Beauty College Chronicles: Week Eight & Nine

This is a double update as I didn't update about college last week due to life, generally getting in the way!

The last two weeks of college have been very good, lots of hard work trying to juggle work, studying, practicals, exams and home life, so my levels of  perseverance and dedication have been squeezed to no end. So a word of advice for anyone considering going down the beauty route post 16 years old, especially if you're holding down a full time job too - consider it very well, it's a lot of hard work and you feel constantly tired, but the results are well worth it!

I had my major facial, anatomy and physiology exam this past week and I really struggled to get some study time and I was really worried about it. I essentially need to achieve 100% in all major exams, but 70% and over gets you over the hurdle and anything you get wrong after, the teacher sits you down and orally questions you on your incorrect answers. Below 70%, you sit the entire exam again! Pressure's on!  I'm glad and relieved to say that I passed with 80% . I was one of the only two that passed in a class of fifteen therapists, so I'm very grateful for my results. Show's that studying on a packed First Capital Connect train during rush hour does work :-)

We also started microdermabrasion. Yippee! I've been looking forward to this treatment from the start of the course, but I have to say that I didn't enjoy it, when it was done to me. I'm happy to do it on other people, but the grainy feeling from the crystals that remains on the face after, I'm not a fan of. Crystals in my mouth, ears and nose, too much crystal action going on for my liking. Having said that, I think its my partner that didn't clean my face properly after, because when I do the treatment, I don't leave any crystals behind. A smooth, clean facialist, I am!

The Agera Microdermabrasion Machine
This is what we use at college

If you don't already know, microdermabrasion is using fine crystals in combination with suction to give the face a deep exfoliation and remove the top most layer of skin (stratum corneum) to reveal fresher, smoother skin underneath. It really tackles unwanted skin conditions such as pigmentation, sun damage, acne and acne scarring. Fine lines, wrinkles and and uneven skin tone issues can also be addresses. It really is a great treatment and I have people lining up to have a course.

On the same note, I seem to be developing quite a following of clients at college requesting me for their facials. I've got friends of friends, calling me or the college up requesting specifically for treatments with Kay. I love it and I'm so chuffed that people want me to look after their skin for them.

This week, my teacher also dropped the bombshell that we are all required to do at least two days of unpaid work experience in a salon other than the one we already work in. Great :-), as if I haven't got enough that I'm juggling, I now have to find a work experience placement. Ideally, I'd love to do work experience in a salon that focuses on facials, so if you're reading this and can offer me something or know of a salon in the London area that can offer me something, please do let me know.

So that's the major happenings for the last two weeks and we've now finished the electrical facial unit. Next we're on to electrolysis. I freeze upon the sight of a needle, so this unit is going to be very interesting!