We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Courtney La Marine a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Courtney, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?
For many years I was part of the corporate side of the beauty industry. I was a US educator for multiple different lines over the years, traveling all over the country providing education and training for five star spas and resorts. To say it was a lovely part of my life is an understatement. Meeting all different types of people was the best character building I could’ve asked for. Developing techniques to shape and mold how treatments were done was more rewarding than I could’ve ever dreamed of. I had the opportunity to work with the finest spa directors in the country, my mentors. Women who commanded respect in the beauty industry and got it. It wasn’t until I began working with a local skincare line that my focus shifted. I was asked to be a part of product development. I was to use and try the products and refine them for production. This was the first time in my career I was able to alter a product based on my expertise and knowledge. Immersing myself into the world of ingredients and chemistry sparked a part of my mind that had been on snooze. It was an epiphany! I wanted to make products, quality products, clean products, intentional products. The company I was with at the time was not the right fit for the move I had decided to make. So I decided to part ways and continue my aesthetic practice, Clove Studios full time. I began making products for myself that filled the holes in what I was missing in my own regimen. It snowballed from there, Clove Apothecary was born. I currently produce eight products and have three more in the works. A private aesthetic studio and a small batch botanical skincare line has always been a dream of mine. I pinch myself often because my dream is now a reality.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I was born and raised in Denver, Colorado and absolutely love living here. I’ve had the opportunity to travel all over the country and Colorado has a little bit of everything. I was never on the path to go straight into college after high school, I craved a hands on experience. I worked in the business industry until I was 26. Office jobs, desk jobs, I was very unhappy. The company I was working for was bought out and they offered me decent severance. I decided to go into Aesthetics to help my own skin. I suffered from acne and had scarring that I desperately wanted to fix. I enrolled in the full-time program and finished in just under a year. I loved school! It was easy and I felt right at home. Helping people achieve the skin they deserve came very early on. Seeing the delight in a clients face when scars would fade, or acne would disappear was incredibly rewarding. My first job out of school was with a Med spa, it was the best thing that could’ve happened to me. I was taught so many different types of treatments in my time there. I was able perform low level to deep level chemical peels, treat various grades of acne that a doctor must oversee, stages of skin issues I would have never seen in a regular spa. It gave me a confidence that some professionals get later in their career. The passion to help alleviate skin issues blossomed. With this new focus I was able to decide which products would fit into my philosophy. I wanted to help educate clients on how to care for their skin, teach them how to elevate their results. 80% of a clients success is their at home regimen.
I do my best to work with local lines, supporting Colorado lines has been part of my practice for over a decade. I offer a wide range of skin treatments from customized facials to Microchanneling, Hydrodermabrasion, Microdermabrasion, chemical peels to hair regrowth treatments. I also offer waxing, tinting, and lash lifts. Accentuating a persons unique features is my main goal. Helping clients be proud of their uniqueness is everything to me. I specialize in acne treatments, acne scarring and hyperpigmentation reduction. The more difficult a skin issue is, the more interested I am. I happen to be a very proficient waxer. I was the US educator for the Australian based wax line, Lycon. I am lucky to have a very loyal skin and wax clientele. The thing that I feel sets me apart from others is my approach to skin disorders. While I have the confidence to try combinations of peels or deep treatments, I also have the sense to know that each client is different. Being in Colorado, slow and steady wins the race when dealing with skin. Celebrating aging gracefully is my motto. I have nothing against botox or fillers. I may one day want them, but for now, at 43, I am happy with my skin and want the same for my clients.
Creating products without harsh chemicals is my passion. I have to admit it’s a lot harder than I expected. I’m also a perfectionist and getting to the formulation I am happy with definitely takes time. Creating a product, a customer loving it and telling all of their friends about it fuels the fire behind Clove Apothecary. I recently purchased a home that houses my private studio for Clove Studios and a greenhouse is in my future to grow herbs and flowers for Clove Apothecary. Working with lunar cycles and rare plants is the next goal. Plants and flowers have powerful healing properties and my hope is to harness it for beautiful, healthy skin. I also travel to Costa Rica where I cater to a loyal clientele for the last 6 years. I have been given the opportunity to be exposed to ingredients I would have never seen before. They have helped create some beautiful products.
I will always be honest about the path for your skin success and will do all I can to give my clients the skin they deserve.
Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?
When I was 2 years old I started dance lessons. It was my entire world for majority of my life. I danced 6 days a week up to 5 hours a day. I loved it, it made me whole. Ballet was my in my heart, pointe challenged me and gave me a discipline I will carry for my entire life. To be a dancer was my life goal, there wasn’t anything else I wanted for myself. There are many excuses I could make for why I didn’t follow my dreams, I let life change my course. I don’t have any regrets, I love what I do, it doesn’t feel like work. But in my mind, I’ll become a ballerina when I grow up.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Working in Denver and also growing up here has taught me a lot about how to handle myself in the beauty industry. I do my best to stay neutral and cater to all types of people. I have all ages that come in for treatments, as young as 13 up to late 90’s. I focus appointments on skincare goals, questions and advice. I am honest if I don’t know how to answer a question, but will absolutely research it and find the answer. Being completely transparent about realistic expectations and my capabilities ensures trust from clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.clovestudios.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clove.studios
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clovestudios
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-la-marine-594a6817/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/clove-studios-denver?osq=clove+studios
Image Credits
Naomi Brodner was the model
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