Michelle D’Allaird Brenner is a New York State licensed aesthetician and International CIDESCO Diplomat. She is the owner of the Aesthetic Science Institute aesthetic schools in Syracuse and Latham, N.Y. She is a consultant and educator for international cosmetic companies around the world. D’Allaird is a contributing author to major industry trade magazines, as well as a host and speaker for International Congress of Esthetics…

As we roll through the summer months, our thoughts are on sunshine, warm weather, picnics, barbecues, and beaches. Summer is the ideal time of year to enjoy friends and family, reconnect with the great outdoors, and, honestly, to pause long enough to smell the roses. But, as much of a blessing as summer is, it is also a time of the year when we should…

I never knew exactly what I wanted do when I grew up. During my senior year of high school, my best friend and I decided that we were going to become hairdressers and open our own salon, so we convinced our parents to put us in beauty school. Three nights during the week and every Saturday for 10 months, we drove to downtown Albany, New…

Makeup enthusiasm is at an all-time high. I can barely keep up with the viral video tutorials by professionals, let alone those being made by younger individuals – sometimes under the age of 10! I must admit, my makeup routine is very minimal, so I take great interest in these videos. From contour to shading, and dramatic evening looks to light daytime looks, these videos…

Often overlooked when treating clients with acne is the emotional side of dealing with the condition. For youth, teasing and bullying often occurs. In some cases, this leads to depression, withdrawal, and even suicide. I have found that providing opportunities for clients to open up about the emotional element of acne creates an environment where they feel safe. Remember, it is not easy to gather…

Summer is drawing near, so clients should be drawing out the sunscreen. Proper client education on sun protection is essential. Remind clients that any activity in the sun requires adequate sun protection – from long trips to a quick lunch on the patio. Two common sunscreen mistakes are in frequency of application and using an adequate amount. Discuss with clients the importance of following the…

I recently had the wonderful opportunity to spend time in Miami, Florida. There I visited with professionals in the industry and took a look at the trends and services provided in this sunny city. The biggest discovery I made – Miami loves waxing! As we gear up for warmer weather everywhere, let’s explore some waxing basics and best practices. Waxing is the oldest form of…

This is a topic that is personal to me as I started noticing small dimples a few years ago. I keep myself in good shape but, as the years have passed, I feel as though my cellulite has gotten worse. I, just like many, began trying creams, oils, body wraps, drinks, laser treatments, and other types of services on the market. Though there is no…

Happy New Year! I know with all the amazing and positive professionals in our industry, everyone had a fantastic fourth quarter and joyful holiday season. The month of January is all about preparation. Start planning now for the year of trade shows. Visit DERMASCOPE.com for all of the 2018 dates and plan your trips early! New year, new treatments. How should we start, but with…

Jeffrey Joseph’s Spafinder Travel Arrangements was the introduction for Hannelore Leavy’s involvement with the American spa market. In the 1970s, however, she started health and wellness travel programs to her native Austria as the North America marketing director for the United States office of the Austrian National Tourism Board. This received a lot of attention and other European organizations started similar events. With so much…