By Rachel Wells
Melbourne racegoers are queuing up for Botox and anti-ageing filler injections in the lead-up to the social whirl of the spring racing carnival.
While fashion retailers have reported weak racewear sales, business is booming for the city's beauty salons and skin clinics, with Botox and dermal fillers topping the list of must-have treatments. Plastic surgeon Dr Chris Moss, from the Liberty Belle Skin Centre in Toorak, says while budget-conscious racegoers are cutting back on new clothes they're not willing to forgo their face-saving treatments.
Justine Harvey enjoys her spray tan treatment.Credit: Angela Wylie
''For a lot of people the spring racing carnival is their big social event of the year and understandably they want to look their best. ''We had our busiest week of the year last week and what people are telling us is they'd much rather spend their money on Botox than on a new dress or pair of shoes because they see it as great value for money. They get real, obvious results that make them feel really great about themselves.''
Nicole (pictured), 49, is a client of Dr Moss. In recent weeks she has had Botox, IPL (Intense Pulsed Light treatment - to improve skin tone and offset sun damage) dermal fillers and laser treatments in preparation for the carnival.
Lisa Duane, a clinical nurse specialist, prepares Nicole for botox treatment.Credit: Joe Armao
''Every year I look at the diary about six weeks out and book in all my treatments. The races are a big deal for me so I want to make sure I'm looking and feeling really great. I think if you're skin's looking great and you feel confident in your appearance it's kind of irrelevant what you wear because you'll look great anyway … It means you don't need to spend a fortune on clothes.''
Beauty salons specialising in manicures, pedicures and spray tans are also reporting strong trade despite figures that show consumers are preferring to save rather than spend. Retail spending figures out earlier this month show clothing and accessories sales were down 6.6 per cent on last year.
Karla Chapman from Brown Bodies, a mobile spray tanning service, says they are so heavily booked over the coming weeks they have had to put some clients on waiting lists.
One of Ms Chapman's clients, Justine Harvey, says she has booked tanning sessions, hair appointments and pedicures.
Racing in for spring beauty.
''I haven't bought anything new this year because I've already got a lot of things I can mix and match,'' says the 31-year-old account manager. ''But there's no way I could turn up to the races without a spray tan. It just makes me feel so much more glamorous and healthy and that little bit slimmer.''
Personal trainers are also benefiting from body-conscious racegoers. Tommy Davidson says many of his clients have increased their sessions from one or two a week to three or four in the lead-up to the carnival. ''I have clients who will set a target of losing two or three kilos in time for the races,'' he says.