Esthetician Spotlight: November

With Katey Kristabelle,
Owner of MINDFUL BEAUTY

What inspired you to pursue a career in esthetics? 

I love skincare and helping other women glow and feel confident, so there really was no other option. I think it was written in the stars for me. Along with my own long-time struggles with acne that made me passionate to become the support that I didn’t have but needed through my skin journey.  

How has your business evolved since you first started?

I first started my career working my way up at a local franchise face spa and brow bar. I went from the newbie sweeping floors and answering phone calls, to the manager training and mentoring our esthetician team while being fully booked and busy with loyal clients. It was a major evolution for me to go solo, which has allowed me the freedom to hand-pick my skincare and service offerings to best suit my clients’ needs. My business started with me selling gua sha stones during the pandemic as a way to stay connected, to creating my own website platform, and having my own treatment room to serve as a sanctuary for myself and my clients who I am so grateful for.  

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Your clients are people just like you, so treat them the way you want to be treated when you
are sitting on the other end of the service chair.

What is your skincare philosophy when it comes to treating clients’ skin? 

When treating clients’ skin, my philosophy is that skin care doesn’t have to be complicated in order to be effective and we don’t need to hurt the skin in order to help it. My skincare routines are always moisture barrier-focused while individualizing each client’s needs to achieve their short and long term skin goals.  

What is your favorite type of skin to treat and why? 

I love all skin. I’m fascinated with its innate ability to heal and restore itself. But I think acne-prone skin will always hold a special place in my heart because I am so empathetic to what my acne clients are going through both physically and emotionally. It is also the best feeling when they are happy and clear and getting to see them grow into their glow.   

What makes your facials stand out? 

I think my facials stand out because they are a whole sensory experience that my clients really love and look forward to. They are a reset for the skin and soul. I strive to always create an environment where my clients feel both safe and seen so they leave fully refreshed and ready to take on the world.  

Can you tell us how your holistic skin consultations were developed and how you empower clients to become their own skin healers? 

My holistic skin consultations originally started during pandemic. Facials were locked down, but women were still in need and asking for skin guidance. As a holistic esthetician, self-healing is a key theme that comes up in my practice. My clients are women who want to learn how to take care of their skin inside and out, and I teach them the skincare foundations, mindset, and lifestyle shifts that might help them better achieve their goals and break up with old patterns that are no longer serving them. Dealing with skin issues can be very self-isolating and confusing and I’m here to help other women not feel alone and simplify things with them. It is also nice now to be able to cater to clients at a distance who are unable to come in for facials.  

If you could describe yourself as an esthetician in three words, what would they be? 

Compassionate, detailed, and fun. 

What advice would you give to new estheticians entering the industry today? 

You will do just fine! Take it one step at a time. Your clients are people just like you, so treat them the way you want to be treated when you are sitting on the other end of the service chair. There is always something new to learn. And lastly, people might forget what you said or did, but they will always remember how you made them feel.   

How do you stay on top of industry trends and innovations in skincare? 

I love reading and self-researching through books, articles, and magazines. I think social media is a fun way to stay in the heart beat of what is trending among clients and see what other industry pros are talking about.  

What has been your biggest challenge as an esthetician, and how did you overcome it? 

My biggest challenge has been believing in myself, and I am always working on overcoming feelings of imposter syndrome or not being enough. I saw a quote that said “feel the fear and do it anyway”, and It is something I try to live by. You’ll never know unless you try. My clients are also so uplifting and supportive, they make me feel like I can achieve anything and I want to be my best for them. 

What role does continuing education play in your career as an esthetician? 

It is absolutely everything. Continuing your niche-focused education and self-research are both what will set you apart and help you specialize in caring for the skin.  

What are the most common skincare misconceptions you encounter, and how do you address them with your clients? 

I think one popular misconception is that oily, or acne prone skin clients tend to stay away from using anything to hydrate or moisturize their skin thinking that it will make their skin “worse”. I address this, and any misconception or concern, by talking it out and educating my clients. For example letting the oily, or acne prone client know that supporting their moisture barrier will help with hydration levels, which can help with congestion, inflammation, and balanced oils. We then get started on a skincare plan they are comfortable with, and they get to see for themselves the shift in their skin over time applying what they have learned.  

How do you approach client retention and building long-term relationships? 

To be honest, it is always something that has come natural to me. I think it is important to treat clients the way you would like to be treated, and consider the feelings and qualities associated with why you return to your service providers. If you can answer what makes YOU a repeat client, then you have the answers to how to build long-term relationships with your own clients.  

What trends in skincare or wellness do you predict will shape the industry in the next few years? 

I can see that more women are dissolving their filler and wanting natural alternatives to anti-wrinkle ingestions such as Botox. I think over the next few years we will see an uprising of holistic skincare and embracing and enhancing natural beauty.  

What advice would you give to esties for marketing their businesses online? 

Technology has changed our lives in so many ways. In my business it has allowed me to connect to other like-minded people and communicate directly to my clients. My best advice to other esties would be that likes and followers do not equal booked appointments. I was booked out weeks and months ahead of time long before I had any followers at all. Word of mouth will always be your best advertisement.  

Also, you need to be yourself. You’ll never attract your ideal client if you are pretending to be something that you’re not on social media. So if dancing online makes you feel silly, don’t do it, but at the same time find ways to put yourself out there that showcase your skills and personality so that your current and potential clients can get to know you and feel like they are part of your story.