Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Charm.
Jennifer, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
The daughter of professional fine artists, I started doing makeup in my high school theatre dept. While attending college in NYC, I progressed to styling and making up glam bands in the mid 70’s on NYC’s lower east side.
I moved out to LA after college and took my first formal makeup training. I learned on-set working on short films and music videos. I kept getting requests for the makeup I had in my kit and for appointments to style the brows of the talent I worked on, so I figured I’d better expand. In ’91 I went to a state school for my Aesthetician license. I was lucky enough to meet and learn from Dr. Howard Murad, Mark Lees, Daniel Perricone and other notable skin Gurus and I opened my first location, Carabella Cosmetics & Skin Care in 1994 after working for a multi-location makeup & skin care company in the Valley, perfecting my skills.
Dubbed “The Brow Lady” by an LA newspaper article in 1997, my business really took off. I started participating in the LA Hotlist contest and won “best waxing salon” for my Brazilian waxing skills. I am THE go-to Brazilian waxing studio in the Valley!
I have been interviewed and featured in W Magazine, Allure, Daily News and my makeup has been featured in Lady Gunn Magazine, Rogue Magazine, Shape Magazine to name a few.
I still do editorial, special event and bridal makeup but my main area of expertise is in anti-aging and acne skin acne treatments. I was among the first Aestheticians in LA to train on and use microdermabrasion as well as being the first to employ pulsed LED treatments my facials.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Shortly after I’d just opened my first location I got pregnant with my now 21-year-old son. It had been 14 years since I’d had my last child, so I found myself juggling a new, burgeoning business and a new baby!
I had to go out of the country in what turned into a lengthy project and I came back to a deserted salon. The Aesthetician I’d hired to run it for me grew overwhelmed and bailed on me. I had to literally build the business back up from basement level and recover all my clients, old & new.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Carabella Cosmetics & Skin Care – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Carabella is a small, privately run skin, waxing & makeup studio/salon. I only sell high-end, natural &/or organic results-oriented skincare and none of the makeup or skin care contains parabens, perfumes, harsh preservatives or chemical sunscreens. The makeup and brushes sold are “professional quality”. There is a large selection of organic bath & body products, Korean beauty masks, organic bath & beauty products and lovely sterling and gold-filled jewelry. I am proud to exclusively carry GrandeEYE, Rhonda Allison Clinical Skincare, BioSlimming and Spongelle Bath & Body products.
I am an anti-aging and acne specialist and my clients are those men & women who want guaranteed results but who do not want to use a doctor or pay high prices for injectables and lasers.
I help everyone, from teenagers to more elderly clients, to achieve clear smooth skin. I am also a Volunteer Minister and a life coach so I am able to assist my clients holistically which is critical when stress is a contributing factor to poor skin conditions. My clients tell me that the salon is a very safe place to be.
Outside activities include donating baskets and gift certificates as well as running makeup for many local charities and non-profits and I am very proud to assist the LA police department with skin care and makeup lessons for the Explorers Clubs as well as the Hollywood Police Dept. PALS as well as various LAUSD charitable activities.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
My plans are to continue to do what I love best, making people feel beautiful. I plan on opening up another waxing room as I need the space. I also would like to do more editorial makeup and learn to blog!
Contact Info:
- Address: 20263 Kinzie Street Chatsworth CA 91311
- Website: www.saloncarabella.com
- Phone: 818-998-3223
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @CarabellaInc
- Facebook: Carabella Cosmetics & Skin Care
- Yelp: Carabella Cosmetics & Skin Care
Jenny Hirsch
January 24, 2017 at 18:31
I have been going to Jen for more than 10 years and have referred many of my friends and family. She is the brow whisper! Your skin is the most important organ of your body. It keeps the good stuff in and the bad stuff out. What you put on it is the most important. Knowing which products work for you and are not toxic can be confusing. Ask Jen. She will give you an honest straight forward solution that really works. 🙂