Pampering your skin: Head to Toe Beauty proves you don’t have to go far for pampering

By MARK NEWMAN, Courier staff writer

OTTUMWA — Sure, laying back for a facial can benefit your skin. But it can be a relaxing way to spend an hour, too.

Glenda Vanderpol, owner of the news business, Head to Toe Beauty in Ottumwa, said people often glow — and look just a little taller — after getting a facial.

“You don’t realize how much baggage you’re carrying around,” she said. “I think everyone should have one, to experience [it] for themselves.”

Vanderpol owns the hair salon, but does most of her skin-care work in a private area through the office door. Even as her business grows, she still likes to do the work that makes clients feel good.

“I like people,” she said.

One of the best parts of being pampered, she said, is the escape from the daily grind it allows the client.

“Body wraps [for example] are good for the soul, because in addition to health, many of these services are also pampering and stress reducing,” she said. “There are some days I wish someone could give me a facial.”

To help grow Head to Toe Beauty, located at 424 E. Main St., Vanderpol said she said she has to do a good job educating potential clients.

For example, she needs to let southern Iowans know they do not have to travel to Des Moines to get these skin-care services. She also likes to remind customers that they’ve made a good choice in looking after their skin.

“Some people will go get their hair done but neglect their skin,” she said.

Educating area residents can be tough, she admits. There are times she has put up a sign in the window offering a free service, just to show people how nice it can be. She’s not sure if people are too busy or think they need to buy something, but rarely does anyone take advantage of the offer.

“I’m not trying to sell them anything else,” she said. “A lot of people are not aware of these services or of the benefits.”

Or worse, she said, an amateur has tried to perform a service on someone, caused them pain and turned them off to the whole experience.

“There’s a right way to do it so you’re not hurting someone,” she said.

Vanderpol is a licensed esthetician, certified in chemical peels, eyelash extensions, microderm abrasion and waxing. Some of those services take time, but they also save her clients time.

Using what she called a high-quality, anti-microbial wax, Vanderpol offers leg waxing, Brazilian waxing and underarm waxing in a private setting.

“Then they don’t have to shave for four to six weeks,” she said.

Eyelash extensions can save clients time, too. But be patient while they are being applied.

“Eyelash extensions are not false eyelashes,” she explained.

Each individual eyebrow hair is added one at a time. It’s labor intensive for the technician applying them, but saves the recipient lots of time in the mornings.

“You don’t even need mascara; they really look natural; fuller and thicker,” she said. “It takes about 90 minutes, [but] they stay on for two months.”

For more information, call Head to Toe Beauty at 682-3332.

Staff writer Mark Newman can be reached at 683-5358 or via e-mail at mgnewman@mchsi.com.

Text Only