From mic to makeup brush: Pip's healthy change

COOL CHANGE: Musician and former Deaf Lemon frontwoman Pip Hansen has gone for a more therapeutic career direction -- running a beauty therapy boutique.

To many in Wairarapa, Pip Hansen is best known for belting out up-tempo pop-rock anthems as front woman of Masterton's Deaf Lemon.

Her fast-paced lifestyle of pub tours, opening for Kiwi music favourites and delivering high-energy stage shows was the envy of her mates. But these days, she's much happier with moisturiser and hot wax in hand than she was behind a microphone.

Masterton-based Pip has launched her new business venture, Pippilou's Beauty Boutique, which she runs from a space at The Chemists on Queen St.

It's a radical career change from performing in front of thousands to tinting eyelashes in a small room, with soothing music in the background. A change Pip, who struggled with severe depression while with Deaf Lemon, was ready for.

"I get clients saying, 'aren't you the one from that band?'" she said. "I wonder how many of them realised what was going through my head when I was jumping around on stage. I was just putting on an act.

"I knew I needed to start caring for myself, and hopefully I can encourage people to do the same for themselves."

Pip said she has always 'done music', learning classical piano as a child, and playing in a number of bands. Her big break came in form of pop-reggae four-piece Deaf Lemon, active from 2008 to 2011, which embarked on several North Island tours and opened for Supergroove, Evermore and Che-Fu.

While she had some wonderful moments with Deaf Lemon, Pip's depression was worsened by exhaustion from the band's hectic schedule.

"In music, you get unnatural highs and lows. As the lead singer, you're expected to be the life of the party, whereas the guys can just stand in the background with their instruments. Plus, touring can be quite lonely -- there's just you and the guys every weekend."

After Deaf Lemon disbanded, Pip felt she needed to step away from music, so decided to pursue beauty therapy, inspired by an 'amazing' facial treatment she received while holidaying in Samoa.

"I thought 'I have to learn to do that myself and make other people feel good'".

She studied at New Zealand Institute of Beauty Therapy, learning the art of makeup application, skincare, waxing, lash extensions and massage. After graduating, she worked as a beauty therapist in Hawke's Bay and Australian, before deciding to go fully self-employed this year, setting up her boutique -- using products from Martinborough's MartyGirl Skinfood -- from her home in Masterton.

As of last month, she works full-time out of The Chemists.

While running a business has been stressful at times, Pip said beauty therapy has improved her mental health, and she has been pleased to help customers going through difficult times, offering pampering and a listening ear.

"You're working very closely with people -- so they really open up to you. I know when you're feeling depressed, you tend to put yourself and your health down the bottom of the ladder.

"But I hope people can come to me if they're feeling down, give themselves a treat and lift their spirits."