Recent Grads: Not Enough Practice Waxing Downtown?

 A lot of esthetics school aren't teaching advanced waxing like bikini or Brazilian waxing like they should. And when they do, they brush over it so quickly your head might still be spinning from having to see so many hoochies in one day. Sometimes school clinics don't get a lot of public customers who are willing to let an esthetician student play with their hair downtown. Think about it, would you want a newbie putting hot wax on your hoochie?

So what is a recent graduate supposed to do to get this invaluable experience? There are a couple of solutions to this problem. First of all, there are several franchise wax companies that will hire recent graduates and train them in all forms of waxing. This is free education so even if you don't stay at this wax bar for long, at least you walk away with some really good training.

Your second option is to find continuing education classes. Sometimes it is hard to find these classes, but I will include a list of choices below. There is also the option of buying DVD's and practice on willing friends and families. It is a shame that schools do not spend more time on the art of waxing; leaving some recent grads feeling bewildered with how to put it all together.  I think a lot of schools are just churning out estheticians to pass the boards rather than nurturing quality estheticians. I talk about this in my book a lot, but you must rely on yourself to continue your education and fill in the areas where you are weak. If you do not feel confident doing certain esthetic services then you should take it upon yourself to get more education, otherwise your lack of experience and confidence will show up in the treatment room.

Continuing Education for Waxing
International Dermal Institute
Wax Chick
Brazilian Wax Videos
Catherine Hinds
Smooth Skin Supply
Eva Esthetics
BellaPelle Skin
Von Lee (offers some CE's)
Also call area regular beauty schools and see if they offer CE's.

Grace Riley author JumpStart Your Esthetics Career: A Guide For Newly Licensed Estheticians
Available on www.amazon.com in Kindle and www.lulu.com in print.

Esthetics Q & A of the Day: How to Compete with Big Box Skin Care Lines?

Today's question: How can you compete and sell skin care products when there are so many department stores and big box cosmetic shops opening at every strip mall? Many of these stores carry dozens of skin care lines. What will make a client buy from the esthetician vs. these types of shops?

Answer: This is a tough question to answer, but let's start with the fact that there is always going to be competition. Yes, it is very difficult to compete with these big box stores that offer twelve skin care lines or more under one roof. There will always be customers who are looking for less expensive ways and easier ways to circumvent around getting professional advice. A lot of these clients just want a one-sized fits all approach, and they want to do all their cosmetic shopping in one location. They can get their nail polish, hair care, body lotions, perfumes, and even skin care under one roof and that has to make shopping a lot easier.

The main difference is in the education. If someone asks you "why should I buy your skin care products instead of going to a department store?"  I educate them on the professional licensing and requirements that estheticians go through, and ask them if they have achieved the skin care results they've desired. Also, I would challenge them to ask questions of the person selling the products--such as "what are the best ingredients for dry skin?" or "what are the best ingredients for acne?" and/or "what layer of skin will this product penetrate into?" You notice I didn't suggest asking them about the products, but about ingredients and skin. This will make many of them stumble on the first question.

I would also challenge these type of customers to really look at the people selling products, look at their skin, what does it look like? A red flag is bad skin! I am not saying estheticians never have a blemish, but estheticians usually have good skin.  In a lot of cases, customers are just tooling along with whatever products they've always used, and they act like these people selling products are the skin care gods, and they don't dare challenge them.

The thing about these sales people who are advising clients, in many cases, they aren't licensed to perform mini-facials. They have no business touching a client's skin; they don't understand sanitation and decontamination; and they have no clue about the layers of the skin and/or skin histology and disease. Clients who expect more, who want more for their skin will sniff out these sales people in seconds and realize they need an esthetician to perform and educate them about skin care. Notice, I said sales people because in fact they are in sales, not skin care.

You will always have this type of competition in the industry, but I use the analogy of customers who like to do their hair from a box and customers who care enough to get an expert to color their hair-- it is like comparing apples to candybars. It is a totally different beast, and you really can't compare a professional skin analysis and product education with a sales oriented skin care approach.

Estheticians are "preserving and maintaining the health of the skin, and educating clients on skin care products" where beauty sales people are just selling products. Estheticians are more than projected sales; estheticians are passionate and educated about skin care.

Working at a Franchise Membership Spas: Things to Consider

At the end of your esthetics school journey you might be baffled by the lack of esthetics jobs available to recent graduates. Many industry jobs will require one to two years of direct experience as an esthetician. This can be a major blow to you when you just graduated and you are excited that you can finally work, but no one will hire you.

You might have noticed that there are plenty of jobs available at membership spas, and many don't require any experience. This is a great place to get your esthetics career off the ground. While I think these franchise-membership spas can be a great learning opportunity for you, and a great resume booster, you want to educate yourself about these places before jumping in.

I believe having as much information as possible will help you decide what is the best career path for you. I am not here to tell you to work for these types of places or not, in the end, you need to decide what is best for your own career path. Here are some things to consider before you accept that job at the franchises-membership spa.

(1) Franchises can be owned by non-spa industry people--regular people purchase franchises and open them and cannot identify with estheticians, or other industry employees because they've never worked in the field.

(2) Many of these places expect estheticians to sell, sell, and sell some more of both their product lines and memberships. Depending on the franchise, it can be upwards of 30%  which means out of every 3 clients you need to sell memberships and products. You might be told that there is no sales quota, but if you investigate a little further, you most likely will find that this is a play on semantics...many of them call the sales quota a sales target which is basically the same thing. The wording is used to make you more comfortable with sales, and instead of coming out and saying you must push their memberships and products they call it targets. One esthetician I knew, worked at a franchise place that actually recorded her at the front desk area to evaluate her sales technique.

(3) In some of these franchises, even as an esthetician they will expect you to help in housekeeping like changing toilet rolls, and refilling paper towels etc. They pay you by the hour as an esthetician, but they are trying to get every penny out of you. So, let's say you have down time and there are no clients, they absolutely expect you to fill that time with some type of work even if it is not working on esthetics.

(4) Most of these places are volume businesses, which means they are more about getting in as many clients as possible instead of building real relationships with clients. I call this the fast food of the spa industry. You might not have regular clients.

(5) Many of the facials are not necessarily based in what is best for the client, but a more one-sized fits all approach. These places tend to only offer a very limited choice in facials, or they only offer waxing.

(6) BENEFITS FOR WORKING FOR THESE PLACES-Great place to jump start your career; sometimes they offer benefits; usually get paid by the hour so if you have no clients you still get paid; and they normally hire estheticians fresh out of school.

Waxing Bars Booming: A Good Job Fresh Out Of School

Looking for a job fresh out of esthetics school? It can be difficult to make the transition from student esthetician to professional esthetician. A lot of spas won't give you a chance to soar if you don't have a few years experience, but don't despair there are some places that are willing to look past your recent graduate status. Waxing bars are booming across the nation, and with that comes many opportunities for recent graduates to gain valuable waxing and professional experience. Some of these waxing bars are even offering positions with paid training, if you don't feel confident yet in your waxing skills then taking a position at one of these places will help you build your confidence.

Here are some of the wax bars you can check out:
European Wax Center www.waxcenter.com
Uni K Wax Center      www.unikwax.com

Life After Esthetics School

Most esthetician schools only prepare you to take and pass your state boards. While this is a necessary component of your career path, many schools fail to prepare students for the real world of esthetics. The longevity for an esthetics career is short lived as many estheticians don't stay in the business long. After speaking with both current estheticians and former estheticians, I believe the estheticians that left the business left for one of two reasons, either they didn't have the passion to fuel their career and/or they weren't prepared for the business side of esthetics. Schools don't spend a lot of time talking about building clientele, liability insurance, employer/employee relations and commission splits.


What can an esthetician student do to prepare themselves for life after esthetics school? I think the most important thing every esthetician needs to have is PASSION for the business because without it you are doomed to fail. Next, every esthetician student should learn as much as they can about the business side of esthetics either through an internship or by taking a business marketing class. International Dermal Institute offers these classes for free (please verify with your local IDI).

While you are in school network with not only your esthetics instructors, but with guest speakers and skin care reps that come to your school. Do whatever you can to stay in touch with these people. You never know when a job opportunity might come up, and they will have you fresh in their mind if you continue to network with them. Find a niche while you are in school, and try to be the best of the best in that particular niche. Consider taking an accounting class or find a friend who has accounting experience willing to help you with the financial side of your esthetics business (if you decide to open your own practice).  Buy esthetics learning DVD's and study and study some more to learn everything you can. Even if you think you are outstanding, everyone can use a refresher course and these DVD's are very handy.

Remember, your real education starts after the ink dries on your esthetics license.

Grace Riley Esthetics on FB @ http://www.facebook.com/grace.riley.5

Dear Readers,
I am now on Facebook. All my blogs can be brought to you to your own Facebook page if you like my page. I am constantly writing and updating on anything esthetics, and I always post those blogs and any updates on Facebook. My Facebook page offers tips and updates not found on my blog. So Like it today to get the latest information! Thanks for reading.

All Purpose Men's Skin Care Products

What skin care products work best for men? Men can benefit from using skin care products that women use, and while there is no gender restriction on products most men feel more comfortable with masculine quality packaging. In addition, they are less keen on fruity scents and multi-step processes. Sell EASY and you might get your male clients (or the man in your life) to jump on board the skin care train. Two products that I like for men are Dermalogica's "Daily Clean Scrub" and Dr. Brandt's "Pores No More Cleanser."

Both of these products serve a dual one-step process, one is a professional skin care line used by estheticians (Dermalogica) and the other one (Dr. Brandt) can be bought by anyone. The "Daily Clean Scrub" is soothing, refreshing and it cleanses while gently exfoliating...this is ideal before shaving. It is designed as a pre-shave product. The packaging is simple with a white background color and red letters, and the scent is mild and non-offensive to the most sensitive clients. This product retails for $25.00 and pros can buy it at reduced prices (call Dermalogica to establish an account).

"Pores No More" is better for the oily types, and/or the oily areas. This is a perfect blend of cleanser and mild exfoliant to unclog oily and blackhead prone areas like the nose. and the packaging is simple with a light grey background and black lettering. The scent is mild and easily tolerated. This product retails for $35.00 and as far as I am aware there is no pro discount.

 

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

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

How to Get a Student Esthetician Account with Professional Skin Care Lines

I've discussed in previous blogs some friendly student skin care companies, one was Image Skin Care which is extremely friendly allowing students to attend their classes and buy products at wholesale, and the second one was Dermalogica which offers free "student days" and allows students to buy products at wholesale at their International Dermal Institute locations. Another product line that I love is Bioelements, but it is hard to get information about if you do not attend a Bioelements school. I reached out to a Bioelements rep recently and got some information to help any student- estheticians or recent graduates who want to obtain information on these products, including videos and down loadable manuals, and contact information to buy products from reps at reduced prices (check with your area rep for accuracy).

Below is the website you need to go to in order to establish a student account with Bioelements. It will require your school's information. If you are a recent graduate, you must provide a current and valid esthetician license number. You will find a wealth of information on the products, and how-to-videos. I can't guarantee, but in the past they will send you samples of their products. This is an outstanding product line with an organic line as well. Obtaining student accounts helps to familiarize yourself with skin care lines beyond what you are currently learning in school and/or learned in school. It helps to have some basic knowledge of several skin care lines when applying for esthetician jobs. Besides, most passionate estheticians can't wait to get their hands on new skin care lines and what a fun way to do it!

http://pros.bioelements.com

Addicted to Beauty Products?

                                                              New Beauty testtube
                                           

                      Love BEAUTY PRODUCTS? You've got to try New Beauty testtube! It is a fun and inexpensive way to try out a lot of products in one shot. For $29.95 you will receive this fun, pink tube  filled with all the latest and greatest products tested by New Beauty Magazine experts.
                     In my first tube, I received the New Beauty Magazine (which is in every tube) and the following fun items: dr. brandt pores no more cleanser nettoyant (lowercase per manufacturer); Phyto botantical hair relaxing balm; stila skincare face the day (lowercase per manufacturer);Vichy Liftactive Eyes and Serum 10; Simple Sensitive Skin Experts; tarte 12-hour blush (lower case per manufacturer); and three spalook coupons (lowercase per manufasturer). While the $29.95 price range may seem high for only a few products, the New Beauty Magazine is $9.95 alone in bookstores and it is packed full of high quality beauty information for both the seasoned professional and beauty addicts alike.
                   New Beauty testtube is a fun way to sample all the products you might have wondered about without the commitment of purchasing full-size bottles. I give New Beauty testtube an A++ and I think any woman who wants to feel like a child on Christmas again should order this awesome testtube, it is so fun unraveling all the goodies inside. A sure way to delight your inner goddess!


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