Mission to Educate
“How a Simple Love for Sugaring Led Me to Educate Beauty Professionals Across Ontario”
Shannon Gray
When I first started doing my own sugaring at home at the age of 19, it was with a product I found on the Shopping Channel called Alexandria. I absolutely loved it and used it for years for my own personal care. But by my early thirties, the product started disappearing from shelves. After nearly two years of hunting it down and realizing it was no longer available, I decided it was time to get professionally trained. That decision changed everything.
How a Simple Passion for Sugaring
Turned into a Mission to Educate
But by my early thirties, the product started disappearing from shelves. After nearly two years of hunting it down and realizing it was no longer available, I decided it was time to get professionally trained. That decision changed everything. It wasn’t just about learning a new skill, it was about stepping into a new version of myself, one that wanted to understand the why behind the technique and share that knowledge with others.
Once I decided to get professionally trained, I spent the next few years building my business from the ground up. I started small, offering services wherever I could, and eventually found a space that truly fit my vision. Those early days were full of long hours, trial and error, and a lot of learning on the go. But every client, every treatment, and every challenge taught me something valuable about both the craft and the business side of beauty.
It was during this time, in 2013, that I travelled to Williamsville, New York, to complete my Educator training with Alexandria Professional, and in 2017, I returned to earn my Master Educator certification. That experience was transformative. I met incredible mentors, learned advanced techniques, and discovered how powerful education can be when it’s shared with passion and purpose.
While Alexandria’s education is incredibly thorough, it was originally designed for the U.S., where aestheticians must already be licensed before taking the courses, and while they work to advance the industries education across the continent, by way of helping to redesign the Milady training manual to reflect their decades of sugaring knowledge and designing the Nappa program to work with schools in the USA, in Ontario, we don’t have that same licensing requirements. Ontario, Canada allows their practitioners of aesthetics to have either a diploma or a certificate to work in this industry. Which means some professionals here can miss out on foundational training. That’s when I realized there was a real need for accessible, high-quality education right here at home, for professionals who were passionate but slowed down by the lack of structured training of collages, and some hindered by collages who don't update the education provided.
Since then, I’ve built Illuminate Beauty Academy, a place where I can teach under my own brand and share the Sugaring other service knowledge, I’ve gathered over the years. One of the courses I Developed was Introduction to Facial Massage. What started as an in-person small facial massage course has evolved into a full learning experience, complete with presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on practice. I wanted to create a space where students could feel supported, inspired, and confident in their growth — whether they were just starting out or expanding their services.
Over the years, I’ve earned certifications in nearly every service my spa offers and have spent countless hours perfecting each one. After developing my skills and practising them for years, I realised how much I loved sharing what I’d learned with others. I wanted to do more of it. While hands-on education will always be at the heart of what I do, there’s incredible value in online learning too. It gives passionate professionals in remote areas the chance to access quality education without needing to travel, and it allows me to connect with students from all over who share the same love for beauty and learning.
Looking back, I never imagined that a simple Strip Sugar I found on TV would lead me here — teaching, mentoring, and helping others build careers they love. It’s been such a rewarding journey, and I’m so grateful to share it with others.
That’s why I created the Lash Lift & Tint Pro Certification. It’s designed for professionals who want to elevate their skills, gain confidence, and offer their clients exceptional results — all from the comfort of home.
Teaching others has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey, and I can’t wait to see where yours takes you. That’s why I created the Lash Lift & Tint Pro Certification. It’s designed for professionals who want to elevate their skills, gain confidence, and offer their clients exceptional results, all from the comfort of home.
If you’ve ever wanted to expand your skills and grow your career in this industry, this course is the perfect place to start.
