Esthetics
Sneha Menon
B. Clear Aesthetics
Certified Advanced Esthetician, Licensed
Esthetician & Acne Specialist
Masters & Advanced Esthetics Graduate 2024
Our talented graduates work in medical or facial spas, salons, waxing centers, lash studios, dermatology, or plastic surgery offices, own their own businesses, work as independent contractors, specialize in one specific service, or do a little bit of everything!
We have spent nearly 40 years working hard to collaborate and foster positive relationships with many local and national spa and healthcare businesses that love to work with and hire our highly skilled graduates.
We work with all of our students when they are nearing their graduation to help them determine their next steps and assist them in any way we can to help them find a position in the esthetics field that best fits their professional goals.
There is a world of possibilities and opportunities for Licensed Estheticians and Certified Advanced Estheticians!
Bailee Decker
Aesthetically Bailee, owner
Masters & Advanced Esthetics Graduate 2019
WORKING IN
Esthetics
Acareer in esthetics can be fastand challenging but also very rewarding. The Aesthetics Institute has been offering esthetics training since 1985 and is leading the way for our graduates to become top practitioners and leaders in the beauty industry.
“Being a student at the Aesthetics Institute truly exceeded my expectations! The teachers really do expect greatness and professionalism from us and I appreciate their care while we’re on our way to success.”
We are a family-owned and operated school. We aim to keep our classes small so our students benefit most from our unique handson training model. We pride ourselves on offering individualized education in a warm and friendly environment.
With nearly 40 years of experience and over 2000 graduates, we look forward to continuing to serve the Portland community with a tradition of excellence!
Opportunities CAREER
Erin Skoff
Skin and Tonics Laser Aesthetics
Master Esthetician
Masters & Advanced Esthetics Graduate 2023
Asa Licensed Esthetician in Oregon, you can be a spa esthetician providing many different skincare services to paying clients, a waxing specialist, a freelance makeup artist, a lash tech, or you can own your own business either out of your home or in a business suite or office space.
Numerous job options exist in the esthetics industry, and many people will switch between them more than once during their careers. The choices don’t end there, as there are even more unique employment opportunities, such as working as an esthetician on a cruise ship or at a high-end resort or hotel.
Estheticians can work special events, like weddings, festivals, or charity galas, or even operate a “mobile spa” to bring their services nearly anywhere their clients desire. Estheticians are in demand all over the world, and opportunities abound!
Owner BECOMIN AN
Lynne Sanders
LUXE Skin Advanced Aesthetics, owner
Advanced Esthetics Graduate 2021
“I
You can work for yourself and perform all of the state-approved esthetic treatments within your scope of practice. We currently teach nearly 40 of these services, skills, and modalities, and you can read more about them on our Masters Esthetics Program page on our website.
To work for yourself, you would need to take all the proper steps to run a business, like investing in insurance for yourself and all the devices, tools, and equipment you will operate.
Many estheticians will work out of rented professional spaces or set up spa facilities in their homes or apartments.
had an excellent experience at Aesthetics Institute. The level of competency, professionalism and dedication to student growth is unparalleled. Their staff is highly qualified to teach both theory and hands-on, as they each have extensive real-life industry experience and well-respected expertise to bring to the table.”
INDEPENDENT
Youcan also work as an independent contractor for an existing spa or salon business. With this option, you are responsible for client scheduling and day-to-day details, such as laundry, but you work in a location where you rent a space to practice.
Often, multiple estheticians and hair stylists will work out of this type of location and will share common spaces, such as laundry facilities, lobby space for clients, and restrooms.
You would need to work with the existing business to determine if you would bring equipment or rent theirs.
You also need to know who would provide insurance and what it covers. In this business model, you technically work for yourself and make your own rules and hours.
My time at the Aesthetics Institute was nothing but positive. I owe my confidence and skill to the school and I’ll never forget how its helped to shape the Esthetician I am today!
Sometimes,
estheticians will do a combination of both simultaneously, working out of their home studio a few days a week and working at an existing business for a few days.
This can be done for various reasons, including having access to more expensive and sophisticated equipment, having access to another set of clients, or providing services that need more space and require more clean-up, such as body treatments.
The exact details of each of these contractor working relationships can vary, but it is important to ensure you have a firm understanding and commitment to what each party is responsible for in this type of position.
“What they offer at the Aesthetics Institute really surpassed my expectations, and I was sad when I had to graduate. I left my program knowing how to start my own business, build a resume, a wealth of product knowledge, insider industry tips for making a profit, and so much more! I definitely recommend this school to anyone with an interest in esthetics!”
Hired GETTING
Brianna Bracelin
Spa Bliss, manager Masters & Advanced Esthetics Graduate 2020
Ifyou don’t want to work for yourself, you have the option to work as an employee for a spa, salon, or waxing center.
Working for someone else has its own benefits, such as the ability to clock out at the end of the day, the presence of an existing client base, and more regular pay when first starting out. You can be an hourly employee or salaried, depending on where you work and what you do.
Tips can also make up a significant portion of your income in both a spa setting and when working for yourself.
I wanted to become an esthetician because it’s my family’s business, and I wanted to help my mom be able to retire. She created this beautiful spa, and I was ready to evolve it. My experience attending the Aesthetics Institute was fabulous! It is very family-oriented and both welcoming and loving. All of the instructors are really close with their students, and I loved that!
Meet Peyton Lee Tunstall, AI Masters Esthetics graduate and business owner! We caught up with Peyton recently at her business, Peyton Lee Esthetics. What program did you complete? Masters Esthetics
When did you attend the school?
I started in November, 2018 and graduated in October, 2019.
When did you start your business?
In January, 2020.
What services do you offer?
I currently offer lash enhancements, brow shaping, facials, and facial waxing.
What about the AI program did you feel most contributed to your success today?
The real life hands on training! Also the expectations they have of their students set the bar for what the standard in my business should be.
Why did you want to start your own esthetician business?
I love feeling like I have complete creative control from the atmosphere to the services I provide.
What do you wish you knew prior to starting your business?
This is a tough question for me because I come from a family of business owners in this industry, who I learned a lot from early on and I felt I knew a lot more going into this than most people do when they start their business.
The thing that really comes to mind is that I didn’t expect how much of my time would be dedicated to my business, outside of the services I do. It’s more time consuming than I anticipated starting out, but so worth it!
What were the resources that really helped you start your own business?
Instagram! The the Etsy community on Instagram is very supportive and is a great recourse for education recourses.
MEET
Eachof these work options is slightly different and has its own benefits and challenges. Spas typically pay more but regularly require product sales for their positions. This type of job can often include commission-based pay and may provide health benefits depending on your weekly hours.
In these workplaces, you will typically offer a variety of facial and body treatments among other estheticians, waxing specialists, and hair stylists, depending on the type and size of the spa or salon.
Working at a stand-alone waxing center may mean seeing far more clients in a typical day but for shorter appointments.
Lash studios need less space and amenities to provide services to clients, but depending on the type of lash service they receive, you may only see a small number of clients each day but spend a considerable amount of time with each.
Thereare so many different types of businesses, and all have unique policies and expectations for their employees. Be upfront and ask as many questions as possible to ensure your professional needs are met and that you are a good fit for the position they are offering.
The world of beauty and esthetics is vast and worldwide, and we continue to be amazed and excited as opportunities change and grow as more and more people discover the benefits of esthetics and taking care of their skin.
We wish you the best of luck in your career. Remember, the only limits in this industry are the ones you put on yourself!
“The instructors were incredibly understanding that English is not my first language and took the time to tailor my education to meet my individualized needs. The education here has helped me immensely in both my personal and professional life.
I felt confident in the school as a student and continue to as I come back to get advice building my own business, which has been my dream since I was a teenager.”
A WORLD OF
Choices
Oregon separates the field of esthetics into two distinct categories: Esthetics and Advanced Esthetics. Once you attend an esthetics program and receive your Oregon esthetics license, you are eligible to enroll in and complete an advanced esthetics program.
“Other schools may seem flashier or more well-known, but that’s what you pay for there. The name. At the Aesthetics Institute, you pay for an amazing education, real hands on experience, and the practical skills to move forward with your brand new career!”
Careers for a Certified Advanced Esthetician are in demand and include many workplace locations, specialties, and skincare focuses.
Whether you want to work in a medical spa, dermatology, or plastic surgery office, own your own business, work as an independent contractor, specialize in one specific service, or do a little bit of everything, there is a world of possibilities and opportunities for Certified Advanced Estheticians!
Thereare several ways to pursue a career in the Advanced Esthetic field. These options range from working for yourself to working for a business to retailing products or devices for a larger distributor.
But first, you need to receive your general esthetics license from Oregon before continuing to your Advanced Esthetics education. We are one of three schools offering this program in the Portland metro area and are known for our rigorous curriculum and the variety of services and modalities covered.
A career in advanced esthetics can be challenging but also very rewarding. Depending on your interests and professional goals, becoming a Certified Advanced Esthetician may help you create a long and successful career in the beauty industry.
Whatever your future may have in store, we invite you to tour our school and learn more about the programs we offer and the benefits they can provide.
