The cosmetic studio ‘Charodeika’ is bustling with activity. Women sit along the walls wearing facial masks, while some stand because there’s no space. In the center of the room, leaning over a chair, Ingrid Ondrejkova, a cosmetologist from Bratislava, works her magic.
‘Good afternoon,’ she says with a warm smile. Young and attractive, she apologizes for speaking while she continues to work.
‘My parents wanted me to become a doctor or a teacher,’ Ingrid says. ‘But I never felt a calling for either profession. And without that, how can you proceed?’
‘By nature, I’m an aesthetician. What could be more beautiful, more aesthetically pleasing than a woman’s face? When you can enhance that beauty, it lifts a woman’s spirits, and that’s when you truly enjoy your work.’ Guided by those beliefs, Ingrid graduated from cosmetology school two years ago.
‘Of course, my practical experience is limited. But I believe that with hard work, skills will develop.’
‘You’ve been in Kyiv for five weeks now. What do you like most about our city?’
‘It’s hard to list everything right away. You have a very beautiful city. The women here are friendly and hospitable, which is not easy considering the long lines they have to endure, the scarcity of quality goods, and the lack of self-care. In Czechoslovakia, for example, women are legally prohibited from working in construction or any job that requires heavy physical labor. Personally, I am completely against this because it gradually toughens not just the hands but the soul as well. After a long day of hard work, not every woman has the energy to take care of herself, and men expect us to always look beautiful, young, and cheerful. Perhaps that’s one reason divorce rates are rising.’
‘Ingrid, how do your colleagues work in Bratislava?’
‘First of all, they focus on transformations. Secondly, at the end of each decade, we receive funds to purchase the necessary components for masks, while your cosmetologists are given a limited range of products in insufficient quantities. This affects the quality of their work. And third, I can’t stand seeing clients treated with the same tools that are only disinfected in a denatured alcohol solution. At a time when AIDS is a global threat, we need to be especially careful. What about the risk of skin diseases? We use individual tools for each client, which are always sterilized. Also, during cosmetic procedures, women need to relax, unwind, and ideally even take a nap. When there’s only one chair, that’s impossible. In Bratislava, there are at least ten such chairs in a studio. However, visiting a cosmetic studio there costs twice as much.’
‘Ingrid, what skincare tips could you share with our readers?’
‘First and foremost, remember that summer is the best time of year for facial care. The abundance of vegetables and fruits provides a great opportunity for this.
So, here’s the first tip: Make a mask from vegetables, fruits, or berries before eating them; add a few drops of glycerin or oil if your skin is dry.
The second tip: Don’t overdo decorative cosmetics. Give your skin a break. Women who pile on makeup during hot summer days often end up looking unnatural. Give up powder by spring (you can lightly dust your nose to protect it from excessive sun exposure). Hydrate your face with water as often as possible, since it lacks moisture after the winter months.
In short, sunshine, fresh air, water, minimal decorative cosmetics, and plenty of vegetables and fruits are the keys to beautiful skin.
And of course, keep a good mood—that guarantees charm all year round. I wish all women to be beautiful and attractive at all times!’
