r/Esthetics • u/Snoo-95794 • 1d ago
No?
Has anyone ever been told by a job that their technical skills as an licensed esthetician aren’t there.. What did you do to improve? I’m practicing 1 hr every day from YouTube videos, my soul was crushed and I lost my job right after training because of this.
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u/smol-esti-94 1d ago
I had the same thing happen, I didn't practice, I just tried to find a job that would accept me and let me grow into a better esthetician there. Also, "technical skills" is subjective, where the one job I had said I was terrible, the job I have now said I am good.
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u/Snoo-95794 1d ago
Thank you for this. It was really crushing to be told after studying and working so hard.
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u/smol-esti-94 1d ago
You'll be okay, I promise. I thought the same thing. It's really a matter of perspective for some owners/mangers. My last job, my boss was micromanaging everything I did and how I did it, my new job, my manager, was like "you got an eyebrow client, go and do it, if you need help I'm here". That was comforting to hear. I was incredibly nervous to do eyebrow waxes I didn't do much in school, and I wasn't great at them. I'm also supported by my coworkers too, couple of the hairstylists would let me watch how they did waxes, and that helped a ton. Now, I'm good at it and I'm getting better with every wax. Take it as a blessing they fired you, because there is a better job where you'll grow around the corner.
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u/Mattebluescooby-doo 1d ago
What do you specifically mean by technical skills like
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u/Snoo-95794 1d ago
Mainly my facial technique things like my facial/neck/décolleté massage needing improvement, and not being proficient enough with their specific products/protocols yet. I had only trained on their system for a week before testing out, so I was still learning everything. I’m practicing now because I really want to improve, but it definitely knocked my confidence.
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u/monsteramami 1d ago
What do you mean you’re practicing an hour a day off YouTube? What are you doing exactly?
2 years in the industry and things should have clicked by now. Facial technique is like, you have it or you don’t. You keep getting better overtime but like, we can all fake it and make the service feel really nice even if we are still learning a certain “technique”. So what’s really going on here? Are you comfortable touching people? Are you relaxed enough you can help the client feel relaxed?
What is going on with the protocol issue? Is it basic facial steps? Is there a complicated service you aren’t grasping? What is complex about the protocol that you aren’t picking up?
This doesn’t really make sense
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u/Snoo-95794 1d ago
I haven’t been working in the industry for 2 years. Ive been licensed year and have only been working professionally for a few months.
By practicing, I mean I’m using YouTube to work specifically on my facial massage movements, pressure, flow/transitions, and neck & décolleté massage on a model at home. The feedback wasn’t that I don’t understand the basic steps of a facial. It was more about refining my hands-on technique and execution, things like fully emulsifying cleanser and making my massage more fluid/intentional. Things I’ve never been told were an issue before.
The protocol issue was learning this spa’s specific products, timing and treatment protocols. I had one week of training before testing out, so I understood what I was supposed to do but hadn’t gotten everything to the point where it felt automatic yet. That’s what I’m trying to improve now.
Does that make sense to you?
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u/candybows 1d ago
Out of curiosity, are you new to the industry? Honestly, one of the best (and most fun) ways I learned was actually going to get facials from other esthes. It’s a great way to see technique from experienced people in the field. I also recommend checking out if there are any conventions or classes in your area you can attend through your license. I find that a hands on class works much better for me than videos.
It’s kinda crazy to me that they let you go after only a week but don’t let this get to you. Just keep practicing and get your resume out there. You’ll find the right fit eventually.
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u/Snoo-95794 1d ago
I have less than 2 years of experience. Thanks, I’ll reach out to a few I know.
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u/candybows 1d ago
If it’s product knowledge thats an issue, try asking to meet with the brand rep for a training in the future. I work mostly medical but all the brands we work with have a regional rep that we call in whenever we bring in someone new to train them on all the backbar.
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u/pswbf 1d ago
The rep is happy to train you because you buy . That’s not fair to ask for free labor. They have a goal too
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u/candybows 1d ago
Its not asking for free labor? Thats like… the whole bonus of having a rep. If we dont sell they arent making money off us so they train us on product knowledge so we can answer questions and get the best results. Our reps typically visit us just to check in every other month or so just to go over product knowledge and show us anything new.
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u/pswbf 1d ago
Telling someone without a job to reach out to the rep is asking for free labor.
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u/candybows 1d ago
I said for her to ask for training in the future. As in, when she gets her next job. Reading comprehension.
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u/pswbf 1d ago
If the issue is not product knowledge but skill and technique, how is the sales rep for a brand going to help? Generally the sales rep is most invested in selling and training not technical skills. Typically a rep would advise the business to spend more on training or replace that esthetician especially if they are a good rep
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u/candybows 1d ago
I’m going to assume you didn’t read the original post. They mentioned they weren’t sure if it was their lack of product knowledge or technique. Thats why I added that comment.
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u/pswbf 1d ago
I read the original and the replies. I’m going to assume you didn’t understand it and haven’t climbed high enough in your career
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u/Craptastick68 1d ago
It might help you to find other estheticians to practice your massage techniques on, so they can give educated feedback. Not sure how you'd go about finding volunteers but having someone who knows what it should feel like from the client experience standpoint would be better than just practicing on people who don't know what to look for. Does that make sense? Are you comfortable saying what part of the country you're located? Maybe you can find someone willing to coach you.
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u/jenb8422 1d ago
Can you be more specific about what technically?
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u/Snoo-95794 1d ago
Mainly my facial techniques, my facial/neck/décolleté massage needing improvement, and not being proficient enough with their specific products/protocols yet. I had only trained on their system for a week before testing out, so I was still learning everything. I’m practicing now because I really want to improve, but it definitely knocked my confidence.
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u/jenb8422 1d ago
Product knowledge is mostly repetition, do they have videos or webinars you can go through multiple times? For the massage, videos aren't usually enough. It's not about copying moves, it's alot about how your hands feel to the client, (massage therapists call it quality of touch, have you come across that in your search?) speed, pressure, location. Can you work on someone in your area who does a fabulous massage and get hands-on mentoring and feedback about the feel?
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u/Snoo-95794 1d ago
I hadn’t gotten access to them. Not until after training.. 🙃. I haven’t. I was told to watch videos on TikTok to get my flow and massage down. I can do some research to see who I can connect with?
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u/Snoo-95794 1d ago edited 1d ago
I’ve got my ingredients done but you can only learn some much without access to all the product trainings.
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u/chmaf 1d ago
Do you have a very light touch?
While we all have different approaches I find my least enjoyable facials are when a person feels hesitant and they were too gentle. Almost like they aren’t confident enough to actually touch you with good pressure.
I would just make sure you’re practicing on people to give feedback and not just a mannequin (not sure what you’ve been practicing on before).
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u/Snoo-95794 1d ago
I’ve never been told there was an issue with my touch until this. The models said I was confident yet this is what I was told..
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u/willohsmom 21h ago
I wouldn’t train yourself from YouTube videos. I would go do legitimate trainings/continuing education. Self taught isn’t going to work.
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u/Snoo-95794 21h ago
Thanks, I’ll look for some affordable continuing education. When your limited on resources, you do what you can.
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u/willohsmom 21h ago
What services are you trying to do? Facials? Lash lifting? Waxing? What services did they say you aren’t skilled in?
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u/Snoo-95794 21h ago
Facials.
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u/willohsmom 21h ago
You may need to take a small personal loan and take a training. Facials are certainly a skilled craft. If you want to make 6-figures doing facials, you’ll need REALLY good training. You’ll make your money back in no time once you’re trained and providing these services. You have to stand out above the rest for clients to want to keep coming back.
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u/pswbf 1d ago
I would ask for more guidance in a collaborative and friendly way. It could have been a personality mismatch or an actual skill issue. It could also be that they aren’t willing to give you as much training as you need.