in Forkhill for 3 years.

Kathy will be well known to past students from Banbridge, Dromore, Lurgan, Armagh, Newry, Rathfriland and surrounding areas. "I have a passion for teaching and indeed furthering my own education at every given opportunity and have 17 diplomas in the beauty and holistic field. I intend to continue adding to my own qualifications and imparting this knowledge to my students for many years to come".

The qualifications we offer are intense and extremely gratifying. We offer small classes and incredible support and guidance.

The examiners from ITEC travel world wide, examining students and expect the highest quality from the students and the education centres. Once qualified, students will be able to work in any country in the world.

Laura worked in a busy health spa for three years and brings a very professional attitude with her to the salon. She used her ITEC qualifications to switch from a career in cosmetic sales to one in Beauty and Holistic therapies.

Attention to detail is the key factor in providing specialist treatments and both Laura and Kathy are perfectionists. The emphasis is on “tender loving care”. They want you to feel like you are the most important person in the salon and that all your needs are being met with maturity and professionalism.

Due to the rapid increase in business, Laura and Kathy are delighted to introduce Michelle, another 'African' family member into the Salon. Michelle is fully qualified and conintues our ethos of quality treatment and most importantly the individual attention that each of our discerning clients receive.

The exotic African style of the salon makes this a truly ‘out of Africa’ experience. The premises are ideally situated in a brand new facility.