1. Let’s start of at square one, why did you become an aesthetician?
Even as a young girl I always saw that everyone had the potential to be beautiful.
I come from a household of 5 girls from Toronto Ontario. ( I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t curious about makeup and skin care. I snuck Maybelline Kohl Black on my eyes at a very young age, which definitely got me into trouble.)
I knew I wanted to be a MAKEUP ARTIST probably when I was 12 years old. My Mother was always so supportive in helping her “GIRLS” achieve whatever they wanted so she sent me to Edith Serei institute over 40 years ago. It was an expensive program at the time but she was adamant that I would have proper training, thank God for my Mom.
2. What is the accomplishment (in your career or otherwise) of which you are most proud?
The most proud accomplishment has to be the long and trusting relationships that I have with my clients. I have clients that have been with me since my first job here in Los angeles at Jose Eber, that being 30 or so years ago both for Makeup and Skin care.
I am also very proud of my vast resume from my work in Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Instyle, Allure etc. Working with Canyon Ranch spas as a celebrity guest artist and trainer was a big highlight for me as well.
3. What has been the greatest difficulty you have encountered in starting and maintaining your own successful practice?
I think believing in your instincts and personal integrity is essential in this very moving industry of beauty. Years ago I decided to leave the fast paced world of big salons, TV shows, celebrity guest appearances, and consulting work to work on my own in a much smaller way. I was told by many that this was a mistake for my career but I knew that for me and for my clients this was the best direction. Smaller and more intimate allowed me to be even better with my services. We can get very overwhelmed with the newest and latest in machines or treatments or makeup fads. It has been important to me to keep educating myself on new treatments and products but I keep my clients needs and my needs foremost
4. What do you feel is the key to your success?
I work very hard, always have. My clients trust me and I am trustworthy. I wrote a MISSION STATEMENT years ago and that helps guide me everyday when I am making decision.
5. What would you like to see be developed in the realm of skin care next?
I would like to see more products that can address brightening and evening the skin without chemicals that work. I am a big fan of stem cells and human growth. I believe we are at the cusp of really being able to turn the clock back safely.
6. What products do you recommend?
Jai of Beverly Hills Skin Care line of course!
I also recommend and carry these brands:
- SCBI stem cell products
La Roche Posay
Intraceuticals
Skin Medica
EMK Placental
NIA 24’
Meg 21
Jan Marini
Matis
Neocutis
Luzern
Regenica
Elizabeth Arden Pro
Biopelle
Darphin
Cinq Mondes
Leanor Greyl
Japonesque
Gerda Spillman
Ambre Essentials
Aromatherapy Associates
My Body Glowbiotics
Clairisonic
Via Buff
Comfy Company
Madison Essential
I carry about 20 different skin care lines at the studio and I am always looking at new products. I will keep clients on a program for 3-6 months and then change up accordingly. I do believe in working a skin care program like a workout at the gym — you need to change it up to get results. Over the past 20 years or so I have developed some targeted skin products that have been exclusive to my clients including many celebrities and other skin care professionals but recently I have begun to sell them on my website. On my website I have a section that describes which products are best for different skin types. My clients lovingly refer to this as “‘J’AI’S LIST.”
My Gentle Cleanser and Balancing Scrub are my top sellers.
7. What are your greatest beauty secrets? Any tips?
SMILE and BE CONFIDENT.
When choosing makeup colors it is important to look at how natural light affects your choice. Winter makeup colors are going to be much cooler on the East coast than they will be in California where the light is much warmer. If you are wondering what are the best tones to wear, go outside and look at the natural colors surrounding you in flowers, trees, etc. The best makeup artist is how God paints the earth in natural light.
Try to use as little water as you can when cleaning the skin.
Ice skin that is breaking out.
Manuka honey is a wonderful way to tone up the skin by using soft patting motions all over the face.
When filling in your brows, brush the hair downwards, pencil in with a hard pencil, and follow with a brush up. Mary Kay makes an amazing eye brow gel and my favorite eyebrow pencil is KIMIKO.
Elizabeth Arden PRO sunblock is a must for all skin types.
Lyposepheric Glutathione and Vitamin C is essential for immune system.
TRENEV TRIO probiotics are the best.
8. What has been your most rewarding experience with a patient?
Over the past 40 or so years I have worked with so many amazing people from Michael Strahan, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, Neil Young, Stana Katic, Linda Gray, Ellen DeGeneres, and Elizabeth Taylor, but the most rewarding experience is when I was working in Hawaii. There was an older woman probably about 65-70 years of age who had a face deformity. She never wore makeup or had her makeup done but was brave enough to come to me for a makeup lesson. When I was done she looked in the mirror and started to cry. She felt beautiful for the first time in her life. I felt such joy at being able to bring that to her through my talent.
9. What is the right age to start treatments like Botox, peels, and laser treatments?
I think this is a client by client question, as each person has their specific needs (i.e. some of my actress clients will need certain lasers, injections, etc. at certain times during shooting or award seasons. Many of my other clients want to look special for their daughters wedding or their own. This takes time and consideration when and if to have a procedure done.
I work closely with both my client and their dermatologist or plastic surgeon. I will recommend my clients to different doctors for different procedures. I have clients that are early 20’s that are doing preventative injections and I have clients that are in their 70’s that have never had any of it done.
10. What treatments do you absolutely stay away from?
I am not a fan of MICRO DERMABRASION.
Before I recommend any treatment to my clients I educate and generally try the treatment before. I have been doing this for many years so I am not impressed by a lot of the newest trends. I consult with my referring doctors and my close aesthetician associates both here in Los Angeles and New York.
11. Do you follow any blogs on a regular basis?
FutureDerm… always
British Vogue
Lisa Eldridge
Violet Grey
Dermatology Times