Mia Scott
Mrs. Taylor
Senior Project
November 18th, 2016
Skin Care and Makeup
They always say, “What counts is on the inside,” meaning what is on the outside doesn’t always reflect what’s on the inside. However, when strictly talking about the outside, skin does directly reflect outer beauty. Nobody likes breaking out right before an important event, getting dry skin or having oily skin or dark spots. A skin care specialist, also known of as an esthetician, has a lot to do with helping others have self-confidence and attain outer beauty.
An esthetician is a person who is knowledgeable about the nature and appreciation of beauty, especially in art. Esthetics is a branch of cosmetology mainly focusing on the skin. Estheticians are to make clients feel pampered and relaxed by providing facials, pore cleansing and exfoliation treatments, body wraps and polishes, foot reflexology, aromatherapy, spa treatments, hair removal, and waxing treatments. Professionals who train to become estheticians also learn about beautifying the skin through many different services: facials, skin analysis, makeup artistry, pore cleansing, microdermabrasion techniques, European facial treatments, waxing, brow shaping, and lash tinting, according to “Beauty Education & Career Guide.” Estheticians are trained to recognize skin problems that require a dermatologist or a medical esthetician professional and refer the client to medical treatment if the skin problem is beyond the esthetician’s job. “One of the biggest things we can’t do is diagnose skin lesions such as cancer. While we’re trained to identify these types of spots, we must refer the client to a dermatologist for further treatment,” Sarah Oshman, a professional licensed esthetician explains.
Many estheticians have the opportunity to become medical estheticians or paramedical estheticians and move into the medical field in places like dermatology or plastic surgery. Although, the schooling extends more and advanced training classes are needed. Anatomy, physiology, chemistry, pathology of the skin, bacteriology, disinfection, decontamination, infection control, first aid, and hygiene classes are all needed. Some states don’t recognize a medical esthetician license any differently than a standard esthetics license, but every state is different. “Beauty Education & Career Guide” states that each state dictates different educational requirements for schooling which could range between 300-1500 hours of courses, but the average is around 600. It usually takes around four to six months to finish the course’s hours that are mandatory. To receive a license, a skin care specialist needs to take and pass a practical and a written exam. The practical is hands on where an esthetician would demonstrate in front of the exam proctors that perform the required esthetics services and follow all safety and sanitation guidelines. If the test and exam are passed, the next step is proper training. Many entry-level estheticians will receive further training on the job, especially if they work with chemicals. According to “Esthetician and Skincare Specialist,” estheticians rank #83 in the 100 best jobs, and they are ranked according to their ability to offer an elusive mix of factors.
Although the job of an esthetician is not known to be very popular, the salary they make is quite fair. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2015) shows the average amount of money a skin-care specialist makes is around $30,000 a year, the highest amount being close to $40,000. Salary also depends on different types of factors. It could depend on what region an esthetician would be working in, if the work is part time instead of full time, and the salary has potential to grow with experience. Esthetics is expected to grow 40% between 2012-2022 according to US Bureau of Labor Statistics (“What Will I Really Learn in Esthetician School?”). Career options an esthetician can go into include esthetician/skin care specialist, medical/paramedical esthetician, clinical esthetician, master esthetician, medical spa manager, wax/hair removal specialist, plastic surgeon’s office, independent consultant, and a resort (“Beauty Education &Amp; Career Guide”).
It is important for an esthetician to know the condition of their clients. Mostly, estheticians deal with comedones which are a non-inflammatory papules, either whiteheads which appear as white dots or blackheads that have a black tip. Papules are inflamed and tender-to-touch lesions that are usually small and pink bumps. Pustules are inflamed lesions filled with pus that are often red around the base. Nodules are large solid and painful lesions deep within the skin. Lastly, cysts are deep-seed lesions filled with pus and are painful and known to cause scarring. Teenage acne is common for an esthetician to treat. “Acne Treatments That Work – Special Advice for Teenagers,” explains that teenagers can develop any of the acne as previously stated, which can cause severe cases that affect a person’s level of self-confidence. Teenagers have raging hormones that stimulate the sebaceous glands and provide too much oil for the skin, causing a breakout. Sebum reaches the skin through hair follicles, and when dirt and dead skin cells mix with the overabundance of oil, bacteria begins to grow in the opening follicles which results in clogged pore and a development of acne. Mistakes many teens make are picking at and squeezing pimples. Even though that sounds like the solution to the problem, it actually pushes bacteria even deeper into the skin. Messing with acne increases inflammation as well as the risk for permanent scarring (“Acne Treatments That Work – Special Advice for Teenagers”). Exfoliation is a way to help acne because it removes excessive oil and dead skin cells. It is important to choose only a mild exfoliation because an excessive amount can cause dry skin. Exfoliation eliminates both bacteria and dead skin cells. For teenage girls, cosmetics with an oil-base are to be avoided at all cost because oily products can cause comedones. Non-comedogenic cosmetic products are specially made to prevent pores from being clogged and still provide great coverage but without causing breakouts or making an existing condition even worse.
Cosmetics play a big role in esthetics. Both work in the beauty industry, both make people feel great about themselves, and both focus on the skin. Estheticians focus more on the skin care side but also ties together with makeup, which hides the skin care problems and enhances beauty. However, both are different in many ways. According to “Should I Become a Makeup Artist or an Esthetician?”, estheticians practice cleansing routines, healthy practices, concerned with keeping skin vibrant, beautiful, and healthy, provide facials, body wraps depilation, can work full-time jobs in a salon, dermatology office, plastic surgeon office, or spa. Estheticians don’t need to find new clients because their work does that for them. They do however, need a license to find work. Makeup artists on the other hand, spend more time applying makeup and coming up with creative ways to decorate the skin. Makeup artists provide makeup services to models, actors, brides, spokespersons and any person of interest and usually free-lance and move from temporary jobs to temporary jobs and are usually self-employed and need to find their own clients and arrange their own work. Also, they don’t need a license to start working, but it is a little more challenging because it is important to continually keep finding new work.
Cosmetics is a huge part in today’s society. It is true that women/girls of all ages spend a large sum of money. A November 2016 survey of seven different junior/senior girls, shows results of the minimum amount spent on makeup at a time was $25 and the most was up to $300. The cosmetic industry moves around $20 billion dollars each year (“Facts about Cosmetics”). Makeup, if used correctly, can have many benefits. Most women use makeup as a self-esteem builder. Putting on makeup makes a woman feel better about herself and it enhances and displays her beauty.
Makeup artistry has many ways to express its beauty. One way is through theater makeup. Theater makeup is necessary at any time someone performs on a stage. It is applied much heavier than any other style of makeup because it needs to be seen all the way up in the highest seats and so it doesn’t wash the actor/actress out. Stage makeup is the opposite of beauty makeup. Contouring lines are overdrawn shapes as opposed to keeping everything soft and blended (“How to Apply Stage Makeup”). Every time a makeup artist works with an actor playing an established role, he or she must consider to address not only the actor’s skin color, but also the particular shape of the face. The makeup is very vibrant and because of the bright lights, it needs to look realistic and attractive. “The demands for perfection are so rigorous today. I had to take a special course on makeup again to even get on the job!” makeup artist, Malerie Rose claims in Simi Horwitz’s article Makeup & Hair Artistry: A New Level of Sophistication and who also describes makeup into two categories. There is design makeup sometimes including hair and then there are the ones who run the show (Horwitz). The distinction is roughly parallel to that of the costume designers and the wardrobe mistress (a makeup artist may design and maintain a given show).
Another way makeup expresses itself could be through more of a natural look. Natural looks contain of everything looking natural, obviously. A natural look shouldn’t be caked on, too bright, or too dark. “A little secret… looking natural does require some makeup!” Taylor Post writes in “Natural Looking Makeup”. Picking out colors that are close to a client’s natural skin tone is important because it enhances and perfects the client’s skin.
Makeup is also important for days like a wedding or prom. For bridal/prom makeup, the Beauty Magazine article “5 Major Wedding Makeup Myths” states that waterproof makeup is a must. It is the best way to prevent makeup from slipping off with every kiss and hug. Keeping makeup natural looking but also popping is a must. Brides or prom girls shouldn’t wear the same old every day makeup, but don’t overdo it. They must avoid applying any and all powders once the dress is on. Eye shadows, foundation, bronzers, blush, or any loose powders of any sort are a big no-no because it is easy to drop the powder and it will leave an obvious mark on a prom or wedding dress. Lastly, the girl must always pack a touch up kit. Makeup is a very important part of a big day/special event and making sure it is perfected is always a must.
Cosmetics in ancient Egypt was a very important part of religion to honor gods and the spirits. According to “Facts about Cosmetics,” face makeup was considered sacred. Ancient cosmetics products often contained poisonous ingredients. Between 1920 and World War 2, chemists and cosmetologists invented face mascara, eyebrow pencils, lip gloss, sunscreen oil, and hairspray. Nail colors were invented in ancient China but were used only by nobility and aristocracy. Shimmer lip gloss used to contain fish scales in the formula. Using animals when civilians around the world would use whatever ingredients they had on hand, started causing severe harm to their skin and health. In ancient Egypt and India, face mascaras and various cosmetic products could cause death, which is one reason why testing on animals became a big part of the makeup industry. “Facts about Cosmetics,” states that modern age of testing cosmetics arrived with the development of globalized industrial manufacture and explosion of cosmetic popularity across North American and Europe. Young girls being influenced by popular trends set by famous media personalities and fashion style is when government officials from all around the world started demanding an overview of the cosmetics creation process to ensure the wellbeing of their citizens and to dispel many rumors which unfoundedly wanted to damage the work of cosmetic companies. Basically, the government wanted all the products to be tested somehow before being sold in stores to prevent a lawsuit. That is when animals came into the cosmetic industry. Cosmetic companies established wide range of scientific effort of testing their cosmetics products on animals such as mice, rabbits and rats (“Testing Cosmetics on Animals”). These tests help determine general toxicity, eye and skin irritancy, mutagenicity and photo toxicity (influence of ultraviolet light on cosmetic products). Allegoric reactions are tested by directly applying products on animals’ noses, eyes, mouth and mucous membranes. The November 2016 survey of six senior girls and one junior girl asked, “When buying makeup, does it matter to you or not if it has been tested on animals, why or why not?” Six out of the seven said they don’t pay attention to if makeup is animal tested or not because it is either not important to them or because they don’t pay attention to the labels. One of the world’s largest cosmetics company, L’Oréal, opposes the EU ban on animal testing. The EU ban was established in opposition to the use of cosmetic testing on animals. Testing of cosmetics products on animals is allowed in the United States because of very strict safety measures that require mandatory animal testing of many products (“Testing Cosmetics on Animals”).
Esthetics and makeup artistry tie together whenever it comes to cosmetology. Esthetics finds a problem and creates a solution. Makeup expresses beauty to cover up the problem while helping out with the solution. It is important to make sure skin is taken care of properly. Breakouts, oily skin, dry skin, lesions, and many other different skin types can all be prevented if the proper techniques are used correctly. Makeup is a great way to hide blemishes, flaws, and imperfections when in doubt. Esthetic precautions and makeup can be a great solution to many skin problems if it taken care of and applied properly.
Works Cited
Alex Your Face. “How to Apply Stage Makeup.” Instructables.com, 16 Dec. 2013, www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Apply-Stage-Makeup/.
“Beauty Education & Career Guide.” Beauty Education &Amp; Career Guide, Cosmetology FAQs, Beauty Schools Marketing Group, 2014, www.beautyschoolsdirectory.com/faq/estetician.php.
“Esthetician and Skincare Specialist.” U.S. News Careers, U.S. News &Amp; World Report, money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/esthetician-and-skincare-specialist.
“Facts about Cosmetics.” Facts about Cosmetics – Makeup Facts and Tips, www.historyofcosmetics.net/cosmetics-facts/facts-about-cosmetics/.
Horwitz, Simi. “Makeup & Hair Artistry: A New Level of Sophistication.” Back Stage. vol. 36. no. 31. 4 August 1995. p. 20. Business Source Premier. search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=buh&AN=9508233842&site=ehpl-live.
Love, Natural Skin Care. “Acne Treatments That Work – Special Advice for Teenagers.” How to Tame Teenage Acne – Acne Treatments That Work Best For Teens, Naturally Beautiful Skin at Any Age, naturalskincarelove.com/acne-treatments-that-work-special-advice-for-teenagers/.
Magazine, Beauty, editor. “5 Major Wedding Makeup Myths.” Beauty Magazine, L’Oreal Paris, 2016. www.lorealparsusa.com/beauty-magazine/makeup/makeup-look/5-major-wedding-makeup-myths.aspx?gclid.
Oshman, Sarah. Personal Interview. 11 Nov. 2016
Post, Taylor. “Natural Looking Makeup: Learn the Tips For Getting the Look Just Right.” Style Caster, 18 Aug. 2015, stylecaster.com/beauty/natural-looking-makeup/.
“Should I Become a Makeup Artist or an Esthetician?” Makeup Artist Essentials, 2016, www.makeupartistessentials.com/should-i-become-a-makeup-artist-or-an-esthetcian/.
“Testing Cosmetics on Animals.” Facts about Cosmetics – Makeup Facts and Tips, www.historyofcosmetics.net/cosmetics-facts/facts-about-cosmetics/.
“What Will I Really Learn In Esthetician School?” Bene’s Career Academy, 4 June 2014. www.benes.edu/blog/what-will-i-really-learn-in-esthetician-school.
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