In Good Company: Callie Baird.

A series where I interview other skincare experts.

Fun fact: Callie inspired me to become an esthetician.

The lore is, I do small group personal training with Callie’s husband Alex (THE BEST trainer in KC). Before I knew Callie personally, I knew about her decision to go into esthetics via Alex. Deep in the trenches of professional burnout and (medicated) anxiety, I told him after a workout one day that I was considering a career change, and asked if Callie was happy with her decision. “Best career choice she’s made,” was his response, and I left the gym feeling excited, scared, and clear.

So meet Callie Baird. She’s a licensed aesthetician at Refresh Medical Spa here in Kansas City, and like the other In Good Company guests, a provider I’m inspired by. If funds were unlimited, I’d be in her stunning treatment room every 7-10 business days.
Editor’s note: it’s not a typo – the ‘a’ in aesthetician (vs. ‘esthetician’) denotes a focus on medical treatments.

Ashley: First thing, Callie – tell the people how you found yourself in esthetics!
Callie: I actually have a BS in Elementary Education! I taught kindergarten and then first grade for 4 years before I got burnt out and realized teaching wasn't for me. I was in the middle of my final year of teaching when my mom suggested we go for a spa day to relax. We went to brunch after and my mom said, "I've always thought you'd be a great massage therapist or esthetician.” I BURST into tears, I knew this was the route I wanted to look into. I love kids and have two beautiful boys of my own, but I don't see myself ever going back to teaching – esthetics has my heart!

What’s one thing you didn’t learn in esthetics school but wish you had?
I started school during the summer of 2020, so we were under a lot of restrictions that made things difficult. We were paired with a single lab partner to practice on the entire school year, and there were lots of modalities and options we weren’t allowed to practice. I didn’t use a steamer until my first job! (I’m sorry, what?)

What esthetics or skincare trends give you the ick?
Generalized skincare and service treatment plans. It’s tricky to have clients come in frustrated with their skin but using what they saw a “derm on TikTok recommend.” On the other side of this coin, the fear mongering around certain ingredients or products is so annoying. Trust your licensed provider to give you specific advice for YOUR skin!

If you could only do one treatment for the rest of your career, what would it be?
Hmmm, am I giving or receiving this treatment?! Either way, I think Moxi Laser. It helps with collagen stimulation to address minimal signs of aging, but also improves pore size, texture and pigmentation. It’s safe year-round, has minimal downtime, and is safe on all skin tones. She’s my favorite!

What skincare practices or philosophies do you try to instill in your clients?
Consistency. If a client has $100 to spend, I would much rather they spend it on a product I recommend over a service with me. This industry is expensive, plain and simple. There are amazing treatments I offer, but if they aren’t paired with a healthy skin barrier and quality home routine, your money on that fancy laser treatment isn’t well spent.

Additionally, if products you have from the drugstore or Sephora are working for you, keep it! I’m happy to recommend targeted products I sell in the spa, but I will never sell you something just to sell it. (you guys know I LOVE this philosophy)

Think back to your very first skincare “routine” .. any products you used that you (and your skin) would be mortified by?
The only thing I’m proud to admit is that I was consistent with cleanser and moisturizer, morning and night, even with crappy products. I did, however, obliterate multiple bottles of Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion – YIKES.

What trends making waves in the industry are you excited about?
I love that there’s a huge influx of ‘sunscreen as makeup’. These GenZ kiddos are going to look amazing in their 40s and 50s because they started daily sunscreen so young!

Let the people know, what are some of your favorite skincare brands? This can be brands in your backbar, what you use at home, or both!
skinbetter science, period. I used (and loved) skinbetter before I got my license and love it even more after working with them professionally. I haven’t experimented much with other lines recently, mostly because I’m loving my skin with skinbetter.

That’s Callie! Stunning gorgeous perfect, am I right? And Refresh’s new space is beautiful. I’m mapping out some treatments I want to get this fall, so you might see Callie here again …