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.

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

PAYING IT FORWARD...

My parents are polar opposites when it comes to their shopping habits...my mother is the avid bargain shopper, and my father is the "big spender" of the family, well at least according to her. I think I have a little bit of both of my parents' qualities in me. Since boarding the entrepreneur express, I am more conscientious of where I spend my money.

Don't get me wrong; I love me some Target' (that's French for Target), but it's a little different now. I make it a point to support local business, like yesterday when I dropped my watch off to Jay at Rizzo Jewelers to have the battery changed for $3.00.

Or when I hit up the sidewalk sales in Rochester, and stopped by Sole Sisters last week. I picked up a really cute pair of all black leather pumps for $20.00 and a super cool Made In Detroit hat that I just adore for $25.00.

So normally I would not pay $25.00 for a hat, or $75.00 for the jeans that I bought today at Bella Vita Boutique in Ferndale, but I want to spend my money with other local entrepreneurs. Since being in business, I have learned that smaller businesses cannot afford to buy in bulk the way that "big box" stores can; so the prices are higher.

To me it makes perfect sense to shop local to fuel my economy, and support the community that I live and work in. In my opinion, that is priceless.

MY DREAM JOB AWAITS...

Bright eyed and full of excitement I put together this very simple resume...It is important to capture who you are and what you bring to the table. Combine all of your life's experiences to create a resume for your dream job.

Tiffany R. Taylor
Esthetician
123 Mainstreet Rochester Mi 48307
248-123-4567

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bilingual (spanish/english) and proven team player

• Glycolic Peels

• Facials, body treatments and lash tinting and extensions.
  

• Strong esthetic and artistic abilities in design,color, and fashion wardrobe for photo, video, wedding, portfolio shots and promotional literature.
  

• Knowledge of special effects & theatrical makeup including: aging, bald caps, character development, and gender transformation.
  

• Male and Female facial and full body waxing

EXPERIENCE

Ms. Esthetician, Rochester MI
Freelance Esthetician, Massage Therapist 1-06

Satin Smooth (division of Conair) Stamford,CT
Esthetician, and Regional Wax Educator 7-06

Kasabiancca Rochester,MI
Esthetician, Massage Therapist 2-05

Advantage Entertainment Taylor, MI
Production Manager, Makeup Artist 11-03

Influential Castings Atlanta, GA
Image Coordinator, Makeup Artist 12-02

Freelance Makeup Artistry Detroit, MI
Freelance Makeup Artist 01-94

EDUCATION
2009 Dale Carnegie Troy, MI
Communications and Human Relations Diploma

2005 Origin Institute Utica, MI
Massage therapy Diploma

2004 David Pressley School of Cosmetology Royal Oak, MI
Esthetics Diploma/ License

1999 Washtenaw Community College Ann Arbor, MI
Liberal Arts

1994 Romulus Senior High School Romulus, MI
General Studies Diploma

TOP TEN REASONS PEOPLE CHOOSE MS. ESTHETICIAN

You'll be amused:

10. I have not double-dipped since 2006

9. Other really smart, beautiful,trendy people come to me for their waxes

8. I actually went to beauty school, graduated, and have a real state of Michigan issued license

7. Growing up my mom told me "don't pick your zits" Guess what mom? People pay me to pick their zits

6. The sense of fulfillment after a days work is very life changing--Just joking I love ripping out unwanted hair

5. I have really high standards-- translation, my prices are premium and worth every penny

4. I am thorough, but not in a creepy weird way

3. I love giving advice on skin care--which fulfills my secret desire of being a psycho-therapist

2. I will wax anything, if it sits still long enough

1. I give away free thongs

UNPROTECTED WAXING

Unprotected Waxing Is BAD... Really really bad...

MY FAVORITE METHOD OF HAIR REMOVAL

I have been asked this question a thousand times, and I never tire of answering it. "What is the difference between wax and laser?" Well first I just wanted to make mention that I wax because I am a results oriented kinda gal.

A person comes in with a considerable amount of hair, and they leave hair free. Waxing helps me fulfill that something in my psyche that likes things instantly. It is indeed the primary method of hair removal used by moi.

Laser vs. Waxing

So you've heard that laser hair removal is freaking awesome, and that it works way better than waxing. Laser is NOT a permanent hair removal solution, and neither is waxing (go figure). Laser works to REDUCE the amount of hair growth. The results vary from person to person. Typically clients using laser as a method of hair reduction will have between 5-8 sessions every 4-six weeks.

Unlike waxing laser hair removal is a bit more discriminatory, it's ideal client has fair skin with coarse dark hair. As technology is constantly changing; It has been noted that laser technology has improved, and there are a few lasers that claim to have the ability to differentiate between the pigmentation in dark hair and dark skin and light hair and light skin.

I have seen clients make a mad dash for the nearest laser clinic and purchase their 6 session package, and then after about 6-8 months they are rescheduling their waxing sessions. If reducing the amount of hair is your main concern. Laser works great.

Waxing can provide a temporary solution to hair removal. When performed by a licensed esthetician waxing has been know to have excellent results. The wonderful thing about waxing to me it that there are no expectations. You come in with hair you leave with out hair,and it grows back in a few weeks and you repeat the cycle.

There is something very honest and human about waxing. That is why it is my favorite. I recently explored the art of sugaring. That experience will make for a great post in the future. What are your thoughts on Laser vs. Waxing?

WHO IS WAXING YOU?

Ok Just wanted to put it out there. Please know who is performing services on you. Be safe people.

JUST WHAT IS AN ESTHETICIAN? (ES-TAH-TISH-SHUN)

Well the Wikipedia definition of an esthetician is as follows:
"Cosmetology (from Greek κοσμητικός, kosmētikos, "skilled in adornment"[1]; and -λογία, -logia) is the study and application of beauty treatment. Branches of specialty including hairstyling, skin care, cosmetics, manicures/pedicures, and electrology".

In plain English an esthetician is a trained and licensed technician that provides limited services in the field of cosmetology. Including but not limited to Waxing,Lash Extensions, Facials, & Makeup Application.

With-in the Esthetician Community there also exists branches of specialty training. Medical Esthetician, Facialist, Wax Technician, Master Esthetician, and Aesthetician vs. Esthetician. In the U.S. each state's cosmetology board sets the rules and regulations for that individual state.

Medical Esthetician- Individual that has received minimum state requirements and additional training. They typically work in medical spas under the care of a licensed physician performing services such as: Laser Hair Removal, Chemical Peels, and Fraxel etc.

Facialist- Is an easier way to say esthetician. A person that performs facial and waxing services.

Wax Technician- Is an individual that is licensed by that state to perform waxing services only.

Master Esthetician- This is the creme-de-la-creme of estheticians. For example in the state of Virginia a master esthetician has to complete 1200 clock hours. This individual can practice chemical peels, micro-dermabrasion, and other treatments that are typically practiced under the care of a licensed physician.

Aesthetician vs. Esthetician- Well they mean exactly the same thing and use of the A vs. E is a regional thing.

ARE THE POTS CLEAN?

The powers from the "Hall of Beauty" gave me the assignment to help clean up The Beauty Industry. Please be on the look-out for dirty wax pots. Lets work together to save the Professional Beauty Industry.

GETTING DOWN TO THE NITTY GRITTY!!!

So here is a little glimpse inside of my world. Here is an email that I received this week with the person's name removed...

Actual Email

"Hello, I had a question about brazillian waxing. I got my first brazillian waxing done at a waxing place and it hurt a lot so i only got it done halfway. I heard that its only supposed to hurt right when the strip is pulled off. But that day and the day after i was even avoiding to pee even bcoz it burned a lot and it still hurts. I wud have gone thru all the way but since waxing is supposed to take hair from the roots, when i looked the half side that was done had all the roots intact. so i stopped from doing the other side. I am wondering how long is it supposed to hurt? Right now i can't even touch the spot.
Thank You"
_____

Thank You, Anonymous email person. This email is exactly the point that I have been preaching. Thanks for giving me leeway. So now I am going to sit high atop my Ms. Esthy cutesy pink soap box and preach until I can't preach anymore.

When you are waxing your girl, or boy bits for that matter, precision, not speed, is the name of the game. I constantly hear of places pushing the time limit. "I can do a Brazilian wax in about 7-10 minutes." Well, don't ya know that "I can too." If I am just slapping on wax, using one nasty applicator (that will be dipped & re-dipped {possibly used on several folks} until it is broken), and just ripping like I have lost my natural mind.

Ripping what you might ask? Oh, let's see your skin, your skin and your skin. That is why this poor woman couldn't pee. Well, my question to the technician is "What the heck were you doing over there?"

There are one of two reasons that this happened to this poor unsuspecting soul. She was trying to save a buck and went to the cheapest place to get waxed, or the technician is not qualified to do Brazilian waxing. There is a possibility that both play a role in her horrible Brazilian bikini wax experience.

Please - do your homework when it comes to the person you are choosing to do your Brazilian bikini wax. The Internet is a great source, as well as asking their existing clients for their opinions.

Wishing you a happy and waxing this season.

xoxo
Ms. Esthetician

ESTHYS VS. STYLIST

When it comes to your skin care and waxing who should be doing it? Well I will say this cosmetologist in the great (using this term very loosely) State Of Michigan are required to have a minimum of 1500 clock hours before they qualify for their licensing. Estheticians have just 400 clock hours.

Typically Cos-students spend a week or so on skin care(facials,extractions, etc). Depending on the school they attend. For instance David Pressley has a full-time esthetic department while another school only offers cosmetology, leaving their students to provide facial and waxing services.

This my friends is the Jack of All Trades Master of None theory that I frequently discuss among peers. Students forced into doing things that they have no interest or specialized training in doing will lack passion. Is that the kind of person you want working on you? Someone that doesn't even care about what they are doing. Food for thought.

Henry Fernandez said it best. "Sometimes we bring people into our lives that end up costing us more than if we had just paid the big bucks and had it done right". What do you think?

BIKINI WAXING ILLEGAL *SMH*

The Great State of N.J. has outlawed the Brazilian Bikini Wax. So the poor estheticians of the newly renamed "Bush Garden State" will be forced into bootlegging brazilians. What is this world coming to? It is hard enough to find an esthetician to do the wax, now they will be forced under ground. Where the lighting is not as good.

New Jersey should reconsider their policies and come into the 2009s and let the people wax their bikini lines. Way to go N.J. you have been awarded the "Now That Is The Stupidest Thing I've Ever Heard."