Clear Skin Spa

Summer Travel Updates!

I'll be out of spa for a few weeks this summer, so please plan appointments and product pick accordingly! Currently scheduling through August and into early September. Thank you for allowing me to take time away to spend with my family!

Dates Away:
June 14th- June24th
June 29th- July 8th
July 25th- July 29th

As always, the online booking will be available through the link in my bio. The waitlist is a fabulous resource if you'd like a sooner time than what you may see.

Because of the time away, it'll be harder for me to reschedule an existing appointment close to the original, so please be sure you're adding any appointments to your calendars!

And lastly, go wash your face (and follow it up with sunscreen).💜

The third and final blog post in my Acne Series is now live! Please subscribe for free for all things skincare content!

Acne Truth Bomb: The Series Part Three: The Solution (FINALLY)

Anyone who's ever been on my table knows how much I love clothing sharing. It was so fun to pick looks for my Sicily trip! Here are some of my favorites, plus one thrown in to remind you that my devotion to skincare never goes on vacation! 😍

Current Energy. I'll be away from the spa on vacation until Tuesday April 9th! Will get back to all messages when I return. All home care products can be purchased through the link in my bio, and appointment requests can be made online. 🥰💜 Arrivederci bella 🇮🇹

https://bestof.charlestoncitypaper.com/health-and-beauty/best-aesthetician

Hi guys! There are only a few days left to vote in the Charleston City Paper's "Best Of 2024". It's my first year as a finalist in the Best Aesthetician Category! Thanks to everyone who has already voted, it means the world to me 💜

New Blog Post!

My very own 'Best Of' List I wanted to share some really exciting news with my subscribers! I am a finalist in the Best Aesthetician category in the Charleston City Paper’s coveted “Best Of” list for 2024!

SURPRISE! I'm blown away and SO honored to announce that I'm a finalist in the Best Aesthetician category in their Best of Charleston 2024 List! Voting starts today, and the link is in my bio! Thank you to my wonderful clients who believe in my work and continue to support my skincare business! 💜💜💜

Now, go vote!
https://bestof.charlestoncitypaper.com/health-and-beauty/best-aesthetician

A great read about at-home skincare devices!

Do LED masks and high-frequency wands really work? Dermatologists explain which skin care devices are worth the investment While skin care devices show a lot of promise, many of them could benefit from a few more years of research.

Part Two of my Acne Series is now up! Enjoy!

Acne Truth Bombs: The Series Part Two: The Causes

She's up! Head to the link in my bio to read my latest blog, Part Two of my Acne Series 💜

It really is a vibe in here today.💜

Acne Truth Bombs- Part One! Now available through the link in my bio. This one was a very personal blog to write, but the experience is literally why I am the esthetician I am today! 💜

Your girl may catch some heat from this. 😂💜

Listen, I'm all for our tweens and teens developing good skincare habits. Especially when they have acne. But as a licensed esthetician for nearly two decades, this skincare craze I see in children is highly problematic. The "influencer" marketing that has our children using extensive skincare routines with formulations made for adults needs to stop. Acids, retinol, and peptides are for mature skin. Please make sure your children are using gentle, simple formulations. Send me a message if you'd like more detailed advise on how to regulate what your kids are using on their skin. 💜

Tweens are obsessed with skin care – but is it safe for kids? The obsession with skin care among young people has skyrocketed, with kids under the age of 13 now flocking to the beauty aisle to purchase high-end skin car...

New Blog Post is up! Please consider subscribing for free to receive each new post straight to your email inbox! 💜

Acne Truth Bombs: The Series Happy 2024! The new year has a way of feeling like a new beginning, as is a great time to learn something new. It is with this spirit that I decided to tackle a monster of a skincare topic: Acne.

New year, New skincare calendar. Otherwise known as: I'm in my skincare era. 💜

https://charlestoncitypaper.com/2024/01/01/best-of-charleston-2024-nominations-open-now-through-jan-25/

Hi guys! It would be really cool to be nominated this year. If you think I'm the best Aesthetician, you can nominate me here. Please write me in as Alie Gros at Clear Skin Spa! Many thanks!

Skin Witch for 51 weeks of the year, Magical Holiday Skincare Unicorn for the other. Hope your holiday is everything you want it to be. Now go wash your face. Love, Alie 💜 (❤💚)

Clear Skin Spa sparkles a little brighter during the holiday season 💜

In my Snowflake Era❄

Thankful: A love letter to you

Newest blog post is now available! Clink the link in my bio to read, and please consider subscribing for free to receive each new post via email!

Love you all, and happy Thanksgiving!

Newest Blog Post is up! Please consider subscribing for free to have each new post sent right to your email inbox! Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankful A Love Letter to you

My second blog post is up! Please consider subscribing for free to receive my latest posts right to your email inbox!

Chemical Peels: Everything this Esthetician thinks you should know. I love the fall. I love the colors, the smells, the first day I get to pull on that cozy sweater (though, don’t ask my husband about that last part because he’ll swear I wear them year round). I love the crispness in the air, and the way the darkness sets in a little earlier every evening. And e...

Embarking on a blogging adventure. Hope you'll follow along in this new journey where I write about all things skincare!

Skincare Beyond the Reel An Esthetician's Guide to all things Skin

A very popular and well respected NP/injector just posted about a terrible experience she had getting a facial. As an esthetician, my first reaction was to get defensive... because facials are AWESOME. But I thought about it and realized I could use this as an opportunity to expand on what she said, while using my own platform to communicate my opinions on the subject.

How I feel may surprise you.

Sadly, she's not wrong, and she's not alone. Many of you have facial horror stories. Over the years, I've heard so many people share their tales of dreadful facial experiences. It's a truth I don't like to admit, but a lot of estheticians are poorly trained. This is especially true in South Carolina, where our state board continues to gut the program with poor instruction, minimal hours, and next to no licensure requirements.

Combine that with an absolutely BOOMING luxury skincare industry and you have exactly what she described. A way overpriced skincare treatment in a super fancy setting performed by an inexperienced esthetician who was likely taught a very step by step protocol, and a client who walks away thinking facials are a waste of money.

I've worked in spas. I understand that beyond all else there needs to be continuity in services. If two women come in for a spa day, their services have to be similar to avoid one feeling like her treatment wasn't as good. My resentment of this is why I am the esthetician I am today, and why I will continue to learn everything I can about your individual skincare needs.

Sadly, we don't always know what you may or may not be allergic to. I've had clients have bad reactions to treatments, and it absolutely kills me. But I learned from it, problem solved with them, and we figured out what not to do next time.

I understand the value of facials. And my clients understand the value of facials. What I always encourage you guys to do is to research your service provider before making a choice. Those of us that are super knowledgeable professionals have no problem shouting our credentials from the rooftops.

I hope she decides to give it another go! Because facials are awesome, and some of us are pretty damn good at our jobs.

I had this crazy dream last night. At first, I had taken a second job as a hostess at Zen Asian Fusion in West Ashley, because why not. But then I was transported back to a hair salon, and a computer booking system that was so primitive it couldn't possibly be real.

Oh, but it was.

So this morning, I started reflecting back on the job that changed the trajectory of my life: Salon Coordinator at the Aveda Salon inside the Dillard's department store, located inside Southwyck Mall in Toledo, Ohio.

Back then, we used paper appointment books spread across the length of the front desk. Each stylist had a column, and each column represented the hours of the day, and the appointments that filled the time. Pencil needed to be used, as appointments frequently changed. Eraser shavings were everywhere.

I literally got my start in this industry before computers did. And that is WILD to think about. Especially because I can seamlessly run my entire business with nothing more than a handful of apps on a phone, and a wireless credit card processor.

I remember when we first got computers for booking. They were boxy, and took up a lot of counter space. The booking system we used was revolutionary (at the time), because all you had to do was type in the three letter key word for a particular service, and it would show you all the available times. For example, a woman 's haircut was searched by using the code WHC. (This specific example was in my dream last night, so clearly my brain has been storing that fact deep in the archives).

Now this job may have started only as a means to buy a colorful Dooney & Burke purse and some Naty Light, but it turned into the beginning of the rest of my life.

Funny how that works.

Looking back, it was such a great job. It introduced me to this industry, helped me become the focused, hardworking business woman you know me as today, and finally catapulted me out of my entitled, lazy adolescence.

The mall was demolished years ago, and I don't have any photos from that time in my life... but as my dream reminded me last night, some memories just won't ever go away.

For my clients- You represent all the different kinds of moms. I am honored that you've felt the comfort and trust in my treatment room to share in your experiences.

For my mom- the amazing super woman who has always made me feel like I can do anything. My adventure buddy, my confidant, my role model.

For my stepmom- who set a wonderful example of how to coparent with grace and respect for each other, while fully diving in with my sister and I from the moment she came into our lives.

For my mother in law- who embraced me into her family, and quite possibly may like me more than she likes her son.

And for the kiddo who makes me feel like a mom- I am so honored that you chose me to be your bonus mom. I love you times a million and love being part of your life.

Happy Mother's Day to everyone who deserves to be celebrated as the literal QUEENS that you are. Now go reapply your sunscreen.

Guys. It's been 5 years since I opened Clear Skin Spa. 5 YEARS! I can't believe it. I know everyone always says this, but what an incredible journey it has been.

I remember those early days, and the intense anxiety I felt with every gap in my schedule, with every slow day. I remember feeling the panic that a day with no appointments was catastrophic. The intense fear of failure. Of not providing the absolute best service you've ever had. It infiltrated into every corner of my life in an all consuming way. In those first few years, in that little room in the front of the building, I had to teach myself to unhear every sound (omg that front door). I had to accept the things I couldn't control. I had to trust my professional ability. I had to believe in myself.

Turns out, those are really hard things to do.

Looking around my treatment room today, so much has changed. I've upgraded, replaced, and added so many things that not only contribute to the dreamiest room ever, but also make me work more efficiently. It took a few years, but I can confidently say it's exactly how I want it.

So naturally, this is where you ask me what I want next. What's the next step for Clear Skin Spa? Honestly, I'm good sitting right where I am. And I think it's important to recognize that success isn't necessarily equal to professional growth. Managing employees, building a larger space, or having a dynamic social media presence just hasn't felt like the right moves for me. What I love most about owning a business is the freedom to decide what works best for you, and what works best for me. That personalized, one on one attention I'm able to give you is everything. Learning more and more, and feeling the excitement of your personal achievements. Getting your skin ready for your wedding. Yelling at you when you come back from vacation a little too tan. Loving the hat selfies you send me. I'm your confidant, your safe space, your happy place, and your biggest fan.

When it comes to you, and your skin, I'm all in. 💜

Thank you to everyone that has supported Clear Skin Spa, from the bottom of my heart. Your devotion is what keeps this place going.

Happy International Women's Day.

Here is a photo of me, a woman, in Montréal, an International city.

Today is all about celebrating the achievements of women. So in the spirit of that, I've written a love letter to all the women in my life:

Dear remarkable you,

I think you are AMAZING. I watch you juggle kids, work, self care, romantic relationships, and daily tasks with both effort and ease. I watch you cry when you feel like its all a bit too much. I see your carefree side when we have an epic dance party. I cheer you on as you coordinate the impossible logistical web of children's sports. I celebrate you leaving that toxic job for a better opportunity. I watch you build that business from the ground up and make it your own. I support you when your romantic partnership doesn't feel like the right fit. I cry at your weddings. I laugh till I cry when we make fun of each other. I truly cherish our connections, and am so honored to have you in my life. Thank you for your contribution to my life. Your example has helped shape me into the woman I am today.

Love, Alie

To all the other kick ass women in the world, hooray for you too!

Fun facts about me!

I have been a licensed esthetician for almost 17 years. Which is insane, quite frankly. I have worked in the spa industry for over two decades. Its the only job I've ever cared about.

I got into the industry as a total coincidence, as I was applying for a job at a Dillards department store at the moment the spa manager was walking by. I worked as a Salon Coordinator, a front desk position that taught me the inner workings of a personal care business. From there, I pursued my license and got my start as an esthetician at a wonderful spa in downtown Cleveland. (Some of my clients from those days still follow me on here... hi guys!)

I specialize in functional skincare mixed with elements of the spa experience. My facial is mostly hands on, with no tools. While that approach may seem "old school", I believe there's no better way to see how your skin is responding to treatments.

I take an active roll in your efforts between appointments. I understand that although my treatments will add to your success, it's ultimately up to you to maintain optimal results every day. I enjoy teaching you as I work.

I am a big believer in continuing my education. The skincare industry is always evolving, and I want to be in the front row of those discoveries. I consider myself to be an expert, but I absolutely acknowledge that I don't know everything.

I have owned my own successful business for nearly 5 years.

I cant imagine doing anything else.

💜