BEAUTY IS BIG BUSINESS, LITERALLY!

I am happy to announce that Bliss World Holdings (that is their nasdaq name and all) a.k.a Bliss Spa has been sold to Steiner Leisure Limited ( courtesy of Globenewswire) for a whopping $100 million dollars.  I am so doing my happy dance right now.

As Super-Dee-Duper as this is...I am not surprised only because I know first hand how kick butt amazing this company has been for quite some time.  So here is the Fat Girl Slim on Bliss Spa: In July 1996 Marcia Kilgore (founder of Bliss Spa) opened her first location in SoHo, and then in March of 1999 LVMH announces they have a major stake in Bliss Spa to the tune of $30 million smackers (I'd say that is pretty major).  Oh, and by the way this was LVMH's first North American acquisition.  Way to Go Marcia!

Then in January 2004 Starwood Hotels & Resorts (they own The W Hotel) acquired Bliss Spa from LVMH for $25 million in cold hard cash.  After this occured Starwood opened up Bliss Spas in several of the W Hotels with the first being in NY November of 2004.  What a smart marketing idea...The W used Bliss Spa Products as amenities in their hotel rooms.  Unlike some local 5 Diamond wannabe MotorCityCasinoHotel & Bootleg Spas (oops that was personal).

After that Bliss Spa Parterned with Jet Blue Airlines In April of 2006.  This partnership offered airline customers flying from one coast to another an exclusive Bliss Kit.  I am not sure what happened but this only relationship only lasted 1 year.

And now this total and complete awesomeness, and proof that The Spa industry is here to stay. Whew-Whoo to you Bliss Spa.

DON'T JUDGE A BOOK BY IT'S COVER

You need a website to compete

If you've heard it once you heard it a million times.  They say that your business needs a web presence in-order to compete in today's competitive marketplace.  Yeah, having a website for your small business is a great idea.  Getting a website for your small business is a whole different beast.

Most webdesigners or webmasters (although the term webmaster sounds so 1998ish) they are a dozen for a dime.  Seriously everybody and their momma can build you a website, and what is more confusing is that pricing can range from 100.00-5,000.00.

There Is More To This...Have You Meet My Wallet?

Wait a minute once you get the website now you have to concern yourself with something they call seo (search engine optimization). WTFlip? I know right, well if your site doesn't have good seo* then it won't be found when people are searching, and totally defeats the purpose of you having a website to begin with.  Not to mention you will need a domain and hosting, and if you site is not turnkey* (easily edited and updated, by a non-technical person).  *seo, hosting, domains and turnkey sites are extra cash out of pocket for you with most "webdesigners" just a lil FYI.

I worked at a salon that every time we were running a special the owner had to call her web designer person and shell out 75 per hour to have something updated.  Who can afford that as much as I change my mind on a daily bases I would be billions of dollars in debt to a web designer.

The Pauperpreneur

Not everyone has a gazillion dollars to drop on their business' website.  I know I didn't.  Seriously I wore a hole in google search.  I searched every possible way until I came across something called Stylenet.  It is was probably 3 am in the morning and I googled upon this website that offered a 1 month FREE trial website.  Hello, they were speaking my language.

So I signed up and gave things a try.  I wasn't totally sold on the site because it was kinda Plain Janeish.  I went through the trial and didn't do much with the site.  It expired and I kept searching for something spectacular.  My dream website.

That's What Friends Are For...or NOT!

Meanwhile...I gave into peer pressure.  My "close business associates" were kinda dogging the site.  Saying things like I could do better, That they couldn't see me with a website like that.  That I deserved more, a site that fit my personality.  Dagnabit they were right, and I was going to get my dream website if I had to build it myself.

So I attempted to customize a site using Squarespace platform (which is amazing if you know html).  Yeah that lasted all of 2 sleepless nights, and then I ordered a free 30 day trial at adobe 'somebodies weaver something' IDK...to just go on and design my own site and that lasted all of 5 minutes.  The best way to describe those experiences are as follows...Not fun!

My H-Yeah Moment

I am sitting in my treatment room at the salon one day and my phone rings and on the other end was a totally amazing southern accent.  OMG! Instantly when I heard that voice I was flooded with memories of when I lived in Atlanta and how for lunch I would have buttermilk fried chicken, garlic smashed potatoes and coleslaw (I am getting hungry just thinking about it). Day dream Over!

Beth had called to check in with me to see how my trial went, because that is what good companies do.  They contact people that have used their product or services and just check in with them.  I told her about my insecurity about the website not being "fashionable" enough, and she understood  my point of view, and she promised me that if I gave them a try I would not be disappointed.

She was so sure that I would love their product that she was willing to give me another trial.  I had nothing to lose and time was of the essence.  Spring was fast approaching,  this is the start of my busy season.  So I went for it, and I haven't looked back.  Of the many business decisions that I have made in the last three years.  This one to date has been the most profitable.  In terms of driving new business my way.

The Little Site That Could

Out of the gate my site was searchable in google.  I came up when people searched for 'bikini wax Rochester, Mi'.  Which was totally awesome because I didn't have to do anything to get started.  Everything was already there for me.  I was off to a great start and I know in my heart that I would not be where I am today if it weren't for Stylenet.

They offer online support, their sites come with seo.  My site doesn't have a google page rank of 10 just yet but I know it will one day.  If you are a freelance esthetician, a salon or spa.  Looking for a website I highly recommend Stylenet.  These guys can take you places.  Thanks Stylenet. 

Oh and by the way you get a domain, hosting, support, and a turn key site for $49 a month. BOOM how ya like them apples.  I know I do.  Clients absostinkingloutely adore this site.  For every naysayer I have had 100 compliments...a few more apples I like.

ONLINE SCHEDULING DONE RIGHT!

I have been using Schedulicity for the past 3 months and well yeah, we are in love. I mean it was just right, one of those this is meant to be, kinda deals. Schedulicity has totally made it easy for clients to do business with me, and that is just friggin' awesome. Ya feel me?

Clients love it, because they can book an appointment when it works for them and I love it because it saves me the...

client: do you have a 3 o'clock
me: no, but I have a 3:15.
client:Yeah that's not going to work for me. What about a 4:10
me: can you come at 4:30 (womp, womp, womp).

I know you've been there, right? That conversation gets stale ¡muy rapido! Now I am no-internet guru, but a girl is pretty savvy when it comes to certain things internet and online scheduling is definitely my bailiwick. It is part of my personality to be cutting edge. I likes walking to the beat of my own drum, and being able to provide online scheduling to clients fulfilled that need.

I actually had an account with another online scheduling/answering service/friggin' nightmare for over a year before I hooked up with Schedulicity. I am all about the overall experience...from the first point of contact until the deal is sealed. It is my goal to provide an experience worth sharing with friends and family.

Schedulicity helps me accomplish this. Clients are scheduling online now vs. calling me and risking getting my voice mail, and they couldn't be happier. In the beginning I was not totally sold on them, because they don't believe in nailing the No-Shows to the wall with a full charge for a missed session:-|. I was as skeptical as the next. I was like Yeah, No... there is no way this could possibly work. It's too nicey nice.

Hey I am a one woman show, and too many of them there no-shows are bad for business. As an esthetician I'd grown fond of my Big Bad Sass...I'll Charge Your freaking Credit Card If You Miss your appointment policy. The best way for me to describe their platform is like "Glenda The Good Witch"...Magically helpful, trusting, and believing that all things will work out for the better. Ah! freakishly scary if you are not used to that.

I was so not not used to that approach in the industry (it's like the wild west out here sometimes), but I gave them a try anyway (thank goodness, because they have spoiled me rotten) and with-in the first week I noticed an increase of clients coming in for services. When I cross referenced my sites analytics. I could see how they were helping to drive me more business. The clicks were converting into sales and this is SUPER MAJOR.

I had to do a Whitley Gilbert "Relax, Relate, Release" and let Schedulicity do what it do, and it is a Job Well Done.

Side bar...and by the way they are not the total push overs I thought they were...click on the pic to enlarge it and see how you can still pull off a Xena Warrior Princess if you have to.

SKIN CARE DONE RIGHT

I would have to say that in the last few weeks dreams really do come true. There is an awesome new site that offers skin care product selection and education without the "Drama" of the beauty business.

No advertisements here sister or brother for that matter. Just good ole fashioned skin care at it's finest. Create a profile and you are on your way to learning more about yourSkin. Not the skin that beauty product advertisers want you to have, but the skin you deserve.

This site was liberating for me and I am in the "beauty busyness". By nature I am not a product pusher (since most of them on the market are crap anyway) ask any client. I am about folks doing beauty & skin care the way that works best for them, and making a few recommendations here and there if things get to far out of control.

mySkin is my kindred beauty spirit. We both ENJOY skincare with out all of the noise. OMG please forgive me I am yammering continuously about how amazing this site is and it has not even launched to the public.

You know that I will always look our for yourSkin, so in true OprahWinfreyesque audience member fashion.
I am giving you all access to mySkin Use the code: msesthy to set up your profile. Just in time for the Holidays.

Best Wishes learning about yourSkin. Please feel free to share your thoughts.

TABATHA'S SALON TAKEOVER-BANG SALON

Bang Salon was a quite the bust before Tabatha stepped in and took things over. The owner Darren Anselmo was on the verge of losing it all.

Tabatha said it best when she called Bang the "Most unprofessional salon ever". I spent most of this episode of TST in shock. Call me old fashioned, but their behavior was not funny to me. Can you say sexual harassment boys and girls?

This kind of behavior has jaded our profession and it is sad. Kudos to Tabatha for speaking up. After realizing that his entire staff was ready to take a hike leaving Darren holding the bag, he had a change of heart.



Despite his change of heart the images of him gyrating on the the couch, Leona's urine sample, and the fully stocked bar are forever burned into my memory, and not in a good way;(. Best wishes to the team at bang salon.

TABATHA'S SALON TAKEOVER- ALLURE SALON

After I made it official and declared Tuesdays" TST Tuesday" I couldn't wait to see what was in store for Allure Salon down in Coconut Grove Florida.

Pablo the 21 yr old salon owner was neck deep in debt over 75,000 and in the habit of being totally disrespected by his staff (pobresito Pablito). His story did inspire me because he worked his way from receptionist to salon owner in a short period of time (that's pretty cool).

The staff meeting was like every staff meeting that I've ever been in in this industry. The owner is not doing enough to promote the salon and the stylist are totally annoyed. Thank goodness Tabatha was there to help them help them out. They hit the beach to promote the salon. Offering free consultations and hair cuts what a great marketing idea.



There were no casualties just one temper tantrum thrown by a seasoned stylist (not surprising). I wish the team at Allure the very best.

A COUPLE OF WAXERS

TABATHA'S SALON TAKEOVER -ORBIT SALON

I think that TST kicked this season off right. Tabatha did a super major monster takeover of Orbit Salon in Chicago Il. I was gobsmacked =) to learn that Eddie the owner of Orbit Salon was in debt to the tune of over 700,000 smackeroonies and was on the verge of losing it all.

Orbit Salon was once a shi-shi, puff puff, fancy pants salon in Chi-town and had lost it's swag real real bad. From where I sit (at home in my living room) it just seems like salon owners have a tendency to reminisce of the "Glory" of days gone buh-bye. A sad but true phenomenon.

Any who I wouldn't change a single thing about the out come including the casualty (Lindsey got fired) Which totally confuses me because Lindsey seemed very excited about TST coming in and helping get things back on track. Maybe there was a personality conflict IDK well here is a clip from the confrontation

All in all it was the best show so far. Congratulations to the team at Orbit Salon... I'll be there in March I'll see ya then.

TABATHA'S SALON TAKEOVER

If you know me you know that I absolutely Adore Tabatha's Salon Takeover. She is in my opinion amazing and is forever on point. She has an Australian Twanged in yo' face approach to doing things. That totally pisses (sorry mom I said piss) people off, and from my experience in the industry, it is the much needed swift kick in the pants that we need .

From the outside looking in WE beauty indy folks are a bunch of temperamental spoiled type A personality having BRATS. I think Tabatha's Salon Takeover is exactly the kind of Dr. Philish reality check that we need. Congratulations Tabatha I will be tuning in every week.

Feel free to join in on the party...Become a fan of Ms. Esthetician and share your thoughts about Tabatha's Salon Takeover.

Bring My Sexy Back

Can you relate?

BEAUTIFY YOUR SPIRIT

RT @anasanaturals DIVA DO'S & DON'TS: Allow times of testing and trial to deepen your character and beautify your spirit.

I've learned that the true beauty of a person is not on the outward physical appearance. Working in the beauty indy, sometimes the lines become blurred; and we focus less on the inner and more on the outer.

Yes, the perfect hair cut and color can definitely lift your spirit or a Brazilian bikini wax can definitely bring a little sexy back into your long-time relationship. These are things that can bring a temporary glimmer of hope into your hum drum life; but if you are looking for something longer lasting, you will need to do some soul searching.

Take long walks - the benefits of walking are both for physical health, as well as mental.

Start a gratitude journal - After watching a special on Denmark being the country with the happiest citizens on earth, one of the persons interviewed said that one of the keys to happiness is being grateful. Journal about things that you are grateful for on a regular basis. Doing so will help you change your perspective.

Smile - Okay, so those of you that know me personally may find this last one funny. I've never been big on smiling; but I've made small concentrated efforts to smile more often, and the world is smiling back.

These are just a few of many things that can be done to beautify you from the inside out so that you can truly radiate.

ORGANIZE THIS!

Back in the day when I was a Single Lady and long before Mr. Taylor put a ring on it...I had the most organized beauty cabinet in all the land -- one that would make even Martha Stewart blush. It was brilliant... when people would open my linen/beauty closet, it was often exclaimed OMG..this is like a department store. This is so neat, and look at all of the goodies you have.

Fast forward to 2009, I have a family, work long hours, and sadly my linen/beauty closet has lost its swag. I was purchasing a few things for my daughter's hair and thought how nice it would be to have a cute train case to keep all of her barrettes and bows in instead of the coffee can that I had wrestled away from my husband. Coffee cans are a hot commodity in my neck of the woods. He and the neighbors use them for their cigarette butts versus throwing them on the ground. I am proud to say this was my idea.

Start Small
Take one shelf at at time and organize. Things that you use often should be at eye level, and items you use less often can be placed on higher shelves.

The More The Merrier
If you have several of the same used products, marry them (and then recycle the empty containers) to create space in your linen closet.

Outsource
Utilize space elsewhere in your home, like under the bathroom sink or an over-the-toilet storage cabinet to store your goods.

BEAUTY ON A BUDGET

We are being bombarded with talks of an economy gone bad. The information overload can be overwhelming, but we have to stand tall and, most importantly, look good while we wait this thing out.

Here are a few things that you can do right now to look your best.

Clip Coupons

Grab your scissors, local newspapers, and a few of those value pak ads and clip coupons to your favorite spa or for beauty products. If the thought of doing so seems daunting, add your girl friends, a few bottles of wine from Fieldstone Winery, and make a party of it. This could save you big bucks and put a little wiggle room back in your beauty budget.

Stay Connected

If you are serious about keeping yourself pampered, join your esthetician's e-newsletter, Facebook Fan Page, or follow her on Twitter. This way your ear is to the ground; and when she has an awesome special, you will be in the know.

Find a Beauty Buddy

Some spas offer packages "buy 9 and get 1 free" or something like that... Well, why not partner with a friend or foe, just as long as you are beautiful, and take advantage of a package deal. You can split the cost among you and keep yourself looking fierce while saving money.

Word of Mouth

Hey, even if you don't have a pair of scissors, a computer, or friends, you can still be beautiful on a budget. Become a glambassador for the esthy that you believe in. Send referrals her way and take advantage of loyalty programs offered by your esthetician. All is fair in love and beauty.

The squeaky wheel gets the oil. Don't be afraid to ask for what you want. Remember, this is all about survival of the cutest.

STREAKY TAN

I loved to watch Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory growing up. The Oompa-Loompas were my absolute favorites. They were awesome with their perfect timing and song and dance, all while working in the most amazing place on earth.

I have always held a special place in my heart for the Oompa-Loompas; but ironically about 12 years ago, I saw my first Oompa-Loompa in person, and she wasn't as cute as I'd remembered them in the movie. She was actually very tall, pleasant, and resembled someone that I'd worked with the night before.

In 1997 I was working at Victoria's Secret in Westland Mall. They had just launched a self-tanning line, and we were giving some a try. My co-worker went home and came back the next day a full-on Oompa-Loompa. I was horrified for her because that orange is just not natural, unless of course you are from Loompaland, which she was not.

This is pre-beauty school. I had no suggestion on how to help her, and it took a good number of days for it to wear off. If you are ever caught with the bad self-tanner, here is what you can do:

1) The most obvious, for many reasons, is prevention


Shower and use a body scrub before applying self-tanner, and avoid moisturizers with mineral oil. Mineral oil will leave a coating on the skin, and the color won't deposit evenly.

2) Choose a brown self-tanner over an orange or yellow one...the browner the better.

If the damage has already been done, then reversing it is necessary. Cut a lemon in half or use lemon juice on a cotton ball to rub on the area where you want to remove the sunless tanner. If it is on your face, however, you can try makeup remover, alcohol-free toner, or baking soda.


If it is on your body, depending on the severity, you may want to use a sugar scrub or try soaking it off in 1 cup baking soda, 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide, a tub full of water, and mix...then sugar scrub and shower when it is all said and done. Oh, and don't forget to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Depending on the product and your skin, plus a little luck, it could take anywhere between 2-10 days for the tan to fade away.

3) Tan Towel makes an awesome product that doesn't leave you streaky.

THE BACHELOR, QUEEN BEE & ME

As an esthetician that provides services for males, I have noticed a trend among bachelors. We will be waxing right along for several months, or even years; and then one day, he comes in with this come hither expression on his face, and he tells me that he is twitterpated (not with me). I am like what? Twitterpated -- NO!!!!

In plain English it means that he has met someone, which by normal standards, I am totally happy for him because we all need Love; but in clientese, what he just told me was that our days are numbered -- no more afternoon wax sessions, no more skin care consultations, and then Ms.Esthetician will be getting the boot because there's a new sheriff in town and she don't play.

As a matter of fact, she's going to convince him that I am useless and that he is spending way too much money on my professional services (which are really for her benefit), and that he could save money by not waxing with me anymore. Hmph! Of course, this is only a ploy so that he will turn right around and spend all that he has saved on her. The Manipulation.

Fellas, stay strong. Don't end up being the guy whose girl waxes him on the bathroom floor with the Sally Hansen DIY Kit. This = Epic Failure. Here are a few things that you can do to have the best of both worlds.

Keep It In The Closet

What happens at Ms. Esthetician's stays at Ms. Esthetician's. No, I am not advocating deception; but I am telling you the less she knows, the better off we are.

Eye of the Tiger

The cat is out of the bag, and now that she knows about your manscaping habits, fight the good fight to keep your regular grooming schedule. There are some things that are not worth compromising. If grooming is a part of who you are as a person, then be authentic and keep up your routine, and encourage her to have one, as well.

I believe that person should never sacrifice more than you can afford to lose. Be good to yourself. Wax.

WHAT'S IN YOUR BAG LADY?

There was a time in my life when I would put something in my makeup bag and it would stay there until I decided to retrieve it. That seems like a lifetime ago, but it has only been in the past two and a half years ago that the items in my makeup bag started to disappear into thin air.

Well, they don't really disappear on their own; they do have a little help. My three-year-old daughter is fascinated with makeup and has spent some time helping herself to the goodies in that magic bag of mine. Initially, I thought it was adorable that she wanted to be like her mommy, until I found myself asking for permission to wear my own makeup.

I'd had enough of asking permission to; so I took matters in my own hands, restocked, and put my goods under lock and key. We finally reached a happy medium -- a bag for me and one for her.

Here are a few of the things that should be in every bag of beauty tricks.

A Moisturizing Sunscreen With An SPF of 15 or more.
Simone France makes a deliciously light-textured sunscreen with an SPF of 15 that can be worn with or without makeup.






Under Cover Sistah
A great concealer is seen but not recognized. Depending on your blemish, your concealer should do just that -- conceal your troubles, not draw attention to them. Sue Devitt's Camouflage Concealer was voted best concealer to cover up under eye circles on About.com.






Shine A Light On This
Blotting papers are amazing pint-size sidekicks in the fight against FACE SHINE. Boscia takes beauty weaponry to the next level with their fresh blotting lines that lift away shine and deposit a powder to keep your skin fresh.




Lip Service
Pucker up. Yes, an amazing lip color is a necessity. I love lip gloss, not as much as my lip-gloss-obsessed-three-year old; but I do love it. Guerlain hands down makes the best lip gloss I have ever worn. I was given my first Guerlain KISSKISS lip gloss as a gift by a fellow classmate while in beauty school, and I have been hooked ever since.






Bat Your Eyes Like This
An eyelash curler is an essential tool in your bag of beauty, giving your lashes a little curly curl which helps to give them a little lift. They stand at attention. I prefer metal lash curlers over plastic ones. The word on the street is that Shu Uemura's Eyelash Curler is the rockingest lash curler of them all.

These are just a few things that I keep in my makeup bag...What's your must-haves? Feel free to dish.

GETTING YOUR MONEY'S WORTH

I continue to get the same phone call..."How much do you charge for a female Brazilian bikini wax? Tell them the price and one of two things happens. They either book the appointment with me or continue to shop looking for a better deal.

I think it's pretty safe to say that people love bargains. My mom is the queen of bargain land. If the needle in the haystack had bargain written all over it, my mom could so find it with her eyes closed. I've had to draw the line when it comes to my bargain hunting; I don't buy cheap shoes, toothpaste, undergarments, or skin care.

The saying you get what you pay for is true. There are times when you've saved $30 to turn around and pay $80. I had a client come back in, in the fall, and she'd first gone to another salon in her neighborhood to get a bikini wax. After she'd paid her money, she ended up calling me to re-do what she supposedly had done at the other salon.

Now listen carefully; look before leaping into that bargain at a local salon or spa. Some things you should consider are:

1) Are they fluent in clientese?

2) Are they licensed?

3) Are the details for their services posted? Don't be afraid to ask for details of the service that you are looking for. If they can't give you details, keep going until you can get them.

Over the intercom...Thanks for waxing with Ms. Esthetician, and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSES MOUTH

I feel the need to get this off of my chest...I've been going hard for the past three years now about no double dipping during wax services and esthy's wearing gloves when they wax. And it feels great to finally have someone that is also preaching the same message. I was elated when I received my latest copy of Skin Deep Magazine and the article "Double Dipping? Safety Is Your Responsibility" by Janet McCormick.

She spoke on the very things that I've preached...I leap for joy to learn that universal precautions does apply to waxing and that during every waxing service, no applicator should be reused and that every technician should be wearing gloves.

Hate to say it...but I told you so.

image credit: karenalonge.com

WHAT IS VITILIGO?

When Michael Jackson spoke, the world listened. He told of a chronic disorder that caused his skin to lose its color leaving it without color in some spots. Small patches at first and then larger more noticeable areas would have patches. The single glittered glove that took us by surprise during the Motown 25 Review was his way of covering up this disorder during the early stages.

The rumors spread that he was embarrassed to be a black man, and so he physically altered his appearance. I never quite understood why Mr. Jackson chose not to address the issue concerning his skin's gradual lightening immediately, but this was his challenge, and his alone.

I was all too familiar with vitiligo at a young age. An acquaintance of my mother had this disorder. On my first visit to her home, my mother gave me a brief explanation of what I could expect; and I was instructed to behave normally.

When she opened the door, I was not totally prepared for what I would see. I was shocked beyond belief. The pep talk worked, and I was able to rebound quickly and smile a very timid smile, as we were invited into her home. I was no more than 11 years old, and I had a lot of questions.

She was all too kind to answer any that I may have had. After a very brief introduction, she'd given me permission to ask her anything concerning her disorder. So I asked does it hurt? She told me no, that it did not physically hurt her. Then I wanted to know how does something like this happen, and is there a cure? She said that doctors did not know what caused it; and at that time, there was no known cure.

Our weekly visits, although brief, no doubt left a lasting impression on me. Considering that they'd taken place over twenty years ago, I was more prepared than the average person for MJ's battle with this disorder, which was far from the public scrutiny. I vigorously defended him because I was not afraid of vitiligo. Sometimes people are so mean and full of fear for something that they don't understand that they resort to name calling and other hurtful actions.

No, vitiligo is not contagious. As of today, there is no known cure for it, and it affects less than one percent of the world's population. It is my dream that through educating people, just as I was educated at a young age, that the world becomes more compassionate and accepting of the differences that make us unique.