Behind the Glow

Regrets. We all have them.

Maybe it’s that one haircut we thought was a super good idea at the time…. or maybe it’s trusting a “viral” skincare hack from the internet that definitely should have stayed on the internet. And if you’re wondering my “viral” skincare hack it was using straight rubbing alcohol on my face as my ONLY skincare product…. Yes, let’s all have a moment of silence for my “PORE” skin…. get it lol pore instead of poor.

Anyways, when I started school in August 2022, I walked in bubbling with excitement, and curiosity. Like many people entering the beauty industry, I had a vision of what my future career might look like. I imagined working in a spa or owning my own spa where I made people feel confident in their skin, and building a career around something I was truly passionate about.

And while that passion was absolutely real, looking back now as an esthetics instructor, there are a few things I wish someone had told me before my first day of school.

Not because esthetics school wasn’t amazing. It absolutely was, but because understanding these things earlier could’ve helped me take even more advantage of the opportunities around me.

THE INDUSTRY IS MUCH BIGGER THAN YOU THINK.

When people think of esthetics, they picture working in a spa performing facials. And while that’s a beautiful and essential part of the industry, it’s really only one small corner of it.

The beauty industry is incredibly vast.

Estheticians can work in medical spas, dermatology offices, plastic surgery clinics, laser clinics, product development, brand education, sales, magazines, training, schools, or even branch into content creation and different education platforms.

Everyone is different and unique and can offer different skills or certifications and or training for them to be able to branch into all these available avenues. Some esti’s become brand educators while others branch off into advanced treatments, open a business, or move into leadership or training roles.

If I had realized just how many career paths existed within esthetics when I first started school, I probably would have spent a little less time assuming there was only one path and a little more time exploring what the industry truly had to offer.

USE EVERY MOMENT OF SCHOOL TO YOUR ADVANTAGE.

One thing I truly wish I had understood sooner is how valuable your time in school really is.

If you ever have downtime during your program, use it.

Research ingredients. Study skin disorders. Ask your instructor questions. Look into additional certifications. Practice your technically skills. Find ways to put yourself out there and promote YOU. You are your biggest cheerleader and advocate, so use time wisely especially for my people interested in working in the spa or with brands. Networking is the name of the game.

So, scroll social media if you want…but maybe scroll an ingredient deck once and a while too.

Like they say it may take you 30 days to build a habit, but that habit could make you money or change your life.

An esthetics license is important, but what often makes someone stand out in this industry is the extra knowledge and certifications they pursue along the way. It shows employers, clients, or peers that you’re driven and hungry… ALWAYS STAY HUNGRY.

Everyone graduating from your class may have the same license, but the esthetician who continues learning will always set themselves apart.

YOUR INSTRUCTOR CAN SHAPE YOUR ENTIRE EXPERIENCE.

Something I didn’t fully realize before starting school was just how much of an impact your instructor can have on your experience.

An instructor’s knowledge, passion, and most importantly their willingness to help and support students can make a huge difference in how confident and prepared you feel when you graduate.

A great instructor doesn’t just repeat information from a textbook. They take the time to explain concepts an infinite number of times with no frustration, answer questions no matter what it is, cause no question is a dumb one, encourage curiosity in all avenues, and sometimes do additional research to make sure their students are getting the best possible education.

Support matters too. Learning a new skill can be intimidating, and having an instructor who believes in you and pushes you to improve or encourages you to achieve your goals can completely change how you see your own potential.

As someone who is now on the education side of the industry, this is something I take very seriously. Students deserve instructors who genuinely care about their growth and success.

SOCIAL MEDIA DOESN’T SHOW THE FULL PICTURE.

Social media can make the beauty industry look glamorous, effortless, and extremely profitable.

And while success in the industry is absolutely possible, what social media often leaves out is the journey it took to get there.

• The late nights studying in school or studying ingredients.

• The trial and error of learning treatments.

• The years it took to build a steady clientele.

• The moments where you question if this is your career path or if you are doing something correctly.

• Lastly the comparison you do of yourself and others in the industry.

Sometimes social media shows the highlight reel without the behind-the-scenes footage.

I think a lot of students, me included, sometimes fall into the trap of comparing their beginning to someone else’s highlight reel.

The truth is every successful esthetician you see online started exactly where you are: learning, practicing, making mistakes, and growing.

CONFIDENCE TAKES TIME.

Another thing no one really tells you is that confidence doesn’t always happen overnight.

There will be moments in school were things feel overwhelming. You might struggle with certain concepts, treatments, or even doubt whether you’re good enough.

That’s normal.

Every skilled esthetician started as a beginner. Nobody wakes up on their first day of school suddenly knowing every skin disorder, ingredient interaction, or treatment protocol.

Skills and confidence come with time, patience, and practice.

“Or when in doubt for confidence fake it till you make it.”

YOUR PASSION WILL GUIDE YOU.

Even with all the challenges that can come with learning something new, the beauty of this industry is that it offers so many paths to explore.

For me, that journey eventually led me to education. Being able to share knowledge, support students, and watch the future esti’s grow into their careers has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that this industry truly rewards those who stay passionate, curious, and dedicated to learning.

So, if you’re currently in esthetics school or thinking about starting your journey, my biggest piece of advice would be this:

“Take advantage of every opportunity to learn. The knowledge you gain today could open doors you never even imagined. Sometimes doors you didn’t even know existed when you first started. “STAY HUNGRY.”

Now as for me I am committed to being a lifelong learner, so I have a strong feeling my path is just beginning.