Following a skincare protocol is one thing. Understanding why you're using every ingredient is something completely different.

In this episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati sits down with Amanda, owner of Loving My Skin Spa and creator of Skin Nerd Training, to talk about ingredient knowledge, continuing education, imposter syndrome, and how The Skin Games pushed her to become a stronger esthetician.

Amanda has been licensed since 2013 and has built her career around understanding skin on a deeper level. After earning the nickname The Skin Nerd, she eventually leaned into what made her different and turned that knowledge into an education platform for other estheticians.

They talk about moving beyond manufacturer protocols, understanding the intention behind your treatments, and why knowing your ingredients gives you the confidence to adapt as your clients and their skin change.

Amanda also shares her experience competing in The Skin Games. She entered her first year convinced she wasn't good enough, struggled with comparison and imposter syndrome, and ended up becoming a finalist in all three categories she entered. Today, she's an 11-time finalist and OG Legend.

In this episode:
Why ingredient knowledge matters beyond memorizing protocols
Turning your niche into something bigger
Imposter syndrome and comparing yourself to other estheticians
How The Skin Games challenged Amanda to grow
Continuing your education as your clientele changes
Building confidence by understanding the "why" behind your treatments

The Takeaway

You don't have to know everything to be a great esthetician, but you should always be willing to ask why. Keep learning, challenge yourself, and don't downplay the thing that makes you different. That may be exactly what sets your career apart.

Connect with Amanda

Loving My Skin Spa | Litchfield Park, Arizona
Skin Nerd Training: skinnerdtraining.com

Connect with Kati & Beauty Talk Confessions

Instagram & TikTok: @beautytalkconfessions
Podcast Page: flagstaff-skincare.com/beautytalkconfessions

Prickly Bare

Professional waxing products and post-hair-removal skincare created by an esthetician, for estheticians.

Instagram & TikTok: @pricklybare
Website: pricklybare.com

If You Loved This Episode

Share it with an esthetician who needs the reminder to stop comparing, keep learning, and lean into what makes them different.

Following a skincare protocol is one thing. Understanding why you're using every ingredient is something completely different.
In this episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati sits down with Amanda, owner of Loving My Skin Spa and creator of Skin Nerd Training, to talk about ingredient knowledge, continuing education, imposter syndrome, and how The Skin Games pushed her to become a stronger esthetician.
Amanda has been licensed since 2013 and has built her career around understanding skin on a deeper level. After earning the nickname The Skin Nerd, she eventually leaned into what made her different and turned that knowledge into an education platform for other estheticians.
They talk about moving beyond manufacturer protocols, understanding the intention behind your treatments, and why knowing your ingredients gives you the confidence to adapt as your clients and their skin change.
Amanda also shares her experience competing in The Skin Games. She entered her first year convinced she wasn't good enough, struggled with comparison and imposter syndrome, and ended up becoming a finalist in all three categories she entered. Today, she's an 11-time finalist and OG Legend.
In this episode:
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>Why ingredient knowledge matters beyond memorizing protocols</li>
<li>Turning your niche into something bigger</li>
<li>Imposter syndrome and comparing yourself to other estheticians</li>
<li>How The Skin Games challenged Amanda to grow</li>
<li>Continuing your education as your clientele changes</li>
<li>Building confidence by understanding the "why" behind your treatments</li>
</ul>
The Takeaway
You don't have to know everything to be a great esthetician, but you should always be willing to ask why. Keep learning, challenge yourself, and don't downplay the thing that makes you different. That may be exactly what sets your career apart.
Connect with Amanda
Loving My Skin Spa | Litchfield Park, Arizona Skin Nerd Training: skinnerdtraining.com
Connect with Kati &amp; Beauty Talk Confessions
Instagram &amp; TikTok: @beautytalkconfessions Podcast Page: flagstaff-skincare.com/beautytalkconfessions
Prickly Bare
Professional waxing products and post-hair-removal skincare created by an esthetician, for estheticians.
Instagram &amp; TikTok: @pricklybare Website: pricklybare.com
If You Loved This Episode
Share it with an esthetician who needs the reminder to stop comparing, keep learning, and lean into what makes them different.

Beauty Talk Confessions is a podcast that goes beneath the surface of the beauty industry. The stories, the struggles, the identity shifts, the healing, and the grit behind the glow.

 

Hosted by Kati Wasserman, esthetician, business owner, and product developer, each episode features real, raw conversations with beauty professionals, founders, healers, coaches, creators, and clients who have lived the truth behind beauty.

 

We talk about:


•⁠  ⁠identity and reinvention

•⁠  ⁠confidence, comparison, and self-worth

•⁠  ⁠the emotional and unseen side of beauty work

•⁠  ⁠entrepreneurship and the messy middle

•⁠  ⁠aging, wellness, hormones, and internal beauty

•⁠  ⁠success, failures, pivots, and the lessons that shape us

 

There’s no filter here, just honest conversations that remind us beauty is personal, powerful, and deeply human.

 

Whether you're in the industry or navigating your own relationship with beauty, Beauty Talk Confessions will make you feel seen, supported, and inspired to show up as your most authentic self.

 

🔗 Social Links & Where to Find Us

 

Podcast Website:
https://www.flagstaff-skincare.com/beautytalkconfessions

 

Instagram:
@beautytalkconfessions
@pricklybare

 

TikTok:
@beautytalkconfessions

 

Booking / Contact:
pricklybare@gmail.com

 

 

Beauty Talk Confessions is a podcast that goes beneath the surface of the beauty industry. The stories, the struggles, the identity shifts, the healing, and the grit behind the glow.
&nbsp;
Hosted by Kati Wasserman, esthetician, business owner, and product developer, each episode features real, raw conversations with beauty professionals, founders, healers, coaches, creators, and clients who have lived the truth behind beauty.
&nbsp;
We talk about:
 &bull;⁠ &nbsp;⁠identity and reinvention
&bull;⁠ &nbsp;⁠confidence, comparison, and self-worth
&bull;⁠ &nbsp;⁠the emotional and unseen side of beauty work
&bull;⁠ &nbsp;⁠entrepreneurship and the messy middle
&bull;⁠ &nbsp;⁠aging, wellness, hormones, and internal beauty
&bull;⁠ &nbsp;⁠success, failures, pivots, and the lessons that shape us
&nbsp;
There&rsquo;s no filter here, just honest conversations that remind us beauty is personal, powerful, and deeply human.
&nbsp;
Whether you're in the industry or navigating your own relationship with beauty, Beauty Talk Confessions will make you feel seen, supported, and inspired to show up as your most authentic self.
&nbsp;
🔗 Social Links &amp; Where to Find Us
&nbsp;
Podcast Website: <a href="https://www.flagstaff-skincare.com/beautytalkconfessions">https://www.flagstaff-skincare.com/beautytalkconfessions</a>
&nbsp;
Instagram: @beautytalkconfessions @pricklybare
&nbsp;
TikTok: @beautytalkconfessions
&nbsp;
Booking / Contact: <a href="mailto:pricklybare@gmail.com">pricklybare@gmail.com</a>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;