Auldine Bute Brown – BEAUTICIAN with a MISSION

by Collette Jones– Chin

“Dreams are realized when you take up one idea, make that idea your life – think of it, live on it, let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea. This is the way to turning your dream into a success.” This belief is embodied in Auldine Bute Brown, a young, ambitious daughter of the ‘Vincentian’ soil.

I am fortunate to have recently met with Mrs Brown. I recognized her kindred spirit and was forced to dig deeper to uncover the secret which fuels her drive to succeed.{{more}}

She reflected on her earlier upbringing and reminisced on the days when she observed her aunt, who enhanced her beauty by wearing lipstick and her sisters and mother, who constantly made up their faces. “I remember how I saved up my ‘lunch’ and ‘break’ monies and purchased a gold lipstick,” she remarked. “It was used to highlight the bones and eyebrows.

“It was summer time, everyone was looking for fun, things to do.” She wanted to create a ‘new look’ for herself. “I got myself a sheet of red crepe paper, washed my hair, wrapped the paper around the tips of my wet hair and achieved: Red Hair”.

As her passion burgeoned, she kept her eyes on the ball and when she sighted the opportunity, she grabbed it. She heard about the closure of a salon. Without hesitation, she and her husband procured some hairdressing equipment and rented the space. Keeping the name ‘BARNET’S’ provided them with the already committed clientele the previous owners served.

Later, she went to Barbados, did an advanced course in cutting and styling and other courses associated with scalp care and treatments. There, she began studying for a degree in Trichology with the Trichlogy Institute of Alabama.

In 2003, Auldine learned of Sasha Cosmetics and applied for a course in cosmetology. She completed additional courses and training in Make-up Artistry at the basic and advanced levels. While there, she worked as a consultant for Clinique and travelled to Miami, becoming more qualified in the area. Upon her return to SVG, she became the local Motions hair technician and was sent to Miami to further train in the field. She worked with Coreas as a consultant, with children of the Marion House, the Government skills training programme for schools, conducted private classes and training for the Adult Education Unit in the Ministry of Education.

Sixteen years elapsed and this Level 4 assessor conducts training in cosmetology to others. She can be considered one of the most qualified and knowledgeable in the “beautification” business in SVG.

Auldine is preparing to launch her own line of cosmetics, branded “Auldines’ Dare to Be Different” in her new cosmetic shop “GLITZ & GLAM” Salon Styling Chic, today, Friday, August 26. Her cosmetics store conceptualizes the whole essence of styling and being chic. The salon and store are located on the first floor of the MTM building on Grenville St in Kingstown.