What kind of facialist are you? As I sit here quietly typing away in the early morning, coffee in hand, I realize that there are skin care specialists that perform like sunrises and those that perform like Starbucks. This sounds like an insult, but it’s not. One can walk into any Starbucks across the country and order a venti almond milk latte and get this exact drink made the exact same way as any other Starbucks location. There is beauty in this consistency. It is perfectly on brand, perfectly curated to positively reflect the product and not the service provider. Several high-end skin care lines that implement this well-oiled machine come to mind, and they have spas that are wildly successful.

However, the further along I get into my career, the more I find myself following a different path. The closest analogy I can come up with is a sunrise. It brings light into the world and fills the sky with lovely pastel hues. However, each sunrise is slightly different. No two will ever be the same even once throughout a lifetime. There is a simple and subtle allure to this type of facialist. They follow pathways, not protocols, customizing each treatment every time.

Kristen N.M. Johnson is an award-winning registered nurse, licensed aesthetician, and co-owner of The Eclipse Spa in Westminster, Maryland. With over 10 years of experience in the luxury spa industry, Johnson is passionate about creating an incredibly unique and indulgent experience for each client. She specializes in the development, education, and implementation of innovative treatment protocols. She holds advanced training and certifications in holistic and integrative health, microneedling, clinical skin care and treatments, nutrition, facial cupping, gua sha, hot stone therapy, advanced chemical peels, cosmetic injectables, facial reflexology, and is an usui reiki master and teacher.