Today we’d like to introduce you to Inez Laval.
Inez, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
It’s a funny story how I became an esthetician. I was going back to school to pursue my dream of being a lawyer after being out of school for s few years. As usual, I was late to register for the classes and all the classes I needed were full. So my counselor advised me to take a class and this would allow me to get early registration and I could get the classes I wanted the following semester. So I looked and couldn’t find anything interesting until I found a spa course.
In this class, you learned how to do fun spa services and I figured why not it would be fun and easy to do and it would allow me to get in and get early registration for the following semester. While in this class, my teachers and fellow classmates asked if I was going into the Esthetician program the next semester and I was like no, I’m here because I needed a class to be able to register for the next semester. Well, thought out the semester everyone kept telling me that I should go into the esthetician program because they thought I would be good at it and I had a demeanor that was very calming. My friends and family would say otherwise lol!! I heard there was a three years waiting list to get into the esthetics program at the school I went to and I thought wow, three years to learn how to do facials that’s crazy and it peaked my intreats.
So the day came for me to register for my classes and as I’m registering, I happen to look to see if there was any openings to the esthetician program and there was and I figured let me give it a try if I don’t like it I can continue on the road to being a lawyer. Well, to say the lease I fell in love the program and became an esthetician and the rest is history. Bye bye lawyer hello esthetician. Not a day goes by that I regret the change and the chance I took on something that wasn’t even in my radar. I believe everything happens for a reason and me taking that spa course lead me to my passion and love of beauty.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
NOOO, I wish I could say it’s been a smooth road. I’ve had some major ups and downs but that’s the nature of my industry. The beauty industry especially on the service side, is a lot of hard work. Reputation is everything in the esthetics world. At the beginning of my career, it was a lot of long hours and mastering my skills and sitting around a salon waiting for a client to take a chance on you and book with you. So I would sit in the salon not getting paid until I booked a client. I worked on a commission base back then so I had to learn to be my own brand and marketing agent for myself. That took time and commitment but eventually, all the hard work pays off. I worked a lot for free in the beginning but I believe that pushed me to never give up and push forward for my dreams.
Waxing By Inez – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My business is a small waxing boutique where I do full body waxing and facials. I”m known for my painless Brazilian waxing for both woman and men. I created a technique that allows for the least amount of pain when waxing. I use a high-end hard wax for sensitive areas such as face and bikini areas and I use a high-end soft wax for other areas such as arms and legs. My philosophy is that waxing shouldn’t be so painful that you avoid getting a wax or dread it. In my waxing boutique a wax is treated like a skincare service where you’re taken care of and are happy and satisfied with your service.
I created a space that’s warm, inviting and relaxing where you want to come and get a wax or any of the services I offer. What I am really proud of my company is the fact that its woman-owned and I really tried to create a place where you don’t have to feel scared about getting a wax instead it’s a place where you feel relaxed and are looking forward to your service. What sets me apart from others is I’ve been in the business for 18 years. I still take classes to keep my skills fresh and I love what I do. I believe clients can still feel my passion for the industry.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I have a few proud moments but one of my favorites is when I got into the beauty bible Allure magazine in 2012 and was named one of the best waxers in LA. That was a super proud moment for me because all the hard work and time I put into learning and mastering my craft was recognized by one of the biggest beauty magazines out there.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1250 N La Brea Ave suite 102
West Hollywood CA 90038 - Website: www.waxingbyinez.com
- Phone: 323-929-6437
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @waxingbyinez
- Facebook: waxingbyinez
- Twitter: @inez_by
- Yelp: Waxingbyinez@yelp
Image Credit:
Ayana Herrera, Jessica Lovell
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