• 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…

  • 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…

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    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…

  • Lash Lift Service
    Blog,  Lashes

    Lash Lift 101: Everything You Need to Know

    If you are into beauty in any way, you’ve probably noticed the lash lift is having a moment. They’re a low maintenance service and I personally love them. I have been getting them done for many years–for so long, in fact, that back then they were still referred to as a lash perm. I’m a lash artist and when I still saw clients I focused on lash extensions. I never got into performing lifts so I don’t feel comfortable sharing only what I know about them. So, I interviewed licensed beauty pro, Ilene Avila of The Arch & Lash Room in Ventura, CA to get some more information for you.…

  • Blog

    4 Helpful Ways to Prepare For Eyelash Extensions

    Expect to spend 1.5-3ish hours getting your full set of eyelash extensions done. Timing depends on the type of lashes you’re getting and speed of the lash artist working on you. It’s also going to take longer (or it might take the same amount of time, you just won’t get a complete set) if you’re fidgeting too much, your eyelids are fluttering, you’re talking a lot, trying to answer or talk on your phone, or need to get up to use the restroom during your appointment. To maximize your appointment time, I suggest: Avoiding coffee Using the restroom immediately before Putting your phone away Taking a nap (you’ll wake up…

  • Blog

    What Causes Dark Circles Under Eyes?

    Dark under eye circles making you look tired? If you’ve ever wondered what causes dark circles under eyes you’re not alone. Dark circles are the result of a myriad of issues: some are easy fixes, others not so much. However, I’m going to do my best to address some that are more common and have easy(ish) solutions that may help, then introduce you to a new under eye product that I am loving right now.  What causes dark circles under eyes? (This list is nowhere near exhaustive.) Hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) Allergies Lack of sleep (affects circulation around the eyes) Dehydration (can cause hollowing around the eyes, which can…

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    Blog

    A Skin Cancer Survivor’s Story

    My friend Amanda is one of the nicest, kindest people I know. She grew up in Southern California in a small beach community and loves the beach, traveling, yoga, reading, learning other languages, and just enjoying her life. At only 34 years old she was diagnosed with skin cancer, and she has graciously agreed to share her story. She hopes it can help at least one person avoid what she has had to go through.  A History of Tanning Amanda always wore sunscreen, especially on her face, but when she was in her early 20s she used tanning beds and laid out during the summers and baked. In fact, there…