Michael builds beauty from the inside out

MANY say that the physical beauty of our Trinbagonian women is unparalleled throughout the world. Beyond their natural beauty, renowned cosmetology tutor, Michael Assee, is responsible for accentuating this beauty both directly and by extension. For the past 31 years, Assee has been teaching introductory courses in the science of cosmetology at Michael’s and Gloria’s. Many of his students have gone on to become prominent cosmetologists themselves. And for his dedication to his chosen field, Assee will be one of five cosmetologists who will be honoured by the TT chapter of the Caribbean Association of Professional Trichologists today. He will receive an award at the first Hall of Fame Banquet which will be held at Crowne Plaza from 6 pm.

The proud father of two said, “I’ve really had a fabulous life, a very nice growing up experience. I had and have very beautiful parents (his father passed on). I grew up like the ordinary child; I was into ordinary boyhood stuff. I grew up in Arima with my cousins on my parent’s estate. We used to hunt, fish and play a lot of sports. “My dad took us to everything, every event. We would go to sporting events and he would spend time with us just like a brother. When we got older, he would even take us to parties, so he was like one of us.” Having spent 40 of his 57 years in the field of cosmetology, one would wonder what motivated Assee to become involved in the field.

“I really don’t know...  Well one day my mother was reading the story of Clem Lue Yat to me from a newspaper and said, “Why don’t you do this sort of work.” From there I went to train with him and that was about it. Even though I did most of my studying overseas (in the US and Canada and places such as  Vidale Sasson and Jingles International), I feel like I owe most of my success to him and his positive influence. He truly offered me a fantastic foundation on which to build what I have today.” (Lue Yat, is also among the honourees at this evening’s banquet, and also Anthony “Brownie” McFarlane, Kim Aleong and Joan Seudat.)

The well-spoken Assee gave a brief description of his business path saying, “I always wanted my own business, so after training I went on to start a salon at 41 Frederick Street, where Republic Bank is presently located. I then moved to Prince Street, but 20 years ago I moved back to 41 Frederick Street. I’m not sure which is A or B. I was fortunate to be someone who always knew that work was necessary whether I liked it or not. The daily motivation that it takes to get me out to work daily isn’t an issue, it’s something that I’ve taught to my children all their lives as well.” He continued: “I love working with young people. Presently there is a lot of pressure on young people. They get a rough deal; adults are always saying bad things about them. Being a father and someone who works with them directly on a daily basis, I can say that three quarters of the problem with young people are as a result of the adults.”

To support his statement, Assee recounted a story in which a seemingly rational parent raised concerns regarding a dispute between her daughter and a classmate only to display hostile behaviour similar to that of her child. “These days its hard teaching young people. Earlier on, a large percentage of my students used to be very receptive and did well but now it is a bit more difficult to reach them. I have to put up with obscenities, students speaking out of turn, walking out in fits of anger, threatening this and that about what their father or boyfriend will do. Oh boy, it could be stressful but someone has to step up to help them. When they come, here they learn life skills as well. The reportedly stern cosmetology tutor said: “Many people who leave tend to have a strained relationship with me, but it’s like when your mother gave you licks when you where young — you grow to appreciate it. After people leave and establish their own businesses and apply the skills which they learned here to their profession, they tend to come back and visit me and tell me how much the school has helped them.”

I have a set of rules and a system which I don’t bend regardless of who you are. The young people I deal with seem to have a problem with that, so sometimes I have to be like a real miserable old father with them,” laughed Assee. In his paternal manner, Assee reverted to speaking of his concerns for young people without being prompted. “Too many young ones go astray. I have two young children and when they want to go out to concerts in the Savannah or so there is always the fear of what they might meet out there because of the labels placed on people their age.” According to Assee, “Sometimes you simply need to relax. At this age, I just sit at home with my wife. We are not into partying at all. We enjoy driving around the Savannah to buy ice-cream.”