Scrolling through TikTok, it’s easy to believe beauty hacks are life-changing discoveries. If you’re thinking about enrolling in beauty schools in Winnipeg, Manitoba, you’re probably already learning to separate viral trends from real techniques. From DIY facials to at-home lash lifts, the platform is packed with esthetician and cosmetology trends that promise instant results. 

But what actually works in a professional setting, and what’s just social media fluff?Let’s break down what’s salon-worthy and what should stay in your saved videos—never on a client’s face.

oman looking in mirror and wondering if she should dermaplane at home or let someone with a beauty school in Winnipeg, Manitoba diploma do it

1. Dermaplaning with a Drugstore Razor – 🚫 FLUFF (according to a Beauty School in Winnipeg, Manitoba)

TikTokers love using cheap razors to mimic professional dermaplaning, but here’s the catch—it’s not the same thing. In professional settings, dermaplaning uses a sterile surgical-grade scalpel to gently remove dead skin and vellus hair (peach fuzz).

Drugstore razors? They dull quickly, aren’t designed for precision, and can lead to microtears, irritation, or even infection. It’s basically just shaving.

Salon-Worthy Alternative: Professional dermaplaning, as taught in accredited beauty schools (such as in Winnipeg, Manitoba), is performed with controlled techniques to actually clear dead skin cells, brighten skin and improve product absorption.

woman getting her ice roller out of the fridge before she started studying at a Beauty School in Winnipeg, Manitoba

2. Ice Rolling to “Shrink Pores” – ❄️ PARTIAL TRUTH

(according to a Beauty School in Winnipeg, Manitoba)

Ice rollers and cold therapy can temporarily reduce puffiness and give skin a refreshed look, but the idea that they shrink pores permanently is a myth. Pore size is genetically determined, and while cold temperatures can make them appear smaller, they’ll return to normal once the skin warms up.

Salon-Worthy Alternative: In professional treatments, laser facials and chemical peels can deep clean pores and refine skin texture for long-term improvement.

A person temporarily laminating her brows before she started studying at a Beauty School in Winnipeg, Manitoba

3. DIY Brow Lamination with Soap or Hair Gel – 🚫 FLUFF-ish

(according to a Beauty School in Winnipeg, Manitoba)

The soap brow trend became huge, with influencers using bar soap or hair gel for a laminated look. While this does mimic professional brow lamination for a day, it doesn’t provide long-term shaping. Worse? Some hair gels contain drying alcohols, leading to brittle brow hairs and irritated skin.

Salon-Worthy Alternative: Professional brow lamination, trained in beauty schools in Winnipeg, Manitoba, softens and reshapes brow hairs for weeks of low-maintenance, sculpted brows.

Person thinking about self-microneedling with a pen

4. Pen Microneedling at Home – 🚫 DANGER ZONE

(according to a Beauty School in Winnipeg, Manitoba)

TikTok makes at-home microneedling pens seem like a skincare miracle, but these devices carry serious risks. Without proper technique, sterile tools, and professional training, users can cause scarring, infections, and even worsen skin conditions.

Salon-Worthy Alternative: Licensed estheticians and skin technicians must receive additional training to perform microneedling in controlled settings using medical-grade devices, ensuring safe collagen stimulation and skin renewal.

A person scooping up gel

5. Slugging for Ultra-Hydration – ✅ SALON-WORTHY

One trend that actually holds up? Slugging—the practice of sealing in moisture with petroleum jelly overnight. While it’s not for acne-prone skin, it helps lock in hydration, especially during cold winters in Winnipeg.

Oily/Acne-Prone Skin Beware: Slugging can trap oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells, potentially worsening breakouts and congestion for acne-prone skin.

Salon-Worthy Tip: If you want hydrated, glowing skin, professional hydrating facials and medical-grade skincare deliver even better long-term results.