IN PROFILE: Aniela Korabinska
POSITION: Dermagraphic Technician
The Edinburgh accent is a surprise, but then a true passion for enhancing beauty – and even sense of femininity – with a ‘tattoo needle’ isn’t what you’d expect from a former Maths undergrad either ...
So Aniela, first things first ...
"The accent and name, I know. I am actually from Scotland, but my grandfather was a Polish parachutist and met my grandma during the war. I never really had a chance to get to know him, but my sisters and I have made a pact to keep the name alive."
Was beauty therapy a big career dream growing up in Edinburgh?
"It was always an interest, but when I first went to university I studied Maths! To be honest, the reputation of beauty therapy put me off – the view is that you don’t need a lot of qualifications, it’s a job of last resort and, because of that, it’s hard to find people who are passionate
about it.
When I realised Maths wasn’t for me, though, I found there was an internationally recognised beauty college on my doorstep and, since qualifying, the work has taken me all over the world."
When did you decide to specialise in semi-permanent make-up?
"During my time on the cruise ships. Those two years were probably the most intense I’ve ever experienced. You would be working with very demanding clients who were used to getting what they wanted back at home.
A lot of the Americans had semi-permanent make-up, and seeing the difference between the good and bad work made me look into it more.
When I returned home to Edinburgh, the woman working alongside me was producing a very natural look that was miles away from the bold and brash style I’d seen on American women."
What do Irish women want from their make-up then?
"Well, most wear it to enhance their natural features. I would say Irish girls would go out on a Friday night with a much more naturally beautiful look than you’d see, say, in the UK.
The plus of semi-permanent make-up is they don’t have to spend all that time in front of a mirror doing it up."
Are most of your clients of the busy career woman sort?
"Some might be described as that but I’ve seen teens to 86-year-olds. Seventy per cent of my work is eyebrow make-up, often filling out where there’s been loss of hair or over-plucking.
Eyeliner and lip make-up is more popular among the teenage girls and mums, especially if they do a lot of swimming or sports. That said, it’s also very useful for older women who wear glasses and find it harder to apply the make-up."
This much more than a vanity treatment, then.
"That’s right. In fact, I try not to follow current trends other than perhaps eyebrow shape or lip colour – there’s no point when the make-up is going to last for two to five years.
On a more serious point, semi-permanent make-up can be very important in rebuilding self-esteem. One area I am doing a lot of work in is paramedical tattooing.
Women who have opted for breast reconstruction following a mastectomy can have nipples tattooed on – a procedure many say allows them to reclaim their femininity.
Other clients might suffer Vitiligo – where the nipples have lost their pigmentation
– and the often the most rewarding work is dealing with burns victims, where I start by recreating lips or eyebrows from scratch."
What should people ask before booking a semi-permanent make-up treatment?
"Most importantly, how many procedures has the technician done. Training is important – I did my dermagraphic art study at an internationally recognised centre in the UK – but it’s on-the-job experience that really counts.
I’ve performed about 2,000 treatments since joining Dundrum Clinic three years ago, and I regularly attend conferences where I can keep up to date with the latest developments and techniques in the area."
For our opening times and how to find us Click Here
Under the skin: Aniela
PERFECT SATURDAY NIGHT: Staying in.
I’ve recently moved house with my boyfriend Carl, so we’re enjoying a lot of decorating at the moment... and then relaxing in front of a good DVD.
FAVOURITE MOVIE:
I love romantic classics like Meet Me in St Louis, which was Judy Garland at her best. But I like darker stuff, too, and the best film I’ve seen recently was the fantasy Pan’s Labyrinth.
TOP FOOD: Easy, macaroni cheese.
STAR ATTRACTION:
Stevie Wonder. We’ve just been seen him play in Paris. He did a three-and-a-half hour show without a break and, to top it all, we bumped in to him afterwards. He’s a great entertainer!
BEST HOLIDAY: Apart from Paris? Barcelona. I just love the Gaudi buildings. And it’s good to get home and meet up with my family in Scotland – I usually end up doing my three nieces’ hair and make-up!
COSMETIC DREAM TEAM: The Jane Iredale Mineral range we sell in the Clinic, and Mac. We recommend Iredale after laser treatment because it won’t block pores, but it also means you can sleep with it on!
To contact Aniela for a free assessment simply complete the online form on the left, or call the desk on 01-2166778
For our opening times and how to find us Click Here
