Today we’d like to introduce you to Chandler Hamilton.
Hi Chandler , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Living in the Caribbean for almost a decade, I fell in love with herbal tinctures and natural remedies. In adolescent years I struggled with cystic acne and tried all the things the dermatologist could give me. I was left with dried out skin, gut issues, and cyclical hormonal acne. Because of this, I’ve always had a growing interest in integrative health, and especially how it affects our skin. I founded Sun Up Skin in 2022 in order to give the holistic facials that I love to receive. We now have 3 estheticians on the team and serve as a holistic collective for practitioners within massage, acupuncture, and sound healing.
Our facials are massage focused and always customized to your needs. Whether you are looking to solely relax and get a boosted glow, or have more serious long term skin goals, we are here for you! Skincare is based around consistent rituals that optimize our skin health. That starts with nourishing and strengthening our skin barrier, and then strategic active ingredients and advanced modalities when needed. But our starting place is always a restorative environment- because it’s through a relaxed nervous system that our internal healing takes place.
Our treatment room focus is on integrative skin health. I find so much joy in creating healing spaces for individuals looking to relax, reset, and wake up glowing. I’m also an ingredients nerd excited to help align you with what you need for your skin goals. Our Austin location is the home base where it all begin, and last year we opened our second location in Delray Beach, FL.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In my past career life, I worked for over a decade in artisan business development working with very vulnerable communities through out Haiti. The work was meaningful, but quite heavy and intense. I am beyond grateful for those years and the way they shaped my perspective and leadership style. Those years impressed upon me the importance of compassion in all you do and never placing profit over people. With that in mind, I’m very fortunate to say that since founding Sun Up Skin it has flowed smoothly. Not to say challenges didn’t arise, but at the end of the day my goal was to create a safe space where people could receive healing, reground in themselves, and be reminded of how beautiful they are. And that goal has happened tenfold. The key to overcoming the challenges as they arise is reminding myself that none of this is too serious, every problem has a solution, and the necessity of a healthy work/life balance.
As you know, we’re big fans of Sun Up Skin. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At Sun Up Skin we specialize in massage focused facials and integrative skincare. While traditional facials are only topically focused with products that tend to strip and irritate the skin, our sessions address the nervous system, facial tissues, lymphatic system, and use whole ingredient plant based products that support healthy barrier function. Our studio is also very practitioner centric. Most traditional spas overwork their team members- cramming in so many clients in such a short amount of time for very little pay, leaving practitioners burned out and dependent on tips for their livelihood. After experiencing this myself, Sun Up Skin was designed to give practitioners the space and time they need to do what they do best- treat the skin & nervous system, and guide the client on their healing journey. We also do not accept gratuity as we prefer a simple, one price system that honors our services and the experts treating our clients.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
In order to show up and give the best treatment that we can, we must be doing the work to support the best version of ourselves. This doesn’t mean prioritizing work at all costs, this means creating space for family, for rest, for movement and nourishment, space for curiosity and continuing education. All aspects of ourselves we bring into our sessions in order to give our clients an intentional, present and thoughtful experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sunupskin.com
- Instagram: @sun_up_skin
