Beautician Claire Saunders noticed how age-related hair loss to eyebrows and changes to skin made many older women feel “invisible”.

So, Bolton-born Claire started her own permanent make-up business Skin Secrets in Norwich where she was living.

Now, after 13 years there, she has returned to her home town and her family and has opened her own salon on Bennetts Lane, Smithills.

And her skills in helping women feel more confident and happier about their appearance are really paying dividends.

“Many women lose their eyebrows early from over-plucking, medication, chemotherapy or just the changes that take place when we’re over 40,” she explained.

“I wanted to alter that and really help them so I took specialist one-to-one training with Katy Jobbins, who is probably one of the best-known permanent make-up artists in the country.”

The hard work paid off and Claire – who previously had a background in sales and customer service in a variety of industries including the NHS – found that clients were definitely happy with her work.

She specialises in tattooing permanent eyebrows and eye-liner, eyelash enhancement and lip blush and, more recently, beauty spots.

She has also been able to help women who are allergic to all kinds of mascara or who struggle to put on make-up because of arthritis in their hands or vision problems.

Her skills cross the age-range and she has found that younger women are as keen as older ones to improve their looks with the simple but meticulous tattooing process.

Stated Claire: “Permanent make-up can make such a difference facially and it’s so easy. It’s ideal for people going to the gym or swimming or who just want a simpler, time-saving beauty routine with no fuss.”

“It’s great to be back in Bolton,” she added. “I’d forgotten what a warm and welcoming place it is.”