A Skin Care Specialist, Hair Stylist, Reiki Master, and Medical Qigong Practitioner. This month’s Educator Spotlight is on Vanessa Love, a multi-hyphenate artist from Fort Lauderdale, Florida that truly embodies the holistic practice.

Being part of the beauty and wellness industry for more than 13 years, Vanessa is looking forward to sharing her expertise and help as many people as she can on their own path to success.

What are some of your inspiring or motivating words for new holistic stylists?

There are two important things that got me where I am today: Always Follow Your Intuition; and Never Stop Learning! Throughout your career, you will be shown all different things that glitter – from products, to techniques, to job offers. But all that glitters is not gold. Stay 100% true to yourself and what you believe in, keep the things you choose to hold in that circle you believe in. If holistic is your goal, weed out the rest! If what you seek does not exist, really think about creating it yourself. Anything is possible! That’s where continuing education comes in. Learn everything you can about what you are most passionate about. Follow your joy and you will never “work” a day in your life.

How long have you been in the industry and why did you decide to become a skin care specialist and hair stylist?

2017 is my 13th year in the industry. I always loved doing hair, even when I was a kid. One of my first memories with it was when I talked my little 6-year old sister into letting me cut her hair in the front yard when my mother was at work. Yes, I used the orange handled kitchen scissors from the “junk drawer” and I was about 10 years old! My mom said it actually looked good, but don’t ever do it again. I also was the one doing all my friends hair for school dances. I always had a passion for it and it came very naturally to me. Skin care came with my own skin issues. I wanted to find a way to deal with it without having to resort to medication and chemical-laden products that seemed to do more harm than good.

What is the latest skin care technology, procedure, or technique that excites you?

I happen to be a very different kind of Esthetician and Stylist. Through following my dreams, literally, I am also a Reiki Master Teacher and Medical Qigong Practitioner. I love adding energy work into my treatments to receive a better understanding of the possible root cause to chronic skin conditions and anything else my client may be having an issue with. To me this practice is like being able to see under the surface to better advise on home and self-care to help my clients/friends feel their best.

What is your most significant accomplishment as a beauty professional?

Educating, absolutely. This will be my 10th year as an educator to Estheticians, Massage Therapists, Stylists, and spa/salon staff. I love sharing the knowledge I have been so fortunate to collect over the years with anyone interested in learning. In turn, I have learned so much and I can’t put into words how much I love what I do. Perhaps my favorite story from these years is being given the opportunity by Tamara Wills at Allyu Spa in Chicago to teach Reiki to the staff there. I was very excited to receive my Reiki Master Teacher certificate in 2010 and at the time I was an esthetician at Allyu. Energy work, in my mind fit perfectly with her business model of being a holistic spa, so I asked her if we could add it to the menu. She saw my enthusiasm and looked at me adoringly and to my surprise said, oh no sweetheart, we can’t add it to the menu, you’re the only one who does it! I thought for a moment and then said, I’m getting my teachers certificate soon, after that can I teach everyone and then we can put it on the menu? She said, you do that, and if they want to learn, you can go ahead and teach! So I finished my studies for my teachers certificate, went back, and set up multiple classes and by the end of it all I had taught Reiki to at least 30 therapists at the spa. We added it to the menu and it’s now one of their most popular services!

What is your favorite client story?

There really are so many that it’s really hard to narrow it down. So many people have trusted me with their skin and even their energy, it’s such an honor to be able to touch people in such a close way. One that stands out though is working with a young man who had really bad acne. He really had no idea of how to care for his skin and was making all the classic mistakes without knowing any better. It was so awesome to see his self-esteem go way up after changing literally two things he was doing. We changed to a different cleanser and started to use a hydrating product. That’s it! The way his skin transformed over a few weeks was amazing! He was a believer from them on, and was open to other treatments and home care to further his results.

How do you want people to remember you?

As someone who never stops growing and evolving while always available to educate, advise and otherwise assist colleagues and clients along on their own path.

Considering you are a multi-faceted cosmetologist, why did you decide to specialize in holistic skin care?

There are a few reasons why I chose skincare. One of them was wanting to gain an understanding of my own skin issues and learn how I could help others with their issues. Having an issue with your skin, and having that issue be right on your face can be extremely traumatizing and actually cause that person to want to hold back in certain ways in their life. Being able to educate people on how to care for themselves is something that I am extremely passionate about, as well as seeing just a few changes and how that can help someone feel like they no longer need to hold back. Also, having started out as a Cosmetologist and Stylist, I really didn’t like all the chemicals associated with that line of work, and there was a holistic path opening up with skincare right at that time.

What is your favorite Simply Organic brand and product?

I’m loving the Oway skincare so much! I love working with healthy oils, essential oils and botanicals. I love the Regenerating Booster. Serums have always been a favorite of mine since they are so packed full of amazing active ingredients. This serum actually works to repair and keep the skin healthy and strong! As you get to know me you will see I’m all about “filling your cup”, getting you what you need to get your skin to the healthy level it needs to be and going from there. This is one of those products that is a game changer and a beautiful first step to changing your skin.

Share a short term and long term goal with us…

Short term: I am really looking forward to learning all I can about the lines and sharing through different forms of education. I feel like there is so much room for creativity and this company seems very open to hearing ideas and working with someone’s individual potential. Long term: I would like to be a part of changing this entire industry for the better.

How has your career created value in your life?

My career has brought so many amazing people into my life. People I feel I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to connect with otherwise. The diversity among our profession is so beautiful, I am so very grateful to be a part of it. I feel inspired by so many of the artists I’ve met, whether they are a hairstylist, esthetician or massage therapist, and I feel honored to have had the opportunity to inspire others as well. My career is my life. I’m happy that I get to do what I love every single day.