Mrs. Gustin: 37 Years of Esthetics Passion and Positivity
In the world of esthetics, Mrs. Gustin shines brightly, showcasing an incredible 37 and a half years of experience as an esthetician. Her journey serves as an inspiring example that we can all draw from, reminding us that with dedication and passion, we too can…

GRADUATE SPOTLIGHT – Kristal Manning: Finding Comfort Daily as a Mother, Wife, and Esthetician
Kristal Manning, a 2011 graduate of the Elizabeth Grady School has learned to balance her first love, family, with her second, helping…

A Note to Our Students
What are three things that you are most proud of? This was a question posed last week to the students at the…

Michelle LeBlanc: shark bites, sunrises, melanoma & more
She calls it her shark bite, an indented surgery scar on her inner thigh with 47 stitches on the inside. It’s not pretty,…

5 Questions with Brian Sweetser: Massage Therapy Director, Father of 5, and World-Champion Black Belt
To say Brian Sweetser is a busy man is like saying Bill Belichick is kind of into football: it’s a bit of…
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Meet Danielle: A Passionate Esthetician, Makeup Artist, and Inspiring Instructor
In the world of beauty and esthetics, Danielle stands out as a passionate and experienced professional. With 20 years of expertise as an esthetician and makeup artist, she knows how to bring out the beauty and confidence in her clients. But her journey doesn’t stop…
Lauren LaPenna: A Journey of Empowering Beauty
Welcome to the inspiring world of Lauren LaPenna, a dedicated esthetics instructor driven by her passion for the industry. With love for her craft, Lauren ignites the same passion in her students, guiding them towards their esthetics dreams. As a caring esthetician, she finds true…
5 Questions with Jocelyn Hodges (Witkus): Esthetician, Massage Therapist, and Instructor
What is the most gratifying part of being an esthetician/massage therapist? You will meet some amazing people and you have the chance to make each of them feel better, happier, and more confident. I truly believe we need more of that in the world. It…
Meet Mrs. Dube: Movie Buff, Crocheter, Crafter and Esthetician Instructor.
How long have you worked for EG? I have been an esthetician for 32 years. I studied Esthetics at the Elizabeth Grady School in 1986 and upon graduation, I immediately got a position with Elizabeth Grady. I began at the Chestnut Hill and Framingham locations,…
Massage Therapy Teacher Feature: Brian Sweetser, LMT
What made you want to become a massage therapy instructor? Funny thing…It was not my plan to become a massage instructor! A former colleague suggested I apply to the Elizabeth Grady School and after some prompting, I did. I began working as a massage teacher…
Conversation with Massage Therapy Instructor Kris Quinones
1. What made you want to become a massage therapist? My love of anatomy and previous experience working in orthopedics. I enjoy working hands on with people and as a competitive athlete, I could relate to the aches, pains, and injuries so many were experiencing.…
5 Questions with James Liebke: Massage Therapy Educator, Entrepreneur, and John Lennon Fan!
What made you want to become a massage therapist? I used to run an agency that worked with adults that had sustained traumatic brain injuries. I was very involved with facilitating their post rehab therapies: Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy. During this…
Massage Therapy Teacher Feature: 5 Questions for Andrew Jurdan, LMT and Instructor
How long have you been practicing massage therapy? I have been practicing massage therapy since 1996. What positive impact has being a massage therapist had on your life as a whole? Being a massage therapist has definitely had a positive impact on my life as…
Meet Johany Montes: Makeup Artist, Mother, and Maestro
1. Why did you become an instructor? I found myself enjoying teaching makeup application to my clients and wanted to explore teaching larger groups. 2. What positive impact has being an instructor had on your life as a whole? Feeling excited and happy to go…
5 Questions with Cate Tool: school director, EG graduate, & yoga lover
Since attending the Elizabeth Grady School in 1991, Cate Tool has worked in our salons, taught courses in esthetics, and is now the director of our school. You might see her holding an impromptu meditation session with students or excitedly guiding tour groups through the school’s sun-filled classrooms. With…
5 Questions with Sandra Lever-Bell: Mindful, Mother, and Massage Therapist
EG: When did you know you wanted to become a massage therapist? Sandy: In 1993 I had moved to California. I had always been interested in natural remedies and had studied aromatherapy and reflexology on my own. I had always respected the healing arts and…
5 Questions with Ruth Collins: Esthetician, Massage Therapist, Positive Thinker, and Risk Taker
What made you want to become an esthetician and massage therapist? I attended a Vocational Technical High School and while practicing Cosmetology I most enjoyed the peacefulness of doing scalp massages, shampooing, and basic facials. My peers were constantly requesting I give them shoulder rubs…
5 Questions with Kayla Smith: Survivor, Ocean Enthusiast and Esthetician Instructor
Question 1: Why did you become an instructor? Several years ago I was in a serious car accident. Afterwards I recognized that I wanted to create and seize every opportunity in life. I wanted a challenge and to become the best, most knowledgeable esthetician I…
Amazing Grace-full Aging
Estheticians are constantly being asked for advice about skin care. You may be reading this because you too seek solutions to the problems you experience with your skin. Like many of us concerned with aging, you may “simply” seek the secret passageway and password to access…
Skin like a Lion or that of a Lamb?
I don’t have a lot of crystal clear memories from my childhood, but I do remember this one. I was eight. It was a Wednesday in March. Wednesday was the much anticipated day of the week that the third grade class at Monroe Elementary School…
Adult Acne- Causes and Treatments
Thought acne only sprung up on your face during your awkward teen years? Think again—adult acne is actually a very common (and frustrating) condition that affects many men and women far beyond adolescence. There are many thirty, forty, and fifty somethings who had perfect skin during their youth, but…
Wicked Lipstick
Halloween is just around the corner and there’s no better time to get into the spirit of the season! Try updating your fall look with darker and deeper colors such as rich plums and earth tones. Our favorite lipstick for this look is none other…
Is your skin care routine missing toner?
Ask any esthetician the three most important steps in a skin care routine and she’ll tell you it’s cleanse, tone and moisturize. Cleansing and moisturizing are pretty self-explanatory, but the concept of toning is a little vague. When you think of toner, you might remember…
Seasons Change, Skins Change
Just as the seasons change, so does your skin. Sun exposure, humidity, and changes in seasonal activities are some of the reasons you may notice an increase or decrease in dryness, breakouts, or redness. SUMMER Beachgoers, swimmers, golfers, hikers, sailors, and gardeners; most anyone who…
Boston Marathon 2016: Student Massage Therapists in Action!
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” ― Mahatma Gandhi At The Elizabeth Grady School of Esthetics and Massage Therapy, we consider service to others an integral part of a well-rounded education. We are so honored to…
personal style: be authentic. be consistent.
We are all individuals. I love my ombré hair and green-rimmed glasses. You might love your short pixie cut and signature red lipstick. Whatever your look is, there are two things every esthetician and massage therapist should keep in mind: be authentic and be consistent.…
Nail Check
Ok, we know nail art is the biggest thing going right now. Unfortunately, when you are using your hands to massage someone, cleanse their skin, or wax their bikini line, it’s probably not a great idea to have long, fuchsia nails with glittered palm trees…
Dual Licensing: the competitive advantage
Let’s imagine you are giving a client a deep pore cleansing facial. You’ve mastered your technique, are a wiz at skin analysis, and have perfected your extractions. The client, blown away by your talent, asks “Do you do massage, too?” Wouldn’t it be great to…
What the Fork? Career paths, questions, and making tough decisions.
When you come to a fork in the road…find something good to eat! So you’ve come to that proverbial fork in road, and, just like Dorothy, you’ll have to make your choice. Today, however, it seems like our forks have so many more tines than they did in the…
Top 5 Winter Skin Secrets!
Our resident skin guru shares 5 sure-fire ways to fight your winter skin blahs. Follow these tips, visit EG for regular facials and you’ll be left asking: Wait, what winter skin? 1. BOOST NUTRIENTS Boost nutrients both internally and externally. In the colder months, we tend…
Aromatic Harvest Facial **Special **
The holidays are right around the corner which means each and everyday will be hectic. Take a few minutes….or 60…for yourself and enjoy an Aromatic Harvest Facial. This is the perfect was to enjoy holidays. The Aromatic quality of pumpkin and pomegranate create a…
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
It is October which also means it is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Many people know that October is the month in which national and local charities spread the message and increase the awareness of a disease that so many people are affected by. National…
If the Shoe Fits…
If you are at all like me and most of my friends, you have a closet full of shoes. Sneakers, flats, flip-flops, dress shoes, heels, … Most of them fit, but there are definitely those that fit better than others. You know the ones…
5 Common Acne Myths
There’s a ton of misinformation about acne, its causes, and how to care for it. We’re here to set the record straight on these common acne misconceptions. “I have acne because I am dirty.” No. You are not dirty. You are human. Open and closed…
Kindness Rains on Cambridge
Dale Carnegie once said, “Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision, the ability to direct individual accomplishment toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.” This year at our annual Teacher Development and Team…
Pursuing Happiness
I looked out the window of my fifth floor office today at blue sky, green trees and light. The warm sunshine translated into fragments of color as it reflected off roof tops, trees, and the earth below. I found myself smiling ear to ear, simply…
Back to School
“Did you remember your new pencil box and notebooks?” Mom just waved goodbye to the bus after shoving your *groan* paper bag lunch in your new bag and…. Whoa, hold up… You’re about to enter Massage Therapy or Esthetics school, the days of grudgingly boarding…
Financing Your Education
Financing your education can be a daunting task, even if you are passionate about your career. Horror stories of insurmountable student loans riddle the media; coupled with a poor economy, the modern college-bound student questions, “Is it worth it?” As loan interest rates and tuition…
BMC Catwalk for Cancer Care
On the airy thirty-third story of a State Street skyscraper, an array of makeup is spread before Elizabeth Grady students and graduates as they ready their models for the catwalk. Stepping across the dark, wooden floor of the conference room overlooking Fanueil Hall, models and…
Treat yo’self: Hydrating Masks (and a sweet discount)
Treat your skin to our Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Masks Don’t let the name frighten you; hyaluronic acid is naturally present in every tissue in the body and removes harmful toxins from cells. We are born with hyaluronic acid in our tissues; however, as we age, our bodies…
Summer Skin by EG: That Polka Dot Bikini Never Looked Better
You slathered on the SPF, packed a striped umbrella, donned a floppy hat and consumed enough water to make water-gallon-toting-gym-goers envious. But your skin is still dry?! Despite your valiant efforts, the harsh summer sun and sea has managed to sap your precious epidermis of…
Facials and Fundraising: Supporting Camp Shriver
At the Elizabeth Grady School, we don’t do ordinary fundraisers…we fundraise with facials! We were proud to offer complimentary facials to guests on March 28, March 31, April 2, and April 4. In turn, guests were asked to give a donation in support of Camp…
Beat The Winter Blahs
Alright. We are officially snowver-it. The arctic temps and giant piles of snow, the traffic that moves as a glacial pace, the general mood of New England…this winter has been THE WORST! And it’s hard to see an end in sight when the local news predicts…
Cut It Out 2015: Educating Salon and Spa Professionals About the signs of domestic violence
It could be you. You could be the caring, understanding individual to listen without judgement and recommend resources to someone living with domestic violence. As massage therapists, estheticians, and makeup artists, we come into contact physically and emotionally with clients in ways that their friends…
your amazing body deserves an amazing massage
Our bodies work hard for us. Walking, running, lifting, stretching…the human body is an amazing machine! Therapeutic massage gives back to your body as much as your body gives to you. From pure relaxation to physical and mental rehabilitation, massage is the ultimate way to…
first-time facial: what to expect
First time having a facial? Well, you’re in for a treat! Here’s your guide on what to expect when you visit the skincare specialists at Elizabeth Grady. 1) An expert skin assessment Your esthetician will literally have an eagle-eye view of your skin. They’ll be…
Elizabeth Grady in the Community
Since we first opened our doors in 1975, we’ve been spreading the message of health, wellness, and beauty and giving back to a community who has shared so much with us. We consider service to others an integral part of a well-rounded education and are…
choosing a massage therapy school
Have you decided to become a massage therapist? Are you confused about how to choose the best school for you? Keep reading for tips to ensure you are moving in the right direction: Shop around. Your education is one on the most important investments you can…
Finding Your Dream Job
“What do I want to be when I grow up?” It’s a question we’re asked when we’re young, and a question we ask ourselves when we’re older (what does “grown up” really mean anyway?). Turns out, it’s a much harder question to tackle than many of…
Graduate Spotlight: Gina Cinquegrano
After working in the restaurant industry for years, Gina Cinquegrano knew she wanted a professional change. She always loved being around people and couldn’t imagine herself behind a desk all day, but she wasn’t sure what direction she wanted to take. A traumatic car accident that…
sun myths: busted!
We’re busting these too-common myths about your skin and the sun for good! “I put sunscreen on my face. That’s the only place that really matters.” BUSTED: During a recent interview with Elizabeth Grady instructor and melanoma survivor Michelle LeBlanc, she said “A mistake people make…
enter our #worshipthesummer giveaway
We’re giving away this summer-ready tote filled with $200 worth of Elizabeth Grady sun essentials and other beach goodies! To enter, like us on facebook (click here!), then click the ENTER TO WIN tab at the top of our page. Follow the contest instructions from…
what inspires us: passion, encouragement & joy
We are a creative bunch at Elizabeth Grady. We love color, shapes, and design, and love to see the beauty in everything and everyone. One of our classrooms has a wall dedicated to student artwork and inspirational messages. Everyone is encouraged to pick up a…
The Boston Marathon: Remembering the Past & Living in the Present
Overheard amongst recent chatter of local Bostonians is the phrase, “I can’t believe it’s been a year!” Yet it has indeed been a year since the Boston community and the country was overwhelmed with a sense of disbelief and sadness that terror struck our city.…