Tips on Safer Waxing

Everyone has thought about proper hair removal methods but wherever you go, for the most part no one really implements them. “Double Dipping” Should I wear gloves etc
Dr. David R. Caprette PhD, department of biochemistry and cell biology at Rice University in Houston has expressed concern about how easily one can transfer a viable organism to a nice warm blooded environment. This can be a breeding ground for infection.”
So here are some tips, for better waxing habits and NO MORE DOUBLE DIPPING!

-Always wear gloves

-Use a new applicator each time wax is applied to the skin

-Cleanse your implements i.e. tweezer, with anti bacterial soap, first, then place in a UV sterilizer or autoclave for 20 minutes

-Place all disposables in a plastic bag and keep it close to the waxing station so that no other surface is contaminated. Then seal and discard in a closed trash bin after each client

-Continue to educate yourself in proper and efficient wax application, this will help you lower your application costs of waxing per client

Finally you must know the law not just for your individual state but Federal Law. This states that “everyone should be considered as contaminated and that service providers who are occupationally exposed or have the potential to be are required to use preventive measure to prevent cross contamination.” That means federal standards already state that estheticians must wear gloves and perform one-time-use per applicator of hair removal products. See http://www.osha.gov/ for more details.

Success is a Pie...of Pizza!

On a recent ski trip to Colorado, my hosts decided to have a pizza-making contest. We were divided into teams of two and sent off to create our own little culinary works of art. My partner was in charge of making the dough and I whipped up several toppings to put on our pizza. When all was done, everyone set up their pizzas and each was assigned a number. I noticed how quickly everyone vanished from the counter to engage in other activities and talk to friends. But I stood behind my pizza and every time one of the judges tasted a slice, I talked about it with great excitement. “Can’t you taste the delicious sweetness of the caramelized onions? The cheese just melts in your mouth! The peppers add a wonderful zestiness!”

In the end, my pizza received the most votes and my husband joked that I had won because I “PR’ed my pizza.”

While it was funny, it was true. As a professional, it is important that you are able to talk about your services and products effectively and enthusiastically. If a client isn’t aware of what you have to offer, how can they buy it? And unfortunately, a product sitting on a shelf doesn’t always speak for itself- it is your job to speak for it. “This is the most fantastic moisturizer for dry, dehydrated skin!" "The mint in this body scrub is more invigorating than coffee to jump start your morning!”

Your excitement is infectious and I know I’d personally rather try something I’m hearing rave reviews about over something I’m hearing nothing about. The more information you give, the more information a client or potential client will hear. And if you are getting a consistent no, you aren’t giving them the information they need. You are not telling them what they want to hear.

Like I always say, Show and Tell and You Will Sell!!

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.

How to Hire & Manage an Esthetician

What is an Esthetician? A licensed esthetician is a skin care professional who has graduated from a state licensed training program, and has passed both written and practical exams of the State Board.

Most states require usually between 300 and 1,200 hours

Estheticians also take many post- graduate continuing education classes to stay up to date with the latest developments of skin care treatments.

Who to hire?

A licensed esthetician with at least 3 years experience “behind-the-chair”

Look for a CIDESCO certificate
Even states with higher licensing requirements don’t always prepare an esthetician well.

Advanced training is a good way to tell if your esthetician is dedicated.

Good presentation / communication skills

Thorough knowledge of skin histology and anatomy

A business sensibility and retail sales acumen

A passion for skincare

Desire to serve clients and administer to their needs

Esthetician must project:

A Professional Image:
- Laundered & Pressed labcoat -Clean & Short nails
-Well-groomed hair / makeup
-Minimal fragrance

Well organized

Client Focused

Neat & Tidy

Always provides proper consultation, diagnosis & recommendation

How to recruit an esthetician?

Local newspaper ads

The Internet: craigslist

Your Salon website

Personal referrals

Word-of-mouth

Cosmetology Schools

http://www.aestheticjobs.com/

The Interview Process: The Resume

Look for licensure

Look for salon experience, and number of years as a practitioner

Look for any teaching experience, or any sales and retail experience

Look for any indication of “presentation ability”, be it teaching, or sales, or consulting

*It is crucial that they know how to communicate,
suggest, offer, and recommend products as a
follow up to the treatments they deliver, and close
the sale by scheduling the next appointment

The Interview Process: Phone Interview

Listen to the voice when scheduling the interview with the potential hire. You will learn a lot!

Tell them they will be expected to:

Fill out a complete application

Bring a separate hard copy of their resume

Be prepared to take an assessment (test) on basic esthetic knowledge and principles

Be prepared to give a 10-15 minute demonstration of an esthetic technique, such as
massage (facial), exhibiting proper draping techniques, and handling of any product,
using appropriate hand movements and gestures.

Tell them they will also be evaluated on:
Their speech, delivery, and overall presentation

The Interview Process:

Screen & Qualify your candidates.
It will save you time and money, in the long run, and ensure that you hired the best esthetician possible to serve your needs.

Give them adequate time to absorb the treatment protocols, and receive adequate training to perform them on their own.

Must know how to utilize the skin analysis chart to evaluate a client’s skin type, and suggest the proper at-home care products.

Compensation & Profitability:

Salary plus small commission works well.

provide advanced education as part of their compensation package.

Benefits, 401K – Career!!

Guidelines: Lydia Sarfati’s Success at Your Fingertips

How to Manage an Esthetics Team?

Set Goals

Implementation

Accountability

Recognition

Step 1: Know your vision:

Create a mission statement:

why is this salon in business?

What are your goals?

How are you going to execute your goals?

Step2: Communicate:

Communicate Your Vision, Direction & Why

Communicate to staff how they are a vital part of helping accomplish goals.

Actively seek input from staff at all levels.

Let them know their input is important, but also be honest and truthful with them and explain that not all of their ideas will be implemented.

Step3: Implement:

Weekly Staff meetings

Take Notes – Create a Plan of Action

Create deadline for completion

Will demonstrate depth of staff input, empower staff to take on responsibility, foster staff investment in the process, hold people accountable, and profoundly move the company forward.

Step4: Accountability:

Identify specific performance goals you expect

Performance meetings so that staff understands what is expected of them.

Step5: Recognize:

Publicly recognize accomplishments and give credit to your staff for the job they have done and the effective ideas they have come up that have led to the realization of these goals.