Katy meets...Lillie, from Beauty Therapist to Skincare Entrepreneur

By Katy O’Regan

Nestled in a peaceful garden setting in Middlewich, Elite Beauty offers a unique and serene experience far removed from the hustle and bustle of traditional salons. But beyond the calming birdsong and dedicated one-to-one appointments lies an inspiring story of passion, reinvention and purpose, and at the heart of it is Lillie Pragnell.

Lillie began her career in beauty at 18, working in spas and salons before running her own business in Edinburgh. Her fascination with holistic wellness led her to study nutrition at university while still managing her beauty business to help fund her degree. Later, she trained in personal training too, all driven by a desire to offer her clients a more complete understanding of how inner health reflects outer beauty.

“Cleansers and moisturisers can only do so much,” Lillie explains. “If someone’s drinking too much, not sleeping, or stressed, it shows on their skin. Learning about the body, nutrition, exercise, the lymphatic system, has massively helped me deliver better results.”

After retraining in permanent makeup and specialist facials, Lillie returned fully to the beauty industry last year, bringing everything she’d learned with her. She now offers microblading, microneedling, dermaplaning and chemical peels, with a strong focus on skin health. Her facials and treatments are tailored to individual skin conditions such as acne or rosacea, supported by her latest venture, her very own skincare brand: Salve Skincare.

Struggling to find a brand that was ethical, effective and aligned with her values, Lillie decided to create her own. “I wanted something organic, cruelty-free and sustainable but that also worked,” she says. “When I couldn’t find it, I thought, why not make it?” The result is a beautifully branded collection of 19 products, all carefully formulated and available online at salveskincare.co.uk.

Elite Beauty is based in a tranquil garden pod, a hidden sanctuary complete with private parking and a personal, unhurried experience. Lillie sees clients mostly for facials and permanent makeup, with massages and nail treatments available too. Her calm, professional manner and commitment to quality make each appointment feel like time carved out just for you.

As she prepares to complete her Level 5 in advanced skincare, Lillie is also stepping back from teaching beauty in Altrincham to focus on growing the business. Between her base in Middlewich and her regular Friday sessions in Nantwich, word is spreading fast.

With years of experience, a science-led approach, and a truly bespoke service, Lillie is redefining what beauty therapy looks like, inside and out.

All information accurate as of June 2025.