Esthetician Spotlight: Jaime Mayer Shad
In honor of National Peel Day, we wanted to spotlight one of our local estheticians, Jaime Mayer Shad. She is a Master Esthetician licensed in 3 states, currently offering facials at Monarch Skin, a skin studio in Arlington, VA.
Tell us a little about yourself, where you work today, and how you got there.
Hi friends! My name is Jaime Mayer Shad I am a licensed Master Esthetician in MA, VA, D.C. and a licensed esthiology educator in Virginia. After graduating from Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics, I worked in Georgetown for a few years delving deep into holistic esthetics and then taught at the Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute. Now I share a studio space with a talented colleague and friend at Monarch Skin, specializing in custom facials that utilize modern modalities and healing touch to achieve long-term results.
What made you decide to become an esthetician?
I became an esthetician for several reasons.
I struggled with acne beginning in fifth grade so I understand how deeply skin conditions can affect confidence. In high school I worked as a hair salon receptionist and fell for the buzzing, female empowered beauty industry, though as someone who gets overstimulated easily, I was more drawn to the soothing, aromatic spa environment. And finally, no one in the world appreciates back rubs and massage more than me… yes I accept your challenge!
What is your favorite part about being an esthetician?
I love the ritual of caring for somebody.I believe the antidote to ego and key to spiritual growth stem from investing your time in tending to another’s wellbeing. When performing treatments becomes mundane or inspiration hits a lull, I come back to this.
And the people. As an introvert who happily opts to spend most time alone, I adore my spa days where I am taken out of myself and am welcomed into my client’s life for that time being; even just energetically. I’ve grown and learned so much from my brilliant, witty clients.
What is your biggest pet peeve as an esthetician?
Aside from a client looking up at me the entire time? Just kidding!
When clients do not follow up on lifestyle changes. Hear me out! I know the work is challenging. BUT if we know an intrinsic or extrinsic element is blocking your skin from progress, such as excoriating (picking), ignoring a food sensitivity or allowing chronic stress to take over, then it simply must be addressed for your skin to improve. Start with small steps and have grace with yourself; we just should not ignore the needs our bodies are communicating to us.
Why do you love peels in the treatment room?
Peels are crucial to imparting change in the skin. For one, professional peels are often at a PH or percentage (or both!) not available to a client without a cosmetology license. Therefore, they offer deeper exfoliation and increased AHA/BHA benefits, resulting in collagen and elastin synthesis, evening of tone and texture, increased hydration, etc. They also prepare and soften the skin for extractions, which in my experience are vital to managing acne conditions.
If you had one skin recommendation for every guest to follow, what would it be?
Be Intuitive. As amazing as your esthetician’s treatments and recommendations are, we cannot go home with you to be by your side ready with advice. You must take steps to learn your own skin for that majority of time we don’t have you on the treatment bed. You cannot copy verbatim what an article states or trust what Tik Tok showed you. It simply does not work. Everyone’s skin responds to topicals in vastly different ways and each human has a completely unique biochemistry. We are as complex as snowflakes! So, invest in professional home care, learn its benefits and uses, learn your skin’s patterns and be intuitive for what your skin needs on a day-to-day basis rather than following a strict formula.
What is your favorite Alchimie Forever product for home use?
The Kantic Brightening Moisture Mask, no doubt. The story of its conception says it all. It began as a small batch concoction handed over to the local pharmacy by Dr. Polla to help heal children’s skin for whom he had just performed laser treatments. The patient’s mothers, enticed by the mask, tried it out and took note of its glowy effect; requesting it for themselves! The mask fuses luxury and the medicinal. It is a nod to local ingredients and hardworking botanicals blended and transformed into skin gold…pure ‘”alchimie!”
