DOLLAR-WISE DIVA: BEAUTY ON A BUDGET

Look gorgeous and save money with discount beauty services at Marinello Schools of Beauty in El Cajon and San Diego

By Mary Paulet, guest columnist

February 7, 2011 (El Cajon) – Self-indulgences such as beauty treatments may seem like forbidden fruits in an era of lay-offs and uncertain economic conditions. Downsizing the household budget has become the new doctrine—and the cardinal sin is spending more than you have. Yet how we yearn to partake in pampering without having to pay pricey salon fees for treats such as manicures, makeovers, hair styling or facials!

Personally, I’ve always been the type who is thankful if I have time to even brush my hair before rushing out the door. Fortunately, there’s hope for people like me who have little time or limited budgets, yet still want low cost, fast beauty treatments and makeovers in East County. This hope is Marinello School of Beauty in El Cajon—an ideal place to treat yourself or your special someone to indulgences for Valentine’s Day or any time.

Marinello-El Cajon is a beauty college that is part of the nationwide network of Marinello campuses founded in1902. The El Cajon location offers cosmetology, esthetics (skin care) and manicure programs; these as well as massage therapy can be found at a sister campus in San Diego.

These endeavors are more then frivolities. In this time, when the skeletons of unsuccessful job hunts litter the terrain for miles around, these treatments can mean the difference of getting (or maintaining a job) or becoming one of the casualties of this recession.

Students start by practicing on wigs with human hair, then advance to working on customers to gain real-world applications of their studies—all at prices far lower than you would pay at a hair salon or spa. Just imagine the savings if you have an entire bridal party in need of special makeup and updos!

This writer took advantage of several services and was pleasantly surprised with the results. To say that I’ve had limited experience in the beauty treatment arena is an understatement. I can count on one hand the amount of visits I’ve paid to a salon. I’ve rarely worn cosmetics and never had a manicure before.

Upon arriving, I was treated to such personal attention that I felt like a princess. At one point, I had three people catering to my every beauty need.

A senior student/stylist recommended that I start with an eyebrow waxing and styling, which was expertly done. To say that I saw a great difference in only a few minutes was an under-exaggeration. It truly looked like a miracle had been performed. (My bushy eyebrows and saggy eyelids are two areas I’ve always struggled with.)

Next came a shampoo and hair styling. My stylist, Lindsey Haley, applied special conditioning treatments to repair damage from hair coloring. “The dyes are the same ones used in automobile paints, metallic, very damaging,” she informed me.

Curls—not my usual tomboyish style—were then applied to my softened and blow-dried hair. The look was reminiscent of a traditional renaissance hairstyle that would be appropriate for day to day at the office, as well as a romantic dinner out on the town.

A manicure done to perfection followed. Manicurist Lyndsey Andrus soaked and softened my calloused cuticles. Then she provided a trim and paint job, adding creative orange “umbrella tips” and a design embellishment artfully applied with nail polish. This writer’s eyes were opened to the true artistic possibilities that nail adornment can unleash. I look forward to experimenting with different combinations in the future.

Makeover artist Paloma Herbert created an optical illusion to brighten and left my eyelids with brown eyeshadow and a lighter tone for highlights. Other natural looking make-up included pink lip gloss and subtle blush applied over foundation and powder that hid freckles and other skin tone imperfections. Just a touch of mascara and eyeliner, along with an eyelash curler , added a dash of sophistication while still keeping the natural style that this writer greatly prefers.

Total cost for my transformation? Around $42—a fraction of what the same services would cost at a hair salon or spa. I will definitely utilize Marinello in the future!

The address for the El Cajon location is 841 Arnele Ave; the phone number is (619) 593-0426. For more information please visit http://www.marinello.com/def/custom-pages/ca-el-cajon.aspx or click the ad below. There is also a San Diego location at 7550 Miramar Road, #400, phone (858) 547-9260.  For additional locations in California and other western states, see www.marinello.com.
 

Also see ECM's "Profile in Glamour" article on the curriculum and career opportunities available through Marinello Schools of Beauty: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/taxonomy/term/73