Skin Deep

I recently had coffee with a friend of mine, Rebecca Wilson. She keeps her fiery red hair neatly cut, wears insanely stylish ensembles and just looks like someone who works in the fashion or creative industry. Not surprisingly, she is an in demand hairstylist at ToDaze salon in Blaine.

A lifetime ago, this too use to be my profession. I received my training from the Aveda Institute and loved working in a high end salon. Once children came along, working nights and week-ends didn’t work so well with parenthood. I’ve been lucky because I was able to continue my craft as a freelance stylist and make-up artist on the side. I still enjoy talking to people in the salon and beauty trade, reminiscing about my time behind the chair and hearing about its’ evolution since I left.

I have since become a rep for a clinical skincare line nationwide with Rodan+Fields, creators of Proactiv.

Part of my conversation with Rebecca circled around to what it is we actually give our clients. Being in the business of beauty can be tricky. Our ultimate goal is improving the appearance of our customers. This can be a delicate conversation, one that can seem shallow from the onset (my husband is a person who really has push back with anything related to “beauty”). Being women, and helping (predominantly) other women, we talked about what this important and complicated objective entailed.

It entails a problem first. About your hair. About your skin. Our clients want to look better and we are the vehicle to solve that problem. Every time. Because we focus on the outside, one could argue we are simply feeding our clients back into a cycle of artificial material standards. Standards that can never be met.

I believe what I give is a valuable intangible that has a cascading effect on lives.

When we look polished and are the best versions of ourselves physically, something transformative happens to us on the inside. I have personally witnessed this countless times. Women who I help get ready for one of their most important days, dressed in shades of white, nervous and excited. Sometimes it is for a crucial interview, a special date, or a reunion. And sometimes, it is simply a reprieve for those immersed in sticky fingers, runny noses and peanut butter kisses.

Whatever the situation, the outcome is the same; smiling bigger, walking taller and feeling confident.

Confidence is my product. Not beauty.

Confidence transforms you into someone unstoppable. It will attract people to you no matter your age, your profession or your income level.

And that is something Rebecca and I agreed, is much more than skin deep.