Make Up Artist of the Month
Interview with Tina K
Aesthetician and Owner of Belle Visage Day Spa
I visited Tina at her Day Spa in Studio City, California. "Belle Visage"
has a warm and inviting atmosphere for all those wanting to indulge themselves
in a day of pampering.
Give me a brief overview of your background and why you decided to become
an aesthetician?
I started into skin care because of my own skin problems. The difference
for me is everything that I do now is from experience on my own skin.
From going to doctors and trying different things in life to make my skin
look better. As a teenager you have so many problems hormonally. A lot
of people don't know how to direct it and they think they have a problem
and that's the way they have to stay. It's not true. It's definitely hormonal
but it's not something you can't take care of and elevate. I started getting
my facials at age ten and going to dermatologists at the same time. The
dermatologist gave me a lot of medication, Retin A, and different alcohol
solutions to apply on my skin. This dried my skin out a lot worse and
that's when I realized I needed to find a different direction. I then
discovered skin care. I started getting my pores cleaned out and realized
how my skin functioned. Not the medical way, but the natural way. I wanted
to let everyone know that the natural way cleared my skin up. I now have
compliments on my skin where before I was made fun of because of my skin.
It's been a big achievement for me and I want everyone to know how I feel.
I am passionate about skin care because I believe in every aspect of it.
I became an aesthetician when I was 16, while I was going to school. I
was still doing skin care on the side. It was tough in the beginning because
people could tell I was young. I'm 25 now and I own my own day spa. It's
been a big achievement for me, everything happened on its own and fell
into place. I believe so strongly in what I do. I love what I do.
Did you work for someone else prior to opening your own business?
Yes. I worked for another lady and she taught me a lot. It was my passion
to learn. I went to a lot of seminars and educated myself with different
skin care programs. I then got into renting a station at another salon
and became independent. I moved into my own little shop, and now I've
moved to a bigger location.
Do you do all the skin care treatments yourself? How many people do you
have on staff?
There are 3 full-time manicurists, 3 facialists, 1 electrolysis, 1 reflexologist,
and a full-time massage therapist. We all work together. We each have
our own clients, but work on each other's client's when needed. We work
as a team.
Do you set your own schedule?
The weekends are the most hectic. I'm the owner so I'm here all the time.
I live here. Everyone usually comes in around 9am and leaves close to
7pm each night. We all work, There are no set hours in this business.
This is a Day Spa but we don't open or close at a set time. We accommodate
our client's schedule.
How does your salon differ from the competition that's out there?
I am really happy with what I've achieved here. I think of my salon as
an area for women to come in and gather. I don't think of it as just work.
The spa is more than just work. Women come in here, sit outside and have
coffee. They don't have to be here for a treatment either. We are close
nit and when a new face comes in we bring them right into the family.
It's a very homey down to earth feeling here. People don't feel intimidated
walking in with ripped jeans or in a Versace suit. We don't treat anyone
according to their status in life. We are here as a service business.
That's what we always remember, when the competition forgets. We are highly
accommodating. Whatever we need to do for the client we do it. I chose
a 20's-40's setting that is old fashioned and homey. I wanted people to
feel comfortable in an area they feel relaxed in and can be themselves.
Tell me how the spa works with your menu style brochure of options?
Our packages are one of the biggest sellers. We want people to feel free
to purchase things "a la carte" as well. We are a small day spa so you
don't have to feel like you need to spend the whole day here. People can
come in for a lip wax and run out in less than 5 minutes. We are very
user friendly. Busy people, busy schedules, that's where one treatment
choice becomes convenient.
What do you do with a new client coming in for skin care treatment?
Always analyze the skin. If someone comes in I don't push them to get
a facial. We start with a clean slate. We have programs for all types
of skin. You can bring in your own products and we can weed out what we
think you need to get rid of. We don't necessarily say buy all of our
products and you need them right now!
What is your signature or specialty treatment?
The signature treatment is the cellulite wrap. That's an amazing treatment.
Cellulite is one of the biggest battles for women. Cellulite is poor circulation
where the toxins actually build up and come together as a layer of fat.
The only way to remove it is liposuction. There are so many side effects
of that which spread the cellulite to different areas. We do a very effective
treatment and program. Most all clients see their results from it. People
want short-term immediate gratification and they will get that with a
one-time wrap treatment. I do everything long term, skin care, body treatments,
etc. I want the person to be happy so they can tell others about it.
What type of clients do you have?
We have people from age 8-65. We have such a big range and it's quite
interesting. Most all people feel comfortable here so age doesn't really
matter.
What is the most enjoyable part of your job?
The most enjoyable part is my satisfaction from my treatments. To me facials
are not just a luxury. I see the difference when I'm done and look at
the client's skin. I see how smooth it is. I see the pores. I'm very meticulous
about removing all congestion from the pores. Once it's gone that to me
is the best part believe it or not. The relationships that I have with
each one of my clients means something to me. I'm here all the time so
I don't see much of my friends. I build relationships with everyone here
and it's nice to get a piece from each person. That gives me enough friends
to last a long time.
What's the downside of the business?
I can't complain. Negative energy is something you have to be aware of
when you do hands on work. It doesn't mean someone is a bad person but
we all carry negative energy. We have to understand that's it's not about
us-it's their issues, and remember it's not our fault.
What advice do you have for those wanting to go into your career field?
I think this is just the beginning for skin care. It's going to shoot
up very quickly because people are going to realize it's not a luxury
but a necessity. I think it's a great career. Educate yourself as much
as possible. Don't just be in it for the money because you won't get anything
out of it. You won't get the satisfaction, which is worth more than money.
Everyday when I close the doors I feel like I have changed someone's life.
Your heart has to be in it or people will feel negative energy. You can't
give good energy if you're not in it yourself. This is an excellent business
to get into.
What type of products do you use in the salon?
We use YONKA from Paris and Paul Sherri from Switzerland. They are both
aromatherapy products using plant extracts of seaweed algae. One is water
based and one is an oil based product line. The reason we have 2 is you
can't satisfy everyone.
What is your most common treatment?
The Aroma+ facial. This is the middle-range facial and what everyone usually
gets. Everyday we have all types of treatments going on.
Belle Visage Day Spa is located at 13207-1/2 Ventura Boulevard, Studio
City, California. Contact Tina K for your day of pampering needs or questions
at (818)907-0502.
Back to Vanna in the Valley
Other Star Interviews:
Michael Burnett
Marietta Carter-Narcisse
Marvin Westmore
Eva Marie Denst
Ian Goodwin
Melinda Douglas
Art Anthony
Gregory Arlt
Beckie Kravetz
Douglas Noe
Karen Westerfield
Tina K
Rick Geyer
