Did you know October is National Esthetician Month? Skincare brand Cosmedix declared the month in 2016 and has celebrated it for the past six years. Originally, National Esthetician Day was the only day of recognition for the professionals each year on October 15th. But according to Cosmedix, “We love our aestheticians so much, we felt that they need to be celebrated for the entire month of October.” This month was developed to celebrate the essential role all estheticians play in their client’s journey toward healthy skin.
We have some amazing estheticians in the community, so we reached out to ShearShare Pro Kristen Skye in honor of the month. She is a licensed esthetician in Buffalo, NY that’s constantly testing out new skincare products and recipes. Kristen aims to provide her clients with factual, easy-to-understand information about skincare. We asked this expert questions, and some of her responses were surprising. Get to know Kristen below, and consider tipping your esthetician a little extra at your monthly appointment.
Q&A with Kristen Skye
- How long have you been an esthetician and why did you decide to become one?
I’ve been an esthetician for almost a year and a half. I decided to become one because I am also in nursing school and wanted to work as a nurse in either dermatology or medical aesthetics. I thought that going to esthetician school would give me a great background in skincare and teach me all the things about the skin that they don’t teach in nursing school.
- What is a common misconception about skincare?
A common misconception is that skincare is a girly thing. Guys need skincare too! I’ve noticed lately that guys are starting to care more about their skin and ask questions about it, so I love that!
- What is your skincare routine?
I keep it pretty simple. In the mornings, I wash my face, apply a serum, apply moisturizer, and apply sunscreen. At night, I wash my face, apply a chemical exfoliant 2 or 3 times a week, apply a serum, and apply moisturizer. I also use retinol two nights a week.
- How do you encourage your clients to maintain their skincare routine?
Keep it simple! A lot of people struggle to maintain a routine because it takes up time or they’re always running late, so I always tell them that they don’t need a lengthy 12-step routine, they can keep it to 2 or 3 steps depending on their skin needs. And if they forget to wash their face and do their skincare before bed because they’re too tired, they don’t need to wait until they go to bed to do it. They can do their nighttime skincare routine when they get home from work and have nowhere else to be for the night.
- The skincare industry can be expensive to buy into. What skincare hack can people incorporate into their routine without breaking the bank?
Drink more water!! Your skin is the last of your body’s organs to receive the water that you drink, so you really need a lot of it. Also, your products don’t need to be expensive. This is an unpopular opinion among professionals in the industry, but some of the cheaper products you can get from Target or the drugstore can work really well for some people. It’s all about finding what works for you.
- What are some of your favorite skincare products?
Currently, my favorite products are from Hero Cosmetics. I’ve been using their Clear Collective line and really love how it makes my skin feel. The line includes an exfoliating jelly cleanser, serum toner, and moisturizer. I love the Hero brand because their products are cheap but effective and they sell them in Target, so they’re easily accessible to everyone. Their Mighty Patch pimple patches are a favorite too, I use them all the time. I also love a good sunscreen that makes your skin glowy, one I just finished off was the Tula Protect and Glow SPF.
- What advice would you give someone struggling with skin issues?
I would tell them to find a professional to help treat their skin and give product recommendations that are customized to their skin needs. And remember that nobody’s skin is perfect 100% of the time, the flawless skin we see on social media and in magazines isn’t natural. Comparison is the killer of happiness.
- How has ShearShare helped you expand your business as an esthetician?
ShearShare has allowed me to take clients again and grow my clientele. As I’m still in nursing school, I don’t have the time to have my own space to do treatments in, so I love being able to rent out rooms for a day and offer services whenever I’m available!
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