I am not licensed yet but I’m a student I don’t grad until maybe 4 more months.
I wanted to offer very cheap facial services and makeup applications locally just really to get content.
Am I allowed to do this?
- Illinois
So I got my esthetician license about a year ago, and I’ll have my LMT license at the end of December. (I tried posting this in the massage therapist community as well but I couldn’t since I’m new lol)
I’ve been looking into jobs, the pay, schedules, benefits, stuff like that. Eventually I’d like to go solo with both licenses, but I’m not doing that now because I’m not in a location I’d like to start a business in, and I’d also like to gain experience in established businesses first.
I was looking at local branches in my area and realized most local places open at like 11 and close at like 9. Which wouldn’t be a problem for me if I wasn’t a solo mother to a toddler. Most daycares close at 6. I was hoping to find a job with hours that are more like 8-4. But I guess it makes sense that most clients come after 3, hence why most places close at 9. I cant do that tho, maybe like on Saturdays only but definitely not everyday, and definitely not on the weekdays, I don’t have any help with my kid. Which I’m not complaining about, but it’s very conflicting with the average schedule in this career field I feel like.
I’d like to make enough money that me and my child can live independently without being stressed or insanely tight on money, budgeting forever. And I’m not sure if I just have anxiety bc it’s super close to me getting my lmt license or if I’m just stressing trying to preparing myself for the lifestyle I may have to endure if I don’t set it up properly
So I’d like to hear some advice from other people, I know it’s mostly estheticians on here, I was hoping maybe since it’s the same field ppl might have some insight on the lmt aspect of it too. But I’d love advice from literally anyone in this profession. Some advice from maybe a single mother doing this line of work would be cool too, or even anyone who knows someone who’s working FT and parenting solo easily, maybe expose their tips and tricks for me😫😅
I’m just not sure where to apply to once I’m licensed. I know there’s lots of jobs that would hire for good hours as just an LMT, but I’d also like to find a place that utilizes my esthetician license too, and hopefully I could maximize income? Idk advice is definitely needed tho!
I’m in NYC and considering a Candela Gentlemax Pro or Pro Plus
For anyone who went to esthetics school: were you required to let other students practice services on you?
I’m considering esthetics school, but there are certain services I personally do not want performed on me, such as waxing, microneedling/microblading, or strong chemical peels. I’m perfectly willing to learn and perform whatever is required for my license; I just don’t want to be the practice model for everything.
Were you allowed to opt out of receiving certain treatments, or was practicing on each other mandatory?
Hey everyone! I’m currently at a massive crossroads in my esthetics career and my brain is completely fried from overthinking. I would love some perspective from anyone who has been through this or has advice on which route to take.
I graduated school a little while ago. While I was in school, I completely fixated on facials and skincare. It is my absolute passion, I love the relaxation aspect, and I'm very comfortable with it. Right now, I'm doing a commission split layout in a salon space rather than paying flat monthly booth rent, but it is still a major financial grind when you're working to build up a steady clientele out of pocket and paying for all product. To stay afloat, I've had to pick up part-time corporate or hourly jobs just to guarantee stable income while I hustle for clients.
On Monday, I had an interview at a salon for a permanent, W2 position. It hasn't been offered to me yet, but I am trying to figure out what to do in case they do extend an offer. The owner seems genuinely cool, the environment is highly professional, and they want to heavily invest in their employees. She offered to pay for my license renewals every two years, pay for my scrubs, and provide deep, hands-on training.
Here’s the catch, they specialize in lashes, brows, and body waxing. If I take this job, I would have to give up doing facials entirely for the foreseeable future.
On one hand, I feel like I would be walking away from my absolute passion, which is facials. On the other hand, I know that lashes, brows, and speed waxing are the exact areas where I am the weakest and desperately need mentorship and speed training. I feel like it’s a double-edged sword because it is not what I'm most passionate about, but it is a massive opportunity to get paid to fill my skill gaps under a great mentor, lose the stress of struggling on a commission split, and become a highly well-rounded esthetician.
If they do end up offering me the job, I'm torn between two completely different directions. I could choose to keep my solo space and stay independent so I can continue doing the facials I love, while dealing with the slow client build and supplementing my income with a low-stress part-time barista job for guaranteed hourly money. Alternatively, I could go all-in with the W2 salon job, give up facials for now, and accept their mentorship to master lashes, waxing, and brows while getting my licenses and scrubs paid for to build real financial stability.
Has anyone given up their favorite service early on to build stability and learn new skills? Is it worth pausing my passion for facials to become a master at waxing and lashes, or will I regret walking away from the independent route?
Thank you so much in advance for your help!