Ready . Set . Go We've all been there. You just finished cosmetology school and found a really cute, functional room to rent in a busy salon. The rent is reasonable as is the owner who likes your style and is willing to take a chance renting to someone brand new in the business. You sign contracts and set a start date and immediately feel overwhelmed and underprepared. You are confident in your ability to give a great facial, but you are about to start work in an empty room and aren't really sure how to get started. Various spa catalogs have arrived in the mail selling all sorts of fancy furniture and machines, but you're on a budget and would rather spend the bulk of your money on skin care products that can help you earn those dollars back. Here are some suggestions for the things you should absolutely make sure you have before you open:Massage Table- Look for a table that can be adjusted manually. There's no need to splurge on a hydraulic lift system when you're just starting out. If your table comes with armrests and a headrest, make sure they can be removed. Ideally you want a table that can easily transition from facials to full body waxing services.Sheets/Blankets- You want your clients to be comfortable, but 1000 thread count is not necessary. Lighter colors and patterns will be more forgiving of stains. If your room tends to get cold, consider flannel.Pillows- Be prepared to offer all of your clients a pillow to place under their knees. It doesn't need to be a specialized lumbar pillow. Standard bed pillows work just fine as long as they are not too soft. The same pillows will also come in handy for your pregnant clients.Steamer- This is one of the few pieces of mechanical equipment worth buying right away. Not only does it create a more spa like atmosphere your clients will love, extractions will be much easier after a few minutes of steam.Mag Lamp- This is crucial equipment piece number two. You cannot properly extract and treat the skin if you can't see the client in your dimly lit room.Bowls- Petal shaped, pink ceramic bowls are nice to look at, but they are useless if you can barely fit your fingertips in them. Choose metal mixing bowls that are large enough to accommodate your hand. You should have at least 2 bowls for water and a smaller bowl for masks.Cart- This is another item where function should win out over appearance. A wooden butcher block cart looks great in your kitchen, but is too bulky for your esthetic room. Find a metal or thick plastic cart on casters that can easily be rolled around with one hand. A drawer is not a necessity if you have multiple shelves, but it provides a handy place to store brushes, cotton squares, gloves, and disposable spatulas. Keep in mind that your cart will be exposed to water and oils from your hands and skin care products.Mask Brushes- There's no need to buy expensive fan brushes from wholesale esthetics supply stores when small paint brushes from the hardware store or art supply store work just as well.Cloth Diapers- It might sound strange, but old fashioned cloth diapers make great facial towels. The really thin type are perfect for barber wraps and removing products. Your clients will never know you aren't using expensive towels.Shelving- Before you commit to renting, be sure to talk to the owner about where you can display your retail products. If you are limited to your treatment room, freestanding (floating) glass shelves are the perfect choice. They look modern and can easily be wiped clean.Client Drapes- Be prepared with enough facial gowns for a busy day. Keep in mind that people come in all shapes and sizes so you need drapes to accommodate everyone.Stools- Once you get busy doing facials, you're going to be sitting a lot. Choose a rolling stool that is comfortable to sit on for at least an hour. It's also a good idea to keep a small step stool under your massage table for your shorter clients.Skin Care- This is, by far, the most important investment you will make when starting your own small skin care business. It's also the only item on this list with the power to help you earn back the money you have spent. Look for a comprehensive line that offers both backbar and retail products as well as education and great customer service. Set your facials apart from everyone else by providing skin type specific facials, and offer products that can't be purchased at a retail location. Tu'eL Skin Care meets all these criteria and has more than 30 years of experience in the professional skin care industry.It's not necessary to spend a ton of money in order to open your doors and start doing facials. Many of the items listed above can be found at discount and big box stores. Costco.com has several good quality massage tables to choose from. Target and WalMart are a great source for things like bowls, linens and cloth diapers. If you're not afraid of DIY furniture, Ikea is a good choice for carts and shelves.Contact UsSkin Care Professionals please contact us at 800-765-7597 or evasesthetics.com.Retail Customers visit us at tuelskincare.com for more information and to find a retailer near you.
