European Esthetics for Women

Thank you ! Elvis has left the building

July 20, 2023

Grab a coffee, and For one last time, let me say Hello Beautiful!

Welp! This is it…my last day….last kick at the can and I still find myself saying “at some point someone will call me on my bs as they realize I have no idea what I’m doing”. At 56 I still ask “what do I want to be when I grow up?”…. I finally figured it out. Retired. I want to be retired when I grow up.

School at l’institut Jon Raymond began in 1988. My class was a smorgasbord of characters of women from all ages ranging from 18 to mid 50s. Our instructors Nancy (Young) And Paula (Pitre) were easy to love. Nancy is still a very dedicated instructor, hell bent on ensuring another generation of skilled Estys head out into the world. Paula went on to become a school teacher, I ran into her a few times at my kids elementary school many moons ago. I stayed in touch with 3 wonderful women from that class, thanks to Facebook. Denise, in Colorado still works in aesthetics. She too made a full career out of this mentally and physically demanding but oh so rewarding work. Dana (Da Newf) originally from Newfoundland and living the life in Grand Prairie Alberta, we met up a couple of years ago and had a hellovah great night at the Old Triangle. It had been 30 years since we had seen each other. And Brigette, who lives in Northern NB, who along with Dana had their working lives leave the beauty industry.

Work began in Winnipeg, MB… a busy salon, Giselle’s Professional Skin care, had several staff members. I think 15 Estys at one point, from all over Canada and the world. One from Moncton, Mary Jane…Jane, the original owner of Fingers, Faces, Feet, may she Rest In Peace, taught me to use the callous blade. I still recall the first person I did a pedicure on with the blading…I was terrified to cut her. Full blown panic attack. I didn’t…in fact in 34 years, nobody lost a foot. Yay me! Other Estys came from Russia, Germany, India, Czechoslovakia, Poland, England, South America, Jordan, I feel like I’m forgetting some. The owner was hard to work for, but at the time she paid better than anyone in the industry as far as I knew. She and I had a falling out early on about me going to the private school to “teach” young girls how to care for their skin and do basic makeup. I fought her on that. It made no sense since there were two skilled souls who wanted to go. I challenged her with “that wasn’t in my job description”. She stood up with a vengeance, her chair falling backward as she yelled (and I mean yelled) “I TELL YOU WHAT YOUR JOB DESCRIPTION IS”. This was not my thing. Again, desperate panic attacks aside, I got it done. When I returned to the salon, I marched into Daphne’s office pointing my finger at her, with equal anger to what she gave me but much quieter to respect client ears: “You can fire me, or I will quit before I will ever do that again.” I shocked her…. I stormed away. We kept our distance and I got my job done. The day I gave notice 5 years later, to move home, was a glorious day. I am so grateful for Facebook allowing me to stay in touch with Lori, Lorraine, Robyn, all in Winnipeg still and Joelle, near Montreal I believe.

In 34 years, I’ve seen too many of you go through health scares, and desperate heartbreak. And I lost a few of you to cancer or other illnesses. Hearing of a clients health scare is torture. There is so little I can do to help other than a hug as compassionate ear. One was a profound loss for me. Joann was diagnosed with a terminal cancer on her 36th birthday. We were about the same age. . 18 months later I drove her to pick up her car at the Nissan dealer, she was leaving the next day for bone marrow transplant. There was a match. “I don’t know what to say Jo. Take care. Good luck. Be well.” Her reply ? “Well, it isn’t good bye, that’s for damn sure. I will be back”. Three weeks later she died of complications. Her file is still in my cabinet and when I thumb past her name, I acknowledge her and listen for her larger than life laugh.

Many have said “you should write a book”, referring to the never ending supply of stories from clients and salon shenanigans. I have been witness to some of the most beautiful and strong women and their perspective on life. I have listened to your chronicles of career aspirations, successes and challenges. I have watched some of you go through high school, university, and climb your ladders. I’m so proud of you… like a mother hen. And then suddenly we are both all grown up and we relate even more as I watched you become mothers. Alas, I will not write a book…ladies your secrets are safe with me. It would be unethical to spill the beans about any of our personal and very specific conversations. Oh! I’ve shared good stories. Stories I know the owner would approve simply because something awesome, or funny or awe inspiring happened. Or because the experience could be helpful to the listener. But I chose stories carefully.

For me personally, It’s been at times challenging to face the job when not up to my personal best. Paid sick days have never been a part of this career choice. I’ve worked through desperate vertigo, a dislocated rib, torn ACL, torn sagittal band on my hand, torn calf. I’ve taken minimal time off for a hysterectomy, and ACL knee repair. In recent years you have seen me struggle with hives and eczema caused by my bodies inability to use food properly and the resulting weight loss. You’ve offered ME a hug when I had personal family challenges, scares and losses. You have grown to care for my stories, the way I have cared for yours.

In the last few weeks as I have said good bye to so many of my current clients I have been humbled beyond description, of the clear love that you Beauties feel for me. My heart has been at times, so heavy knowing that for some, I will never see them again. The kindness in the words spoken and the many cards written have had me, for likely the first time ever, speechless.

It has been my privilege, my honour and my pleasure to serve you ladies. I am grateful for you choosing me to spend your hard earned money on.

My goal each day was simple: for each woman to feel better leaving than when she arrived.
My motto even more simple: to make aesthetics affordable to the average working woman.

and ✔️

And so, with a full and grateful heart, I leave you this:

🎶. I’m so glad we had this time together. Just to have a laugh or sing a song. 🎼 seems we just get started and before you know it, comes the time we have to say…. So long🎵)
Good night everybody! (ah Carol Burnett said it best)

Have a good one, Love Kim

UPDATE: no more facial spots available. Still have small waxing, potential for manicures or pedicures but very very few and a dm or text is recommended to discuss options.

I have only a couple of pedicure spots left between now and when I close in July. If you haven’t booked your pedicure and want to grab 1 of the two spots, now is the time. Dm for details

Several smaller wax or electrolysis spots are still available currently. And I always keep a cancel list going.

Sorry no new clients. All remaining gc expire in two weeks. You must have original and booking must be made prior to May 31.

Koffee beauty is on sale! $18 total.

Please Note Current clients: if you have not booked your summer appointments (I retire July 20) please do so asap. Some weeks are already overfilled (I am trying to avoid cancelation lists and work as much as required but at some point I will have to say no).

As well, please remember all outstanding gift certificates will expire on May 31, 2023 without exception*. I cannot honour “lost” gc, original must be turned in at the time of service.

I look forward to continuing to give you my best until I retire.

Thank you for allowing me to continue to serve you.

Openings this week:

TUESDAY morning 8:30-10 fits a pedicure or mani and wax, or facial
Also: 11:30-1 OR 12:30-2 (I’ll adjust my lunch according to needs.

THURSDAY: 9am - 45 minutes fits a mani or lashes or a little waxing
Also: 3:30 can fit a facial, or most other things

FRIDAY: 2pm -45 min fits some wax, lashes or a mani

Pls contact me directly via text or call the shop landline or dm me

I have a few openings this week including Monday morning

What can I help you with?

Good morning! Grab a coffee…you girls are going to like this one.

Beach beauty 101 according to Arlene Dahl, Hollywood Beauty Adviser…circa 1953

Makeup: Simplicity, elaborate makeup is out of place (she then goes on to describe foundation and powder, rouge if you must and lipstick base, then colour, blot, then lipstick, blot and lipstick again) 😳

But let’s keep it simple 🙄 how about some spf chapstick instead?

Hair: follow Ester Williams rule of thumb: keep your hair neat, wear ornaments. 😳 not Christmas ornaments silly. Your choices are bathing caps with rubber flowers 🤨 (pass), braids that go up over your forehead top and pinned into place…😏pass….or coiled over your ears to also help keep water out of ears…. Princess Leia knew what she was doing in case there was water in space…. 😂 Also for the short hair type, fake braids done this way is ok and keep short strays flat with petroleum jelly 😳 what? No don’t do that.

I won’t even comment on the wax preserved flower you could stick in your hair …. WHYYYYYYY?

They talk about tanning…..it’s recommended for optimal beauty but do it slowly and carefully so you don’t damage your skin….🤨 oh how we have learned

Annnnd then they talk about bathing suits…”wearing the PROPER swimsuit for your figure is an important part of beach time beauty”

😑

It should not cup under and reveal the bulge or folds of flesh at the top of the thigh. 🤣🙄😒

Problem figures have a list of what to wear or don’t wear…I won’t even list those…. What is a problem figure? … ask any girl…she will tell you hers is a “problem” (or did at one time) because the garbage marketing that leads women to believe they need to “present” themselves beautifully…like we are to be admired….and if we don’t, we are less and feel like less…

This is soooooo unhealthy….and it started lonnnng before 1953.

So as we head into spring and summer 2023, rememeber this:

You are beautiful, because you are alive. And people love you, because you are you. Wear what feels good, TO YOU. Exercise for health…not beauty…not to avoid a “problem figure” (1953: thin or plump) But, For Health.

what is beautiful anyway?

Also the booklet at the end goes on to suggest those fake braids for your evening date… 😒

But you will likely cancel the date because you cannot get the darn petroleum jelly out of your mid length coiffure. 🙄😂

Happy Sunday Beautiful!

I have a few spots open this week that allows for a few options.

Including tomorrow morning and a bigger spot in the afternoon.

Who needs a treat?

Dm or text

My boss doesn’t like idle hands