Karen Johnson
Face West Aesthetiques is owned and operated by Karen Johnson, A CIDESCO diplomate since 1979. The CIDESCO Diploma is recognized internationally as the highest earned diploma an Aesthetician can hold. Internationally trained Aesthetician and Beauty Therapist, Karen Johnson is trained in Aromatherapy, Nutrition, Reflexology, Acupressure, Chinese Diagnosis of the skin and body, Swedish Massage Therapy and more. She can offer treatments for the mind, body and spirit. Karen has continued to update her skills and attends several trade shows during the year to keep up the latest in technology and services.
Trained in Clinical Aromatherapy from the Eve Taylor Aromatherapy Clinic, London, England and fully trained in Reflexology, Karen continues additional training in the “Original Ingham Method” through the International Institute of Reflexology. Additional training includes Dr. Vodder’s Manual Lymph Drainage, as well as nutrition classes from The Institute of Optimum Nutrition, in England.
Born in Zimbabwe, formerly Rhodesia, and located in Southern Africa, Karen grew up in a very exotic location. At the tender age of 5 her parents and sister left her country of birth for new possibilities setting sail for the Seychelles Islands, another location of equally exotic possibilities. The Seychelles, numbering 115 islands in all, is located in the Indian Ocean 5 degrees below the equator. There she attended an all girls school which a the time was the premier center of education managed by Irish Nuns. At Regina Mundi Convent, Karen attributed her moral and work ethics to not only her parents but also to those same Irish Sisters who so diligently ran the school.
After completing high school and at the age of 18, Karen left her closely knit circle of friends and the comforts of home and island living, moving to England, (a huge change for someone growing up on an island only 17 miles long by 5 miles wide, where every one knows your name!) Attending the Ray Cochrane’s Beauty School, Karen completed her training as a Beauty Therapist and was awarded the CIDESCO Diploma, the highest internationally recognized diploma an Aesthetician can hold.
The CIDESCO Diploma is regarded as the world’s most prestigious qualification in the field of Aesthetics and Beauty Therapy. It is the only qualification that is truly international, and is represented and recognized in 33 countries around the world. Since 1946 CIDESCO has set standards that have been acknowledged and respected across the 5 Continents. Those who acheive this standard are indeed valuable and knowledgeable in their field. A CIDESCO Diploma trained therapist indicates a well versed and trained professional. Normally within the field, 1200 hours is the minimum, however Karen completed the 1500-hour program offered at the beauty school. After taking her exam, Karen returned to the Seychelles.
In 1981 her family migrated to California and in 1987 Karen moved to the ‘Springs’ where she has been since raising her family. She has owned Face West Aesthetiques for 23 years.
Her interests include swimming, fishing, biking, hiking, loves dance and music. Although she lives in the mountains, her heart remains with her islands where she grew up by the ocean under the tropical sky.
Karen enjoys time spent with her clients, friends and family. She still has many of her original clients as most have been with her for a very long time, meeting and retaining by word-of-mouth.
Karen holds near and dear her volunteer work with the “Look Good, Feel Better” program that helps cancer patients with skin care and makeup while they undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
Karen has for many years ”promoted” the Seychelles to her clients and friends around the world. So it was with great pride that she accepted the appointment by the Seychelles Tourism Board to become a Tourism Ambassador for the Seychelles Islands in Colorado Springs, Colorado, an appointment that she proudly accepts. (Visit our “Seychelles” page for more information)