Snow Can't Stop Beauty Pros! InterCharm Global Beauty Event

Last week, I was so happy to attend the InterCharm Global Beauty Event in Kiev.  InterCharm is a three-day exhibition for perfume and cosmetics industry professionals. 

When I arrived, I was so surprised to see how many people had attended, even with a big snowstorm from which the roads had not yet been cleared. There were many large American nail companies like Essie and OPI.  But the beauty show was dominated by medical estheticians.  The cosmetologist and dermatologists in Europe are very into injections- you can't imagine all the huge lips and puffy chipmunk cheeks gathered in one place!

At the Repechage booth, we demonstrated facial treatments and the Opti-Firm Eye Contour Treatment at the Facial Bar.  It was a new concept for the people to have these treatments done sitting up, and it was extremely well received!  In addition to our booth demonstrations, I gave two classes on anti-aging and acne and presented the Repechage signature Four Layer Facial.

On the last day, I helped to judge the facial competition created by Dr. Irina Medvedeva, President of the Ukraine Society of Estheticians.  The estheticians were judged on the following:
Cleansing
Peeling
Massage
Application and removal of mask
Protection
Makeup
Proper analysis of the skin and home recommendation

The winner was so excited to receive a first class trip to the US!

It was a great show and I was thrilled to be a part of it and now to be able to share it with you.  I have a very busy week ahead of me as I went from the Ukraine straight to Africa! Exciting news to follow!

Pictures to come...be sure to check back!

The Growth of Beauty Schools: Our Future Professionals!

According to The NY Times ("As Beauty Schools Grow" June 7, 2009), cosmetology schools are on the rise and enrollment is up. The face of cosmetology schools has greatly changed in the last 20 years. And that's good news for our industry. While they still offer the basics -- hair skin and nails -- they are now offering expanded curriculum's to include massage, wellness and skin care. According to the Times, "Ten years ago if you said the word 'esthetician' people would say 'what is that?'...the industry is much more sophisticated than it once was."

I know this first hand. When I was starting off in the industry people would think I was saying that I was an "electrician." Well, we've certainly come a long way, baby!

Times are tough but "cosmetology is holding steady in the recession."

And the number of people seeking beauty schools is up. Whether as a second career or older students that are in college, people are seeking careers in our industry.

The notion of celebrity make-up artists, stylists and skin care professionals have also contributed to this new-found attraction. Graduates from schools can work behind the scenes in theater, film and television, add to the cache of being a beauty professional.

I am excited that our industry can still provide jobs during tough economic times. I know, I started my career in a recession. And there is opportunity, you just have to work hard at it.