In Good Company: Ellen Watkins.

A series where I interview other skincare experts.

Surprise, surprise, it’s a double newsletter week!

When Esthetically was just a brainstorm in my notebook, one of the goals I wrote was to highlight other experts. This industry can often feel more competitive than collaborative, and I have carried so much knowledge from other experts into my practice simply because I asked for advice and recommendations, and they were willing to share.

So, here’s the first of ‘In Good Company’ (working title, do we like?). Get ready to meet Ellen Watkins, another Kansas City esthetician I’m inspired by and thankful to call ‘friend’. This woman wears a lot of hats – business owner, licensed esthetics instructor, Reiki Master, yoga teacher … I’m exhausted for her. We’re getting into what led her to esthetics, what she loves about the industry, a current trend giving her the ick, and lots more. Here’s Ellen’s interview!

would love for ^ that ^ to be me right now

Ashley: OK, Ellen – imagine you have a long elevator ride with a stranger and they ask, "So, what do you do?" How do you answer?
Ellen: Put simply, I offer a wide variety of esthetics, energy work, and wellness services! I founded Ellevate Skin + Brows, a holistic day spa that caters to high-vibe clientele through skincare, brow/lash, Reiki, and massage therapy services. As an esthetician, I focus on luxury customized skincare rituals (facials) that include my signature Crystal Meditation, a fusion of guided meditation, sound healing, affirmation cards, aromatherapy, and crystals. I have extensive training in acne and sensitive skin, so most of my clientele falls into those categories.

What pushed you to pursue a career in esthetics?
I was halfway through a business degree when I decided to become an esthetician. I was already very into beauty and makeup, and had struggled with acne for many years by this point … the thought of more skincare knowledge was very exciting for me! I went into esthetics school with the goal of becoming a makeup artist, but realized by the end that I actually wanted to focus on facials and skincare.

What do you love about this industry?
I’ve met some really incredible professionals and I’ve realized that all of us have had personal struggles that have led us to our professional callings … it’s a really beautiful thing to hear those stories and see them live their purpose. On the client side, I can also say that so many of my clients have become much more than clients to me. I also love that this industry is women-dominated; it can sometimes feel like I’m just hanging with my girlfriends all day at work!

What skincare trends give you the ick?
Now that I’ve been in the industry five years, I understand that trends come and go. Thankfully, I don’t get as personally bothered as I used to when I see them gain traction! The current trend I keep hearing about is beef tallow applied topically, which is obviously a no-go; it disrupts the skin’s moisture barrier with consistent use.

If you could only do one treatment for the rest of your career, what would it be, and why?
I love facials! The coziness and intimacy of a facial treatment is my favorite. Facials are one of the only times where my brain can go quiet. I also love watching the journey of a client from start to finish. While many clients come in on a good day, that’s not always the case. Being able to care and hold space for someone is always an honor. It genuinely humbles me when I get to the end of a service and a client whispers, “I really needed that, thank you so much.”

I’ve taken at least 2 naps in this room.

What skincare practices or philosophies do you try to instill in your clients?
I don’t believe your routine has to be extensive to be effective. I also believe in accessible skincare – there’s a product for everyone’s budget. An ideal skincare routine should be customized to fit your goals as well as your life; there’s no point in me asking you to do five steps if you can only reliably commit to three. So I find that my practice essentially boils down to: What products/treatments achieve your goals in the least amount of time, prioritize your skin health, consider your lifestyle, and aren’t unreasonably priced?

Think back to your very first skincare "routine," which is maybe a generous word for some of us. Are there any products you used that you (and your skin) would be mortified by today?
I definitely used some regrettable things in my quest to cure my acne as a teenager. “Solutions” (that actually created more problems) included: coconut oil and shea butter (acne bombs); that awful aztec clay mask mixed with apple cider vinegar; copious amounts of pure tea tree oil; anything from Neutrogena/Clean and Clear; the infamous apricot scrub; Kylie Skin; various homemade concoctions featuring honey, lemons, and yogurt, etc…

What skincare trends, ingredients and/or treatments are making waves in the industry that you're excited about?
I love that Korean skincare is having her very-deserved moment. Spicule peels, PDRN (salmon DNA), and ingredients like beta-glucan, peptides, and cica (Centella asiatica) absolutely deserve the hype they’ve been getting.

Let the people know, what are some of your favorite skincare brands? This can be brands in your backbar, brands you use at home, or both!
I’m currently loving Korean brands like KrX, Dermathod, and Corthe for backbar and personal use. I’ve been testing out Mixi Skincare for the spa and am loving that, too! Of course, the Ellevate Skin moisturizer is my forever dream girl, and I love anything from TAHNYC, Herbal Skin Solutions, or My Friends Use This. My ultimate splurge brand is Lilfox — their products are seriously art in skincare form.

That’s it! So much gratitude to Ellen for being my first volunteer with this new vertical. You can find her here, and if you’re in the KC area (especially you Lee’s Summit-ers), visit her studio and get the Glass Skin Facial – it’s one of my very favorites.