About Us

Humble Beginnings

In the middle of Melbourne’s lockdown during Covid-19, Makeup & Beauty Lounge was born in a small home salon on Military Road, Avondale Heights. What began as a spare bedroom transformation quickly grew into a thriving beauty business. Our founder, Emily Whiteway, has always had a strong passion for beauty and an incredible attention to detail — qualities that have shaped our journey from the very beginning.

Meet Emily – Our Founder

Growing up in Moonee Ponds, Emily began her beauty career at just 15 years old. She trained under some of the best industry leaders before taking a leap of faith to create her own business. With over 10 years of experience, Emily has become a well-known name in Melbourne’s beauty industry, admired for both her expertise and her genuine care for clients.

The Big Move to Moonee Ponds

After two amazing years in her home salon, the business had outgrown its space. Emily searched high and low for the perfect location that would be both welcoming and accessible for her clients. She found it at 276 Union Road, Moonee Ponds. With the help of her family, what was once an office and butcher shop was transformed into the luxurious beauty salon our clients love today.

Our Salon Today

Now proudly operating in the heart of Moonee Ponds, Makeup & Beauty Lounge is a one-stop destination for lashes, brows, tanning, makeup, body sculpting and more. We combine luxury treatments with a warm, welcoming atmosphere, so every client feels comfortable, confident, and cared for.

Our Promise

At Makeup & Beauty Lounge, we’re more than just a salon — we’re a community. With a growing team, a loyal client base, and an ever-expanding online store, we’re here to help you look and feel your best. Emily and the team are passionate about delivering results-driven treatments while building lasting relationships with each client who walks through our doors.

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Emily Whiteway, owner of Makeup & Beauty Lounge in Moonee Ponds, sitting in a chair smiling for a professional headshot, representing expert beauty services, lash and brow treatments, and makeup application.

Emily Whiteway - Owner & Founder

Emily started her beauty career at just 15 years old and hasn't looked back since. After training under some of Melbourne's best industry leaders and completing her Diploma of Beauty Therapy at the renowned Elly Lukas Beauty College, she took a leap of faith and founded Makeup & Beauty Lounge — first from a home salon in Avondale Heights during Melbourne's Covid lockdowns, and then growing into the beautiful Moonee Ponds studio you see today.

With over 10 years of experience, Emily has built a reputation for her incredible attention to detail, her tailored approach to every client, and her genuine passion for enhancing natural beauty. She specialises in Makeup Artistry, Custom Lash Extensions and Advanced Brow Treatments — and is known for creating results that feel effortlessly polished, never overdone.

Emily's goal has always been simple: to make every client feel like the best version of themselves.

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Rhia Randev - Beauty Therapist

Rhia has been part of the beauty industry for three years and brings a genuine passion for helping clients feel confident and cared for. After placing her career on hold to welcome her two beautiful little girls, Rhia returned to the industry with renewed motivation and love for her craft.

She is currently completing her Diploma of Beauty Therapy, allowing her to further develop her skills, knowledge, and techniques across a range of treatments. Rhia is dedicated to ongoing education and takes pride in delivering thoughtful, personalised services in a calm and welcoming environment.

Clients love Rhia for her gentle nature, attention to detail, and warm personality! She truly enjoys making every client feel comfortable and looked after.

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Jacqui Aylward- Beauty Therapist

Jacqui discovered her love for beauty straight out of high school and has spent years building a diverse and impressive skill set across makeup artistry and lash and brow treatments. With a background as a mobile makeup artist and a passion for ongoing education, Jacqui brings both creativity and precision to every appointment.

Known for her warm personality and meticulous attention to detail, Jacqui takes real pride in making clients feel comfortable and confident in the chair. Whether she's creating a flawless makeup look or perfecting your lashes and brows, her focus is always on enhancing your natural features in a way that feels uniquely you.

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Claudia Gillis - Makeup Artist

Claudia is a talented Makeup Artist and Eyelash Therapist with over 5 years of experience in the beauty industry. She specialises in creating flawless, glowing makeup looks and is an expert in Runway Room cosmetics, knowing exactly how to customise each product to suit your skin tone and desired finish.

Whether you’re after soft glam, full glam or a fresh everyday look, Claudia’s attention to detail ensures you leave feeling confident and polished.

She also has a true love for lashes – from beautifully lifted natural lashes to perfectly styled extensions, Claudia takes pride in enhancing your eyes while maintaining the health and integrity of your natural lashes.

Claudia can’t wait to welcome you into her chair and help you feel your absolute best.

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