Guest Spotlight: Erica Marie Gatt
Erica Marie Skin is a South Bay LA local esthetician star! She’s very well know for her facials leaving skin better than a glazed doughnut. She’s so well known, that after many of my personal brow clients talked so highly of her and her facial services, I HAD to book one with her ASAP.
My skin was truly left super plump, deeply hydrated, and I didn’t even need to layer my creams and oils for days. My skin was seriously next level.
I wanted to dig a little deeper and get to know her more, in hopes that this can inspire and encourage readers wanting to get into the esthetician business or maybe just get inspired by her success story. Hope you guys enjoy!
When and how did you get your start in the beauty industry?
When I was 23 years old, I moved to California. I worked 3 jobs to support myself. I prayed every day that God would help me achieve my goals and dreams in the beauty industry.
After I moved to California, I went to Ken Paves hair salon with a friend to get her hair done. As she was getting her hair done, I was talking to her stylist about my aspirations and how I wanted to work on set as a makeup artist. Talk about being in the right place at the right time.
She connected me with her client, a talented celebrity makeup artist looking for an assistant. I contacted her right away and became her right-hand lady, doing makeup for many celebrities like the Kardashians, Vanessa Hudgens, Sofia Vergara, and more. [Also for] editorials covers such as, Vogue, Elle, InStyle, Marie Claire, and GQ.
After working with her for 2 years, she convinced me to move in with her and help her with her newborn baby. In return, she would help me be successful in my makeup career. After 4 months of living with her she never “had” another job for me. I pretty much became her live-in nanny.
Soon, I found out, that instead of using me to assist her for jobs, she was using someone else and having me stay home and watch her child for free. I was upset of course, but it made me realize that I am the only one that is in charge of my success. It’s not going to just come to me, I’m going to have to work hard for it. Of course, I moved out as soon as I found out.
After working with her and being a makeup artist for a couple years as a freelancer, I realized I wanted to know more about the skin, so I put myself through esthetician school. Right after school, I worked with an amazing celebrity esthetician. (I was also working 2 other serving jobs) I learned a lot from her and enjoyed it, but I was over working so many jobs and wanted to dive into only working in the beauty industry. That is where I knew that skincare was my passion; helping people achieve their skincare goals.
With the support of my boyfriend at the time, now husband, he encouraged me to quit my jobs and start working in Manhattan Beach, where I worked at Hush Hair Salon. The owner, Rick, gave me a fresh start; [that] is where I started to build my clientele. I’m so grateful for him because I met so many amazing hair stylists and people who have spread the word about me.
There were times where I wondered if it was worth it, but then I would pray about it and talk to my best friends and grandmas and they encouraged me to keep going and not to give up. I’m so thankful I didn’t give up because I love what I do! I love making people feel beautiful inside and out and helping them know their worth.
Did you always dream of having your own business in beauty? As an esthetician? How did it all happen?
No, my dream was to be a makeup artist, get an agent, and work on set. I never got an agent, but I assisted a makeup artist. I also worked as a freelancer. Even though I didn’t have an agent, since I was around so many people in the [beauty] industry, people would hire me for, events, [and] award ceremonies like the Grammy’s, Oscars, short films, print ads, etc.
I realized quickly [that] the makeup industry is very taxing and when they say “jump,” you have to jump, otherwise you can miss out on jobs. Not only that, I [also] wanted to know more about the skin. So, I went to esthetician school. Right after school I worked with an amazing celebrity esthetician.
That is where I knew that skincare was my passion; helping people achieve their skincare goals. A couple years later I took a risk and started working as freelance esthetician for myself in the Southbay: Manhattan, Hermosa [Beach], and Redondo Beach. After working under a couple people I realized I wanted to be my own boss. In 2019, I opened a space in Salon Republic in Hermosa Beach. I work by my self right now, but I am about to expand.
How did you grow your clientele so quickly? Please share any tips to newbies.
My business seemed to grow so slow. I had my ups and downs, but in the long run it all worked out. It took me about 4 years to build a strong clientele.
I worked in a hair salon and would give the stylists free brows, facials, and lashes, because I knew they talked to clients everyday and they would talk about me. Once I got busier, I then started giving them a discount on services.
I also worked with influencers. Social media is a great way to market and influencers really help build your Instagram and their followers trust them, which help bring me business. I donate services to different charities and schools as well. I post often on Instagram at least once a day.
Most of all I was patient and enjoyed the process and prayed hard. I feel like that is key for success.
I noticed you worked in makeup before, why skin now?
Yes, my dream was to be a makeup artist. As I would do makeup, a lot of people would ask me for advice about their skin. If I didn’t know the answer, I would do research to help them. I truly enjoyed that and I wanted to know more about the skin and ingredients, so I decided to go to esthetician school. I did makeup for many years after going to school because I liked it so much. It wasn’t until this year, [that] I made the leap to only do facials because I loved it more.
Please let us in on your skincare regimen, from your everyday products to your monthly treatments? Your skin is just RADIANT! Please feel free to elaborate on all the products and where we can buy them.
Aww thank you so much! First off, I will tell you that when I’m not on top of my skin care game, I see a huge difference in my skin. I do a facial treatment every 4 weeks; I mix the treatments up, so my skin won’t get used to just one thing.
These are my go to treatments: HydraFacial®Deluxe, oxygen Dome, and my “Foundation of Youth Facial,” which is a combo of: HydraFacial® cleansing, microdermabrasion, oxygen dome, oxygen infusion with growth factors, peptides and antioxidants, LED lights with HydraFacial® booster, and microcurrent.
During the winter months, when I know I am not going to be the sun for long periods of time, I like to add in chemical peels, microneedling and microchanneling. Also, I try my hardest not to let direct sunlight hit my skin.
I am a true believer of doing your homework, as in doing a skincare routine morning and night and using different at home devices. I’m a layering type of girl, every serum and moisturizer has different benefits for different skin concerns.
Morning Skincare
[I] wash my face with a gentle cleaner. Right after I wash my face, I use a Kojic acid soap and leave it on for 5 mins to help keep my melasma under control. I use under eye patches 3 times a week in the morning. I love the gel ones!
Nighttime Skincare
I wash my face with a gentle cleanser [and] exfoliate 2 times a week.
Weekly Add-Ons
I do microcurrent at home 2-3 times a week.
I wear a hydrating face mask once a week.
I use LIP LŪFFA once or twice a week to exfoliate my lips.
Please explain to us the difference in shopping at Sephora or other retailers for skincare products versus purchasing from your skin pros - like yourself. Talk about your products, how are they more advanced and your 3 top favs- must haves, especially for aging, dry skin (like me!)
The best place to purchase skincare products is from dermatologists and medical spas, etc. Since the pros are more knowledgeable about your skin and skincare products, they will be able to recommend you a product that would be best for your skin and skin concerns. They also have the best medical grade and clean products.
Sephora is not my favorite place to buy skincare products, because not all the employees at Sephora have a skin background, or they don’t know your skin enough to recommend a product.
I can’t tell you how many times a client went to Sephora, got a new product, and came to me with skin issues like breakouts, eczema, rashes ,etc.
My top 3 must haves for dry skin and anti aging:
