We have all heard the saying “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. For most this means that what is beautiful to one may be ugly to another. I may see smooth, plump skin on someone, while another person (usually the owner of said skin) sees huge pores and fat cheeks. But there is another side to this phrase; self image is relative. What bothers me may be something no one else even noticed. So getting rid of those huge pores won’t get me any compliments since no one noticed the pores except me.

Scientist have proven that our eyes don’t “see” what is real. Our brains fill in the blanks for us with what it thinks we should see, so is it any wonder that you could be perceiving something completely differently than me? Communication is the most important thing in this industry. I must be able to see what you see and perceive as you do. But communication is a two way street and a client who gets the best results is one who really knows what they want, can communicate it, and will appreciate the outcome.

When working on corrective skin care it’s my job to exact changes in the skin. Whether it’s pigmentation, lines, acne, redness, or any myriad of other disorders people complain to me about, the bottom line is that you want these problems repaired and I can do it. Now most times a client comes to me with a laundry list of problems, but there is always one that they will say “If I could just get rid of BLANK, then I would be happy.” I always nod and assure them that we can improve the problem. What I never do is call the client a liar. When a client tells me all they want is BLANK I recognize it for the flat out lie that it is. I also recognize that my client has no idea that they are lying. At the time they say this it is 100% true, but rarely are people completely happy with themselves. There is always something they want to improve or fix.

Take for example a hyperpigmentation client I have. I couldn’t ask for a nicer, or more dedicated client. We have taken her from purple butterfly malasma on her face to tiny, nearly undetectable brown spots under her eyes. She has come an incredible way and knows it, but I wasn’t really satisfied with the results until I came home one night to a voice mail message telling me that she loves how wonderful her skin looks. That she has been getting compliments from people…but she just wishes that the breakouts would go away…

I have another client, also a joy to work on, who’s main concern are brown spots all over the face. After 6 months of perfect product use, a series of peels, and special enzyme and oxygen facials, she is upset that there aren’t enough changes for the better in her skin. The treatments don’t seem to work and she has started noticing wrinkles around her mouth and eyes that were never there before. When I start to point out what we have changed she admits that she’s noticed all this, but no one else seems to. When I show her on before pictures that the lines have always been there and were actually worse before she looks at me in disbelief…

Are these two clients really getting different results? No, not really. Just the way they perceive the results are different. The first clients discoloration was far worse than the second clients – hence the compliments from people. The second client’s self image perceived her spots as worse than they were. No one has noticed the spot removal because no one knew they were there to begin with! As to the acne and the wrinkles both clients are now moving onto a different problem because the old one isn’t there to notice anymore. One of the most exciting conversations I have with a client is when they come to me and complain about a new issue. For me this is a moment of celebration and victory. We have fixed their original problem and they are now able to obsess about their next perceived imperfection.

To love skin care you also have to love the neuroses that come along with it. Trust me, I stare at myself and can give you my very own laundry list of things I hate and want to fix. But since I started down the skin fitness path I have come to realize that part of my job is forcing myself to see through my clients eyes – forcing myself to see them as they see themselves. But part of it is also about teaching my clients to see their beauty through my eyes – to make them perceive themselves as better, more beautiful beings both inside and out.

…remember, it’s all relative anyway.

Continuing my blog from last week on healthy aging…

Microcurrent

Since Oprah started raving about Microcurrent as the non-surgical face lift a year ago it has been one of the hottest skin care fixes on the market. Originally developed in the U.S. in the late 1980s, micro-current therapy was used to treat facial weakness in victims of Bell’s Palsy and strokes when their faces took on a “lop-sided” appearance because it helped lift patients faces back into place.

Micorcurrent is often considered a form of electrical acupuncture involving microcurrent stimulation applied at points on the face and elsewhere on the body. Expectations are that the stimulation will boost the cells’ ability to rid themselves of waste products and raise the levels of nourishment and oxygenation by increasing blood flow.

This treatment has been available in the U.K. for cosmetic purposes since the early 1990s and was the original “non-surgical face-lift”. Treatment claims include the reduction of wrinkles, an improvement in the overall shape of the face, a better complexion and improvements in the appearance of stretch marks and scar tissue.
Because the microcurrent’s current is literally only a millionth of an amp you feel very little, if anything at all, when the current is applied to your skin. There are no visible signs of this stimulation during or after the treatment.

Sessions are usually sold in packages of 5, 10, or 15. 2-3 treatment sessions are usually recommended for the first few weeks. Then 1 a week until you see the results you want. Most people need about 15 treatment to get the full results they want, but you should see changes in 4-5 sessions. This treatment does need monthly maintenance so expect to add it to your monthly facial costs. Treatments take between 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Prices vary but you can usually find this treatment alone for just under $100 a session.

Ultrasound

When we hear this we think of babies, but ultrasound has many uses, and it is just now re-emerging into the skin care field. Estheticians and doctors alike are using it treat scars, stretch marks, sun damage, wrinkles, puffiness, sagging skin, aging, cellulite, and detoxification.

Ultrsound’s vibration and thermal (heat) stimulation are said to induce huge biological effects in the skin which include blood vessel dilatation, oxygenating the skin, improved circulation and lymph flow, muscle relaxation, reduced inflammation, pain relief, and deeper product penetration.

Skin treatments are therefore thought to be more effective with ultrasound since the ultrasonic vibrations penetrate deep into pores and hair follicles to break up old, dead cells and oily blockages, and at the same time the heat and vibration are working in tandem to stimulate collagen while penetrating any water based product deeply into the skin. The skin’s metabolism is being increased which causes lymph flow and detoxification. All of which create healthy aging skin.

Scar tissue, an item that is hard for anyone to heal, is showing amazing improvements with ultrasound. It’s believed that the thermal effect of ultrasound loosen, stretch, and re-orient collagen tissue as well as heal bruised areas.

Multiple treatments are usually required. It is safe for all skin colors and types. The number and frequency of the treatments depend on your skin type and your response to the treatments. Improvements are said to be seen by the fourth treatment. The treatment is typically not given alone, but in conjunction with another service like a facial or microdermabrasion and will cost between $100-$200 a session.

I know I didn’t include Lasers and IPL’s in this article, and they do belong here, but I need to dedicate an entire blog to them. There is just too much info, and since they can REALLY hurt you, and I do work at one of the best laser places out there, I want to make sure I spend the time on them that is needed. So come back in the weeks ahead for that post. 🙂

An interesting note:
While doing research on ultrasound I came across a really amazing article on skin delivery systems. Take a look if needle free injections and carrier size molecules are something that fascinate you like they do me.

Continuing my blog from last week on healthy aging…

Microcurrent

Since Oprah started raving about Microcurrent as the non-surgical face lift a year ago it has been one of the hottest skin care fixes on the market. Originally developed in the U.S. in the late 1980s, micro-current therapy was used to treat facial weakness in victims of Bell’s Palsy and strokes when their faces took on a “lop-sided” appearance because it helped lift patients faces back into place.

Micorcurrent is often considered a form of electrical acupuncture involving microcurrent stimulation applied at points on the face and elsewhere on the body. Expectations are that the stimulation will boost the cells’ ability to rid themselves of waste products and raise the levels of nourishment and oxygenation by increasing blood flow.

This treatment has been available in the U.K. for cosmetic purposes since the early 1990s and was the original “non-surgical face-lift”. Treatment claims include the reduction of wrinkles, an improvement in the overall shape of the face, a better complexion and improvements in the appearance of stretch marks and scar tissue.
Because the microcurrent’s current is literally only a millionth of an amp you feel very little, if anything at all, when the current is applied to your skin. There are no visible signs of this stimulation during or after the treatment.

Sessions are usually sold in packages of 5, 10, or 15. 2-3 treatment sessions are usually recommended for the first few weeks. Then 1 a week until you see the results you want. Most people need about 15 treatment to get the full results they want, but you should see changes in 4-5 sessions. This treatment does need monthly maintenance so expect to add it to your monthly facial costs. Treatments take between 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Prices vary but you can usually find this treatment alone for just under $100 a session.

Ultrasound

When we hear this we think of babies, but ultrasound has many uses, and it is just now re-emerging into the skin care field. Estheticians and doctors alike are using it treat scars, stretch marks, sun damage, wrinkles, puffiness, sagging skin, aging, cellulite, and detoxification.

Ultrsound’s vibration and thermal (heat) stimulation are said to induce huge biological effects in the skin which include blood vessel dilatation, oxygenating the skin, improved circulation and lymph flow, muscle relaxation, reduced inflammation, pain relief, and deeper product penetration.

Skin treatments are therefore thought to be more effective with ultrasound since the ultrasonic vibrations penetrate deep into pores and hair follicles to break up old, dead cells and oily blockages, and at the same time the heat and vibration are working in tandem to stimulate collagen while penetrating any water based product deeply into the skin. The skin’s metabolism is being increased which causes lymph flow and detoxification. All of which create healthy aging skin.

Scar tissue, an item that is hard for anyone to heal, is showing amazing improvements with ultrasound. It’s believed that the thermal effect of ultrasound loosen, stretch, and re-orient collagen tissue as well as heal bruised areas.

Multiple treatments are usually required. It is safe for all skin colors and types. The number and frequency of the treatments depend on your skin type and your response to the treatments. Improvements are said to be seen by the fourth treatment. The treatment is typically not given alone, but in conjunction with another service like a facial or microdermabrasion and will cost between $100-$200 a session.

I know I didn’t include Lasers and IPL’s in this article, and they do belong here, but I need to dedicate an entire blog to them. There is just too much info, and since they can REALLY hurt you, and I do work at one of the best laser places out there, I want to make sure I spend the time on them that is needed. So come back in the weeks ahead for that post. 🙂

An interesting note:
While doing research on ultrasound I came across a really amazing article on skin delivery systems. Take a look if needle free injections and carrier size molecules are something that fascinate you like they do me.

This Sunday I was at the Long Beach Esthetics conference, and the new golden phrase seemed to be “Healthy Aging.” Everyone from sales reps to educators were talking about healthy aging. The idea behind this phrase is that our industry has been making promises it can’t keep. “Anti-aging” is a lie. No product, treatment, or cream can halt or reverse the aging process. We can reverse damage and slow future damage, but we can’t just stop the clock. What we can do is help the skin age in a healthy manner, thereby extending it’s health, wellness, and beauty.

This is an idea I can happily embrace. Most of my clients are baby boomers who’s lifestyle and age is just catching up to them, and they are desperate for the next quick fix. I respect their wants and always tell them the truth. There are no quick fixes, but there are amazing technologies and sciences to help them. We are living in a health and beauty Renaissance. We have surpassed the days where beauty was only for the rich and powerful. Now everyone has a “beauty budget” of some kind. We have left behind the old ideas that facials are a luxury and taken a very Eastern or European view. Health, wellness, spirituality, and beauty are all connected. They all must be addressed to make us feel whole.

So in honor of our blossoming enlightenment, I am going to spend the next two blogs educating everyone about some of the hot “age-defying” treatments out there. Now I do not approve or disapprove of any of these, but I felt it was time to shed some light on what they’re all about.

Botox

Botox Cosmetic is a trade name for botulinum toxin A. Botulism is a form of food poisoning. The most serious symptom of botulism is paralysis. Botox has been successfully used to treat conditions that involve spasms and involuntary muscle contractions as well as treating frown lines and to stop future lines by paralyzing the muscles. So think of Botox as a “relaxer”. Generally if you have a deep wrinkle it’s too late, but if you have a wrinkle that just started, or a wrinkle that you only see when you smile or frown, Botox can help it.

An interesting note I learned about Botox is that the longer you use it, the longer it lasts. The first time you have a Botox treatment, it will probably last about three months. Subsequent treatments will last longer because the muscle learns not to make the wrinkle.

To maintain the effects of BOTOX, plan on three treatments a year. However, after eighteen to twenty-four months of maintenance, many people will only require treatments twice a year. This is more common for the forehead and less common for Crow’s feet.

The most frequently reported adverse side effects are headache (13.3% of those treated with BOTOX COSMETIC versus 17.7% of those treated with placebo), respiratory infection (3.5% vs. 3.8% with placebo), blepharoptosis or temporary eyelid droop (3.2% vs. 0% with placebo), nausea (3.0% vs. 2.3% with placebo) and flu syndrome (2.0% vs. 1.5% with placebo). Less frequently occurring adverse reactions included pain in the face, erythema (redness) at the injection site and muscle weakness. These events are thought to be associated with the injection and occurred within the first week. BOTOX COSMETIC should not be used in the presence of infection at the proposed injection site(s).

Restylane

Restylane is a filler that is injected by a doctor into the face to temporarily add volume to the facial tissue, or to fill moderate to sever wrinkles and folds. It’s made of a transparent hyaluronic acid gel that is injected into facial tissue to smooth wrinkles and folds, especially around the nose and mouth ( folds). It lasts for about 6 months. Since hyaluronic acid is a substance that is produced naturally by the body, when Restylane wears off it is naturally absorbed by the body.

Side effects include bruising, redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, and itching.
But almost all of these are created by the injection and not the Restylane.

Mesotherapy

Pioneered by the French physician Dr. Michel Pistor in 1952, Mesotherapy is a series of injections that consist of small amounts of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and herbs injected into the middle layers of the skin. It is not FDA approved. The combination of ingredients stimulate cells to shed fat, which is then carried away as waste in the bloodstream.

Mesotherapy may primarily be known for cellulite and weight loss, but it’s also used to help promote skin tissue repair. Subdermal vitamin injections rejuvenate the cells, making them more active, and thereby stimulating the production of collagen and elastin making it a perfect healthy aging treatment. It is recommended that you begin treatments in your mid twenties to prevent wrinkles from forming, and treatments for the face, neck, arms, and hands are recommended several times each year.

I have been told that the magic for getting results from this treatment are in both the skill of the injector and the mix of the fluid being injected. Look to see if they have a certification in mesotherapy. According to Dr. Simon Orian, a Beverly Hills specialist in mesotherapy, “There’s a real art in it.” Different combinations of solution get different results.

The number of injections you need vary, but most of the offices I called quoted me 5-10 sessions to see results.

Side effects include slight bruising for about a week, and mild bloating and stiffness while your body is adjusting to the injections.

According to mesotherapy.com, “The results do last, especially when combined with exercise and proper nutrition. However, we cannot stop the natural aging that affects your appearance. For this reason, we recommend regular maintenance visits.”

…Go healthy aging! See you all next week when I talk about ultrasound, microcurrent, and lasers.

This Sunday I was at the Long Beach Esthetics conference, and the new golden phrase seemed to be “Healthy Aging.” Everyone from sales reps to educators were talking about healthy aging. The idea behind this phrase is that our industry has been making promises it can’t keep. “Anti-aging” is a lie. No product, treatment, or cream can halt or reverse the aging process. We can reverse damage and slow future damage, but we can’t just stop the clock. What we can do is help the skin age in a healthy manner, thereby extending it’s health, wellness, and beauty.

This is an idea I can happily embrace. Most of my clients are baby boomers who’s lifestyle and age is just catching up to them, and they are desperate for the next quick fix. I respect their wants and always tell them the truth. There are no quick fixes, but there are amazing technologies and sciences to help them. We are living in a health and beauty Renaissance. We have surpassed the days where beauty was only for the rich and powerful. Now everyone has a “beauty budget” of some kind. We have left behind the old ideas that facials are a luxury and taken a very Eastern or European view. Health, wellness, spirituality, and beauty are all connected. They all must be addressed to make us feel whole.

So in honor of our blossoming enlightenment, I am going to spend the next two blogs educating everyone about some of the hot “age-defying” treatments out there. Now I do not approve or disapprove of any of these, but I felt it was time to shed some light on what they’re all about.

Botox

Botox Cosmetic is a trade name for botulinum toxin A. Botulism is a form of food poisoning. The most serious symptom of botulism is paralysis. Botox has been successfully used to treat conditions that involve spasms and involuntary muscle contractions as well as treating frown lines and to stop future lines by paralyzing the muscles. So think of Botox as a “relaxer”. Generally if you have a deep wrinkle it’s too late, but if you have a wrinkle that just started, or a wrinkle that you only see when you smile or frown, Botox can help it.

An interesting note I learned about Botox is that the longer you use it, the longer it lasts. The first time you have a Botox treatment, it will probably last about three months. Subsequent treatments will last longer because the muscle learns not to make the wrinkle.

To maintain the effects of BOTOX, plan on three treatments a year. However, after eighteen to twenty-four months of maintenance, many people will only require treatments twice a year. This is more common for the forehead and less common for Crow’s feet.

The most frequently reported adverse side effects are headache (13.3% of those treated with BOTOX COSMETIC versus 17.7% of those treated with placebo), respiratory infection (3.5% vs. 3.8% with placebo), blepharoptosis or temporary eyelid droop (3.2% vs. 0% with placebo), nausea (3.0% vs. 2.3% with placebo) and flu syndrome (2.0% vs. 1.5% with placebo). Less frequently occurring adverse reactions included pain in the face, erythema (redness) at the injection site and muscle weakness. These events are thought to be associated with the injection and occurred within the first week. BOTOX COSMETIC should not be used in the presence of infection at the proposed injection site(s).

Restylane

Restylane is a filler that is injected by a doctor into the face to temporarily add volume to the facial tissue, or to fill moderate to sever wrinkles and folds. It’s made of a transparent hyaluronic acid gel that is injected into facial tissue to smooth wrinkles and folds, especially around the nose and mouth ( folds). It lasts for about 6 months. Since hyaluronic acid is a substance that is produced naturally by the body, when Restylane wears off it is naturally absorbed by the body.

Side effects include bruising, redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, and itching.
But almost all of these are created by the injection and not the Restylane.

Mesotherapy

Pioneered by the French physician Dr. Michel Pistor in 1952, Mesotherapy is a series of injections that consist of small amounts of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and herbs injected into the middle layers of the skin. It is not FDA approved. The combination of ingredients stimulate cells to shed fat, which is then carried away as waste in the bloodstream.

Mesotherapy may primarily be known for cellulite and weight loss, but it’s also used to help promote skin tissue repair. Subdermal vitamin injections rejuvenate the cells, making them more active, and thereby stimulating the production of collagen and elastin making it a perfect healthy aging treatment. It is recommended that you begin treatments in your mid twenties to prevent wrinkles from forming, and treatments for the face, neck, arms, and hands are recommended several times each year.

I have been told that the magic for getting results from this treatment are in both the skill of the injector and the mix of the fluid being injected. Look to see if they have a certification in mesotherapy. According to Dr. Simon Orian, a Beverly Hills specialist in mesotherapy, “There’s a real art in it.” Different combinations of solution get different results.

The number of injections you need vary, but most of the offices I called quoted me 5-10 sessions to see results.

Side effects include slight bruising for about a week, and mild bloating and stiffness while your body is adjusting to the injections.

According to mesotherapy.com, “The results do last, especially when combined with exercise and proper nutrition. However, we cannot stop the natural aging that affects your appearance. For this reason, we recommend regular maintenance visits.”

…Go healthy aging! See you all next week when I talk about ultrasound, microcurrent, and lasers.

I had the pleasure of doing makeup for a wedding party this weekend. It was a beautiful affair held in this amazing space at the Ovit in downtown Los Angeles. I did makeup, drank amazing hibiscus lemonade, and noshed on some really amazing purple basil. I wasn’t invited to stay for the ceremony, but when I left an hour before they walked down the aisle everyone looked perfect. Hopefully in all that perfection no one noticed my frayed composure or complete bewilderment.

Two weeks before this event I met the wedding party at one of the in-laws homes and spent 5 hours finding the perfect “look” for the big day. As usual, I took meticulous notes and charted makeup colors and application techniques onto face cards. As I did this I asked each person the same question, “Are you totally happy with this look? Because this is exactly how I am going to apply your makeup the day of the wedding.” With each clients affirmative I placed their face card into a plastic sleeve to keep it safe. I booked the appointments for pre-wedding facials and got the wedding planners contact info so I knew where and when to show up.

The night before the event I pulled out the face cards and reviewed them. I re-read all my notes to make sure I could read them and remembered what they said. I then placed all the supplies I needed into my bag, printed out the directions to the Ovit, and called the wedding planner to assure her I would be there on time.

I was completely prepared and could apply the makeup with my eyes closed. I am not being immodest when I say I am very good at my job. I am precise, honest, reliable, and knowledgeable. I can think on my feet, and usually have a backup plan prepared for any eventuality. This is why people hire me. This is why they place their trust in me – and yet I sometimes run into the client who totally baffles me. This was one of those times.

As I was applying makeup I kept hearing the same thing over and over again. “Don’t do this.” “Make sure you do that.” “Don’t you think you should…” Everybody wanted to tell me how to do my job. Now I have no problem with people asking me questions, in fact, I love questions. It means my clients are inquisitive and care about what I am doing. But I am always baffled by people who hire me as their expert and then proceed to tell me how to do my job.

A perfect example of this, and one of my favorites to tell, is about a girl who was a client of another esthetician, but had seen me that day because her technician called in sick. After the facial I recommended products to her. When I went out to check on her she was perusing the product shelves and picking up products I hadn’t recommended and that were totally wrong for her.

“Hi again. Can I answer any questions for you?” I ask looking at the items she has in her hands.

“Oh, I was just picking up some product.” She says juggling her assortment of bottles.

Seeing her struggle, I take some products out of her hands. “Are these all for you?” I query.

“Yes.”

“Were these the items your usual esthetician recommended?” I say with a look that clearly says that there is NO WAY that one of our staff would recommend these products to her.

Getting a bit frosty she says, “She didn’t recommend any products, but I know what I need.”

“Well from what I saw of your skin I think you might want to get the Citrus Cleanser instead of the-“

Cutting me off, “Listen, I don’t want to sound rude, (how come this is always a precursor to someone saying something rude?) but I know exactly what I need.”

“Oh. So you’re an esthetician.” I reply with feigned innocence. “Where do you work?”

Getting really huffy now, “Well, no, I am not an esthetician, but-“

“Ah!” I smile with my most sickeningly sweet smile, “Then I am more than happy to help you.” I point to the cleanser again. “Like I was saying this one is going to strip your skin, but the Citrus-“

“I don’t like that product it makes me smell like toilet cleanser.”

Getting a bit pissed by trying to keep my cool I say, “Well if it’s just a smell thing try the Herbal Cleanser-“

“No. You don’t know what you are talking about. The Gelle cleanser is good for oily skin and that’s what I have.”

“Actually I do this for a living, so I do know what I am talking about, and you don’t have oily skin.”

“Listen, don’t get on your high horse with me. I may not be an esthetician, but I have had LOTS of facials.”

She says the word “esthetician” while rolling her eyes and over enunciating every syllable. Well now she has pushed my buttons. You do not try and belittle me and my profession without feeling the sting of my wrath.

“Hmm that’s funny. I’ve had a lot of foot surgeries. I guess that makes me a surgeon.”

The receptionist who has been watching this exchange sniggers. I am SO getting written up for this one. Ah well, in for a penny in for a pound! I place all the products on the counter and say, “I don’t mean to sound rude, but this stuff is going to destroy your skin. If you need any more assistance please ask.” I walk away fuming and don’t look back.

Two days later my boss calls me into her office. She has had a complaint and is giving me a verbal warning. I tell her what happens and we both laugh about it. I mean really, after you stop being mad you can’t help but want to mock the ignorance of this girl.

Now this story is a very severe instance of people not trusting the professional. I mean obviously she doesn’t even respect what I do for a living. But in the case of the wedding why all the ordering about and questioning? I understand that this is (hopefully) a once in a lifetime moment. I understand that everyone is stressed out and concerned about things being perfect. But I guess it comes down to this for me; you either trust the expert you hire, knowing that they do exceptional and honest work, or you don’t hire anyone at all. You do it yourself, and pray that you are at least as good as the expert…but I bet you won’t be.

I had the pleasure of doing makeup for a wedding party this weekend. It was a beautiful affair held in this amazing space at the Ovit in downtown Los Angeles. I did makeup, drank amazing hibiscus lemonade, and noshed on some really amazing purple basil. I wasn’t invited to stay for the ceremony, but when I left an hour before they walked down the aisle everyone looked perfect. Hopefully in all that perfection no one noticed my frayed composure or complete bewilderment.

Two weeks before this event I met the wedding party at one of the in-laws homes and spent 5 hours finding the perfect “look” for the big day. As usual, I took meticulous notes and charted makeup colors and application techniques onto face cards. As I did this I asked each person the same question, “Are you totally happy with this look? Because this is exactly how I am going to apply your makeup the day of the wedding.” With each clients affirmative I placed their face card into a plastic sleeve to keep it safe. I booked the appointments for pre-wedding facials and got the wedding planners contact info so I knew where and when to show up.

The night before the event I pulled out the face cards and reviewed them. I re-read all my notes to make sure I could read them and remembered what they said. I then placed all the supplies I needed into my bag, printed out the directions to the Ovit, and called the wedding planner to assure her I would be there on time.

I was completely prepared and could apply the makeup with my eyes closed. I am not being immodest when I say I am very good at my job. I am precise, honest, reliable, and knowledgeable. I can think on my feet, and usually have a backup plan prepared for any eventuality. This is why people hire me. This is why they place their trust in me – and yet I sometimes run into the client who totally baffles me. This was one of those times.

As I was applying makeup I kept hearing the same thing over and over again. “Don’t do this.” “Make sure you do that.” “Don’t you think you should…” Everybody wanted to tell me how to do my job. Now I have no problem with people asking me questions, in fact, I love questions. It means my clients are inquisitive and care about what I am doing. But I am always baffled by people who hire me as their expert and then proceed to tell me how to do my job.

A perfect example of this, and one of my favorites to tell, is about a girl who was a client of another esthetician, but had seen me that day because her technician called in sick. After the facial I recommended products to her. When I went out to check on her she was perusing the product shelves and picking up products I hadn’t recommended and that were totally wrong for her.

“Hi again. Can I answer any questions for you?” I ask looking at the items she has in her hands.

“Oh, I was just picking up some product.” She says juggling her assortment of bottles.

Seeing her struggle, I take some products out of her hands. “Are these all for you?” I query.

“Yes.”

“Were these the items your usual esthetician recommended?” I say with a look that clearly says that there is NO WAY that one of our staff would recommend these products to her.

Getting a bit frosty she says, “She didn’t recommend any products, but I know what I need.”

“Well from what I saw of your skin I think you might want to get the Citrus Cleanser instead of the-“

Cutting me off, “Listen, I don’t want to sound rude, (how come this is always a precursor to someone saying something rude?) but I know exactly what I need.”

“Oh. So you’re an esthetician.” I reply with feigned innocence. “Where do you work?”

Getting really huffy now, “Well, no, I am not an esthetician, but-“

“Ah!” I smile with my most sickeningly sweet smile, “Then I am more than happy to help you.” I point to the cleanser again. “Like I was saying this one is going to strip your skin, but the Citrus-“

“I don’t like that product it makes me smell like toilet cleanser.”

Getting a bit pissed by trying to keep my cool I say, “Well if it’s just a smell thing try the Herbal Cleanser-“

“No. You don’t know what you are talking about. The Gelle cleanser is good for oily skin and that’s what I have.”

“Actually I do this for a living, so I do know what I am talking about, and you don’t have oily skin.”

“Listen, don’t get on your high horse with me. I may not be an esthetician, but I have had LOTS of facials.”

She says the word “esthetician” while rolling her eyes and over enunciating every syllable. Well now she has pushed my buttons. You do not try and belittle me and my profession without feeling the sting of my wrath.

“Hmm that’s funny. I’ve had a lot of foot surgeries. I guess that makes me a surgeon.”

The receptionist who has been watching this exchange sniggers. I am SO getting written up for this one. Ah well, in for a penny in for a pound! I place all the products on the counter and say, “I don’t mean to sound rude, but this stuff is going to destroy your skin. If you need any more assistance please ask.” I walk away fuming and don’t look back.

Two days later my boss calls me into her office. She has had a complaint and is giving me a verbal warning. I tell her what happens and we both laugh about it. I mean really, after you stop being mad you can’t help but want to mock the ignorance of this girl.

Now this story is a very severe instance of people not trusting the professional. I mean obviously she doesn’t even respect what I do for a living. But in the case of the wedding why all the ordering about and questioning? I understand that this is (hopefully) a once in a lifetime moment. I understand that everyone is stressed out and concerned about things being perfect. But I guess it comes down to this for me; you either trust the expert you hire, knowing that they do exceptional and honest work, or you don’t hire anyone at all. You do it yourself, and pray that you are at least as good as the expert…but I bet you won’t be.