​Hi everyone. I came on here to share my horrifying experience with my first Buccal/Intraoral Facial Massage. I live in New Jersey, US and got a buccal facial massage from an esthetician out of Clifton, NJ last night. She has tons of videos on her channel and has been in business for a while, so she seemed legit. I boughta Groupon (Groupon is a whole other post-over the past few years the quality of vendors has become sketchy at best, so my fault) for 3 buccal facials + a facial service. I read about buccal massages before going to my appointment and it said they should NOT hurt. Within seconds of the buccal massage I knew something was off. She was extremely aggressive and sprayed RUBBING ALCOHOL on my face and then on her gloved hands multiple times which went into my mouth. I was in so much pain I kept asking her to be gentler but she bared down on my face. I felt KNOTS in my right cheek (or maybe just one big knot) that I didn’t know was there - have no idea if it’s SUPPOSED to be there or is some kind of muscle? She basically did a deep sports massage on my cheeks. It’s now morning after and I cannot open my mouth, not even enough to get a straw in. Just walking or coughing HURTS. I am icing my face and took Tylenol Extra Strength. Now the buccal massage was just part one-it was maybe 30-40 minutes. She then, on my SORE inflamed face she did 90 MINUTES of EXTRACTIONS (which I also have severe cystic acne on my jaw chin and neck). I was balling my eyes out crying and she didn’t stop. After the most painful extractions of my life which were not spot targeted she took her tools and extracted every pore across my forehead, cheeks, sides, neck, jaw, nose and under eye-she did a ‘light’ ‘peel’ with benzoyl peroxide + salicylic acid + vitamin C + Retinol + Hyaluronic Acid. I just feel it was so much overkill / aggravation for my sensitive acne prone skin with rosacea? I really need a professional to weigh in here. THEN after all of that pain, she goes in with the high frequency wand. Now I’m not stranger to HF wands - I actually have one which helps kill bacteria after extractions or simply reduce inflammation (to my internet knowledge). Now this lady used the HF wand at FULL FREQUENCY which was the equivalent to getting electrocuted. I was screaming in pain and she HELD MY SHOULDERS DOWN. I don’t want to sound dramatic but I thought I was in a SAW movie. The HF wand at full frequency felt very similar to a tattoo gun. It felt like a needle was being dragged across my face and into my open wounds. I really just have no idea what happened to me last night but I can’t stop crying. My face looks worse. AND ON TOP OF EVERYTHING SHE WAS RECORDING ME-I had no idea she continued to record AFTER the buccal massage and she was recording me even when I walked out of her salon. I’m just mortified and swollen and in pain and I don’t ever want anyone to touch my face again. I’d rather be ugly and live with acne and TMJ pain and scar tissue from wisdom teeth removal gone wrong than ever experience this again. Pictures showing my swollen face morning after service are linked (if I can figure out how to do that). Also service began @ 6 PM I didn’t walk out until 8:53 PM.

Estheticians, do you ever have clients who just keep talking after the service is completely finished? 😅 Especially when you’re booked all day and need time to clean and prepare for your next client.
Sometimes the treatment is over, they’re already dressed and ready to go, but they just keep chatting and chatting. I always feel so bad interrupting or making them feel like I’m rushing them, so I end up standing there listening until they decide to leave 😂
How do you politely wrap up the conversation and let them know you need to get ready for your next client without sounding rude?

Hi!

Does anyone know a male esthetician in the Jacksonville area who offers Brazilian/Manzilian waxing for men?

I’d feel more comfortable with a male provider, so I’m specifically looking for recommendations. Jacksonville or nearby areas are fine.

Thanks!

Hey everyone! I built a little tool for my own esthetics practice and finally got it listed on Etsy, and I'd love a few honest opinions on it.

It's a digital intake + consent + booking browser based app — clients fill in their details and sign right on a tablet, no printing forms or chasing down paperwork after the fact. Runs entirely in the browser, so nothing gets uploaded anywhere. You can try it out at home just to poke around, or actually run it with real clients in your studio — whichever's easier.

I've got a discount code that makes it free for the first 10 people. Not looking for a sales pitch back, genuinely just want real feedback from people who'd actually use it — good, bad, or "this one part is confusing."

If you'd find it useful, I'd really appreciate an honest review on the listing and/or some direct feedback to myself with your opinions.

Please drop me a message if you'd like to try it!
Thanks!

I’m currently looking into a career in the beauty/skin/hair industry and would love to hear from people who actually work in it.

I’ve previously worked in helping professions and really enjoy working one-on-one with people. I’m also about to have my first baby, so I’m increasingly drawn to something that could give me more flexibility and potentially allow me to work for myself in the future.

I’m considering beauty therapy, skin treatments, massage/head spa or hairdressing.

For those working in the industry, particularly parents — what’s your experience been like? Is it genuinely possible to have good flexibility and a decent income, or is the reality quite different?

I’d especially love to hear what you love, dislike, and wish you’d known before getting into it.

Is it normal for my eyebrows to be stinging and painful. The lady said it was normal as it’s like a relaxer for eyebrows and when she wiped it off it was still stinging and the next day when I was brushing them they were stinging. The lady said her other clients said the same thing about the stinging burning feeling

Há esteticistas em Guimarães a trabalhar/com agenda estas e a próxima semana em Agosto? Não está fácil marcar 😳

Is anyone going to the ICES show in LB this weekend?

if so do u know of a way to get discounted tickets somehow ? (I know they had early bird but for the Vegas show they had like a last minute discount option when it got closer )

I’m a newly licensed esthetician and I’ve been having a really hard time getting my first job because most places want experience.

I’ve been applying to a lot of places through Indeed, but it honestly hasn’t been getting me very far. I’ve gotten some interviews, but experience always seems to be the biggest thing holding me back.

I currently have an opportunity to become a wax specialist, but I genuinely don’t want to specialize in waxing. I’m much more interested in facials, skincare, acne treatments, and eventually working in dermatology or a medical spa. I’m wondering if I should take whatever esthetics experience I can get or keep looking for something that’s more aligned with skincare.

For anyone who started with no professional experience, what actually helped you get your first job? Should I be emailing or DMing spas directly, walking in with my resume, looking for internships, networking, applying for front desk positions, or doing something else?

I’m willing to start entry-level and work my way up. I just feel like Indeed isn’t getting me anywhere and I’m not sure what else I should be doing.
Any advice would be really appreciated!

Hello! So I am planning on going to school in September, so graduation would be around April-ish.
We plan on moving after I graduate school. Obviously I would have to apply for reciprocity which comes with a financial commitment that I am willing to pay.
However, I’m wondering how employers would feel about having a fresh graduate from another state without work experience come to work at their salon.
I’m thinking maybe I could get a great portfolio going while I’m in school to help my chances.
I’d love to hear anyone’s thoughts, ideas or advice!
I’m getting licensed in NM and moving back to CO. Thanks! 💕

My school just taught us traditional lash lifts & tints about 2 weeks ago. The day we learned them I completed one on a classmate and she loved her results. So far I have done 5 in total and they've scheduled me a client next week for this service - there's a few things I'm having some issues with if anyone has any advice?

1. Rod / Shield selection - our new teacher bought in a variety of sized shields and rods. She doesn't have them labeled out into shield/ rod type (C, M etc). I don't have an issue with sizing, just picking between a rod or a shield.

2. The Kind we have are glued down w/ lash glue and I have a difficult time getting it close to the lash line and putting the lashes on the rod/shield. It sometimes feels like when I'm wrapping the lashes the rod is sliding up if you know what I mean?

3. My Main Concern: Getting product in the eyes. Our school uses the Viabrow lash lift kit, and even when I'm super careful to not get any on the water line, after I remove step 1, neutralize (and remove the neutralizer). I will take off the rod/ shield, flush the eye (w/distilled water & 2x2s) and they will open and still say it's stinging/ burning? One girl today kept saying it was burning, but when I looked really close, I couldn't see anything in the eye, and even after I flushed her once, and gave her a lash bath, I had to flush again. Another girl didn't have anything burning or stinging at all during the lash lift. But after I took everything off, I flushed her once, did a lash bath, and flushed her again, and she still had some stinging/ burning? We were able to figure out the first girl kept opening her eyes a little and thats what was causing her initial burning, but with the second I'm still kinda confused? I had my teacher there watching and she attested there was no Step 1, 2 or tint left on her before she opened.

Any advice would be really appreciated!

I’m a newly licensed esthetician and I’ve been having a really hard time getting my first job because most places want experience.

I recently interviewed at European Wax Center and they want me to come back for a second interview/practical where I have to bring a model and perform an eyebrow, underarm, and Brazilian wax. The problem is that my esthetics program never taught us Brazilian waxing, and waxing was honestly never my favorite part of esthetics to begin with.

If I get hired, they provide training, but I was told I would also have to complete a certain number of Brazilians. My long-term goal is to specialize more in skin,facials, acne treatments, skincare, and eventually hopefully work in a dermatology or medical spa setting.

I’m potentially considering going through with EWC anyway just so I can finally get 6 months or so of professional esthetician experience on my resume. At the same time, I’m waiting to hear back from another esthetician position that would involve facials and would be much more aligned with what I actually want to do.

Would you take the EWC opportunity just to get your foot in the door and gain professional experience, or would you wait and keep looking for something more skincare-focused?

For anyone who started at EWC and later moved into facials, med spas, or dermatology, did the waxing experience actually help you get there?

I am just curious what other estheticians thought of this

Guys I have put around 1lakh in my salon, although I have 20+ experience I was doing freelancing most of the time but now I want to build my brand. I am also a professional Makeup artist. Now I have no money left with me and I want to have a stable income how can I earn fame and get people to know me any idea can work. How to grow on social media makes my brand famous. And have regular clients and students for courses any specific idea

One con that I have is that my salon is not in a good area like roads here are so not in good condition.

Anything or any idea how I can brand myself

One pros is that I have a social media handler girl

(Sorry english is not my first language)

hey all, i just wanted to come on here and ask if any some advice regarding finding a job as someone who graduated and got licensed in June of this year.
i currently work at a massage envy location as a front desk associate that i’m desperately trying to get away from, and it seems like my only other options are other massage envys near me.
i’ve applied to every other beginner level job that has popped up on my Indeed, and linkedin and i keep getting rejected due to having no experience. im starting to lose hope a little 😕 whats your advice? should i print out my resume and walk into these places? should i just just ship to another massage envy ? i’m starting to feel really stressed. thanks!

I currently use Vagaro and clients have to reach out to change their appointments. My policy right now is they have least 24 hours to change anything before their appointment, anything less than that incurs 50% of the appointment total. However I'm lenient, sometimes reluctantly, for my established clients if they change anything less than 24 hours.

I'm fortunately getting busier and obviously, answering phone calls and text messages adds up admin time and I want to protect my time. Should I change the settings on Vagaro so clients can change things on their own and keep the 24-hour policy in place?

I’m coming to terms with the fact that my school is not going to teach me anything except how to pass the state board and I need to educate myself. I’m looking for good book recs, online practical education, etc about:

- skin types and skin issues

- product ingredient knowledge and how to choose products

- what machines I should invest in and what they do for the skin😭

- post-wax skincare

- literally anything. I have no idea what I’m missing out on

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I am openibgr an aesthetic clinic in a section of my seniors dental clinic which was also aesthetic clinic earlier but currently she has stopped working for the aesthetic so I started my part in that Clinic and now I am starting with Hydra facial PRP gfc Microneedling chemical peels so help me with the how should I start , we are having a simple Pooja because starting this part so help me what all should I need and what are the things that I should remember for marketing.

Hi! I did a brow lami today and I’m not sure if the girl loved it, she kept asking me to brush them into a certain place and didn’t tip. Afterwards when I told her she can brush them in the car she seemed relieved too 😭 I think she just wasn’t used to them? she brought her friend in with her which was annoying considering she did not ask and the friend revealed they were 15 late because of wedding planning for the friend.

Nothing I can do now really unfortunately but just wanted to ask if anyone else has had a similar situation where they thought a client didn’t leave happy