Getting insurance for a small business can be an overwhelming task. Whether a seasoned business owner or a practitioner new to the industry, here is a breakdown of some items to consider when seeking insurance for a beauty business along with key questions to ask.

CHOOSING A POLICY

Consider the nature of the business and identify the risks potentially associated with the specific type of practice. Think about what types of coverage the business requires based on the variety of services offered and size of the business. For example, the needs of a solo practitioner offering only waxing services is going to differ from a full-service day spa with 20 employees offering hair, skin, nail, and waxing services.

Explore the different options that insurance provides such as liability, property, professional liability, and business interruption insurance. Sometimes, leasing properties require certain coverage and for the landlord to be listed as an additional insured on the policy. If the business owner owns the property themselves, the bank or lienholder typically requires property insurance. Liability insurance is always a good idea for any business to protect against claims from clients; however, there are multiple types with the most common being general liability, professional liability, and product liability. If unsure about the coverage each of these offers, business owners may want to consider reaching out to an insurance company or agent for advice. 

Many young people take for granted their ability to eat whatever they want and never see or feel any significant side effects. However, as the decades have passed, it appears everyone is becoming much less tolerant to foods – even children, due to a progressive worsening of food quality. Digestive health has become a big discussion but with it comes a lot of misinformation. 

For skin professionals, the most important side effect of malnutrition involves how digestive imbalances manifest on skin. While some dermatologists dismiss that some dietary choices lead to skin issues, many skin care providers have found that just removing dairy, sugar, or alcohol from one’s diet can help clear skin. In the cases where it does not, it may be because the body needs help to clear the candida. This can be especially true of people with congested skin, as this signifies they may have accumulated mucus in their gut. Even when triggers like dairy are stopped, the body cannot easily remove mucus. Skin conditions that may be caused by candida or mucus are facial acne (excluding jawline or neck), rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis.

Skin care professionals may have noticed more free advertising alongside everyday products in the grocery store, intended to steer customers towards or away from buying certain products. “Gluten-free,” “sugar-free,” and “phthalate-free” are popular buzzwords across the aisles.  

A popular claim in the skin care and cosmetics realm has become “silicone-free,” but why would the absence of silicone, a naturally abundant and harmless material on the planet, be marketed as a health benefit? Whether strolling on a grassy field or riding a dune buggy in the desert outside Dubai, people interact with silica. It is not a toxic, rare substance that needs to be avoided. It is important to understand the facts behind silicone and why unnecessary negative messaging has cropped up around it. 

SILICONE’S BEAUTY HISTORY

Silicone can come in many forms in the beauty industry. Four of ten products introduced in the 1990s included silicone in the formula. Since then, silica has received growing acceptance in dozens of personal care products. Many shampoos and beauty products include silicone. In shampoos, silicone smooths, detangles, and adds volume to hair. In skin products, it locks in moisture, soothes wounds, and smooths skin. 

There are contraindications to silicone use. For example, those with acne-prone skin can be more sensitive to the occlusive nature of silicone, but according to Medical News Today, “The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel concluded that silicone in skin care products, such as moisturizers and patches, is safe. Forms of silicone, such as dimethicone, do not interact with the epidermis, the upper layer of skin, and are therefore unlikely to penetrate the skin barrier.” Even in more invasive procedures, countless people retain silicone breast implants for decades with no problems. Of course, there is the odd complication, as there can be with any treatment, but complications tend to be sensationalized in the press, fueling the “bad silicone” fiasco.  

Reference

1. “Silicone for Skin: Uses, Benefits, Risks, and More.” Medical News Today. Accessed February 20, 2024. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/silicone-for-skin#safety. 

There are two main types of wax that professionals may use for hair removal services. Hot wax is often referred to as hard wax and strip wax as soft wax. When should you use hard wax versus strip wax? How do you know which to pick? What is the difference between hard wax beads and the traditional brick packaging? Below are the answers to these questions and more! 

KEY DIFFERENCES 

The main difference between hot (hard) wax and soft (strip) is the way that the wax is applied and removed. Hot wax is applied against the hair growth, left to set, and then removed without the use of an epilating strip. Strip (soft) wax is applied in the direction of the hair growth and then an epilating strip, like muslin or pelonis, is placed over the wax, pressure is applied, and it is removed opposite to the hair growth, pulling the hair out. Both are effective ways to remove hair and allow for a smooth result. Additionally, hard wax is heated to a temperature of approximately 60°C (140° F); it should be a thick honey consistency. Whereas strip wax is heated to 70-75°C (158-167° F) and is a runnier in consistency. 

WAXCRAFT 

Strip wax is applied thinly and can be removed quite quickly with practice. As a result, it is advisable to use strip wax in larger areas such as legs, arms, back, and even the outer edges of the bikini (inner thighs). A good quality strip wax should not cause skin drag or leave any sticky residue behind. Hard wax is excellent for more sensitive areas such as the bikini or Brazilian area, underarms, and face. Hard wax can be applied in different size patches, which allows for more precise waxing around tricky areas such as the eyebrows and the lips.  

PRE & POST  

With all waxes, it is advised to use a cleanser before and after waxing to help cleanse skin of any debris, makeup, or lotion. Waxing opens the hair follicle, so it is important to ensure skin is clean prior to waxing. Applying the cleanser immediately after the wax will help close the hair follicle. Applying a pre-waxing oil with hot wax adds an additional barrier of moisture to skin, and a little goes a long way! With both hard and strip wax, applying an aftercare product after the service further soothes skin and reduces any redness or inflammation.  

WAX WISDOM 

When choosing which waxes to have at your station, it is important that you consider all factors, such as what areas you will be waxing most and whether you will need both a hard and strip wax always heated. If yes, you will need to look at how big your wax station is and whether it can fit a duo heater or two singles. Being able to have both waxes available allows you to tailor your services. However, ultimately, the most important factor is that you are comfortable waxing with the type of wax chosen as this will make for the most comfortable waxing experience for you and your client.   

Lindsay Miller is the president of LYCON Wax North America. Having first discovered LYCON Wax in the United Kingdom 10 years ago, she has dedicated her time to growing the brand across North America, including introducing LYCON to Canada. Training and product quality are extremely important to Miller and she prides herself on building a strong team around her that can offer the best customer experience possible. LYCON continues to be a market leader in hair removal wax and is used in top spas and salons around the world. 

Base Beauty Creative Agency, the New York digital marketing agency is pleased to announce the appointment of two new key hires: Erica Feldman as Business Development Manager, and Tina Falco as Director of Program Success. BBCA is projected to double its revenue this year and these two positions are pivotal for the continued success of the 17-year-old business and will be key to its growth.


Erica is a seasoned media professional with a passion for propelling client growth in the beauty, personal care, and wellness sectors. In her role as Business Development Manager, she will play an integral part in driving agency revenue, winning new clients and work, and ensuring the agency’s points of difference are in the forefront. Erica orchestrates strategic initiatives to align with larger business goals and actively seeks out target brands where BBCA’s capabilities can create a transformative impact. Before joining BBCA, Erica held roles at top digital publishing platforms and media agencies, including Conde Nast, Bustle, Vice Media Group, and Kyra. With a proven track record in the digital media landscape, Erica brings a unique blend of creativity, strategic insight, and industry expertise to her role at BBCA. She is dedicated to leveraging emerging trends and technologies to help brands thrive in today's competitive market.

Tina is a seasoned marketing professional with vast experience with beauty brands. As BBCA’s Director of Program Success, Tina will play a vital role in driving the success of programs by focusing on customer satisfaction, effective program management, stakeholder engagement, problem-solving, data analysis, continuous improvement, and accountability. Her efforts will contribute to achieving program objectives, delivering value to stakeholders, and ultimately driving organizational success. Prior to her role at BBCA, Tina grew her client service and integrated marketing expertise at Saatchi & Saatchi and Zimmerman and Ogilvy. In her most recent role as Executive Director, Global Marketing and Creative Operations at Estee Lauder, Tina successfully launched the Lab Series for Men brand creating a global program that was disruptive, ownable, scalable, and adaptable. Tina has led Global 360 campaign projects and processes for Creative & Marketing teams and is highly regarded by her clients for balancing business goals and performance while delivering best-in-class creative.

With the expanded leadership team at the helm, BBCA is poised to accelerate agency growth and continue delivering exceptional results for clients. Please let me know if you have any questions or need any further information.

  https://www.basebeauty.com/

Over the years, the various aspects of the beauty and skin care business have completely evolved into their own entities, and hair removal leads that pack. Schools and states alike have created licensing requirements and education that are specific to hair removal practices, such as waxing, laser, and the long-forgotten electrolysis.

Every form of business related to hair removal has done the same. There are now product manufacturers, distributors, spas, salons, and clinics dedicated solely to hair removal products and services. The unique part of this niche of our profession is that it continues to evolve in and of itself –  ever changing new products for pre-, post-, and removal, new applicators, new equipment, and new techniques. All things that allow for continued growth of a service business. What was once a focus on removing hair from the legs, bikini area, and face has evolved into every inch of the body including nostrils, ears, and custom designed bikini areas for one and all! 

This month’s issue will serve as a hair removal bible for any hair removal expert. Take the time to explore each page and keep yourself open to new offerings of products. What makes one different from another or different from what you currently use? Where does the product come from and what is the level of both customer service and equational support? Dive into new ways of doing what you are currently doing. You may find yourself surprised that your finely tuned skills can get even better – making your business even better.

I remember the first time I experienced the joy of my skin being smooth and hairless. Like most women, this was during puberty and the result of my own hands with a common razor. I remember feeling like I had brand-new legs, and no one had ever felt that silky before. While that certainly was not true, it reminded me of the power professionals have to make the biggest difference in the lives of many.

Waxing, sugaring, threading – hair removal is seemingly simple. Wax on, wax off; the hair is gone until next time. It is so easy, anyone can do it! But if that were true, would professional hair removal be a billion-dollar market? 

Although there will always be those who prefer to take hair removal into their own hands or to forgo it completely, one thing remains: if you build a quality hair removal business, they will come – and keep coming every four to six weeks. This is a testament to the expertise and finesse that professionals bring to the table, elevating hair removal from a mundane task to a rejuvenating and skillful art. This issue is dedicated to the nuances of hair removal, offering insights, tips, and tricks to elevate skill sets and provide a working guide for both beginners and seasoned practitioners. Until next time, enjoy the smooth journey ahead!

Cannabis is all the rage. As humans we like to think we discover things on a regular basis. We think we discovered continents even though they existed before we knew how to traverse them. The aesthetics and cannabis industries are not immune to that trend either. While cannabis has been legally gracing retail shelves and treatment rooms for a handful of years now, we think we discovered it. Newsflash, it’s been around for millennia! Cannabis was first documented in ancient China around 6,000 years ago. This plant has graced central Asia for generations, growing wild and robust. It is nothing new. What is new is the scientific evidence and fervor we have for the plant, and its magic compounds, as a country. 

THE MANY FACES OF CANNABIS

On a daily basis, the medical community is expanding clinical uses for cannabis based on scientific evidence. The United States government recently proposed reclassifying the plant from a schedule I narcotic to a schedule III, meaning that it would be a recognized substance that has medical benefits and uses. That may sound like a minor detail, but it is historic in the continued reintegration of the plant into our society. Cannabis was very legal in the United States up until the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, and it wasn’t just used recreationally. It was and still is a major industrial crop. From fibers used in clothing, concrete in building foundations, and food sources as a supplement and complete protein source, cannabis sort of does it all. Henry Ford’s famous Model T car was not only made in part with bioplastics containing hemp, but the prototype even ran on hemp oil.

Antonia Schreiber is a New York State licensed massage therapist, cosmetologist specializing in aesthetics science, and electrologist. With over 16 years’ experience in the industry, Schreiber’s work has brought her everywhere from the classroom to her certified green spa, the Windham Spa, to the United States Olympic Training Center and beyond. Outside of the treatment room she is a writer, speaker, and consultant with the New York State Department of Education, leading education firms and industry magazines. Her current passion projects include treatment research and development for burn patients, and assisting in the development of the United States Paralymic Bobsled and Skeleton Team.

2023 saw the rise of many skin care ingredient trends. There was hybrid skin care, faux freckles, skin minimalism, also known as skin streaming, inclusive sun protection, and clean beauty, just to name a few. However, there was one skin care ingredient that consistently delivered thousands, if not millions, of views on social media platforms last year – rice water. On TikTok alone, #ricewaterforskin resulted in over 99 million views with claims that rice water relieves itchy skin from atopic dermatitis, improves barrier function, delivers glass skin, and more. 

GRAINS OF HISTORY

While rice water is trending, it certainly isn’t new to skin care. In fact, the use of rice in beauty has deep roots in Asian cultures. In Japan, rice water has been used by court ladies for their hair since the ancient Heian Period (794 to 1185 AD), and Geishas used to bathe in rice-bran water to exfoliate and soften their skin. In Korea, the practice of rice washing dates back to 1392 at the start of Joseon dynasty (1392 to 1910), when the Gungnyeo, otherwise known as the palace women, discovered that rice water made their skin feel noticeably softer. In China, as early as the Qing Dynasty (1644 to1911), women used the leftover water from washing rice to cleanse and brighten their skin.

Lila Castellanos has focused her energies into the beauty industry for the past 19 years, specializing in skin rejuvenation. As a licensed aesthetician, she has lent her expertise to several different environments, including working as a paramedical aesthetician in the medical spa field as well as in both day spa and mobile spa business models. It was through these varied experiences, along with the interactions with her loyal clientele, that she honed her passion for improving and maintaining the health and integrity of her clients’ skin. Castellanos thrives on being able to use her extensive knowledge to customize each treatment to help her clients achieve the results they are searching for. Her adaptability and versatility are equally impressive in providing antiaging facials, treating acne, minimizing the appearance of scarring, or addressing skin conditions that arise as a result of hormonal changes. 

Business insurance is important for all businesses as it provides financial coverage for the costs that are associated with property damage and liability claims. It helps reduce risks that come with operating a business by providing monetary coverage in the event of an unforeseen circumstance such as theft, an injury at the spa, water damages, fire, or an interruption in business operations. Business operators inherently assume a level of responsibility for the safety and well-being of a range of people, including clients and employees. They are also financially accountable for other aspects of the business such as the equipment used in the spa, supplies, and other contents, like computers or fixtures. Business insurance helps mitigate the operations risk for a business owner by providing ongoing financial security.  

GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE 

This type of insurance is the foundation to a business insurance policy and provides general coverage against third-party claims for accidental personal injuries and property damage caused by others. General liability insurance covers a range of incidents, including slip and fall accidents, property damage caused by your business operations, and claims of false advertising.

The coverage provided by a general liability policy can vary depending on the type of business or industry. For example, an insurance policy for a wax bar will not look the same as one designed for a construction company, which may require higher limits of liability coverage. Overall, general liability insurance is an important component of risk management for a business as it can provide financial support and peace of mind in the event of unexpected events or lawsuits. 

Lindsay Miller is the president of LYCON Wax North America. Having first discovered LYCON wax in the United Kingdom 10 years ago, she has dedicated her time to growing the brand across North America, including introducing LYCON to Canada. Training and product quality are extremely important to Miller and she prides herself on building a strong team around her that can offer the best customer experience possible. LYCON continues to be a market leader in hair removal wax and is used in top spas and salons around the world.