Sydney Kinman of Scottsdale on Life, Lessons & Legacy

Sydney Kinman shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Sydney, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
My 90-Minute Morning as an Aesthetician & Laser Tech

5:45AM — Alarm goes off. I resist the urge to scroll and head straight into my skincare sanctuary — a full AM routine to wake up my skin and my mindset.
🧴 Cleanse, essence serum, moisturizer, mineral SPF

6:00 AM — Coffee, obviously. ☕️ The non-negotiable. I sip slowly whilesitting 10min outside with the pups, soaking in the quiet before the day begins. 🐶☀️

7: 15 AM — Gym time. Whether it’s a quick lift or some sweaty cardio, it’s about showing up for myself before I show up for others. 🏋️‍♀️💪

8:15AM — Back home to shower, refresh my skin with a cold roller, and fuel my brain by reading 10 pages of a growth-focused book. 📖✨

9:00 AM — Uniform on, energy high, mindset locked in. Ready to step into the treatment room and make skin magic happen for my clients.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Where skincare meets soul care. I own 2 businesses- Ascension Skin and Ascension Lofts Beauty Bar

At Ascension Skin, we believe in results-driven treatments with a deeply personalized touch. Whether you’re tackling acne, redness, aging concerns, or just ready for a next-level glow, we’re here to elevate your skincare journey with curated regimens, advanced modalities, and trusted expertise you can see and feel.

Located inside Ascension Loft Beauty Bar — our elevated self-care collective — we’ve created a space where beauty professionals come together under one roof to offer brow artistry, lashes, hair, facials, laser treatments, injectables, GLP-1 and more. From your first skincare consultation to brow laminations, nano brows, and pain-free laser treatments like the Motus AZ+, we meet you where you’re at and help you rise — one treatment at a time.

We’re not here for quick fixes. We’re here for long-term transformations — rooted in education, aligned routines, and a little bit of magic 💫

Come for the glow. Stay for the connection.
Let’s ascend, together.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Honestly, it was my clients — the ones who supported me from day one. When I was juggling four different jobs, trying to make ends meet while also taking aesthetics school, they were the ones who believed in me before I fully believed in myself. I was wearing so many hats at the time — bartending, working odd shifts, studying, barely sleeping — but anytime I had the chance to take a client, I lit up. That’s when I felt most aligned.

My clients saw my passion, my potential, and the way I lit up in the treatment room — even when I was still building my confidence. They kept coming back, referring others, trusting me with their skin and their stories. Their belief in me reminded me why I was doing it all in the first place. Looking back, they saw the version of me I was working toward — and that gave me the strength to keep going.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me that success isn’t about the flashy parts — the car, the purse, the lifestyle I used to dream about. It’s about who you become in the moments no one sees.

During a time when everyone else was paused during COVID, I was bartending and serving in a place I didn’t feel I belonged, just trying to make cash payments for aesthetics school because I wasn’t eligible for unemployment. I was exhausted, out of place, and constantly questioning if I was doing the right thing — but I kept going.

That season taught me grit. It taught me humility. It taught me how to show up even when it was uncomfortable and how to keep choosing the bigger picture over instant gratification. Now when I look around at what I’ve built, it means even more — because I know what it took to get here. I didn’t just dream it. I worked for it, without a safety net, and that is what makes it success to me.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
That not wearing makeup is one of the best things you can do for your skin — and yes, I know that sounds backwards when your skin is breaking out and all you want to do is cover it up.

But as someone who’s struggled with skin concerns, let me just say: your pores are not vibing with your full glam every day. Go bare-faced, wear your sunscreen like it’s your job (I’m talking 365 days a year — even when it’s cloudy), and give your skin a break.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
Definitely me — and not just the treatments (though let’s be honest, they’d miss those results too). But truly, I think they’d miss my energy. I show up every day with big smiles, big vibes, and an even bigger heart. I’m that bubbly, slightly rambunctious friend who’s going to hype you up, make you laugh mid-facial, and still remind you to drink your water and wear your SPF.

I believe in creating an experience — not just an appointment. My clients don’t just come for glowing skin; they come to feel seen, safe, and supported. And if I ever retired, I know they’d miss the positivity, the girl talk, the laughs, and the let’s get your life together one pore at a time energy I bring into every session.

Because around here, we treat the skin — but we heal the soul too

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.ascensionskinco.com
• Instagram: @aestheticsby_syd
• Other: 2nd instagram for Ascension Lofts Beauty Bar: @ascensionloftsbeautybar

Image Credits
Chasing Vieaus, Nicole Vieau