What makes me an Esthetics Guru

In order for me to be taken seriously, I believe my credentials are required. I took the whole esthetics program at a local beauty school in 1993. I graduated with certificates in manicures, pedicures, artificial nails (acrylic), waxing, massage, lash and brow tinting, facials, body treatments, and make-up artistry. Of course, like any industry, education never stops. This is because technology and changing trends occur.

I originally went into the esthetics's industry with an interest in nail technology and make-up. However, I fell in love with pedicuring. As I gained more experience, I realized that even though I was certified, there was a great deal I still needed to know about foot care. Therefore, in 1998, I took an Advanced Pedicure class specializing in foot disorders and diseases. I, then, furthered my education to receive a medical designation in Podology. This entitles me to the acronym c.pod(I) after my name. I enjoy making people feel better by treating ingrown toenails, fungus on both skin and nail. It is amazing how good a person feels if their feet look and feel better. The worst pain in life is back or foot pain. People do not realize that their feet need special attention to get them through life. I will do a posting on that specifically at a later date.

I am not only an accomplished foot care specialist, but I have also worked out the hardships of mastering artificial nails. I am by no means the best, nor will I ever allow that title to become mine. I, humbly, realize that there is always someone better than I am. I truly believe that when a person thinks they are the best their quality of work depletes. Therefore, I conclude that, like anything in life , when a person becomes so smug they are unable to learn. I know that every day and with every client I am taught something new. I started with acrylic but the changing market and odorless work environments, forced me to adapt to gel. I love working with LCN products and resins, and in my opinion they surpass every product on the market for function, and durability. I use LCN's pedique for toenail reconstruction, pedicuring and manicuring as well. I also teach with these products.

At the moment I have a small esthetics room in my home. I do prefer working in a salon environment, however, because I teach for a local supplier, this works for now. As before mentioned, I am an educator as well. I teach classes in manicuring, pedicuring, advanced pedicuring, nail technology, make-up artistry and a dozen workshops. This aspect of my career is a dream come true. It is an honor to be a mentor for new technicians. It is hard work, and can be very trying, but very rewarding at the same time.

I also enjoy the business aspect of things. Therefore, I took several college courses in business marketing, accounting and law. I am not an expert in these areas, however it has helped me and will help me accomplish my own goals.

In conclusion, I am well qualified to be a guru. I am, however, growing in life and in career and I am always learning. The biggest aspect of my career is managing people, and being able to communicate openly, and listen intently. This allows me the ability to meet the needs of both my clients, and students. That is truly what makes a good esthetician. It is not about me, nor what I want. That does not make me a servant, nor a slave, but it gives me an avenue to make people feel beautiful on the outside, which makes them love themselves and be beautiful on the inside. I constantly joke that in order to be a good technician you have to have a PhD in psychology. In actuallity, it is just the ability to listen.