Q & A with Mimi's Freelance Make-Up

Estheticians and make-up artists, I think you will enjoy reading this Q & A with Mariam, a self-taught make-up artist with extraordinary talent. Mariam is a great example how of passion drives a career path, and her hard work and talent are exemplified in "before & after" pictures on her website. Her make-up talent is explosive!
Her contact info. is below the Q & A section.


(1) Did you specifically go to a make-up school, or did you find your
 passion for make-up through esthetics school? Or did you do on the job
 training?
Actually no , I didn't go to any beauty schools at all ..I'm a medical student now ..Makeup has been my passion since I was 12 ..and I'm a self taught person through books and youtube videos

 (2) What is one thing you wish you had known about the business before
 you graduated from school
hmm, may be some tips and techniques that I had to figure out myself since I didn't go to any beauty school

(3) What type of make-up do you do? Bridal, theatrical, T.V. etc?
       mostly graduations ,and special occasions as birthday parties

(4) Any recommendations for esthetics students who want to get into
 the make-up side of the industry? Things they need to know?
 first they have to know it's not an easy road .. yet they will enjoy the ride if they are passionate about what they are doing . to succeed in that field , you have to have a wide imagination ..let their mind fly free and catch inspiration from everything around them ..to think outside the box 
(5) Do you need a specific license or certificate to do make-up?
      here in Egypt ,you don't have to have a certified license ..don't know what about other countries though
 (6) Can you tell us a little about your make-up business?
       I'm a freelancing makeup artist ..beside being a medical student , I do makeup in my spare time and holidays not for the money but because it's something am passionate for .

(7) Any tips for landing a job in the industry?
      be unique , and try to stand out , be yourself and you will be amazed by what you may come up with :)

 

 http://makeupbymimiii.blogspot.com

mariam_454@hotmail.com

 

Esthetician's Corner: Reducing Legal Liability & Protecting Your Practice

When you set foot in your relaxing and calming treatment room the last thing you want to think about is a client filing a lawsuit against you. It can arise from something as simple as an eyebrow waxing, chemical peel, or even a make-up application. In any case, a lawsuit can cost thousands of dollars, if not more. Here are some tips to prevent you from being the subject of a lawsuit, and what to do if you think (or you know) that someone might file a lawsuit against you.

Avoiding a Lawsuit
(1) Always follow state laws.
(2) Practice within the scope of your license.
(3) Maintain current copies of MSDS in your treatment rooms.
(4) Practice care and concern in all of your sanitation and disinfection procedures.
(5) Do not practice on inflamed skin or clients with open wounds; turn down the business.
(6) Carry skin care liability insurance on yourself and/or your business.
(7) Verify your liability insurance covers Brazilian Wax-some require a special certification for coverage!

When a Lawsuit is Brewing
(1) Do not admit fault.
(2) Never give free services or products to the person who intends to sue you; it could be considered an admission of guilt by the courts.
(3) Contact your insurance carrier immediately if you think you might be sued and/or a client has either made a verbal or written communication suggesting that they will file suit.
(4) If you do not have liability insurance then you might need to retain an attorney to defend you.

Disclaimer: I am not an attorney, and all words expressed in this blog are based on my opinions and should not be used in lieu of the advice of your own attorney.

Super Skin Foods: Top Foods for Beautiful Skin

When most of us think about consuming healthy foods, we usually think about it in terms of protecting our heart; reducing our risks for cancer; and maintaining a healthy weight. While those are important components to health, our biggest organ, SKIN can benefit from healthy foods as well. Here are some of the best super skin foods to protect your skin from free radicals and reduce the signs of aging. A good skin care regime starts with good health. Here are some of the best super skin foods:

(1) Oranges-Powerful source of Vitamin C; helps prevent free radicals and gives skin a nice glow.
(2) Grapefruit-Excellent Vitamin C source; high in antioxidants and helps to repair DNA cells.
(3) Cucumber-High water content-helps hydrate the skin and stimulates collagen. Lots of antioxidants.
(4) Papaya-Loaded with antioxidants, Vitamins, minerals and has enzyme properties (will find this in some enzyme peels).
(5) Avocado-Helps maintain skin's complexion; full of vital nutrients; and adds a good source of protein to both the body and the skin. It is the "good fat."
(6) Olive Oil-A good source of natural vitamins and antioxidants; another great "good fat" source.
(7) Fish-Omega 3's in fish help reduce inflammation; helps reduce skin issues; protects the skin & body against free radicals (I am in the process of trying to find a Fish Oil Vitamin that is not so fishy. I love fish, but I still do not get enough in my diet.)
(8) Green Tea-this is my absolute favorite! This tea tastes so good and yet it has so many benefits. Green Tea has a very important antioxidant called EGCG an extremely powerful antioxidant extracted from green tea leaves. Green Tea has anti-inflammatory benefits, and it helps reduce keep the skin beautiful. Additional benefits: helps with metabolism.

Esthetician's Corner: Retin- A Still The Reigning Wrinkle Champ

Retin-A, the phenomenal miracle cream hit my radar in the late 80's or early 90's. Originally manufactured to help with chronic acne it was soon discovered to have miraculous wrinkle reducing benefits. I don't know what the year was exactly, but I remember hearing my mother talk about how this new cream could literally erase years from a person's face. Back then, I didn't have a care in the world about wrinkles, but always fascinated by skin care I took notice.  The small sampling of women that I knew who used this new wonder cream had skin like a baby's butt. Back then, there was no talk of dermal fillers, and Retin-A really was the only product on the market to help women preserve their youth.

Fast forward to 2013 and this by prescription- only cream is still a phenomenon to contend with. It is a derivative of Vitamin A, which standing alone is a powerful vitamin with many free radical fighting antioxidants. Retin-A helps to slough off the dead skin; unclog pores; fight sun damage; reduce the appearance of Melasma; and it helps repair and build new skin. The benefits of this cream are amazing. Many skin care products contain Retinols which definitely help to achieve outstanding skin care results, but if you want a phenomenal result get a script for Retin-A from your dermatologist.

I love Retin-A, the first couple of weeks using it can be a challenge as your skin gets use to it, but it is well worth the results. Whether you want to be acne free, or you want to turn back father time,  Retin-A is still the reigning champ of the wrinkle world.

Some tips to remember with Retin-A use:
(1) Always use sunblock, even on winter days.
(2) Remember to moisturize (about 30 mins. after applying Retin-A)
(3) Allow 2-3 weeks to see results.
(4) Stop using a couple weeks prior to waxing--your skin (or client's skin) can lift during a waxing treatment if you are using Retin-A.

Grace Riley author of JumpStart Your Esthetics Career: A Guide For Newly Licensed Estheticians
gracerileypublishing.blogspot.com

Solo Esthetics Practice: Best Ways to Book Appointments

Solo Practice Esthetics: Best Ways to Book Appointments

 

         How do you book client appointments when you are in a solo practice? You want to demonstrate professionalism before you even meet your first client, but how do you do that when you can't afford a receptionist? There are a couple options in your quest to book appointments successfully and professionally. You can choose to rent a booth from a spa that includes live receptionist in your booth rent, and/or you can pick from a vast array of online booking systems.
       One of my favorites is www.schedulicity.com, it is easy to use and customers can book online appointments via your website. You enter the times you are available and they choose the day and time that works for them, and then the site e-mails you. Very simple. There are tons of choices out there from Millenium Software to Daily Scheduling. All with varying price ranges, with basic packages starting out at $19.99 a month all the way into the hundreds. In this digital age, it is almost imperative that you offer online booking. Not many people want to call and schedule appointments these days. However, for your older crowd you should have a telephone line available for them to call. Remember, you need to have a professional voicemail on your phone if you want to keep customers.
       Another great way to schedule appointments once you have established clients is through your company Facebook page, meaning you establish a Facebook page just for your business " Timeless Beauty Salon & Spa" and you only use this page to network. This is a great way to promote your specials to customers, and another benefit is their friends will most likely see your ads too. Your customers can message you when they are ready to make their appointments, and better yet your cyber-self will encourage them to book with your tips and informational section. Daily tips, seasonal skin care, and skin care product reviews etc. surely help you get clients buzzing about your business.
                         http://www.facebook.com/#!/grace.riley.5

             






Grace Riley author of JumpStart Your Esthetics Career: A Guide For Newly Licensed Estheticians

Esthetician's Corner: Question of the Day-Resumes

A reader asked if they should include spa industry experience from twenty years ago, while it might sound absurd to tell that reader "yes" that is exactly what I did. Some of you are probably scratching your heads right about now, totally dumbfounded by my answer, but my reasoning has a method. In general, applicants don't need to include work experience from that long ago. Why would I recommend including experience from twenty years ago? This particular reader had changed careers, but earlier in her life she worked in a salon/spa environment and does have familiarity with the industry albeit from many years ago. That experience is germane here because she has a basic understanding of the industry where the other recent graduate/ applicants might only have their education. Who do you think is more likely to get an interview?

The goal of the resume is much like dating; you put your best-self forward.  I worked in human resources, and I can tell you from experience that resumes are only pieces of paper, and if nothing sets you apart you can guarantee your resume is going into the circular file (a.k.a. trash can)! Remember, you are only a piece of paper to employers, they don't see a person but a piece of paper and it is easy to throw paper in the trash.

How do you make your resume stand apart? Writing a resume shouldn't be a copy and paste of some resume you pulled off the Internet, instead you should take your time and pen down a list of all your career assets: education, additional training, certifications, and experience. Sometimes applicants forget vital pieces of information that will turn their resume from the least preferred applicant to the exclusive applicant.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/grace.riley.5

Grace Riley Esthetics: Now on Facebook

Dear Readers:
Please join me on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/#!/grace.riley.5
Grace Riley

Esthetician's Corner: Question of the Day

 Esthetics career question from a reader-

 

"Having read your book and blog, I feel there's some genuine interest in young estheticians and students. I am then taking the liberty to write directly to you.

I am 40 and mother of two young kids. I have a Masters in Communication, a desire for more flexibility and a long-term love for skin care.

I guess my question is the million dollar question. Is esthetics a field to get into, especially amid a job market that can't seem to get its act together? I am terribly afraid to study and then come to the realization that without experience, in today's market there's almost no chance. I am not interested in short-cuts and I am a serious student/professional."

 

Paige, from Long Island

 

Dear Paige,

The job market is not good at all, and luxury services are being cut out, especially in economically hard hit areas. With that being said, there are still spas opened for business. Women who do have the money for luxury services are certainly seeking them out. If you live in a wealthy city and/or an area with an older population your options are better.

There are also many ways you can carve out your niche in this field. You can be an instructor, make-up artist, waxer (work for a wax franchise doing just waxings) and medical esthetics (working for a doctor). I can't tell you an exact salary because it depends on where you live, what type of place you work at and how many products you sell.

You asked if esthetics is a good field to get into in light of the economy, and I think that is very personal to you. Do you have a spouse with an income that can help support you while you get your foot in the door? How much money do you NEED to make? Do you want a flexible schedule? Do you LOVE skin care and helping people? You also have to enjoy make-up and waxing too depending on where you work. I can't tell you what career will work for you, but I can tell you if this has been a life long dream and you can afford to do it, then why not?

In terms of getting a job after you graduate, it can be tough fresh out of school, but I give tips in both my book and blog on how to overcome that. You've already been through school so you are familiar with how to do a resume and present yourself at an interview.

The bottom line is you have to make this very personal choice for yourself. For me, I've wanted to do this my whole life and my passion has never died. I think you have to do what is best for your heart and your family. It is my love, my passion and I can't imagine doing anything else. Good luck to you and please e-mail me back and let me know what you've decided and where you decide to go to school.

  

Department Store Skin Care Lines vs. Professional Skin Care Lines

Let me first say that I love so many of the department store products; I love Estee Lauder, Clinque, Lancome (one of my favorites) and I even like Mary Kay eye shadows. Okay, so I am a make-up junkie. Skin care has always been a passion of mine, cosmetics in general have always been something I want to play with and enjoy.

 I can remember as early as fourteen years of age, after I got my very first paycheck for working in an office that summer, I celebrated by going and buying Estee Lauder's latest and greatest futuristic-looking blue tube of some miracle gel. It was all the rage in the late 80's and it had been heavily advertised for weeks before I bought it. Although, the store clerk laughed at me for buying the tube of gel, apparently she didn't realize that taking care of your skin is a life long journey through the ages and it is never too young to start.

As I've grown older, and as I have learned more about skin care, I realized that these department store products might not be as great as I thought they were. They come in beautiful packaging and appeal to a wide audience via fashion magazines, however, they lack something extremely important: CHANGE. Most of the products feel like they just sit on my skin and never absorb, and more importantly there was never a change in my skin's appearance. Even after weeks of use, with the line's specific skin care regimen, no change.

When I trashed my department store products years ago, and started to use professional products, I immediately noticed a change in my skin. I could see results fairly quickly (usually within 2 weeks) of using a professional skin care line. I was thrilled because I could see a glow; reduction in fine lines; and a more even skin tone.

The other thing to keep in mind are the sales people behind the beauty counter are not usually licensed estheticians. Their training consists of the product line they are selling; they are trained to sell not preserve and protect the health of the skin. They are giving expert advice when many haven't sat through one esthetics lesson.

Estheticians work very hard, even after getting their license to practice, most estheticians choose to obtain further credentials in skin care. Estheticians are proud to advocate good skin care health, and while we are not dermatologists and cannot diagnosis or prescribe, we certainly are an effective mentor in skin health, preservation and beauty which is beyond incomparable to beauty store advisers. Consumers have tons of choices, and many will go the beauty counter route, but for those consumers who want optimal results they will need a licensed esthetician to guide them and create a customized skin care regimen, not a one-sized fits all approach.

Grace Riley author of JumpStart Your Esthetics Career: A Guide For Newly Licensed Estheticians

Esthetician Corner: Update My Skin Cancer Screening Results

I posted a blog earlier this week about my skin cancer screening experience, and I promised that I would post my results. I wish I could offer a cheerful "BENIGN" result, but this time that isn't the case. My results in the past were benign, but today my results are considered "atypical" with one on my back being "mildly atypical" and the one on my lower leg/near foot area is "moderately atypical."

After speaking with the nurse, she said I need to watch the biopsy areas to make sure the skin does not change in color or a growth appear, in addition, now I need to see the dermatologist in 6 months instead of a year. While I am thankful that these biopsies are not actually cancer yet, I am disappointed that they are considered pre-cancerous and have the potential to turn in to cancer, where a benign result would have indicated I was home safe because they wouldn't have the ability to metastasize.

Lesson to myself and all my readers, don't put off your annual health-screening appointments. Last year was an extremely busy year for me, and I postponed my annual skin cancer screening because life got busy. I don't generally skip my annual preventative screenings, but last year was unusual year for me and it happened. The lesson is do your best not to postpone your annual health screenings because had I gone last year maybe the results would have been different, I don't know. Maybe they would have caught it before it was pre-cancerous, I can't be sure, but I do know I regret not getting my annual skin cancer screening. A benign result is the optimal pathology result, an atypical is not desired, but it is better than a melanoma result.

"Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. It accounts for nearly half of all cancers in the United States. More than 2 million cases of basal and squamous cell skin cancer are found in this country each year. Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, will account for more than 75,000 cases of skin cancer in 2012 (www.cancer.org)." 

Esthetician's Corner: Skin Cancer Screening with Biopsies

Now, Brown Spot is a hole.

Brown Spot Before Biopsy

My Skin Cancer Screening

Many of my readers haven't had the opportunity to get their preventative skin cancer screening yet. In an effort, to encourage all of you to take that plunge and get that test, I wanted to chronicle my latest appointment and share with you.
It had been a year and half since I had my last skin cancer screening.  A little longer than I generally wait, I normally go once a year to be on the safe side. I have never had skin cancer before, although I have had one biopsy before and it was benign.
At my most recent appointment, they did two skin biopsies. One is from a mole that I accidentally scratched and it turned into a big, brown spot. The second mole is on my back and it looked suspicious. There are various methods to remove these suspicious moles: skin punch, skin shaving and excisional biopsies. I had the punch method done to me. They shoot you with a needle filled with a numbing fluid prior to removal.
The actual procedure doesn't hurt, but later in the day the areas were a little sore. The area needs to be washed twice daily and Vaseline applied and covered with a bandage to prevent infection.

I won't know the results of my latest biopsies for at least one to two weeks. If they are cancerous, I am going to kick myself for not being more diligent about my annual screening. On the other hand, if they are benign, I am going to sigh an epic-sized air of relief and I will make sure to add "skin cancer screening" to my calendar for a year out. These tedious appointments are just that until they become life-changing events, times we wish we could do over to prevent the unwanted consequences.
Skin Cancer screenings are like any other tests you would get on an annual basis. Dental checks, mammograms, physicals etc. it is just another appointment to add to our already busy schedules. While it is an annoyance, skin cancer is highly treatable and possibly curable if caught early. Early detection is our best defense against a very ugly disease!
Grace Riley author of JumpStart Your Esthetics Career: A Guide For Newly Licensed Estheticians

 

Skin Cancer Screenings: Do You Think All Estheticians Should Get A Yearly Screening?

As an esthetician, and as a person who is an advocate for skin care health I absolutely believe that all estheticians should have skin cancer screenings. In fact, I believe every one should have at least a base line screening to chart and have a body map record of the shapes, sizes and colors of moles on the body. Many dermatologists will also take pictures of each mole so should a mole look suspicious or change they have both measurements and pictures to compare it with. It is an extra precautionary step. The thing about skin cancer is that if caught early it is highly treatable and more likely curable than other forms of cancer.

As an esthetician, I think it is of greater importance that you take the health of your skin seriously and get regular skin care screenings. How often? It depends on your personal situation, but some dermatologists recommend that a person as young the teenage years get a baseline, and then every year or every couple years depending on your personal circumstances. Estheticians are skin care advocates, and part of that advocacy should be more than just the beauty and pampering side of skin care, but the true health of our skin. Without the health and integrity of the skin and body, beauty and pampering are useless.

I've spoken with a couple of estheticians who do not have health insurance and it is difficult to get skin cancer screenings because of the cost. I completely understand their dilemma, especially in this field where many spas do not offer benefits. There are some places that offer free or reduced rates on skin cancer screening, I will list below. Remember, skin cancer is a highly treatable and likely curable cancer if caught EARLY! Before you can take care of your clients, you need to take care of yourself first. See my upcoming blog on my own personal experience of a skin cancer screeing with biopsy! I am including my own pictures that I documented during my experience.

Free or Reduced Skin Cancer Screenings
American Academy of Dermatology-www.aad.org
Local hospitals in your area-call and check or call a local dermatologist

Grace Riley author of JumpStart Your Esthetics Career: A Guide For Newly Licensed Estheticians

Interview With Esthetics By Jeanette Spa--Esthetics Students--What You Can Learn From Jeanette

                                              Interview: Esthetics By Jeanette

                Thank you Jeanette for answering these questions for our student readers.

 

(1)  What is something you wish your esthetics school had taught you that they didn't?
Better knowledge of the muscles and ingredients knowledge.
(2) How easy or difficult was it to start your own business?
     For me it was quite easy, if you do a good treatment and you know what you are doing then it should be easy.
(3) What is the biggest misconception about the business?
      That it’s easy, but really it is hard work to build a cliental.
(4) Any other tips for our students is greatly appreciated.
Take extra classes and work hard.

916- 486-8338
Esthetics by Jeanette
2322 Butano Dr Ste 103
Sacramento, CA 95825-0657
www.ebjspa.com

Grace Riley author of JumpStart Your Esthetics Career: A Guide For Newly Licensed Estheticians

Problems With MLM Skin Care Companies

I am getting ready to review  a MLM skin care product, the rep tells me that this product line is different, and I am going to inquire about her background and training. It concerns me because I just read a post from another MLM company that is selling a personal galvanic device. A person asked the question "Can I use galvanic if I am pregnant" and the rep (or company) told her "yes" but they don't recommend without consulting her doctor (trying to reduce their liability). I think the number one question on state boards for the questions that come from facial machines is if you can use galvanic treatments on pregnant people or braces. NO, the answer is no.

It concerns me that these MLM companies are doing a fast food quickie training of their reps and then sending them out in the world with questionable protocols at best. These people give facials, and skin care advice yet they don't have real training nor do they carry liability insurance (that I am aware of) which  can end badly for some consumers. As estheticians, especially ones that hold a membership with a skin association, you take an oath "to do no harm" and that means making sure we are practicing within the scope of our licenses, and taking special considerations for our clients' skin care health. While none of us is perfect, and we all make mistakes whether we are licensed or not, the fact is these beauty consultants are doing harm to the general public by educating and working on consumers who trust them to be experts in the field, when they are anything but. If these people want to run legitimate and successful skin care businesses working as a skin care rep for an MLM company by all means they should, but they should legitimize themselves first by getting an esthetics license.

Just my take, I don't want to bash all the reps out there, but it is hard to take them seriously.

Grace Riley author of JumpStart Your Esthetics Career: A Guide For Newly Licensed Estheticians

Tips For Passing Your Esthetics State Boards

This blog is primarily for passing the written exam vs. the clinical portion, due to the fact that every state has different requirements for the clinical portion of the exam.

The best way to study for your state boards, in my opinion, is to study throughout the time you are in school instead of just trying to get by. Nothing is better than learning in small increments over a course of time, if you try to cram everything in at the last minute you will have a lower chance of success. Take it one day at a time, and read and review as much as you can, and I assume if you enrolled in esthetics you did so because you are passionate and excited about it. "I'm always studying my craft because I want to be the best at what I do (Aaron Carter)."

The best resource throughout your schooling is the "Milady's Exam Review" book that accompanies the textbook and the practice book. Some schools do not require this exam book, but it has many of the test questions in it. They might not be word for word, but these questions are excellent preparation for passing both your in class exams and your written state board. Another resource, one that I would spend the money on is "Milady's U Online Licensing Preparation." For around $30.00 you can get a one-year access to a test bank of 1000 questions, it reviews everything you've done in your textbooks and drills & tests you as much as you want or need. This is the bank of questions where your state test will come from, and it is an ideal way to get a lot of practice and build your confidence and abilities prior to taking your written state boards.

Another great place to spend some time studying, and even copying and putting these details on note cards are from the blocks of information on the pages of your Milady textbook. A lot of test questions on both your in-class exams and the written state board exams come from these blocks. I remember when I was in school many students huffing and puffing because they got test questions wrong, and they would argue up and down to China that that piece of information was no where to be found in the chapter, but it was right there in that side block that they failed to read.

Grace Riley author of JumpStart Your Esthetics Career: A Guide For Newly Licensed Estheticians

How To Grow Your Esthetics Business Before You Graduate

I remember when I was in school,  our teacher told us that we had to bring in our own clients to work on. I immediately felt a flash of heat blazing my skin, twisting knots in my stomach and hearing the fearful sound buzzing around the classroom. Our teacher was bombarded with a lot of complaints and frustration, and every one wanted the school to advertise for us. We all just assumed the school would advertise, but we were required to hit the pavement and get students in our clinic. Our teacher said something very powerful, she told us that in the real world whether you work for yourself or a spa, the fact is you will have to bring in clients, period. There is no sugar coating that reality. It was absolutely no easy task, as our class was at night and we only had a certain period of time we could invite people to come in for services. The task seemed daunting, even unrealistic given our inexperience in the beauty industry.

At the end of the year, a lot of students were behind in their services and they had to rush to find ways to meet those clinic services, but I found a way to drum up business without doing too much work. I created a newsletter of esthetics tips and product information,and I tried to send this out on a regular basis to my group of contacts. In addition, every time I spoke with my acquaintances I would some how divert the conversation back into skin care, and I created a buzz, and soon I had a nice following who remained with me after graduation.

 Creating a newsletter is a great way to educate your current clients and/or potential clients on your services, and more importantly your knowledge.How do they know what they're missing until they read your newsletter?  What makes client come to you in the first place? Knowledge. They think you can help them with their skin issues, and that newsletter is a statement of your knowledge and what services you can provide them. Potential clients might not even be aware of some of the services you can perform, or how they can improve their skin. A lot of people don't realize there are solutions to their skin problems until we make light of the issues.

The newsletter is a powerful tool in building your esthetics practice, it gets your name out there and potential clients thinking about what you can do for them. It is prudent to consider creating a newsletter now while you're in school and create excitement about your new career, get all your contacts thinking about what you can do for them, and maybe after you graduate you will have a nice following.

Grace Riley author of JumpStart Your Esthetics Career: A Guide For Newly Licensed Estheticians

Setting Up Your Esthetics Spa On Your Terms

 

 

Creating your salon is more than picking out wall colors and bedding. A lot of thought needs to go in to the design and set up of your esthetics spa. Even if you are starting small and booth renting you need to have a good plan in place for how your new business will unfold. You cannot ignore good business sense, and if you don't know anything about business try to find a professional who can help you. The SBA (Small Business Association) is a great place to start your research and implenting of your plan.

Before you even get a name for your business, prior to ordering marketing materials and signing the lease you might want to think about your costs: fixed and variable. Fixed costs are those reoccuring on a monthly basis and variable are those that occur more sporadically. You need to have an idea how much it is going to cost to operate your business. While you can't predict every cost ahead of time, at least you can give yourself some insight on how much it costs to operate this specific business. Going in with your eyes wide open is much smarter than diving in blindly.

Booth rent is a great way to get a taste of spa ownership without having to mortgage yourself to the hilt with a large spa, and all the stress that goes along with it. No matter how big or small your business is, it is imperative that you treat it like a business and use all the proper protocols of owning a business. Things you will need to operate successfully:

Property lease (might want a lawyer to review the terms for you); insurance (talk to an insurance broker); daily records (will you hire a bookkeeper or attend to records yourself?); type of ownership-individual, LLC (Limited Liability) Partnership, or will you buy a salon in existence. Don't forget about taxes-you will have to pay taxes on your business and you will want to expense your business expenses (consider using an accountant/CPA to guide you).

Grace Riley author of JumpStart Your Esthetics Career: A Guide For Newly Licensed Estheticians

Can You Survive On An Esthetician's Salary?

I read a lot of esthetician forums where students thinking about going to esthetician school are worried that this career path might not generate enough money to live on. It is a a great question, and many estheticians debate this on the forums. Can you survive on an esthetician's salary?

Everyone lives a different lifestyle so to say one can or cannot survive on an esthetician's salary is lumping every esthetician in the same group. We all live very differently depending on our circumstances. No one can say with a 100% accuracy how much YOU will make as an esthetician, and if they do they are misleading you because it can't be done. There are too many factors affecting your salary as an esthetician.

Are you going to work per hour for a doctor? Will you work on a 50/50 or 60/40 split? Is it possible for you to earn commission on your product sales at your place of employment? Do you think you might run your own esthetics business? Is it possible you might teach esthetics for a community college? The list goes on and on, and it could be one full-time job or a couple of part-time jobs, it all depends on your personal situation.

I don't think anyone goes into esthetics to become RICH, most people go into this for the love of it. If you become rich from it, it is probably from a lot of hard work and a little bit of luck. Like any profession, there is an average salary and then there are people who achieve financial results that most never accomplish in that profession.

I think it is prudent for anyone going into any career path to look at salaries; to listen to what other people in the field have experienced both financially and professionally; and analyze the information and see how it fits into their career path. There is no one cookie cutter method for determining the correct career path.

In our uncertain economic times, I think many people are seeking careers that offer stability but the fact is careers that used to be recession proof no longer are, and people need to look at all their options before making a final choice. If you love esthetics and this is absolutely something you want to do, but you are worried about finances then you could also pick a less expensive school and try it out. Don't invest $10,000 grand into an expensive school, allow yourself to try out two careers at once. That is the beauty of esthetics, it is always something you can do on a part-time basis while maintaining another career.

Remember, with esthetics you don't need to spend top dollar for your education because they all are licensing facilities, so whether you go to a $1,000 a year or a $10,000 year a school, at the end you will still get a state esthetics license. The education following your basic licensing course is where you will obtain much of your knowledge, so if you have a choice between a super expensive school and less expensive school (think community college) I would recommend the less expensive school because you will learn so much more after your licensing course, and then you don't have to make a ton of money to pay off those student loans.

I am not going to tell you that you are going to become rich from esthetics, I can't tell you whether you will make enough money to survive in esthetics, but I will tell you that you can be in control of your career path by doing your research and figuring out the best course of action. Don't sign up with the first esthetician school with all the bells and whistles, take your time and think about it, and remember you have to pay back that hefty school loan whether you make a lot in esthetics or not!

I don't want to steer anyone away from this career because it is something I absolutely love, but I think it is important to encourage you to research it before you decide. Do you really love esthetics? When I was in school, I was amazed at the number of people who only mildly liked esthetics and they were going to continue on and graduate. Why would they spend the money? Their passion for the field was little to none, and yet they continued on the path. For me, it is something that I think about all the time, I am constantly reading about the field-constantly trying out new products--always learning about new cosmetic procedures etc. And I think that is how I know this is meant for me because I wouldn't be me without esthetics.

Author of Jump Start Your Esthetics Career: A Guide For Newly Licensed Estheticians

Skin Care Product Lines: How Do You Choose?

Good all purpose.

In thinking about my own experiences, I've had the opportunity to use several different products lines both in school and professionally: Eminence, Image, Bioelements, Dermalogica, Avene, Glytone, and Lindi. This list doesn't include products that I've used on my own or tested, it is only exhaustive of my schooling and professional usages.

Love it for anti-aging & effective change.

One of my favorites.

Favorite

The skin care product shelves are exploding with new and better skin care lines than we had years ago. Every time I open a copy of a professional skin care magazine or order supplies online at a distributor's website, there is always something new on the market. It makes my head spin!         

How do you know what product line to use in your solo practice? This is a very difficult question to answer because there are so many wonderful product lines on the market. A lot of estheticians use what they already know--it makes sense, you are comfortable with the product line you used in school, but knowing one line doesn't give you the opportunity to truly experience of the benefits of different lines.

In solo practice, since you are in charge, I would consider picking two of your favorite skin care lines and using that in your daily practice. Pick two lines that prove to you that they are results oriented, and that is a personal preference. You have to decide what is best for your practice.

Now, what if you work for someone else? If you work for someone else, you can recommend product lines, but you do not get final say. I can tell you that I haven't loved all the product lines mentioned above, but I had no choice because I was not the boss...I had to use what the employer provided and I had to learn that product line quickly. With that said, there is not one product line I hate that was mentioned above, but I had no choice but to use them because I was not the boss.

Good Luck, the journey through esthetics is worth the trip, working in the field you love is worth all the miles you've come!

Grace Riley the author of Jump Start Your Esthetics Career: A Guide For Newly Licensed Estheticians

Expanding Your Esthetics Revenue

 A lucrative business to be in, and to help pay for your own esthetics booth rent is being the landlord.  Renting out your own space and dividing up booths to rent out to massage therapists and hair stylists is a happy marriage between stream lining your revenue and doing what you love. Booth rent is expensive, no matter how you cut it, if you want to work for yourself you will have to rent a booth. It seems booth rent prices are on the rise with so many beauty industry people opting to go into business for themselves. Why not rent out a bigger space and divide it up to accomodate stylists and massage therapists?

Taking the plunge from esthetician to landlord is not to be taken lightly, it will take a good business plan and some money to get it started, but if done properly being a beauty industry landlord might be the ticket to enjoying a lucrative career while you can focus your attention back to your passion: esthetics. 

There are so many options out there for estheticians, you need to think outside of the box. There are ways to help support your esthetics business, and it make sense to rent out spaces to other people because you have a steady income coming in rather than paying a landlord rent.

Just another idea to keep your brains constantly thinking and moving into the direction of expanding your financial abilities.

Grace Riley the Author of Jump Start Your Esthetics Career: A Guide For Newly Licensed Estheticians

Esthetics: MLM Skin Care Companies-Competition or Not?

 There are several companies on the rise, advertising heavily on the Internet classifieds for skin care reps to sell their extraordinary products, and the best part is to sell these products THERE IS NO NEED FOR AN ESTHETICIAN'S LICENSE. Yes, you read these words correctly--you can sell these high priced skin care products simply by buying an independent business system. At this point, you will get access to all the business items and training you need to successfully run your own skin care business.

You can literally buy your way into the esthetics field, or can you? Sure, anyone can buy into these multi-level marketing companies and instantly become a skin care rep, but I am not sure how legitimate these skin care reps are. What do they really know about the health of their customers skin? What do they know about ingredients? What do they know about safety and sanitation?
Can quickie training suffice for years of education and experience held by most estheticians? Probably not.

There is no competition, professional estheticians possess a license for a reason, their educational and professional abilities foster a safe and truly effective skin care experience for customers. Estheticians are real life practitioners who examine, touch and analyze a client's skin before determining what skin products are necessary to treat ailments, while these MLM skin care reps can sell products virtually without ever seeing or touching the client's skin.

 Most estheticians are in this business to heal and improve clients' skin, and in their professional role they take an ethical standing to only sell and promote products that truly improve the health of their clients' skin. Unfortunately, many of these MLM skin care companies care more about exploding sales than they do about their potential customers' skin care needs. Sell, sell, and sell some more so your skin care TEAM can win another sales prize.

Today's customers have zillions of products to choose from, and some will choose their products from the MLM skin care companies, but I am not sure these customers will find the results optimal in the long run. Estheticians, don't worry too much about these companies, I don't think they stand a chance in the long haul.

Debate:Do You Think Expensive Esthetician Schools Are Worth The Money?

Debate Topic: Do You Think Expensive Esthetician Schools Are Worth The Money?

Anyone who is currently registered in esthetician school, recently graduated or seasoned estheticians please chime in on our current topic.

Do you think the very expensive schools make a difference in your esthetics journey? Do you think you will get (or did you) get a job faster than your less expesnive school peers? What makes the expensive schools better than a less expensive schools? Please feel free to share your comments.

Thanks,
Grace Riley
Author of Jump Start Your Esthetics Career: A Guide For Newly Licensed Estheticians

Before You Go: Esthetician School Questions

(1) How difficult is it to get in to esthetician school?
 
(A) Most esthetician schools are fairly easy to get in to. You will need, in most cases, a high school diploma or GED to be accepted.

(2) What is the cost for esthetician school?

(A) This can vary widely by city or state, public or private institution, but the costs are anywhere from a few thousand dollars to well over $25,000 for elite private schools.

(3) Should I attend a an expensive school with all the bells and whistles?

(A) It depends on your budget. If you want to attend a very expensive school with all the bells and whistles and you can afford it great. Remember, taking student loans is not a free ride and if you take a loan for say $25,000 for that education you have to pay it back 6 months after you graduate and it will appear on your credit score. You can get your basic licensing requirements at most community colleges for a fraction of the price.

(4) Are all esthetician programs created equal?

(A) No, not all esthetician programs are created equally. They can vary drastically from institution to institution. I would recommend visiting several esthetician schools before signing on the dotted line. Do not get whisked away by bells and whistles unless they offer something very different than the other schools. Remember, esthetician school is your basic licensing program, it is to help you pass the state boards and get your initial license. There is so much more to learn beyond that point with master/advanced classes. The most important feature to esthetician school is a reputable program that has teachers who care about the success of the students, and a program that goes the extra mile and offers more than just basic licensing requirements. A good program will have strict sanitation guidelines, school projects, esthetician speakers, and teachers who have real world experience in the field.

(5) Are there any fees associated with esthetician school beyond tuition?

(A) Yes, depending on your school. In some of the expensive schools you might not have to purchase a kit or books, but in the less expensive schools you will need to buy the following: uniforms, kit (which includes make-up & implements), mannequin heads, and basic cotton supplies.

(6) Will my school help me find a job once I graduate?

(A) Some schools promise to help you find a job after graduation, if that is true I do not know for a fact, it depends on the school. Some schools do have a job board and a person on staff who reaches out to the community to help graduates find jobs. At the smaller scale and less expensive schools, generally the teachers will get calls from local salons/spas looking to hire estheticians and they will post it on a whiteboard or job board area. So, while they don't necessarily help you find the job they can be a great resource to you.

(7) I am not great at schoool...will I have to study to get an esthetics license?

(A) Yes, absolutely. You have to study to get through this program. While there might be some easy material, there is also harder material like chemistry and skin histology. Some schools will require you to do projects as well. If you are passionate about this field you will find a way to get through it. I knew a girl with learning disabilities who manage to do very well despite having the odds stacked against her. If you put your studies as a top priority in your life, you will reap the benefits.

(8) Do I have to look good every day in esthetician school?

(A) Yes and no. You must be clean and well manicured, and smoke free. You don't have to be a supermodel to be in esthetics, and your skin doesn't have to be perfect all the time. The key is to be well groomed. There is nothing you can do about an acne flare up, it happens and people understand. What they don't appreciate is someone who reeks of smoke and perfume to cover it up. They don't appreciate someone who comes in with greasy hair and looks like they've had a night on the town.

(9) Is esthetician school only for young people?

(A) No, absolutely not. I've seen everyone from 19 year-old's to 50 year-old's in class. The students come from all walks of life, all age groups and racial backgrounds. Some students are fresh out of high school while some are career changers looking for a new career. The great thing is everyone needs esthetics for every age, so this career can use young estheticians as much as they need aging estheticians, they all give a unique perspective to the career field.


Grace Riley, author of Jump Start Your Esthetics Career: A Guide For Newly Licensed Estheticians

Esthetician Jobs After Graduation

If you haven't done an esthetics internship don't freak out, you can still land a job. Although I prefer that students pound the pavement well before graduation and work an internship in to their school experience, it is still possible to find a job as a recent graduate.

Without experience it is tough to break in to esthetics, I am no going to lie to you, but it is not impossible. There are some great places to drop your resumes off to before even doing a search on a job board, these are places that notoriously hire recent graduates. Think franchise spas--facial franchises, waxing franchises and massage franchises-- all tend to hire fresh-out-school estheticians.
These facilities are popping up on every corner like fast food joints, and some offer great training that you can take advantage of and add to your resume.

While the jobs at these franchise pop-up's might not be your dream job (although some people love them and stay for a long time) it is a good stepping stone to get real world experience.

If you can't get a job as an esthetician at one of these franchise establishments then consider dropping your resume off at local spas. Of course, you can comb the "want ads" and apply to esthetician jobs that way, but most of those jobs will require experience.

If you still can't get a job after doing the above mentioned, then reach out to local spas to work as a spa receptionist with "on-call" esthetician status. While this might not be an ideal situation, it is a good way to get your foot in the door, when the current esthetician quits or gets fired, guess who is in line for that opening--YOU! Or when the spa starts adding more business, they might have a need to hire a second esthetician and again that is where YOU come in.

Stay focused and motivated to get the job you want. While it might not be easy to land a job fresh out of school, it certainly isn't impossible.

Good Luck!
Grace Riley
Author of Jump Start Your Esthetics Career: A Guide For Newly Licensed Estheticians

Esthetician School-The Good, Bad and Ugly-REALLY UGLY!

Thinking of esthetician school? You've come to the right place! I loved esthetician school, but it is not for the faint of heart. You have to be passionate about skin care to invest in to this career.

Let's start with the good first--
Fun, fun, fun and more fun! Esthetician school is a lot of fun. How could it not be fun? You get to play with make-up and skin care products. AND YOU GET FACIALS, LOTS AND LOTS OF FACIALS! Want to get rid of unwanted hair?--you've come to the right place. You will meet lots of great friends; you will be in the most calm environment ever with spa music and calming oils/scents that could make anyone relax. And the best part, all your skin afflictions will clear up and you will have beautiful skin! Esthetics is not super hard and the material learned is very interesting..You will meet a lot of nice people from the general public and get real world experience. It is the most fun you can have while being in school!

Now the bad--
Not all academic material is created equal, you might not love all the material taught--there is some brief history, science, and business material covered. For me, I liked most of the material but I heard a lot of grunting during the chemistry & anatomy and physiology chapters.
Working on people who want cheap facials, most people are nice, but every once in a while you get a real jewel off of the street...I can think of a lady who tried to get unsuspecting students to give her services for free. Another lady would come in dirty from working on a horse farm and smell horrible.
The long hours sitting around when there were no customers and just trying to make your state board hours--BORING. Team practice with other students who you might not enjoy working with. Being stuck for long hours with the same people.
Laundry and cleaning duties---in most schools, all students have duties from cleaning wax pots to doing laundry. Sometimes you will find some students try to get out of their share of duties, and that can be quite annoying.
Having to wear an ugly uniform and shoes...one school I went to actually had a nice looking uniform, black with cursive writing with our names on it while another school I went to made us wear an ugly tee-shirt with their logo on it.
Sitting through guided practice, working on mannequins was completely boring compared to working on people.

Okay, so looking back at the "bad" it really isn't that bad if you love esthetics. There is so much more to love about esthetics school than there isn't to love, at least for me.

Grace Riley author of JumpStart Your Esthetics Career: A Guide For Newly Licensed Estheticians

Aging Esthetics: Why It Is Important To Get Worked On?

Many estheticians I've spoken with have not had a lot of outside- their- own-spa experiences where they have ventured out into the medical world of esthetics. Maybe that is because a lot of estheticians go into esthetics when they are young and don't need much uplifting to keep them beautiful, but even when you are young it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with anti-aging procedures: lasers, Botox, Restalyne, Juvaderm, glycolic acids, medical grade chemical peels, lifts,  and the millions of products/procedures available to our ever-changing anti-aging culture. Visiting a dermatologist's or cosmetics surgeon's office from time-to-time is a great way to familiarize yourself with the gamut of procedures available to our clients. Almost everyone has something cosmetically that they want to change, if you don't well you are one of the lucky ones, and as estheticians these experiences help expand our education into the cosmetic/beauty industry. It goes beyond just reading about these procedures, but actually experiencing them expands your knowledge.

One of the most important things about familiarizing yourself with anti-aging medical treatments, or even better trying one, is empathy. If you've never experienced a moment in your life when you wish you could change one thing about yourself you won't be able to empathize with your clients--estheticians are like bartenders in the sense that clients tell you things; they tell you personal things about their skin issues; they tell you their fears. You might think these problems are trivial, but women take great pain to stay young and beautiful. Acne, Melasma, wrinkles, dehydrated skin, sagging skin and many other skin conditions that afflict our clients...while sometimes we can help them with our products and equipment sometimes they need more. They want to feel comfortable talking to you about these issues, and while you can't advise them on procedures out of the scope of your license, you can empathize with them and tell them your experiences. This is where you can develop a good esthetician-client relationship because you will be seen as more than an esthetician, your clients will look at you as an educator and they will begin to trust your opinions.

Having a personal familiarity with these procedures catapults you into a new position with your clients, you become one of them. You are no longer an unapproachable esthetician with naturally perfect skin, clients sometimes are taken back by estheticians for fear of being scrutinized by them, but when they see you as an imperfect person that has to strive just as hard as they do to maintain your flawless skin they will relate to you differently than they did before.

What It is Like To Get Botox-Esthetician's Experience

I never thought I would venture out into the world of wrinkle fillers, but as I hit my late 30's I noticed a couple fine lines near my eyes. They were nothing too terrible, but as an esthetician I am prone to a critical self-evaluation of my skin. I am not afraid to tell anyone that I have dabbled with Botox, it hasn't been a chronic obsession, more or less because it is costly and I don't want to look like a frozen waxed figure. I am not a fan of needles either so I don't generally sign up for someone to stick a fine needle full of fluid into my bare skin. I don't have a problem telling my clients, or anyone for that matter that I have used Botox, I am not ashamed. To me, Botox is just as much preventative as it is a wrinkle reducer.

I have had Botox twice, two years apart. Both times I received the smallest dose possible, and I told the doctor, a facial cosmetic surgeon, that I want to look as natural as possible. I don't want the "worked on look."

Some of you might be wondering how this process works, I can't say how it works for everyone but here is how the process went for me.

You arrive at the cosmetic surgeon's office about 30 minutes prior to your appointment time, they hand you a cup of gooey cream that you spread on the soon-to-be injected area like butter, you sit for a while as your skin starts to numb. Once you are fully numb, the doctor comes in and tells you what to expect. My first question for the doctor before I would let anyone inject me was of course, "How can this be FDA approved if you are actually putting a toxin in my body?" I needed to have that answer before I would allow that pin point stick to puncture my skin. The doctor explained to me how it doesn't enter into your bloodstream, and it is such a small amount that it can only freeze the muscle of the area that it is injected to. Satisfied with that answer, and praying that the 20 plus years Botox has been around that this is in fact true, I am thinking as she prepares the needle and the injectible, please, God don't let be the stupidest decision of my life, please! Maybe I am just a big baby, but I don't take it lightly when someone sticks me with a foreign fluid. Yes, I know--I signed up for this sadistic form of beauty.

So, next the doctor touches my skin, I feel a pressure twice on each side of my eye area, and next she gently soothes my skin with some type of wet cotton round. DONE! That was it. I barely felt anything and it was over as quickly as it had began.

The first time I got Botox done I was disappointed, I thought as soon as I left the office I would all of sudden look different, but I didn't look any different than when I went in. How disappointing. The next day, nothing. The third day, still no real difference! Did I just pay $300.00 for absolutely nothing??? Finally, on the 4th day I could see the reason why women scrimp and save to get Botox, WOW, the wrinkles were GONE. Just like that, my tiny wrinkles were zapped away. BOTOX to me is a miracle in a needle.

Botox is a preventative measure as much as it is a wrinkle reducer, in fact, doctors suggest getting it before you develop thick, deeper wrinkles because it will help prevent those deeper wrinkles from setting in. Once you develop these types of wrinkles, it is unlikely that Botox will be as beneficial. The doctor that I worked with actually said she wished more younger women would come in to get Botox to help smooth out developing wrinkles before they turn into deep set wrinkles that will not improve very well with just Botox alone.

While many of you will disagree with the use of Botox, and that is okay because that is your opinion, I can't argue with the miraculous experience I've had. I was an avid hater of Botox, and when I decided to give it a try I couldn't believe what a difference it truly makes. I will never be a fan of needles or injecting myself with a foreign substance, but every time I look in the mirror I smile back at myself because that tiny injection made me feel like a MUCH BETTER VERSION OF MYSELF.

Grace Riley author of JumpStart Your Esthetics Career: A Guide For Newly Licensed Estheticians

Please be advised, I am not a medical doctor nor do I work for the Botox company...I am not an expert in wrinkle injectables...this is an expression of my own personal opinions and experiences. Please do not take my experiences and opinions and substitute for your own judgment or your doctor's advice.

Obagi: My Melasma Problems

Why I love Obagi--how do I start? It is a great product line to address medical issues. For me, those medical issues suck bad and there is no easy fix. I have Melasma--the first time I experienced it I was a couple months pregnant and I couldn't figure out why brown spots were developing on my face. After I had the baby, they didn't fade as I had expected. I tried laser, it made those dots pop out like measles on my face for ten days until they finally fell off. Yes, the laser helped, but eventually the Melasma came right back, despite my diligent use of sunblock. I became so frustrated and tired of my facial circumstance, desperate to find a cure to something that appears to have no cure, I ventured out on a limb and tried the Obagi line for my persistent, ugly and life-altering Melasma.

                                                               

When I first started using the Obagi line, I used everything that came in my set, all professionally numbered so you know which product to use in what order, and within two or three weeks I could see a major difference. My Melasma is always there, but with the Obagi it is barely noticeable anymore. While I don't use the whole set anymore, I still use the bleaching cream, and I am at the point where I don't even have to use it daily anymore. I generally use it every couple days, and it keeps my skin flawless.

The one thing I don't appreciate about skin care companies is that many of them will swear that their product can cure certain skin affictions like Melasma. The truth is, not many products can solve such a complex skin care problem like my dotted friend, Melasma. I have tried everything from over-the-counter product claims to very expensive spa brands, and truth is none of them cured my very stubborn case of Melasma. Sometimes our skin needs a boost of product line from our medical grade product lines. It doesn't mean our non-medical lines are insufficient, many of them are quite extraordinary and have come futher than anythng in our grandmother's day, but sometimes skin afflications need a healthy dose of spa grade mixed with medical grade to faciliate a radical change.

Another love affair with an exceptional skin care line--PRODUCT WHORE--Yes, I am--I love skin care products.

Grace Riley author of JumpStart Your Esthetics Career: A Guide For Newly Licensed Estheticians

Future Estheticians: Know What Questions To Ask Before Accepting A Job

There will come a time in every esthetician's career journey that they will meet Crazy Carla owner of Medical Wellness Spa ( fictitious name) who seems like the greatest employer ever; who owns a spa with all the bells and whistles; and who actually cares what YOU think and feel. At least that is what you thought when you first were hired: NEWSFLASH--she is a fraud!

Unfortunately, just as we estheticians are interviewed for jobs we NEED to interview our employers as well. Many new spas can barely keep their doors open the first year of business; many will close at or before their first year in business; and some will have the stupidity to open a spa with zero industry experience. You, an unsuspecting future employee interview with an owner that has no business operating a spa, and you think you hit the jackpot when you might have actually boarded a sinking ship! Now, with that said, it doesn't mean all new spas are going out of business because that just isn't true, but their are some red flags to look for.

When you interview, it is important to ask some informational questions to see if the spa is the right fit for you, and to protect your own financial well being. The health of your spa is vital to your success, a poorly run spa will equal a very small paycheck.

Here are some questions to ask your future employer:

(1) How long has this spa been opened? Redflag-opened only a short time!

(2) Have you owned other spas? Redflag-never owned anything before!

(3) What did you do in the industry previously?Redflag-worked as a dental assistant prior to opening spa!

(4) What percentage of appointments are booked weekly? Redflag-scratches head in confusion!

...REMEMBER...ask these questions diplomatically and respectfully...you are asking these questions for your own protection, but you don't want to reveal that to the employer. You want to broach this delicately and ask as if you are asking informationally instead of sizing up their establishment. If you offend the employer you may not get the job so tread carefully.

SpaWives: Hold Yourself To A Higher Standard

The beauty industry is not for the faint of heart, some days working in the industry is more like living in a nightmare episode of one of the infamous Housewives shows. Oh, your co-workers will grin strong and wide, revealing their pearly whites and perfectly plumped frown lines; they will call you endearing names like "sweetie" and "honey" and they will beg you to attend the latest holiday party but truth be told they aren't much different than the back stabbing overpaid drama queens of reality T.V.

The good news, well at least for you estheticians, is you can avoid it because you are in the treatment room most of the day. Estheticians are healers, and most estheticians that I know, or have known go into this business to pamper and heal their clients. The one thing that isn't synonymous with estheticians is DRAMA, but unfortunately estheticians can be sucked into the drama filled spa industry if they aren't careful.

Here are my tips for avoiding Tacky SpaWives from infiltrating your spa life:

(1) Avoid anyone with negative energy.
(2) Do not engage in gossip.
(3) Your co-workers are just that, co-workers, keep work and friends separate to avoid future drama.
(4) Do not participate in after hours bar outings.
(5) Keep yourself constantly busy even in down time; busy=no time to be sucked in by negative gossip queens who want to take you down with them.
(6) Do not add your co-workers to your social network pages.
(7) Never talk about your boss with your co-workers--it never leads to anything positive.
(8) Stay positive-stay happy--
(9) Always maintain professionalism


Remember, a true professional is above this type of immature and unprofessional behavior...do not get sucked into this childish behavior, it will do nothing for you but bring you down to their unprofessional level. You are better than that, hold yourself to higher standards than what your co-workers hold themselves to.