We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lindsay Conklin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lindsay below.

Lindsay, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How’s you first get into your field – what was your first job in this field?

I graduated from Artistic Beauty College in October 2007 and shortly after I found out I was pregnant with my first son. I put getting my license on the back burner. In Arizona at the time to become a licensed esthetician you had to take a written and practical examination. It took me until 2009 to get the confidence to attempt those exams but I passed both with flying colors.
Once I had that license in hand I began applying for esthetician positions. I went on multiple interviews but most employers were unwilling to hire an esthetician without at least one year experience in the field. Feeling discouraged, I decided to take a job at Bath & Body Works. I figured I could at least talk to people about skincare. I enjoyed my job there but it just wasn’t filling my esthetics cup enough.
In 2011 I applied to work the front desk at European Wax Center. In the interview the owners saw that I was a licensed esthetician and asked why I wasn’t applying to be a wax specialist. I was honest and said “I assumed you wouldn’t hire me for that position since I don’t have any experience.” They stated that they like to hire people right out of beauty school so they don’t have to “break any bad habits”. At the end of the interview I decided I still would like the front desk position because I was lacking confidence after being turned down so many times. I worked the front desk for about 4 months, really getting to know the ins and outs of EWC and then became their first “hybrid” employee. I feel it was really beneficial for me as a wax specialist to know the front desk process as well. During my week long intensive training I was extremely nervous. It had been so long since I graduated beauty school. What if I couldn’t remember how to wax someone?! Thankfully the training is so intensive that I was basically re-taught how to wax. I fell in love with it. Being a wax specialist is not for the faint of heart. You have your clients in very vulnerable positions at times (Bikini waxing) and it can be very hard on the back (bent over clients for hours at a time.) I developed some great relationships with co-workers and clients that I still see even though I am no longer employed there.
While working at EWC, one of my trainers commented that I would be a great trainer. That’s when the seed was planted to become an educator…
I’m so grateful for my time working at EWC. I think the planets aligned for me at that time. I became more confident in myself and in my skills. Before this job I was very shy and introverted and had a hard time talking to people. Now I can stand in front of a group of students and teach them how to wax without even thinking twice.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Lindsay and I am a licensed esthetician, educator, wife, mother and now business owner (but not necessarily in that order.) When I was younger I thought maybe I would be a kindergarten teacher or interior designer. Not once did I think I would be in the beauty industry. Before my wedding in 2006 I had my eyebrows waxed for the first time. I really enjoyed the whole experience and I guess you can say that motivated me to enroll in beauty school because 5 months later I started my journey to become a licensed esthetician.
I have had the job titles of wax specialist, facialist, master esthetician, airbrush tan artist, lash artist and lead esthetics instructor. Each one of those titles came with new skills and experiences that I have made me the esthetician I am today.
In June of 2022, I started Waxing Moon Esthetics, LLC. I began it as a part time job while working as an instructor and then in October 2022 I left teaching to focus on my business full time. I was renting a small suite in a salon studio and building up my business. In June of 2023 ,almost one year to the day after starting, I moved into a larger studio space and have two of my graduates as renters. I guess you can say I’m a proud mama bird to see how these ladies have taken the skills I have taught them and just excel in their craft!
Despite my name, Waxing Moon Esthetics, I don’t just offer waxing services. The inspiration of the name came from the phases of the moon. The waxing phase of the moon is a time for growth, change and manifesting positivity and success. Just what we all need. I love to help people manifest their best selves from the inside out. Everyone is welcome at Waxing Moon, no matter age or gender. I love to work with preteens and teens to teach them how to take care of their skin. I do advanced facial treatments to help with the aging process, hyperpigmentation, dehydration and just overall health of the skin. I have a partnership with my clients built on trust. They know I won’t recommend anything that I don’t 100% believe in. I take pride in my work and that includes full body waxing. I offer gentle, quick and efficient waxing.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

As I shared before, it took me a year and a half to become licensed as an esthetician. Finding out I was pregnant was only one of the factors that prevented me from taking the tests. At the time when I graduated from beauty school the school itself was in the process of changing ownership and the Arizona State Board of Cosmetology was changing the way they were performing examinations. With all that, my paperwork was lost in the shuffle. I spent months trying to schedule a date for testing but grew frustrated with the lack of help or guidance so I put the whole thing on hold and decided to focus on my pregnancy. When my son was about nine months old I was suffering from post partum depression. I decided it was time to do something for myself and my future and I contacted State Board. I FINALLY got a date for testing. For a month I self-studied for the written test while my son napped. I used every book and website I could find to help me. When I took the written test I did not have a lot of confidence but I passed! One test down, one to go. My husband and son drove to Phoenix with me so I could take the practical examination. This was a test I had no idea how to prepare for. While in school, this was not something that was necessarily talked about. I used the information on the testing website to help pack my bag with supplies. One of my friends from esthetics school gave me an idea of what to expect. When I got into the exam room there were about 20 other candidates. All from different schools with different supply set ups. I was extremely nervous. I tried not to look around the room and compare myself to the others. When the exam was over I left the room and thought I had failed. A week later I got the letter stating I was a licensed esthetician! Even though the entire process was hard and I was still struggling with self-doubt and depression, I didn’t give up! This is a story I would tell my students. All you need is yourself and the drive to accomplish your goals.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

I would absolutely choose the same profession. Has it always been easy? No! Do I make a ton of money? Also no. But it is a very fulfilling career. I love to make people feel good about themselves. I could be having a stressful day but as soon as I sit down in my treatment room to perform a service on my client I forget all about my cares and just focus on them. Being self-employed also allows me to create my own schedule. I am able to be there for my kids and all their activities and school functions.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.waxingmoonaz.com
• Instagram: @waxing.moon.esthetics.az
• Facebook: Waxing.moon.esthetics.az