I became interested in pursuing a career in the skincare industry after my own prior, years-long battle with cystic acne. Due to the severity of my skin problems, I was often turned away by estheticians, or offered only harsh, expensive and ineffective prescription options by dermatologists. Having explored all available paths with no result, I decided to research an all-natural route to heal myself, which is when my journey into this field began.
In addition to years of personal research and self-teaching, I obtained my esthiology license through a holistic skincare program rooted in the Ayurvedic approach at the Aveda Institiute. From there, I moved into managing and practicing at a Moroccan spa, while continuing to formulate my own all-natural products for personal use. Soon, my clients were inquiring about the products I used for myself and began requesting that I make these products available for others, thus the Shannella-Bella skincare line was born by utilizing my own hand-mixed formulas that were tried, tested and successful for myself, and friends and family with varying skin-types and skin challenges. I still research, formulate, test and hand-make all of my products, tailored to be most effective to the individual using them.
Over the past year, I was provided with invaluable experience of practicing at Dharma Skin Spa in Houston, where I was mentored by the owner, which then developed into an apprenticeship that helped me build upon and refine my skills, as well as provide me with increased confidence in my ability to practice holistically.
With my skincare line and valued clientele growing, it became increasingly clear that we were growing out of the space at Dharma. To address these challenges, I made a decision to move forward with opening my location. Having done so, there is now freedom to provide more flexible scheduling opportunities to existing clients, and to offer this unique holistic experience to referrals (thank you for those!) and new clients as well.
Shannella-Bella Holistic Skincare Spa is a dream for me, and it is allowing me to be the kind of esthetician and skin care specialist that I felt the industry was lacking those years when I was in need of true skin-CARE. I am proud of where my experiences have lead me, as I know it has resulted in deep empathy and concern for other's individual needs or skin challenges, so that I may craft a tailored experience that brings balance and calm to the skin, to the body, the mood, and the mind.
As I look ahead to 2018, know that I cannot wait to continue my journey with you!
-Shannelle