On New Year's Eve, Peaches and Cream co-owner Nicola Smith received an unexpected call: Pamela Anderson was in a Liverpool theatre and wanted her nails done. Nicola, 38, from Crosby, and her business partner Kate Donnelly, 43, from Aigburth, had to decline the Baywatch star due to a packed schedule. It is just one of many memorable moments in the two-decade history of one of Liverpool's most recognisable beauty brands.
From College Project to Global Success
Peaches and Cream began more than 20 years ago at Hugh Baird College, where Nicola and Kate teamed up for competitions. Their tutors emphasised bridal makeup as their "bread and butter," prompting Kate to inquire about a stand at a St George's Hall bridal fair. The £500 fee led her to text classmates for partners, and Nicola agreed to join.
"The wedding fair organisers said we needed a name, and that's where Peaches and Cream came from," Kate explained. "It all comes from the fact we both like coral. We had peach shirts, wanted matching business cards. It was all done back to front—there was no clever business plan."
Starting with friends, mobile clients, and weddings, the duo opened their first salon on Garston Old Road in 2008. As demand grew, with Kate's mum directing customers on Saturdays, they moved to Dale Street. "It just grew to the point where I was doing makeup out the kitchen," Kate added.
A Beloved Liverpool Institution
Since 2005, Peaches and Cream has evolved from a wedding fair stand into a global brand, with products sold worldwide. Their Dale Street store has been a fixture for 16 years, attracting clients from across the globe to get "peached." The shop holds special memories, making Nicola emotional as she shares them. "You're making people look the nicest they've ever looked and making their dreams come true," she said.
Kate added: "We've gone on journeys with our clients. We're with them for happy times and sad times. Although everything here is about feeling good, people have other stuff going on. Here, you can talk about it, and we'll cheer you up."
New Chapter with Renovated Store
On June 5, Peaches and Cream reopened its newly renovated Dale Street store, marking a significant milestone. Kate called the renovation a "big decision" but knew they needed to "do it big." The new retail space features a swatching station showcasing the brand's product range, upgraded makeup stations with tiered seating for masterclasses, and wall designs inspired by the shop's history, including a tile pattern reminiscent of old floors and Liver Birds honouring their Liverpool roots.
"I think when you've been focused on getting all the jobs done, you can't see past them. Now they're getting ticked off, I'm like, 'Oh, God, this has actually all happened,'" Kate said ahead of the opening. "I'm just looking forward to seeing the clients' reactions because the last time we closed the door in January, I felt like I was about to set fire to everyone's favourite makeup salon. Now I'm feeling confident. Actually, I've done it justice. It's better than any of us ever imagined. I am looking forward to basking in it."
