Today we’d like to introduce you to Lila Castellanos.
Lila, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I struggled with serious acne as a teenager, and it really affected the way I felt about myself. What I had was far worse than a stubborn blemish or two here and there; this was real, painful, cystic acne that would not go away no matter what I tried.
And let’s face it – we already struggle so much with accepting our physical appearance at that age without adding something like bad skin to the mix. I was so fortunate at that time because my Aunt Nancy just happened to be an esthetician and convinced me to allow her to formulate a skincare regimen specifically designed to treat my acne and address some of my other skin concerns.
Within a few months, I was shocked to find that this new skincare routine had drastically improved the appearance and condition of my skin. I was blown away! That experience restored my self-confidence and provided me with true insight into how our feelings of self-worth are so inextricably tied to the face we present to the world. My personal story inspired me to want to help others with similar struggles to feel the same kind of happiness that I felt when my skin was clear, and I finally loved myself again.
I decided to follow Aunt Nancy’s path by becoming an esthetician and enrolled in the Christine Valmy School of Esthetics in New York, the same school she had attended many years prior. I considered it my way to give back a little piece of something beautiful that was given to me as a young woman, and I am truly grateful to her for bestowing a true passion and love for esthetics. I’ve now been a licensed Esthetician for more than 13 years.
Early in my career, I worked in medical, mobile, and luxury day spa environments, honing my skills and slowly building a loyal clientele. Then in 2014, I took a huge leap of faith; I decided to capitalize on all of the industry knowledge that I had acquired and invest my savings into opening my own shop. A year later, Doll Face Skincare Studio was born.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Any entrepreneur can tell you that forging your own path can be a challenging, yet extremely rewarding experience. In retrospect, I am thankful that I devoted an entire year to planning, so I could prepare for the business that I wanted to create and one that would best serve my clients. I would say my biggest challenge continues to be balancing my time between seeing clients with running the behind-the-scenes aspects of my business.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
As the primary business owner and a skincare professional, I’m dedicated to my client visits and providing customized, results-oriented treatments to meet their skincare goals. Rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all treatment approach, I offer versatile combinations of modern, up-to-date skincare technology and products focused on the health and integrity of my clients’ skin.
I was thrilled to be one of a select few to offer oxygen facials to clients on LA’s Eastside, as the first authorized Intraceuticals treatment provider in the area. I’m also extremely proud to have created a pampering environment that harkens to a time when luxurious personal services were the norm, allowing my clients to relax and enjoy some respite from their hectic lives.
Where do you see your industry going over the next 5-10 years? Any big shifts, changes, trends, etc?
Thanks to research and new technologies, the field of esthetics is advancing quite rapidly. Therefore, maintaining ongoing education and staying current on the latest research and treatments are a big part of my job.
I think that achieving healthy skin through the use of non-invasive treatments, advanced skincare products and technologies, and further advances in nutraceuticals will all continue to be driving forces in the industry.
Options for specific skincare conditions such as melasma, psoriasis, and other special concerns, are also an area for great growth potential. I look forward to tracking these trends and providing these treatment protocols for my clients through new menu offerings and skincare products as these advances are made.
Pricing:
- Doll Face / $100
- Intraceuticals O2 Facial / $175
- The Triple Threat / $250
Contact Info:
- Address: 2019 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles, California 90039
- Website: https://www.dollfaceskincarestudio.com/
- Phone: (323) 632-5500
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dollfaceskincarestudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dollfaceskincarestudio
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/dollface_skin
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/doll-face-skincare-studio-los-angeles
- Other: styleseat.com/lilacastellanos
Image Credit:
Carol Sheridan
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