8 min read
STRIVING FOR IMPERFECTION I’m a big fan of imperfection. Believe it or not, I view imperfection as the ultimate goal of a professional skin care practice. This may come as a jolly surprise to my employees, who know that my management style is hardly laissez-faire. I have a fixation for hospital-cleanliness, for instance. To paraphrase the great Robert Duvall character in Apocalypse Now, I love the smell of Windex in the morning. Clutter bugs me, and I don’t know how otherwise reasonable people can work in it. Until quite recently, I could not tolerate denim worn in the office (I’ve never been a fan of “Casual Fridays”), because I thought it brought out the most slovenly tendencies in people. We were not rounding up escaped hoof-stock, after all. Read More
- Published in Uncategorized
7 min read
These days, it's easy to get distracted. The real trouble is, the distractions take our attention from the issues which really count - client service being key among these. We are such sensory beings, and barraged as we are with marketing messages, a simple trip to the store may turn into a phantasmagoric trip down the rabbit-hole. When I buy groceries, I will often see shoppers, apparently from other places, who cannot hide their amazement at the shampoo aisle of my local supermarket. Has washing your hair ever involved so many decisions? The same goes for purchasing a pair of blue jeans. Read More
- Published in Client Care
7 min read
These days, it's easy to get distracted. The real trouble is, the distractions take our attention from the issues which really count-client service being key among these. We are such sensory beings, and barraged as we are with marketing messages, a simple trip to the store may turn into a phantasmagoric trip down the rabbit-hole. When I buy groceries, I will often see shoppers, apparently from other places, who cannot hide their amazement at the shampoo aisle of my local supermarket. Has washing your hair ever involved so many decisions? The same goes for purchasing a pair of blue jeans. Read More
- Published in Business
7 min read
In 1983 I landed my first real job as a career aesthetician at a famous Union Square skin care salon in San Francisco, Calif. High on enthusiasm but lacking experience and clients I found myself positioned on the bottom rung of eight staff professionals that all received new customers ahead of me, leaving this new recruit with many an empty hour on his schedule. To help fill my time and, hopefully, earn a decent paycheck I proposed to the salon owner that we offer a complimentary make-up application to anyone following a facial treatment. I would do the work without compensation other than a commission on any product I sold. Read More
- Published in Makeup Matters
6 min read
The word implies healing and wellness. It is a word that we are seeing more and more in the spa industry. The word actually does refer to healing. When a person is out of “balance”, they are literally feeling “torn apart” by their perceptions of the pressures of their life. Because of this, their body manufactures different kinds of chemicals that aid in their perceived defense. This is called the “flight or fight” response. Whenever we feel fear, our body produces adrenaline and cortisol to strengthen our limbs and improve our vision for flight and/or fight. When this stress response is created, these chemicals can feel very toxic to our bodies; especially when it is consistently constant. Holistic refers to helping that person feel balanced and “whole” again. Therefore, the treatments we offer in the spa that helps re-establish balance is usually referred to as holistic. Read More
- Published in Uncategorized
9 min read
In the 60s, the British were setting the style trends and the world followed. Twiggy, miniskirts, go go boots, and the Beatles were all the rage and the Mod Look was born. Today, 40 years later, the Mod Look is back with a new modern twist! The look is bold, but don’t be afraid to introduce your clients to the hottest trend in make-up this season. Modern Mod is an inspired vision; it is softer than the look of the 60s and can be easily achieved. Read More
- Published in Makeup Matters
9 min read
A Lomi Lomi massage to the sound of the waves of the Polynesian sea; sitar music playing Raga during a soothing Shirodhara head massage; and the classical music of a Beethoven’s Symphony as you slip into a deep slumber. Music healing has been a part of human civilization for thousands of years.Many cultures have recognized the importance of music and sound as a healing power. In the ancient civilizations of India, Africa, Europe, Australian aborigines, and American Indians, the practice of using sound to heal and achieve balance from within was a central part of living. Read More
- Published in Wellness
11 min read
OK, let’s get right down to it – your skin care products may contain ingredients that are actually classified as OTC’s. OTC stands for “over-the-counter” and refers specifically to non-prescription drugs. This isn’t necessarily a problem, although any skin care product containing an over-the-counter drug needs to be labeled as such. This may be a bit of a “gray area”, as you’ll see. Read More
- Published in Treatments
10 min read
As a spa professional, you want to provide the best possible treatment for your clients. Providing the best treatment is reliant on 50 percent technique and 50 percent product. In aesthetic or massage therapy school, often the emphasis is put more on learning the right technique and less about teaching the basics of natural ingredients and how to select quality products for your business. In turn, once you complete your studies you are left to learn about products from independent research and through suppliers. Unfortunately, the information skin care companies provide to you can in some cases be based on false claims the company is making to sell their product. Read More
- Published in Treatments
6 min read
Technique. This is a sacred word to skin therapists. To begin with, it's French-more on that in a moment. For generations, technique has been the skin care profession's raison d'etre-oops, I mean entire reason for being. Mastering the traditional posture, movements, and protocol defined the very essence of being a skin therapist, similar, let's say, to the discipline of a classical ballerina or a Cordon Bleu chef faceting perfect, six-sided baby carrot nuggets. But here's the big news: technique is not enough. Read More
- Published in Client Care
