At some point this summer, I’m sure you were exposed to some of the sun’s fabulous (yet damaging) rays. If there’s one thing you can do to go out with a bang this summer, it might be to get an end-of-summer facial, especially before all the back-to-school madness! And who better to do your facial than a licensed esthetician?

A facial consists of a few different techniques in order to give you a glowing and healthy-looking complexion. Through the use of steam, exfoliation, and extraction, estheticians really can help you feel and look your best by taking out those unwanted blackheads and creating an outlet for your pores to breathe naturally. At a facial, you can also get some advice and tips from your esthetician regarding your daily regimen and treatment options.

An esthetician is a great go-to person to see even if you’ve never experienced skin problems. Estheticians are experts in skin care, cleansing the skin of impurities. Additionally, estheticians are able to give head and neck massages and even complete makeup applications.

An esthetician program can be found at many cosmetology schools. It is through an esthetician program that a person can become properly licensed to work with individuals in places like spas, doctor’s offices, and other beauty salons. Programs vary in length and price, but it is always important to consider your own needs and desires. An esthetician career is a great one to have, especially according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, who estimates that the field of esthetics will grow by 38 percent due to an increase in demand for people who want to better their skin. This is much faster than the average growth for other occupations.

Summer may be over, but don’t despair. You can go get an end-of-summer facial or perhaps begin a career as an esthetician to be able to give those fabulous treatments to those who seek them.

-Amanda Fornecker

When was the first time you put on your first stitch of makeup? I think, for me, I was about three years old in my dance recital. It’s crazy to think that I was introduced to makeup at such an early age, but I wonder if that has anything to do with my love for it now. According to a recent article with the Canadian Press, it should have affected me in a different way.

In the article, Karen Grant, an NPD beauty-industry analyst, says that she thinks when girls start at a young age (such as pre-teen years) they are actually not as fascinated by it in older years (like their late teens). I don’t know if I can agree with that. Now, don’t get me wrong – just because I had a little bit of blush and lipstick on at the age of three, doesn’t mean that I was obsessed with makeup every day since then. I think it actually took me a bit longer to get down some kind of routine (or even to be allowed to use any sort of makeup, for that matter). It’s not like the baby beauty queens of today that get filmed for reality television. That may be a different case altogether.

I think that each person has their own personality and own progression when it comes to makeup. The Canadian Press article also suggests that girls are becoming interested in makeup earlier with all the latest spa and makeup parties that allow them to bond with their friends and mothers. While this may be true, I don’t think that this is when girls begin the obsession. They must explore it on their own and will come into their own routine in their own time. Some girls don’t even like makeup.

But I must agree with the article’s thoughts on the popularity of mascara throughout time. I, myself, don’t ever leave home without mascara on. It really has the ability to brighten your face – it’s a great beauty product.

What products have you loved throughout your life?

-Amanda Fornecker

I was extremely interested to see that short hairdos were a summer trend. I, myself, had the short haircut for a while, but decided that summertime was the best opportunity for me to grow my hair out a little bit. After all, it’s summer and it’s easier to manage when you can wear it different ways – or just throw it up into a ponytail. Personally, I like to be able to put some product in my hair after a shower and keep walking. That is not something I can do with a short hairstyle. However, let’s see why these short haircuts have been trending throughout the summer this year.

Latrice Strader is the master stylist and owner of Destiny De’Ve Hair Salon (Washington, D.C.). She says that short hairstyles are a big summer trend this year. “My clients love how convenient short hairstyles are and easy to maintain,” says Latrice. “They’re perfect for any woman who doesn’t have a lot of time in the morning to spend on her hair, but wants maximum style,” she says. Below you’ll find four short celebrity hairstyles, highlighted by Latrice…

The Vamp Look
Twilight star Kristen Stewart chose a short style to frame her face. She added some wispy bangs with auburn highlights, a great way to brighten up her look for summer. “Summer is a great time of year to go with a lighter shade,” says Latrice. “This length is perfect for women with a more oval shaped face, who may typically shy away from short cuts,” she says.

Red Hot
Rhianna took the short hairstyle to a different look by dying her hair bright red and adding a cropped semi-shaved look to her ‘do. This is certainly a red hot look that shows how Rhianna doesn’t hold back – a look that is great for the risk-taker. “Bold colors are definitely in this season,” says Latrice. “Shades of red and copper look fantastic on brown skin tones and bright orange adds an amazing pop of color to more fair skin tones.”

Short, Sweet, and to the Point
Check out this fresh face of Neutrogena’s hairstyle… Hayden Panettiere has shortened her golden locks to show she’s all grown up. Taking it to the next level, she framed her face with some fabulous bangs. It’s the perfect way to show off her glowing, fresh face. “Side swoop bangs are very popular right now and look great with a super short cut,” says Latrice.

Low Maintenance, Lots of Volume
Janet Jackson gives her new short hairdo a little bit of volume. This is a great look for the red carpet or just a special occasion because it gives you volume and a way to change it up from your normal, everyday hairstyle. It’s also a great time saver! “This elegant look works well for many occasions,” says Latrice. “It’s also very versatile and can easily be transformed and smoothed down to an everyday look.”

-Amanda Fornecker

In celebration of Earth Day (it is today, after all), I wanted to share with you some exciting parts of the beauty industry that stay green and attempt to spread their good-for-the-earth products throughout the world. Making yourself more beautiful, while considering the environment? Yes, please!

Makeup
The PlantLove collection from CARGO Cosmetics is the perfect way to enhance your daily beauty, while being environmentally-conscious. With bronzers, lipsticks, foundations, eye shadows, and more, you have a wide array of beauty products to work with. And the products don’t have parabens, petro-chemicals, synthetic dyes, and other typically harmful ingredients.

Fashion
Adele Wechsler  has a great collection of Eco-Couture gowns that are sure to help you have a green wedding. These vegetable-dyed silks, certified organic hemp/silk, and an emphasis on fair trade labor, gowns by Adele Wechsler are especially exciting to work with. Walk down the aisle in style and with a great background story to your very own wedding dress.

Hair
If you want healthy hair, consider the Yes To Carrots line of paraben-free products, specifically those for hair. This reasonably-priced line is 99.6 percent natural and made with Dead Sea minerals. There are different shampoos and conditioners for various hair types, which are made with carrots, tomatoes, or even cucumbers. Yum!

Consider some natural products this Earth Day. They are made by reputable companies and aim to be better for you in the long run. And they’ll be better for the Earth as well!! Do your part and everyone will be healthy, happy, and beautiful!

-Amanda Fornecker