Yes, that's right! 80 days until I complete my journey!
This last trimester I am studying Makeup Fundamentals, Photographic Makeup and Advanced Beauty (which is acne facials and body electrical treatments).
It seems like it should be a fairly easy trimester, and the classes I have had so far have been pretty straight forward. I'm hoping that I will be good at makeup as I haven't found a subject yet that I am absolutely ecstatic about.
When I got back to college this year, they had removed the skin care range A.S.A.P (which is what I personally use and recommend) and changed to another awesome range called OrganicSpa which is an Australian owned, totally natural and certified organic, vegan and cruelty free (and never sold in evil China!)...how good is that!? Though the products are natural, they still make claim to be very active on the skin. I'm yet to experience them more and have only had one facial so far myself with the products, but they seem fairly decent and have something for everyone. I am of course sad to see the A.S.A.P range leave the college after just having rereleased their products as paraben free and will continue to use them, but I do plan to try OrganicSpa sometime in the future.
As my time at the College of Natural Beauty draws to an end, I am pondering on my experience there and have a few things to say about them...
As a college who claims to be environmentally conscious, I am a little disappointed about the lack of recycling. The college does not recycle paper and seems to use quite a bit of it too.
Quite a lot of water is wasted with the washing up of utensils after a treatment and I feel that the college would be more water efficient in the long run if they just installed some dishwashers in the classrooms (and perhaps updated some furniture while they're at it, i.e. the rubbish bins).
If you have read my blog, you may well know that the number one thing I am very passionate about is defending animal rights and I have been largely disappointed about how much this natural college don't give (pardon me) shit about this issue. You would think that a college with their apparent morals would be run by people who are passionate about the issue of animal rights in the beauty industry. You would think it would be a requirement of their staff to share the morals of the college they are teaching at.
They have such an amazing platform also to educate 100s of new beauty therapists about animal ethics in beauty. It would be an amazing addition to the curriculum to add at least one powerpoint early in the course to educate about animal testing, animal products in cosmetics and tools etc. Up until this year the college had actually been providing a makeup brush roll kit that contained animal hair brushes...can you believe that!? It makes me wonder if they even know anything about where that hair comes from. When I mentioned it in makeup class the other day, my teacher said that most often the animals are groomed for their hair...well I know much much better that animal hair brushes are just byproducts of the barbaric and inhumane FUR and MEAT industries. Industries where animals are factory produced, live in terror and caged, not afforded any basic rights or even a quick and painless death. Why should any creature that feels pain, fear and is capable of feeling joy be subjected to suffering at the hands of humans and for human gain?
Being cruelty free is so easy guys. There is literally no excuse. You have online shopping at your fingertips, smartphones to research products while shopping and the capacity to feel compassion. Get on the bandwagon!
Monday, 10 February 2014
Thursday, 12 December 2013
HOME STRETCH
Hola!
I am currently in the middle of my first week of holidays. Hooray! I return January 30 for my last 3 months of college ever...what a super fast journey this has been.
This last trimester I have been completed advanced facials (the subject I originally deferred in trimester 2), spa therapies and technically student clinic (I'll be returning a few days in order to make up missed classes). Next year I return for make-up and advanced beauty (this class is essentially learning acne skin facials and using electrical machinery on the body).
This last trimester has been quite simple in terms of practical and theory exam study, and there was one assignment (the only actual self-research assignment of the whole course) for spa therapy class that was a bit tough and quite a few of the other girls struggled with. We were tasked with researching a couple of existing salons or spas and writing a detailed report on them, and then also creating our own salon and describing how we would operate it. There was also a workbook to complete about sustainable environmental practices in the workplace which very nearly everyone struggled with - it was a very government worded book which can be a tough code to crack, even for the smartest of us!
In spa therapies class you learn hydrotherapy using the colleges big fancy hydrotub (it's a lovely treatment) and how to do a nourishing full body wrap (exfoliation, mask, moisturise and scalp massage). Then in advanced facials you learn how to do a facial on mature/ageing skins with electrical machines and how to do a facial on sensitive skins.
Everything is still mostly good in general, I still have some of the same complaints I've had all year like being treated like a child and doing lots of slave labour that saves the college money and brings them profit...but hey that's what big companies do eh? I have been pretty lucky to have some down to earth, knowledgable and passionate teachers throughout the year and I'm glad for that.
Last week all of the girls I've studied with (and some I've come to be pals with) graduated the course forever and some are even already in jobs! Going to miss some of them when I go back next year *sob*
One of my friends that was graduating, who I must say is one of the smartest in the college and has never failed a thing, was failed for her very last exam of the course and was required to pay $200 to resit it...felt a little bit like the college wanted to milk a bit of money before they let their graduates go...I was very angry for her and am now worried about it happening to me because there's no way I could pull $200 out of nowhere (I don't even have 5 cents in my saving account haha). Just like my friend, I've applied myself very well in this course and most often scored 100% the first time around and have never had to resit an exam. Fingers crossed I can graduate clean without paying an extra cent!
So, let's catch up next year when I graduate ;)
I am currently in the middle of my first week of holidays. Hooray! I return January 30 for my last 3 months of college ever...what a super fast journey this has been.
This last trimester I have been completed advanced facials (the subject I originally deferred in trimester 2), spa therapies and technically student clinic (I'll be returning a few days in order to make up missed classes). Next year I return for make-up and advanced beauty (this class is essentially learning acne skin facials and using electrical machinery on the body).
This last trimester has been quite simple in terms of practical and theory exam study, and there was one assignment (the only actual self-research assignment of the whole course) for spa therapy class that was a bit tough and quite a few of the other girls struggled with. We were tasked with researching a couple of existing salons or spas and writing a detailed report on them, and then also creating our own salon and describing how we would operate it. There was also a workbook to complete about sustainable environmental practices in the workplace which very nearly everyone struggled with - it was a very government worded book which can be a tough code to crack, even for the smartest of us!
In spa therapies class you learn hydrotherapy using the colleges big fancy hydrotub (it's a lovely treatment) and how to do a nourishing full body wrap (exfoliation, mask, moisturise and scalp massage). Then in advanced facials you learn how to do a facial on mature/ageing skins with electrical machines and how to do a facial on sensitive skins.
Everything is still mostly good in general, I still have some of the same complaints I've had all year like being treated like a child and doing lots of slave labour that saves the college money and brings them profit...but hey that's what big companies do eh? I have been pretty lucky to have some down to earth, knowledgable and passionate teachers throughout the year and I'm glad for that.
Last week all of the girls I've studied with (and some I've come to be pals with) graduated the course forever and some are even already in jobs! Going to miss some of them when I go back next year *sob*
One of my friends that was graduating, who I must say is one of the smartest in the college and has never failed a thing, was failed for her very last exam of the course and was required to pay $200 to resit it...felt a little bit like the college wanted to milk a bit of money before they let their graduates go...I was very angry for her and am now worried about it happening to me because there's no way I could pull $200 out of nowhere (I don't even have 5 cents in my saving account haha). Just like my friend, I've applied myself very well in this course and most often scored 100% the first time around and have never had to resit an exam. Fingers crossed I can graduate clean without paying an extra cent!
So, let's catch up next year when I graduate ;)
Monday, 11 November 2013
BOBBI'S BEST BEAUTY TIPS
It's no secret that I'm now very nearly a qualified beauty therapist, and this year I have learnt some really valuable information about the skin and body that has my own skin looking and feeling better than ever before! I've decided it's time to impart some of that knowledge to the world wide web while I have a moment of free time.
Our main goal when it comes to beauty is to ensure that we age gracefully, and we have this friend who we call Mr. Sun who is bearable in small doses, but also very damaging to our skin and body and is the leading cause of premature ageing. It's never too early to begin using sun protection. Your sun exposure as a teenager can actually come back to bite you when get older, so start now!
You probably already know that you are supposed to have a skincare routine AM and PM, but can't always be bothered with it or can't find anything that works for you. You probably even buy the latest trendy Garnier and L'Oreal products that are recommended to you on the telly - STOP! Please stop doing this because you aren't doing yourself any favours. Everyone's skin is unique in that you have a skin type which is determined by your complexion, genetics and conditions that present on your skin. By using cheap or harsh products that are full of toxic chemicals and synthetic ingredients that aren't suitable for your skin you're just damaging it.
Dry body brushing for 5 minutes twice a day before you take a shower will help to exfoliate away dead skin cells leaving you with smoother skin all over, will ensure that your pores aren't blocked so that you can receive and absorb nutrients into your skin, stimulates your blood circulation and also stimulates the lymphatic system which helps your body to release toxins and encourages the production of fresh new cells to keep your skin looking fresh and radiant. Some even claim that regular brushing helps reduce the appearance of cellulite.
The quality of your make-up is exceptionally important because it stays on your skin for hours every day. Of course it's better to wear no make-up at all and just allow your skin to breathe, but if you must then it's best to use a mineral make-up because it's mostly free of synthetic and chemical preservatives and artificial fragrances that are often responsible for causing irritation to the skin and is also most often fragrance-free. It is especially beneficial for those suffering from breakouts or acne as it does not clog the pores, and also for those with sensitive skin and those with inflammatory skin disorders like psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis as it has a calming and soothing effect. It also prohibits the growth of bacteria, helps even your skin tone and is so gentle that it can even be used after a waxing, laser or chemical peel session.
Your hands and feet often go neglected in your beauty routine, but when you consider it, they do a lot for you and deserve some attention. Your hands are pretty much exposed to the same things that your face and neck are exposed to and even more and so they need the same treatment. Many people don't even think to do anything for their feet which you spend many hours a day standing on, trapped inside shoes. I've met people who didn't even know they had foot fungus!
It's true that there is already enough information circulating the web, and certainly enough beauty bloggers for one lifetime (and I am certainly not and never will be a beauty blogger), but there is SO much information circulating that it's hard to determine which beauty tips are backed up with real knowledge. I am hoping that the knowledge I now have is all legitimate, so here goes.
P.S: All product suggestions are cruelty free :)
Best Beauty Tips
1. Sun protection - there's nothing healthy about a tan
Our main goal when it comes to beauty is to ensure that we age gracefully, and we have this friend who we call Mr. Sun who is bearable in small doses, but also very damaging to our skin and body and is the leading cause of premature ageing. It's never too early to begin using sun protection. Your sun exposure as a teenager can actually come back to bite you when get older, so start now!
Ageing caused by the sun (called photo or actinic ageing) presents externally on our skin as uneven pigmentation, dehydration (water loss), weakened collagen and elastin fibers resulting in lines and wrinkles (elastosis), skin sensitivities, bumpy/leathery texture or extreme thinning and most importantly; deadly skin cancers that can spread through your body and kill you dead. Seriously.
So your best bet here is to just get yourself some sun protection and actually use it. The best sun protection is the creams that contain zinc oxide as this provides an actual physical block of UV rays. Good old fashioned covering up your skin with clothing is also effective.
My product recommendations:
2. Cleanse, exfoliate & moisturise
You probably already know that you are supposed to have a skincare routine AM and PM, but can't always be bothered with it or can't find anything that works for you. You probably even buy the latest trendy Garnier and L'Oreal products that are recommended to you on the telly - STOP! Please stop doing this because you aren't doing yourself any favours. Everyone's skin is unique in that you have a skin type which is determined by your complexion, genetics and conditions that present on your skin. By using cheap or harsh products that are full of toxic chemicals and synthetic ingredients that aren't suitable for your skin you're just damaging it.
You may have oily skin, dry skin (lacking oil production), combination skin, normal skin and if you're older you will have a mature skin that could be post-one of the above types. On top of this you may have skin conditions such as breakouts, sensitivity/redness, dehydration, pigmentation and a whole host of other things that are caused by internal and external factors.
All skins need a healthy balance of water (for hydration) and oil (for moisture), and after each day your skin needs to be cleansed of dirt and bacteria. You also accumulate dead skin cells on the surface of your skin which need to be exfoliated regularly to keep your pores clear and your skin's texture feeling smooth. As a general rule you should cleanse and moisturise morning and night and exfoliate a few times per week, but it all depends on the conditions and type of your skin. You can use masks also, there are different types (such as clay which draws out impurities and is best for oily/acne skins and hydrating masks which are great at rehydrating all dehydrated skins, especially mature).
As you get older it's also recommended to look into specialised products like like serums (vitamin A, B and C), eye creams and rich night moisturisers to combat the signs of ageing. Avoid changing to different products too often however as you need to give your skin time to adapt to a product. The general rule is that if you aren't beginning to notice results after using your products for 6 weeks, then it's not going to work for you.
As you get older it's also recommended to look into specialised products like like serums (vitamin A, B and C), eye creams and rich night moisturisers to combat the signs of ageing. Avoid changing to different products too often however as you need to give your skin time to adapt to a product. The general rule is that if you aren't beginning to notice results after using your products for 6 weeks, then it's not going to work for you.
I use and highly recommend the A.S.A.P product range. It's an Australian company that produces simple but very active cosmeceutical products at a fairly affordable price and there is something for everyone. Some of the products contain Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) which are effective chemical exfoliants that soften and smooth your skin beyond belief. There is a gentle cleanser which is great for sensitive and dry skins and a cleanser that contains AHAs for oily to mature skins, and an active exfoliant that contains AHAs also. After using an AHA product on your skin, you can instantly feel results.
When beginning to use AHAs on your skin, ensure that you work up to your routine as they are quite strong and could lead to some sensitivity or peeling if overused. They also need to be matched with a strong moisturiser to replace stripped oils and A.S.A.P has some great ones for all skin types. I purchase my A.S.A.P products from SkinCareStore.com.au as they have the best prices with regular 20-30% off discount promos.
It's also very important to nourish your skin from the inside out. Drink plenty of water, eat a nutritious diet full of antioxidant rich foods that fight free radicals in your body and of course, don't have too much fun by drinking excessive amounts of alcohol or smoking cigarettes or you will end up looking like a washed up, grey hag. The damage you do inside your body shows on the outside.
P.S. Change your pillow case weekly so that you aren't sleeping in breakout causing bacteria and avoid touching your face with your grubby hands.
3. Dry body brushing
Dry body brushing for 5 minutes twice a day before you take a shower will help to exfoliate away dead skin cells leaving you with smoother skin all over, will ensure that your pores aren't blocked so that you can receive and absorb nutrients into your skin, stimulates your blood circulation and also stimulates the lymphatic system which helps your body to release toxins and encourages the production of fresh new cells to keep your skin looking fresh and radiant. Some even claim that regular brushing helps reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Start gently when beginning your body brushing until you get used to the sensation. Brush from your feet upwards and in circular motions and always toward your heart (avoid genitals, face and sensitive areas) to encourage lymph flow. Only brush as firm as is comfortable (brushing should never hurt) and ensure that you take a shower after brushing to wash away the dead skin you've removed. Always rinse your brush after use. Follow with your favourite (and hopefully natural based) body lotion. One of my favourite body lotions is 100% organic, raw, virgin coconut oil and if I were to explain all the benefits of this stuff it would need it's own post, so definitely Google it and check out the coconut oil praise.
You can get them at most chemists, health stores and also from The Body Shop. Just make sure it has natural plant based bristles (The Body Shop uses cactus - this is good!). Go get one and start right away! DO NOT buy the Manicare one that will tempt you with it's cheapness at Priceline as it's made of boar bristles which should be on a boar (a cool and smart animal that looks like a pig by the way) and not a brush.
4. Use mineral make-up
The quality of your make-up is exceptionally important because it stays on your skin for hours every day. Of course it's better to wear no make-up at all and just allow your skin to breathe, but if you must then it's best to use a mineral make-up because it's mostly free of synthetic and chemical preservatives and artificial fragrances that are often responsible for causing irritation to the skin and is also most often fragrance-free. It is especially beneficial for those suffering from breakouts or acne as it does not clog the pores, and also for those with sensitive skin and those with inflammatory skin disorders like psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis as it has a calming and soothing effect. It also prohibits the growth of bacteria, helps even your skin tone and is so gentle that it can even be used after a waxing, laser or chemical peel session.
I personally don't often wear make up, but on a daily basis for evening my skin tone I wear and highly recommend Natio SPF 15+ Pure Mineral Skin Perfecting BB Cream. This cream is so awesome because it covers my uneven pigmentation and gives me a nice even skin tone and gives me a natural healthy look - like I'm not wearing and don't need make-up and you can get Natio from very nearly every chemist and online chemist stores. On the occasion that I need more coverage, I wear Innoxa Pure Mineral Loose Foundation powder over the top of my BB Cream.
Remember that the things you put ON your body are absorbed INTO your body, so be sure to pay more attention to the ingredients in a product when shopping and if you also want to be a good and ethical person on top of that, you will always make sure that you look for products that state that they are not tested on animals. If it doesn't say they aren't then they are! Choose Cruelty Free actually have an app you can download to your smartphone to help you shop for cruelty-free products.
5. Pay some attention to your hands and feet!
Your hands and feet often go neglected in your beauty routine, but when you consider it, they do a lot for you and deserve some attention. Your hands are pretty much exposed to the same things that your face and neck are exposed to and even more and so they need the same treatment. Many people don't even think to do anything for their feet which you spend many hours a day standing on, trapped inside shoes. I've met people who didn't even know they had foot fungus!
Your hands and feet are very privy to dryness, rough skin and nail disorders/fungus. Regular manicures/pedicures which you can give yourself at home can help to keep your nails in tip top shape. Use a cuticle oil regularly on your fingernails to keep your cuticles moisturised and nourished and free of hang-nails, keep your nails clipped to a reasonable length to avoid accidents that could cause trauma to your nail beds and avoid overuse of chemicals like nail polish that contains harmful ingredients and nail polish remover that can be excessively drying. Always clip toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails.
The hands and feet need exfoliation to resurface the skin and remove dead skin build up. You can make your own salt or sugar scrubs for this - just look around the internet, there's 100s of different recipes that you probably already have the ingredients for. Your feet might also need the addition of a foot rasp/pedi-paddle for sanding away that dead skin a bit more vigourously.
Keep these areas moisturised too! For the hands I LOVE the certified organic and 100% natural Jasmin Aromatique Hand & Nail Cream which is made locally on Mt Tamborine here in Queensland, but for a more affordable option I like to use Sukin Hand & Nail cream which is also natural but retails for around $10 a tube. The feet require more intense moisturisation and so I will often use a heel balm, paw paw ointment or a natural body moisturiser. I apply it very thick to my feet at bedtime as often as I like and then put socks on and leave them on overnight. When I remove the socks in the morning, my feet feel soft and silky all over! You can do the same on your hands but replace socks with cotton gloves. Excessively cracked heels require more specialised treatment, and there's many natural alternatives available at the chemist shop in the foot care section. My favourite chemist to shop at for these sorts of things at the best prices is Good Price Pharmacy Warehouse.
It is also good advice, coming from an OCD girl with a hand washing problem, to not over-wash your hands! Continuously stripping your skin of it's natural protective oil can leave your skin very dry, stingy and thin. That said, don't be disgusting and never wash your hands ever, general hygiene rules still apply.
Theres many more things, but that's the main stuff I want to share for now. Let me know if you have any questions and I hope this post helps someone out there.
Wednesday, 14 August 2013
TRIMESTER 2 NEARS THE END
With only one day left of trimester two, I think it's time for an update! There are many new things.
I have now completed my waxing, hot stone massage, reflexology and Indian head massage modules and next trimester I will be completing spa therapies and advanced facials (that I had originally dropped last trimester) and some more student clinic.
There's not much to say about the completed subjects. Waxing was a fairly hard class and also a challenging exam to pass. There are two types of waxing; strip waxing and hot waxing. Strip waxing is used on the arms and legs and other areas where you need to remove a large area of hair growth and it is VERY hard! Some girls had a natural talent for it, but some of us were also really struggling. It's also a fairly physically demanding task! Hot wax is used on sensitive areas (and does not require the use of strips) such as underarms, face and the privates and it's quite simple to use and remove and is very tidy! Strip wax can make one hell of a sticky mess!
I have had a few sessions of student clinic so far. My first was in body treatments which was for massage and manis/pedis. I had one deluxe pedicure client and although I gave her a reasonably good treatment, it ran an hour longer than it was supposed to...oops! And that was the only client I got all day! There was maybe 4 or 5 clients between about 7 girls over the whole day - lots of cancellations. The week after I had tutorials so there were no clients, just practicing skills on other students. Last week was facials/tinting but unfortunately I was off sick with my dodgy gallbladder that day, so will be making it up later, but I heard from others that it was much busier than our first day in body treatments. This Friday I have waxing in student clinic, which is both good and scary - I need the practice, but am working on real, paid clients!
So, waxing in student clinic this Friday and then on to a couple of weeks of holiday! Look forward to another edition next trimester!
I have now completed my waxing, hot stone massage, reflexology and Indian head massage modules and next trimester I will be completing spa therapies and advanced facials (that I had originally dropped last trimester) and some more student clinic.
There's not much to say about the completed subjects. Waxing was a fairly hard class and also a challenging exam to pass. There are two types of waxing; strip waxing and hot waxing. Strip waxing is used on the arms and legs and other areas where you need to remove a large area of hair growth and it is VERY hard! Some girls had a natural talent for it, but some of us were also really struggling. It's also a fairly physically demanding task! Hot wax is used on sensitive areas (and does not require the use of strips) such as underarms, face and the privates and it's quite simple to use and remove and is very tidy! Strip wax can make one hell of a sticky mess!
I have had a few sessions of student clinic so far. My first was in body treatments which was for massage and manis/pedis. I had one deluxe pedicure client and although I gave her a reasonably good treatment, it ran an hour longer than it was supposed to...oops! And that was the only client I got all day! There was maybe 4 or 5 clients between about 7 girls over the whole day - lots of cancellations. The week after I had tutorials so there were no clients, just practicing skills on other students. Last week was facials/tinting but unfortunately I was off sick with my dodgy gallbladder that day, so will be making it up later, but I heard from others that it was much busier than our first day in body treatments. This Friday I have waxing in student clinic, which is both good and scary - I need the practice, but am working on real, paid clients!
So, waxing in student clinic this Friday and then on to a couple of weeks of holiday! Look forward to another edition next trimester!
Saturday, 15 June 2013
TRIMESTER 2 UPDATE
Wow, I know, I haven't posted in a million weeks! Due to the lack of followers, I figure it won't hurt to just add periodic updates from time to time, so this time I will explain a bit about trimester 2.
Well I am into about week 5 now (I think), studying waxing, hot stone massage and advanced facials this time around. Also student clinic will be starting in a couple of weeks where we start giving the treatments we are competent in to real paying clients. I needed more time to look for part time work, so I have dropped advanced facials class for now.
Unfortunately when dropping a class there is around a $200 fee for each class you drop at CNB before the census date, and after the census date you have to pay the full fee in your VET FEE HELP for the class you dropped and then pay for it again when you retake the class. In this case, the advanced facials class I dropped will cost me around $900 in my VET FEE HELP debt and then another $900 next trimester when I restart the class.
Advanced facials seems to be the toughest subject so far from the few weeks I have been going to the class. It involves the use of electronic equipment, different product range (A.S.A.P - they're quite good cosmeceutical products and I definitely recommend them!), tougher theory and learning how to give a facial for many different skin types (i.e. mature/aged, acne, erythemic, sensitive etc). The very first practical exam, which is a mature skin facial, also requires for the student to bring their own female model over the age of 35, which seemed to be a problem for many students who weren't really comfortable bringing their mother in for the treatment.
Waxing is also pretty tough in that you really need to perfect your technique. I personally removed skin from a girl in my class because my technique is still pretty terrible. It's also a very messy, sticky class! We have learnt strip wax so far, and starting hot wax (for sensitive areas) this week on the bikini and underarm. The college unfortunately isn't supplying students with a waxing kit, and offer some for you to buy at $130 or $225 (none of which I can afford!). Just a note on waxing - it REALLY FREAKIN' HURTS, just so you know!
Hot stone class is...a very hot class! Some are finding it hard to perform the massage in such a hot room. The massage itself isn't a great one and involves leaving rocks in some pretty awkward and uncomfortable places. We only got 4 weeks to learn the massage before moving on to reflexology next week, which will be incorporated with the hot stone massage for the exam. I personally am so confused with the massage right now and could use so much more in class practice!
In other news - the college is still pretty unorganised with their paperwork proofreading and written treatment procedures. They have released a new yellow logo which as a designer I'm not too fond of - not many are a fan I've discovered. But I'm personally not really having any issues with them right now, everything seems to be working out nicely for now.
Friday, 17 May 2013
BACK TO SCHOOL!
Ah what a delightful two week holiday that was to end the trimester! But now it's back to school and onto new things.
I received my new time table for the second trimester about a week ago and this trimester I will be attending four days per week rather than the three like last trimester. This trimester will consist of hot stone massage, Indian head massage, reflexology (EW!), temporary epilation (waxing but excluding Brazilians which is offered as a short course instead of part of the diploma at CNB), advanced facials (involving the use of electrical gadgets and thingymebobs like that) and student clinic where we will be providing services learned in trimester one to real clients from the public in the colleges on campus clinic.
We don't get thrown into clinic until week 7 however so that means in total this trimester there will only be 6 sessions in clinic. A lot of the girls I have spoke to are absolutely dreading clinic, including myself. It's sure to be nerve racking - here's hoping I don't accidentally tweezer someones eye out or blind them with lash tint.
This trimester will run from 20 May 2013 until 16 August 2013 followed by another 2-3 weeks holiday before the last trimester. Wish moi luck!
I received my new time table for the second trimester about a week ago and this trimester I will be attending four days per week rather than the three like last trimester. This trimester will consist of hot stone massage, Indian head massage, reflexology (EW!), temporary epilation (waxing but excluding Brazilians which is offered as a short course instead of part of the diploma at CNB), advanced facials (involving the use of electrical gadgets and thingymebobs like that) and student clinic where we will be providing services learned in trimester one to real clients from the public in the colleges on campus clinic.
We don't get thrown into clinic until week 7 however so that means in total this trimester there will only be 6 sessions in clinic. A lot of the girls I have spoke to are absolutely dreading clinic, including myself. It's sure to be nerve racking - here's hoping I don't accidentally tweezer someones eye out or blind them with lash tint.
This trimester will run from 20 May 2013 until 16 August 2013 followed by another 2-3 weeks holiday before the last trimester. Wish moi luck!
Friday, 26 April 2013
ONE THIRD OF THE WAY TO BECOMING A BEAUTY THERAPIST
Yes, that's right. One more exam next week, then 2 weeks holidays and I will be one whole third of the way through my beauty therapy diploma.
I'm very surprised at myself for how well I've done and seem to be one of the best students in most of my classes so far, passing exams and assessment items 100% the first time around. But I'm trying of course not to get too confident as I'm sure next trimester is going to be even tougher.
I failed one of my practical exams on the first attempt so far and that was for nail fundamentals. In fact, everyone in my class failed the first time around because it wasn't really a subject that was given enough time for practice. The thing we all failed on was the painting of fingernails. We were required to do white French tips and solid red block colour. Everyone found the French tips to be the hardest, mainly because we all practiced on each other and we all have short nails because that's what the college requires as part of the dress code, but at home we were practicing on other people with long nails. At first we were expected to freehand the French tips, which I deem impossible to achieve on nails with no free edge, so most students (including myself) used a make up brush (I used a Models Prefer lip brush) to shape the white tips. The college says that it was a very harshly judged exam as they require very excellent quality of the students before we are permitted to go into the college clinic and perform the treatment on real clients.
We were given Zoya nail polish, which I had thought to be a fairly good and expensive brand of polish, but the white polish and red polish we received was terrible quality. The white was sticky and gluggy and the red had ultra cuticle staining power, and we aren't allowed to bring our own polish unless we had a Material Safety Data Sheet for it, so we were expected to just deal with this crap polish. The Zoya nail polish remover they gave us in the kits was also terrible - it was very weak and had low acetone which made it very hard to clean up if polish got on the cuticles or skin. Some students even went home and topped up their polish remover with pure acetone to make it stronger.
I passed the nail painting on my second attempt thankfully, but still very much need many more hours of practice painting other people's nails. No two people nails are the same so it's pretty challenging and you need to practice on a huge variety of people.
So in this first trimester I have learnt eyelash and brow tinting and brow shaping, manicure and pedicure, full body Swedish massage, full body aromatic massage (incorporating essential oils with massage), how to give a basic facial (exam coming this Thursday), foundations of cosmetic chemistry (this was an online subject with 5 online quizzes), foundations of nutrition (also an online subject with one quiz) and foundations of anatomy and physiology (this subject was a mixture of online reading and an assessment workbook handed into my massage teacher).
On the cards for next trimester is temporary epilation (waxing - excluding Brazilian , advanced facials, Indian head massage, hot stone massage, reflexology (dreading this!) and clinic studies (which is where we spend a day a week providing beauty services to real clients in the college clinic).
We also finally received our uniforms a week ago - almost no point now that everyone is a third of the way through the course. it's not the most comfortable or well fitting uniform, and the college has adopted a new look and a new logo, which as a graphic designer I am not too fond of.
I hope that soon I will have more to share here, like tips and tricks, recommended products and tutorials!
I'm very surprised at myself for how well I've done and seem to be one of the best students in most of my classes so far, passing exams and assessment items 100% the first time around. But I'm trying of course not to get too confident as I'm sure next trimester is going to be even tougher.
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| Home practice red block colour on Jess (with added glitter!) |
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| Home practice French tips on Elli |
I passed the nail painting on my second attempt thankfully, but still very much need many more hours of practice painting other people's nails. No two people nails are the same so it's pretty challenging and you need to practice on a huge variety of people.
So in this first trimester I have learnt eyelash and brow tinting and brow shaping, manicure and pedicure, full body Swedish massage, full body aromatic massage (incorporating essential oils with massage), how to give a basic facial (exam coming this Thursday), foundations of cosmetic chemistry (this was an online subject with 5 online quizzes), foundations of nutrition (also an online subject with one quiz) and foundations of anatomy and physiology (this subject was a mixture of online reading and an assessment workbook handed into my massage teacher).
On the cards for next trimester is temporary epilation (waxing - excluding Brazilian , advanced facials, Indian head massage, hot stone massage, reflexology (dreading this!) and clinic studies (which is where we spend a day a week providing beauty services to real clients in the college clinic).
We also finally received our uniforms a week ago - almost no point now that everyone is a third of the way through the course. it's not the most comfortable or well fitting uniform, and the college has adopted a new look and a new logo, which as a graphic designer I am not too fond of.
I hope that soon I will have more to share here, like tips and tricks, recommended products and tutorials!
Monday, 15 April 2013
I'M STILL HERE!
Wow, I haven't posted in many a week!
This is just a quick note to say I've not abandoned ship and will give an update as soon as holidays begin on May 3.
Tomorrow is the impossible manicure and pedicure practical exam (including French tips) and later this week skills tests (which are a pre exam, no notes or teacher tips practice) for facials and aromatherapy massage classes.
Until I come back with more time, here's a few cool vintage nail polish ads! Definitely shaping my own nails into the almond when I'm on holidays!
This is just a quick note to say I've not abandoned ship and will give an update as soon as holidays begin on May 3.
Tomorrow is the impossible manicure and pedicure practical exam (including French tips) and later this week skills tests (which are a pre exam, no notes or teacher tips practice) for facials and aromatherapy massage classes.
Until I come back with more time, here's a few cool vintage nail polish ads! Definitely shaping my own nails into the almond when I'm on holidays!
Tuesday, 26 March 2013
VARIOUS UPDATES (WITH PICTURES!)
Hey, I passed my full body Swedish massage exam! There were 5 other girls taking their exam in the session I took mine and I was the only one who passed it the first time around without having to repeat anything. I was so stressed about failing and all for nothing!
This week is the mid trimester break, which has come at a perfect time because there's some workbooks and study I need to catch up on (plus some of my graphic design work which is falling pretty badly behind lately).
Did I mention already that we had finally received our lash tint and mani/pedi kits? They have some okay stuff in them, but also some rank smelling things. We got Zoya brand polish, base and top coats, which if you know about nail polish, is a pretty good brand and is free from formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, camphor and dibutyl phthalate free and also vegan-friendly as most good brands of polish are these days.
The mani/pedi kit came with a few tools like a cuticle pushes, clipper thingies (love my professional terms?), scissors, a bunch of files, a crappy three-way buffer, a pedi paddle plus some extra pads for it, a bottle of red Zoya polish (red because it's apparently the hardest colour to work with), Zoya Anchor basecoat and Amour topcoat, Hawley cuticle conditioner (which smells absolutely vile - like baby sick), Zoya polish remover and these other two receptacles of some of the most disgusting things I've ever smelt; QTICA Q Smart Spa luxury lotion and sugar scrub.
I am pretty sensitive to smells, and this rank artificially fragranced junk makes me feel sick to the stomach. There seemed to be a variety of 'flavours' of the stuff. I got 'lime zest' and some other got things like mango flavour and pink grapefruit flavour. none of them actually smelt like the alleged flavour. They are just sickeningly sweet and gross. I'm planning on buying my own stuff and just hope that I'll be allowed to use it! Surly I'll be able to since this icky stuff gives me an epic headache.
The mani/pedi kit came with a few tools like a cuticle pushes, clipper thingies (love my professional terms?), scissors, a bunch of files, a crappy three-way buffer, a pedi paddle plus some extra pads for it, a bottle of red Zoya polish (red because it's apparently the hardest colour to work with), Zoya Anchor basecoat and Amour topcoat, Hawley cuticle conditioner (which smells absolutely vile - like baby sick), Zoya polish remover and these other two receptacles of some of the most disgusting things I've ever smelt; QTICA Q Smart Spa luxury lotion and sugar scrub.
I am pretty sensitive to smells, and this rank artificially fragranced junk makes me feel sick to the stomach. There seemed to be a variety of 'flavours' of the stuff. I got 'lime zest' and some other got things like mango flavour and pink grapefruit flavour. none of them actually smelt like the alleged flavour. They are just sickeningly sweet and gross. I'm planning on buying my own stuff and just hope that I'll be allowed to use it! Surly I'll be able to since this icky stuff gives me an epic headache.
I've attached some pictures of the manicure and pedicure set up at college, and also a picture of the lash and brow tint kit which came with two tints (black [which is not the darkest shade you can get by the way] and natural brown), a bottle of creme developer, stainless steel tweezers, a glass tint bowl and a plastic kidney dish. The brand of the tint is RefectoCil, which after some investigation I have discovered is a fairly decent brand.
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| Lash and brow tint kit |
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| Terrible picture of the mani/pedi kit |
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| Manicure setup |
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| Pedicure setup |
I'm looking around for an online store where I can get the best price for natural supplies as when the supplies in our kits run out, we have to replace them, because we use our own kits in class. When we go to work in the college clinic (18 sessions in total are required as part of the diploma), we also use our own kits there.
Over this week Easter break, I'll be working on my nail fundamentals workbook, my body systems workbook (for massage class) and also studying for my practical and written facials exam. I think the written facials exam is going to be a pretty epic challenge.
Have a happy chocolate weekend!
Over this week Easter break, I'll be working on my nail fundamentals workbook, my body systems workbook (for massage class) and also studying for my practical and written facials exam. I think the written facials exam is going to be a pretty epic challenge.
Have a happy chocolate weekend!
Sunday, 17 March 2013
EXAM TIME
Spare time is starting to become a rare thing while approaching exams. This week will be my full body Swedish massage exam.
This is the second practical exam of the year and proves to be a very tough one. It personally has me and many other students under immense pressure due to the strict criteria that requires filling to pass and the fact that if we don't pass it, we will have to pay $200 for another attempt at passing it. Some people that I've spoken to have told me this is not the case with some of the other colleges, you just get to keep at it until you pass.
The day of my massage exam will be this Wednesday at 1pm (practical exam days so far haven't been full 9am-4pm days, we just stay long enough to complete the exam). I'm required to bring in my own 'model' and treat it as a real life client situation (I'm bringing in my little sister). We will go through a consultation process with our client where we will discuss the massage treatment, goals, concerns, nutrition and a few other things. We will be marked on things like the consultation and aftercare process, dress code, the massage moves and the way we perform them, the duration (1 hour to complete the massage - I went 15minutes overtime last week during in-class practice, which would be an instant fail if I did that in the exam), the draping of the client and a few other things.
No one that I've spoken to seems to be ready for the exam and it's the general consensus among students that we need more time to prepare. I'm not entirely convinced that I'm going to pass as my memory is having a bit of a hard time keeping around 120 separate massage moves in there in the exact order they need to be performed in, despite practicing like crazy.
Unfortunately this subject has been taking up all of my study focus and I haven't been getting all the practice I should be for my other two classes. I'll come back with an update of how the massage exam went later in the week.
News in other classes - We have now moved on from lash and brow to nails (mani/pedi) in one class but have only had 2 classes thus far (one of which I missed). I've still not yet received my lash and brow tint kit or uniform. In facials class we are now performing and practicing a full one hour facial which consists of cleansing, skin analysis, cleansing again, steaming and exfoliating, facial massage, then a mask and a hand massage. The facials practical exam comes up in a few weeks too, so after my massage exam, this is where all the study focus is headed!
Until next time!
This is the second practical exam of the year and proves to be a very tough one. It personally has me and many other students under immense pressure due to the strict criteria that requires filling to pass and the fact that if we don't pass it, we will have to pay $200 for another attempt at passing it. Some people that I've spoken to have told me this is not the case with some of the other colleges, you just get to keep at it until you pass.
The day of my massage exam will be this Wednesday at 1pm (practical exam days so far haven't been full 9am-4pm days, we just stay long enough to complete the exam). I'm required to bring in my own 'model' and treat it as a real life client situation (I'm bringing in my little sister). We will go through a consultation process with our client where we will discuss the massage treatment, goals, concerns, nutrition and a few other things. We will be marked on things like the consultation and aftercare process, dress code, the massage moves and the way we perform them, the duration (1 hour to complete the massage - I went 15minutes overtime last week during in-class practice, which would be an instant fail if I did that in the exam), the draping of the client and a few other things.
No one that I've spoken to seems to be ready for the exam and it's the general consensus among students that we need more time to prepare. I'm not entirely convinced that I'm going to pass as my memory is having a bit of a hard time keeping around 120 separate massage moves in there in the exact order they need to be performed in, despite practicing like crazy.
Unfortunately this subject has been taking up all of my study focus and I haven't been getting all the practice I should be for my other two classes. I'll come back with an update of how the massage exam went later in the week.
News in other classes - We have now moved on from lash and brow to nails (mani/pedi) in one class but have only had 2 classes thus far (one of which I missed). I've still not yet received my lash and brow tint kit or uniform. In facials class we are now performing and practicing a full one hour facial which consists of cleansing, skin analysis, cleansing again, steaming and exfoliating, facial massage, then a mask and a hand massage. The facials practical exam comes up in a few weeks too, so after my massage exam, this is where all the study focus is headed!
Until next time!
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