Life & Work with Frankie Shay of West Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Frankie Shay

Hi Frankie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I developed my passion for skin care over the course of my life and pivoted to this career after a decade
working in luxury brand retail and fashion. I started my own business in New York catering to my fashion clientele while continuing to enhance my education. I also spent time in Australia where I was able to continue my education in advanced esthetics.

The onset of the pandemic prompted a return stateside, where I assumed the role of lead esthetician at a prominent celebrity skincare studio. Over three years, I managed both the studio operations and an expansive client book. I fostered strong relationships over the years with skincare brands that I know and trust. I loved my position but had aspirations for both personal and client-centric advancement.

I pride myself as someone who sets goals from the smallest to the broadest you can imagine. Owning my own skincare practice has been a huge goal of mine for the past eight years. After searching for the perfect space to transition my business, I found Casey Axelrod-Welk who was opening his own Aesthetic Dermatology business called Contrapposto. Frankie Shay Aesthetics had found its home in a stunning John Elgin Woolf designed building. I decided to start my business in 2023 all while being pregnant with my first child. I like to think we are accomplishing all our goals at once!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Life is a journey marked by its peaks and valleys, each offering invaluable lessons. Embracing both the challenges and triumphs is essential, for it is through adversity that one truly appreciates success. As an esthetician, you are always learning and growing.

When starting out in this profession, one can only possess basic knowledge and limited technical prowess. It is the continual refinement of these abilities that paves the path to success in this industry.
From my perspective, beyond the initial obstacle of securing financial backing lies the task of self-belief and embracing risk. Unwavering faith in oneself amidst skepticism is crucial. I’ve encountered discouragement from certain female superiors in my career, highlighting the unfortunate prevalence of such barriers. However, my upbringing instilled in me a belief in the collaborative potential of women. Raised by a resilient single mother and supported by a steadfast sister, I champion the collective empowerment of women in the workplace.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an esthetician, studio owner, and brand manager with an exceptional ability to independently operate luxury skin care studio businesses. I am a qualified skin care therapist with 6 years of experience applying restorative and revitalizing skin care services for a broad clientele across New York, Sydney, and Los Angeles.

My skin care philosophy is about creating a customized luxury experience that promotes natural beauty at the molecular level. I view my role as an esthetician as an educator, provider, and cheerleader; I encourage my clients to establish a beauty practice they value and feel empowered to develop and maintain. My background in merchandise marketing and brand management are ideal for developing a strong knowledge base of current, well-developed, high-quality skin care products and connecting clients with the products that work best for them and their skin goals. A successful regime involves a carefully curated selection of products. No two clients are the same and my job is to understand both their skin goals and best practices for both clinic and home care.

What sets my treatments apart is the unique combination of massage, micro current, and light therapy. Incorporating massage and both modalities are the three most important pillars to our skin health. Clients state that the treatments are not all fluff rather you can FEEL it working.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Overall, my upbringing instilled in me a multifaceted identity, characterized by a blend of drive, sociality, curiosity, and creativity. We moved around several times starting from NYC to Portland and landing in Los Angeles.

I was always interested in fashion, beauty, and jewelry. I am fascinated by beautiful things from a silk nightgown to a gorgeous skincare bottle in my mother’s bathroom. This later translated into my choice of careers beginning in luxury fashion and evolving into esthetics.

I was inherently social, finding immense joy in connecting with others and building meaningful relationships. I never shied away from moving as it brought with it new adventures and opportunity. Change can be a scary aspect of life but it can also help drive you to take the chances you would not normally take.

Pricing:

• Prices vary based on the treatment

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.frankieshay.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frankiethefacialist/

Image Credits
Michelle Pullman