Beauty With A Twist – Episode Summary

Podcast: Beauty with a Twist
Episode: What I Learned Being a Waxer for 25 Years
Host: Dede
Guest: Libby Lazarus (Esthetician & Educator)
Date: October 3, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features a candid, lively conversation between host Dede and special guest Libby Lazarus, a licensed esthetician and educator with 25 years in the waxing industry. Libby shares what she’s learned from her long, varied career—working for others, going solo, surviving industry challenges, and now being committed to transparent education for estheticians. The discussion weaves through practical advice, industry truths, business building, debunking gatekeeping, how to handle setbacks, and the necessity of honest, supportive dialogue within the beauty community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Libby's Journey in the Waxing World

• Long Career, Late Independence: Libby worked for others for 18 years before going solo (01:28). She stresses there’s nothing wrong with working for someone else:
  "There's nothing wrong with working for someone else, like, if you're happy, if you're making money.” [00:43]
• Escaping the “Supercuts of Wax” Model: She describes assembly-line waxing jobs with high daily quotas:
  "I just can't do this anymore. Like, I can't do 20 Brazilians a day for someone else. I mean, I felt like I did an Orange Theory class." [01:29]
• Going Solo Wasn’t Glamorous: Libby started solo in a less-than-ideal spot, with no clientele:
  "I rented at a Dirty little Roast salon with no parking and I was almost embarrassed to really bring people there..." [02:47]
• Using Groupon Out of Necessity: She admits using Groupon isn’t ideal, but it helped her fill her books; the clients won over in-person stayed loyal:
  "Groupon's really challenging...they don't want to pre book. They don't want. They're not great tippers." [03:41]

2. The Importance of Education and Anti-Gatekeeping

• Gatekeeping Frustrations: Libby repeatedly stresses how knowledge is withheld in the industry—sometimes even among friends:
  "That little bit back, that little tip, might be the thing that changes your technique or whatever, changes your business." [04:03]
• Building the Secrets of Estheticians Facebook Group: After being banned from other groups for not following the party lines on brands and methods, she started her own group, now at 60,000+ members [04:46].
• On Older Estheticians vs. Newcomers: She’s critical of older estheticians who belittle or withhold info from the next generation:
  "Too many... older estheticians that are not nicer to the younger estheticians... It's disheartening me, because you're the next leaders..." [05:11]

3. Truth About Building a Waxing Business

• Honest Realities: Social media can create intimidating, unrealistic standards:
  "When people post like, Brazilian, Brazilian, like they have, like, 16, 20 in a day...It's so intimidating to people that are barely starting and they're like, why can't I be like that?” [06:26]
• Growth Takes Time:
  "It can take two to five years to build clientele.” [06:16]
• Client Numbers—Don’t Obsess: Estheticians don’t need thousands of clients—a moderately sized, loyal base is enough:
  "You probably need about 200...not even that a month.” [07:42]
• Working for Free at First: Doing some services for free or at a discount helps establish presence and generate vital reviews and content [08:21].

4. Waxing Techniques & Safety Pearls

• Soft Wax vs. Hard Wax & the Oil Secret:
  • Libby’s known as a “soft wax queen”, but explains her journey includes both, and issues around soft wax are often due to poor prep (always use oil on delicate areas):
    "Our savior is oil...Just a little bit of oil on those areas, you will not lift, I promise you." [12:09, 12:37]
• Technical Training Is Key:
  • Even with decades of experience, direct coaching made her realize she left hair behind.
    "I don't think you can be good at anything you haven't been properly trained on." [10:27]
• Addressing Mistakes:
  • Libby openly discusses real mistakes: lifted skin, bruising, labia tears, and emphasizes learning their prevention and how to correct them.
    "No one ever told me what to do when you have a labia tear. I didn't know until I did one, you know?" [12:09]

5. Business Mindset and Marketing Musts

• The Scarcity Mindset is Toxic:
  "One candle can light one candle and it doesn't hurt the other candle. That's the scarcity mindset..." [20:26]
• Be a Walking Billboard:
  • Always wear something indicating you’re an esthetician to spark conversation and attract clients in daily life.
    "Wear stuff that says you're an esthetician...be a walking advertisement." [14:57]
• Overcoming Fear on Social Media:
  • Libby and Dede urge pros not to worry about how they look or what others will think:
    "No one out there that either I wax or teach gives a shit how much I weigh...People are coming to you for your skills." [18:17]
• Consistency > Perfection:
  • Posting regularly and with authenticity is more important than perfectly curated content.

6. Education, Community, & Evolving Roles

• Coming Full Circle as an Educator:
  • Teaching and learning from the next generation is a source of pride and continuous growth.
    "That's the most rewarding... when they're like, 'Oh my God, I've never seen that.'" [32:08]
• Inclusive, No-Nonsense Teaching:
  • Libby’s group and classes are open, non-judgmental zones for all waxers (hard, soft, or sugar).
• Niche-Down for Success:
  • It's okay to try everything, but the most successful estheticians specialize:
    "Niche down. It's one of the best things that I can suggest people do." [46:37]

7. Handling Slow Months & Business Resilience

• Everyone Has Slow Months:
  "My June was shitty. Okay? So it's normal... some months, it just sucks." [16:16, 48:14]
• What to Do During Dips:
  • Take more classes, network, collaborate, run specials, text/message past clients, do win-back campaigns.
    "Text message marketing is, like, one of the best things. And getting your clients to post." [53:06]
• Don’t Be Embarrassed by Downturns: Transparency builds community and reduces stigma around natural ebbs and flows.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On authenticity and peer support:
"Instagram numbers don't mean that you're profitable. It means you're entertaining. There’s a lot of estheticians that have way, way, way less followers than me that make way, way more money than I do." – Libby [21:35]

On the value of honest education:
"I like showing people all the things I've done wrong. So it helps them jump the line. They get ahead and that they don't have to make the mistakes I did." – Libby [13:36]

On self-confidence and not comparing:
"If you follow someone that you don't like or they make you feel icky or you find yourself being...jealous, just hide them. You don't need to see that. Mute. Just get rid of them." – Libby [59:26]

On client vulnerability:
"You're asking someone to come in, lay down, usually with not even a towel... waxing the most vulnerable part of your body... Treat them like a human being and go get wax so you know what it feels like." – Libby [43:06]

On persistence:
"You gotta be aggressive... Just no missed opportunities. That's why when the woman in Starbucks turns around and says, oh, do you wax? You just want to push that to the limit. You want to book her right then and there..." – Libby [60:13]

Closing mantra:
"There’s a place for you in the beauty industry. Everyone you see is a potential client, and there is more than one way to do things." – Libby [57:26]

Key Timestamps for Major Segments

• Libby's Background & Why She Shares Her Mistakes: [00:08–02:45]
• Groupon, Gatekeeping, and Starting Over: [02:45–04:44]
• Facebook Group’s Growth & Community: [04:44–06:16]
• Social Media vs. Real Client Building: [06:26–07:42]
• Soft Wax, Industry Gatekeeping, and Technical Pearls: [08:43–14:03]
• Aggressive versus Vulnerable Marketing: [14:57–18:17]
• On Taking Classes and Continuous Learning: [19:59–21:26]
• Instagram Authenticity & Not Chasing Vanity Metrics: [21:26–24:02]
• Community in Sola Salons & Starting With Nothing: [25:04–26:41]
• First-Time Client & Retention Tips: [26:54–29:21]
• Wax Show Education & “Just Ask” Attitude: [29:22–32:01]
• Handling Online Drama & Industry Shaming: [37:17–41:05]
• Pivoting & The Value of Niche Services: [44:36–47:37]
• Cycle of Business: Slow Months, Specials, and Marketing: [48:14–54:00]
• Future of the Industry & Redefining Success: [54:27–56:41]
• Closing Statement & Four R’s (Retail, Rebook, Referral, Review): [57:19–60:13]

Final Thoughts

This episode was a refreshingly real, laughter-filled guide through the ups, downs, and unspoken truths of life as a working waxer. Libby’s honesty and lack of ego provide both practical roadmaps and heartfelt encouragement for anyone in the service industry. If you’re an esthetician, new or old, this conversation offers validation, actionable advice, and a strong nudge toward owning your worth, supporting others, and dropping the scarcity mindset.

“Just like, stand in your power... there's enough business for everyone. Everyone you see is a potential client, don't get stuck in that scarcity mindset.” – Libby [57:43]