IDI gave me some love on their website today!

I posted my second article as SF Skin Care Examiner today. This time I wrote all about how awesome postgraduate education at the International Dermal Institute (IDI) is.

What makes IDI so incredibly awesome? They are responsible for the ingredient research and product development for the entire Dermalogica skin care line (I LOVE Dermalogica), they offer year-round, tons of hands-on and specialized classes on skin care, speed waxing techniques, industry trends and product ingredients, they are all over the United States and worldwide and are easily the industry's leader of postgraduate education.

Not to mention, IDI offers a scholarship three times a year to students and newly licensed estheticians. The scholarship is awarded based on an applicant's creativity, not financial need. Winners can win up to $1600 in free education which is the equivalent to 100 hours of classes at IDI. You better believe I will be applying for the scholarship.

IDI sent me a message back telling me that they liked my article so much that they posted it on their website's blog and their Facebook page. How cool is that? Click the link below to check out the love I got from IDI today:

Examiner writer gives some love to IDI!

I got the job: Beauty Advisor!!

I just found out this morning that I got the job I have been interviewing for over the last couple of weeks. On October 4th, I will be starting my new job at as a Beauty Advisor. I'll be working in the call center where customers will be calling in to ask specific questions about or looking for suggestions on different kinds of makeup and skin care products.

Coming out of beauty school, I can't think of a better job for me. All day long, I will be geeking out with customers, talking about all of the different makeup, skin care and beauty products. Part of my job training includes playing with a lot of these products. I can't wait to start!!

Guess Who Passed State Board?

ME!!!!

It's official: I am a licensed esthetician here in the state of California!!!!

Finally, all of those months of sacrificing any sort of life-no working out, no hanging out with friends and sometimes no sleep has paid off. My life has been consumed with everything school and studying for the state board written and practical exam for the past few months. It's finally over now. What a great feeling. Such a huge pay off.

What's my next step? Well, I have quite a few things in the works. As things become signed, sealed and delivered, I will be posting them here. I will be sure to keep my blog updated on all my progress.

A new chapter in my life has begun.

Less Than 24 Hours Until State Board...

In less than 24 hours, I will be taking the State Board exam in Fairfield. I've been studying like mad for the past few weeks-both for the practical and written portions. Even with all of the studying, it's hard to NOT be nervous for something like this. If I pass, I will be an officially licensed estthetician. If I don't pass, well, that isn't an option because I will pass.

I just want to fast forward through the exam and get to the part where I receive my license. I've worked so incredibly hard and made some sacrifices over the last five months. I'm ready to move on and begin the next chapter in my professional life.

Fairfield or BUST!!

Only A Couple Days Left to Vote!!

Don't forget to check out my video and vote for it. Click HERE

There are only four voting days left in the Dermalogica video contest. If my video is in the top ten, then it gets sent off to the Dermalogica's headquarters for a final vote that will determine the winner of the contest. Voting itself only takes a couple minutes.

Check out and vote for my video RIGHT HERE!!!

I'm Graduating!

It's official. I will be graduating from beauty school this Thursday. Then next Tuesday (a week from today), I will be taking the State Board exam. Once I pass that exam I will be licensed. It is so surreal to me right now. I'm still trying to grasp the fact that I completed my 600+ hours. I feel like things were just getting started at school. The esthetics program in California really is way too short. I could have easily gone on for another 600 hours.

In the grand scheme of things, deep down inside I really am excited to graduate. Graduating means that I will now have the time in my schedule to pursue what I want to do professionally. For me that means starting my internship at a medi-spa and stalking all of the M.A.C. counters and stores in San Francisco until one of them hires me. I have wanted to be a makeup artist ever since high school, but never knew how to pursue the career. It's funny that it took me over ten years and 600 hours in beauty school to realize that I had what it takes this whole time to pursue a career as a MUA. The only thing that was missing this whole time for me was the confidence to go after what I really wanted.

Life is what you make of it. Life for me starts now. I can't wait for the next chapter in my life to begin.

The Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler

I remember the first time I ever saw an eyelash curler. I was 7 years old. I was sitting in my aunt's bathroom, on the counter as she put makeup on me. Most of the makeup application was pretty painless up until I laid eyes on her eyelash curler. I had no idea what it was. When I realized that she was going to put the thing right up to my eyeballs and use it to curl my eyelashes, I started to rethink my excitement over my first makeup application.

Fast forward years later, I no longer fear the iconic eyelash curler. I embrace it. In fact, I can't imagine my daily routine without it. I have used several types of eyelash curlers over the years. The Shu Uemura eyelash curler has been, by far, my favorite eyelash curler that I've ever used. It helps to create a perfect curl with each use because of its mushroom-shaped silicone pad. The silicone pad creates a stay-put edge for the lashes to lay on. There's no pinching or funky crimping of the lashes. Just perfectly curled lashes each time.

To use the Shu Uemura eyelash curler:

1. Open curler by spreading the handles.
2. Center the upper lashes between the top and bottom (silicone pad) section of the curler.
3. Position the curler at the base of the lash line.
4. Gently squeeze handles and hold at a 45 degree angle for 10-15 seconds.

**To avoid any breakage, use the eyelash curler before applying mascara.

Shu Uemura recommends:

- Clean the eyelash curler after each use.
- Replace the silicone pad after three months (a replacement pad is included)
- The eyelash curler should be replaced every six months

Shu Uemura products are no longer available for sale here in the United States. There aren't anymore Shu Uemura freestanding boutiques. You can't even purchase Shu Uemura products in a Sephora store. It appears that you can still purchase the Shu Uemura eyelash curler on Sephora.com so get them while you can before they're all gone.

Tweezerman by Betsey Johnson

One of the first things I learned in beauty school was that chickens are plucked. Eyebrows are tweezed.

Now you can tweeze all of your unwanted hair in style. Betsey Johnson style!! What is there not to love about these Tweezerman tweezers designed by Betsey Johnson? First of all, I am a HUGE Betsey Johnson fan. Secondly, I'm an esthetician who has a lot of uses for a good, quality pair of tweezers. Why not have tools that are not only high quality and functional, but simply adorable?



These tweezers come in three different editions: skulls, Marilyn Monroe or roses. They are available exclusively through Sephora.com. At twenty-five bucks a pop, cuteness like this is worth every single penny.

**(09/04/10)-I caved and bought my own pair, with the roses print. I can't wait to use them. Every esthetician and hair tweezing gal deserves to have super, duper cute tools like these.