RISING STAR Competition
fundamental esthetics

The CIDESCO Section USA Fundamental Esthetics Competition is an individual practical competition focused on the essential skills of a professional facial treatment.

Competitors will demonstrate technical execution, sanitation, client care, organization and professionalism while completing the required treatment sequence:

CLEANSE → TONE → MASSAGE → MASK → FINISH

4/5/27 - 11:00AM - 4:00PM

REGISTRATION

DIVISION

ENTRY FEE

INCLUDES

MUST BE:

PROFESSIONAL

$199

Competition Entry + CIDESCO-branded competition shirt

ABS admission sold separately

Licensed estheticians*

Limited to 30 professional across two rounds of 10.

STUDENT

$99

Competition Entry + CIDESCO-branded competition shirt

ABS admission sold separately

Students* who are actively enrolled in an esthetics program at time of competition.

Limited to 15 student competitors.

*Competitors must be at least 18 years old and must comply with all applicable licensing, school, venue and health/safety requirements.

GENERAL INFO

COMPETITION BREAKDOWN

Each competitor will perform the same fundamental facial treatment on a live model. The focus is on mastery of professional fundamentals—not advanced modalities or complicated treatment protocols.

Competition timing: 50 minutes for treatment + 10 minutes for final cleanup = 60-minute competition period.

ORDER OF EVENTS

10 MINUTES
CLEANSE
Prepare the model and perform a professional facial cleanse appropriate to the model’s skin condition.
5 MINUTES
TONE
Apply an appropriate toner following cleansing.
15 minutes
MASSAGE
Perform a professional facial massage using an appropriate massage medium. Massage is the most heavily weighted technical portion of the competition.
10 MINUTES
MASK
Select, prepare, apply and remove an appropriate facial mask.
5 MINUTES
FINISH
Complete the treatment with appropriate finishing products such as moisturizer, eye/lip product and SPF/day protection, where appropriate.

WHAT TO BRING

Each competitor is responsible for bringing a complete personal professional esthetics kit, including:

Facial cleanser, toner, massage medium, facial mask, moisturizer and appropriate finishing/SPF products

Towels and headband

Sheets/Model Covering/Blankets

Facial sponges, cotton rounds/pads, gauze and tissues

Applicators, mask brushes, bowls, spatulas and mixing implements

Waste bags

Hand sanitizer and appropriate disinfectant

Disposable gloves and other necessary sanitation supplies

Any permitted small professional implements needed to complete the facial

Product requirements: All products must be professional, clearly labeled, within their expiration/use period and appropriate for facial use. Products should not be transferred into unmarked containers.

LIVE MODEL REQUIREMENTS

Competitors must provide their own live model.

Models must be at least 18 years old.

Models must complete the required consent/release.

Models must arrive on time and remain with the competitor during the treatment.

Models must disclose relevant skin sensitivities or allergies.

The Competition Director may refuse a model if there is a health or safety concern.

KEY COMPETITION RULES

NOT PERMITTED:

Competitors must work independently and remain at their assigned workstation.

EXTRACTIONS

Competitors must follow the required treatment sequence: Cleanse → Tone → Massage → Mask → Finish.

MICRODERMABRASION

No assistance may be received from instructors, coaches, models or spectators.

NEEDLING

Competitors may not communicate with judges while judging is taking place.

WAXING

Mobile phones must be turned off or placed away from the workstation.

DERMAPLANING

Competitors must maintain professional conduct and follow all sanitation and safety requirements.

HIGH-FREQUENCY OR ELECTRICAL MODALITIES

Competitors must immediately stop working when instructed by the Competition Director.

PEELS

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AGRESSIVE EXFOLIATION

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UNSAFE CHEMICAL PROCEDURES

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ANY PROCEDURE REQUIRING ADDITIONAL LICENSING OR CERTIFICATION BEYOND THE COMPETITION SCOPE

JUDGING CRITERIA

Each competitor will be evaluated independently using a 100-point scoring system. The judging framework emphasizes technique, sanitation, client comfort, professionalism and efficient execution.

Competition schedule - 4.5.27

The competition will accommodate up to 45 competitors in three rounds of 15. Each round includes a 60-minute competition period. A 30-minute turnover period between rounds allows for cleanup, reset and setup for the next group