For most of us in aesthetics, it takes time to find your home in this industry. There are so many avenues you can take. You can work in a spa, as a lash artist, wax specialist, medical aesthetician, franchise, privately-owned, suite, etc. and I wish I fully understood the logistics of all of these options before starting my aesthetic journey but my path was my path, and led me to where I am now, so I’m forever thankful. Some people definitely know what they want to focus on and kudos to you- but I chose to dip my toes in all aesthetics had to offer, in order to make a sensible decision as to what my ultimate career goals were, and frankly what would financially support me, and what I actually enjoyed doing.
To start, yes, I had gotten into this because I wanted to do skincare and eventually get to medical aesthetics, and as you can see- I’m here now but boy was it a journey. The problem is, a lot of good spas or medical aesthetics rarely hire you without work history, and for good reason- you have no clients or experience to offer them. I quickly found that the only way to get my foot in the door is sucking it up at a franchise for a while and I don’t want to stick up my nose at franchises at all- I’ve worked for plenty of them. I also know plenty of successful franchise estheticians but I was coming into this field out of a well-paying corporate job and I couldn’t work at a franchise for minimum wage or commission… because I knew it would take time to build a busy book and it simply wasn’t a sacrifice I could afford to make.
For whatever reason every franchise in terms of facials that I applied and interviewed at the pay was just terrible compared to other services, so this is where me exploring the many niches of the industry came in…
To start, I worked as a wax specialist- it was not my thing but I saw the earning potential… and I can understand why certain personalities would thrive in this environment. Believe it or not, most wax services tend to be 15 minute appointments, of course unless one person is waxing multiple parts of their body in one shot, but typically you are with a guest every 15-30 minutes at the most. This is great for tips, as you have the potential to get 4 tips within an hour. It’s also great for bubbly, talkative, extroverted people, as you have such a short time to build a relationship with your client. This is where I struggled. I am what you’d call an introverted-extrovert, I am personable but I definitely need more time to have a good, authentic rapport with my clients. Having 15 minutes to do a perfect wax, be charming, and attempt to sell product was just not for me, but I worked with a ton of girls who were great at it.
Even me, not being one of the busiest girls in my studio, still had a decent book and did okay, so if you’re booked and have good client retention, there is potential to make great money. I have waxed for both a franchise and a privately owned business. If this is something you’re thinking about, I would suggest trying to get into somewhere privately owned as the pay tends to be astronomically better. For example, 4 Brazilian waxes within an hour at a franchise would earn me about $75 an hour (including tips) while 4 Brazilian waxes at a privately-owned studio would earn me about $150 an hour (including tips). I’m not saying I was always booked like that or that you will be, but I know people who definitely are, so if waxing could be your niche, it may be worth exploring if you can find a busy, commission-based location.
Next, I worked at a lash studio. So the reason I went into this was definitely for some selfish gain… so in esthetics school, you don’t learn how to do lash services, there are additional courses you would have to pay for to learn and earn a lash certification. However, if you get a job at certain franchises they will give you a two-week training course, to earn that certification- which you’re paid to take! Yes, you heard that right but there is a caveat, if you quit within a certain time frame, I believe my contract was 9 months, then you would have to pay for the training course. Honestly, I thought brilliant, I’ll get paid to learn a new skill and earn a certification- regardless if I hate it, I can last 9 months! So noble, I know. But actually I didn’t hate it.
Lashing is definitely tedious, and rough on your body, but if you enjoy puzzles, crafty little tasks, and things like that- it may be for you. I think that’s what I enjoyed about it anyway. Most of all, it was generally quiet and it was such a contrast to waxing where as I had an hour or more to build relationships with clients which I soon learned was more my speed. I take time to warm up to people, okay? But yeah I didn’t mind lashing, and continued to do it both on the side and at other jobs but I developed an allergy to the glue so now I only do lash lifts- which I have always enjoyed more, so it’s a win-win. I’m still using that lash education and certification so definitely a worthwhile experience for me!
As far as money goes, if you’re busy you can definitely do well lashing. It is expensive, some say a luxury service, so tips tend to be bigger… again once you have a decent book and can earn commission that’s always a better gig. I was just always hesitant to go that route until I was secure with a steady book that was scheduled out weeks in advance so trust your gut when it comes to selecting the way you’re paid because some places will give you the option!
Here is where I stopped performing services entirely and worked as the beauty manager for a catalog company turned brick and mortar store. This was actually a super pleasant and worthwhile experience. So to explain again, this was a womens store that began kind of as a lifestyle brand/catalog, then they started opening stores all over the country. They sold high-end skincare and cosmetics as well. Once they opened stores, they wanted someone who can focus on product knowledge and education, and bring more awareness to these offerings to clients.
It was my job to meet with reps, learn the product ingredients, functions, ideal customer, etc. and train the staff on the products as well. Basically, while I was working in the beauty department, it was my responsibility to be sure anyone who worked in the store could speak to the products and sell them- because obviously I wasn’t always there. I loved this because if you already know and follow me, you know I’m all about ingredients and product knowledge so I had a lot of fun with this. About once a month we would highlight a different brand and hold events, where there would be some kind of special, beverages, snacks and we would take consultation appointments to build customer’s regimens.
Due to Covid, stores all over closed down- and honestly from what I learned they seemed like they really over spent and went crazy opening a ton of stores too soon. The store was absolutely stunning, we had fresh flower deliveries weekly, I think our bathroom alone cost thousands of dollars etc. like again in theory it was all wonderful but it seemed like they bit off more than they could chew and overspent on a lot of little details which was nice but not necessary and also during a time where online shopping is thriving more than ever… they also paid their staff abnormally well for retail. Admittedly, I had no frame of reference for this but all of my coworkers and acquaintances with retail background, confirmed that to be true… and while that was great for us, I don’t think it helped keep stores open through a tough time.
But I was lucky and am very grateful for all I got out of my time there. My manager was amazing and taught me so much, she even selected me to travel with her to another state to help with a store opening so it was really cool to have a hand in that and get to see all the behind the scenes. Our store was also always participating in the community and events so it was a very fulfilling experience. All that said, retail isn’t for the weak. My only qualm with the job was I hardly saw anyone that year. Your schedule is just all over the place, making it really hard to maintain a good work-life balance, so in the back of my mind I always knew it wasn’t going to be my end game.
Okay, so waxing, lashes, retail- finally: facials. I have worked for a lesser known franchise for a while, it was owned by a former-classmates parents and it was a very nice experience. While yes, I have my gripes about facial franchise joints this definitely didn’t feel that way and it was all because of the ownership. So don’t let me deter you away from franchises, you can have a great experience, good opportunities and successful career with one, but just trust your gut with your bosses and owners. These people in particular, built a culture that felt like family. This was a newer, not as saturated franchise so a lot of clients didn’t even know it was one until I told them and I lost track of how many times people said to me “I never felt like this was a franchise” so that’s huge. If you can make a franchise feel like a mom and pop spa, then you’re truly doing something right. Unfortunately, they sold it to the most franchise-y people I had ever met and my last day was their last day. After one of the owners sat me down and asked me to stay, I simply said “I was here because of you guys and I’m gonna have to leave with you too” and so I did.
Then, I worked somewhere privately owned. It was busy and they clearly needed providers. They were only offering commission which scared me but it was decently high and again, they seemed like they needed the help so I was confident I’d be busy enough. By this time, I was more of an adult and actually had money so was able to afford a slow start if needed… however, I didn’t need it. I don’t think I ever really had a slow week at my last job. I did a little of everything, facials, lashes and waxing… which sounds great and for a while it was, but once the excitement wore off I realized it was a lot of smoke and mirrors. Corners were being cut, it was hard to have pride in my work with the products and unregulated devices being used… and well there’s just too much I’d rather not put in writing but I want to give some advice to newer aestheticians: do not allow someone to pay you as a contractor. This is something that runs rampant in this industry and owners do it to save on taxes but it screws you. Work somewhere where you are a w2 employee… and that’s all I’ll say about that.
So long story short… I had gone to Artistic Academy with Nicole, one of the founders of Exhibit Medical Aesthetics. I instantly gravitated to her, because I could tell she was one of the other non-fetuses in the class… she was a full-time ER nurse working overnights and coming right to class, practically falling asleep. I was instantly impressed by her discipline and work ethic- I sure as hell couldn’t have done that… and in my mind she was already a success, so I remember asking her, if you’re a nurse what are you doing here- because that’s how tactful I can be… she explained she wanted to get into injectables and that no, she didn’t need to be there but she wanted to learn more about skin, I liked her even more now. So we ended up in the same circle at school and stayed in touch through the years. I was probably one of the first lips she injected as a few of us from school flocked to her.
It’s funny to think about that years ago, I got a text from her asking if I’d want to work for her if she did her own thing, obviously I said yes. At the time though, I can tell it was all just thoughts and maybe a little premature… then in March 2023, I got another message from her, and I believe she said something along the lines of “it’s real this time” to which I responded don’t you dare think of anyone else to ask because I’m coming. I knew Nicole’s talent and work ethic already, and knew enough of Melissa to think she wouldn’t be much different. I knew these were the people I needed to work with and for. I knew this would be the place I needed to grow and be proud of my work again. Flash to now- I was right (to be fair I usually am) I have been inspired by them every day, their work ethic is infectious.
Thanks to them, I have been presented with so many new learning opportunities. I can now say I work in medical aesthetics! Woohoo! At times I wasn’t sure if I would get here and I especially didn’t foresee being somewhere that I’d be so motivated by amazing leadership and hard work. Somewhere that creativity, learning, and innovation is a priority and celebrated. I have already learned so much and have been able to perform services I could never do outside of a medical setting, real, results-driven stuff which was why I ever wanted to get into this to begin with. I am so grateful for Nicole, Melissa, and Exhibit. They have provided this amazing space and a career that I have so much pride in. Most importantly, I’m not worried about tomorrow, I’m excited for the future and I look forward to growing more and more every day. So if any future aestheticians are reading: don’t get discouraged by a bumpy road- I don’t regret any of my past employment, it’s all contributed to making me a better aesthetician. Most importantly, be sure to be driven by your passion, not money- that way, you’re sure to get where you’re meant to be.