How Do You Care for Oily and Acne Prone Skin?

I am 42 years old and instead of battling my wrinkles, I am battling my acne.  I am beyond frustrated.  Up until 2 years ago when I went off the pill, I had clear skin and was only concerned about fine lines.  What a problem! I recently went back on the pill but my breakouts keep coming.  I am trying to see the bright side of dealing with adult acne - that I have now done a ton of research into treating oily and acne prone skin.  Hopefully this will be a benefit to my clients!

In school we were taught that oily skin needs to be balanced.  One of the worst things you can do to oily and acne-prone skin is to strip it by cleansing too often, use drying / irritating products and exfoliating the skin too much.  Compromising our protective skin barrier, a mixture of oil and sweat leads to  irritated and dehydrated skin which then in turn leads to more breakouts.  

But HOW do you BALANCE oily acne-prone skin???  Like I said, I have been in major research mode.  The first thing I have been researching is how do you "balance" oily and acne-prone skin? What does it take???

Well, here is what I have so far:

1.  Oily skin produces more oil than normal skin. That said, shouldn't we be "calming down oil production" in oily and acne-prone skin in order to balance it?  By calming down oil production, we may be able to calm down clogged pores and breakouts.  Right?  Maybe? To calm down oil production, we need to use products that will help reduce oil production but also keep us hydrated and our moisture barrier protected.  If our moisture barrier is damaged or stripped, our skin signals for MORE oil to be made. Not good for oily skin so we want our skin hydrated, protected, just with the right stuff.  Keeping our skin hydrated and balanced is a difficult because as acne sufferers know, hydrating our skin tends to bring on acne since many cleansers and moisturizers just add more oil to our skin or contain irritation products that aggravate acne. 

So what a girl to do?  Well, for the past week I have been working to calm down my oily skin production while also keeping my skin hydrated with non-pore clogging, non-irritating  organic ingredients.  I also am avoiding products that contain high percentages of acne ingredients.  

2.  Oily and acne-prone skin tends to have a slower rate of cell turnover.  Basically our skin cells don't exfoliate as fast as they should.  They get trapped in the oil which then leads to clogged pores, an infection and then a pimple.   To help with cell turnover, I have been chemically exfoliating with an AHA, glycolic acid, and a BHA, salicylic acid, to promote cell turnover and keep my pores clear from bacteria and cell buildup.  I am avoiding any manual exfoliation which can be too irritating and aggravate my skin.  My results so far:   I not only have NOT had any new breakout's but my hundreds of small clogged pores on my cheeks and jawline are almost non-existent.  I can't remember the last time my skin was smooth on my jaw and lower cheeks.  Also, my skin redness and irritation is gone! Freaking gone! I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Here is my current skin care routine for the past week:

-Cleanse AM and PM with a gentle acidic cleanser containing salicylic acid that helps to unclog pores and is anti-bacterial.  This cleanser is not organic.  I have been using a cleanser by Philosophy which contains a very small amount of salicylic (1%). It's enough to help reduce oil but not completely strip my skin like some cleansers.

- Tone with an alcohol free toner to remove any remaining residue

- Moisturize AM and PM with an oil-free moisturizer by Juice.  It is non-pore clogging.  It is also free of parabens and preservatives that can irritate acne prone sensitive skin. 

-  In place of serums, which tend to clog my pores, I've been adding 3 or 4 drops of Jojoba oil, which is a non-pore clogging organic oil, to my Juice oil-free moisturizer both in the AM and PM.  Jojoba mimics our natural skin oil and may actually trick our skin into producing less oil. BTW, This has been amazing!  Amazing!!!  It is so calming, not greasy feeling and does not clog my pores. 

 - In the PM, I've been adding a teaspoon of Aloe Vera along with the Jojoba oil to my Juice oil-free moisturizer to help hydrate and protect my skin overnight. 

- Glycolic and Salicylic peels weekly. Glycolic has the the smallest molecule of all AHA's and penetrates the deepest helping to exfoliate and turn over skin cells so you are less prone to breakout.  It is really great for acne-prone skin AND wrinkles!  Double Yay!  Salicylic is anti-bacterial.  It penetrates into the hair follicle to clear the follicle of bacteria.  This prevents new pimples from forming and faster healing of current breakout's.  Salicylic also eats up dead top cells like pac man revealing fresher skin and reducing post-tramatic hyper-pigmentation.  So far this is helping tons!

Today, I am going to give myself a stronger glycolic peel to further help with on my path to healthy, clear skin.  I plan to keep alternating glycolic and salicylic each week to help prevent any further breakouts and to help keep my skin smooth and healthy.

All the best,

Karen

My Esthetican Job Update!

I had a practical interview with Zazu Spa & Salon Friday evening.  They are a boutique spa and I love the environment and atmosphere.  It is everything I was looking for in a position.  I got the job and we are just working on my part-time hours.  They are a family owned business and seem to have the best interests of their employees at heart.  I am so excited! 

Hottest New Makeup Colors for Spring 2014

I love makeup and all the amazing colors that not only transform our faces but our mood as well.  Who hasn't swiped on a bright pink lip and suddenly feels fresh and pretty? 

Each season, Pantone, the global authority on color, studies the designers of New York Fashion Week and beyond to bring us the season's stand-out color trends.  Their list for this Spring includes Pantone color of the year, Radiant Orchid.  Such a beautiful color and compliments a range of skin tones.

This Spring's palette is a broad spectrum of pastel colors and hot bold colors.  The colors are designed to be worn alone or can be combined for a more current, in-trend look.

 

Here are my favorites!

. 
 All the best,

Karen

Asha Esthetician Practical Interview Follow up

A couple days ago I went in for a practical interview at Asha Salon & Spa.  I'm not really sure where to start. 

I was told to show up at least 15 minutes early to setup and get prepared.  I arrived 20 minutes early and sat and waited, and waited, and waited.  This same thing happened at my first interview.  I actually had to walk up to the desk because I really thought they forgot.  No big deal but I started to wonder if this was the norm.  Finally Miss Manager approached and led me to the spa.  I had never seen the spa.  My first interview was super rushed. I was swept out the door before even having a chance to realize I did not have a tour.

Miss Manager led me into a treatment room to start the practical interview.  We agreed to start with the brazilian.  As I started to prepare for the treatment, I realized I was in serious need of a lot of supplies.  Miss Manager had brought about six large size strips of wax paper into the room.  This is way too few strips for a brazilian wax.  They were also the wrong size.  She had brought me large strips that are typically used on legs and arms. Okay, deep breath.  Holy waxing nightmare and I haven't even started.  I felt a bad feeling rising in my belly.  But I could work with it.  I asked her for scissors, more strips, prep treatment if any, post treament product.

While prepping, I noticed the room was very dark.  In fact I could hardly see.  I turned the lights up but I still could not see.  Crud.  I was racing to get everything prepared.  I tested the hard and soft wax. The wax in the warmers was very different from wax I have ever used.  The hard wax seemed like taffy.  Maybe it was not warm enough?  I tested it on my arm.  When I went to pull it off it seemed to crack and break.  Double crud.  The soft wax seemed fine and looked like honey.  I figured it was fine but made sure it was on the setting I have used at school and at home.  I hoped it would be alright having never used it before.

Miss Manager brought  a FEW more strips. Really?  They were crazy sizes.  Some super duper long, some smaller than my palm.  Really?  I got more sticks.  Time to start.

I was prepared to do a fairly easy brazilian.  After all, they wouldn't honestly have me wax someone that was very hairy down there without knowing my skills???  I mean, I am confident in my skills but this whole time I kept wondering why they were starting with a brazilian?  I am right out of school.  I am by no way a waxologist.  I still wonder if I should have just suspended this whole thing and said, "why don't we start with legs and go from there?"  Makes sense to me.  I can get used to the wax and the employer gets to see that I can handle wax. Win, win right?

I started.  After taking one look at Miss Manager, I realized I had a big job.  I could hardly see but I could tell there was a lot of hair.  I cleansed and started.  Though the soft wax was set to what I am used to with the soft waxes I have used, it must have been too cool for this type of wax.  On my first application I could tell it was too thick.  I turned it up more.  I was fumbling because I was not used to their wax and here I was applying it to a manager.  I got to the most challenging part of a brazilian and I just could not see hair direction growth...1) because it was crazy freaking dark in the room and 2) because her hair was long and thick.  I decided to use hard was for this area.  I had been trying to avoid hard wax because I was concerned about the consistency but being a good esthetician, I know you should always use hard wax when you can not see the hair direction.  Why?  Because if you use soft wax and don't pull the right way, you can not go over the same area with soft again.  You will rip the skin.  Soft wax exfoliates the skin.  If you use hard wax and don't get some hairs, you can reapply soft wax over that area because hard wax only pull hairs out.  It does not exfoliate the skin.  I went for it.  I applied the hard wax and hope for the best.  I applied a damp towel to help cool the hard wax and it stuck to the wax!  What?  NO!  That is not supposed to happen!  I went to pull the wax and it would not budge.  When I finally got it going, the hard wax crumbled and cracked while pulling. It was a mess.  I got the hair off but parts of the was remained on the skin!  I am not sure if this type of hard wax is just meant for small areas and not big areas? Did I need to apply oil under this type of hard wax?  I have never used this wax and felt like a failure.  They told me ahead of time not to worry about knowing their products yet but I feel I should have been given a bit more info before I started.  Being new to interviewing and practical interviews, I am just not sure what I should have done.  I completed the procedure and everything was fine but I had a growing concern about training.  After all, I am just out of school. 

The facial was fine.  I wasn't given much info about the products but read the backs and felt like I had a good grasp.  There were not a lot of products for her skin type, actually not a lot of products in general.  Miss M had oily skin with clogged pores and dehydrated cheeks and clear marks of post tramatic hyper pigmentation and current whiteheads and papules.  I really wanted to use products for oily skin and congestion.  I did have some sort of chemical enzyme exfoliant but it did not seem like a professionI strength.  Was this to be as the exfoliant?  The directions said not to wipe off.  Was this an over-the-counter night time gel I was to use in place of an enzyme or peel?  I felt very unprepared.  I was given one small bowl and tiny bowl and one brush.  I was fumbling around and trying to figure out the steamer, etc.  When I asked about the steamer and said I was going to preheat it, I was told not to preheat the steamer because it starts in 20 seconds.  I chose to preheat it.  Thankfully I did as it did not heat up fast at all.  

Looking back I realize that  Miss M was probably not an esthetician.  She probably had no idea what I needed and where things were so that is why I ended up with so few items. 

There is not a lot of training with Asha.  I was told I would have two days.  Two days to learn all of their techniques, get familiar and comfortable with their wax, practice, learn their different facials, treatments, etc.  I am a bit concerned.  I am just starting my career and feel I have a ton to learn.  I love the idea of working in a lifestyle spa but am worried about the level of support and training.

On a good note, I interviewed at a smaller boutique spa yesterday.  The manager I met with was extremely professional and lovely.  She was prompt, polished and seemed to really care about the training and development of all her employees.  It is a busy spa and has a great reputation.  I used to go there to get my hair done and loved it.    I am going in Monday to give a facial to a veteran esthetician.  The manager wants me to work with her to figure out my strength and areas I may need to develop so they can put a plan into place to help me succeed.  I was impressed and loved that they care so much about their employees.

Keep you updated!

Karen

My Job Interview at Asha Spa

Last week I interviewed at Asha Lifestyle Spa.  It is near my house, offers part-time options and is a beautiful spa in a great location.  When I say beautiful I mean stunning!  It is luxiurious and no detail was over-looked.  When you walk into their spa, it feels like you want to stay there forever drinking lemon infused water and eating snacks in in the spa lounge while wrapped up in a thick terry robe.  Ahhh.

When can I start???

After interviewing last week with one of the managers, I got a call for a practical interview which I go in to do on Tuesday.  A practical interview is when you show your skills.  My guess is a practical is done for a few reasons.  1) It allows the place of employment to make sure you are a right fit in regards to bed side manner, professionalism, working under pressure.  2) That you have "solid technique" and skills and though you may need some training, you are ready to work on clients. And, 3) That you can function on your own if thrown in.  There are probably a few others but this is what I thought of off the top of my head.
I am going to be doing a 1 hour facial and then a brazilian bikini wax.  I have to tell you that I am nervous.  I am fine with the actual facial and wax but I have never used their products, will be in a new room I have never been in before, and I don't their techniques or procedures.  I am SURE mine are quite different.

Insert "deep breath" here.

I can do this.  Here is hoping I am celebrating Tuesday night!  :0

All the best,

Karen  

Can Drinking More Water Help Hydrate My Skin?

When I tell clients that their skin is dehydrated, many of them are puzzled at that statement.  I was too when I was in school and first told I had dehydrated skin.  Like me, most of clients drink large amounts of water and practically pee their brains out all day.  But we are not plants.  Ha!  I love that comparison. Unlike plants, water does not go straight to our skin.  Water is vital to body parts such as our digestive system, our circulation system and our kidney's.  Before water goes to our cells, it goes to these systems to keep us alive and functioning.  Water makes it to our skin cells last and from there, has to travel up several layers of skin to reach the top epidermal layer cells before we see any skin benefits. Its a pretty long road to travel. In addition to traveling all this way, our skin is constantly losing water through Trans Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL), especially when our natural barrier function has been damaged.

To really hydrate our skin, we need to nourish it on the outside and protect our natural skin barrier which is a mixture of oil and sweat on the top of our skin that protects our skin.  Without our natural lipid barrier, our skin quickly losses water and becomes dehydrated and irritated.  Basically, our skin is unprotected and prone to irritation and sensitivities.

In addition to frequent internal hydration, your skin should be regularly hydrated on the outside by using a moisturizer and a daily serum specific for your skin type.  Try not to go without moisturizer even if you have oily skin as your barrier is unprotected.  Instead look for an oil free, non pore clogging moisturizer like Juice Oil Free Moisturizer which I love.  It is an organic moisturizer, free of parabens and pore clogging ingredients.  It is really great and surprisingly hydrating.

All the best,

Karen

Benefits of a Facial Massage

A good facial massage can do wonders to our skin.  After receiving a facial massage my clients are often shocked at how youthful and toned their skin looks.  I include an anti-aging or lymphatic drainage massage with every facial.  They are amazing at revitalizing the skin and make you look like you just had a mini facelift.

Here are some of the benefits of a facial massage:
- Increases blood flow and circulation, which helps to nourish skin.
- Increases oxygen to the skin which helps revitalize and repair skin.
- Increases cell metabolism which helps the skin look younger.
- Detoxifies and rids the skin and body of toxins. 
- Reduces eye and sinus congestion..
- Tones the facial muscles.
- Tightens tissues and reduces sagging skin. 
- Helps with product penetration.
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Lightly exfoliates the skin to reveal fresher, brighter skin.
- Reduces stress.
- Creates deep mind and body relaxation.

All the best,

Karen

My Last day of Esthetician School

 

Tomorrow is my last day of school at International Skin Beauty Academy.  I am both sad but so excited.  I am sad because I will miss my friends, I will my teachers, I will miss Dr. Doran and her funny sense of humor.  Ha!  But, every new beginning is some other beginning's end. To begin working and being a "real" esthetician I can not stay at school forever - though Dr. Doran has offered! I have started to interview for positions and am getting quite a few interviews so that is exciting!  I can't wait to just jump in and start!  My plan until I have the right position in place is to work out of my home and also work on clients in the school clinic.

Some things I will miss from school:
1. Our crazy funny conversations around the waxing tables, in the classroom and during lunch.
2. Getting regular facials
3. Talking to my girlfriend and fellow classmate each and every morning on the phone on the way to school.
4.  Getting to try all new products and machines each day.
5.  My friends
6.  Potbellies runs in 20 minutes or less!
7.  Our South of the Border after school margaritas!

All the best, Karen

Product Review - Keep the Peace by Philosophy

I am a product junkie.  Seriously, I have a problem.  I can't resist the little trial sized packages of stuff at the Ulta & Sephore checkout.  They get me every time! My latest was a small sample of a pore minimizer that was kind of crappy and balled up on the skin but that said, I have found some great products too!

So, I have been walking around with red irritated skin the last few days.  I break out, use product to get rid of breakouts and then turn irritated.  It's never ending!  But, that's another story.

Yesterday I found a terrific little product that is MAGIC with my red skin and suprisingly with my wrinkles and other flaws.  

Serious Awesomeness. 

It's called "Keep the Peace" by Philosophy.  I do love Philosophy.  Where have you been all my life "Keep the Peace"?  It's a color corrector that also has SPF 20.  And, it also seems to act as a primer!  A really good primer.  How awesome is that???  I apply after my moisturizer and have been wearing it alone or under makeup.  It is undetectable so you can wear it when you work out to hide redness and also under my makeup.  It eliminates ALL my redness and smooths out my skin without a cakiness or make-upy look. 

Ahhh, the little things in life that bring so much happiness!

Peace out!

Sephora is so great with samples and carries Philosophy.  If you have a Sephora near you and would like to try this product, stop in and see if you can score a sample first!  Also, here is the link:
 http://www.sephora.com/keep-the-peace-protective-color-corrector-spf-20-P286407

8 Biggest Mistakes you're Making with Your Eyebrows

I think I mentioned I have a slight obsession with eyebrows.  In fact, I just posted about how to maintain your eyebrows at home.

Here is an article my friend Stacey passed on to me from MSN.com.  Enjoy!

8 biggest mistakes you're making with your eyebrows

1. Overplucking
Daily plucking is strangely satisfying for some, yet the pros warn against it. Brow specialists Michelle Wu and Santi Garay at Browhaus, an international brow and lash grooming company, say tweezing about once every three weeks is best. That way, hairs that may be on different schedules have time to grow out, which will make your brows look more even. "Overplucked brows don’t frame the face very well," says Wu. Plus, the full eyebrow has been trendy for awhile and is showing no signs of going away.

2. Using an old pair of tweezers
If hairs are slipping through your tweezers or you're struggling to bring the two points together, it's time to invest in some new tools. And don't let them get all gunky in your makeup bag: Clean them with a dab of isopropyl alcohol after each use to avoid bacterial build-up.

3. Taking too much off the sides
To avoid the dreaded unibrow, some women tend to overpluck the space between their brows. "A larger space between the eyes make the nose look bigger and eyes too far apart," says Malynda Vigliotti, owner of Boom Boom Brow Bar in New York City. The beginning of your eyebrow should line up with the bridge of your nose — not the outer edge of your nostril. “The further in, the better,” Vigliotti adds. Don't overdo it when it comes to the outer brows, either. To find out where your eyebrow should end, imagine a diagonal line from the corner of your nose to the outside corner of your eye. It may help to use a pencil as a visual guide.

4. Making too much of an arch
Rainbow- or paisley-shaped brows leave a face looking perpetually surprised. Find your natural arch by looking for your eyebrow's highest point, normally about two-thirds of the way from the inside of your brow (it's not supposed to be perfectly centered). Tweeze below the brow to create a lift. If you have lighter brows, Vigliotti suggests using a brow powder to shade in the shape before plucking to help you see what you're doing better. Then, pluck around that shape — but no more than that.

5. Forgetting the top
As we said, tweezing below the brow can create a nice lift — but don’t neglect the top, Joey Healy, celebrity eyebrow stylist, told Good Housekeeping. “You want a nice, thick brow,” he says. “But there’s a difference between thick and polished, and thick and messy.” Keep the above-brow area free of stray hairs, as they tend to look more noticeable there.

6. Overusing your eyebrow pencil
Just a few feathery strokes with an eyebrow pencil (never an eye pencil; it won't adhere as well) can take your brows from so-so to gorgeous and well-defined. Pick a brow pencil a shade lighter than your eyebrows. “Brows that are too dark look harsh and fake,” says Garay. Use light strokes to shade in any patchy areas, and trace the natural shape of your brows. “The point is to shadow, not draw in your brows,” says Vigliotti. If a pencil is too much for you, Vigliotti suggests using an angled brush dipped in a brow powder that's about a shade or two lighter than your natural hair color.

7. Waxing when you're using anti-aging retinoid creams
Prescription and over-the-counter anti-aging retinoid creams boost collagen, unclog pores, and speed up cell turnover. But they can also wreak havoc on your skin if you wax your eyebrows. “Retinoids make skin extra-sensitive and thin,” says Vigliotti. “Waxing can cause painful tearing. Stick to tweezing, if you’re using a retinoid.” Dermatologists recommend waiting six weeks after discontinuing the use of topical retinoids before booking an eyebrow wax.

8. Never seeing a brow professional
If you're at all unsure about your brow look, or made a mistake like overplucking and want to fix it, get yourself to a brow bar. Even if you only see a pro once or twice a year, they can help you find the natural shape of your brow and give you helpful guidelines for your at-home routine. "Eyebrows have the power to draw attention to the eyes, making them the focal point of your whole face, and thus, can make or break your appearance," says Wu.

 

Celebrity PhotoShop Before and After Photos

This is the year of the never ending winter.  It is March 4th and it is snowing.  My skin is dehydrated and irritated from this never ending cold weather.  Between my skin being a mess right now and falling out of my daily workout routine, I not feeling the best.  Seeing all the beautiful actresses at the Oscars and the swimsuit models in the latest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit addition does not help things. 

I was looking for before and after pictures from the Oscars and came across these celebrity before and after using Photoshop photos.  I thought it was an interesting look at what it takes for a person to look "perfect".  In almost all cases the before picture was already really, really beautiful but clearly in the eyes of magazine editors, even these gorgeous ladies need work.  In all the photos the skin tone has been evened out, wrinkles reduced or erased, skin lightened, makeup darkened, areas highlighted, puffiness reduced, and freckles eliminated.  Isn't that crazy?  This is what we are comparing ourselves to.  It makes me feel much better and more accepting of my dark circles and current uneven skin tone.  :)

All the best.

Karen

Oscars 2014 Best Skin & Makeup

I love, love, love watching the Oscars.  It all about the fashion and makeup for me though.  I would rather watch the red carpet than the actual Oscars.  Here is who I thought won best look hands down!  Charlize Theron looked AMAZING! Want to copy her mod look?  Makeup artist, Pati Dubroff for Dior Beauty, spilled all the details on Charlize's makeup Oscar night.

The makeup look was all about Twiggy,” Dubroff told PEOPLE, adding that She was inspired by the ‘60s mod vibe that she saw on the runways in Milan. “Twiggy and the cool girls, they each had their own thing that was part of their personality.”

Dubroff started by using two primers to prep the star’s face and applied foundation where needed. Dubroff used a soft gloss (in this case, Dior Addict Fluid Stick in Frisson) for the lip and a peachy blush on the cheeks. She then added a little brow definition before focusing on the eyes — and more specifically, the lashes.

“The upper lashes were delicate, not too extreme. They didn’t feel like a reality star,” Dubroff says. “False lashes can look refined. They don’t have to have a trashy factor. Lashes have gotten a really bad rap from certain people!”
Here’s Dubroff’s recipe for instant Twiggy eyes:
Step 1: Use a liquid pen at the base and apply from one end to the other (don’t create a wing).
Step 2: Add upper and lower lashes.
Step 3: Finish with a couple of coats of mascara – but not too much!

Voilà! Instantaneous edgy eyes with a vintage twist.

All the best,

Karen

I give up

My skin is terrible today.  It is dehydrated and I woke with some pimples on my neck and jawline.  I feel like a fake.  I am 42 years old.  I should be dealing with wrinkles not breakouts. I work so hard to have great skin but then my period hits and my skin goes c.r.a.z.y!  I am trying so hard to keep my skin balanced but every time I even touch a serum my skin breaks out and once a month like clock work my skin goes nuts.   I need a mimosa. It is Sunday after all. Of course, I am only going to drink it for its vitamin c and other antioxidant properties.  

How to Find the Best Esthetics School for You

At my school, International Skin Beauty Academy, I often talk with prospective students about our school and what they are looking for in an esthetics school.   Like many I have talked with, the decision on what esthetics school I should attend was not easy.  I live in the Chicagoland area and, lucky for us, there are quite a few schools to choose from including:  ISBA, Universal Spa Training Academy, University of Aesthetics, G Skin & Beauty, Tricoci University, Pivot Point, and Cosmetology Spa Academy to name a few.

Comparing schools and making sure the program and the school is the right fit for yourself can be daunting.  At first it seemed easy.   I wanted to make sure that any school I attended met the following: 
1)  A Day Time Course between the hrs of 9-3 with Ability to Pick My Kids up from School. 
2)  Good Amount of Clinical / Practical Time. 
3) High State Board Passing Rate
I figured I'd research each school and then visit and get a good feel for the school.  Easy peezy.   It wasn't.  There is so much more to it.  For me, I wanted to make sure I made the right decision because I knew I would be in school for at least 6 months if not longer.  In Illinois you need to have a minimum of 6 months in school and 750 hours to finish.   When it came to researching the schools, I had not a clue other than the basics of what to compare.  Luckily, I made the right decision choosing ISBA, but I look back and realize I should have asked a lot more questions when comparing programs.   What's that saying, "Hindsight is 20/20?   So, Here is My Hindsight when Choosing an Esthetics School.  I have included questions I would ask when deciding and comparing esthetic schools.

1.  Esthetics School Dynamics & Culture
I think how a school conducts classes is an important part of the school research often over-looked.  Each school is very different in how they conduct classes.  When enrolling in an esthetics program you want to find out how the school operates and runs on a daily basis.  For example, you want to find out the teacher to student ratio for both theory and for practical hands-on clinic days.  The more students per teacher, the less attention you are given.  You also want to find out about advancement in the program and also the opposite, if you are struggling, what do they do to help you?  You want to know this all ahead of time so there are no surprises and that your needs are met either way.  Here are some questions to ask before signing on the dotted line:
- What is your student to teacher ratio for hands-on practical days?

- How do you track a student's progress for theory class?

- How do you track a student's progress for Practical class?

- How do you advance in practical hands on class at your school?  Do you test, get evaluated?  If so, how often?  With this question, you just want to make sure you don't fall through the cracks.

- Do you regularly test / evaluate students  practical/hands-on skills?  If so, when?

- What if I am falling behind and not learning a facial as quickly as other students?  What happens?

- Does your school take clients? 

- Do students get to work on clients at your school?  If so, when does that happen?

2.  State Board Passing Rate
This is important.  Some school's have a high passing rate of 90% or higher and others are much lower.  You need to pass the state board to work so you need a school with excellent teacher instruction that is able to help you understand the material.

Questions to ask:

- What is your school's average state board  exam score?

- How do you prepare students to pass the state board?

- What is an average week  like in regards to theory (Is there homework due each week, Is there a test each week on Mondays, etc.)

- How else do you learn the material?

3.  Class Times and Days
There are both full-time and part-time esthetics programs depending on the school.  You want to make sure you pick the best one for you and that you are able to get there in time for class.  At my school, if you are 1 minute late, you do not get your hours for the day.  If you are not a morning person and tend to sleep in, don't choose a day program as attendance is mandatory.   You can't just miss days.  If you miss, you miss part of the 750 hr program.  Also, many schools charge a student a hefty fee for each unexcused absence in a month.

Questions to ask:

- What is your illness policy?

- What if I miss 1 or more days in a month?

- Are there unexcused absence fees?

- Can I make-up a class I missed? (For example, absent Monday day, make up Tuesday night)

4.  Enrollment Policies

There are two different enrollment policies depending on the school - open enrollment and set date enrollment.  Open enrollment means new people are starting all the time and there are varying levels of students in the classroom and practical class at all times.  Open enrollment can get tricky in both theory class and in clinic/practical class because of  the big difference in knowledge and skills.  If a school has open enrollment, it is not a deal breaker but you should be prepared to ask them how they handle open enrollment in both the classroom and practical.  For example, do they have more than one instructor leading the classes? Set enrollment is when a group of student all start together at the same time. 

- What is the school's enrollment policy? 

- Do they have open enrollment or do they have set course start dates when all new student start together? 

5.  Tuition & Expenses
There can be big cost differences between schools but sometimes the numbers are not apples to apples.  Make sure when comparing the costs of schools that you factor in ALL costs to go there.  For example school A may be slightly more tuition but includes a student product kit at no cost while school B charges you and extra $1,500.00 for a product kit.  My school had a higher tuition but had product included which then made it much lower than some other schools.  Also, if you are paying in full, ask for a discount!  Almost all schools will reduce the cost based on paying in full.  Just make sure you know all the financial obligations for each school before comparing.

6.  Do what is Right for You. 
Listen to Yourself.  If some place does not feel comfortable, don't go there.  If a school feels right and they meet your needs, you just may be on your way to being an esthetician!

 

Finally, one other additional thing to keep in mind when starting an esthetics program:

 Learning is a Two Way Street
Be ready to put your self out there at esthetics school. Be ready to go outside your comfort zone, to try new things on a daily basis.  It is hard to do this.  Prepare yourself.  Don't hide from the experience.  You are there to learn, to be the best you can be and that means practice.  Avoid always being the "client" for the other students.  Choose to lead!  Put yourself out there and challenge yourself.  If you feel you are behind, step up to the plate.  Attend extra classes, stay after class to learn.  Ultimately succeeding is in your hands.

All the best!
Karen