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Meet Augusta Sweet of Sacred Skincareapy in Long Beach

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Augusta Sweet.

Augusta, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I can’t remember a time I wasn’t holistically minded and a nurturer…I liken that to being an intuitive and sensitive being. When I was a kid growing up in rural northern Virginia, I was the one that would “rescuing” turtles out of the middle of the road so they didn’t squished or nursing wounded animals back to health. So being a nurturer… that was something that was instilled in me at a pretty young age.

I’ve been an esthetician in Long Beach now for a little over 5 years. Before that I worked finance in debt management for almost 10 years. When the banking collapse happened, it had a significant impact on my well being… anxiety skyrocketed and I knew I needed to make a change.

I’ll always remember it was my mom who encouraged me to go back to school to learn a trade I’d expressed passion for since the age of 18-19. We were on the phone (my parents lived in Arizona) and I was underwhelmed, unfulfilled, and felt like there was little difference I could make in salvaging clients’ lives thru the downturn in the economy.

My mom said, “Why don’t you go back to school?”

I remember a flustered response as the thought of being ‘too old’ to start over at the age of 35 (and really even older, when I thought about it, since I’d be STARTING at 35. I hastily replied “What am I going to go back to school for?!” And she reminded me how much I loved skin care and cosmetics, and science, and making people feel good about themselves. To her, it was a no brainer.

And so, I started researching schools. I knew I wanted to go through school quickly so I could pass my boards and then the REAL education could begin (working hands on and advanced classes).

5 years later I not only have my own established practice and business in Long Beach, but I am continually amazed by how I got here and where I’m going.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road…

In the summer of 2014 I lost both of my parents. I’d turned 39 in March of that year, a week before my birthday we learned my mom had cancer. She had already managed Multiple Sclerosis since I was 9-10 years old. In fact, much of the holistic approach I take day to day in my own life as well as that in my business, was founded in my formative years through my mom.

Nothing could have prepared me for what was to unfold in those next 4 months.

My mom was my best friend. I was working as a Lead Esthetician at a wellness center in Long Beach and upon learning how sick my mom was, and that any treatment options would be delicate because of the existing MS, I let the owner know I needed to be with family and help my mom and dad in any way that I could.

I made many trips to Arizona where they lived, over those last few months, and in June I stayed until she found peace and her spirit let go in this life.

My parents were married 44 years and losing my mom was devastating to my dad, … he succumbed to his own overwhelming grief, and he took his own life just three weeks after my mom passed.

I was devastated. With my mom, I’d felt more able to prepare and accept the inevitable… but nothing prepares you for loss in this way.

It was a heartbreaking and numb time in my life. I had just accepted another job in Long Beach after my mom passed and had to pause for the remainder of 2014 to settle my parents financial affairs, grieve, and process.

Please tell us about Sacred Skincareapy.
Now here I am, 3 years later… I’m building a beautiful practice, in a beautiful location that I am truly proud of and know fully that they would be, as well.

I opened my ‘Bohemian” boutique spa in the Upper Bixby Knolls neighborhood of Long Beach in February. Oh my!! If you had only seen the space BEFORE we started renovations! Garish fluorescent lighting, flooring that hadn’t been touched in 30 or more years – it was a MESS! I converted an old medical office into a beautiful, warm multi treatment room wellness space of my own and my boyfriend and I did all the labor ourselves, with some help of a couple friends.

My space is very earthy, very warm, and very inviting. It is exactly what I envisioned.

I’m a holistically minded, ingredients focused Licensed Esthetician and Certified Acne Specialist. I provide mostly corrective treatments, focused predominantly on clearing acne without harsh medications or prescriptions. I have been focused on acne treatment since becoming licensed as I had my own struggles with it. It is this empathy that makes me great at what I do. Even though I specialize in corrective treatments there are no while walls and no stark clinical feel exists in my suite.

If you asked my clients what I’m known for they would likely say two things — the way I share knowledge and tips with them as well as the way I make them feel. (I’ve been told I have a magic touch! Haha)

Even beyond that, I am passionate about the skin, the sciences surrounding skin and skin care, and also treating each guest with an authentic, nurturing spirit. I am always curious, always learning and sharing, and always leading with an intent of love. I enjoy every service I am chosen to provide.

And for that, I am equally proud of the space I have created …and those that I am able to share it with.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Nothing.

If there is one thing I have learned in life it is this is it.

I could sit forever in a soup bowl of “what if’s” but all it would do is stir me into stillness.

Even through the loss and grief that put my dream on pause, I was growing in other ways…

In 2014, I was fragile and so I turned to professional Facebook forums, private groups for other licensed skin care pros, and I gave encouragement and advice, and research and help so that I could be part of someone else’s professional development while healing myself. That actually became a HUGE part of my healing process and ability to be where I am now. I continue to support my peers in this and other ways, as it has become such an integral part of the therapist that I am.

So, no… there is nothing I would do differently. I believe things, even traumatic things, happen to teach us that we are always capable of greatness… and it is never too late to start over.

Not even at 35.

Pricing:

  • Acne Consultation & Treatment $100
  • Renew (60 min) or Relax (90 min) Customized Facial $85 / $115
  • Resurface Holisic Microdermabrasion with Customized Enzyme Facial $125
  • Refresh + Restore Advanced Age Management Facial with Microcurrent $150

Contact Info:


Image Credit:
Augusta Sweet

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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