Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Munoz.
Hi Laura, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I have been a Licensed Esthetician for over 11 years. My love affair with skin began at a young age when I used to pour over my parent’s Mayo Clinic Book of Dermatology (*don’t ask her why that was in the home library of an attorney and stay at home mom!). Growing up in South Texas, I was always the sister, daughter, and friend who was first in line to help tweeze eyebrows and “pop” pimples. After coming to the University of Texas at Austin directly after graduating high school, I often frequented a favorite local apothecary, and it was within that business that my fascination for products, and in particular, for botanical ingredients, began to take shape. It was my wish to leave university life behind and pursue my Esthetics certification but my parents were insistent that I graduate college and for that I am grateful. Having a well-rounded education has informed and influenced my whole-body approach to working with the skin. Post college, and after having just completed a year of teaching High School English in South Texas, I realized it was finally time to pursue my long-held dream of becoming an Esthetician. A good friend, and the owner of the apothecary that first introduced me to my love of products, introduced me to the Master Esthetician who would become my first and most important mentor in the industry. Because of the Master Esthetician’s willingness to let me work under her while I attended school, I decided to move back to and study in Austin. Since then, I have been incredibly fortunate to work alongside many talented women who have taken chances on me and taught me so much early on in my career- and still teach me to this day!
I have worked in many different settings within the Esthetics world including large day spas, salons, and small boutique skin-focused spas. Over the years, I have been privileged to take incredible course work from master educators in various massage modalities and approaches to skin, health, and wellness. I have always been a curious person, ever eager to ask questions and learn more about our world, and this personality trait, combined with my past work and education experience, have all deeply influenced the kind of esthetician that I am today and my overall approach when working with my clients.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I wouldn’t call any growth-oriented road smooth but I’ve been lucky to have a lot of support along the way! In the beginning, it was challenging to find an employer that would take a chance on a brand new Esthetician fresh out of school. Later, I found challenges in figuring out how to spread my wings while still feeling supported and in working for others who had vastly different ideas in how I should conduct myself with clients or find balance between work and life. Most recently, the global pandemic has brought great challenges for those in my industry. Whether it was at the beginning when we were all learning how to work in a high-touch business safely or later when I decided to go out on my own and needed to navigate running a business for the first time. I’ve always found the hands-on, healing component of my work to be natural- running a business, not so much!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My approach to overall skin health and wellness comes from a deep trust that everything in our bodies is interconnected and we in turn are connected to the natural world. This truth has always been a guidepost for me as I work with clients on acute and chronic inflammatory conditions that manifest in the skin and in supporting others (and myself!) as we all navigate acceptance of our bodies as we age. In a society that profits off our discomfort with ourselves as we are, I believe the most radical and important thing we can do is to meet ourselves where we are at, and find neutrality, acceptance, and dare I suggest, love and joy, for who we are, as we are! Truly a lifelong endeavor for us all! When consulting with my clients over their skin concerns and goals, I like to approach my discussions not only from what is going on at the surface but also from what is happening within the body and within their lives with regards to sleep, stress, movement, diet, and relationships. When working on skin directly, I have an intuitive approach that is backed by years of study and results-oriented treatments that have served me and my clients well. Each treatment I offer is customized and unique unto itself and is guided by a thorough history of the client’s skin and what I see in front of me in real-time. While I work with all types of skin, I find that working with inflammatory skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, and dermatitis is where I find the most satisfaction. I love to see a client’s whole world change because they are feeling more confident and at peace within their own skin. I have amassed many skillsets and tools over the years, but I find that using massage modalities to manipulate the circulatory and lymphatic systems of the face is often where I see the most sustainable results.
No matter the type of work I am doing, I am always striving to create a safe and comforting environment for my clients- a space in which they can truly take respite from this very busy and crazy world we live in – a space in which true healing can begin to take shape.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
My own skincare routine is extremely simple and has been for many years! I think most people assume that an Esthetician would have a 10+ product daily routine. I’ve struggled over the years with my own inflammatory issues that have resulted in skin that is prone to rashes. In my journey toward balance, I’ve found that my skin is happiest when I limit the number of products I use daily. It has been a wonderful lesson that I’ve turned around and used in my own practice when working with others.
Contact Info:
- Email: Laura@Botanicatx.com
- Website: https://BotanicaSkinStudio.as.me/
Image Credits
Lisa Munoz-Johnston The Digital Bird
