Best Online Sites For Equipment?

I just got hired at a salon, the owner had an esthetician working with her years ago and now shes asking what I will need. Im not doing anything that will require galvanic so I know I wont need an 8 in 1 machine, but what sites do you all find are really good about having items in stock with good prices?

Towels

Rolling trays, stools

Face steamers/magnifying lamps

Uv sterilizers

Sheets/linens

Any info is helpful! Thanks ladies and gents!

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Permalink Reply by coldsalineplexus on June 12, 2013 at 7:23pm

Congrats! I know you were having a rough job search.

I absolutely recommend AGAINST getting an 8 in 1. If one item breaks, you have to send your whole facial machine to get fixed, which leaves you unable to do treatments!

Also, UV sterilizers are BS. They are NOT actually sterilizers, they are sanitizers, meaning they will keep disinfected (barbicide) items sanitized, but they won't do any better a job than just putting those items into a clean closed box or container.

Stick to individual, handheld units, arranged nicely on a good cart. I prefer a wooden cart (mine is from Ikea) and I use a bracket from Universal Companies to mount my mag lamp. The top shelf of the unit has my wax pot and tabletop steamer.

LCL Beauty can be a good place to start. If I were starting a room, I would do a hot cabbie, tabletop steamer, wooden cart + mag lamb combo, handheld LED (prolightesthetics), and handheld microcurrent (ebay, ~$50). Then later I would add high frequency (again, handheld, ebay, under $100).

Towels and sheets, I like Diamond and Ikea (ikea ones are smaller).

Good luck getting set up!

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Permalink Reply by Kyle Guenther on June 12, 2013 at 7:45pm

Thank you SO much Christine! It has been such a challenge finding somewhere that would take me in.

Ill totally go with the "individual is better" theory. It makes a lot of sense, and that way I can add as I get clients. Thank you again hun!

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Permalink Reply by coldsalineplexus on June 12, 2013 at 9:22pm

I really hope things go well for you there! You can go a long way with the items I mentioned, plus a good backbar line with good strong options for peels and masks. When you get ready to start thinking about microdermabrasion, it is truly a great treatment, but you should also look into skin spatulas, dermaplaning, and dermafiles which can all be used (in some cases in conjunction with peels) to approximate the exfoliation level of microdermabrasion.

I also find it useful to have an additional chair in the room and a little table. Clients can place their clothes on the chair and jewelry, phone, etc. on the table. Your business cards can also go on the table. Just something small, like maybe from marshall's or tjmaxx.

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Permalink Reply by Inga Witfoth on June 23, 2013 at 6:28pm

Great suggestions, Christine! Perfect for someone starting out.

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Permalink Reply by Deborah Kenney on June 13, 2013 at 3:37pm

I used LCL as well for towel warmer/w UV sterilizer, maglight with steamer. I did not purchase the table top model as I wasn't impressed with them at school (could have been brands, or lack of cleaning-how knows). Bought a diamond tip microderm machine locally but could have bought alot cheaper on line-they looked exactly the same and E-bay for a microcurrent w/LED. It is so hard to know what services are going to be bigger in your area. I still don't do alot of facials but most of them are peels. I'm getting more people for waxing. (I'm only out of school 2 years but am also a massage therapist for 14 years-that's mostly what I do).

You will do well. It's just getting those first ones!!!

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Permalink Reply by Natalie on June 17, 2013 at 9:53pm

Sheets and linens almost anywhere as long as they are comfy and the color you want!
I got this-http://www.garnethill.com/cotton-fleece-blanket-and-throw/bedding-b... same exact feel -plus look and 95% as close to quality for $19-$30 - at target. Steamer check amazon- a towel steamer can be used and a small one to start I recommend- do not waste on an all and one.

Mag lights you can find at hardware stores and online- do you want a free standing or compact one? They have the ones you can hand held or wear around your head with the light and mag all in one.

Rolling trays and stools- Costco, SAMs or if you have a Marshall's or TJ max type store for the roller tray. Stool is important to be comfortable and eronomically correct so get that from professional retailer. Ex- http://www.amazon.com/Metal-Mesh-Rolling-Cart-Silver/dp/B001FVTTF0/...
Use the $5 and under store for your paper products ( cotton , gauze, simple stuff- unless need in bulk)

You can find a towel warmer with UV online but it tends to make towels smell and not a great duo- I prefer liquid disinfectant then an autoclave ( jewlwey cleaners work to ) amazon for under $100.

Towels ( I like to feel and touch before buying) do you have a local beauty store ( salon centric, Sally's.. Something to start and look maybe get some pricing would help?)
here's a site that has plenty to choose-
http://www.towelhub.com/wholesale/spa_towels/browse-14.html
Good luck and congrats!

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Permalink Reply by Sheila Gordon on June 18, 2013 at 8:18am

Costco for towels if you have access. You can get a 12 pack for around $20 and although they are thicker, they hold heat much better. I have purchaswed from Sallys and Towel hut and just wasn't crazy about the quality. You cant fit as many in the towel warmer, but usually I just make enough for 2 treatments anyways.

I love my 11-1 facial machine. I barely use all of the functions but the best part is the towel warmer. I am able to put a few towels for that treatment and then refill from my other one.

I have a much smaller room now so I had to buy a cheap 3 high bookcase for my stuff and it's really perfect.

I get my sheets from target, the $20 tshirt sheets and blankets I will pick up at Tj max or something. Make sure the blanket is big enough.

I bought a few things from LCL beauty, they are a great company with affordable prices.

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Permalink Reply by Ana Mckenzie on June 18, 2013 at 9:46am

I really need to buy my steamer/mag class and I don't know if I should use LCL beauty. I also need a wax heater.

Can anyone suggest the best place to buy the steamer/mag plus wax heater?

Thank so much.

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Permalink Reply by coldsalineplexus on June 23, 2013 at 6:20pm

As for a steamer/mag combo, I had a couple from LCL (the cheapest ones) and they never balanced correctly. I wound up gutting them and installing the steamers into metal carts where I had a large h*** cut, and then putting the mag lamp part into a bracket. One mag lamp died when one of the original units tipped. I also wound up gutting the corresponding steamer to replace and old one from a still-cheap-but-not-quite-as-cheap unit.

However, ever the optimist, I just ordered a freestanding (no stand) mag lamp from them two days ago, but a little higher end model. 10x! Just dreaming of what things are going to look like when I get that thing under my reading glasses...

Let's just say there is a reason I am repairing a mag lamp cord in my avatar pic...

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Permalink Reply by Shelece Salazar on June 22, 2013 at 10:43am

Love, love, love the towels from Costco!!! They hold up amazingly well :)

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Permalink Reply by Cindy Marlow on June 18, 2013 at 10:01am

Kyle, we are in the same boat only I have to purchase my own equipment. I've been scouring the net to find the best deals. I can't believe how many options there are...too many to make an easy decision!

I've had great luck finding sheets and towels at local thrift stores. Check and see if there are any spa shows coming to your area. I had good luck picking up equipment at the show in Philly last November.

Check Craigslist for equipment.

Good luck and congrats on your new job!