Edition #006: Ask An Esthetician: Kristen Whatley aka Lotus Skin + Brow
Hi! I'm Kristen Whatley, and I own Lotus Skin + Brow in Rome, Georgia. True to its name, my business did not have an ideal start, but it has since blossomed into a million dollar company. I moved from Alaska to Georgia at 20 years old, decided to open my own spa without an existing clientele, signed the lease February of 2020, and then the whole world fell apart just 2 weeks later. I used the entirety of my savings to pay rent on a storefront I couldn't open for months, but failure wasn't an option. I gave my first few clients absolutely everything I had to give, and word traveled pretty quickly. 4 years later, I have a team of 7, and we serve hundreds of wonderful clients a week.
We specialize in results-oriented aesthetics with an emphasis on elevated experience. I firmly believe the two can co-exist beautifully, and have built my business on that principle. ANFISA has also done a beautiful job of marrying the two concepts, and that's why we get along so well ;)
A: ÂN-BALM is very lightweight, so it melts into the skin beautifully rather than sitting on top like a lot of heavier facial oils. With 86 antioxidants, it's a fantastic overnight treatment for those with inflammatory conditions. Any time we have a client with a severely compromised barrier, we reach for ÂN-BALM.
A: Like skin, our lips have a lipid barrier to lock moisture in. However, cold dry winters tend to damage this barrier, allowing moisture to escape (think of a water dam with cracks all throughout). This results in dry, cracked, irritated lips. ÂN-GLOSS comes in and patches those holes with five skin-identical ceramides, allowing for better moisture retention and faster healing. It's not just a lip gloss, it's a full lip treatment.
A: When a product experience is enjoyable, people are more consistent and look FORWARD to using it. The Cooling Tip Technology is not only soothing on irritated lips, it's an entire experience unlike any lip product I've ever used.
A: My business sees a lot of acne-prone clients, so as a general rule I stay far away from facial oils. However, ÂN-BALM is non-comedogenic and light enough that in my experience, it actually soothes irritation associated with acne and is great for repairing damaged barriers. We had absolutely nothing like it on our shelves at the time, so we partnered with ANFISA and have since brought on every single one of their products. ÂN-DEW in particular has been a lifesaver for our rosacea/acne clients.
A: The second I get out of the shower, I lock any leftover water on my skin in with ÂN-BALM. Doing this before the water evaporates prevents any excessive trans-epidermal water loss, keeping the skin soft and supple. I also love a dewy makeup look, so I'll use a very small amount as a primer under my tinted sunscreen and then set any areas I DON'T want to shine with powder :)
Q: What common skincare concerns do your clients have, and how do ANFISA Skin products help address them?
A: We see a lottttt of acne clientele. There are many factors that of course contribute to acne, but two of the most common are retention hyperkeratosis (abnormal or excessive shedding of the pore) and an impaired lipid barrier. ÂN-DEW's 10% azelaic acid is an effective yet gentle approach for regulating cell turnover and eventually clearing the pore, and ÂN-BALM is a fabulous occlusive I usually recommend for severely impaired barrier function, as its high in linoleic acid and non-comedogenic. Building back up that lipid barrier with ÂN-BALM helps calm the inflammation and better preps the skin for more intense aesthetic treatments down the road.
Q: How do you stay updated on the latest trends and advancements in the skincare industry?
A: I take my entire team to aesthetic conferences and shows at least once a year. We always make a fun trip out of it, but seeing the newest treatments, skincare lines, and devices while also meeting the faces behind the company is my favorite way to stay up to date while also ensuring we partner with brands who have similar ethics to our own. You have to be really discerning when it comes to aesthetics, because there's always a new “latest and greatest miracle treatment for xyz” and it's easy to get distracted by shiny object syndrome. At the end of the day, you have to look past the noise and ask “does this ACTUALLY fulfill a need for my clientele?”. Staying up to date is important, but if you try to bring on every single new treatment and product, you'll overwhelm your clientele and lose sight of the biggest key when it comes to skincare: consistency.
Q: What do you enjoy most about being an esthetician?
A: I think almost anyone in the field will tell you they love taking care of people and building confidence through aesthetic treatments and services, but on a real level? I could literally cleanse someone's face for two hours and never get sick of it. It's just as therapeutic for me as it is for them. I love explaining ingredients to clients and empowering them to take better and INFORMED care of their skin. I love piecing together full routines, the little gasp everyone makes when they see their before and afters, the moments of peace I'm able to provide for them during their chaotic lives. I've sobbed, screamed, laughed, and prayed with clients— and that connection is absolutely everything to me.
*** THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS INTERVIEW ARE THOSE OF THE INTERVIEWEE AND NOT ANFISA SKIN. THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR REGULATED BY THE FDA. WE ARE NOT MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, THEREFORE ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN FIRST AND ENSURE YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR RESEARCHING FURTHER IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ANYTHING MENTIONED ABOVE***