• Laura Tanner, DMK Skincare educator
    Blog

    Laura Tanner, Esthetician: From a Devastating Layoff to DMK Skincare Educator, How a Career in Esthetics Was Born + More

    In this episode of The Everyday Beauty Pro, I sit down with DMK Skincare educator Laura Tanner to discuss her unexpected journey into esthetics. From a career in retail and a devastating layoff to discovering her passion for skincare through a chance encounter with DMK’s founder, Danné Montague-King, Laura shares how she found her true calling. Join me as we dive into her experience transitioning from customer service to education, the power of DMK’s enzyme therapy, and the importance of business knowledge for estheticians. Laura also shares valuable insights on pricing, retail strategies, and how to build a sustainable, successful beauty business. If you’ve ever felt stuck in your career…

  • how to become an esthetician in California
    Blog

    How To Become an Esthetician in California

    So you want to become an esthetician? That’s not surprising, especially with more and more emphasis on the importance of skincare. After watching countless videos on products, extractions, skin conditions and types, skin health, and maybe even other specialties like hair removal, you’re now an aspiring skin care specialist looking into esthetician schools. Don’t know where to start your esthetics career journey? I can help! My name is Adriana and I’ve been a California-licensed esthetician since 2010. And in this post, I’m going to go over how to become an esthetician in California. Jump To The Basics of Becoming an Esthetician in California What Is an Esthetician? What Does an…

  • Laura Larrabee, 360 Wellness Education, esthetician. The Everyday Beauty Pro Pod
    Blog

    Laura Larrabee, Esthetician: Pivoting Into Education/Training, Why Continuing Ed Is Vital for Success, Working with 360 Wellness Education & More

    In this episode of The Everyday Beauty Pro, I sit down with the incredibly accomplished esthetician and educator, Laura Larrabee.  With a background spanning business development, publishing, and esthetics education, Laura shares her fascinating career journey—from obtaining her master’s degree in English Language Literature to becoming a leader in esthetics education and business development at 360 Wellness Education.  We discuss:  Whether you’re an esthetician looking to deepen your expertise, a beauty pro considering an education-focused career, or just someone fascinated by the ever-evolving world of esthetics, this episode is packed with insights, industry know-how, and inspiring takeaways. Tune in and elevate your beauty career with expert knowledge and behind-the-scenes industry wisdom!…

  • Woman with brown hair wearing a pink blazer smiles.
    Blog

    Heaven Luna, Luna Beauty & Wellness: Business Ownership, Setting Professional Boundaries,  Marketing Strategy & More

    In this episode of Everyday Beauty Pro, I sit down with Heaven Luna of Luna Beauty and Wellness in Camarillo, California. Heaven shares her step-by-step journey through the beauty industry, starting with makeup and spray tanning to earning her massage therapy and esthetician licenses. Heaven offers her insights on “niching down,” client retention strategies, and maintaining professional boundaries. Tune in to hear Heaven’s advice on balancing multiple services, successfully using marketing tools like Groupon, and the importance of protecting your body when performing physically demanding treatments.  Whether you’re a seasoned beauty pro or just starting out, this episode is packed with wisdom and real-world experience you won’t want to miss! Find…

  • Taylor Wilson of TJW Esthetics and Starpil Wax USA
    Blog

    Taylor Wilson, TJW Esthetics: Professional Growth, Educating for Starpil, Becoming an Author & More

    In this episode of The Everyday Beauty Pro, I sit down with my friend Taylor Wilson, the Director of Education at Starpil Wax, to explore her incredible journey from hospitality management to becoming a licensed esthetician. We dive into her experiences in the waxing industry and discuss the importance of education and self-care in our field. One of the most inspiring parts of our conversation is hearing about Taylor’s journey to becoming an author. She opens up about writing and publishing her book, The Waxer, a resource designed specifically for estheticians. Taylor explains her goal of making the book both enjoyable and accessible. Her passion for helping others in the…

  • Closeup of woman with dark hair parted down the middle, she's smiling and looking into the camera.
    Blog

    Robin Pettus, Skin with Robin: Navigating Esthetician Career Growth, Entrepreneurship, and More

    Welcome to the first episode of The Everyday Beauty Pro! Today we sit down with my friend from back in the day (all the way back to esthetician school!) Robin Pettus, an esthetician of 14 years, and owner of Skin with Robin in Long Beach, California.  Robin shares her journey from esthetician school at the Santa Barbara City College Cosmetology Academy, to running her own successful business.  We explore her early career struggles, including the frustrating challenge of finding her first job, and how she leveraged opportunities—like working for HydraFacial’s marketing team—to grow her experience and confidence. Show Highlights 1. Esthetician Journey: Robin discusses her inspiration to become an esthetician,…

  • Esthetician applying masque to client. Continuing education esthetician.
    Blog

    Esthetician Continuing Education: Why You Need It + Where To Find It

    I’m embarrassed to admit this, but I went years without learning any new treatments or modalities. However, I was recently inspired by projects I worked on to take some esthetician continuing education courses. The courses I took energized me; they truly reignited my excitement for and interest in skincare. Before then, I was going through the motions of everyday esthetics work. I was doing treatments the same way I had been for years. No wonder I was bored! My experience got me thinking: I can’t be the only skincare professional feeling this way. So I’ve created this blog post to help inspire you to seek out something new.  Come with me…

  • Esthetician working with a client. Esthetician schools.
    Blog

    A List of California Community Colleges With Esthetician Schools

    Want to be an esthetician but nervous about the cost of esthetician school? I don’t blame you. Some esthetician programs come with a price tag of $10,000 or more. A more expensive school doesn’t equal a better education; in fact, I was a Paul Mitchell School esthetics instructor for a while, and I saw no difference between that program and the community college (CC) program I attended.  So before you commit to paying thousands of dollars for the first program you come across, take the time to explore whether there’s a community college or local trade school nearby offering an esthetics program. Jump To A List of Community Colleges in…

  • Woman getting a spray tan done by another woman.
    Blog

    Spray Tan Facts From a Pro: Know Before You Glow

    Spring is here and summer is just around the corner. That means people are shedding those winter layers in exchange for some sun-kissed radiance and glow. But baking and exposing yourself to harmful UV radiation in the sun or tanning beds is so passé–not to mention potentially cancer-causing. These days, the smart and safe way to get some color is either with a sunless tanner or a professional spray tan, AKA an airbrush tan.  I caught up with Heaven Luna, the owner and lead esthetician at Luna Beauty and Wellness in Camarillo, CA, to learn about spray tanning. With a decade of experience, including extensive training and certifications, Heaven is…

  • natural looking eyelash extensions
    Blog,  Lash Extensions,  Lashes

    All About Natural-Looking Eyelash Extensions

    I’ve been a lash artist since 2013. For the past decade, I’ve paid close attention to the evolution of eyelash extension styles. Classic lashes were EVERYWHERE when I first started and every year since then lashes have gotten bigger and bolder. From volume eyelash extensions to mega volume, big lashes have run their course. Now, makeup (and even skincare) trends are leaning more toward natural looks. People want a no makeup, makeup look–and eyelash extensions with a natural look are back. I personally love classics–they’re my fav sets to do! And while I don’t think volume lashes are going anywhere, I do think that more people are going to appreciate…