A career in beauty.
I began my career as a beauty therapist, which covers everything related to beauty. Facials, painting nails, plucking eyebrows, extending lashes or waxing away the hirsute needs of clients are just a few of the services you can expect.
I realised very early in my education; a career in beauty was never going to be my path. But, your skin? Yes. That’s where my interest was and remains to this day.
But let’s go back a bit.
When I was 16, the big wide world and what to do with my life in the short time I have here was as confusing as it was exciting.
With my dream of a career as a prima ballerina ending at the age of 6, what else was there?
Career advice became like a big colour wheel of ideas with so many seeming out of reach.
At 16 do we have enough knowledge of the world to decide or even the discipline it takes to map out the future o
It’s no wonder, so many of us end up in accidental careers and then ponder, how did I get here and then later, the even bigger question. How can I get out of here?
Life leaves little clues.
My first clue appeared with the random purchase of a book called A Year of Beauty and Health by Beverly and Vidal Sassoon.
First published in 1976, it was unknowingly to be the beginning of my career in beauty. However, it was another eight years before I became a beauty therapist, and despite my some early disillusionment, I finally found my voice in the unlikely place behind a cosmetic counter in a department store.
I started to lean towards what I was born to do. Which now, in hindsight was, to teach.
Eventually, this passion led from consulting daily with individuals like you to an audience of postgraduate beauty therapists and skincare professionals all over Australia and educating them in the hope they would one day find their voice and want to share it.
4 Brilliant skincare brands and an empowering beauty website.
First, Ella Bache‘ where I learnt that no two skins are alike.
The cosmeceutical brand Ultraceuticals, where I came to believe everyone should have great skin.
Then on to the innovative and inspiring brand Rationale where I began to understand what you want is a luminous skin for a lifetime.
Then, after a break, I came to know and love Environ where healthy-looking skin should be the norm, not the exception.
And now, The Beauty Issue. My own business, where I share knowledge and experience that spans a 40-year career. I know 40 years!!! It’s hard to write that, but it’s true. It’s where you’ll find a balanced perspective focussed on smart beauty choices.
With so much hype out there, you really do deserve a balanced and intelligent perspective focussed on smart beauty choices.
With over 25,000 products (and counting) in the world, you’d think, surely I can find what right for me?
Here’s the thing. There are only a few ingredients, actually making a difference to your skin. I’d estimate ten tops. But, there are many, many variations in the way these active ingredients are formulated.
So when you’re trying to navigate your way through all this choice, your final decision may rest on whether you like and trust the brand.
Your criteria for a brand or product may be the look of the packaging or how the texture feels on your skin? How does it smell to you? Do you like the fragrance? Is it organic or preservative-free?
Of course, if you were to ask a formulating cosmetic chemist what your criteria should be, they may say, it’s all about the science, efficacy and results, which is all very true.
However, I believe the affinity you have with your product of choice does matter if you are going to commit long enough to see results.
So my confession?
Here it is. I am not a fan of the beauty industry or perhaps to put it more accurately; I have a love/hate relationship with the beauty industry. I love the science behind it, I even love the glamour, but the hyped-up promises? Well, it leaves me a bit cold.
I blog, but I’m not a beauty blogger, and I’m never going to bombard you with too many products choices.
I prefer a minimalist approach to beauty, and although I often subscribe to the idea of six or so steps in your daily regimen, I don’t care much for the constant search for the latest and greatest product. Unless the brand can back up their claims with scientific evidence, I’m not interested.
A beauty addict?
Not even close. I am, however, a big fan of finding the right solutions for you.
Not just in your skincare, but other things that impact on the beauty and health of your skin, like the foods you eat and the thoughts you have about your beauty.
Unlike other beauty websites, I limit the number of product reviews I undertake. I aim to give you enough knowledge to choose for yourself not to bombard you with too many product choices.
I’m often asked this.
It’s a great product, but it just doesn’t seem to work for me?
Well, sometimes, even the best product in the world with all the science to support it, just doesn’t seem to work for you. Why is that?
Often, it will depend on the type of advice you received before you commenced. If your skin was incorrectly diagnosed, then you may be on the wrong products for your skin.
And finally? You need to commit.
Be like a ballet dancer. Have discipline.
Now it’s your turn.
Shoot me an email with your own experiences in finding great skincare? I’d love to hear all your stories, what worked, what didn’t? What are your skincare challenges? Let me know, and I’ll add them to future articles.
I’m here, and I’m waiting.
P.S Products leaving you wanting? You might like this article: Why your product may never work for you.
See you next time,
