Have you ever looked at a spa's menu and wondered why you would pay that much money for something that seems so elective? Today's post will help explain why getting your facials, massages, and other esthetic services done by a licensed esthetician is so important. Hopefully, a little of the passion I have for esthetics will come through in this post as well.
So why go pro? Well the answer is simple: we are trained. Seems silly, I know, but that is the truth. When you go to a spa and get a service, it should be done by a licensed esthetician. Then and only then will you know that you are getting your service performed by a trained professional that has completed a certain number of education hours and been tested on the laws of the state. We have very strict laws to comply with when it comes to the use of electrical equipment, sanitation practices, and what services we can perform. Ask just about any licensed esthetician and they will roll their eyes when it comes to learning state law. It's enough to make your head spin!
But why would the state make us learn all that? That answer is also simple: to make sure that you are protected. If we didn't have to learn all the laws and comply with them, you as a spa's client could be in danger of getting sick or injured. That sounds like the opposite of why you go to a spa in the first place. But the truth is that so called "professionals" get caught all the time for not following the laws. That makes the estheticians that are truly passionate and careful, like myself, in a tough situation.
An example that many will be able to relate to is the nail tech horror story. I'm sure everyone has heard one. "So and so had their nails done at XYZ Nails and ended up with an infection or virus." It happens more than some would care to admit. But these stories paint an excellent picture of why pricing can be so different at different establishments.
Places that are able to offer their "comparable" services for drastically less than their competitors are most certainly cutting costs somewhere. It usually all runs down hill to the person performing the service. When that is the case, of course they are less likely to pay attention to safety and sanitation procedures.
But also, to offset the fact that they are practically giving their services away, they have to book clients back to back to make up for having to charge less. This also doesn't leave a lot of time to make sure that everything is cleaned and sanitized properly before the next client comes in.
When in doubt, it's best to ask to tour the establishment before your service. A true professional, will have no hesitations about showing you around. If there is nothing to hide, there's no reason to try to hide it. In our business, reputation is everything so maintaining a good one is of the utmost importance. You should demand an excellent one.
Of course, everyone wants to try to have the lowest price available. We can't try to charge more than everyone else because we think we deserve it. After all, we can only charge what we think our clients are willing to pay. But when others are out there doing, "the same thing" for less, we have to justify why our clients have to pay more at our spa. Reputation and appearance are those justification factors.
What it comes down to is, you as the client have to demand the best if you are paying the best price. A true professional will be able to meet your reasonable demands and requests with ease. That is the ultimate difference between someone who has a passion for the field and someone who is just in it for the money. I try to let that show with all of my clients and it is usually met with mutual understanding and respect. I have a regular client who told me once that I was the only person who ever wore gloves when they waxed her eyebrows. My jaw almost hit the floor. I wouldn't think of waxing anyone without gloves!!! But our competition was doing it and cutting multiple other corners and charging exactly what we charge. In the end, she recognized a true professional and responded to it.
Until my next post, keep demanding excellence in your service professionals and when you are ready for a relaxing spa experience, come see me at Euphoria Salon and Spa in Ozark, Mo. You won't be disappointed.
Beth
Follow by Email
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Facials 101
Most of the time when I tell people that I am an esthetician, they don't know what that is. It doesn't surprise me at all. In fact, I kind of like having to explain what it is because it gives me an opportunity to describe what I do, my way. Because it is what I am passionate about, I can be enthusiastic and detailed with my description! People are enthusiastic alongside of me because of it and then they are ready for me to talk to them about skin care. YAY!
So that's what the post is about today. Skin care. Most people know what a facial is, basically. But many of them consider it just a pampering spa experience. There seems to be some room for specifics about what the services can do for skin. Hopefully, I can define things better today.
So, what is a facial? Luxuriously pampering spa experience or deep cleansing good-for-you treatment? The answer: both. And that's what makes them wonderful. Not only do you get the benefits of professional grade products, a professional skin consultation, and a well trained professional esthetician to perform it all for you but the steps in the service are wholly relaxing and luxurious themselves.
The steps of a facial are generally the same no matter where you go: Cleanse, tone, exfoliate, massage, mask, moisturize, and protect. Let's take a look at each one and what it's purpose is.
Cleanse: This one's easy. A cleanser is chosen, based on your skin type, and used to remove dirt, oil, and makeup. This preps the skin for all of the other steps by getting it to it's most basic level: clean.
Tone: Toner is usually misunderstood. A toner should remove any remaining dirt and oil but it's most important job is to normalize the skin. A good toner will bring the skin back to neutral pH level after the alkalinity of the cleanser and prepare it for maximum absorbtion of nourishment.
Exfoliate: Good exfoliation during a facial is important because the dead surface skin must be removed to bring the new skin underneath it to the surface. It can be done either chemically with things like natural enzymes or more aggressive acids, like Glycolic Acid, or manually with a scrub or exfoliating equipment. I'll cover these in a later post so keep an eye out for that.
Massage: The secret weapon of the facial! All of the other steps can be performed at home with professional products purchased at a spa and can be duplicated rather easily. But the massage is all professional technique. A quality professional facial massage stimulates the skin's renewal system which increases collagen and elastin and helps keep skin soft, smooth, and supple. It is really the key ingredient in the effectiveness of any facial.
Mask, if applicable: A mask is not always required or necessary in a facial but if used, it can have many effects. There are SO many different types that I won't cover them all right now. Masks do everything from tighten and tone to heal and soothe to clarify. Your esthetician will usually decide which type to use during the consultation phase of your facial by examining your skin and determining it's needs.
Moisturize and Protect: Your skin will be sealed and protected with a moisturizing product, usually chosen by the esthetician by your skin type, that can do everything from control your skin's oil level to infuse nutrients all while maintaining moisture levels. A protectant, if not included with the moisturizer, is applied and should be minimum SPF 15 to keep the skin safe from damaging UV rays.
All of these steps are important on their own but when performed in combination with each other make up the maintenance/ treatment end of the facial. They all work together to get skin clean and clear and to make the skin's cells turn over as quickly as possible. When cellular turnover is increased, the emerging skin cells promote smooth, even texture and tone and help prevent wrinkles, sagging, and age spots.
There are many other steps that can be added to a facial depending on what the status of the skin is and what needs to be treated. Acne spot treatments, anti-aging creams or serums, or additional exfoliation types can all be used at the discretion of the esthetician to make the facial completely customized to your needs. They are not always as relaxing and pampering as some of the other steps can be but if there is a concern or condition with the skin that needs to be addressed, they are vital.
So that's facials in a nutshell. There is, of course, much more to each of these steps and their importance. I will get more in depth with exfoliants and masks in the future, for sure. But for now, I hope that I've given you a good basic understanding of what a facial is, what it does, and how it helps. Now you know, and knowing is half the battle. (Sorry. I just couldn't help myself. Lol)
As always, email or message me with any questions or with future topics you would like to see covered. Sorry for the length of this post. It's a lot to cover (and I can get long winded). Stay dry, America, you know where to find me when it's your time to relax and get pampered!
So that's what the post is about today. Skin care. Most people know what a facial is, basically. But many of them consider it just a pampering spa experience. There seems to be some room for specifics about what the services can do for skin. Hopefully, I can define things better today.
So, what is a facial? Luxuriously pampering spa experience or deep cleansing good-for-you treatment? The answer: both. And that's what makes them wonderful. Not only do you get the benefits of professional grade products, a professional skin consultation, and a well trained professional esthetician to perform it all for you but the steps in the service are wholly relaxing and luxurious themselves.
The steps of a facial are generally the same no matter where you go: Cleanse, tone, exfoliate, massage, mask, moisturize, and protect. Let's take a look at each one and what it's purpose is.
Cleanse: This one's easy. A cleanser is chosen, based on your skin type, and used to remove dirt, oil, and makeup. This preps the skin for all of the other steps by getting it to it's most basic level: clean.
Tone: Toner is usually misunderstood. A toner should remove any remaining dirt and oil but it's most important job is to normalize the skin. A good toner will bring the skin back to neutral pH level after the alkalinity of the cleanser and prepare it for maximum absorbtion of nourishment.
Exfoliate: Good exfoliation during a facial is important because the dead surface skin must be removed to bring the new skin underneath it to the surface. It can be done either chemically with things like natural enzymes or more aggressive acids, like Glycolic Acid, or manually with a scrub or exfoliating equipment. I'll cover these in a later post so keep an eye out for that.
Massage: The secret weapon of the facial! All of the other steps can be performed at home with professional products purchased at a spa and can be duplicated rather easily. But the massage is all professional technique. A quality professional facial massage stimulates the skin's renewal system which increases collagen and elastin and helps keep skin soft, smooth, and supple. It is really the key ingredient in the effectiveness of any facial.
Mask, if applicable: A mask is not always required or necessary in a facial but if used, it can have many effects. There are SO many different types that I won't cover them all right now. Masks do everything from tighten and tone to heal and soothe to clarify. Your esthetician will usually decide which type to use during the consultation phase of your facial by examining your skin and determining it's needs.
Moisturize and Protect: Your skin will be sealed and protected with a moisturizing product, usually chosen by the esthetician by your skin type, that can do everything from control your skin's oil level to infuse nutrients all while maintaining moisture levels. A protectant, if not included with the moisturizer, is applied and should be minimum SPF 15 to keep the skin safe from damaging UV rays.
All of these steps are important on their own but when performed in combination with each other make up the maintenance/ treatment end of the facial. They all work together to get skin clean and clear and to make the skin's cells turn over as quickly as possible. When cellular turnover is increased, the emerging skin cells promote smooth, even texture and tone and help prevent wrinkles, sagging, and age spots.
There are many other steps that can be added to a facial depending on what the status of the skin is and what needs to be treated. Acne spot treatments, anti-aging creams or serums, or additional exfoliation types can all be used at the discretion of the esthetician to make the facial completely customized to your needs. They are not always as relaxing and pampering as some of the other steps can be but if there is a concern or condition with the skin that needs to be addressed, they are vital.
So that's facials in a nutshell. There is, of course, much more to each of these steps and their importance. I will get more in depth with exfoliants and masks in the future, for sure. But for now, I hope that I've given you a good basic understanding of what a facial is, what it does, and how it helps. Now you know, and knowing is half the battle. (Sorry. I just couldn't help myself. Lol)
As always, email or message me with any questions or with future topics you would like to see covered. Sorry for the length of this post. It's a lot to cover (and I can get long winded). Stay dry, America, you know where to find me when it's your time to relax and get pampered!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Begin at the Beginning Part II
Taking the plunge:
Flash forward to 2009. I left the job I had for 2 1/2 years to due stress and anxiety both in my professional and personal life and decided I needed a change. It seemed the timing had finally come for me to pursue esthetics. The spark that had ignited so many years ago had developed into a fiery tunnel of career path vision. It was decided: Esthetics training, here I come.
Those months flew by like you wouldn't believe. I soaked up knowledge like a sponge and was always thirsting for more. But what I really fell in love with was technique. The idea that simply through the power of touch, you can lower blood pressure, elevate mood, relieve tension, stimulate brain activity, and activate certain systems within the body, most of this with reflexology. By adding aromatherapy and a serene environment, the client is transported from the everyday to the extraordinary. That feeling of connecting with my clients, both verbally and non-verbally, is and will always be my favorite part of my career.
With every client that walks into my spa, I have the opportunity to transform that person's day, possibly their outlook for the next few days. Everyone needs a break from time to time from all the craziness and it is my honor to be able to help them achieve that. Confidence, refreshment, and a renewed attitude can help allieviate fatigue, strengthen the immune system, and slow the body's aging processes by helping all the systems work in unison.
Now is the perfect time to begin the steps to a newer, healthier, more radiant you. Whether it be by a skin brightening and rejuvenating facial, a relaxing yet invigorating massage, or a confidence boosting wax, beginning a series of treatments with me can open your eyes to the wonderful world of esthetics!
Begin at the Beginning Part I
The best place to start a story is at the beginning, right? Here is my journey into the world of esthetics and skin care. I hope if I can get you to understand my passion for it, you will want to experience the pampering and relaxation yourself.
While in architecture school in late 1997- early 1998, I got a side job answering phones and taking orders at a local Domino's pizza. College was very expensive and very time consuming so when I wasn't in doing school work, I was working. The pizza business is a lot of long hours on your feet, in and out of your car, and up and down stairs. It can wear on you very fast. My double major in architecture and theater kept me busy building models, drawing sketches of my environment, and building and painting sets, and working on productions.
Before long, my body felt WAY past it's 19 years. A co-worker suggested that I get a massage before the job and the schooling started taking a toll on me, the way it had so many others. I selected a spa, a very general term then, that had a masseuse and scheduled an appointment, Soon I was tucked safely in the bed waiting for the masseuse to come in, however, I was not expecting a man that had to be pushing 60! I got a little uncomfortable. He gave me the best piece of advice that I have learned in this profession: "With the right masseuse, there is nothing but professionalism and respect between the two parties and after awhile all the masseuse does is listen to what tension the body needs worked on."
Unfortunately, my massages did not continue on a regular basis, like I wish they would have. There was a certain amount of toll taken on my body but along came a woman that began dating and marrying my brother-in-law. Through a series of events, she ended up in esthetics school. I was lucky enough to be used a model SEVERAL times during her schooling, and a spark for it began to ignite. However, I had a son, stepson, and husband to help support, and would eventually add a daughter, so the timing never seemed right for school.
While in architecture school in late 1997- early 1998, I got a side job answering phones and taking orders at a local Domino's pizza. College was very expensive and very time consuming so when I wasn't in doing school work, I was working. The pizza business is a lot of long hours on your feet, in and out of your car, and up and down stairs. It can wear on you very fast. My double major in architecture and theater kept me busy building models, drawing sketches of my environment, and building and painting sets, and working on productions.
Before long, my body felt WAY past it's 19 years. A co-worker suggested that I get a massage before the job and the schooling started taking a toll on me, the way it had so many others. I selected a spa, a very general term then, that had a masseuse and scheduled an appointment, Soon I was tucked safely in the bed waiting for the masseuse to come in, however, I was not expecting a man that had to be pushing 60! I got a little uncomfortable. He gave me the best piece of advice that I have learned in this profession: "With the right masseuse, there is nothing but professionalism and respect between the two parties and after awhile all the masseuse does is listen to what tension the body needs worked on."
Unfortunately, my massages did not continue on a regular basis, like I wish they would have. There was a certain amount of toll taken on my body but along came a woman that began dating and marrying my brother-in-law. Through a series of events, she ended up in esthetics school. I was lucky enough to be used a model SEVERAL times during her schooling, and a spark for it began to ignite. However, I had a son, stepson, and husband to help support, and would eventually add a daughter, so the timing never seemed right for school.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)