1. What do you do at Element and how long have you been there?
I am an esthetician and skincare specialist. I offer various facial treatments targeted to enhance the natural health and beauty of your skin and complexion. These treatments include an organic facial, utilizing a selection of active and results-driven product lines – iSun (wildcrafted, organic ingredients), Benev (cosmeseutical line), and Le Mieux Cosmetics (scientifically advanced skincare serums.and masks); dermaplane treatments (exfoliation of the skin and removal of vellus hair, allowing the skin to regenerate new, healthy epithelial tissue); lash extension services, and customized body exfoliation treatments. I have been working at Element since early May of this year.
2. Tell us a little bit about your background… and how you came to do what you do at Element.
Throughout my high school and early twenties, I always had a passion for skin and beauty, creating my own facial masks at home and visiting local beauty stores to learn about the latest products for the face and body. While I was a flight attendant at United Airlines, I was furloughed and allowed to take a training course to pursue a new career. In 2001, I studied esthetics at Yvonne de Vilar Scientific Institute, in Vienna, Virginia. At the conclusion of my program, I was blessed to be hired at The Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner, and there my passion for facials began. In 2004, I was offered the opportunity to work full-time as an esthetician at The Mandarin Oriental in Washington, D.C. During an intense two-month training period, I was introduced to some amazing Ayurvedic facial and massage treatments. Then, I decided to add-on to my esthetics training and become a dual-licensed therapist in massage and esthetics. I attended Nevada School of Massage, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and from there, I learned how to perform various massage modalities and incorporate my massage training into my facial treatment techniques.
3. What makes your practice satisfying/fulfilling for you? What is the most misunderstood aspect of what you do?
Touch is so powerful. To be able to transform someone physically and emotionally to a place of peace and tranquility just by utilizing the talents I have been blessed with is so rewarding. I enjoy talking to clients and assisting them in obtaining their skincare goals by providing facial treatments, but ultimately I educate my clients on the importance maintaining a consistent skincare regimen to empower them.
Every esthetician has her own touch and treatment technique. I tend to combine massage with unique facial manipulations that aid in increasing blood flow and circulation, reduction of skin inflammation, and minimize fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and acne scars. A lot of clients feel that a facial treatment should be painful to be effective. However, that is definitely not the case. There is a way to receive a relaxing facial treatment, yet have a deep cleansing treatment with extractions and light resurfacing.
4. If you could tell a prospective/new client one or two things that are crucial to know about your practice, what would they be?
I offer unique facial treatments and keep up to date with the latest services available in the industry. Facials are not just relaxing, they are beneficial to helping relax the mind and reducing emotional stress and fatigue.
5. What do you like do when you’re not at Element?
I am actually putting together a video blog on YouTube called Transcending Beauty. I will talk about various skincare and wellness related topics, including understanding the importance of product ingredients and knowing what you are actually putting on your skin; how to curate your own products at home; and the latest happenings in the skincare industry.
I love to travel to new destinations and learn about history and culture.