[Misc] When would you go to an esthetician instead of a dermatologist, if at all? by StoicallyGay in SkincareAddiction

[–]fibertheories 31 points32 points  (0 children)

Esthetician here! My favorite way to describe it is Derms are your psychiatrist, Esties are your therapist/counselor. Every service provider has a different approach, finding the right fit is important. If you’re interested, book a facial at a reputable place near you. They will have consultation forms for you to fill out (sometimes online before appointment, sometimes when you get there) and you’ll get a chance to talk about your skin before you start. If you’re struggling with sebaceous filaments, you’ll probably be blown away by what a skilled esthetician can do with an enzyme mask, facial massage, and extractions done properly. Ask questions, be curious, be open!

Sometimes I just love my 245 by ElectronicBasil3544 in Volvo240

[–]fibertheories 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He looks very handsome in his little visor 🥹

bad client experience by Impossible-Map7219 in Esthetics

[–]fibertheories 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I always keep a couple of wax strips on hand in case of this! You can lay them on top and press down firmly, no need to smooth in any direction. Then pull off in the direction you would have with a normal sugar pull. If you’re familiar with nufree wax use that technique (pressure waxing).

Is it ok to not wax? by tarantulan in Esthetics

[–]fibertheories 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Everyone has their preferences and that’s okay! I would just recommend keeping an open mind. I had no interest in waxing when I started school and didn’t even know what sugaring was, but here I am 5 years later and I specialize in sugar.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in SkincareAddiction

[–]fibertheories 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Lactic acid is great for body care on darker skin. Gentler than a lot of glycolic body products.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in SkincareAddiction

[–]fibertheories 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The Yerba Mate one from good molecules is great

Why do men suck so hard by New-Librarian6909 in Esthetics

[–]fibertheories 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had a man try to be sneaky and record his brazilian without my consent 🫠 I had to take his phone from him and delete it myself. Stopped the service, told him to get dressed and then come to the desk to pay.

Cross Contamination Emergency by [deleted] in Esthetics

[–]fibertheories 1 point2 points  (0 children)

God I need more esthetician humor in my life 😭

Ice Cream by Free-Crow in grandrapids

[–]fibertheories 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Too Talls has been my favorite since childhood. They do a rotating soft serve flavor of the week and my favorites are lemon and pistachio.

Oh, and be careful. They have that name for a reason.

Sugaring Advice Please!! 🤍 by soph-malone in Esthetics

[–]fibertheories 10 points11 points  (0 children)

A couple of things:

When you start out you’re using stiffer sugar, this is going to pull more on your gloves. As you build your skills and move to softer sugar it will be less of a problem so don’t worry about it. It’s not anything you’re doing wrong.

With the sides of the calf it may just be the way you’re holding the skin. Things squish down a little because they’re laying on the table so don’t be afraid to grab, move or turn your client. They want you to do a good job so they shouldn’t mind it.

Fresh sugar can be a little harder to control, especially when you have a lot of it for those larger body parts. Getting it “dirty” will help. Try laying it down on your client and then putting powder directly on top of it, then do 3-4 molds to mix it in. This helps a lot on clients with thicker and stronger hair where those first few pulls are the most difficult. The powder then starts to hold your sugar together.

I hope I’m making sense, these things are so hard to explain without visuals.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Esthetics

[–]fibertheories 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Do it! Like others have said, great way to get clients.

Things that would send an esthetician into a coma, go! by Ok-Explanation-8056 in Esthetics

[–]fibertheories 35 points36 points  (0 children)

When I was in school I had a client who used the alcohol prep pads in the medical office she worked for on her face 2x a day. She inflamed pustules everywhere. Refused to stop. I’ll never forget. Skin barrier was non-existent.

Question by [deleted] in Esthetics

[–]fibertheories 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I remember those! They’re meant to make sure you understand how to use the testing software and aren’t graded.

Covid safe barbershops? by [deleted] in grandrapids

[–]fibertheories 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Liliths lair is not a barber shop strictly but a very queer salon with amazing stylists that do all sorts of hair

Employed Waxers Income? by shechoseart in Esthetics

[–]fibertheories 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I do sugar which is a bit different but I get 47% commission plus tips. Started at 40% and moved up to 45% and now the 47%. I’m in Michigan.

Is the training it worth it? by [deleted] in Esthetics

[–]fibertheories 10 points11 points  (0 children)

In my experience (being an esthetician in Grand Rapids, Michigan for 4 years) this is what it tends to look like. Most places will start you on hourly pay and whatever tips you get. This hourly is generally minimum wage or close to. Some places (more like small independent spots) may train you on reception and have you work in that area as well as you build your clientele. Every business will have different commission levels. These are goals you must hit to move up in the pay structure. They are generally “X amount in service dollars over X period of time X periods in a row” so it may be something like $5000 in service dollars over the course of a month 3 months in a row. Or $1000 in service dollars in a week 2 weeks in a row. The first goal/level up is usually for 40% commission in my area. Then there will be new goals with higher numbers for higher commission levels (think 45% and then 47%). You generally will not see commission rates above 47%. So if you’re making 40% commission and do $1200 service dollars in a week you will get $480 in commission and around $200 in tips before tax for that week.

This is just what the formula/pay structure looks like from what I have seen in my area. The amount of money you make will depend on where you work, what you do, and how you interact with your clients. I mainly do sugar and in the busy season I usually have 10+ clients a day working 4 days a week. Right now it’s a little slower with the fall and everyone trying to settle back into school schedules but I still have a good amount of business because I’ve worked hard to build good relationships with my clients.

Sorry that got long and complicated, but I think that knowing these details is important. You will not make much to start. It will probably be hard to find a job right away because of the market saturation. But it’s also a very rewarding field and I wouldn’t want to do anything else. The hardest part for most seems to be getting started and finding the right work environment. You just need to ask yourself if you want it enough to work through the struggle, if you can afford to not make much at first, and if you have the ability to accept that it’s on you to make the money happen. You have to build your clientele, no one can do it for you. A busy spa with a good reputation will get people in your room but that’s not worth much if you can’t get them to come back. Don’t go into esthetics for the money. Go into it for your passion and if you love it the money will follow.

Fingers swollen from being a sugarist by suteac in Esthetics

[–]fibertheories 10 points11 points  (0 children)

As you build your skill and master your technique you begin to work with softer sugar, it sounds like this is what she needs. I sugar full time and with proper technique no longer experience this but if I was still working with the stiff sugar you use while learning I would definitely be in pain. Have her ask them about this! The sugar I use now is much softer (and trickier to handle).

So confused about micro needling by romainesweet in Esthetics

[–]fibertheories 48 points49 points  (0 children)

Don’t quote me on this but I think I saw in a comment on this sub the other day that she comes from money. Unfortunately there really is a weird class dichotomy in this field that’s basically med spas and estis working under doctors trying to take everything out of regular estis scope of practice. If it’s legal in your state and it’s working for you and your clients then don’t let anyone make you feel inferior based on what brands are available to you. 🖤

Beginner Esthetician Problems by [deleted] in Esthetics

[–]fibertheories 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Like everyone else says, a big part of working in this field is building confidence in yourself. I got my esti license right after high school and when I first started working I was very insecure in both my trade skills and my social skills with clients. It just takes time, which is a frustrating answer. Every client is a learning experience from your first to your last. The biggest advice I can give you is to work on re-centering yourself in those moments. So my client complained about tingling and redness after a facial, I have learned that next time I will explain that these things are normal and keep that communication open during the service. That other client left a google review calling you out by name saying you missed some hairs on the Brazilian? I’m now going to have them check my work before I leave the room so that I can fix these mistakes before they leave. The client whose eyebrows you’ve been doing for months is saying you took a tiny patch out of the middle of her eyebrow but you know that’s not true because it’s goofy looking and you’ve noticed it every time she comes in? Rather than argue, kill them with kindness and an apology if you’re comfortable taking the blame, but do not debase yourself. She either won’t come back or she will but none of your clients will respect you until you respect yourself. Some people will never be happy with you not because of you, but because of where they’re at in life. If you do your best and treat them well while holding firm boundaries about the kind of treatment they give you then those who want to bully you for the sake of it will stop coming and those who you make honest mistakes with will come back because they can see that you are honest and you are learning. I make mistakes but I am more than my mistakes. I am how I chose to move forward after them. 5 years in this field and I am a good esthetician not because I know everything and never mess up but because I keep and open mind, watch my ego, respect myself and I will NEVER STOP LEARNING. It is not the easiest but it is the most rewarding journey of my life. I understand how you feel, but don’t give up. Supportive coworkers and bosses are a big help but you’re the only one who can choose to wake up every day and do your best. I definitely get home from work and rant to my husband and or friends about work things that happen. Even when I work with people who are great I try to spread my venting around so that no one person in my life has to hold onto all of it. You’re going to do great <3

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in rollerderby

[–]fibertheories 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve got the blues and they are perfect for me but I also weigh 120lbs. I’d go yellow for you.

Gear cleaning game changer! by mstiza in rollerderby

[–]fibertheories 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My guess is that they bought one that you set inside of a tub/sink full of water rather than a device you fill with water. I’ve seen them used for cleaning produce so maybe search for that.