What a launch! After months of planning and preparation, the recent opening of our glamorous new training facility in Brisbane surpassed even our highest expectations.

Th big day saw a host of VIPs in attendance including Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family, Michaelia Cash, and Vogue Australia Editor-In-Chief Edwina McCann.

Together they toured the facility and cut the ribbon to officially open the new campus, while the Minister also enjoyed having her makeup touched up by our students.

What is the new facility?

The stunning new French Beauty campus features a glamourous fit out and is complete with all the latest training tools, products and facilities to take students to the next level of their dream career.

In her opening remarks, the Minister described it as a “state-of-the-art facility” that would “ensure students are fully skilled in the latest innovations and methodologies demanded by employers in the sector”.

A brush with VIPs

The opening day allowed our students to mingle with some of the biggest names in the industry, while also showcasing their skills to the public.

It was thrilling to welcome such important guests to the campus and take them on a tour of the new facilities we have available.

It also showcased how well-connected the French Beauty Academy is and the

unique opportunities we make available to our students.

Meanwhile, Vogue Editor-in-Chief Ms McCann noted the new facility continued a French Beauty tradition.

“With their revolutionary beauty education model, The French Beauty Academy is producing world class graduates,” she said.

“Beauty and Wellness is a dynamic global industry with diverse, entrepreneurial and serious career pathways and I am passionate about helping to create these

pathways for the next generation of beauty entrepreneurs.”

Interested in unlocking your potential in this opportunity-rich sector? You can see our upcoming courses here.

“Meditation keeps me balanced, I actually go into a meditative state while I’m giving facials. I find peaceful moments in my beautiful salon and I try to be mindful by only focusing on my task at hand, without thinking about everything else. This way I am most productive and able to give beautiful treatments.” – Jocelyn Petroni

Jocelyn Petroni is one of Australia’s leading therapists, facialists and the official manicurist for CHANEL Australia.  A beauty artisan working on some of the worlds most famous faces and the owner of a collection of incredibly chic salons, she’s passionate about her craft and the power of touch. Her talents and bespoke facials are unparalleled, but it’s her warmth and spirit that inspires us the most. 

Jocelyn follows a holistic approach to health and beauty, incorporating disciplines such as reiki and meditation into her treatments. The French Beauty Academy was lucky enough to have this beautiful spirit on campus last year and her energy is just as you would expect – warm, calming and like you have had the pleasure of knowing her a hundred years. The French Edit sat down with Jocelyn to talk beauty, building a luxury brand, being different in a highly competitive market and achieving balance. If you too are passionate about a career in beauty, this moving interview is a must-read….

As a young girl did you always dream about a career in beauty? What initial steps did you take to study (and where did you study?)
As a child I loved playing with my sisters long blonde hair and my Mum’s eyeshadow palette. When I decided to become a beauty therapist I approached all the Sydney colleges for a scholarship. Without any on offer I chose to study at the best college at the time, The Strand College of Beauty Therapy and work overtime to pay my tuition. The college enquired with the government and was granted three scholarships, I was lucky enough to be given one.

What was your motivation behind starting the Jocelyn Petroni brand and salons?
I wanted to create a salon experience that was as decadent as it is necessary.

Did you set out to be one of Australia’s top facialists when you began your beauty journey? What has been your work philosophy to get you to this point (we understand the waitlist to see you in months long!)…?
I never wanted to be better than anyone else in the beauty industry, just to be my own best. I continually learn and strive to offer a higher customer experience, which allows my Facials to continually evolve. I love what I do and I think that’s reflected in the level of service we provide.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
Connecting with the client on a really personal level – the power of touch is amazing.

What is your most memorable career achievement thus far?
There have been many but being chosen as the official manicurist for Chanel was pretty special as was being taken to Cannes and Paris with French brands Nuxe and Bioderma.

What has been the most challenging aspect in owning your own business?
Time! There never seems to be enough time to do everything I want to do!

How do you differentiate yourself in a highly competitive market?
I offer a bespoke service that takes a holistic approach to beauty. I also like to incorporate meditation and reiki into my facials which makes them a complete wellness ‘experience.’

Why are you so excited to be working in the beauty industry right now?
The beauty industry is becoming accessible and acceptable to an everyday healthy happy lifestyle. I love that beauty maintenance and self giving is widely regarded and working as a beauty therapist, highly respected.

Describe a day in the life of Jocelyn Petroni… How important is exercise and meditation in your busy daily routine? Do you have a daily beauty routine or other daily rituals that you follow?
No two days are the same – my day might be filled with facial appointments, editorial shoots, team meetings etc. I meditate and exercise everyday.

How do you like to spend your spare time & how do you achieve balance in your own life?
Meditation keeps me balanced, I actually go into a meditative state while I’m giving facials. I find peaceful moments in my beautiful salon and I try to be mindful by only focusing on my task at hand, without thinking about everything else. This way I am most productive and able to give beautiful treatments.

At The French we understand and like to educate our students that nutrition plays an integral role in optimal overall health and well-being. Do you have any secret superfoods (or beverages) that you incorporate into your diet?
Green juices and green tea

What’s the best advice you can give to our French students or those interested in pursuing their own freelance career in beauty or to students who may want to own their own clinic or salon?
Be prepared to work hard! I think it’s important to also figure out where your passion lies and never compromise on quality. I think people appreciate integrity.

How do you like to indulge? What’s your own personal favourite beauty treatment?
I love to have facials, I enjoy the whole experience and particularly love a firm facial massage, it’s so relaxing.

My Signature Beauty Go tos…
Scent: Narciso Rodriguez
Lipstick: YSL Rouge Pur Couture 1.
Polish: Chanel Gitane
Book: The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying
Blog: Gritty Pretty
Best Kept Beauty Secret: Looking good is feeling good
Beauty product splurge: Sodashi’s Samadara Eye Cream
Budget beauty product: Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micellar Cleanser

The French Edit…
City: Paris.
Drink: Red Wine
Song: Currently anything Leon Bridges
Quote: You are what you think. All that you are arises from your thoughts. With your thoughts you make the world. Think good thoughts and happiness will follow. – The Buddha

Credits
Photos: Jocelyn Petroni

Follow Jocelyn Petroni on instagram here.

 

The beauty profession is rapidly changing. No longer are we dreaming of just performing manis and pedis, but the sky really is the limit when thinking about the paths and places studying beauty can lead you. Many are now continuing their studies to land their dream job as a dermal therapist.

Award winning French Alumni, Chanelle Morrison graduated from The French’s Advanced Diploma of Health Science in 2011 with aspirations of working with leading plastic surgeons and running a skin laser clinic. After completing her studies in beauty therapy, Chanelle wanted to further her education with The French in the advanced field of dermal science. She then went on to secure a position as a Dermal Therapist with leading plastic and cosmetic surgeon Dr Ian Holten at Australian Skin Face Body.

If you’re passionate about skin therapies and are dreaming of an advanced beauty role where the medical and beauty professions collide, we sat down with Chanelle to talk about how to best prepare yourself for your dream dermal job….

Image Source: Rationale

What lead you down the Dermal Therapist path?

Beauty was never enough for me, skin has always been my passion. I knew the additional experience and education with studying the Advanced Diploma with The Academy would definitely pay off in helping me secure my dream job.

How did The French help you prepare for life as a professional dermal therapist?

Studying the Advanced Diploma at The French was crucial in giving me in depth knowledge and practical experience essential for the dermal industry. The French Graduates are always highly regarded within the beauty and dermal industries. There are so many skills that I learnt that have ensured that I was industry ready and confident. I loved the hands-on experience and the in-clinic training. The lectures were great and the teachers were amazing! From IPL/Laser safety, peels and skin treatments to post operative care; all of which have been critical skills for my current position.

Tell us about life after The French and your first career break?

Before I finished up my dermal studies I contacted a well-known plastic surgeon in Geelong to express my interest for a dermal position. I was happy to move interstate for the perfect position. They were opening a new waterfront surgery and needed someone to work the skin clinic. I was blessed!

What skills acquired during your studies proved essential for securing your dream job?

So many! From professional confidence, laser/IPL safety and practical skills as well as peels and skin treatments. Post op care- were required in my position including topical skin cancer treatments etc.

Also so important was the invaluable product and cosmeceutical knowledge I gained. At The French I was trained with renowned international brands that were used in the clinic where I secured work – which was a huge advantage.

What do you most enjoy about your new job?

Working with plastic surgeons, doctors and nursing staff. Being a part of cosmetic, reconstructive and medical skin care treatments. My most memorable moment was providing skin procedures in theatre with Dr Holten. He always gave me great experiences and taught me so much.

Tell us what a working day looks like for you?

My days vary between skin consultations with skin clients and surgical patients, performing a variety of treatments including laser for pigmented and vascular lesions, light based treatments, skin peels, acne treatments, post op scar treatments and care, skin tightening and resurfacing, LED and Photo Dynamic Therapy for abnormal skin lesions and carcinomas.

Why is it so exciting to work in the beauty industry right now?

It is such exciting and new times within the industry now with medical and beauty fields work together.

Hero image: via Rationale

Our skin guru and Academic Coordinator Donna Cummins-Campbell has previously shared her expert secrets for skin care in your teens, twenties and thirties, but this week we put the focus on skin care for your forties! Think tips, tricks and product recommendations to feel good about your skin!

For the forty somethings follow this regime to get that radiant skin glow you dream of…

Images via: unknown, DuJour Magazine, Mario testino

Dear 40 something,

What a fun decade! A decade where you start to love all of your flaws and get to know what makes you tick.

This is an age where pigmentation begins to become more noticeable, fine lines may appear deeper and in the later part of this decade, skin may feel more drier than normal, this is due to hormonal changes occurring in this age group. Professional treatments are required to target skin concerns and a diligent approach to your skin care regime is required.

You may start to notice your skin becoming slightly lax, have you noticed your eyelid skin when you apply your eyeshadow? All of a sudden you will notice these changes, so relax and understand, it is just part of the ageing process and we all have to go through it.

What you can do, is to ensure your skin is as healthy as possible to minimise the signs of ageing.

This is my recommendation for the 40 something:

Morning

1. Cleanse just the once with a Milk or Cream Cleanser. As your sebum production begins to slow, it is more important not to remove your skins valuable barrier but to refresh your skin in the morning preparing it for the day ahead.
2. Specialised Serum: Protect the skins immune system and inhibit the production of pigmentation with the application of a Serum containing 5%-10% Niacinamide (Vitamin B3).
3. Specialised Serum: Add another layer of serum providing collagen boosting nourishment with Vitamin C and a great treatment for pigmentation, not to mention antioxidant protection. I prefer a lipid soluble form like: Ascorbyl TetraIsopalmitate (VCIP).
4. Eye Cream: containing peptides will help with any lines and puffiness around the eyes. A small amount is all you need around the eyes.
5. Moisturise with a ceramide-based moisturiser. The skins cell membranes are made up of ceramides which are a component of the skins valuable lipids.  Ceramides are components of the cells that participate in cell turnover.
6. Sun Protection: with a broad spectrum, zinc-based sun screen no matter what season it is.
7. Mineral Makeup: Add a layer of good quality mineral makeup to even out skin tone and to assist with sun protection.

Images via: Sofia Sanchez & Mauro Mongiello , Vanity Fair , Mario Testino for Vogue

Evening

1. Cleanse with the same milk or cream cleanser you used in the morning, but this time do it twice to remove pollutants, excess perspiration, oil, makeup and sunscreen.
2. Clarify the skin with a very gentle AHA Lotion or Serum. This will help maintain a nice smooth texture. I do not recommend over-use of any acids on the skin as long term use has seen many skins become sensitive and damaged. Use only 2-3 times per week.
3. Eye Cream containing peptides will help with age lines around the eye area. Use outward movements to help with draining excess lymphatic fluid and reduce the puffiness you may notice.
4. Moisturise with  a Vitamin A based moisturiser. You may also use a Vitamin A Serum and add a ceramide moisturiser over the top. Your Skin Care Therapist will be able to prescribe the correct dosage for you. Vitamin A is excellent in treating all skin types particularly ageing. Vitamin A is known as a normalising ingredient as it has the ability to normalise damaged skin cells. Vitamin A will also help with cell turnover which tends to slow with age. I prefer either a Retinol or Retinaldehyde product. If you are new to Vitamin A, better start slow, applying every second night. If you notice some irritation, then lower the amount of days you apply until you build tolerance. Don’t stop using it, we need Vitamin A and it is the best nutrient for an ageing skin.
5. Go With the Flow! This is an age where we start to realise that not everything has to be done right now! By going with the flow, we reduce our stress levels and gain more quality in our lives. My theory is, if it is not meant to happen, then many obstacles are put in front of us, this is going against the flow. When we go with the flow, everything goes smoothly and in the right amount of time, there is no waiting and no obstacles. So remember, if it is right, it will happen – smoothly – and with the flow! Ask yourself next time things are not going your way, “Is this the right thing for me? Should I just wait and see what happens?” I bet, if you do, it will all work out for you.

Professional treatments will focus on improving the ageing appearance of skin. Some modalities worth while considering are: LED, Radio Frequency, Sonophoresis, Dermal needling (incorporating platelet rich plasma) and IPL Photo Rejuvenation treatments. See your professional Skin Therapist to discuss the best options for you and your skin.

Enjoy this decade – life is good. Dxx

Donna Cummins-Campbell is Academic Coordinator at The French Beauty Academy and shares her expert beauty knowledge with students of our Diploma of Beauty Therapy course. You can find more amazing skin care advice from Donna on her personal blog My Skin Coach

All wondrous gown and unexpected plays on beauty, our love of the magic of Haute Couture never dies! With the fall shows in full swing in Paris, we’re lost this week in all the backstage details – finding plenty of fresh beauty and style inspiration!

Today we’re inspired by the botanical goddess makeup look created by the incredible Pat McGrath at Atelier Versace. With 70’s nuisances and hippie vibes, dewy skin and whimsical tints of soft lilac and mint, a mood of flower field romance (all beautiful and nymph-like) was evoked!

A new take on a smokey eye emerged with lids softly smudged with unexpected tones of the palest green and metallic gold. The look was made completely wearable with McGrath beautifully balancing the bold eye with a barely-there pink lip and peach blush.

Bringing together the bohemian inspired look, hair was woven with gilded flower crowns.

 

 

Photo Source: Style.com

“Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than belief that she is beautiful.” Sophia Loren

Source – Keystone Archives

Humble beginnings

Sophia Loren was born in Rome, Italy on September 20, 1934. Although she would go on to be considered one of the most beautiful women in history, Sophia Loren’s wet nurse remembered her as “the ugliest child I ever saw in my life.” Loren grew up in extreme poverty, living with her mother and many other relatives at her grandparents’ home, where she shared a bedroom with eight people.

War World II brought about misery, sickness, and hunger for the young Loren but it was as she developed her infamous curves at the age of 14 that things began to change for her.

“It became a pleasure just to stroll down the street,” she remembered of her sudden physical transformation. Not only did she begin to attract the attention of the opposite sex, but modelling agencies came knocking and roles in Italian movie productions soon followed.

Source – Doctor Macro

Hollywood Screen Siren

In 1957, Loren starred in her first Hollywood film, The Pride and the Passion, filmed in Paris costarring Cary Grant and Frank Sinatra. During filming, she became entwined in a love triangle when both Grant and an Italian film producer named Carlo Ponti declared their love for her. Despite her crush on Cary Grant, she chose Ponti, a man the media joked was twice her age and half her height.  Despite their rocky beginnings, their love remains one of the rare celebrity unions – as they were happily married for 50 years until Ponti’s death.

Despite her humble upbringing, Sophia has been always associated with elegance and luxury. After several awards, including two Oscars and one BAFTA, she attributes her success to her perseverance and confidence. Although she recognizes she has been blessed with the genetic lottery, maintaining it requires discipline and dedication. A healthy diet and lots of sleep are some of her secrets. She cleanses and hydrates her skin twice a day; follows a disciplined exercise routine accompanied by lots of water and no snacks between meals.

Source – Vogue

Her Beauty Secret

However, her biggest secret to beauty is to believe in yourself. “Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes” says Loren. As she mentions in her book “Women & Beauty” “It’s also about charm, imagination, wisdom and talent. Beauty is a package. It is in every woman. You just need to know how to explore it and show it to the world.”

A positive mindset has been key to Loren’s philosophy on life. “I always wake up early and jump out of bed—sometimes not wanting to, because one can always find an alibi not to exercise—and then I take a walk for an hour. And as I walk round the park I always think, ‘Maybe round the corner I am going to find something beautiful.’ I always think positively. It is very rare that you find me in a mood that is sad or melancholic.”

Sources:

Vogue Italy: https://www.vogue.it/en/magazine/v50/sophia-loren-by-carlo-ducci
Biography: https://www.biography.com/people/sophia-loren-9386318#synopsis
Vanity Fair: https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2012/03/sophia-loren-201203
Life: https://www.life.time.com/icons/sophia-loren-rare-and-classic-photos-of-a-film-legend/#1
Facebook Sophia Loren – Official

French women are renowned worldwide for their beauty, but when you take a closer look, you’ll see that it’s got nothing to do with being ‘pretty’.  In France, they call it je ne sais quoi (which literally translates as ‘Whatever!’) – the effortless chic, confidence and assurance that allows women to be their best self.

Here at The French Academy of Beauty, we call it être bien dans sa peau – being comfortable in your own skin and arriving at a place where you truly accept and love yourself.
It’s a journey that can take some people a lifetime but we’ve got some great tips to get you started:

1. Find your style – Whether you’re short, tall, large or small, figure out what works for you and stick with it. You can always adapt your personal style to the latest fashion trends with this season’s accessories and add-ons.

2. Spoil yourself – Looking good really comes down to feeling good. Long baths, facials, massages and body treatments are not luxuries … they’re essentials.

3. Indulge yourself … but respect your body – Overeating ultimately leads to self-loathing but so, too, does deprivation. Enjoy a little of everything and special treats in moderation.

4. Grooming is everything – You’re never going to feel good about yourself slopping around in track pants with unbrushed hair. No matter where you’re going, face the world with confidence every day by taking five minutes to put on an outfit that makes you feel your best, apply light make-up, tidy your hair and add earrings or a necklace.

5. Show some attitude – Even if you have to fake it ‘til you make it, face the world with confidence and self-assurance. Square your shoulders, straighten your spine, stick your chest out and look people right in the eye. You might be quavering on the inside but all people will notice is your presence.

6. Express yourself – Find subtle ways to let your individuality shine through – a groovy cocktail ring, colourful shoes, over-sized earrings … just a little something that says “This is me!”

7. Work with what you’ve got – Don’t wait until you’ve lost that five kilos or grown out that bad haircut. With the right style, good grooming and a shoulders-back-head-up attitude, no-one will notice those extra few kilos.

8. Find your passion – Take time to work out what floats your boat. Try different activities, sports, hobbies, jobs – then focus on what you really love.

 

Being a student is an exciting time – life is full of options and possibilities. It is also a great time to form habits that will see you succeed during your studies, and beyond throughout your lifetime. Here are eight great lessons that will set you in good stead.

1. Make small tweaks towards a healthier lifestyle each day. The first step to beauty is vibrant health. Everything you eat and drink, and every lifestyle choice you make, shows in your skin, your eyes, your hair and your demeanour. Overhauling your lifestyle can seem like a daunting task but commit to making a small, achievable change each week and see the difference it can make.

2. Alcohol and drugs don’t equal true confidence. Alcohol and drugs can seem like an attractive option when socialising with friends, or to cope with life’s ups and downs, but the long-term affect they can have on your health is always negative. That old saying ‘what goes up must come down’ really applies here! Alcohol and drugs can wreak havoc on your sleep (quantity and quality), skin, hair, overall health, and ability to deal with what life throws at you.

3. Create a study plan that works for you and stick to it. Having a schedule of study set out that you stick to, week in, week out is the best way to success. Study is like exercise: if you wait to do it when you feel like it, it never gets done. And, like exercise, you will never regret a study session! So sit down and work out a realistic plan to fit study into your life every week.

4. Learn to listen to your inner wisdom. You may have a lot to learn, but don’t underestimate your inner wisdom. Listen to that voice that tells you the right choices to make. Katharine Hepburn said, “If you always do what interests you, at least one person will be pleased.” Life is too short to spend it trying to please everyone else!

5. Curiosity opens doors. If something interests you, ask questions; do your own research; find answers. You never know where they will lead but this is a great way to find what your true interests are.

6. Walk the walk. Kurt Vonnegut said, ‘We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.’ If you want to be a beauty therapist, study beauty therapists you admire. What do they do? How to they act? What can you start doing now to tell the world what you want to be?

7. Adhere to mindful eating. Think of everything you put in your mouth as fuel for your body and your mind. Take your time to plan your meals and think about whether each meal and snack will help or hinder you to tackle all that life will throw at you each day. And when you eat, stop what you are doing, and sit down. Savour every mouthful and enjoy the experience of nourishing yourself. Being mindful allows you to take control of your eating habits.

8. Following the crowd leaves you in a crowded place. If you do what everyone else is doing, you will end up where everyone else is going. And standing out in a crowd can be hard. Follow that inner voice that tells you where to go and what you love to do. You will shine for sure.