“We dotted the powder foundation all over the face until we had a perfect blend. Then using the techniques popularized by the studios we pressed powder very firmly and methodically all over the face until you had a perfect, flawless-looking makeup. Of course you didn’t have the range of colors available then in the way of eye makeup. We only had four shades of eyeshadow: gray, brown, blue and green, and only two colors of eyebrow pencils: brown and brownish/black; plus two colors of mascara, one shade of rouge and four shades of lipstick.”
~ Eve Gardiner (1916 – 1992); Legend: Jan/Feb 1986.
In 1974, Oppenheim went off to Versailles, France to attend the Skin Care Congress held there annually by the father of modern aesthetics, Humbert Pierantoni …”When I saw those three ballroom-sized floors filled with hundreds of exhibitors, and when I saw the huge auditorium filled with thousands of aestheticians watching audio-visual presentations which were translated into five languages, I felt I had discovered a new world.” He brought as much as he could of this world back to his seminar held in New York.
~ Robert Oppenheim; Legend: Mar/April 1986.
Seen as a man who loves his work; the many voluntary hours of preparation for conventions and congresses, it is clear that Robert Diemer made the status of the American aesthetician his life time goal. “We no longer have to rely upon a European approach to aesthetics! The American aesthetician has taken the best of Europe and incorporated that knowledge with American technology and understanding to produce a new philosophy in aesthetics.”
~ Robert M. Diemer; Legend: May/June 1986.
“When it comes to beauty and cosmetics, THEY (women) WANT IT ALL, the technology, the realism, the education to use the products we provide … and yes, the glamour that fits today’s lifestyle…. Today’s glamour figure works up a sweat playing tennis, works as a mother, and works and plays equally hard, and to win. Women do want it all … to look like a vamp, and to live like a top executive. Let’s face it … most of today’s women still want to look like Cosmopolitan cover girls even thought they’re faithfully reading MS and baking their own bread.”
~ Adrien Arpel; Legend: July/August 1986.
“Professionalism is not only a worldly attitude, it is giving unselfishly of oneself and with concern for others. As professionals, we have a responsibility to the public, not only for aestheticians to conduct themselves as professionals, but to continue to educate themselves, and others in the profession so that the entire industry will progress. Individually, we can do little – but together, we can accomplish a great deal. Today, we are great … tomorrow we will be even greater.”
~ Luella Bailey; Legend: Sept/Oct 1986.
After leaving Romania, Christine Valmy emigrated to the U.S. in 1961 arriving as so many other immigrants, penniless and unable to speak the language. As soon as she arrived in this country she realized that the main purpose of cosmetics here was to cover up skin imperfections, an antiquated approach when compared with the standards of Europe.
~ Christine Valmy; Legend: Nov/Dec 1986.
Mr. Gerson says, “In order to be successful in the field of aesthetics, you must put your creative imagination to work, visualize your goals, then work in that direction, love what you are doing and dare to be different.”
~ Joel Gerson; Legend: Jan/Feb 1987.
“It’s your attitude toward beauty that’s so important,” says Grey. “It’s like the positive and negative of a picture. A smile can transform the plainest face to radiance and a frown robs the most beautiful soul. That’s the important lesson I try to teach the women I work with, whether they come into the studio, are one of the mail order customers we see only once a year, or are in a hospital or a prison. Anger is the enemy of beauty; anger is a useless emotion, it’s a double-edged sword that wounds at both ends. That is my first beauty lesson to any woman, no matter where she is.”
~ Aida Grey (1911 – 1994); Legend: Mar/Apr 1987.
Erica Miller began her journey into the world of esthetics with her initial training at the Christine Shaw School of Beauty in London, Englandin 1972. According to Christine Valmy, “The professional field of aesthetics in the U.S.owes its success and growth to a handful of people devoted to insuring its place as a new branch of the beauty industry…. Every one that has worked with Erica has learned to love and respect her, and our collective hope is that her example will inspire many of our new colleagues to follow her and work together toward the building of a strong aesthetic field in our country…”
~ Erica Miller (1951 – 2004); Legend: May/June 1987.
“The no limits makeup artist is a Personal Image Consultant/Instructor/Makeup Artist who objectively observes and analyzes the clients needs, who listens to the client’s wants, who determines the client’s level of capability … and level of fashion awareness. They then create a makeup procedure for the client that can be easily reproduced by the client with simple yet thorough instructions. All this is done with no sales pitch for products. What we’ve discovered is that if the client likes what she sees and likes how she feels from your thorough instructions, then she’ll be her own best sales person for the makeup and skin care products.”
~ Marvin Westmore; Legend: July/Aug 1987.
“The simplest skin care regimen is the best … but you must be consistent and disciplined. Regular skin care keeps your youth much longer. the face is the mirror of your entire well-being. Clean your skin well and nourish it. That is the purpose of facials and homecare. This is the deacade of health, and healthy skin makes you look younger.”
~ Aida Thibiant; Legend: Sept/Oct 1987.
When asked the secret of blending business with two grown children, grandchildren, travel, entertainment and interviews, and if she has a hobby, Ilona says, “I’m a workaholic … my work is my hobby. Nothing makes me happier than helping people with their skin problems. Their smiling faces as improvement shows – that’s MY hobby.”
~ Ilona of Hungary; Legend: Nov/Dec 1987.
Together with a long-time friend, she traveled throughout the U.S. to educate school owners and salon staffs on the importance and benefits of proper skin care techniques. “It was difficult to get off the ground at first, because in the U.S., no one gave much thought to skin care. Now, of course, it is a different story.”
~ Grace Doran Francis (1920 – 2007); Legend: Jan/Feb 1988.
Working part-time at a cosmetics company she met many European-trained aestheticians who taught her time-tested methods of cleaning, protecting and maintaining healthy skin. When thinking back on the experience Grady says it made her “aware of how great a need there was in this country for aestheticians who were truly knowledgeable about the structure and function of the skin.…”
~ Elizabeth Grady; Legend: Mar/Apr 1988.
Beginning her career as a hair stylist at the age of 18 years old, her father bought her a salon which would eventually represent the foundation she would build the rest of her career on. “Growing up came fast; I began to realize that if I was going to be a success, I would have to pursue advanced education in skin care and cosmetology. My cosmetologist’s license was only the beginning.”
~ Mary Ann Graffeo (1928 – 2009); Legend: May/June 1988.
“As I look back over the years, I realize what this career has meant to me. Each and every job I have ever had has been a growing experience that has brought me to where I am today. This wonderful, positive atmosphere in which I work has been the most rewarding experience for me. If I didn’t have to do this for a living, I would do it for free. It gives me such a pleasure to see others grow and blossom into productive individuals, with a trade to build a profitable future on.”
~ Carole Walderman; Legend: July/Aug 1988.
“I cannot give myself all the credit for my success. My family has played a big part in my life and my work.” When asked about her career, Geneva says, “I haven’t had a bed of roses. I’ve had many interferences and obstacles, but they did not hurt me. They just made me stronger and made me want to work harder.”
~ Geneva Wyatt (1927 – 2008); Legend: Sept/Oct 1988.
When asked about his career and what he does for excitement, especially after working with Playboy, news networks and politicians, he says, “Still the most stimulating aspect of this business for me is teaching our regular clients to do their makeup properly. These are fascinating women…. There has never been a perfect face … every face has some beauty and it is the makeup artist’s job to bring it out.”
~ Jerry Weitzel; Legend: Nov/Dec 1988.
“I want to remind people that they must continue to try. Don’t be afraid of your mistakes, look at what went wrong then do it differently the next time. And don’t loose your humanness. Getting wrapped up in business can dehumanize you. Keep your spirit alive, touch other people, and continue to care.”
~ Carol Phillips; Legend: Jan/Feb 1989.
“My personal love is teaching,” Letti Lynn replied when asked what she enjoys the most about her profession and why, “Sharing my knowledge with others is exciting and rewarding. As a member of the prestigious EstheticsAmerica and the past Esthetics Director of LCA of Louisiana, I am able to learn the latest techniques on a national level and can bring them back to my students…”
~ Letti Lynn; Legend: Mar/Apr 1989.
“I have no secrets. I share everything I know. I like to encourage people to make a career for themselves, not just a job. A job puts bread on the table, but doesn’t satisfy your higher needs and aspirations. A career, on the other hand, is all-consuming. You’ll eat, sleep and wake with it. You will find yourself creating, managing, motivating – yourself and others. It becomes a passion!”
~ Eva Friederichs; Legend: May/June 1989.
