We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sara Bowen a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Sara, appreciate you joining us today. How’s you first get into your field – what was your first job in this field?

Trying to find a job in the field after school is not easy especially when everyone wants to hire someone with experience. I had a few dead end interviews and a few trainings to see if I was a good fit that never progressed more than that. I was able to finally get myself a reception job at a small local spa which felt like my ticket in to hopefully be able to start offering esthetic services. They had carried a skin care line that I was passionate to use so I was really excited and grateful to be there. Sadly after a few months of failed promises and excuses I felt in my gut this was not the place for me. One day while scrolling through Facebook I saw a post of a salon hiring an esthetician located in Harford county. I took a chance and sent my resume and was contacted within the next few days for an interview. I was so nervous, but went in there and just did my best. That evening I was at the gym when I got the call saying they would love to have me if I accepted! I was beyond ecstatic I might have actually screamed while on the treadmill. I was the new esthetician of Lavish Salon and Spa in Fallston. Currently I have been there for almost 7 years. And I have learned and grown so much since being there and have had the pleasure of meeting some other really talented professionals in the beauty industry. It’s amazing when you can work with a great team of co workers and really thrive off of each other’s passion. I’m so grateful to continue to grow and thrive in this career I can’t wait to see where I go from here.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?

I’ve always struggled with my own skin since I can remember. I tried everything I thought would help clear up my skin from products I saw on tv, or from articles that would pop up from searching the internet and they would for a little bit but nothing long term. I became really good at doing my own makeup to hide my acne and scaring to where people began to notice my skill and would ask me to do their makeup for weddings, proms, Halloween etc. after doing makeup on the side for a few years I wanted to look in to getting professionally certified in doing make up. When I searched for local classes I came upon Esthetician school and fell in love with the course outline. Along with finding solutions to clear my own skin I could also help future makeup clients to feel more confident in their own. The esthetics world is always evolving there are so many amazing treatments that you can offer you just need to find which ones your passionate about and beneficial to your work space and clientele. Currently I offer a variety of medical grade facial treatments, makeup, waxing, lash lifts and lash extensions. I pride myself in really studying and doing research into the products and treatments I offer to my clients that will give them the results they are looking for along with taking a holistic approach to finding the root causes. Real skin has texture, pores, and breakouts the goal isn’t perfect skin it’s healthy skin

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

I really think that having other friends in the industry is important in succeeding. It’s amazing when you can surround yourself with others who are just as passionate in the same career as you are whether its seeking career advice, learning about products or services others offer and why they like/use them and just to get fresh outside perspective I find really helps. When i get stuck in a rut and I see fellow esthetician’s striving it gives me motivation to pick myself up and get back to that grind to why I do what I do and hustle.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think it’s the attention to detail I execute with all my clients. Not to just understand their skincare or beauty goals/needs but really try to get to know them on a personal level as well so they can feel at home in my spa room. I also want them to know to please never hesitate to reach out to me if they have any questions or concerns.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: The_Lavish_esthetician
• Other: Estheticsbysarab@gmail.com