Exploring Life & Business with Cynthia Melendez of CYNNSBEAUTY

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Melendez.

Hi Cynthia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
For seven years, I worked at the San Roque Post Office in Santa Barbara. It was stable, it was consistent — but it wasn’t my dream.

Then Covid hit. Masks became part of our daily uniform, and with them came something I had never experienced before — acne. For the first time, I understood what it felt like to look in the mirror and not feel like yourself. That experience cracked something open in me. I started exploring Korean skincare, fell in love with the science of skin, and knew I had found my calling.

Three years later, I walked away from the post office, moved to another city, and never looked back.

In 2023 I enrolled at Golden West College in Huntington Beach, completed my required coursework and a business class, then dove into the esthetics program in January 2024. I graduated in May, earned my California license in July, and hit the ground running — even when the ground was a little unsteady. Breaking into the industry without experience isn’t easy, so I took a beauty consultant role at CVS to stay close to skincare while I waited for the right opportunity.

That opportunity came when Rachel’s Best Soaps in the Brea Mall reached out to me for an esthetician position. I accepted within two days. Over the next ten months I grew, learned, and got crystal clear on what I wanted to build.

In December 2025, my friend Lesly and I both decided to take that leap of faith and start our own businesses — and I signed the lease on my suite in Tustin, CA. CYNNSBEAUTY opened its doors in January 2026 — my brand, my vision, my leap of faith.

I won’t pretend it wasn’t scary. But I kept coming back to one of my favorite verses — Psalms 46:5: “God is within her, she will not fall.” I held onto that and trusted the process.

I truly believe anything is possible with faith and hard work. My greatest joy now is helping my clients feel beautiful and confident in their skin — wherever they are in their journey. That’s what this is all for.
And none of this would have been possible without the people who stood beside me every step of the way. To my family, my friends, and my husband — thank you for believing in me, cheering me on, and holding me up when I needed it most.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Honestly, I wouldn’t say it’s been hard. It’s been a journey of faith and trusting the process every step of the way.

The most real challenge has been financial. I’m still currently working at Rachel’s Best Soaps in the Brea Mall as an esthetician, and on my days off I’m at my studio pouring into CYNNSBEAUTY. Everything I earn goes right back into the business — but I’ve come to understand that’s just part of building something real. That’s what entrepreneurship is.

What keeps me grounded is the bigger picture. I started something out of nothing. I created income for myself doing what I love. And every dollar reinvested is a step closer to the vision I have for this brand. That alone makes it worth it.

As you know, we’re big fans of CYNNSBEAUTY. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
CYNNSBEAUTY is a luxury skincare and esthetics studio in Tustin, CA, owned and operated by licensed esthetician Cynthia. What started as a personal journey through adult acne became a passion for helping others feel confident and at home in their skin.

Cynthia specializes in custom facials, acne, and pro-aging treatments, rooted in the belief that aging is beautiful and that every stage of life deserves to be cared for. She believes in slow, intentional care — never rushed — which is why she doesn’t offer shortened facials. A proper facial unlocks the parasympathetic nervous system, and that takes time done right.

She takes great pride in the professional-grade product lines she carries — GlyMed+, Circadia, and Skin Script — chosen for their results and integrity. Maintaining healthy skin isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity — and it shouldn’t empty your wallet to do it right.

At CYNNSBEAUTY, clients aren’t just getting a facial — they’re getting a skincare partner who genuinely cares. You’ll leave glowing, relaxed, and confident.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I used to want everything to happen overnight. Growing this business humbled me in the best way. Nothing in life worth having comes easy, and I’ve made peace with that. The slow build is where the magic happens — in business, in skincare, and in life. If it’s real, it takes time. And I’m okay with that now.

Pricing:

• CYNN’S Customized Facial – 60 min | $110
• CYNN’S Acne Clarity Facial – 60 min | $130
• CYNN’S Firming Peptide Facial – 90 min | $150
• CYNN’S Back Renewal Facial – 60min | $100

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cynnsbeauty.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cynnsbeauty
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melcynnn
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cynnsbeauty

Image Credits
Photography by Andrew Sepulveda. Instagram @ohrpresence or www.ohrpresence.com