Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Ybarra.
Samantha, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am a medical aesthetician/esthetician from Chandler, Arizona. I grew up doing sports and competitive cheer. I ended up getting a scholarship to Hawaii Pacific University in Oahu, Hawaii where I resided from 2012-2015. Growing up, I definitely battled acne due to lack of education and honestly laziness. When I was in Hawaii, I got sick. I gained over 15 pounds of water weight and my acne was damn near grade 3 cystic acne and painful pustules. I had an epiphany while in Hawaii. I was so sick of caking on the make up and still feeling like a crunch bar. My self esteem was low. I cried. I was angry. I finally realized that no one should ever have to feel the pain I felt; not only physically but mentally. I was honestly depressed. I started educating myself and realized that my skin and body were a painfully obvious reflection of my lifestyle. Which included a seriously poor diet that consisted of quick and cheap options along with mostly coffee and energy drinks. I feel gross just sayIng it nowadays. I got into fitness and competed in my first bikini show where I placed second! From there, I wanted to spread my knowledge with the world! I grew thirsty for more knowledge and understanding for the body and skin. We do not realize the machine that our bodies truly are. I fell in love with the Holistic lifestyle. I found Aveda where I received my education is esthiology. From there, I knew my big picture goal was to mix Holistic with science, so before I graduated from AVEDA with honors, I enrolled in Laser School at National Laser School in Scottsdale. I got a job at a laser clinic specializing in body contouring and skin rejuvenation. I worked there for almost three years. I absolutely loved my team, but especially after having my daughter, I knew the corporate games and nonsense just is not for me. I have to believe in what I am doing and my integrity pointed me in a new direction in opening my own spa AfterGlow by Sam Aesthetics LLC. I knew I’d be better off as my own boss. I started with doing treatments out of my house, but once my books started to grow I realized I needed to keep my home more separate. Now, I share space at the Beauty Lounge Bar in Chandler and I could not be more happy with the decision to take the biggest leap of faith for myself and my family. I have surrounded myself with like-minded Individuals who are inspiring and beautiful on so many levels. I believe everyone deserves to feel like the best version of themselves because confidence looks gorgeous on you! My mission is to provide quality and effective treatments to your unique skin care needs in conjunction to education on professional products and services to help you be and feel the best version of YOU. Education and consistency are key to beneficial change and I am here to take the guess work out for your personal skin care needs.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road to owning my own business has been a whirlwind of emotions. I always knew I wanted a place where people could go to a one-stop shop. I also knew that I wanted people to be able to actually afford consistent treatments because, like anything, consistency is key. My passion for the beauty industry stems from a place of genuine love for helping people. I have had days of absolute bliss and days where I feel completely defeated. The best advice I have come to find is surrounding yourself with truly kind-hearted people. The growing pains have helped me have a more clear vision of how I want to build my life. Stop comparing your success with others. No one is going to post all their failures and mishaps. But I also think that is what makes the experience with ME so different. I want to be transparent. I want people to understand that just because our lives do not run parallel outside of social media does not mean my problems are worse than others and vice versa. I am creating a wellness experience. Mind, body, and soul; we are all beautiful in our own ways. Even on the hard days, I have people in my life reminding me who the hell I am and all I have accomplished. Show up as the best version of you for YOU; Every. Damn. Day. No one will promote you like YOU. Confidence is key.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into AfterGlow by Sam Aesthetics LLC story. Tell us more about it.
As a laser technician, I specialized in skin rejuvenation and body contouring. I plan to grow into more of a medical spa with my partner, Jocelyn Alvarado who operates The Beauty Sanctuary for permanent makeup and waxing. At my spa, AfterGlow By Sam Aesthetics LLC, I am specializing in anti-acne, anti-aging, and pigmentation using Skin Script RX and Herbal Skin Solutions. I am always doing continued education classes and certifications to stay on top of the ever-growing industry. I am so proud of the fact I have stayed humble throughout my growth. I want to see others succeed and I want to share all of my knowledge with anyone who wants to educate themselves. I have had nothing but positive experiences when meeting anyone in this industry. I did not grow up with “the popular girls” so being surrounded by loving and supportive boss babes has truly been a blessing. I have made so many amazing connections with the most amazing people who have kept my love for the industry strong. I truly believe that in a world that thrives on insecurities, be a rebel and love yourself.
Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
There have been more than enough experiences throughout my life that have led me to the way I live today. I have been on both sides of struggle and rewards. I have battled with acne, sun damage, weight fluctuations, bullying, and insecurities like everyone else. The experiences I have been through have helped me grow in the most amazing ways. I feel confident. I feel loved. I feel intelligent. I feel my passion for making a difference in the world I live in. I will have to give my daughter credit because ever since I found out about her I knew the world did not need another person passing their trauma off as “culture.” I have worked in bars, nightclubs, restaurant, tanning salons, etc and I have never felt the support I felt in the aesthetic world. I am so proud of the beauty community as a whole. Each of us has a backstory and we have used it to build a more confident community. We want to see you strut, we want to see you succeed, we want to hear you boast about yourself because we have all been there. I have to remind myself that the universe loves a stubborn heart with flexible methods.
We all have days that are harder than others.
Listen to your own voice, your own soul; too many people listen to the noise of the world instead of themselves. Deep inside, you know what you want.
Let no one else decide that for you. And if I’ve learned anything throughout my experiences so far, the hardest part is allowing your mind to accept this way of not only thinking but actually applying it to life. Even on the days that feel heavy. There has to be an actual effort to succeed with your goals. Change never comes from comfort zones
Pricing:
- AfterGlow Reset: Microneedling Treatment = $199
- AfterGlow Deluxx Dermaplane. Facial = $59
- AfterGlow Deluxx Dermaplane with Custom Enzyme = $79
- AfterGlow Deluxx Dermaplane with Custom Enzyme and Lactic Acid = $89
- Find My Glow: Skin Care Consultation with Products Included = $50
- Find My Glow: Skin Care Consultation (FaceTime or In Person = $0
Contact Info:
- Address: 1655 W. Chandler Boulevard Suite 1
Chandler, AZ - Website: https://afterglowbysam-aesthetics.skincaretherapy.info/
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: afterglowbysam
- Other: https://squareup.com/appointments/book/7JN9SCN9GGGR4
Image Credit:
Samantha Ybarra
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