With a strong love for skincare, Tamara Anderson always had a desire to create her own cosmetics with natural ingredients. But it wasn't until her first professional facial at age 42, fascinated with her service and so pleased with how her skin looked, she decided to enter the business herself.
Graduating from St. Paul Community College in Esthetics and Massage Therapy in 2002, she continued her education through the International Dermal Institute and received her Post Graduate Diploma in 2007.
Working as an esthetician she didn't care for waxing, but after meeting someone that offered sugaring, she was intrigued. More than just a passing whim, Anderson now has her very own company, Tamara's Professional Body Sugaring and trains other professionals around the country. We talk about the journey along the way.
Hair Removal Guide Naomi Torres: What started your interest in sugaring?
Tamara: I didn't do a lot of waxing in my business because I never liked the mess of waxing, and how my clients' skin reacted. While at an IDI (International Dermal Institute) class in Sacramento I was talking to an esthetician who had just become certified in body sugaring and really enjoyed offering this ancient Egyptian hair removal method to her clients. I was very excited and I knew I wanted to learn more. So I researched how to become certified.
Hair Removal Guide Naomi Torres: How would you compare learning how to wax versus learning how to sugar?
Tamara: There is definitely a learning curve. It takes a lot of practice before you are really confident. The sugar paste is molded onto the skin in the opposite direction of hair growth and removed in a flicking motion in the natural direction of hair growth. Not having to use sticks and strips is wonderful.
You use the same ball of sugar for the entire service. I remember with my first leg wax I used a whole can of wax and a hundred sticks and strips. I thought, ' I'm not doing this again!'. Now I use a golf ball size of sugar for an entire leg and bikini area. That's it! And it's so easy to clean up. No more spoiled sheets or clothes. Your client's skin is left smooth and soft, not red and swollen.
Hair Removal Guide Naomi Torres: What do you most love about this hair removal technique?
Tamara: I love the results that my clients are seeing and how much they love getting sugared! One awesome benefit is hair as short as 1/16th of an inch can be removed. Hair this short is often in the early anagen (growing) stage of going through the hair cycles (growing, resting and shedding).
As you continue to remove the hair at this early stage of growth, the hair becomes more refined and the follicle continues to shrink until it eventually shuts down and the hair stops growing. This can lead to permanent hair removal over time.
Another plus is that the hair is removed in the natural direction with the sugaring paste, rather than the opposite direction. This gives you less breakage and less ingrown hairs.
I also love what this hair removal technique has done for my business! I have clients who travel a great distance to me to get sugared.
Hair Removal Guide Naomi Torres: What was the inspiration in creating Tamara's Professional Sugaring Products?
Tamara: I have always wanted to teach esthetics. I received my Esthetics Instructors License in 2007 and am licensed in both Nevada and Washington State. Once I learned how to sugar, I knew teaching this to other licensed estheticians in my area was what I wanted to do. First, I had to develop my own body sugaring line. After working with my own products in my business for more than a year, and loving it, I knew others would too
When I started Tamara's Professional Body Sugaring, it was very important to me to keep it "For Professionals Only". Writing a training manual and offering a 2 day hands on class to ensure success was important. Anyone who is certified in body sugaring can buy my products. If they have not been certified, then they need to take a training class.
I'm very proud all of my products are made in the USA, since most other professional sugaring companies are based in Canada. This allows salons and spas in the United States to receive their supplies quicker and pay less for shipping.
It has been a fun and exciting journey. My motto has always been "Knowledge not shared, is knowledge wasted" and I mean that. I am so excited to see new estheticians in my area and all over the country find their niche.
To learn more about her professional products visit Tamara's Professional Body Sugaring Paste & Supplies. To see the professional services she offers visit New Beginnings Skin Care & Massage.