Esthetician Spotlight: January

At the core of my approach is the belief in the symbiotic relationship between skin and mind, individuals and the environment, and nature and technology. This philosophy informs everything I do—from product formulation to my understanding of beauty and my overall approach to skincare. It has continued to evolve, particularly through my experience developing a skincare series, which ultimately shaped my signature facial treatments and laid the foundation for my new professional holistic-clinical brand, JADÉ Complexions. 

What makes facials at Complexions Skincare Studio unique, and how do they reflect your integrative approach? 

Each of my treatments is designed to nurture the individual on every level—skin, body, and mind. I wanted my facials to go beyond traditional skincare and become a full sensory experience. Our Signature 180 Facial embodies this vision by integrating all of my teachings into one transformative session. 

This treatment features guided meditation during light therapy, a gua sha scalp massage while the Crystalline Marine Facial Polish is on, and a soothing sound bath during the mask application. By combining these elements, our facials not only provide physical benefits but also offer deep mental and emotional rejuvenation, creating a lasting sense of well-being even after the client leaves the studio. 

Your career spans over a decade, from esthetics to makeup artistry and education. What inspired you to integrate Eastern and Western skincare philosophies in your practice? 

In 2019, I was inspired to rebrand my career and create an online series that offered a deeper look into my beauty and personal philosophies. I developed a YouTube series called Complexions by Jade, designed to provide viewers with a multi-sensory ASMR virtual spa experience. This project not only propelled my career to new heights but also revealed a significant desire among people for more from their self-care routines. 

Viewers were drawn to the integration of breathwork, meditation, and holistic techniques with classic skincare practices. As the series gained popularity, I realized that skincare could transcend a mere routine and evolve into a holistic ritual for the skin, mind, and soul. This understanding sparked a new business venture: the creation of JADÉ Complexions and our trademarked approach, HOLISTICEUTICALS™, which combines the best of Eastern and Western medicinal teachings. 

With your ASMR virtual spa series, Complexions by Jadé, you combined skincare with mental wellness. How do you think mental health and skin health are connected, and why Is it important for estheticians to address this connection? 

The skin is the body’s largest organ, and I’ve witnessed how it reflects our inner well-being—both personally and through my clientele over the past decade. I consistently emphasize to my clients that addressing both mental and internal health is crucial for achieving optimal skin vitality. While my signature services follow a similar sequence, I always personalize each session based on the client’s unique skin type and current concerns. I consider not just what I observe in the treatment room, but also what’s happening in their lives, their mindset, and their diet. 

I reimagined my platform to allow individuals worldwide—estheticians and skincare enthusiasts alike—to learn about my transformative treatments, which encompass a 360° approach to wellness that nourishes the soul as much as the skin. I am incredibly passionate about my craft and have made it my mission to inspire other practitioners through this new approach to esthetics, one that I feel fosters lasting skin transformations and deeper connections with their clients.  

You developed the Crystalline Marine Facial Polish to help your brother overcome cystic acne, clogged pores and uneven texture. What was the process like formulating this product, and how did you ensure it would meet professional-grade standards?  

I was inspired to create the Crystalline Marine Facial Polish to help my younger brother, Stephen, with his cystic acne, clogged pores, and uneven texture. The state of his skin was beginning to affect his confidence and mental health. With a passion for formulating since esthetics school, I started experimenting with raw materials like herbs, clays, and natural oils. This journey led me to conduct in-depth research into sustainable ingredients, labs, and suppliers, which deepened my knowledge and passion for formulation and manufacturing. 

Finding the right lab was challenging; in fact, I left four labs before I arrived at the formula we have today. Once I discovered the ideal blend, I sent samples to 95 estheticians within my community for testing to ensure it met professional-grade standards before being released to the public. Their feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with rave reviews and data highlighting the formula’s effectiveness. I knew then that I had to bring this product to market, not only to help individuals like my brother but also to support other estheticians seeking transformative solutions for their clients. 

You’ve worked with many high-profile beauty brands over the years. How have these experiences influenced the way you approach product development and client care at Complexions Skincare Studio? 

I feel incredibly blessed to have worked with top professional and mainstream beauty brands throughout my 14-year career. This experience allowed me to test thousands of products on myself and my clients, revealing gaps in the industry. Frustrated that my clients lacked access to the high-quality skincare they experienced during treatments, I began mixing my own blends and gifting them. This led me deeper into formulation and product development, where I learned about active ingredient levels, clean ingredients, and sustainable solutions. 

Determined to create a brand built from the ground up, I spent five years ensuring it was highly efficacious, with quality active ingredients, recyclable, sustainable, and plant-based professional. I educate every client on this philosophy and how JADÉ Complexions products can enhance their at-home routines so that they can now achieve the same spa-quality results they receive in each of my facials.  

What are some practical ways estheticians can address the emotional aspects of skincare, especially for clients dealing with acne, scarring, or other skin conditions that impact self-confidence? 

At the studio, we prioritize understanding the emotional aspects of skincare by providing clients with an intake form before their treatment. This form includes questions about their nutritional habits, as well as whether they are experiencing any depression or anxiety. This information allows us to tailor their HOLISTICEUTICALS™ treatment to meet their unique needs. 

Based on their responses, we customize the spa experience further by offering food suggestions that support their skin type, recommending essential oils for at-home breathwork, and selecting guided meditations that align with their current state of mind. By addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of skincare, we create a supportive environment that fosters self-acceptance and confidence, helping clients feel empowered on their skincare journey. 

What is your favorite part of your career as an esthetician, and what do you love most about working in the skincare industry? 

What I love most about my career as an esthetician is collaborating with other passionate professionals who share my enthusiasm for learning and growing in the field. I am exceptionally dedicated to education and nurturing fellow skincare professionals to elevate their careers. It has been my mission to create an unmatched support system within the industry, to become the go-to resource for those as dedicated as I am. I created the Complexions Community, an online destination for professionals eager to deepen their passion and achieve personal and professional success in the beauty world. The support I’ve witnessed in this group has brought me immense joy.   

It has also been so fulfilling to be able to help people worldwide achieve their best skin and self through my educational content. Reading comments from followers who have cleared their skin or learned about meditation through my videos is incredibly rewarding. My purpose has always been to help others feel comfortable in their skin—whether through makeup in the early days of my career or during one of my facials at the studio and I feel I am doing that through my platform.  

If you could go back in time to when you first started your career as an esthetician and makeup artist, what advice would you give your younger self? 

If I’m being honest, this question always makes me a bit emotional. The girl I was back then pursued her dreams despite facing many personal hardships. She struggled with self-confidence and insecurities but always found a way to help others feel their best. If I could go back, I would show her everything she would eventually build because she remained true to herself and never let anything get in the way of her dreams. 

I would tell her how loved she is and how proud she should be of what she accomplished at such a young age. Above all, I would remind her to be gentle with herself; she will get to exactly where she is meant to be and, along the way, help so many others do the same.  

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/jadecomplexions/ (brand) 

https://www.instagram.com/jadeywadey180/  (personal) 

 Website: https://www.jadecomplexions.com