"International Beauty In A Local Setting" by Midland Daily News
It was such an honor to be interviewed by hometown newspaper last month! Thank you John Kennett and Erin Kirkland for such a lovely feature.
Alana Everett has trained in Toronto and studied under a master from Serbia. Now, she has combined that world class instruction into her local business, Aura Organic Beauty Studio.
Licensed by the State of Michigan as a body art facility and aesthetics salon, Aura performs microblading of eyebrows and eyeliner applications, at 128 Ashman Circle.
"I always knew I wanted to do something that effected people's lives on a deep level to help them.
"The work I have always done has been geared toward helping people in some way. I'm also an artist. So, I've looked to blend those two passions," Everett said.
The result has been an studio that portrays an extremely pleasant decor consisting of a global mix of contemporary and traditional art and artifacts.
"I want it to be a peaceful, relaxing environment," Everett said. "Typically when clients come in they are a little tense. It was really important to integrate that holistic, organic, healthy atmosphere. I want clients to know that they are in a safe place where they can trust what is being done."
Originally from Buffalo, Everett came to Midland at the age of 15 when her father took a job at The Dow Chemical Co. Later, she spent time in Toronto at the Micropigmentation Centre where she graduated in the class of 2012.
"Toronto it is really the best school. It was really hard in the states to find good training. (Toronto) just offered everything that I needed. It is an intensive program," Everett said. "When you come back to the states to do work, you have to be an accredited body art licensed operator or work in one. It was really hard to find that, so I decided to open my own studio."
Then came the opportunity to learn PhiBrows European Microblading under master Branko Babic of Serbia at the PhiBrow Microblading Academy, who holds academies in Europe and the United States.
"It wasn't just the technique I learned, but also the shaping. The eyebrows actually represent a golden ratio in geometry on the body. Everything is calculated out. It is actually a very technical process to figure where the brows are supposed to be aesthetically on the face," Everett said.
Microblading started in Asia, moved over to Europe and is slowly making its way to the states.
"I've had people as far away as Pittsburgh, Chicago and Columbus come to me," Everett said. "Last time I checked we are the only place in Michigan that does microblading."
Eyebrows are Everett's specialty, but when it comes to NovaLash Eyelash Extension, she turns that over to her mother, Kristen Hartman.
"She does lash extensions," Everett said. "She went back to school and got her esthetician's license and started practicing. Now she does it full time."
Everett also holds advanced certifications in Permanent Makeup Artistry, EliminInk Tattoo Removal, and Hair-Stroke Eyebrow Techniques.
"For almost all the applications, we are considered semipermanent technically. In the states, they don't recognize the term semipermanent, it's usually permanent makeup," Everett said. "So, I like to use the word semipermanent because that is the word used around the rest of the world."
Most of the applications are designed to fade over time, usually 12-18 months.
"Depending on the skin type, it will last anywhere from 12-18 months. The more oily your skin, it's 12 months because the oils tend to detox the pigment," Everett said.
Hours for Aura are Tuesday through Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and by appointment only.
To contact Aura, call (989) 941-6641, visit its Facebook page: Facebook.com/BodyAestheticsTattoo or visit its website: cosmetictattoostudio.com.
original source: http://www.ourmidland.com/news/aura-organic-beauty-studio-offers-international-beauty-in-a-local/article_a9e74fe8-8fe0-5352-bd81-5b40d4177012.html