A WOMAN who has spent 34 years working as a beautician has been named Australia's best beauty therapist.
Daniela Boerma had never before entered the Australian Beauty Industry Awards, of which she was named top therapist for 2015 last month.
"I didn't expect to win and I know how hard I work so I thought whoever wins this will deserve it," Ms Boerma said.
Cosmetic company The Biodroga Institute encouraged her to enter.
The award comes after a long career.
After leaving school she completed her beauty therapy training and within a year of that opened her first business at Cronulla, before moving to Brighton-Le-Sands.
"For 20 years I then had a home-based business while I raised my children," she said of Jahn, now 23, Corey, 20, and Hans, 17.
She now owns Bliss Day Spa at Caringbah where she works with her two nieces, an employee of 30 years and a friend.
Ms Boerma said she now specialised in wound healing, scar rejuvenation and skin regeneration.
"Our motto is everyone has a right to beautiful skin," she said.
She said she had successfully treated leg ulcers after being in contact with a client's doctor and other skin conditions.