My client’s wife had treated him to a relaxing day of spa & barbering services for their anniversary.
My job was to deliver a body polish service. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this service, it’s basically a full body scrub that leaves your skin feeling like silk. 😊
The service requires the client to be fully undressed. They lie on the massage table covered by a small towel over the groin area and another over the bust for women.
Drifting away…
Now, during quiet services I tend to drift away in my thoughts and answer pressing questions. Questions like “what should I wear tomorrow?” or “I wonder what my dog is thinking right now?” or “why does the sun lighten our hair but darken our skin?”
It makes the time pass and before you know it you’ve exfoliated 90% of your 6-foot-tall client who happens to be blessed with 2-inch strands of body hair over everything but his palms and soles.
Zoned OUT.
After scrubbing away at his limbs and torso, I followed up with a swift towel buff. I like using a rolled-up towel to wipe away the granules. To prevent the granules from getting into his eyes I covered them with a small towel, much like a blindfold. I then recite the usual – “for this next step, I will need you to close your eyes”.
I was so zoned out in my thoughts as I whipped the towel into my hands and began to wind it like a jockey in the locker room. When I turned back to the bed, I realized that I had whipped his groin towel off and left him laying blindfolded, motionless, and butt naked on the table!
I quickly threw the towel on him and apologized through my uncontrollable laughter, his response “It’s ok, I just wasn’t sure what was gonna to happen next!”.
– Buffed
Submit your funny stories to info@executivespagroup.com.
Do you shake your client’s hand the first time you meet them or do you believe it is an antiquated practice?
The estheticians of yesteryear were trained to shake the hand of the client as they introduced themselves for the first time. In fact, many estheticians trained abroad still practice the handshake.
Call us old fashioned, but we still believe in the handshake. It’s a show of respect and professionalism. Shaking your client’s hand when you first meet them adds a touch of class to your salon or spa.
WHAT DOES YOUR HANDSHAKE SAY ABOUT YOU?
People use different handshakes. It is important to know what message your handshake is sending to the receiver.
Types of Handshakes
• Jell-O hand: this handshake is often interpreted as a sign of passiveness, weakness, lack of energy, or drive. This handshake tells your customer that you are lacking confidence in your position. For the receiver of this handshake they can be left feeling awkward after this limp shake.
• Death grip: this handshake is aggressive and firm, but often too firm for the receiver leaving their hand feeling numb or pained. Although the giver of this handshake is attempting to portray dominance and assertiveness, it can be seen as overly aggressive or offensive in some situations. This handshake is not appropriate for the nature of the beauty industry and should be avoided in customer service.
• Hand Cradle: this handshake is used as a display of affection. The giver of the handshake can use this as an opportunity to show the receiver that they are protective, caring, and trustworthy. It is most commonly used and most appropriately used between individuals who share a bond or emotional connection. Similar to a hug, it can be considered inappropriate in a customer service setting, or first interaction.
• Missionary: this handshake is a display of dominance. It involves the giver turning their palm down leaving the other individuals palm turned up. The giver in this situation is showing that they feel superior or dominant over the other individual. This handshake should be reserved for situations in which a powerful statement is to be made. Refrain from using this handshake in customer service situations, or with your authority.
• Lady fingers: this courteous handshake is used by women when greeting a man. It is used to keep distance between the lady and her greeter by extending her arm towards him and allowing only her fingers to be grasped. This handshake is not inappropriate in a customer service interaction, even with male customers.
• The go-to shake: this handshake is appropriate for most situations as it is neither overpowering nor lacking in confidence. This handshake involves a comfortable grasp and a quick 3 second shake. Both parties’ hands are vertical and exert an equal amount of pressure. This handshake tells your customer that you are a professional and consider them equals in your interaction. Always ensure you are making eye contact with your greeter when shaking their hand. TIP: If the person is holding your hand for too long gently place your other hand over theirs and pull away.
Are you interested in joining the beauty industry? ESG is a Beauty Industry Resource Centre. Our Career and Employment Consultant is ready to help you design a career path that is right for you!
We recommend starting off with esthetics basics like Waxing.
Looking for jobs in beauty? Try our job bank.
Visit our job bank for Beauty jobs in Edmonton and area. It is Alberta Beauty Industry- focused and contains up-to-date job listings in Alberta. ESG offers short training courses to help you reach your goals one step at a time.
With the growing number of beauty professionals in this country, we thought we would take a look at employment mobility through Canada. While certification standards differ from province to province, here are some things you need to know if you are planning to move.
In Canada, all of the provinces and territories have regulation for hairstylists through the Red Seal Journeyman Certification. With this certificate, you are able to legally work from province to province. However, each province has different standards of training, so check out the National Employment Requirements to find out what you need to begin your trade. Barbering falls under the Hairstylist occupation as well, so certification will still be mandatory to practice this specialized craft.
As an Esthetician in Canada, however, you may find your mobility limited, as few provinces have regulation trade requirements:
Manitoba regulates their Electrologists and Estheticians through Apprenticeship Manitoba
Saskatchewan divides their esthetic regulations between Nail Technicians and Skin Care specialists, also through an apprenticeship and trade certification commission.
Training and on-the-job hours may transfer to a regulated province if you meet their individual criteria. If you are moving outside of a regulated province, your training and certification will be appealing to employers in a province that does not have these requirements.
While the country is looking to start standardizing esthetics, hairstyling is the only beauty industry career that has national standards. If you are considering moving, or you need more information about labour mobility in Canada, visit Worker’s Mobility.
