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About the author I lived twenty three years of my life in Budapest, Hungary. My family had lost all their most valuable assets to the socialist government after the war. Great cultural surrounding (ancient buildings, totally demolished by two wars and than masterfully rebuilt) and experiences (theatres, opera, museums) made my life rich in one way, while living in poverty: in a one bedroom, kitchen, no hot or cold running water but a well, to share with our neighbour. Housing shortages made families share houses. I’ve had a loving family. I remember Mum and Dad pulling the sled with three children in wintertime. A red-hot little iron stove, warming us up after ice-skating. Walks to the forest, Sundays after lunch taking a rug and some lemonade. Mum and Dad rested while we chased butterflies and collected flowers. Not having any communist friends, I had little chance of getting into any decent occupation. At fourteen years of age my mum took me to the city in my finest outfit: a hot pink rayon twist pullover, a skirt made of a green, beige checked-blanket material (that was trendy) and a pair of short, white gum boots. High school was out of the question; we needed more money to survive. I managed to get in, through one of our neighbours, to a ready made clothing chain store, for men, ladies and children’s clothing, apprenticeship program for sales assistants. One and a half hour’s travel to the city and back every day, changing two buses. We lived in one of the lovely, leafy outer suburbs. Three years practical (in store for three days a week) and three days a week school, where the subjects included maths, literature, history, product information, clothing, cosmetics and accessories, merchandising, décor and basic accounting. The regional manager nominated me for the yearly country competition for apprentices. A second place gave me full pay half a year earlier I was able to choose to work, for full pay, at the most beautiful ‘Model-house’ (the most exclusive of the 101 shops of the chain). The salon was open from 10-6 Monday to Friday and until three on Saturdays. For four years, three times a week, after work: 6.30-9.30 I attended a business college, where I earned my high-school certificate. I met my future husband, an aeronautical engineer, who could not progress any further, because he did not want to join the communist party. Without anybody’s knowledge, we left the country, escaped to Italy, and became refugees. We sent a letter to our families, which cleared them from being accessories for leaving the country illegally. After eight months in a refugee camp, Australia accepted us. I could not speak a world of English, so I worked in a book factory in Melbourne. When I finished an intensive language course, I went to work at the Myer Emporium. We had two children. After three and a half years, I had to go back to work. I really loved cosmetics. There was no training for beauty therapists, except at the end of the three years’ training of hairdressing school, there was a week long briefing on basic facials, eyelash tints, eyebrow shaping and a bit of waxing. I have learnt more about business than cosmetics during my training, that I gained enough confidence to start a small business at home, just while the children were at kindergarten. I adopted an ‘aunty’ who was very loving with my children, she even looked after them while I went to school. When the children were older, I worked in the back of a hairdressing salon in Beaumaris. In 1985, I changed the part time business to a part time position at Myer Dandenong. Ultima II had decided ‘I was wasted behind the counter’; I should be an artist for Revlon and Ultima II, with my accent and selling skills. A year later, I became Victorian and Tasmanian Training Manager for Pharmacies and department stores. For the next five years, I was changing hats being: account manager for Ultima II and Charles of the Ritz (David Jones exclusive), Victorian product trainer and promotional artist. My husband took up management of an aeroplane company in the outback. Ultima II was taken out of the country as recession hit. As a sales representative for Dr Van Der Hoog, I visited virtually every single beauty salon in Victoria, Tasmania and Adelaide. I set up agencies in Hobart and in Port Adelaide. I really got to know the beauty therapy scene. I started my own beauty therapy business during the height of recession. I transformed an unclean pet shop to a roomy bright, Tuscan-style beauty salon on a shoestring budget, at a wonderful position right at a traffic light. It was also close to the children’s high school. As a single mum with no other family member and no financial help either, life was not easy, but it was very rewarding. I was invited to be the first female member of the Dingley Village Rotary Club, where I served as a board member for nine years. The club elected me to be their president in 1976. With role models like the Rotarians in that club, I had no other way but to do well in business and in private life. I always loved caring for people. The ultimate care is always too far away for me; to become a doctor. The next best thing to it was a Health Science degree. Victoria University, King Street Campus started a specialist degree, the first of its kind in the world, Clinical Dermal Therapies. There were a number of very experienced beauty therapists, who needed to use their knowledge at the next level. The new field is a well-needed bridge inbetween beauty therapy and cosmetic surgery or Dermatology. I was the first dermal clinician to take up a private room at the ‘Strand Medical and Specialist Suites’ in Mount Eliza, Victoria. My strength was Dermabrasion combined with medium-level chemical peels and low-level Laser Therapies. Many successful skin corrections of active acne, rosacea, wrinkled and scarred skin. Diathermy and electrolysis were my other favourites. I had a treatment room at the Psoriasis clinic in Frankston and at the Cove Medical Centre at Patterson Lakes. I retired to Queensland. I am preparing to sit for the GAMSAT exam to see if I will be able to become a doctor, there is such a need for caring professional people. My children did very well too. My son is an aircraft engineer and a commercial pilot. He loves music too; he is in a band in Darwin. My daughter has a tourism degree; she was a team leader at Parks Victoria Albert Park Lake. After seven years there, she had followed the rest of my family and became a flight attendant. She is married to her love of fourteen years. She is a cabin manager with Jetstar. They are planning a family. Introduction
The purpose of my work is to help the reader through the maze of the cosmetic industry and to present a clear, uncomplicated and brief overview of the cosmetic products and services in Australia. This book is my answer to the constant questions, and repeated concerns of the public over the 40 years of my professional life. A large proportion of the general population in Australia is mirroring a data released by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) in early 2004. The result of the data stated that 94% of women are confused by the multitude of products (both retail and prescription) and treatments of the cosmetic market. That is a huge confusion by any standard. Ending up with unsuitable products, services and treatments is costly. Disappointment and long term negative effects on the skin such as irritations, allergies, scarring, disfigurements and psychological problems caused by incompetence in choices of products and services. The product returns, complains, loss of business and even lawsuits have a devastating effect on retailers, service providers and the beauty or health care professionals. The biggest cost is the physical or psychological effect on the customers or clients. The overwhelming solution to the problem is clear communication, education to both the professionals and the public. Non-bias information, in depth knowledge of the skin, correct diagnosis of skin types, especially skin problems and skin disorders are most important to care for the skin-health of the population. Most of the countries in the world’s sales assistants, just like any other trade people, receive two or three years’ training. One of the most important elements of a successful business, including retail is to know what you are selling. In-depth knowledge of the products equals correct information to customers. To sell cosmetic items on any level should involve correct recognition of skin types and it could even help to recognise some skin problems. The cosmetic market is far too saturated with products. The only way to get rid of them is to sell them as quickly as they can, regardless of suitability. Clear information regarding products and services can help customers to make the right choice. Here are some of the most frequent concerns voiced by clients: “I have tried everything on the market and nothing worked.” “I spent a fortune on products and my skin got worse.” “I am not using anything on my skin anymore.” “I have been using scrubs and my nose is still full of blackheads.” “I have been using top brands cosmetics for years; they are not helping my wrinkles.” “My age spots do not respond to the creams I am using on them.” “The party plan consultant sold me this mask, which made my eczema much worse.” “Soaps are too drying.” “Antibiotics had helped my skin for a while, but when I stop taking them the acne always came back.” “Cortisone has made my skin very fragile.” “Nothing has helped my acne scarring.” “I do use a scrub but the ingrown hairs are getting worse.” “I didn’t know that there is a difference between a beautician and a beauty therapist.” “Cosmetic surgeons and plastic surgeons are the same, aren’t they?” “When do I stop going to beauty therapists and start with dermal clinicians?” “What are dermal clinicians?” “Would plastic surgery be suitable for me?” “I don’t know who to trust anymore.” Following chapters of this book will help to clear some of the questions related to: · General overview of the cosmetic industry. · Our skin. · Skin cells · Skin types, skin conditions, skin problems, skin disorders. · Skin cleansing. · The history of soap. · Moisturising. Hydrating, Nourishing · Sun care. Melanoma · Eye care, neck care, hand and body care. · The nail. · Masks and serums. · Retail cosmetics. Party plan, direct sales, weekend markets, Internet sales, supermarkets, · Specialty products, Chemists, department stores · Basic beauty services. · Professional skincare. Some at department stores, beauty therapy salons, Health care products. · Professional beauty salon treatments. · Dermal clinicians. · Services of dermal clinicians. Laser, Micro dermabrasion, electrolysis, IPL laser, Diathermy. · Natural medicine. · Medical practitioners. · Dermatologists. · Cosmetic surgeons. · Cosmetic surgery procedures. · Plastic surgeons. · History of plastic surgery. · At a glance summary.
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