The Everyday Beauty Pro

In this episode of The Everyday Beauty Pro, I sit down with L.A.-based esthetician Carla Bonilla of Carla Bonilla Beauty We have an honest conversation about what it actually looks like to build experience in this industry, and how your path can evolve in ways you didn’t expect—and even be better than what you thought you wanted. We talk about the pressure many estheticians put on themselves to land that “dream” med spa or luxury spa job right away, the reality of paying your dues, and what happens when your career starts to shift in a new direction. Carla shares her journey from starting in the beauty industry as a makeup artist, going to esthetician school and landing her first few jobs, eventually working for herself, and also becoming an esthetics teacher. This episode is about professional development, determination, and defining success not just by where you work, but by how you grow and give back to your community. If you’ve ever felt disappointed by your job search, questioned your path, or wondered what’s next for you as a beauty professional, this conversation is a reminder that every phase of your career has purpose. Connect with Carla: Website: https://www.carlabonillabeauty.com/ IG: @carlabonillabeauty Catch up on the last pod episode with Sian Ayres-Harden. Thinking about going to esthetician school in California? Consider an esthetics program at a California community college. The post Carla Bonilla, L.E. ✨ From Makeup Artist to Esthetician: Putting In Work, Building Community, and Finding Her Path to Entrepreneurship & Teaching appeared first on Skincare By Adriana.

In this episode of Everyday Beauty Pro, I sit down with Sian Ayers-Harden—licensed esthetician, holistic skincare expert, and esthetics instructor at the Santa Barbara City College Cosmetology Academy (the very program I graduated from!). Sian shares her inspiring journey from stay-at-home mom to thriving esthetician, business owner, and beloved educator. She opens up about building clientele as a new professional, the importance of uplifting community within the beauty industry, and her transition into teaching at Santa Barbara City College. We talk holistic skin health, why barrier-supportive treatments matter, how estheticians can stand out in a competitive field, and what today’s students truly need beyond the standard curriculum. Sian also dives into her passion for modalities like nano-infusion, microcurrent, and the power of internal wellness in addressing skin concerns. If you’re a new esthetician, a beauty student, or a seasoned pro looking for renewed inspiration, this conversation will inspire you. Interested in the esthetician program at Santa Barbara City College? Be sure to check out the program website.  Learn more about esthetics instructor and esthetician Sian Ayers-Harden, and view her treatment offerings.  Find Sian on Instagram @skincareby_sian. Learn about becoming an esthetician in California. And find a community college esthetician program in California near you.  The post Sian Ayers-Harden, LE — Skin Care By Sian: Teaching at the Santa Barbara City College Esthetics Program, Holistic Esthetics, and Running a Business appeared first on Skincare By Adriana.

In this episode of Everyday Beauty Pro, I sit down with esthetician and lash artist Sarah Fox, founder of LashFox in Ventura, CA. Sarah shares her journey from starting beauty school at just 20 years old to running her own thriving business for over a decade. She opens up about the early challenges of building clientele, the importance of setting firm boundaries with clients, and how she stayed committed to her craft—even through the uncertainty of COVID shutdowns. Sarah also talks about finding her niche in creating natural-looking lash extensions, why she prioritizes client education and lash health, and how returning to school for business and marketing gave her the tools to take her brand to the next level. You will come away inspired by Sarah’s honesty, resilience, and practical advice for beauty professionals—whether it’s managing pricing, navigating fills when a client comes in with just two single lashes on, or simply remembering not to give up when things get tough. Tune in to hear Sarah’s story, her favorite pro products, and her advice for staying authentic in a competitive industry. Find Sarah on IG: @LashFox Check out her website: https://www.lashfoxventura.com/ The post Sarah Fox, LE — LASHFOX: A Lash Business Built on Boundaries, Integrity, Continued Growth, and Confident Pricing appeared first on Skincare By Adriana.

In this episode of The Everyday Beauty Pro, I sit down with Nicole Sanchez, a bilingual esthetician and owner of All You Skincare Spa in Port Hueneme, California. Nicole shares her candid journey from feeling lost after esthetics school to building a thriving esthetics business serving her local Spanish-speaking community.  She opens up about the challenges she’s faced in her esthetics career—from early business setbacks to misaligned work environments, and even unexpected city zoning issues—and how each obstacle became a stepping stone toward her current success.  Tune in to hear how Nicole embraced resilience, found her niche, and created a rewarding spa business that reflects her values and unique talents. Nicole’s Website: https://allyouskin.com/ Follow Nicole on IG: @allyouskincare The post Nicole Sanchez, Esthetician: Rediscovering Passion, Navigating Career Detours & Building a Skincare Business Rooted in Family, Community, and Self-Care appeared first on Skincare By Adriana.

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 or wondered how to take your beauty business to the next level, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical tips. Tune in and learn how embracing change and seizing opportunities can lead to incredible growth! Connect with DMK Skincare educator Laura Tanner on IG: @dmk_laura Interested in becoming an esthetician? Check out this article. The post Laura Tanner, Esthetician: From a Devastating Layoff to DMK Skincare Educator, How a Career in Esthetics Was Born + More appeared first on Skincare By Adriana.

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:  The evolution of esthetics from traditional “fluffy” spa treatments to results-focused treatments How to pivot into education and training in the beauty industry The importance of continuing education (CEUs) and how they impact career growth How to build treatment plans that create client loyalty and real results The power of brand-agnostic education in elevating industry standards 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! Follow Laura on IG: @larrabeelaura Learn more about 360 Wellness Education at www.360wellnesseducation.com Follow 360 Wellness Education on IG: @360wellnesseducation The post Laura Larrabee, Esthetician: Pivoting Into Education/Training, Why Continuing Ed Is Vital for Success, Working with 360 Wellness Education & More appeared first on Skincare By Adriana.

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 Heaven on IG: @heavenleannluna  @lunabeautyandwellness Heaven’s Website: https://lunabeautyandwellness.com The post Heaven Luna, Luna Beauty & Wellness: Business Ownership, Setting Professional Boundaries,  Marketing Strategy & More appeared first on Skincare By Adriana.

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 beauty industry shines through as we discuss everything from the value of quality over speed in waxing to tips for preparing clients for a smooth waxing experience. Taylor also highlights her various courses available for both seasoned and aspiring waxers, shares strategies for navigating the beauty industry, and emphasizes the importance of planning for success while embracing change and growth. This conversation is packed with insights and inspiration for anyone looking to thrive in the professional beauty industry. View & purchase Taylor’s book, The Waxer, here.  Taylor’s website: https://tjwesthetics.com/ Follow her on IG @tjwesthetics View her Starpil University classes here Did you miss episode 1 of The Everyday Beauty Pro? Be sure to listen to it, here. The post Taylor Wilson, TJW Esthetics: Professional Growth, Educating for Starpil, Becoming an Author & More appeared first on Skincare By Adriana.

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, stemming from watching her brother deal with severe acne as a teenager. This fueled her passion for skincare, eventually leading to a 14-year-long career. 2. Early Career Struggles: Robin shares the difficulty of finding her first job as a newly licensed esthetician, including the unexpected opportunity that led her to land her first role in the beauty industry. Working at Massage Envy’s front desk gave her the “in” she needed to transition into an esthetician role. 3. Career Growth with HydraFacial: Robin reflects on her experience working at HydraFacial’s headquarters as part of their marketing team and as their in-house esthetician. She highlights how this opportunity broadened her perspective on the beauty industry. 4. Entrepreneurship: After working in various spa environments and seeing the potential of running her own business, Robin shares how she took the leap to start Skin with Robin—her very own esthetics business. 5. New E-book: Robin introduces her e-book Booked & Branded, which is packed with advice for new estheticians. It covers everything from how to craft your brand authentically, to building out your services menu, setting your prices correctly, using your digital tools efficiently, and advertising intentionally to attract new clientele. 6. Business Insights: Robin emphasizes the importance of adaptability, staying true to your brand, and the critical role of marketing, including creating strong relationships with clients to foster loyalty and earn repeat business. Follow Robin on social media and check out her website! https://skinwithrobin.com https://www.instagram.com/skinwithrobin Booked & Branded (Ebook for Estheticians) Interested in becoming an esthetician? Start here, with my blog post on how to become an esthetician. The post Robin Pettus, Skin with Robin: Navigating Esthetician Career Growth, Entrepreneurship, and More appeared first on Skincare By Adriana.