Makeup Artistry

Makeup Artistry is a definite path to take once I'm certified as an esthetician.
Many of you know I enjoy practicing makeup artistry. I've been doing this on & off since 2001 & have grown much more confident over the past year. Throughout 2007 & the beginning of 2008, I was asked by multiple friends to do their makeup for their weddings, even some bridesmaids. I believe it was 7-8 events that I was honored to be the makeup artist.
With each person, I am sure to do a consultation a couple of weeks before the big day, an actual trial run, or I grill them about what look they want to have for their occasion. This gives them a chance to give feedback on the look I choose & feel more comfortable with what they will look like on their big day. Here are a couple of examples of my work:
BEFORE

AFTER

The joy I get from making women feel their best is immeasurable. It's a thrill to take a face that is essentially a piece of art, make it look as flawless as possible & accent the best features.
The trust my "clients" have to put in me is a big deal as well. It helps that they are my friends, but that could be a bad thing too if something were to go wrong. I do my best to put my "client" at ease & let them know they have the freedom to make suggestions, ask questions & give feedback. The goal is to make them feel their best, not create a diva or drag queen. This is especially the case when someone is a more "natural" style.
All in all, I have fun with it & am sure to tell my client that they are uniquely beautiful.

The Moves & Integrity

THE MOVES
It's only week 2 & we are starting to learn the beginnings of the facial. Yes!
It's really cool to go to school & get a facial, even if it's only the beginning of one. We have a great time in class learning the moves.

First we learned - cleanse the eyes & lips
Second we started learning the massage aspect of the facial - only 5 moves of 50
Third, last night we learned the cleansing moves - cleansing the face, neck, decolate & trapezius areas.

Tonight in class we are pretty much just practicing on each other for 4 hours. Fun!

INTEGRITY
I will be doing some soul-writing this weekend, starting it anyway. After listening to a dvd of the Euro founder, Annemarie Camenzind, it's very clear that I'm doing the right thing, and I have some integrity issues to face as I dive into this profession. Professional image is huge. Living your talk or having integrity in what I'm practicing is huge as well. Huge. Here lies the life-change. It's time to start making choices for optimal health.
More on this at a later date.

Week 2: It Hit Me Today...

Yeah, so I'm just starting realize how much I have to know, memorize, test for & practice in 9 months. I am still pretty peaceful, but coming to the conclusion I really do have much, much less time in my week for dilly-dally now that the first week of school is over. Although I know there's a ton to know, I am only letting myself take it one day at a time & not allowing myself to get overwhelmed. Especially since I am so new. We will go over this stuff time & time again, so it's not like I won't hear it, read it, practice it, then test on it. Anyway, just had to share where I am at the start of my second week.

Helpful Tidbits

My first week was complete on Saturday evening. I'm pleased to report it was quite a good start. Granted, we haven't gotten into our days where the first half is theory & the second half is practicals on fellow students, then clean up. But, I was reassured each day in my spirit that I am doing the right thing & have a good grasp, so far, on how I should manage my time & what we are studying.

Now for the fun stuff. I wanted to share, without crossing proprietary boundaries, some little tid bits I've already picked up & am thinking about or changing in myself:

Wash Your Face (well) Just At Night: this was a big one for me! For years I have been told it's best to wash your face twice a day. Well, after learning just a little about the skin & it's function, I realized & was advised by my instructor that it's best to wash off the dirt at night. To create balance in my skin (being fairly normal to dry), my NIGHTIME regime should be:

• cleanse with luke warm water,
• gently exfoliate w/ a wash cloth (best thing to get ALL the makeup off)
• moisturize

For my MORNING regime, after your skin has renewed itself after sleep & not collected more dirt, I only need to:

• rinse with cool water,
• pat dry,
• apply a gentle toner &
• spf/face moisturizer.

The difference here is I will not strip my skin of it's natural oils that help keep the skin balanced, moisturized & dewy (healthy glow from the sebum that it secretes). Also, exfoliating (like at home microdermabrasion) only needs to be done 1 -2 times a month. You can be exfoliating gently the first layer of skin, the squamous (or dead) layer, with wash cloth each night.

Estheticians Are Not Massage Therapists: kind of a given, right? Well, I guess it's tempting for clients, especially those getting body treatments, to ask for a "deeper" massage during the facial or other service. I've decided that I won't just say, "No, that's not in my scope of work...". Instead, that I will remind the client what I AM there to do - to relax them & stimulate their skin.

Mental Adjustments as a Euro Student

Day 2 - another great evening in class.
Ha ha! I know, it's only the second day.

Our instructor went over the policies & procedures for Euro students. This included the required hours by the state - hence the clocking in & out being a legal document, the points system & requirements to graduate, professionalism (constantly graded)...

And that brings me to what I wanted to briefly share today.
As I was sitting in class & listening to the expectations for a student, I realized I need to make some mental adjustments while in school. My naturally goofy, loud laughing, gregarious self will have to change what & when something is acceptable.

There's a definite need for heightened awareness of

• who is speaking,
• what is being discussed,
• when I should share with others on the floor or in class
• when to be a leader & when to let others find their way
• how I am carrying myself
• what needs to get done & how I can help and
• the appropriate times to laugh & have fun with classmates vs. be serious & focus

Not rocket science, I know. However, it will be a big mental shift. I want to be an excellent example of the quality student that comes from the Euro.

I think I'll have to write a prayer to put in my notebook to center my thoughts on what matters most - the Lord, others first & then my purpose & needs.

The First Day!

Yes! I am officially a student again.
Last night, Tuesday, May 6th, I started my classes at the Euro Institute. I was eagerly anticipating this day for many months now. I felt a bit like a jr. higher again going to a new school for the first time, but overall I've had an amazing peace about attending at the Euro & what to come in the next season of learning.

My first day was great! We got all our supplies - Milady books, Euro notebook, Acutonics tuning forks, a beautiful 12 pc makeup brush set, spa gown, lab coat, tweezers & scissors...I am set.

We discussed in detail the dress code, took a tour, were introduced to our instructor & classmates, learned how to clock in, & learned the basics of the facial station.

I am excited to get to know the other 14 people in my class. There is 14 women & 1 man. We all come from diverse backgrounds. Many of us have the same desire to be "day makers", as my instructor put it.

I had an overwhelming feeling of being in the right place & the perfect time. And I can tell I am going to take this seriously, be very committed, and quite proud to be a Euro student.

My Purpose & Decision

The newest most exciting thing I have to share with everyone in my life lately is that I've been preparing to go back to school to become an Esthetician.

In June 2007, my life came to a crossroad caused by severe stress & the loss of my job. Ironically, I was glad to have lost my job. I was more than ready to stop the stressful, daily cycle of commuting long hours & working a less than dynamic accounting job. I saw it as a great opportunity to be still and to ask God to remind me what I'm most purposed to do at this point in my life. I was ready to move on, branch out, try something new & dream big.

As usual, the Lord didn't disappoint. He always rocks my world & brings comfort when I trust him to lead the way. He reminded me of quite a few things:

• how I enjoy doing makeup for my friends,
• how I enjoy making women feel & look their best,
• how I am a contagious leader, when I am excited about something I share it with anyone who will listen,
• how I am empathetic & genuinely interested in people's lives,
• how I have gained in wisdom about balance & boundaries
• how you attract who you are & I tend to attract friends who are in the arts, healing, cosmetology, spiritual fields
• how I am energized by working with people & not behind a computer 40 hrs a week
• how accounting was not my future, but served beautifully as a bridge to bring me back from San Diego to the NW & bring stability to my finances while I help invest in my community
• how a career in the esthetics field could marry many of my greatest strengths & passions into one, working less hours in a relaxing environment making what I make currently if not more. :)

BRILLIANT!!!

The biggest discovery has been realizing my current purpose. It came to me clearly after thinking about my journey to date. I was able to come up with a simple purpose statement that captures my passion: I exist to help people know they are uniquely & innately beautiful.

So, I went about sharing with my closest friends & family what I'd discovered. Everyone I spoke to, especially those that know me the best said, "PERFECT!" After a some researching on the best esthetician schools in my area, I came upon The Euro Institute in Renton as the most highly recommended & professional experience.

That was it! I am going to be a student at the Euro Institute. I have to work full time & go to school in the evenings. So, I've applied, been accepted & waited to be a part of the Accelerated Summer Program. It's a nine month program, class schedule consisting of Tues-Thur each week & 3 Saturdays a month.

I start May 6, 2008.