I get the pleasure to introduce you to an individual that has worked hard to get to where she is so far in her program. Ms. Allie Paris was recognized this past month for doing just this out of our Renton location. Always going above and beyond, I am excited to share her journey with you.
About Allie Paris
“I have always had a passion in caring for others and making things beautiful, working as a master esthetician covers both areas. After high school, I studied interior architecture at The School of the Art Institute in Chicago. I returned home to Seattle where I nannied and worked at a family friend’s preschool. I’ve always had a desire to learn and become an expert in caring for people and to help them feel and look amazing,” began Allie. Getting the best of both worlds! Being able to use that creative side in many aspects in the Esthetics field along with having that passion for people already shows Ms. Allie is meant for this industry.
We asked Allie why she chose to start her career here at Evergreen Beauty College and her reply was, “During my admissions interview I was really impressed with how much more they offered than just graduating with an esthetician degree. You also learn to connect with your community by participating in events like the Renton River Days Parade. You are encouraged to learn how to market yourself through social media, learn the importance of sales and are able to practice the art of selling, learn how to manage clients and the general business side of running a salon through an added required curriculum called “Nuts and Bolts,” stated Allie.
The Evergreen Experience
Since starting the Master Esthetics program with us Allie has shared some of her highlights of what she has enjoyed, what has helped her along the way in a learning aspect and what sets her apart from the esthetician down the street:
“There are two aspects of being an esthetician I love — connecting with my clients on a personal level and making a difference in how they feel when they begin to see the results they are looking for. Because of that I’d have to say facials, IPL and Laser hair removal are my favorites. While giving a facial I truly believe in the power of energy- I channel all my energy to my client during every part of the facial to make it the most relaxing moment they could possibly have with me. Every movement I make is filled with as much calming energy as I can produce. Sometimes by the end of the day, I feel like I’ve given all my energy a way, I need to work on saving some for myself! As for IPL and Laser hair removal, it is a completely different experience for me- it’s a much more energetic, exciting and just plain FUN! I get such a thrill while using the more technical machines (nerd alert). You feel powerful pulling that trigger and having that flash of light or beeping of the machine. It’s also exciting to see the skin/hair react and walk away knowing that you made progress, it’s more of an exciting, instant gratification that is reawaken when your client returns and you see the progress,” shared Allie.
“Any project where we can be hands on in is something I enjoy and thrive in- I learn best from doing. For example, we had a project where we were asked to depict the layers of the skin and I chose to use clay as my medium and sculpt out every layer, including the glands, hair follicles, blood vessels, etc. Knowing the layers of the skin is so important for an esthetician, because that’s what we’re working with! I felt taking the time to physically, and tediously sculpt the layers really helped in learning and understanding what’s going on below the surface of the skin,” expressed Allie.
“As for strengths, I’d have to say Facials are my specialties. I put a lot of care into each facial I give! Although, I think I do a pretty good brow wax as well. Brow waxing can be kind of stressful when you don’t do them as frequently and I’ve had a brow-waxing scare with a client, which, luckily, turned out ok. My second brow-waxing client I ever had, had very thick, full brows. On the first pull I took off, I looked down at the strip and saw I had taken off a bit more than I had intended to. I started to slightly panic, but when I looked down at her brows it looked completely fine, I had barely taken much off at all. I was so surprised, and still a bit panicked, so I paused and took the wax strip out to my teacher. Her reaction was the same as mine — she gasped and whispered, “Did you just take off her entire eye brow.” By that time, I was so nervous to make any mistakes, I requested my teachers assistance for the remainder of the clients wax. After that experience I didn’t want to put myself in that position again, so I went and asked three brow-waxing specialists to talk me through how they wax and asked them for any tips or tricks they could offer. I now have had a bit more practice and feel much more confident in my skills for shaping and waxing a brow,” comments Allie.
“What sets me apart from other estheticians is also one of my biggest weaknesses; I am over the top, obsessively competitive. And not in a “I’ll knock you down to get ahead,” kind of way. I always want to be supportive and encouraging of those around me, but I’ve always had that little voice in my head taunting me for not performing at my best. It’s honestly exhausting, total character flaw, but it helps me stay a head of things and that little voice is always pushing me to work harder and to be the best I can be, as corny as that sounds. I care. Whether it’s in the room with my client giving them the best service I can give, or outside of the spa learning how I can better provide for my clients — I care about giving the best service I can possibly give and taking the best possible care of my client with whatever they may need from me and (hopefully) more. I want my clients to always feel entirely taken care of while they are with me and walk out the door feeling renewed, refreshed and empowered,” adds Allie.
The Next Step
Allie share her next steps, “I haven’t decided yet, although wherever I do end up I hope for it to be in an environment full of continuous learning. The world of esthetics is so large and continuously growing, and what we learn in school is just the tip of the iceberg. I want to be able to continue learning all I can about the skin, products, ingredients, treatments and techniques, so that I can offer the best services for my clients. I want to be able to evolve with the field.” In a field that is always growing, keeping abreast in your studies is huge.
Allie offers words of advice for any future student looking to enter into the Master Esthetics field in the beauty industry, “Your time at school is short; give it your all. Also, do your best to remember to take before and after pictures for yourself and your portfolio. The more you have the more selective you can be when showing off your work. If you don’t have photo proof, did it even happen? I wish I could be better at this.”
Ms. Allie graduates this next February 2019 and what better way to support her other than to stop in and get pampered along with some relaxation in the spa at our Renton campus location! And if you are interested in continuing to follow Allie during her Master Esthetics program, you can check her out on IG: @paris.esthetics . Congrats Ms. Allie, you are on your way to a rewarding career in this beauty industry!
If you are interested in pursuing a career in the beauty industry take the Beauty Biz Readiness Quiz, you can also check out our programs or contact us at one of our three locations: Everett, Renton or Yakima.
