Beyond Beauty

Beyond Beauty – The Evolution of Self, or, “An Ode to Mental Health”

Sean Mitchell
Advisor, Operations & Branding

Hi! It’s been a while. Truth is I’ve been out slaying a lot of fantastic beasts that took me away from the interwebz and, unfortunately, this blog. However, I’m happy to report that I’ll be back starting next week.

I’ve embarked on my own personal mental health journey of self-discovery and it’s been extremely fruitful to say the least. However, it’s not just me experiencing significant and willful change. Golden Touch Medispa has gone through a few changes itself as well. We’ve changed, no, upgraded, our approach on a lot of aspects of service and I’ll be here to tell you about it.

Please excuse us while we go through some growing spurts and shifts in the next short while. It’s for your benefit (ours too!) so it’ll all be worth it in the end. Hopefully you’ll join us for the ride and experience fulfilling growth and realization as much as we are!

Cathy has introduced a ton of new products and services and I’m super excited to share them with you and how they have affected me and my own concept of self-perception. That will come in the following weeks.

On that note, if you are a frequent customer of Golden Touch Medispa then you’ll know the excitement and dedication we give in making sure you have a life that’s optimal under your terms. Golden Touch makes it happen.

So let’s begin this revitalization together. I’d be happy to see you join.

Sean
Sean is chief advisor of branding and operations for Golden Touch Medispa. Read Beyond Beauty weekly as Sean takes us along a path of a unique perspective into the things that most people accept as beauty.

Beyond Beauty – Liberty or Limits?

Sean Mitchell
Advisor, Operations & Branding

With it being 2017, you’d think a person’s race or ethnicity wouldn’t be a factor in (American) society. Turns out it still does, and it’s not going away any time soon.

In this day and age it’s still surprising to see people make such a huge fuss about race and skin colour. I’m particularly taken aback by the present environment unveiling before our eyes in the United States. In a land that’s supposed to preach liberty and acceptance and be welcoming as it claims to be it still boggles the mind that there’s as much…ineptitude for a large portion of the population to accept the nationalities of others outside of their alleged “grass roots” American family trees.

Perhaps it’s the fact that I’m in Canada and the multitude of nationalities that make up the Canadian social fabric have become so commonplace here that it’s generally accepted without so much of a fuss. (Granted, in the more “concentrated” areas of the country where immigration of certain ethnicity doesn’t tend to extend as much as it does in urban areas, there’s still a bit of resistance to accept them in that respective society.)

What am I alluding to in particular? This past Tuesday was the 4^th of July, or Independence Day in the United States. It’s a huge national celebration that fetes all things American and an ideal chance to pat each other on the back of their accomplishments and a giant group hug that would make Barney and Friends vomit from all the cushiness. But there’s a particular theme that caught my attention that really made me think about how things are down there and how much more work there is to become as open as it claims to be.

During the Macy’s 4^th of July festivities in Manhattan with footage across the country there were pieces of commentary of people—largely immigrants—who appreciated the opportunity to become American and enjoy its freedom that is often not bestowed upon citizens in other countries. The amount of liberty they feel just being on American soil is astounding; it felt like a genuine appreciation that I personally think many homegrown Americans tend to take for granted. A lot of these immigrants are productive, peaceful and patriotic members of society, a lot more than those who tend to think just because they were born in America with several generations of roots to prop them up they deserve the right to be critical of people who have fought most of their lives to escape tyranny to come to America regardless of circumstances.

While it was all fine and dandy to hear those positive testimonies from appreciative people from a plethora of ethnicities with heart-wrenching circumstantial stories, I couldn’t help but think that there’s still a level of racial ignorance in the U.S. that I cannot comprehend. It doesn’t just include that but those who have decided to seek their true selves whether it be through gender realization or emancipation from unjust societal norms so hell-bent on religious interpretation that has largely become outdated. You’d think that with it being 2017 that a person’s ethnicity, race or gender preference would not be such a grandiose issue but apparently it still is.

Today I was on MSN browsing entertainment articles and I stumbled across this unique article. The article, found here, talked about the recent reboot of Hawaii Five-O experiencing the departure of two Asian actors, with each decrying racial hierarchy. Before people automatically classify this as racism (the network allegedly offered the actors “substantial raises” but were turned down for whatever reason), it paints a picture of non-Caucasian individuals struggling to be woven into existing popular culture when there really shouldn’t have be a struggle.

In most cases, Democrats are the ones who champion liberty among all individuals however there’s been some Republicans who have chimed in a more progressive tone. Although to some that means freedom of religion, and the right to discriminate. That aside, does human dignity need to fall beneath the tendrils of freedom of religion? If you ask me, it doesn’t. A lot of people share that same sentiment as I do. Again, it depends on which side of the political spectrum you fall under.

Perhaps I’m biased; growing up in Canada, as mentioned before, having people of different colour, ethnic backgrounds or religions being included in everyday life is something that’s not really questioned here. I think it’s because here we’ve acknowledged that Canada is essentially a country of immigrants and everyone contributes in a unique way to the fulfillment of our own societal values. Granted, we are 91 years younger than America but our foundation was leagues different from those of the United States so it’s hard to make a legitimate comparison. And to be fair, I’m not American and do not live there, so I cannot make an accurate statement on how society is there, but I can make observations, particularly since the events that take place in America affect the world in multiple ways so it is, therefore, valid.

Moving on.

In Toronto, it’s perfectly common to see people of different ethnic backgrounds interact with one another. Take a ride on the TTC (Toronto’s transit operating body) and you’ll find people of all sorts of colours, creeds and lifestyle preferences sharing a ride or sipping a cup of Tim Horton’s (or whatever brand you prefer) together. It’s normal here. Yes, there are cliques but that happens everywhere, although ours tend to be more open than I’d like to think others are elsewhere. And we can largely thank Justin Trudeau’s father, Pierre Elliot Trudeau, for tracking Canada down a revolutionary path towards multiculturalism that has resonated to this day.

Canada has its own challenges, yes, but I think because of our own unique nature we take a more civil approach to dealing with issues rather than through mind-numbing violence or destruction of property.

The political atmosphere with Donald Trump and the anti-immigration stance only exacerbates the situation, however, it is fair to point out that democratically-elected governments are largely the result of the electorate’s sentiments, so is Trump truly to blame or does the public need to take a bit of responsibility as well? Yes, there is some valid concern over who is let in to the country, and that’s perfectly acceptable ; each nation has the right to defend itself. But basing these things on prejudice without purpose borders discrimination and should not be tolerated. Places like Syria are experiencing a large swath of violence that unfortunately extends beyond its borders, but to paint each person who flees to find solace elsewhere as a violent extremist is unjust.

When I see dynamics like that, it strikes me in a very recognizable manner that a person’s character is more important than their colour or ethnicity. Beauty is skin-deep, yes, but you have to live with what’s beneath. If you cannot accept that, then you don’t accept humanity for all that it is.

I was fortunate enough to have met incredible people along the way in my life who come from different backgrounds and circumstances. Cathy, Golden Touch Medispa’s founder, was one such person. A remarkable lady who hails from Iran, just by mingling with her these years has enabled me to drop the narrow-mindedness that comes with not being exposed to the rich and flavourful opportunities to meet people that come along with a fulfilling social existence. She has a lovely story and unique perspectives that have helped me open my mind and eyes to a lot of the goings-on that happen in the world in and above what popular culture or mainstream media may have you think.

You are beautiful no matter how you look or where you came from. Always remember that. No one can tell you otherwise.

Find your beautiful.

Beyond Beauty – The Best Kind of Beautiful

Sean Mitchell
Advisor, Operations & Branding

What’s the best way to look beautiful? Just be you. That’s all you can ask for.

Hands up anyone if you were bullied as a child? Yes, yes. I see a lot of hands. And I bet it was all because you acted or looked different than your peers in school? I’m seeing a lot more heads nodding. This is quite concerning.

Anyone who grew up prior to, well, a few years ago, will testify that the burden of bullying haunts a lot of individuals early in their life and intensifies in their adolescent years, often following them afterwards thanks to wonderful platforms like social media.

I was one of such individuals who was on the receiving end of the ugly bully stick: I had a high-pitched voice; uncanny proficiency in French ( at that time in the late-80s and early-90s it was still…taboo to speak French, what with the whole separatist movement in Quebec at the time); and a more feminine demeanour. These made up a hundred per cent combination towards the bully stick beatdown I endured for pretty much all of my high school years and after.

Self-confidence was a rare commodity; to survive meant sacrificing your individuality, often at the severe cost of your soul. This was (and is) relatively common; have the same interests, same perspectives, same style preferences and culinary tastes as your social circle. Any deviation from it meant a relentless assault of nitpicking and sometimes even ostracization. Not very fun, and doesn’t contribute a lot to one’s sense of self-worth if everything they do is ultimately to please others. There’s one video I saw about a girl who was bullied to the point of bleeding agony, and the whole thing was filmed. It was in Quebec somewhere given the heavy French-Canadian accent. I’m not going to post it as it’s too harsh and quite honestly made my blood boil. But this was commonplace when I was growing up, and unfortunately I’m sure it’s a frequent occurrence for a lot of my audience too.

Society’s definition of beauty is changing. And for the better.

Shift to today’s environment. Way more liberal and progressive than even ten years ago. There seems to be a bigger push to embrace one’s differences rather than submit to the groupthink of generations past. With transgendered kids and adults in particular, there’s a greater sense of acceptance of yourself for who you are, and I think this is paramount to developing one’s own unique sense of confidence and solidify their place in this world where conformity is a lingering residue from outdated practices from millennia ago.

The traditional beauty and entertainment industries will try to make you think and feel otherwise, as the core of their businesses are on their capability to dictate style and social tastes, but now a few other organizations and even celebrities are championing individuality and I couldn’t be happier.

Being comfortable in your own skin is beautiful.

Companies like Dove are pushing for natural beauty, albeit through their product lines, but at least it’s a start. From ads with women of all shapes and complexions, it’s a refreshing sight to see the push for individuality and acceptance for who we are as individuals. Then there’s Special K. I’ve noticed a few ads lately where they are jumping on the Love-Thyself! bandwagon. Their “#OwnIt” campaign surrounding the controversial topic of body shape and a dangerous gravitation of girls and women to conform to unrealistic body form expectations society has (willingly) inflicted onto itself is effective and instills positive images and thoughts into the minds of mainly women who struggle with body image issues.

And Alessia Cara’s song “Scars to Your Beautiful” highlights the plight of a young girl so starved for attention, literally, that all she dreams to be is beautiful and goes to great lengths to achieve it, unknowing that she is perfect just the way she is. The video is an inspirational composition of people struggling to find their place in society. A powerful piece to say the least.

I know that us here at Golden Touch make it a missive to encourage people to find their unique beauty in spite of societal or industry standards and fads. Cathy, the founder, has helped me discover myself and my style by offering a comfortable and compassionate environment in which to let me be me without prejudice. She consistently reflects this with her clientele at every opportunity. I’m sure this is something you’d want to experience especially when discovering and embracing your true self.

While a lot of people have succumbed to the nails and darts lobbed by disgusting people whose sole intention was to shame, infuse guilt and make people feel small, this new generation is going on the right path to preserve the personal dignity so many of us have long sought after, often in the ultimate discretion.

So be yourself without shame. You can’t be anyone else.

Sean
Sean is chief advisor of branding and operations with Golden Touch Medispa. His articles feature stories involving confidence, inner beauty and the push to discover oneself through unconventional means.

Beyond Beauty – The Depth of Confidence

Beauty is skin deep, but confidence penetrates to the heart.

Sean Mitchell
Advisor, Operations & Branding

Hello everyone!

It’s been a while since I last wrote a post. A lot has happened in my life lately, but that’s for another time.

The purpose of my posts centres around the dynamics of confidence and society’s unfettered obsession with appearance and beauty, largely because the same dynamics affected me as a child right up until three years ago, in 2014, when I announced the end of a depression that lasted for over 25 years of my life with almost near-fatal parameters.

My daughter had her ballet recital early June. She had to do five sessions over a three-day period. For a five-year-old, that’s no easy feat. But she did it nonetheless and I’m extraordinarily proud of her.

During the routine, one thing of note was the smiles seemingly frozen on the faces of the ballet dancers in particular. They’re taught to smile to the audience regardless of personal circumstances, creating a ruse of plausible contentment and confidence on the surface.

We were told halfway through the recital that my daughter was selected to present flowers to one of her teachers, and unbeknownst to us she was also to be given a medal for outstanding potential. Me and the missus were floored but incredibly honoured.

On her last show, the closing ceremony was underway and my daughter went on stage to present the flowers. I waited backstage and paced back and forth like any nervous parent would do, accolades being received notwithstanding.

While I was waiting I saw one of the dancers walk by. She had a smile on her face, but she seemed nervous. It got me thinking. We expect people who perform in public to constantly maintain a happy, smiley demeanour. But underneath it all, are they really?

On the surface she looked lavishly beautiful, broadcasting an air of confidence that only few could ever imagine to have. Yet I got thinking about how her internal sentiments must have been acting. She could have been extraordinarily nervous, or suffering through a well-hidden anxiety attack waiting to happen but kept it concealed pretty well.

What we broadcast on the surface is and can be completely different from what’s underneath. We only need to look at Robin Williams as an example of someone who practices contentment and happiness on their face but does not dare let the internal quagmire reveal itself in any fashion or form. And that’s sad.

A lot of people tend to focus too much on what’s visually beautiful rather than the whole picture. People with confidence will tell you that beauty is only skin deep, but confidence goes straight to the heart.

Beauty aids do help, absolutely, but we have to live with what’s underneath. If you aren’t happy with what you see in the mirror before the mascara or blush is applied, then how can you dare to feel comfortable with knowing you’re essentially displaying a façade of fake beauty?

A person’s true beauty goes beyond what’s on their face. It has to resonate in the heart and work itself outward.

That, my friends, is the best kind of beauty.

à la prochaine!

— Sean

For the Love of NLAL: A Love Story of Near Laser Assisted Lipolysis

Beyond Beauty – For the Love of NLAL

Sean Mitchell, CHRL
Business Advisor, Branding & Operations
@RealSeanatello

NLAL Lipo, or Near Laser Assisted Lipolysis, is a revolutionary way to initiate safe weight loss. Golden Touch’s acquisition of this equipment makes it such a fine way to do so and in the comfort of a friendly and non-judgemental environment, and Sean is about to tell you of his adventures with it.

I have a new love.

It’s called NLAL.

Whenever a business acquires new equipment, especially if it’s being offered as a service, it’s normal for staff to have first dibs at it so they’re familiar with its functionality and can also demonstrate results should any curious customer inquire.

Fortunately, I’ve taken it upon myself to try out our NLAL, or Near Laser Assisted Lipolysis, equipment, so I’m now in the position to tell you about my undying affection for this stellar weight loss machinery.

At first glance it looks like a heart monitor machine, minus the anxiety that comes with heart monitoring machines. It sits nicely on a wheeled tray, and its eight diodes sitting comfortably next to it. All of them look like rectangular half-a-centimetre-thick piece of white plastic with what look to be green fragments of someone’s old 90’s computer motherboard. But that’s nothing to be worried about.

You know what, calling it NLAL sounds boring. Since I love this thing so much, I think that I will call it Nelly just to give it a bit of character. Yes, I like that.

Continuing on, the machine and its pedestal rest against a violet-coloured wall with a vertical rectangular window that looks out into the alley beside us. But there will not be any peeping from onlookers in the building next door, for the white blinds are turned in such a way that no one above can look down on your content body as the soft lasers do their business inside, eliciting a soft, ambient glow

The machine more or less looks harmless, despite the amount of power it holds within each of its nodes.

I got a friendly yet ecstatic phone call from Cathy a day or two after she acquired the machine, urging me to come down to test it so we can promote it to our customers. Of course I took the offer to go down. Who wouldn’t want a test run with some fancy weight loss machinery? I finished my cookie and went to go see her.

The cool and calm room gives an ambient feel, amplifying the experience of body therapy.

I wandered into the medispa at 1240 Bay Street near the heart of Yorkville one fine day and Cathy greeted me as she usually does in her friendly demeanour. She guides me to the room where the procedure is done, and instructs me to remove my upper body clothing and proceeds to take loose measurements. She issues for me to lay down on my back on an elevated doctor’s bed that’s a good 4 feet off the floor and proceeds to take Nelly’s eight diodes and places them strategically across my midsection, the part that I deemed the most worth to receive the coveted laser work.

Cathy motions for me to lay quietly and take a deep breath, reassuring me that I won’t feel a thing once it’s turned on.

Cathy steps over to the trolley shelf-thing where Nelly’s rather time-trapped coloured body sits. (Yes, it looks like it came from the 70s with its unique pea soup colour. But that shouldn’t detract from the quality of the machine).

She turns a few knobs and then sets the timer to 35 minutes, giving me enough time to sit there and relax while it does its work. Before the machine starts I’m given a pair of dark glasses to shield my eyes from any beam that may sneak out the side of the nodes once they’re functioning.

I put them on. Luckily I brought my iPod with me and turn on some soothing tunes to help me pass the time while the process is occurring. The machine starts up and I can see the red lasers become more luminescent as they increase in power, yet I feel nothing. That’s the beauty of this equipment: although it’s a laser, it’s at such a low frequency that it leaves no sensation or mark on your skin or damage to nerves.

Cathy turns off the lights and closes the door. The room is rather dim; I prefer the lights to be off and let the natural daylight be the source of light in the room. It gives off an ambient feel to it. The violet colour of the walls makes it an incredibly relaxing affair. The machine makes a soft whirring sound, so it drowns out any foreign noise that may drift in from the other patrons or professionals who share our floor.

By the time the timer is up I’m in a near slumber, so I suddenly jolt awake when Cathy gently comes in and flicks on the light to let me know it’s done. She measures me and indicates I had lost about a full centimetre within the 35 minutes of the procedure.

Amused and feeling somewhat confident (ok, a lot confident!) I get dressed and realize that this equipment is utterly astounding. People will absolutely love how easy it is to lose weight without resorting to ineffective dieting schemes or intense exercise runs.

More effective than VersaSlim, the beautiful thing about the NLAL is that it works really fast. When you have eight nodes working their magic all at once, it’s no surprise that you’d expect to witness some changes right from the get-go. I’ve used it and the experience has been great.

I have lost about a good inch in all, but I haven’t really gone that often or as frequently as I’d like to, so my results are somewhat subpar. Keep in mind that I get it done maybe once every three weeks if not longer. For optimal results you have to go at least twice a week if not more at 30 minutes minimum per session.

What’s neat about it is that you can actually target the areas where you want the fat loss to take place. If you want it by your thighs, the diodes can be placed there. Maybe you want a combination of the upper legs and abdomen. That can be done too. It’s a very flexible service and can net you big results the more you use it.

Residual Fat Burning

Even when you’re done with the laser session itself, it still keeps working on your body long after the laser stops beaming. Almost like exercising without moving a muscle, the fat continues to be released into the bloodstream after for a few hours.

No Markings or Tissue Damage

Another benefit is that there’re no markings on the skin or damage to tissue or blood cells. It’s a low enough frequency that all it does is cause cells in your bloodstream to become supple enough to release the fat content so that it passes through your body without absorption into the blood again.

I love the NLAL equipment and certainly will be returning for more frequent sessions. I certainly recommend you do the same.
Golden Touch sometimes has deals on some well-known deal sites for laser lipo services. If you’re cautious about it, then by all means buy a voucher that gives you a few sessions at a reduced rate to ensure this is right for you.

I know it’s right for me. Come give it a try. If after a few sessions your friends say you don’t look the same as you used to, tell them thank you.

Sean Mitchell, CHRL, is a business advisor of branding and operations at Golden Touch Medispa and author of Beyond Beauty, a blog on his adventures about self-discovery and amplifying one’s own inner beauty. Follow him on Twitter at @RealSeanatello

Beyond Beauty – The Subterfuge of Celebrity

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Chances are that, if you’re reading this, you’ve seen at least one film in your life. If you haven’t, then where the hell have you been?

And why am I bringing this up?

Film is so powerful that no matter where you turn, someone somewhere is donning an image of a movie on their clothing (how many times have you seen a Star Wars scene embedded on somebody’s black T-shirt?) or casually quoting the vast swath of colloquial expressions (Beam me up, Scotty!). Then there’s those crazy fanboys/girls going bonkers whenever they happen to stumble across an actor from their favourite film/TV show and scream, “OMG IT’S HIMMMM!!!!! *deafening squeal*”

There is no doubt in my mind that films have played a huge factor in defining our society in culture, fashion, trends, and whatever else comes down the stream in which people want to casually mimic in some fashion or another; the clothes, the mannerisms, the style…the force (!) of film on people’s social behaviour is so remarkable that one can’t help but wonder how, or why even, someone could go out of their way to forgo their own individuality in order to be a part of whatever flavour of the month is brewing along the social kitchen line.

Personally, I never really got into the whole film culture where I want to purposely go out of my way to meet certain celebrities or to adapt a particular expression or style that’s prominent in any given film, but that’s beside the point.

Think all celebrities are trustworthy? Forget about it. Highest-paid celebs like Kristen Stewart ranked low on the trustworthiness scale.
Photo: Wikipedia

Film influences a lot of people. Its impact is so strong that celebrities are, according to a survey from Reader’s Digest, more trustworthy than your local politician. (Well, okay, some celebrities are more trustworthy than others. The higher paid ones? Forget about it).

So you could essentially take some red carpet walker, have them spout some random nonsense about something they are in no way educated about, and watch as the masses hang on to their every word. Granted, politicians have become synonymous with uselessness and the ultimate purveyor of deceit, but celebrities themselves are in a position with much higher sway than most of us think, and that in and of itself can be extremely dangerous.

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And the funny thing is that the beauty industry loves it. Some female actress has bangs? Every girl and their mother want the same style. Another celebrity is wearing a fancy dress made by some designer whose price tag would take a mortgage on a small-sized home just to afford? Sign me up. Here’s a down payment.

It’s just too convenient that the Toronto International Film Festival that fell upon the great city of Toronto is now over, and the flood of celebrities willing to launch their coveted films and the numerous fans that came from around the world have gone. But the legacy of the festival lives on.

And as obtuse as the film industry can be, what started out as a fledgling festival with less than 100 films debuting has now become one of THE main film festivals for which filmmakers aim to earn Academy nods in the new year. Now THAT’s the kind of influence I can get behind: Yes, your film career is make-or-break here in Toronto so you best get it right!

Now, above, I mentioned how people go bonkers over the fashion/style/expressionist selections of come celebrities.
Actors themselves play a pivotal role much larger than whatever lines they’re fed in a script. These are ordinary—or somewhat ordinary—individuals who don many guises in their acting careers in order to bring life to a specific character or idealist personification as set out in the scripts. Off the set, they’re parading around still decked out in a fancy wardrobe usually to promote their latest work though usually not in costume as what their character requires of them.

It must be very disconcerting for them, having to parade around as umpteen variations of imaginary (or, for the sake of realism, actual people who unfortunately passed away much too soon) people and experience a complete sensation of alienation as people never get to see their true selves. People like you for who you’re not.

How often do you read tabloids (I know, not a great source but hear me out) showing celebrities without make-up or even performing “ordinary” tasks that us normal folk endeavour in on a regular basis: “They shop at <store>!” Really? My life is so complete now knowing celebrities shop at Walmart or Store X like I do! Oh this is too much to take in at once! *fans self frantically*

For example, a couple days ago an online publication featured a picture of Jennifer Garner at another film festival without make-up on. You know what? She looked…normal. She wears herself quite well and I was certainly impressed with her goal to show people it’s perfectly okay to forgo make-up and show your true self.

Who can blame the actors and actresses who dare to go incognito on the streets when not involved in a shoot? We all know how obsessive fans can be; I sure as hell wouldn’t want to be flogged by people begging for an autograph or selfie or whatever whenever I’m in line for a coffee or grabbing a burger. Give me some space people!

Nietzsche alluded to the fact that, “…All great things must first wear terrifying and monstrous masks, in order to inscribe themselves on the hearts of humanity.”

So those people on the silver screen have become near and dear in our hearts not by their own unique person but by the many different faces they’ve had to don, often to the detriment of their own individual sanity. We’ve seen many actors succumb to mental health issues such as depression, resulting in dangerous and often fatal escapades that unfortunately take them down much too soon.

And let’s not forget those celebrities who take it upon themselves to stand for some social issue.
Take Jenny McCarthy. You’ve probably heard some bizarre statements she’s stated lately with regards to autism. She’s been pioneering an anti-vaccination movement because she feels that they were responsible for causing her son to have autism. Now that should be cause for alarm. For Jenny to state something like that based clearly on emotion it’s sure to make a lot of people upset.

I don’t know what living with autism is like, but I do know a few people with autistic children and each day is a constant struggle. Your whole life changes in every unimaginable aspect and so it’s rather daft to just hear a celebrity blindly make statements based clearly on emotion considering that there’s scientific evidence to the contrary.

It’s not just Ms. McCarthy either; there are plenty of other celebrities chirping about social issues. There’s Pamela Anderson who is suddenly against the seal hunt in Canada. Then Donald Sutherland suddenly became interested in Canadian politics during the 2015 federal election. Right. Both of these people have been out of Canada for so long that it strikes me as bizarre that they would take a particular interest in something that they have paid little attention to up to the present moment.

You could probably say that a lot of these celebrities are probably doing it as a publicity stunt to draw attention to their careers which have rightfully fallen to the wayside.

What’s sad is that there are people who will hang on to not just Ms. McCarthy’s but to celebrities’ every word no matter how obscure the claim, and are too daft to take it upon themselves to exercise independent thought and hone their bullshit meters and question the source. This is where misinformation happens and can cause severe setbacks if not properly researched.

What’s the lesson here? In a world where everyone wants you to be like them and to live by the ideals that they thrust upon you, it’s crucial to maintain your individuality, regardless of cost.

From fashion to style to influence on the cinematic stage, film and the many parties involved like set design, wardrobe selections and even the vast storytelling that put imaginations to reality and contribute a lot to how we perceive—or how the creators intended us to perceive—the narrative, the characters, story and settings in these films are so powerful that it cannot be ignored.

Films are about the manifestation of the imagination and in no way hold true to any sort of reality, for the most part anyway (documentaries are clearly excluded from this statement). Underneath the gowns, the glamour, and the glitter, these actors are normal human beings. If we approach movies and actors as such, then there won’t be as many issues where people feel they have to live a life like those they see on screen and thus end up feeling miserable when their own lives don’t match up with Hollywood’s.

It’s important to realize, too, that just because celebrities are pitching a specific worldview, concept or perspective, it doesn’t give them an automatic pass into validity either.

We’ll be more inclined to live happier lives when we understand and realize that the people on screen and the events they enact for us are merely fiction with special effects to make it look good.

That doesn’t mean we still can’t dare to dream and be like that star(let) on the red carpet; a lot of actors have made good on following a life outside of their roles on screen. And it’s from this we should attempt to emulate their style and mannerisms as it does good for everyone one way or another.

-Sean

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Beyond Beauty – This Dad Nailed It

My daughter was sick in early March. That morning, she said she wanted to do something. So I painted her toenails.

Sometimes you just have to give it your best even if you don’t know a thing about what you’re about to do.

I painted my daughter’s toenails. Not a bad start for a newbie.

I’m a dad to an extremely beautiful and wonderful almost-4-year-old girl. Yes, I’m prejudice. But hey, aren’t all parents?

I’ve had to learn a lot over the last few years with relation to the whole daddy-daughter dynamic. She’s into dolls, loves colouring and has a unique interest in the planets that mimics that of mine. She’s an affectionate little individual who spares no hugs when you’re on her good side. Fortunately, that’s where I stand at the moment so I’m good until we hit the teenage years.

One thing, though, is that my daughter is more–how can I put it–glamourous than I am and loves all things cosmetic. I remember one day in particular that completely caused me to delve into the realm of make-up unbeknownst to me.

This is my first time, though I can guarantee that it won’t be my last.

So after she asked me to paint her toenails, she got really excited and started bouncing up and down, saying, “Daddy, I want my toenails painted!”

Fervently stomping around, she insisted it be done. I sighed. This wasn’t going to be something that just whimsically comes out of her mouth and quickly dissipates afterwards. No, she kept going on and on about it. There was no escaping this. I took a sip from my Starbucks coffee mug. She looked at me with these determined eyes that I just couldn’t resist even with the most fortified resistance.

I took the bottle of sparkly toenail polish and gazed at the label on the side: “Safe for children,” it said. Ok, that’s fine by me. I unscrew the lid and dab the brush into the colourful serum before applying it to my first fingered victim.

I’ve seen being it done before, so my knowledge of the task wasn’t completely foreign, and my stubbornness and determination preventing me from quitting.

I swathed the first teeny fingernail with the colourful goo. I look down and with a gasp of delight I see that the paint landed on the nail more than her finger! Joyous, I moved on to the next finger. Each brush stroke got easier, with the occasional one generating a giggle from my daughter in which she would regularly exclaim, “That tickles daddy!”

The finished product showed nicely painted nails with only minimal spillage.

Now I have to say, from a neophyte’s attempt at something trained professionals do on a regular basis, I think I did a job well done.

How excited was I? Well, I’d do what every stoked individual would do: post it on social media. I showed my friends on Facebook and their reactions were full of delight, cooing and chirping what a great dad I am for doing that.

How excited was I? I went to Golden Touch’s Yorkville location and showed Cathy a picture of my work. She was ecstatic and said it looked great. Only thing, she said, is to use a solid foundation before applying the paint right away so it has a chance to settle and give it body.

Needless to say, perhaps after a few lessons from Cathy herself, I could be on par with her level of aesthetic talent. Cathy’s certified in aesthetics and to hear that from a professional like herself on my not-so-feeble attempt at aesthetics really strikes me as something to be proud of.

I am in no way a professional aesthetician, just a daddy-do-right who wanted to impress his little girl.

I’m sure my performance into the aesthetic unknown has only just begun. It wouldn’t surprise me if she somehow returns the favour one easy afternoon and completely redoes my look while I nap. I’m actually looking forward to that.

I painted my daughter’s toes. I forged a strong daddy-daughter bond.

À la prochaine.

Sean Mitchell, CHRL, is a certified human resources professional and wannabe venture capitalist. Sean is also owner of Blacktalon Enterprise Solutions, loves business and making his clients become the best they can be.

Beauty Beyond is a regular featured blog on goldentouchmedispa.com, presently published weekly.

What is beauty?

Is it what we see on the surface, or is it what truly lies inside?

That question has been asked for millennia and many are still unsure of the answer. Whatever that is, there’s no doubt that we all strive to be beautiful one way or another.

Some prefer to lather up themselves with umpteen tonnes of make-up to make up for a lack of it naturally, or enhance specific body parts that some deity supposedly forgot to invest in during their creation, while some tend to get by or even excel without it.

It’s a topic that often leads to a lot of discussion about what is considered beautiful—almost like an international panel to determine a clear-cut definition that applies to no one.

Thing is, beauty doesn’t have a resounding, concrete definition. What’s beautiful to one person may be a total turn-off for another; some are beautiful on the surface, some are beautiful in spirit, and some can manage both quite flawlessly.
That’s where Cathy comes in.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Cathy over the last eight or so years and she never fails to amaze me with how beautiful her spirit and character is. She’s constantly dolled up and smiling regardless of condition.

Cathy is owner of Golden Touch Medispa, based in Toronto’s lavish Yorkville neighbourhood, and comes from a rich background in cosmetology and hair design. Her knack for enhancing beauty naturally is uncanny, unlike those I have ever seen. No, this is not a Dove love-in but rather an individual who finds the best in each and every person no matter their circumstances.

A mother of four, Cathy came to Canada from Iran when she was young and opened a few successful ventures, which she sold off or got out of completely from bad partnership dynamics. When I met her, she was in transition between opportunities. At the time, was working part-time as an independent aesthetician in College Park.

I remember the phone call I got one cold morning: “Sean, do you design websites? I saw your card here.”
I liked her so much I invested in her; my time, expertise, and drive to design many websites that evolved over the years we’ve been working together. Now, that seems rather abrupt to simply jump into something like that with virtually no plan or history other than a rough impression of what she offers. But it’s her practice, her dedication to her work that enticed me to go along for the ride.

She’s helped me in so many ways, mainly with my hair styles. Once I gave Cathy an open canvas on how to design a new hair style for me. My head was a white space. “Go nuts!” I said.

Luckily the fates were on my side. I walked out of there and suddenly, like a quick ethereal zap, people started noticing me. It was like I suddenly phased in to reality and everyone took notice.

She eventually moved out of the College Park location and migrated up to 97 Scollard Street in the lesser-known area of Yorkville. And it’s benefited her; going from an unknown aesthetician to a hair designer cosmetologist who’s sought after by many across the Greater Toronto Area, she’s has helped clients far and wide realize their inner natural beauty through various and compassionate means.

But tooting-my-horn efforts aside, it’s Cathy’s expertise that sets her apart in and above her media presence. Let me explain.

She helped refine my image with stylish hair designs that I never even thought possible with my hair. Now I had fantasized about having some freaky, off-the-wall style that would ultimately cause heads to turn and thus, in turn, make me feel beautiful.

Without going into too much detail, I was afflicted with confidence issues for a good portion of my life and felt like an outlier when it came to the attractiveness side of life. My appointment with Cathy calmed my worried soul and she pulled off a sleek hair design that was far more different than what I was expecting while simultaneously being in line with my deepest desires. People started noticing me when I thought they didn’t before. It had THAT much impact. It pretty much changed my entire look. Just from a simple haircut.

Her work after that established a benchmark on which I base all other hair services I have or will receive should it not be with her for whatever reason, and it did help increase my confidence as I noticed more people “taking notice” of me as I walked around in public or among my friends.

Aside from a God-given talent, the beautiful thing, if I may use that term, is Cathy’s dedication, the spirit and drive to help people find their inner beauty regardless of what those particular goals are. She observes, probes, and listens to whoever she is talking to, letting her personality calmly indicate to the inquiring individual that she’s there to help improve their own beauty with natural means and that everything is going to be okay.

It’s quite impressive to see such a caring, dedicated and motivated practitioner who actually lives up to what she professes. There have been instances where some people have given Cathy a hard time and I think it’s unfair that she’s been treated that way even though she does her best to help.

What’s also interesting is she’s branched out to include a more cosmetic feel to her practice, investing and offering top-notch quality laser services for handling all sorts of body therapy needs. How that came to be is another story altogether (which involves me picking her up and driving to Kitchener where I used my savvy negotiating skills to get a great deal on the equipment and driving back all within the same afternoon).

So what is beauty exactly? Beauty is the richness of character; sometimes it shows wonderfully on the surface; other times it hides and needs help to shine through. Whichever it is for you, know that you are beautiful both inside and out.

And if you’re having trouble discovering it, perhaps Cathy can help you out.

Beauty Beyond is a regular featured blog on goldentouchmedispa.com, presently published weekly.