a love letter

2/27/23, Costa Mesa, CA

I remember stepping into POP Society for the first time like it was yesterday. I had just started esthetician school, had no idea what I was doing or where I was going, yet I knew that I was right where I was supposed to be. I had randomly discovered POP through my best friend while in esthetics school and was ecstatic that Yvette, owner of POP Society, took a chance on this skin-obsessed student who dreamt one day of giving holistic facials.

Thinking back to the time five years when I first started to offer facials - I had so many fears and doubts as a new esthetician. Will I be any good? How is my touch? Do I know enough to do this? Now, I crave to give a two hour facial massaging beautiful botanicals into your skin and feel confident doing so. As I sit here in my treatment room at POP for the last time before heading north to the Bay Area, I’m so grateful for Yvette who gave me creative freedom to bring facials to POP in 2018 and invested in a new(ish) skincare line called Botnia Skincare, and never doubted me even when I doubted myself. These walls have been a home away from home, and I couldn’t imagine a better place or group of people for that.

Sitting here thinking about each of you who’ve come through this door over the last 6 years, I’m overwhelmed with gratidue, love, appreciation, excitement, sadness (at our new distance), and awe. Because of you all, I’ve had the ultimate gift of loving what I do every day with what has quickly become a group of friends. Caring for your skin is an immense honor. I know how much trust it takes to put your precious skin in the hands of a stranger. I am beyond appreciative of you putting that trust in me for so many years, also giving me creative freedom to craft your facial and be a part of your daily rituals. Thank you for taking a chance on me and supporting my little business that I’ve poured my heart into. I cherish our quality conversations, our stories, laughs, cries and seeing you come out of this room rested and smiling. Every hug these last few weeks has led to smiles and tears, and I am beyond grateful for each and every one of you. I know this won’t be the last time I care for your beautiful faces (as I have some very exciting plans in store for 2023), but you are in good hands with my friends at POP.

Which leads me to this moment…packing up my apothecary and plants and heading into a new journey, not a goodbye but a see-ya-real-soon. I hope you’ll stay connected as I continue my esthetician journey in Sausalito, CA (and if you’re ever in the area, I would love to see you!!). My goal is to find new ways to offer you value from afar, so if there is anything you need or want I am all ears (massage tutorials, masking at home, playlists, how-to’s).

Thank you for letting me be a part of your journey, and for being a part of mine. I can’t wait to see you again!

XOXOXO