**WARNING TO PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS**…read more
I rarely leave negative reviews, but I feel a MORAL obligation to warn other estheticians about my experience.
I enrolled in the Advanced Esthetics course expecting quality, hands-on education. Before class even started, I questioned how four advanced modalities could realistically be taught in a single day (10-5 pm). I even tried to cancel before the class began, but I was told I couldn't because I had signed a contract.
Including credit card fees, I paid $1,552.50 which I was told was the discounted price from the regular $2,500. Another student said she paid a different amount. It's A LOT of money for me right now, but I was trying to be hopeful.
For that price, I expected extensive hands-on training. Instead, we WATCHED a TCA peel, WATCHED a Hydrafacial on live models. The teacher did demo a microneedling and dermaplane. Our only practice was some microneedling on a model that I shared with another student, and the "hands on" dermaplaning portion consisted of practicing on our own ankles for about 15-20 minutes. Yes...our ANKLES. I could have done that at home. I even came to class without makeup because I was led to believe we would be practicing these procedures on one another.That never happened.
My biggest disappointment wasn't just the class itself--it was the gap between what I was led to expect during the enrollment process and what was actually delivered. Had I known the true amount of hands on training I would receive, I never would have enrolled. No student should have to pay twice for the education they believed they were buying the first time.
To be fair, after I repeatedly expressed my dissatisfaction, I was invited back for additional training with Natalie in her med spa. That day was genuinely excellent. She provided valuable education, introduced me to additional modalities, and gave me what felt like a one day internship in a med spa setting. I am truly grateful for that experience, and it was a very good day, which is why it was such a difficult decision to leave this review. I am grateful to Natalie, but I still believe I significantly overpaid for the original class because the amount of hands on instruction simply did not justify the price. I literally could have watched these for free on YouTube. Future students should not have to repeatedly complain before receiving the level of education they paid for.
I also want to issue another warning: be careful paying for OTHER courses that we, as estheticians, legally cannot perform. Please review Florida's scope of practice before enrolling in any advanced course. If you still choose to continue, just know you will most likely be watching a live demonstration rather than actually using the equipment. It's the equivalent of signing up for driver's education and only watching the instructor drive. A course that only allows you to watch is not an advanced training, it's an expensive demonstration.
