About Our Authors

Mark Beck has been a Milady author since the first publication of The Theory and Practice of Therapeutic Massage in 1988. Mark began his professional career as a massage therapist in 1974. He started teaching massage in 1978 and became a massage school owner and director in 1980. As school director for over 15 years, he developed curriculum, taught classes and continued a part time clinical practice. He served on the boards of a state and a national massage organization in different capacities including sec. of education, sec. of certification and president. In 1996 he earned a bachelor’s degree in Vocational Education with an emphasis on massage therapy from the University of Idaho.

A skiing accident in 1990 resulted in a C-6 spinal cord injury that landed Mark in a wheelchair with quadriplegia. That ended his active practice as a massage therapist but did not quell his dedication to the profession or his desire to provide the best possible information to thousands of students entering the profession by continually updating and refining The Theory and Practice of Therapeutic Massage.

Iris Burman is a Licensed Massage Therapist and co-founder and director of Educating Hands School of Massage in Miami, Florida. Her passion in life is to support the personal growth of herself and others. BodyWork has provided a fertile ground in which to do this through her own practice and the sharing of knowledge and skills with her students. She has been a BodyWork practitioner for over 29 years, having specialty certifications in Neuromuscular Therapy, Trager® Psycho-Physical Integration, Sports Massage, and advanced Swedish Techniques. She is most excited about her work in the last 18 years during which she, with the ongoing assistance of her faculty, developed the concepts of TouchAbilities® and is the co-author of TouchAbilities®:Essential Connections from Milady.

Steve Capellini has been working in the spa industry since 1983, first as a massage therapist, then as a trainer, supervisor, consultant and writer. He has trained the staffs at several top spas and has taught workshops to massage therapists, estheticians, and entrepreneurs across the U.S. and Canada. He wrote the monthly Spa Letters column for Massage & Spa Today, and he has published several books, including Massage Therapy Career Guide and The Complete Spa Book for Massage Therapists, both from Milady, plus Massage for Dummies and The Royal Treatment, How You Can Take Home the Pleasures of the Great Luxury Spas. As a spa spokesperson, he has given keynote speeches and appeared on dozens of TV shows and in many magazine articles. He was in charge of developing the spa programs for the Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Beach, California and the Pritikin Longevity Center in Miami, FL, among others, and he specializes in helping massage schools create successful spa training curriculum.

Janet M. D'Angelo, M.Ed, is founder and president of J. Angel Communications, LLC, a Marketing & Public Relations firm specializing in the health, beauty and wellness industry. Her extensive knowledge of the esthetics business is the result of more than 25 years of hands-on experience developing marketing and management strategies for businesses across all segments of the industry including day spas, medical spas, skin care and beauty salons, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, product and equipment manufacturers and vendors.

A licensed esthetician and educator at heart, she has also worked tirelessly to raise industry awareness and promote professional standards throughout her career, serving on trade association advisory boards and research committees; addressing medical and esthetic legislative boards on new education models and business practices; conducting business seminars for trade shows, conferences and continuing education programs; and writing articles for numerous magazine and trade publications. She is the author of Spa Business Strategies: A Plan for Success and is a contributing author on the topic of communication and business skills for Milady’s Standard Esthetics Fundamentals; Milady’s Standard Esthetics Advanced and Milady’s Standard Comprehensive Training for Estheticians. Janet can be reached at janet@jangelcommunications.com.

Sallie Deitz serves in education and product development with Bio Therapeutic, Inc., and the Bio Therapeutic Institute of Technology, in Seattle, Washington. Deitz has been a licensed esthetician for 25 years, has 12 years of clinical esthetic experience. Since 1998, Deitz has served as an editorial advisory board member for Plastic Surgery Products, Los Angeles, CA; is an advisory board member with the Northwest Aestheticians’ Guild, Seattle, WA; and serves as a committee member in test development for NIC (National Interstate Council of State Board of Cosmetology - Esthetics Division).

Deitz is the author of Amazing Skin, A Girl’s Guide to Naturally Beautiful Skin (2005), Drummond Publishing Group as well as The Clinical Esthetician: An Insider’s Guide to Succeeding in a Medical Office for Milady. Sallie is a contributing author on Milady’s Standard Comprehensive Training for Estheticians, Milady’s Standard Esthetics Fundamentals, 10E, Skin Care Beyond the Basics: Student Workbook ( Mark Lees, 3rd Edition) and Milady’s Standard Esthetics Advanced.

Richard Eidson is a hydrotherapist and hydrotherapy educator. He has also invented and holds three patents on hydrotherapy equipment. Richard has an undergraduate degree in social psychology, which has provided him with a deeper understanding of the mental and emotional benefits of hydrotherapy treatments. He also has an MBA, which has been helpful in understanding the marketing and financial management aspects of hydrotherapy programs. Richard is also a licensed massage therapist, with special training in shiatsu.

Richard resides in Fairfield, Iowa, where he runs a wellness center and a company for inventing hydrotherapy equipment. He provides consulting, education, and training in hydrotherapy and continues his research into hydrotherapy through travels both nationally and internationally. Eidson is the author of Hydrotherapy for Health and Wellness: Theory, Programs & Treatments from Milady. Richard can be reached at innospa@lisco.com.

Jeffrey Forman Ph.D. NCTMB is a tenured professor and the massage therapy program coordinator at De Anza College in Cupertino, California. Dr Forman is a teacher, lecturer, author, advocate for the massage therapy profession and classroom innovator. He is also an experienced consultant having assisted public institutions to develop and implement professional massage therapy training programs and in designing stress reduction programs for multinational corporations. He also has experience as an expert witness in court cases offering opinions on massage therapy standards of practice and standards of care. He is also currently Vice President and Education Director of the World Skin Project and one of the AMTA Council of Schools representatives to the Massage Therapy Body of Knowledge stewardship group. Jeff is the author of Managing Physical Stress with Therapeutic Massage from Milady.

Ramona Moody is a graduate of Mueller College of Holistic Studies in San Diego, California. She also trained at the California College of Natural Therapy in San Diego, and Guang An Men Hospital in Beijing, PRC. She has extensively studied lymph drainage massage, acupressure and deep tissue massage over the last 27 years. Ramona is the director of Somatherapy, a massage training institution in Rancho Mirage, California and a member of the International Society of Lymphology (ISL). She currently offers certification training in lymph drainage massage and provides continuing education classes on various hands-on modalities.

Sandy, a licensed Massage Therapist in private practice in Miami Beach, FL, teaches BodyWork at Educating Hands School of Massage.  She created & leads workshops in the new aquatic massage modality MDMA: Multi-dimensional Movement Arts® and collaborated in the development of TouchAbilities®, a paradigm for teaching touch.  A free lance writer,  Sandy co-authored TouchAbilities®: Essential Connections from Milady; she is a contributing author to the book Principles and Practices of Manual Therapeutics & she wrote & performed in the Knowledgeware dvd production, “How to Give a Massage.”  Besides lecturing & writing about health & wellness, Sandy edits & reviews massage texts for major publishing companies.  A therapist for over 20 years, Ms. Friedland earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Miami in 1962.  She is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association.

Joel Gerson, Ph.D., set the standards for esthetic skin care schools in the United States in 1978 when he authored, Standard Textbook for Professional Estheticians, the result of many years of research and experience. Published in several languages, it has become the textbook choice of esthetics educators and has consistently been the most widely used esthetic textbook in the world. In 2009, the content and design were thoroughly updated for it’s 10th Edition, and the book was given a new name, Milady’s Standard Esthetics: Fundamentals.

Joel is a firm believer in education and enjoys sharing his knowledge with others. He has performed lectures and seminars throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, and the Far East. His articles on facial treatments and skin care have appeared in numerous publications and he has served as host and master of ceremonies at international esthetic trade shows for many years. Joel has a doctorate in Allied Health Science, and holds a teaching license for Facial Treatments from the University of the State of New York.

Lisa Gregory has been an integral part of the style and beauty industry since 1983. She takes inspiration from hair and fashion trends in London, where she was born and raised. Her career began with a five-year apprenticeship near London, after which she worked in the field and was named Creative Director and Staff Trainer for a salon group boasting more than 100 stylists. Lisa’s responsibilities included photographic work, fashion shows, staff training, and comanagement within the salon and the academy. Her combined passions for artistry and education led to a position with Wella, Great Britain. She was involved in national academy classes, shows, and photographic works that were published in international magazines. Lisa has enjoyed working for the past 11 years with Graham Webb International as a Platform Artist and Academy Instructor, and has been involved in the creation of numerous hair collections and photo shoots for them. Her overall work ethic and talent have led to her being rewarded with multiple honors from the British Hairdressing Awards. Lisa is a member of the design team for theEDGE by milady: metroluxe and muse editions.

John Halal began his career in the beauty industry as a hairstylist 40 years ago and owned and operated beauty salons for 35 years. Halal is licensed cosmetology instructor and the founder and president of Honors Beauty College, Inc. since 1992. Halal is a member of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists (SCC). He is the current President of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS) and is a past President of the Indiana Cosmetology Educators Association (ICEA).

Halal is the author of Hair Structure and Chemistry Simplified and Milady’s Hair Care Product & Ingredients Dictionary. Halal obtained his associate’s degree, with highest distinction, from Indiana University. He is a member of The Golden Key National Honor Society and Alpha Sigma Lambda.

Jimm Harrison’s innovative and distinctive approach to beauty and health is the culmination of years of in-depth research on natural and nutritional beauty principles. He has over 25 years of practice as a licensed cosmetologist, is a former salon owner, a master aromatherapist and is an accomplished botanical research, resource and development manager having two successful skin care lines in the natural products and the professional markets.

Jimm founded the Phytotherapy Institute in 1995 bringing an original perspective to holistic beauty, nutritional botanical skin care and aromatherapy. Jimm is an engaging, dynamic and entertaining educator presenting successful workshops and seminars at esthetics, spa, massage, alternative health and medical institutions for over 15 years. He has written numerous articles on the subjects of essential oil therapy, organic and “green” skin care, holistic beauty and cosmetic safety. Jimm is the author of Aromatherapy: Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils for Esthetics from Milady.

Ms. Hill received her nursing diploma from Presbyterian Hospital and Colorado Women’s College, Denver, Colorado and has practiced as a registered nurse for more than twenty years. For the last 19 years she has been the CEO of Facial Aesthetics, Denver’s oldest Medical Spa. A practicing nurse injector she has a large practice in Denver and Highlands Ranch. Passionate about the education of aestheticians in the medical spa setting Ms. Hill began a relationship with Milady an imprint of Delmar Learning in 2003. This relationship launched the Aesthetician Series. A thirteen book series dedicated to the medical aesthetician and the must know information for success. She is, also actively involved in the education of aestheticians, cosmetic nurses and physicians in the medical spa market. Ms. Hill can be reached at phinstitute@earthlink.net.

Dr. Mark Lees is one of the country’s most noted skin care specialists, an award-winning speaker and product developer, and has been actively practicing clinical skin care for over 20 years at his multi-award winning CIDESCO accredited Florida salon, which has won multiple newspaper reader-voter awards for “Best Day Spa on the Coast”, “Best Skin Care Center on the Coast”, “Best Facial”, and “Best Pampering Place”

Dr. Lees has been interviewed and quoted by NBC News, The Associated Press, The Discovery Channel, Glamour, Self, Teen, Shape Magazine, and many other publications.
He is former Chairman of the Board of the Esthetics Manufacturers and Distributors Alliance, and is a member of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists. Dr. Lees is former Chairman of EstheticsAmerica, the esthetics education division of the National Cosmetology Association (NCA), and has served on the Board of Directors of the NCA.

He holds a Ph.D. in Health Sciences, a Master of Science in Health, and a CIDESCO International Diploma. He is licensed to practice in both Florida and Washington State. Dr. Lees is the author of the following Milady titles: Skin Care Beyond the Basics and The Skin Care Answer Book.

M. Varinia Michalun specializes in international cosmetics marketing and new product development, and has lectured on cosmetic ingredients and product use to professionals in the U.S., Australia, New Zealand and France.  She has authored articles for industry magazines, provides expertise to beauty journalists, and is co-author of The Skin Care and Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary from Milady, now in its third edition.

Natalia Michalun is an international dermo-cosmetic expert and educator.  She has lectured to medical and esthetics professionals in more than 35 countries, and is recognized for her indepth knowledge and ability to share complex skin care concepts clearly and precisely.

A graduate in Chemistry from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Natalia has sat on the board of the EU’s COLIPA, and the California State Board of Cosmetology.  In 1980 she founded the first school for advanced esthetics in Northern California, in addition to having one of the region’s largest esthetics salons.  Her articles appear in professional magazines throughout the world, and her book, the Skin Care & Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary from Milady, now in its third edition.

Deborah Ochsner has been a C.M.T. (Certified Massage Therapist) since 1993, has a B.S. in Behavioral Science and Health (1999), as well as an M.S. in Student Affairs in Higher Education (2001). She has also been a Reiki Master since 1999. During her massage career she has worked in several settings including a physical and occupational therapy clinic, a recreation center, a day spa, and has owned her own business in which she specialized in prenatal massage, sports/event massage, injury rehabilitation and energy work. She has taught massage therapy and general education at two different massage schools and supervised the curriculum (adding energy work to the program) and ran massage therapy programs across two campuses for five years. She currently works for another college in Cheyenne, Wyoming as the Dean of Educational and Career Services while maintaining her focus on treating clients with energy work. Her passion for energy work and spiritual growth pours into her work with students and clients striving to make every experience and every encounter educational and inspiring. Deborah is the author of The Massage Therapist's Guide to Client Safety and Wellness.

With more than 23 years of experience as a highly creative, artistic hair designer and educator for Redken, Joico, and Graham Webb International, Diego Raviglione exudes an untouchable enthusiasm for the art of hairdressing and inspires the same in all his students. His work has been published in Elle, ElleGirl, Oprah Magazine, InStyle, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Allure, and Shape. His work has also been included in several key industry trade resources such as American Salon, launchpad, BehindTheChair, and Modern Salon. Raviglione’s ingenuity has been featured on runways during Los Angeles Fashion Week and on stage at Lollapalooza, where he served as head stylist to featured acts, including Jane’s Addiction. Diego has recently embarked on a unique educational endeavor as the first Artistic Director for three beauty schools in California: Je Boutique, Bay Vista and Poway Academy. His key goal is to invoke an intensified passion and drive in students by developing an advanced haircutting and styling curriculum that will empower students with the skills and behaviors to achieve success in their careers. Diego is the artistic director for theEDGE by milady: metroluxe and muse editions.

Susanne Schmaling is a licensed esthetician, nail technician, licensed esthetic instructor and owner of the Pacific Institute of Esthetics, based in Northwest Oregon. She currently teaches advanced seminars for teachers, cosmetologists, massage therapists, and business owners. Her career includes extensive experience in esthetics, spa body therapies, retail and professional cosmetic industry, and nail technology, as well as spa consulting and medical spa design. She also created and operated an award-winning day spa for several years. She has presented seminars at various national conferences, granting official continuing education units.  She is also the author of the critically-acclaimed Milady’s Aesthetician Series: The Comprehensive Guide to Esthetic Equipment.

Patrick Tumey is one of the most sought-after Makeup Artists working in the industry today. He brings his extensive skill and passion to every project and his resume speaks for itself. His clients include Paris & Nicky Hilton, Kimora Lee Simmons, Alyssa Milano, Mandy Moore, Sophia Bush, and Gina Gershon. His work has appeared in countless editorial spreads in some of the nation’s top magazines including Latina and ElleGirl. Patrick’s talent and dedication has assisted him with securing some of the largest advertising campaigns in the world including Paul Mitchell, Lexus, Bacardi Limon, Saab, Graham Webb and Smashbox Cosmetics. Patrick is a member of the design team for theEDGE by milady: metroluxe edition.