The “Old Wives Tale” regarding hair growth…

I am sure you have heard it… said it… or believed it at some point in your life:

“If you shave, pluck, wax, or thread, dermaplane, (or any other form of hair removal process) it will only come back THICKER and darker! So you should NEVER EVER have your facial hair removed!”

This my readers is false.  I am not here to argue the age old hair growth myth.  Just give you the facts and I hope it will help you shed some light on the potential hair removal process you are considering having done or afraid to even consider having done because you are afraid of being Bigfoot when you are finished… and when your hair finally does grow back in.

First off… there are two types of hair on our bodies:

Vellus hair:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short, fine, light-colored, and barely noticeable hair that develops on most of a person’s body from his/her childhood.   Exceptions include the lips, the back of the ear, the palm of the hand, the sole of the foot, some external genital areas, the neval and scar tissue. The density of hair – the number of hair follicles per area of skin – varies from person to person. Each strand of vellus hair is usually less than 2 mm (1/13 inch) long and the follicle is not connected to a sebaceous gland.

Terminal hair:

 

 

 

 

 

Thick, long, and dark, as compared with vellus hair; thicker hair that grows under the arms, pubic area, eye brows, legs and mustache and beard for men. 

Vellus hair when cut or removed will grow back the same.  The structure of the hair does not become damaged, therefore it is impossible to alter.  

Terminal hair is physiologically coarse.  When Terminal hair is cut, it grows back the same way – coarse.

Sometimes, waxing can make the hair appear to be “thinner” but it is really not thinner at all.  Because waxing pulls the hair from it’s roots, the new hair grows in with a smooth tip, making it feel softer.  But it is actually the same type of hair it was before.  It’s only when we cut hair (any type of hair) that the hair grows back with a blunt cut at the tip.  

The question has been given often times:
“why did my daughter (whom just began puberty) shave her legs, it was soft and more liken to “vellus” and then when it grew back, it became thick and darker?!”

The answer to this is due to it was actually Terminal hair to begin with.  The structure of the hair on her legs was different from the assumed vellus hair.  Leg hair is mean to be thicker, so when someone shaves the hair on their legs, the tip of the hair is blunt, therefore, making an already coarse piece of hair feel thicker.  Of course, add puberty into the mix and you will see plenty of changes within your daughters physical structure.

If you want to assist with lessening the “course” feel of the above scenario, one should consider waxing or threading the leg or other region that you are concerned with being course in texture.  Often times the hair will be softer and will grow a bit slower, because your esthetician or professional is removing the hair from the root and not just cutting the hair at the skin line the hair is re-growing a brand new strand.  Therefore the hair will come back a bit softer initially because it is a new “baby” hair.
If you choose the hair removal process you should keep up on this process with having a maintenance hair removal process every 3-4 weeks, most places will even offer discounts for coming back within a set time frame and it will offer a less discomforting process when you do go more often to have your hair removed professionally.

If you choose the laser hair removal choice, please note you cannot and should not be having any laser process near your eyes, so permanently having your eyebrows arched with next to no hair growth coming back isn’t something that will work for laser.  The darker the hair the better when using laser hair removal process and even after several visits you are explained and advised that you should revisit the laser process every few years for a maintenance process to stop any hairs that will eventually regrow even after most of the follicles were destroyed by said laser, some will still live and eventually re-sprout with new growth cycles.  Nothing is permanent (yet) with regards to hair removal.  The lighter, vellus hair growth as of 2012 is not something a laser procedure can assist with.  With many changes being made everyday in the esthetic and hair removal industry… anything is possible!

If you still have the voices of women of years gone by reminding you still not to remove that hair above your lip… (for example) what I can tell my clients is that after a threading process the hair is removed for a longer period of time, then say for example waxing or shaving.  This gives you the advantage and happiness to see a clean upper lip for a longer time frame.  This also can create an issue when you realize in about a months time your lip appears “harrier”!  You panic and start to think your grandmother was right!  What I do see in my practice is that the clients I work with month after month that come to me and I thread their entire face or just a lip… the hair never changes.  We have several cycles of hair growth, yes, you might have one growth cycle a bit thicker then another, however, the hair that is growing back isn’t any thicker then the first time when you sat in my chair the month prior.  I believe we see such results that are beneficial to our outer appearance and we forget just how much hair we did in fact start with and when the hair comes back… we are a little surprised sometimes with the growth that is coming back.

We have two choices… we have it removed… or we let it be.  What I do say to my client that is considering any hair removal is this:

“Does it bother you? Is this something you want removed?”

If you can answer the questions above yes/no… then you know your answer… if you are being talked into something… chances are you will not be happy with the process, results or the grow back later on, IF on the other hand you are wanting that hair removed… then you will deal with the discomfort that comes with hair removal and you will be happy with the results.

This is a personal preference and I do not recommend it unless YOU WANT IT! 🙂

I hope the above has helped shed some light on the old wives tales about hair growth/removal and maybe convinces you to try out threading, waxing or let your daughter that’s been nagging you to shave her legs to go ahead with it!

If this is a first time… for ANY hair removal process… EDUCATE YOURSELF!!

Thanks for reading!!
Have a great one! 🙂

What is Dermaplaning?

How is Dermaplaning performed? 
It is safely performed by using a #10 blade (yes, a sterile surgical blade).  The blade is held against the skin at a 45 degree angle and stroked along the skin, just like shaving.  However, the practitioner is doing the stroking while holding the area of skin taut. 

This treatment, when professionally trained/performed, is extremely safe.  There is no more risk to the skin than when a man shaves his face.  As long as the practitioner has adequate training, the treatment should be very easy and quick.

 

 

 

 

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Dermaplaning is performed only on the facial areas only.
With exceptions to the nostrils, eyelids, neck and chest areas.

This procedure is similar to microdermabrasions or chemical peels; during said procedure there is typically 2-3 weeks worth of dead skin cells removed and you can safely have this procedure repeated every 3-4 weeks, it is recommended to wait this long between services to allow the skin to complete its normal skin cycle of approximately 30 days.

Dermaplaning can also be performed in conjunction with a chemical peel.  It is recommended using a Non-Traumatic Chirally-Correct peels (each ingredient contains only those molecules that will produce positive side effects to the skin).  They are made without harsh chemicals that might induce a burn effect on the skin.  Being loaded with antioxidants and nutrients as well as chirally-correct acids, such as L-lactic, L-malic and L-tartaric.

Still with the above precautions you still may still see some superficial peeling after a chemical peel and dermaplaning service. If you are seeing skin peeling after a regular dermaplaning procedure without the act of a chemical peel, the procedure may be too soon for your skins normal cycle to be complete.  Take note when you are having it done and try to lesson the procedures so you are lessening the skin peeling process that could occur.  This will not help with the health of your skin if you are not allowing your skins normal cycle to be completed.

The idea is to not over-exfoliate the skin.  We are just assisting with your skin’s natural exfoliation process.

Skin types/conditions that can be benefited or treated by this procedure:
Nearly all skin types can truly benefit from dermaplaning, however, it is not recommended that this treatment be used for those suffering from severe acne and an over production of the sebaceous gland (microscopic glands in the skin that secrete an oily/waxy matter, called sebum).  The oils from the sebaceous glad need to travel up and connect with the vellus hair (short, fine, light-colored, and barely noticeable hair that develops on most of a person’s body from his/her childhood. Typically referred to as “Peach Fuzz”).  If the hair is removed, then the oils tend to stay below where they are prone to mix with bacterial colonies, ultimately stimulating more acne.

This procedure is often a great alternative to someone that cannot have a chemical peel or microdermabrasion procedure due to contraindications that will prevent them from having said services.  Someone pregnant for example, would benefit from this process if they were concerned with the skin texture or were routinely having peels or dermabrasion services.

The only Contraindications to dermaplaning include an allergy to nickel, numerous raised lesions on the skin and inflamed acne.

Procedures for having Dermaplaning:

• You should be explained the procedure and informed that although unlikely, there is a chance that you could obtain a superficial scrape or nick to the skin.
• You should sign a consent form that states possibilities of complications.
• Your skin should be cleaned thoroughly, using a cleanser with mild keratolytic properties, (such as beta or apha hydroxy acids) this will help loosen dead skin and allow for a deeper exfoliation with the scalpel.
• The scalpel being used should have a #10 blade in the handle.  Blade may need changed during the process due to dulling that will occur.
• Your skin should be completely dry.  If the skin has any moisture on it at all, there is an increased chance of nicking the skin, and the treatment will not be as effective.
• Because the scalpel is being used on your skin, it is very important that you, the client remain still during the procedure.
• The blade will be scraped across your skin at an approx. 45 degree angle.  The abrading of the surface with precise movements in the opposite direction of the hair growth, there is a pattern that should develop, such as starting at one side of the face and finishing at the other, to ensure that all of the areas are covered properly.
• After the entire face has been treated, a hydrating moisturizer and sunscreen should be applied to the skin to finish the procedure.
• If another peeling process will be used (such as a chemical peel), it is important that extra precautions are taken.  The peel will penetrate more deeply after the removal of the superficial layers of skin.

There is no downtime typically associated with this procedure.  You should be educated about the importance of using sunscreen (EVEN during the winter months) to reduce the chance of hyperpigmentation (darkening of an area of skin or nails caused by increased melanin).

Below video is a little bit silly, the commentator is a regular person, he is going for his first dermaplaning and has a very basic detailed process showed before and during and the after effects.  I chose this one because he did make me laugh, some of the videos… they get a wee bit too serious! (hope you enjoy!)

 

The below video is a bit more serious, it has a good amount of details without a LOT of medical jargon.  I wanted to find videos that are “client” perspective and client friendly… I hope these gave you some great detail!

 

Special thanks to two web sites that assisted me with details on my above blog:

http://www.skininc.com/treatments/medicalesthetics/129825918.html
Skin Inc.
Dermaplaning for Skin Rejuvenation
by Edie Pastis

http://www.pureskinjunkie.com/id17.html
Pure Skin Solutions

Thank you for being patient with me and reading my blog.
your patronage and use is always my greatest joy with regards to this blog… thanks for stopping by and reading!

 

I must be crazy…

I must be crazy….

or perhaps a little insane? but… I am a good person.

My apologies for not doing much with my Esthetics of late… I have had some bumps in my path and I promise… you will see some new posts that have more to do with my professional side then my personal… but thank you for reading and being a fan of my Esthetics page nonetheless! 🙂

ADDING SOME JOY

ADDING SOME JOY.

wishing you all a great Friday and Weekend ahead of you!

hope it brings you some giggles! ENJOY! 🙂

The TRUTH is…

My personal blog… working through things… good, bad… it’s ME 🙂

thank you as always for taking time to read… always appreciated!

The TRUTH is….  I am grateful for being ME… and having this outlet… specially nowadays…

TRUTH IS… I know I need to get crackin on some professional blog time too! 😉

Once upon a time…

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”

JUST SOMETHING FROM MY PERSONAL SIDE…

THANKS FOR READING. 🙂

Once upon a time….

so… apparently Ima EXPRESSIONLESS model… *sigh* really?

From my personal blog… I am appreciate you taking time to read it! always nice knowing someone is!  

Have a great one! 🙂

so… apparently Ima EXPRESSIONLESS model… *sigh* really?.

Favorite things…

So… I have been thinking about thing I love… things I am curious about and things I would love to try… so… this post will be about different products I have either tried, or am insanely curious to know more about and try… please enjoy and I would love any feedback on any of the products… what you think — like? dislike? anything that can help others with their choices!

THANKS!

Skincare:

SEACRET

            

Seacret Skincare line hasn’t been around for too long, but, it’s becoming quite popular for it’s very natural and organic ingredients… all the products deriving from the Dead Sea salts… and then eventually being created into the many amazing products that are available.  There aren’t too many ways to purchase the products, but, if you are able to get connected… you won’t regret the results.  There are great testimonials and the product speaks for itself.

The Recover mask (see above far right) is a very luxurious product, great for all skin type with the EXCEPTION to very acne prone skin, if you have extremely oily skin, DO NOT try this product.  There are serums within this product that can create unnecessary oil build-up on your acne prone skin.  However, if you are of aging skin, or very dry skin… this IS the product designed especially for you! And let me tell you… it’s amazing!! You simply apply it with your hands or a small plastic spatula applicator and let it sit on your skin.  Let the product work, and then remove with the magnet supplied… yes a magnet!!! you use a piece of tissue and a small square magnet and pull it over your skin… watch and see what said magnet will pull… when it pulls said product off your face!!! It’ll not only amaze you, but, maybe even surprise you too!!! The feeling of your skin after this product is removed is amazing! Soft, moisturized and so supple!

I definitely would recommend you considering this product line or at least parts to add to your currently skincare regime.  The best thing about Seacret, is that it IS natural and you can use it with any of your current products… and it will not hurt you!  The Acne line is also something to truly consider trying for anyone that is having issues with controlling the issues that arise with acne prone skin.

If you are interested in gaining more knowledge? Purchasing any of the products you can check this link out: http://www.seacretdirect.com/?ID=jhatfield1972

I am curious if you do try it… what you think or thought of the above products line?  please let me know!!

IT WORKS! Body Contouring Wraps:

I was recently introduced to what seems almost too good to be true product… but… I have seen the quality of the effects up close and personal and I can vouch that it works!!! Really well!

“It Works! Body Contouring Wraps” is a naturally-based, detoxifying body contouring formula, that can tighten, tone and firm your skin throughout your body!  It will help minimize cellulite appearance, improves texture & tightness, and results can be seen within 45 minutes, however, the LMT Devon Ratley that is offering this at one of the Salon/Spa’s I currently work within says the longer you can wear the wraps the better!!!  You can wear one wrap on a body part every 4 days, they do offer a Defining Gell that will help during the 4 days between the wrap treatments, it’s similar product, however, on a much less intense scale.  It will still help improve skin texture, tightness and also helps diminish the appearance of varicose veins.

This product was showcased on The Oscars and The Emmys in the star give-away baskets as the “thing to have” and also used on the set of Sex & The City 2! It is a product that is getting some amazing results!!! I would definitely recommend trying it out!  For one wrap it’s only$25!!  You can purchase a 4 pack for $99 OR become a preferred client and over 3 months you on pay $69 for the kit each of the 3 months… or change to a different product… just need to remain a preferred client to get the better deal!

for more details and get your wrap: https://www.myitworks.com/Home

NERIUM:

                  

One simple over night serum/mask you place on after you’ve washed your face as your are readying yourself for bedtime!  It’s way easy… and you get tons of results for just 3 easy pumps to the hand and applying to your neck, face and any other area that you might want to try with this product!

My boss in Vancouver is an agent for Nerium and I have had the privilege to get to use this product for a few weeks and I personally have seen differences in my skin… the product works much like a filler and does help with fading discoloration we all tend to have due to sun damage, if you have Scandinavian genes that can make the redness occur a bit brighter to under your natural skin tones… the weather and stress doesn’t help this matter any… I can vouch for that! But this product does show some great results and I have personally seen it helping people with Rosacea, in fact one of the fellow agents only decided to buy into the product and sell it because it solved her severe issues with Rosacea!

Most people start to see results within the first few weeks… as you can see there is some great results… this isn’t just with one person… it’s something I certainly have seen up close and can say it really works!

If you are interested in this product… please check out the link: http://tinapalmer.nerium.com/

There is plenty of product details and if you become an agent you and can get 3 people to buy under you… you get your product FREE! A nice incentive for the person on a budget!

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All these products are natural, organic and have proven, and shown results.  I realize with any kind of product there will be people that may not appreciate them and have bad results… I welcome that feedback as well, but, please be constructive when you give your results, I don’t wish to have someone just claiming they HATE something without giving constructive criticism to back their claims.  I do not wish to create a form for hate.

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as always… I appreciate your time in reading my posts!!! I have hit nearly 6500 hits/reads on my Blog… and that truly is something to say… I am so grateful for everyone that has used my blog, professionally, as a student or as the average consumer looking for education or details on certain procedures or methods!  It’s a great feeling knowing so many have been able to find some great usage out of my Blog.  I have to again say a special thanks to a very special man that inspired me to start it… convincing me that it would be a great idea!  TO me… 6500 people viewing my blog is HUGE!! Ever single person that passes over my words and reads them… it’s great!

So… again… thank you!!! To my Readers… you ROCK! 🙂

ROSACEA 101

WHAT IS ROSACEA?

A common skin problem, yet a poorly understood disorder of the facial skin that is estimated to affect well over 16 million Americans and many of them don’t know they are suffering from it.
Becoming more widespread as the populous baby boom generation enters the most susceptible ages.
A Gallup survey found that 78% of Americans have no knowledge of this condition, including how to recognize it and what to do about it.

Because of its red-faced, acne-like effects, it can cause significant psychological, social and occupational issues if left untreated.

Dependent upon the severity of the issue it can truly effect someone’s daily life, self-esteem and self-confidence may be lowered due to not being able to feel “themselves” in public.

Although, the cause of Rosacea is unknown and there is no cure, today help is available to help control the signs and symptoms.

Observations show that it typically begins any time after age 30 as redness on the cheeks, nose, chin or forehead that may come and go. Rosacea may also occur on the neck, chest, scalp or ears. Over time, redness tends to become ruddier and more persistent, visible blood vessels may appear. If left untreated, bumps and pimples often occur, in severe cases the nose may grow swollen and bumpy due to excess tissue; also called “rhinophyma” (pronounced “rhi-no-FY-muh”), giving the late comedian E.C. Fields his trademark bulbous nose.
Many Rosacea patients find the eyes are also affected, feeling irritated and appearing watery or even bloodshot.
Rosacea can affect all segments of the population, most with fair skin who tend to flush or blush easily are believed to be at greatest risks. This disease is more frequently found in women, but more severe symptoms tend to be seen in men — the thought behind this is perhaps men often times delay seeking medical treatment or help until is reaches advanced stages.

WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR?

Rosacea varies substantially from one person to another. In most cases only some of the potential signns and symptoms actually appear. According to a consensus committee and review panel of 17 medical experts worldwide, Rosacea always includes at least ONE of the following primary signs and varioud secondary signs and symptoms may also develop.

PRIMARY SIGNS OF ROSACEA

Flushing
Many people with rosacea have a history of frequent blushing or flushing. This facial redness may come and go, and is often the earliest sign of the disorder.

Persistent Redness
Persistent facial redness is the most common individual sign of rosacea, and may resemble a blush or sunburn that does not go away.

Bumps and Pimples
Small red solid bumps or pus-filled pimples often develop. While these may resemble acne, blackheads are absent and burning or stinging may occur.

Visible Blood Vessels
In many people with rosacea, small blood vessels become visible on the skin.

OTHER POTENTIAL SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Eye Irritation
In many people with rosacea, the eyes may be irritated and appear watery or bloodshot, a condition known as ocular rosacea. The eyelids also may become red and swollen, and styes are common. Severe cases can result in corneal damage and vision loss without medical help.

Burning or Stinging
Burning or stinging sensations may often occur on the face. Itching or a feeling of tightness may also develop.

Dry Appearance
The central facial skin may be rough, and thus appear to be very dry.

Plaques
Raised red patches, known as plaques, may develop without changes in the surrounding skin.

Skin Thickening
The skin may thicken and enlarge from excess tissue, most commonly on the nose. This condition, known as rhinophyma, affects more men than women.

Swelling
Facial swelling, known as edema, may accompany other signs of rosacea or occur independently.

Signs Beyond the Face
Rosacea signs and symptoms may also develop beyond the face, most commonly on the neck, chest, scalp or ears.

SUBTYPES OF ROSACEA

The consensus committee and review panel of 17 medical experts worldwide identified four subtypes of rosacea, defined as common patterns or groupings of signs and symptoms.
These include:

Subtype 1 (erythematotelangiectatic rosacea), characterized by flushing and persistent redness, and may also include visible blood vessels.

Subtype 2 (papulopustular rosacea), characterized by persistent redness with transient bumps and pimples.

Subtype 3 (phymatous rosacea), characterized by skin thickening, often resulting in an enlargement of the nose from excess tissue.

Subtype 4 (ocular rosacea), characterized by ocular manifestations such as dry eye, tearing and burning, swollen eyelids, recurrent styes and potential vision loss from corneal damage.

Many experience characteristics of more than one subtype at the same time, and those often may develop in succession. While rosacea may or may not evolve from one subtype to another, each individual sign or symptom may progress from mild to moderate to severe. Early diagnosis and treatment are therefore recommended.

TREATING ROSACEA

Because everyone is affected differently and has different signs and symptoms each person should be treated individually and must be tailored by a physician for your particular case and issue.

There are various oral and topical medications that can be prescribed to treat the external problems such as bumps, pimples and redness often associated. Dermatologist often prescribe initial treatment with oral and topical therapy to bring the condition under immediate control, then following it up by long-term use of topical therapy alone to maintain remission.
There are versions of an oral therapy with low risk of microbial resistance developed specifically for Rosacia, they are showing safe, long-term usage.

Treatments with lasers, intense pulse light sources or other medical and surgical devices may be used to remove visible blood vessels, reducing extensive redness and or correcting disfigurements of the nose. Ocular Rosacea may be treated with oral antibiotics and other therapies.

DAILY SKIN CARE

You should always check with your dermatologist to make certain your routine is compatible with Rosacea. Gentle skincare routines can also help control Rosacea. It is always recommended to clean using mild non-abrasive cleaners, rinsing with lukewarm (never hot) water and blotting face dry with thick cotton towels. NEVER pull, tug, or use a rough washcloth.

There are cosmetics that may be used to conceal the effects of Rosacea. Green makeup or green-tinted foundations can be used to counter redness. Followed by skin-tone foundation with natural yellow tones, avoiding those with pink or orange hues (which will only highlight what you are trying to cover).

LIFE WITH ROSACEA 

Additionally to medical treatments  sufferers can improve their overall chances of maintaining remission by identifying and avoiding lifestyle and environmental factors that trigger flare-ups or aggravate your skin.

FACTORS THAT MAY TRIGGER ROSACEA FLARE-UPS:

The following list was compiled from patient histories by Dr. Jonathan Wilkin and produced by the National Rosacea Society.

Foods	Temperature-related
Liver Yogurt Sour cream Cheese (except cottage cheese) Chocolate Vanilla Soy sauce Yeast extract (bread is OK) Vinegar Eggplant Avocados Spinach Broad-leaf beans and pods, including lima, navy or pea Citrus fruits, tomatoes, bananas, red plums, raisins or figs Spicy and thermally hot foods Foods high in histamine	Saunas Hot baths Simple overheating Excessively warm environments
	Weather
	Sun Strong winds Cold Humidity
	Drugs
	Vasodilators Topical steroids
Beverages	Medical conditions
Alcohol, especially red wine, beer, bourbon, gin, vodka or champagne Hot drinks, including hot cider, hot chocolate, coffee or tea	Frequent flushing Menopause Chronic cough Caffeine withdrawal syndrome
Emotional influences	Physical exertion
Stress Anxiety	Exercise “Lift and load” jobs
Skin care products
Some cosmetics and hair sprays, especially those containing alcohol, witch hazel or fragrances Hydro-alcoholic or acetone substances Any substance that causes redness or stinging

Bumps (papules) and Pimples (pustules)

Patient with Subtype 2 (papulopustular) rosacea, treated with topical therapy in a split-face study.

Redness (erythema)

Patient with Subtype 1 (erythematotelangiectatic) rosacea, before and after pulsed-dye laser treatment. (Photos by Thomas E. Rohrer, M.D., courtesy of Candela Laboratories.)

Visible Blood Vessels (telangiectasia)

Patient with Subtype 1 (erythematotelangiectatic) rosacea, before and after treatment with a pulsed-dye laser. (Photos by Elizabeth Rostan, M.D., courtesy ofCandela Laboratories.)

 

**If you think your skin fits some of the above symptoms, I am recommending you seek a dermatologist so you are not permanently affected by long lasting issues from this disease.  There is no known cure, but it can be controlled with education and care. 

**details from my blog were gained from The National Rosacea Society http://www.rosacea.org/index.php

**DO NOT SELF DIAGNOSE YOURSELF!

Catching up…

It’s been a while since I have sat down and been able to think about writing something in my professional blog… heck it’s been a month since I posted in my personal blog as well!  Things… have been crazy I suppose is a good adjective for what August was.  That’s probably not the greatest of reasons… but… maybe after I attempt to explain in my ramblings… you will accept my craziness as a decent excuse?

So… let’s see… towards the end of July (as you may have read in a previous post) I gained a new JOB #2!  I am still happily working away at On The Fringe hair studio and spa in Vancouver, Washington and I cannot say enough great things about my new Job #2!  It was definitely the best choice for me and I have no regrets with my decision with quitting my threading job at the mall for this position.  Life certainly throws you curve balls at moments when you aren’t quite sure if you should go left or right… if you should lead or stay in the crowd… you just truly have to follow that gut instinct and I did… and I am so pleased that I did!  Working at this salon has made my desire and passion for my career come back and a new light has awakened with me!  I am regretful that I allowed my job at the mall to darken my path even for a few moments let along months… before I finally was able to get away!

I am happily fitting in well with the staff and building a great clientele base.  I have serviced several of the stylists clients as well as many of my previous clients from the mall have slowly started to find me at my new location… in fact a few that either lost my contact details or they weren’t able to learn about my departure until after I was gone still managed to get my details after calling and bugging a few of the employees at the KIOSK until they finally broke and either got told exactly where to go to find me or they were given my contact details to reach me directly!  I must admit… it’s a nice feeling knowing I made that much of an impact on someone that they were willing to go that far to still want to keep using me!  It does make me feel important and special!  Definitely puts a little swagger in my step at moments! LOL!!

So my professional part of me is starting to get better… each and every day I am at that place and in Woodland at the local salon I am feeling more in touch with my career and happier… more the way it felt when I first started! It is amazing when someone or something can place such a horrible weight on your shoulders that you start to question why… I am glad I was able to get away from said job and moved onto something bigger, better and a place I can definitely expand my proverbial wings!

My new boss, Tina is amazing… she really seems real and has taken me under her wing and helped me build a good start to my clientele… her clients seem to really like my work and the threading has given me a nice niche in the Esthetics world… something she can brag about and talk up that isn’t available hardly anyplace else around!!

Things are great professionally…. personally… hahahaha… that’s another thing. 😦

I have learned much about myself in the past 4 months since a significant change occurred and I am learning why now I can truly appreciate said break… it wasn’t what I wanted or desired.  But, at the end of the day, I do understand and I hope he will always know my belief will never change.  I understand the rock and a hard place we were and are within… it’s not a fair position we were placed within… but… for now, we are being who we need to be and that is what is important… we have to take care of ourselves and just believe…. and know in our hearts what will pass shall pass and all good things aren’t necessarily ever over, they just change and get better… eventually…. or not? 😉 I just know without said persons support, wisdom and comfort and the big pushes made with me… I’m not quite sure I’d be where I am or believe what I sincerely do believe!  I am a product of my environment and what I have experienced, felt, touched, tasted and I am forever grateful for every single good, or bad thing that has came into my life… these things have helped to create the fantastic woman I am right now! And the even better woman I will develop into as the years come to pass.

Turning 40 was definitely something I am happy about… I wasn’t sure what to think and feel when that number approached me back in May, but, I can attest that I am happy being 40.  I am even happier that most don’t even think i appear 40… most seem to guess around 35 and that’s more then okay with me!  Anytime I appear younger is great!  Which means I am doing something right… I am happy with myself and loving me.

This summer… the summer of 2012 was a pivotal change for me… for my professional life as well as my personal life.  I have seen and experienced much in my 40 years…. and I am grateful for each experience.  Good or bad, liking them or not at the time… they have all molded me into ME.  That being said… I do not think personally or professionally I would be where I am right now if it weren’t for a few amazing people that helped me create the ME I am right now… and I want to thank them all…
You all are so incredibly important to me and my successes… when I have failed you have been there encouraging me and when I succeeded you were the people that I thought about first and wanted nothing more then to share my success with most of all.  There is one extremely special individual that I was not able to share this with… my successes that is… yet.  But, time seems to have a great way of showing me that anything is possible… and I think just as everything serves a time, place and need… I will have that day… until then, I am and forever remaining on my path of greatness I have set for myself and I will continue to challenge myself every single day to be the best I can be.  I want these people to always be proud of me and I want to always be held accountable for my successes and failures… I own then both…

So… as Fall seems to be approaching at warp speed… I can only hope that this new year I have in front of me will be full of the best, most amazing adventures, that I will continue to be challenged and come through for myself and continue on with my happiness.  I will never surrender and I will never give up on ANY of my dreams…

As I close this post… I am left to reflect on the date… 9.11.2012… 11 years since my perspective changed… I think being raised within a country that provides so much automatic freedoms we become lack-luster and maybe not appreciate everything we have available to and for us… 11 years ago that started to slowly change for me.  I started to do the “stop and smell the Roses” thing much more often… I started to realize what being vulnerable meant and could mean… fear had a different set of rules… but, with time, we all start to get back to a similar routine of our daily lives… and forget… I will never ever again forget how much I have to be grateful for… this past year reminds me of the important things I hold true to myself… I don’t need all the materialistic things to be happy… this I have learned… sure it’s incredibly nice to have such things… but… truly… it’s not necessary.

I live in a very small place, actually, many might claim it as being extremely meager… yet, I have experienced more in this place I call my home then I can ever begin to acknowledge.  The love, the emotions, passion and memories I have surrounding me… they will continue to inspire me and help me every single day of my journey.

I hope you all had time to breath today and smile… and just be.  There IS truly so much that surrounds us that never should ever be taken for granted.  Never walk by without taking that first glance… because that first glance may be all you ever get.

okay… sorry… I was getting deep… had to have my moment I suppose.

I am once again, very sorry for the delay and I hope you at least enjoyed my retrospective of my past month and my ramblings about all things ME.  LOL…

I have some great ideas floating around in my head about posts I plan to create very soon… and I promise they will be much sooner then a month from now! So hang in there and thank you for reading and I hope my blog has been useful for you… If you have any suggestions of people, places, ideas or anything Esthetically pleasing… please by all means let me know! I’d be happy to share it with my world!!!

Happy Tuesday Evening everyone! Peace out!

one of my favorite quotes

so very true…

I really love this song… Jason Mraz is one of my current favs… hope you enjoy! 🙂
seemed fitting…

Thanks Again for taking the time for reading!