Trend Forward
March 23rd, 2026
9:00am PT | 10:00am MT | 11:00am CT | 12:00pm ET
Step into the season with a fresh perspective on what’s shaping esthetics right now. The Spring Education Summit will bring you the latest innovations, rising techniques, and shifts in client demand that will define the months ahead.
Schedule
*All times are approximate (MT) and subject to change.
10:00 a.m. Wax Smarter, Sell Smarter: Upsell Like an Expert
Presented by Jamie Conner, Senior Field Trainer, European Wax Center
10:45 a.m. Introducing: Clear Synergy Peels by Face Reality
Presented by Alex Hernández, Senior Manager of Education Innovation, Face Reality, and Lisa Boozer, Education Specialist, Face Reality
11:00 a.m. The Sweet Success of Sugaring: What Estheticians Should Know
Presented by Shannon O’Brien, Founder, Love2Sugar
In collaboration with Alexander's Aesthetics
11:05 a.m. Cellular Renewal in Bloom: The Science of Cellular Turnover
Presented by Michael Shuey, Director of Education, Skin Script Professional Skin Care, and Stacy Best-Nervis, Brand Educator, Skin Script Professional Skin Care
11:40 a.m.Advanced Back Facial Techniques for Acne-Prone and Sensitive Skin
Presented by Melissa Mercado, LE, Lead Educator, Hale & Hush
12:05 p.m. From SPF to $PF: The Science and Business of Sun Protection
Presented by Dr. Harry Fallick, Founder, TiZO
12:20 p.m. Triple Action Lift Peptide Cryo Facial: Experience the Power of Peptides and Cryo-Actives
Presented by Lydia Sarfati, CIDESCO diplomate, CEO/Founder of Repêchage, President of CIDESCO Section USA
12:40 p.m. Acne is Not Just a Skin Problem
Presented by Benjamin Knight Fuchs, R.Ph.
1:10 p.m. Chemical Peels Reimagined: Science, Safety, Results
Presented by Danae Markland, LE, CLMT, VP of Clinical Development & Partnerships, Linder Health
Win Prizes from Our 2026 Summit Sponsors!
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Meet the Presenters
Jamie Conner, Senior Field Trainer, European Wax Center
Jamie Conner, a seasoned beauty professional, has had a 14+ year career as a licensed cosmetologist and esthetician. Her expertise extends beyond the realm of beauty, delving into driving business revenue, retail sales training, performance coaching, and comprehensive management and team development.
Alex Hernández, Senior Manager of Education Innovation, Face Reality
Alex Hernández is a licensed esthetician and Certified Acne Expert with over a decade of experience in the esthetics industry. She joined Face Reality in 2018 as a clinic esthetician and became the company's first in-house educator, launching the formal education department in 2021. As Senior Manager of Education Innovation, Hernández leads the evolution of curriculum strategy, clinic protocol innovation, and the education go-to-market strategy for new product and program launches. Hernández is passionate about creating spaces where Acne Experts feel confident, supported, and equipped to succeed—and remains committed to raising the bar for education that truly meets their needs.
Lisa Boozer, Education Specialist, Face Reality
Lisa Boozer is a licensed esthetician with over a decade of experience in the esthetics industry. She joined Face Reality in 2022 as a clinic esthetician, where she built a strong clinical foundation treating acne-prone clients. Now serving as Education Specialist, Boozer supports key education initiatives with a focus on innovation, go-to-market launches, educational content development, and training for Face Reality’s School Partnership Program. Her background as an esthetics school instructor, combined with hands-on acne treatment experience, allows her to bridge clinical practice and education in a meaningful, results-driven way. She remains committed to continuous professional development through advanced coursework, industry research, and ongoing self-education—supporting high-quality, impactful training for today’s and tomorrow’s skin care professionals.
Shannon O'Brien, Founder, Love2Sugar, in collaboration with Alexander’s Aesthetics
Shannon "The SugarMama" O'Brien, is a distinguished US beauty industry figure with 23 years of experience as an esthetician and 15 years as a sugaring professional. As the founder of Love2Sugar, a leading training platform for beauty professionals, O’Brien is dedicated to advancing the field of professional hair removal with her practical, approachable teaching style. Through this partnership with Alexander’s Aesthetics, she helps bring education and professional resources together—connecting estheticians with the training and products needed to grow a sustainable sugaring business.
Michael Shuey, Director of Education, Skin Script Professional Skin Care
Michael Shuey, Director of Education of Skin Script Professional Skin Care, believes that education is the key to unlocking a successful career in the skin care industry. As a practicing esthetician, instructor, massage therapist and clinical hypnotherapist, Shuey lives his passion by providing quality education and empowering estheticians with knowledge and confidence.
Stacy Best-Nervis, Brand Educator, Skin Script Professional Skin Care
Stacy Best-Nervis, Brand Educator of Skin Script Professional Skin Care, is a licensed esthetician and owner of Brownstone Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. Best-Nervis was inspired to create a welcoming space for people with melanin-rich skin tones, addressing the gap in education and representation she witnessed as a student and consumer in the field. She takes a holistic approach to educating clients and estheticians about the health of their skin and providing treatments where relaxation meets results.
Melissa Mercado, LE, Lead Educator, Hale & Hush
Melissa Mercado, Lead Educator, Hale & Hush, is a licensed esthetician, national educator, and award-winning skin care professional specializing in sensitive, compromised, and reactive skin. She is the lead educator and a long-time collaborator with Hale & Hush, where she supports estheticians nationwide through advanced education on barrier health, inflammation, oncology-supportive skin care, and treatment customization for sensitive clients. Mercado is the owner of The Nail & Wax Room and The Skin Bar in Connecticut and the founder of The Skin & Body Network, where she trains and mentors professionals in both clinical treatment techniques and sustainable business practices. Her passion lies in helping estheticians treat skin with integrity, confidence, and compassion.
Dr. Harry Fallick, Founder, TiZO
Dr. Harry Fallick is a plastic surgeon who worked for many years repairing damage caused by the sun. He founded TiZO Skincare based on the belief that protecting skin from harmful UV rays shouldn’t be a compromise. It is his mission to enhance the skin’s health and beauty through science-driven innovation that is both highly effective and aesthetically elegant.
Lydia Sarfati, CIDESCO diplomate, CEO/Founder of Repêchage, President of CIDESCO Section USA
Lydia Sarfati is a world-renowned master esthetician, spa innovator, and the visionary founder and CEO of Repêchage. With over 46 years of industry leadership, she has revolutionized professional skin care through groundbreaking product innovation and advanced global education. Named one of the 2023 Most Influential Spa Leaders by American Spa, Sarfati continues to shape the future of the beauty and wellness industry worldwide. She is a passionate educator and accomplished author, and her works include Success at Your Fingertips, The Repêchage Book of Skincare Science & Protocols, and contributions to Milady Standard Esthetics: Fundamentals, 12th ed., and Oncology Esthetics—cementing her legacy as one of the most influential and respected voices in global esthetics.
Ben is a registered pharmacist, nutritionist, cosmetic chemist, and the founder and formulator of Truth Treatment Systems. Fuchs has been compounding custom prescription medications and skin care products and has been consulting with physicians and patients for more than 40 years. Fuchs is nationally recognized for his work as the on-air pharmacist/nutritionist host of The Bright Side radio program, ASCP’s Rogue Pharmacist podcast, and lectures nationwide on the importance of strategic use of cosmetics and nutritional supplementation for healthy skin and wellness.
Danae Markland, LE, CLMT, VP of Clinical Development & Partnerships, Linder Health
Danae is a licensed aesthetician and certified medical laser technician with 20 years of experience in the health and wellness industry, including advanced esthetics treatments, research & development, and skin health education. She has published numerous skincare articles and is frequently quoted as an industry expert by national media outlets, including Women's Wear Daily, Men's Health, NewBeauty, and Shape. Her true passion, though, is education, creating coursework and presentations for health and wellness practitioners, aestheticians, and medical professionals alike. Danae is often a featured presenter at seminars, workshops, and industry events the world over. Prior to joining Linder Health, she started her own consulting firm working with physicians and healthcare companies.
If you are unable to attend this free education summit, session replays will be available to ASCP members following the event.
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