Women want to feel beautiful and confident inside and out so it’s important to empower them through learning and education. I get concerned about chemicals, over-exfoliation, misinformation, and just using too much of everything! I appreciate moderation. I believe that sometimes less is more. I would like for consumers to really understand what they are using and why.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Leah Chavie, a Chicago-based licensed esthetician and massage therapist. She holds several certifications for medical laser, cryo-stem cell therapy, radio frequency, micro needling, microblading, dermaplaning and chemical peel. She has extensive laser knowledge. She was certified with medical laser training in 2004 with Minnesota Vascular Center.
She was the Jane Iredale mineral makeup representative and trade show coordinator for two years. She was a Silk Peel Dermalinfusion sales and educator for the Midwest and continues to support them.
Chavie has been in the beauty industry since she was 15 years old, starting her career at a Minnesota-based chain of hair salons/spas. During her career, she did the makeup for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Vikings cheerleaders. She has offered extensive consulting for multiple doctors and med spas to develop protocols, training and set up from Nusta Spa in Washington D.C. to L.A. She has worked in every facet of the beauty industry from the front of the house to practitioner and educator.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit more about you. Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
I have always loved anything beauty related. Makeup and skincare have been a huge passion of mine from a very young age. When I was a little girl, I played with my Barbie dolls and put makeup on all of my girlfriends. I started working in the industry when I was 15 at a spa in Minnesota and went on to attend beauty school. At 17, I started working for a salon/spa chain in Minnesota and I was there for 7 years. Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics hired me and encouraged me to move to Chicago when I was 30 years old.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
I started my business 10 years ago with about $100 in my checking account! Armed with the passion and a dream to own my own business, I was able to make a career and a safe environment for me to do and live my passion. I tell all my clients I buy everything for me to try and if I love it, I will share with them.
Are you able to identify a “tipping point” in your career when you started to see success?
I feel like I get a chance to learn and grow every day, so I don’t feel like there was that one day I woke up and thought “I have arrived.” Over the years I have had both highs and lows and feel humbled by every experience. I am determined to keep growing and learning, so I continue to challenge myself to step out of my comfort zone. During these challenging times as a small business owner it’s important to stay positive!
Did you start doing anything different? Are there takeaways or lessons that others can learn from that?
I have learned so much from everything I have experienced — both good and bad. I have taken something away from each opportunity along my journey. I have learned to slow down and be present, so I am able to effectively listen and learn from my clients, friends and my partner. I try to find balance in everything I do. I am so grateful to be able to do what I love daily and contribute to other’s happiness and well-being.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person to whom you are grateful who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
Jane Iredale, a trailblazer in the beauty industry. I met her when I was 17 years old. She encouraged and supported this small-town girl from Minnesota to move to Chicago. I am so grateful for my time with her. My experience with Jane Iredale gave me the courage to move and to try new things.
Let’s now shift to the main part of our discussion. The beauty industry today has access to technology that was inconceivable only a short time ago. Can you tell us about the “cutting edge” (pardon the pun) technologies that you are working with or introducing? How do you think that will help people?
I love combination therapy. I like to mix the HydraFacial with the Vivace radio frequency, micro-needling, and stem-cell therapy. I call it “Hydraneedling.” I love anything that stimulates collagen!
Keeping “Black Mirror” and the “Law of Unintended Consequences” in mind, can you see any potential drawbacks about this technology that people should think more deeply about?
No, I say try treatments that induce your own body’s healing components as opposed to chemicals. Micro-needling is excellent for collagen stimulation and product penetration.
I am also loving the Plasma Pen right now to induce an injury in an area that needs improvement or correction. Through controlled heat and topical injury, this amazing treatment helps turn back the clock!
Can you share 3 things that most excite you about the “beauty-tech” industry?
I love HydraFacial, Venus Viva and Vivace with stem-cell therapy. As I get older, I feel like less is more with my products and I focus more on anti-aging treatments that stimulate collagen.
Can you share 3 things that most concern you about the industry? If you had the ability to implement 3 ways to reform or improve the industry, what would you suggest?
To make sure everyone including estheticians are properly and trained in all aspects of skincare and sanitation.
Women want to feel beautiful and confident inside and out so it’s important to empower them through learning and education. I get concerned about chemicals, over-exfoliation, misinformation, and just using too much of everything! I appreciate moderation. I believe that sometimes less is more. I would like for consumers to really understand what they are using and why.
You are an expert about beauty. Can you share 5 ideas that anyone can use “to feel beautiful”? (Please share a story or example for each.)
- Exercise daily: Move your body! Do 60 minutes of activity each day. It’s great for heart health!
- Nutrition: Your body is a temple — make sure to provide the right fuel for your body by eating healthy and nutritious food.
- Mental health/self-care: Try detox treatments to reset the body. Two amazing ways to do this is through infrared wraps and float tanks
- Self-love: Slow down and chill! Beautiful music, soy candles, oil diffusers, CBD oils are all good for relaxation and healing. You can even throw in a piece of chocolate or Twizzlers!
- Sleep: Need I say more?
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I would certainly focus on consumer education to ensure that people understand all the ingredients in every beauty/skincare product and make informed decisions on what to use on their bodies. I share knowledge to my audience on social media and am always teaching my clients about their skin when they come for appointments.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“My Skin is My Sin”
This quote came from Jack Pivac, a man who I dated for 10 years, who passed away in his sleep three years ago at 49. He used to tease me that this would be my “Real Housewives” tagline- #MySkinIsMySin
And it stuck!
How can our readers follow you online?
On Instagram (@leahchavie), Facebook (@LeahChavieSkin), Twitter (@LeahChavieSkin) or LinkedIn
The Future Of Beauty: “Combination Therapy & Hydraneedling” With Leah Chavie was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.