Asthetics - The Management Approach

Nancy Rinaldi chose to become an aesthetician at a time when it was not a common career choice. To give you an idea of how far back that was, she researched skin care schools using the yellow pages! After doing her homework, Nancy chose to study at IAAS because the curriculum was the most thorough and offered her the best training. She worked as an office administrator to help pay the bills while going to school.

Unlike most people who attend IAAS, Nancy’s plan was not to be a hands-on technician but rather to own and manage a salon. As soon as she graduated, despite the advice of friends and advisors, Nancy set up her own business.

Quickly Nancy learned the trials of business ownership including finding and keeping good aestheticians and staff. In addition, she also functioned as accountant, bookkeeper, receptionist, therapist, marketing director, and more. After eight years, she decided she wanted to return to just managing a business so she sold her salon and sought new opportunities.

Her new challenge was to become managing aesthetician for a Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery practice. After ten years of managing someone else’s practice, she decided to once again open her own business offering services based on a combination of skin care training and that which she learned while working with the surgeons. Her practice, called A Fine Line Medical Skin Care, provides goal orientated corrective skin care treatments. In addition, she travels the country as a national educator for SkinCeuticals, the country's leading medical skin care and chemical peel company.

When asked why aesthetics is her chosen profession, Nancy says, “I like helping people feel good about themselves.” She adds that having her own business gives her the flexibility and independence that results from working for yourself. Why someone should go into aesthetics, Nancy says, "do it because you are passionate about helping people feel and look good.” To be most effective, you have to start with a sound foundation, like training at IAAS. It is an investment in the quality of the rest of your life.

The Value of Great Training

Every graduate who leaves IAAS comments on the in-depth training they receive while here. In case you want to know what the clients of these graduates think, check out the comment page of Allison Adamiak's website. The clients benefit the most from what graduates learn here. Of course, Allison's dedication to continually expanding her training and offerings and being the best aesthetician in her market, helps. Congratulations Allison!

Connie Devine Stops By

Connie Devine (r) with Kathy Shingara, IAAS Director

Look who stopped by at IAAS to say hello! Connie Devine is visiting from Wilmington, NC where she provides skin care and beauty services at the Copper Lily Salon & Day Retreat. She looks great and is doing well in her business. We were so glad to see her.

Check Out Photos from Trish Green Training!

Advanced study students learned a great deal from Trish Green during her classes here at IAAS March 11-13. Check out photos from Trish Green's facebook page. We'll be adding our own photos soon so be sure to check back. If you want to be notified of upcoming advanced training classes for practicing aestheticians at IAAS, sign up on our website. 

Graduate Combines a Passion for Beauty and Fashion

New York's "Brow Goddess" Gina Daddona
shapes a clients brows.

New Milford, CT native Gina Daddona attended IAAS in 1993. After graduating from college with a degree in fashion, she began working in retail selling beauty products but wanted to somehow combine her interests of beauty and fashion. To do so successfully, she knew she needed in depth training in the beauty industry and that is what led her to the Institute of Aesthetic Arts & Sciences.

Upon completion of her studies at IAAS, Gina first took a job doing makeup and after that as an aesthetician in a salon. It wasn’t until she found a position in which she could combine both that she began to flourish. Living in New York and eventually getting more involved in fashion had always been her objective, so after a time she moved to New York and found work at a salon doing both skin care and makeup. Through networking and perseverance, she found a position at a top celebrity salon doing makeup with a focus on brow shaping. There she met Martha Stewart who hired her to do her makeup for tv appearances.

Gina continues to help celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Emmy Rossum, and Maria Shriver prep for tv, editorial and red carpet events along with many others. After several years of freelance and other salon work, she eventually ended up at the renowned Stephen Knoll Salon where she offers makeup applications and lessons, and of course brow shaping.

Actress Emmy Rossum had Gina apply 

her makeup for a red carpet event.

After many years she has really honed her eyebrow shaping skills - and in the past year was recognized by CBS and Allure Magazine as the go-to person for eyebrow shaping and makeup. Gina prefers tweezing and trimming (for the precision) and showing women how they can use makeup to really perfect their eyebrows as needed. 

Gina likes the steady home base of a salon, a regular clientele (as well as celebrities) and the team dynamic. She is able to freelance on the side which includes being part of a team working backstage during fashion week twice a year (thrilling for a fashion major) (see fashion week blog posting) and doing some work with Dior cosmetics for VIP clients. She has also had the opportunity to travel with teams to Beijing, China and Cannes, France among other places for shows and events.

When asked if she has any advice for someone pursuing a career in makeup, Gina says, "I recommend lots of practice (on all skin tones, ages, and face shapes), knowing your industry and the people in it, finding established artists to assist, observing, listening, always learning, being professional, prepared, flexible, creative, business minded, and on time.  Showcase your work, be proactive and go after the jobs you want.”

Gina credits the training she received at IAAS as being the starting point of this wonderful life journey she is on. “After working all these years,” she says, “I know I am very fortunate to have initially trained at such a top notch facility and I am very appreciative. I loved it there, have such fond memories, it was everything I thought it would be and more. IAAS certainly got me on my way to being able to work as a creative artist which is what I love most about my job."

Graduate News: Laura Lewis

2005 IAAS Graduate Laura Lewis Schreiner visited with us recently to attend classes on Lymphatic Drainage and Oriental Analysis as well as Brazilian Bikini Waxing. While here, she shared some wonderful photos of her family including her 6 month old son James. They are currently living in North Carolina but will be returning to Connecticut soon where she will be resuming her aesthetics career and putting her recent training to use!

Brazilian Bikini Waxing Training May 7

IAAS graduates trained in Brazilian Bikini Waxing report that this is the most in-demand service they offer and their clients and profits are exploding as a result. Don't miss out on this trend, attend the May 7th training offered by IAAS graduate Alison Adamiak of Balance Day Spa of White Plains, NY. Class is for trained aestheticians ONLY and will be held here at IAAS from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Click here for full class details, payment info and enrollment form. Hurry, you need to confirm with payment by Saturday April 7 and class size is limited. If you have questions, call us Tuesday - Saturday at 203-262-6070.