Q & A: Monica Shoemaker, Ashley’s favorite facialist and founder of Skin Logic.
Ashley takes her skincare VERY seriously (more about that here). Over the last seven years, she’s honed a routine that works for her with the help of her incredible facialist Monica Shoemaker, founder of Skin Logic Aesthetics. Monica healed Ashley’s skin during hormonal acne phases, worked her magic making a dewy complexion come to life on Ashley’s wedding day, and saw Ashley’s skin through two pregnancies! It’s no wonder Ashley has dubbed her “the skin fairy godmother.” As a fellow entrepreneur, we knew she had wisdom to share.
First things first, tell the story of how you and Ashley met.
Ashley became a client about eight years ago and we connected instantly! I’ve had the privilege of working with her through a lot of big life changes. Wedding prep, marriage, pregnancies, small children, and now as a fellow entrepreneur supporting and cheering each other on.
What’s been your entrepreneurial journey?
My entrepreneurial journey started young! Lemonade stands, magic shows for the kids in my neighborhood, selling my drawings door-to-door to save for a 10-speed bike. It showed me that I could create something that provided value and also gave me a sense of freedom, direction, and accomplishment.
Since then, I’ve had several successful businesses. Before I was an esthetician I was a personal chef and nutritional consultant. I had a thriving business helping clients heal their bodies with food. After a long career as a chef, I decided I wanted a change and became an esthetician and have never looked back. I’ve been an esthetician for more than 15 years now and absolutely love what I do. I went out on my own and created my skincare business in 2016. It quickly grew and I now have a team of very talented estheticians.
Tell us about your business and philosophy on skincare.
At Skin Logic our facial treatments are a perfect fusion of beauty and wellness practices from all over the world coupled with cutting-edge technologies. To curate our groundbreaking facial protocols I pulled from my years of studying nutrition, human anatomy, skin, and ancient techniques as well as my experience performing thousands of facials. Providing results-oriented treatments with relaxing elements, our facials start with breath work and include sound therapy.
Our philosophy is an inside/outside approach and we believe the skin is a mirror of what’s going on inside our bodies. “Anti-aging” has such a negative connotation. It’s more about improving the health of your skin and slowing the aging process. Skin changes are due to external and internal factors – diet, stress, hormonal changes, age, weather, and lifestyle. Each treatment at Skin Logic is tailored to your skin and where it’s at in the current moment. Our treatments are not only good for the skin, but good for the soul! You can see them all here.
Let’s talk skincare routine: what do you recommend people do every day, once a week, and once a month?
Everyday:
In the morning, keep it simple. Cleanse, use a good Vitamin C serum, an appropriate moisturizer, and apply SPF. We love the Super Serum from iS Clinical. It will lighten, brighten, and tighten! If you have sensitive or compromised skin, are prone to redness, broken capillaries, or rosacea, our biggest seller is the Proheal by iS Clinical. It’s nourishing and heals your barrier. I call it liquid gold! And once again, always finish with SPF. 365 days a year.
My biggest PM tip: Girl, wash your face every night! Your skin rejuvenates while you sleep. You want to wash the day off, including makeup, bacteria, oil, and debris. Double cleanse, using the Epicutis Oil Cleanser first, then the Cleansing Complex from iS Clinical – great for most skin types. It’s a non-foaming gel cleanser that doesn’t strip your skin.
Next step: Treat with a medical grade serum. Serums are the workhorse of your routine because they are corrective and treat specific concerns – hyperpigmentation, acne, dryness, or signs of aging. You can layer serums thinnest to thickest. We love the Active Serum from iS Clinical. It’s their hero product. It refines your skin, stimulates collagen to treat fine lines and wrinkles, and lightens pigmentation. Finish with a moisturizer that is appropriate for your skin type. If you’re a dryer skin type Ashley uses and loves the Super Moisturizer from Environ.
And you don’t have to wait until bedtime to do your routine. I like to do my skincare routine right when I get home from work when I get my comfy clothes on. Whatever time you choose, make it a ritual, signaling to your brain that it’s time to relax.
Once a Week:
Mask on Mondays! Or whatever day of the week when you’re home for the night and have the time to do a little extra in your skincare routine. I usually exfoliate that night as well. If you want to do both in the same treatment, Environ’s Youth + Tri Bio Botanical Revival Masque is amazing and has a cult following. It brightens and gives you that glow we all love. It’s a facelift in a jar!
You also want to exfoliate once or twice a week. We love the Active Peel System from iS Clinical. They are quick and convenient peel pads for controlled chemical exfoliation and a hydrating treatment. They are great for travel, new moms, and for that just-had-a-facial feel.
Once a month:
Get professional treatments once a month. We recommend every 4-6 weeks for the best results. Your skin’s cell turnover rate is anywhere from 28-48 days and up depending on your age. Getting regular treatments is the best way to reach your long-term goals.
Final question: are you setting any intentions in the New Year?
In the last five years or so, I’ve chosen a word of the year. I feel like it helps to have a theme to keep it simple. Last year my word was Connection. I cherish the connections I have with my clients. Improving the client experience is something I strive for. This year it’s Breathe. Running a business, a household, family, and personal time is a lot to juggle. So, my goal this year is to just stop and take some deep cleansing breaths when I’m feeling stressed or need to practice mindfulness and gratitude. It’s a practice that I can do anywhere, anytime. It’s also a good time of year to review my business and personal life. I actually love January for that reason. It’s a clean slate. I organize my space, my closets, my office, and my life. Looking for ways to improve and be better than the year before.
You can purchase any of these products with a 10% discount by entering AKL10 at checkout. AND you recieve free shipping through the month of Feb!
Ashley’s Esthetician Product Recommendations
********Click here to add your bonus entry (Comment with a Star Emoji) for a chance to win a signature hyrdrafacial with Monica!********