Alli is a Master Esthetician and Family Herbalist. She attended The Institute of Epidermal Cell Therapy and the Eclectic School of Herbal Medicine

Bio

My Journey into Skincare with my family of 4 

        It is hard to pinpoint the exact time frame when I first became intrigued by the Cosmetic Industry. I started my journey into Cosmetology shortly after starting high school in 2005. My mom had a strong sense that my priorities for learning things that did not interest me were hardly going to hold my attention for a typical 4 year degree at a University, so luckily she suggested that I apply to my local science and technology school to obtain my cosmetology license. The world works in mysterious ways, because 1 year after I graduated high school, my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and was given 3 months to live. I am so glad that I didn’t have to make the decision to drop out and stay home with her because it wouldn’t have been a question given my close relationship with her. 2008 was a tough, life changing year but if there was anything I could take away from my loss it was determination to get back on my feet again. 

I worked full time as a hairdresser for over 3 years before deciding that I still had not filled my curiosity for self improvement and education. In 2012, I started looking into separate licenses that complimented my existing trade, when I came across Aesthetician School. I absolutely loved my experience at Virginia Institute of Esthetics and decided to continue for my basic and masters license. After graduating, I felt like many newly graduated students..nervous! At the time, I really wanted experience in the medical field but knew that these positions typically required more experience than externship hours at a day spa, so I started my skin care career in an upscale Hotel Spa. I spent my days performing relaxing facials on clients from all over the world but felt a huge disconnect with the part of aesthetics that really got me excited, which was long term improvements through treatment plans. 

        After learning through the basics of facial treatments, I was able to find a position working under a plastic surgeon. I worked alongside a nurse injector and felt like a sponge that could never saturate enough. Neurotoxins, fillers, liposuction, blepharoplasty, breast augmentation, cool sculpting for body contouring and so many more procedures that I was able to have one on one experience with vs. reading about them in my Milady esthetic books. I was fascinated by the non-invasive capabilities of different machines and knew this knowledge was going to serve me the rest of my career for myself and my clients. 

      September 2016, My husband and I had decided to take the Sunday to ourselves and head to the Norfolk Zoo for a date day. We grabbed some lunch, visited with the animals and grabbed some Dip-n-dots for our ride back home before dinner. When they say that car accidents can happen in a blink of an eye, this is the best description of time travel I have ever come close to. One minute we were talking about what to eat and the next minute I woke up upside down, dangling from my seat belt in total shock of what had just happened. We were crossing over an intersection when a car from the opposite lane was trying to speed through a yellow light and hit our vehicle at about 45mph, flipping us upside down and to the other end of the road. Luckily, my husband is a Marine and first responder, he acted quickly once he noticed smoke was coming out of the back side of our vehicle and got himself out to grab me out of the passenger seat to safety. I had no idea how bad my injuries were because frankly, I couldn’t feel anything, I noticed it was my right hand that had broken out of the sunroof and scraped along the gravel when we were hit. At the time this was the least of my worries since I was more concerned with bone breaks, my neck and back being ok. I was released from the hospital with some pretty bad road rash that night. The doctors recommended that I stay out of work for a few months until I got through physical therapy with my hand. So this meant physically I was unable to perform any types of services that were required for my jobs. Three months felt like three years but in that time, the idea of the Beauty Barn was born in my imagination and on my pinterest boards. It took something completely drastic in my life to realize that I needed a change, working 2 jobs as a hair stylist and esthetician, 50 + hours per week left me very little time to enjoy my home, friends, family and continuing education that I crave so deeply. 

      In a matter of months, the walls of my new business were built and with the help of my husband, I was able to open my doors 6 months after my idea had first hit paper. I decided that the intimacy of a small studio fit my personality the best, I enjoy my one on one time with each client and the ability to create my own schedule based on their specific needs. I recently completed a year training and certification at Eclectic school of Herbal Medicine, which has given me a great platform to help clients navigate internal issues that may be contributing to their skin problems; dietary, hormonal, lifestyle, stress management ect. Being able to address these issues from skin care services on the outside and inside has been extremely helpful in each individual’s journey to healthy skin!