Life & Work with Kiara Skinner

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiara Skinner. 

Hi Kiara, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
If you were to ask 15-year-old me what I wanted to be, she would say a teacher or a hairstylist. After a long list of degrees and certificate programs, I was finally able to combine teaching with beauty in a way I didn’t think of. 

I always wanted to do a profession where I helped people. Rather in pharmacy, or prior authorization departments, or billing and coding. I always tried to go above and beyond to help someone get the medication or medical services approved. 

Being an entrepreneur was never something I really thought about. I was happy in my career field. However, all that changed when I found out I was pregnant with my son Nasir. After the baby arrived, I was constantly brainstorming ways to make extra income. I literally took my last $500 and took my first lash class April 1, 2017. 

I’m a very quick learner and I also had a background in cosmetology so I just knew I would be able to at least make what I spent on training back. After my two-day course, I was certified in classic lash extensions. Literally the next week I had a lash bed and had begun traveling to my fast-growing clientele. I started at $70 for a full set an extra $10 for travel. 

I picked up my tweezers and ran with it! Even extended my clientele back home to Tennessee. I would lash you anywhere my spa table could fit. I grew from traveling to working inside of my friends’ women’s fitness studio to finding a studio home with my current suitemate in overland. 

It definitely was not a smooth transition from working for someone to being a full-time entrepreneur. It was more of a jump! A jump I would’ve never been able to do without the support of my boyfriend. I then was working in medical billing and coding during the day. And lashing immediately after for several months. Literally late nights early mornings because I had a small child also at that point. I grew to hate my job and my bf literally told me to just quit then. 

Lashing full-time made sense. It gave me flexibility to be with my son and to be in charge of my own finances. My clientele grew quickly bc I was always throwing a special. I invested more into my career and took volume courses to broaden my services. 

In 2018 I decided it was time to take Lash Kouture STL to the next level. I enrolled into esthetics school. In spring 2019 I graduated as valedictorian of my class! Beauty and brains. I left school with over 10 new certificates. I took my menu from only lash extensions to lashes, facials, and waxing! 

Then comes 2020. Surviving 2020 is almost my greatest feat. It was rough being closed but I made it! Since graduation, I’ve been able to take two course in permanent makeup as well. I also started Kouture Kosmetics LLC offering luxury mink lashes and lip-gloss with more items to come. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My greatest challenge while being entrepreneur was while in school for esthetics. My son had just turned one. I was in school full time and working 5-10 almost every evening. Honestly again I’d have to salute my partner. Without his support I don’t know going to school would have happened for me. But not only did I finish. I graduated valedictorian of my class! 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I currently offer many services. They include lash extensions, facials, full body waxing, teeth whitening, lip neutralization, and brow microshading. 

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
With all my career changes one thing remained certain. I wanted to help people by making them feel beautiful. That’s my way of helping the world. With my rebrand coming up for my 5th anniversary in April I thought that my motto be displayed just as much as my brand. Everything that has Kouture Kosmetics name also has our motto “creating something beautiful each day” each day is a new day to help another being not only feel beautiful but know that they’re beautiful. The confidence my clients leave my studio with is THE MOST important to me. Money will come when you love what you do. 

Pricing:

• Lashes extensions starting from $100-$175
• Facials starting from $75-$125
• Body waxing $10-$80

Contact Info:

• Email: LashKouturestl@gmail.com
• Website: www.kouturekosmetics.co
• Instagram: Lash kouture stl
• Facebook: Lash kouture stl