Today we’d like to introduce you to Esther Oh Brister.
Esther, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Before I became a licensed esthetician, I was in a very fulfilling position in a different field. I oversaw multiple departments, managed several annual projects, and created a space where people could connect with others. The sad thing is that my work environment was very toxic. Once I came to that painful realization, I started thinking about what I might want to do next.
Cue NPR’s “How I Built This” podcast episode on Marcia Kilgore (founder of Bliss Skincare). Her story was so compelling, but what really stuck out to me was how she was able to help multiple celebrities clear their acne. Hearing her talk about skincare flooded my mind with memories from my childhood: getting my first facial in Korea (which was life-changing), going to Korean skincare stores in Dallas to manage my own acne, and being obsessed with DIY skincare books and making my own masks at home.
Remembering these moments and hearing Kilgore’s story propelled me to look into esthetics. What did I need to do to become an esthetician? What services can I perform as an esthetician? Do I need to go to school? I found the answers to my questions over time. And for three years, I thought about quitting and pursuing this little dream. But it never felt like the right time.
Until September 2021. This was when I knew in my soul that it was time to finally leave my previous job. Much-needed change was not guaranteed, and I understood (with the help of therapy) that I did not have to stay there if I didn’t want to.
So, I quit.
It was a leap of faith, leaving the work I loved and completely switching over to a new field and career. Yet, I couldn’t shake this feeling that going to school for esthetics was the next step for me.
Since then, my esthetics career has been a whirlwind.
I went to an esthetics school from January to July 2022. I was mostly booked on my in-spa days during school. Signed a lease for a studio space in May (while still in school). Passed my exams and became an officially licensed esthetician in August. Bought equipment, supplies, decor, insurance, backbar, and retail to get my studio ready, and opened in late September 2022.
Since then, I’ve had the greatest joy and honor of meeting so many beautiful clients and helping them reach their healthiest and happiest skin. I’ve seen teenagers to 60+, all ethnicities with various skin concerns. It’s been amazing to provide solutions to client’s concerns and creating a roadmap to reach their skin goals, as well as creating a space for healing and rest.
I share so much about my previous job and why I left because a place that was supposed to be healing, helping, and inspiring was anything but that for me.
I wanted the opportunity to create a space where, when people come, they could actually experience healing, rest, wholeness, and hope.
And I finally feel like I’m able to do that for others.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Oh, there have definitely been challenges along the way!
First, I almost quit esthetics school! I struggled emotionally and mentally throughout the last four months due to various instances at the school. But I knew that the time spent in school was essentially just a blip compared to everything ahead of me, so I chose to push through and focus on myself.
When I left my job, I left almost as a shell of a person. Knowing that I wanted to be a solo esthetician and open up my own studio, I had to do a lot of soul-searching and self-discovery to find myself again. I asked myself questions like: What do I want? What do I like? What colors should be associated with my business? What do I want my space to look and feel like? How do I want my clients to feel when they first walk in, when they’re on my treatment table, and when the leave? I had to look within myself to find those answers – it wasn’t an easy process.
And finally, I tend to be a perfectionist (something that I’m working on). I’m the type of person where everything needs to be perfect before presenting it to others. But that’s very unrealistic. I had to shed some of that mentality when starting because if I waited until everything was perfect, I’d still be writing ideas down on a Google Doc and not seeing any clients!
So many of my struggles in this process have been mental and emotional. At times, very hard to deal with, but always worth working through!
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Skin Revival Studio?
At Skin Revival Studio, we revive skin and restore lives.
Everything we do is to heal and revitalize you and your skin, inside and out. It’s not just about physically healing skin, but also bringing healing, rest, and care to each person so that when they leave, they leave feeling better than when they came in.
Many clients have enjoyed our in-depth consultations, where we talk about multiple lifestyle factors that contribute to skin health. From there, we create customized treatment plans and give homecare recommendations to help clients reach their specific skin goals.
We offer a range of facial treatments, including bespoke facials, microdermabrasion, age management facial treatments, and Acne Bootcamp, which, on average, helps clear acne within 3-4 months!
Our facial massage and various massage/lymphatic drainage modalities have also been a fan-favorite, as they’re not only relaxation-inducing but also results-driven.
Skincare is healthcare, and Skin Revival is grateful to provide much-needed self-care and skincare to North Dallas.
What are your plans for the future?
I’m excited to keep building up Skin Revival, introducing new modalities and treatments to bring the best results and continue my education to best educate my clients. And maybe one day, we’ll add an employee or two!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.skinrevivalstudio.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/thekoreanesthetician
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086210967606&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Other: https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&hl=en-us&sxsrf=AJOqlzXdJ7GidwTgqkg0mGTEY19e6Tw9lw:1678821587250&q=Skin+Revival+Studio&ludocid=10372551177084075489&gsas=1&client=safari&ibp=gwp;0,7&lsig=AB86z5WjxYvMablkf82pDXNKfLKI&kgs=5a2b211a912a3fd6&shndl=-1&source=sh/x/kp/local/3
Image Credits
Morgan Wirth Photography
