Welcome Aspiring Estheticians!

Santa Barbara City College started classes this past week and a class of 16 new Evening Esthetician students started at the Cosmetology Academy. There are still 11 Senior Esthetician Students (Available in the evenings for the BEST facials!); they will be graduating in November.

I would like to officially welcome the 16 new students; the class is diverse in age, life experience and backgrounds! One student is still in high school; a handful are just out of high school and taking some other college classes; many are non-traditional, single moms and/or working full time during the day and this is a change of career training for them! The class is ALL women (usually we will get at least one guy in the mix!). We had a busy week, but by the end of the week, the class already learned the basic cleanse and massage movements!

Welcome to the world of Evening Esthetician School! I look forward to being your teacher!

Linda
Amanda
Courtney
Diana
Mary
Maggie
Shanalie
Jordan
Jenny
Jen
Tiffany
Doreen
Denae
Randi
Naomi
Katie

Beauty School is SO FUN!

Aspiring Esthetician

My first esthetician class will be graduating in the next few months! I would like to highlight each student, sharing their passion for esthetics and goals for the future.

Let's start with Q & A with Serina!

Q: What's your fave subject in Esthetic training?

A: Makeup!

Q: What's your fave product line?

A: Dermalogica

Q: What's your fave thing about giving a facial?

A: "I like to bring a sense of calm to the client and it calms me too."

Q: What do you day dream about doing after school?

A: Work in a spa and travel!

All facials with students can be booked by calling the SBCC Cosmetology Academy at 683-4191.

La Bella Donna, Glamour Shots and Braces

This week, Gina Jacoby, VP of La Bella Donna cosmetics, visited my evening esthetician class (we are currently in the make-up chapter). Please use an Italian accent when saying it too -- prononced: La B-ae-l-l-a D-oe-n-n-a (actually pronounce the double consonant)... it's much more fun to say it this way:)

I first discovered La Bella Donna a couple of years ago at Bellezza Vita in Summerland and then Le Reve, downtown starting carrying the high-end mineral line.

With all of the mineral lines out there, it's difficult to know as a consumer and even as an esthetician, which one is better. Gina describes La Bella Donna as "Skincare in cosmetic form." She encourages clients and spas to read the labels of the mineral makeup the are using to see just how many fillers are actually in the product.

Gina actually went to beauty school when she was 17 and one of her first jobs was doing the make-up for Glamour Shots ! Oh dear, I thought that was a memory I had buried deep down, but the story reminded me of my one and only time doing a Glamour Shot in high school. They curled my hair so tight with ringlets that it was about 4 inches shorter than it normally was; I had blue eye shadow and mascara and fuscia lipstick (even at the time these colors may have been in style, but I still looked like a 17 year old prostitute with braces)... which was actually distracted by my lips sticking to my braces and showing through my half smile. Of course I had a pink feather boa and fake pleather (plastic imitating leather) jacket on hanging off my freckly shoulders -- and yes, I was only 17! Oh the shame ... I think I would actually be brave enough to show you one of these horrific shots, but I am certain I have burned all of them.

A few years ago when I was in esthetician school, a "glamour shot" type rep came to the school to take pictures of each of us after we got "dolled up." I refused, stomped my foot, pouted and absolutely refused to go through that again, so on the walls of the cosmetology school where I teach, you can see one of these frames with all of the glammed up faces...except mine -- there I am in a white lab coat, plain faced and pissed off that I even had to do such a thing!

I'm so glad that with the advances in mineral make up, women don't want to dress up so much like that anymore -- less is more, natural is more beautiful. I have to admit, I do love La Bella Donna -- the bronzers are awesome, but I am still a fan of the liquid mineral make-up with marine extracts from Youngblood. Youngblood is available at Skin Deep in SB.

Email me your Glamour Shot from the 90's!

My Esthetician Class!

I recently updated the Esthetician Student Blog, http://www.nourishyourskin.wordpress.com/. Despite being cooped up in a classroom for the whole summer, we managed to have a great time, with great speakers and lectures.

The learning theme of the summer would have to be Anatomy and we learned so much from speakers like Ro Mia (marketing guru in the skincare and cosmeceutical industry), Dr. Aguilar, Dr. Paveloff and Dr. Mackenzie. The class took their anatomy exam this week and all got A's -- Good Job!

After working in Higher Education administration for several years, I have to say that I LOVE the teaching side of higher ed. Plus, the students I get to teach (and learn from) are amazing women who come from all walks of life -- single moms, 2nd career, traditional college age -- all so very passionate and wonderful. Plus, they are very dedicated -- they work full-time jobs, come to class M-Th, 5-9pm and have done so since January with very few breaks! Because of the students, I love this job. They will be graduating soon -- end of October and I have another class of 18 starting this coming Monday!

This summer has also been fun because I have met parents -- Janel's mom, Heather's mom, Serina's mom, all have come to receive facials from their daughters! So visit our student blog and see all of the exciting things we have been up too!

It still sounds funny when one of the students introduces me to their friend or family member visiting the clinic, "This is my teacher", but I am truly blessed to be in this position -- to teach, learn, laugh and be inspired by their passion and character.

The Gift of Knowing

This past weekend I attended the SAIOE Conference at the Four Seasons Biltmore, which highlighted the latest in medical skincare practices from a Western medicine perspective as well as complementary healing such as energy medicine and spiritual healing.

I was in good company -- Kiz and Heather, both amazing esthetician students and Dr. Aguilar of DNA Skincare (Heather works for Dr. A), all joined in the informative and inspirational lectures. It was a small conference, very bright minds and compassionate healers; would I be biased if I thought though, that our table (Me, Kiz, Heather and Dr. A) were the most fun, ecclectic and interesting clan?:)

Well ... that is quite possible, but ... equally interesting, motivational and knowledgeable were the speakers! Hosted by Robert Heiman, founder and creator of Epicuren, the attendees found him inspiring, peaceful and humble. A relaxed, hippie character, his subtle, yet passionate demeaner was refreshing and sincere. He talked about the meaning of SAIOE: Sense of Appreciation, Inspiration, Openness, and Essence.

The conference hosted amazing speakers! ... each one bringing new, interesting and insightful information and experiences.

A few other shout outs to fellow friends and colleagues who were there -- Lynda of Skin Resolutions, Geneva of Alchemy of Beauty and Mark Jesse an independent massage therapist.

I really enjoyed the conference; it definitely focused on some ideas such as energy healing that I am not usually too focused on (I kept imaging my Colorado friends and family giving me a hard time for being so "California" for even attending the conference!:) I really absorbed a lot though and it opened my eyes (and heart) to other ways of thinking and healing.

The Biltmore lent a beautiful environment to learn and the Spa Angels who hosted the program were also delightful beauties there to be of assistance to attendees. I went away with new knowledge, lessons, experience ... and the book "The Gift of Knowing" and a gift bag FULL of Epicuren products!

Peel Party

Okay, I admit it ... I like to peel ... after a chemical face peel that is. Post peel "sloughing off" makes my skin feel fresh and look radiant. For my skin, I prefer chemical peels for exfoliation over microdermabrasion.

I was recently introduced to an amazing skincare line -- DNA Skin. Heather, an esthetician student in the class I teach, works at DNA and is very passionate about the line. A few weeks ago, I ventured down to Ventura with Michelle, Chantrell and Kiz (esthetician students also); we all wanted to see the DNA Clinica and experience their peels. We got to meet Dr. Aguilar, the founder and creator of DNA; he is a homeopathic doctor who has created this skincare line which is not only effective on the skin, but actually nourishes the skin.

The Lyco Ionic Jessner Peel combines Salicylic Acid, L-lactic Acid, Red Wine, Lycopene (powerful antioxidant from watermelon seeds). This natural peel with essential oils, provided amazingly radiant results for my skin. During the process of getting the peel, it really didn't "tingle" that much, and yet the peel results were still signficiant ... basically, a lot of burning, doesn't equal a better peel!

Just two hours after the peel, my skin looked so smooth, with a fresh glow (I got three compliments that afternoon!) It wasn't until about two days later that I started peeling which lasted just under a week. Purging of milia and impurities cleared up my skin and the tone and texture definitely improved, creating a natural glow allowing me to go without make up if I want to!

I have been using the DNA products for over a month now to address my melasma and overall skin health. The combination of the ingredients are so pure, yet effective and I love the scent of the products. I admit, normally I like a simple skincare regimen, but ... I love these products so much that I like using different serums and cleansers ... cocktailing as we call it! This is not to say that the regimen couldn't be quite simple because it certainly could, but ... I have too many favorites:

Phyto-Lipid Hydrating Scrub with jojoba beads to exfoliate. It has the most divine peppermint, refreshing scent and the texture of the scrub is soft, not too scratchy.

MediClear Skin Lightening Wash is foamy and addresses my hyperpigmentation with a combo of 100% plant derived ingredients.

MediClear Natural Cleansing Pads with natural glycolic acid polymer and salicylic acid polymer for natural exfoliation. I LOVE this product!

MediClear Skin Lightening Gel lightens the skin by significantly reducing hyperpigmentation contains 100% natural ingredients and uses vodka rather than drying alcohol.

Phyto Collagen Moisturizer helps maintain soft supple skin while protecting facial collagen fibers. Trace amounts of USP grade progesterone increase the function of this amazing, versatile moisturizer. It also has a heavenly rose aroma (many of the DNA products contain rose!)

I'm hooked ... the philosophy behind DNA Skin and the effectiveness to keep my skin looking fresh and young I appreciate and applaud (and hey, I just had a birthday, so each year I'm becoming more and more aware of the skin issues that arise from aging and hormones!)

Tea in the Spa

When visiting a spa, often times the first thing offered to you is a relaxing cup of hot tea (unless you're in Napa, then it's Prosecco!)

Whether it's a spa in Italy offering me a tea for detox to enhance my lymphatic treatment, or a resort spa offering a delictable tea or a an Aveda spa offering me their delicious tea, it's all part of the experience. And, in my opinion, it is all about presentation and details. I have to admit, I notice when they offer me a hot tea in a paper cup with a tea bag for a local grocery store ... or ... they offer tea in a cozy mug with a beautiful silk tea bag or even loose tea.

In the esthetician class I teach, we discussed that besides researching a great skincare line to carry in a spa, other products are necessary to provide in the spa also, such as tea. We had quite a treat when Mighty Leaf sent us samples of their new Oasia line of tea infusions for the mind, body and soul. Each tea bag is presented in a silk pouch and the flavors are refreshing -- chamomile citrus, green tea tropical and orange dulce are just a few of the flavors. And each one, truly, is a mini spa treatment ... the aroma of herbs and spices and flavors are soothing and relaxing.

Isn't all Gelato the same?

Ummmm ... no ... all gelato is good, but some Gelato is oh-so-good.

So this blog entry has nothing to do with a spa, but remember that dream assignment I went on to Capri Italy to cover the celebrity wedding? Well, I spent a couple of days in Roma also and as I was going through my files tonight, I came across the business card of Gelateria Artigianale Buccianti -- the best, most amazing gelato I've ever had! I got a scoop of of Apricot ... inhaled it and less than 5 minutes later, I went back for a second one.

So ... If you find yourself in Rome, there will be a gelateria around every corner, but look for Buccianti at Via Giustiniani, 18/A 00186, just steps away from the Pantheon.

Stress Tests

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No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem in Italy

No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem in Italy, is the title of an article I recently read by Linda Stasi in the NY Post.

I just wanted to pass it along because I thought it was hilarious and so true. Because of my recent and extensive travels in the past couple of years to Italy, I related to this article and I think anyone who has traveled throughout Italy will too. When describing how her luggage was lost, the article reads,

"I wasn't worried. Air France had told me, "no problem" - right? They had promised to find and deliver my bag the next day. Clue: As soon as someone in Europe says, "No problem," you may as well kill yourself. Oh well, I'd just have to buy a few things to hold me over in the fabulous airport shops - some undies, a sundress, sunglasses. That's when "no problem" became a "huge problem." Click here to read the entire article!

My first 3 months in Italy, I kept a blog journal of my adventures and much of them are similar stories, like this article -- getting lost in Lucca, a massage in Positano by Stefano, cold showers with the spirit of Tanto, my Fiat named Blu and so many other stories and adventures! Still, someone will remind me, "I remember reading your story about the gypsy woman who took your lunch" ... sometimes people remember funny stories I had forgotten. And my recent assignment trip to Capri with my friend Ricky, who had never been to Italy, proved the "Don't worry, have another prosecco" mentality and Ricky soon had to just let go and chill out!

Part of the adventure and fun of traveling abroad is just winging and improvising -- something I would recommend everyone to experience!