Celebrity Facials, Lymphatic Massage & More with Aesthetician Vanessa Marc

Summary

Fat Mascara Podcast Summary Episode: Celebrity Facials, Lymphatic Massage & More with Aesthetician Vanessa Marc
Release Date: February 21, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of Fat Mascara, hosts Jennifer Sullivan and Jessica Matlin welcome aesthetician Vanessa Marc to discuss her expertise in facial and body treatments, particularly tailored for clients with diverse skin tones. Vanessa Marc, owner of Vanessa Marc Studio in Chelsea, Manhattan, has garnered a reputation for working with high-profile clients, including celebrities like Zendaya and Cardi B, as well as numerous models.

Vanessa Marc’s Journey into the Beauty Industry

Vanessa begins by sharing her personal motivation for entering the beauty industry. Initially a client struggling with hyperpigmentation, scarring, and razor bumps—common issues among women of color—she noticed a significant gap in the market for luxury black-owned spas in New York City. Determined to create change, Vanessa enrolled in aesthetics school to deepen her understanding and eventually founded her own studio.

Quote:
Vanessa Marc [05:39]: “I realized from an early on that there weren't too many luxury black-owned spas in New York City. So I was very determined to change that.”

Addressing Unique Skin Care Needs

Vanessa emphasizes the underserved nature of clientele with darker skin tones in the med spa industry. Traditional skin care treatments and technologies were primarily designed for lighter skin, leading to ineffective or even harmful results for women of color. She highlights common issues such as hyperpigmentation from sun damage, folliculitis from prolonged shaving or waxing, and scarring.

Quote:
Vanessa Marc [06:39]: “Many skin care treatments were initially designed for lighter skin tones, overlooking the unique needs of melanin-rich skin.”

Effective Treatments for Hyperpigmentation and Scarring

The conversation delves into specific treatments Vanessa offers to combat hyperpigmentation and scarring. She discusses the use of medical-grade chemical peels containing ingredients like kojic acid, glycolic acid, retinoic acid, and glutathione to effectively peel away imperfections and renew skin cells. Vanessa assures listeners about the safety and efficacy of these treatments, emphasizing her extensive experience and the use of FDA-approved technologies.

Quote:
Vanessa Marc [10:17]: “The combination of safe technologies tailored for specific skin tones, along with a personalized skin regimen, ensures proven results without damaging the skin.”

Lymphatic Drainage Massage and Colombian Wood Therapy

Vanessa introduces her expertise in lymphatic drainage massage and Colombian wood therapy—techniques popular in Latin America for their health benefits. She explains that lymphatic drainage helps reduce water retention, flush out toxins, and boost immunity by stimulating specific lymph nodes. Colombian wood therapy involves using specialized wooden tools to sculpt the body, break down cellulite, and tone muscles.

Quote:
Vanessa Marc [26:59]: “Lymphatic drainage helps flush out toxins and reduce water retention, boosting your immunity and improving overall bodily functions.”

Celebrity Clientele and Met Gala Preparations

Vanessa recounts her rise to fame within the beauty industry, starting with Victoria’s Secret models and expanding to major celebrities preparing for high-profile events like the Met Gala. Her ability to provide flawless, downtime-free facials has made her the go-to esthetician for celebrities needing quick yet effective skin treatments before important appearances.

Quote:
Vanessa Marc [16:00]: “After prepping Sarah Sampayo for the Met Gala in 2018, word of mouth led to clients like Hailey Bieber and Zendaya seeking my services.”

Recommended Skin Care Products

Vanessa advocates for using established, science-backed skin care brands such as Dermalogica and Murad. She recommends products like Dermalogica’s Special Cleansing Gel and Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF50 for their proven efficacy and suitability for various skin types. Vanessa cautions against jumping on trends promoted on social media, urging clients to stick with trusted brands to avoid adverse skin reactions.

Quote:
Vanessa Marc [37:11]: “I always tell clients to stick with brands that have been around for a long time and have undergone extensive research, like Dermalogica and Murad.”

Threading vs. Waxing

The discussion shifts to hair removal methods, where Vanessa strongly prefers threading over waxing. She explains that threading is more sanitary, reduces the risk of folliculitis, and avoids the cross-contamination issues often associated with shared waxing pots.

Quote:
Vanessa Marc [50:30]: “Threading is clean and safer, avoiding the cross-contamination and bacterial growth that can occur with waxing.”

Speed Questions: Getting to Know Vanessa

In the fun segment, Vanessa shares personal tidbits:

• Favorite Snack: Blueberries, praised for their brain-boosting benefits.
• Fantasy Client: Elon Musk, intrigued by his innovative mind.
• Day Off Activities: Enjoys sleeping in and resting.
• First Beauty Product Love: Makeup, particularly affordable lip liners from CVS during her teenage years.

Quote:
Vanessa Marc [61:11]: “My favorite snack is blueberries—they’re great for the brain.”

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with Vanessa stressing the importance of professional skin care and being cautious of unverified beauty trends. She encourages listeners to seek expert advice to maintain healthy and radiant skin.

Quote:
Vanessa Marc [51:39]: “Everyone wants to act like they’re an expert on social media, but it’s best to seek professional advice to avoid causing more problems.”

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Final Thoughts

This episode of Fat Mascara provides an in-depth look into specialized skin and body treatments tailored for diverse skin types. Vanessa Marc’s dedication to addressing the unique needs of women of color and her innovative approaches to beauty care make her a standout guest. Listeners gain valuable insights into effective treatments, recommended products, and the nuanced work that goes into maintaining flawless skin, especially for those in the spotlight.

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Note: For more information about Vanessa Marc Studio and her services, visit the show notes linked in the podcast.

Transcript

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[Jen Sullivan]

Hi everyone. Welcome to Fat Mascara Podcast about beauty culture hosted by me, Jen Sullivan and Jessica Matlin. So at the top of the show, you know I've been liking reading some of these reviews you guys send in. Please give us a review. If you don't mind going over to Apple, hitting some stars, however many you choose, give us a little constructive criticism that helps us find new listeners. Which is great, but you can also do that Spotify give us a review there or comment on specific episodes, which is always fun to see. So these comments, this is from episode 565. So that was me and Jess just last week. Muchia said. Okay, Muchia, this was one of my favorite episodes ever. Thanks for the PSA about cat friendly plants. By the way, Inkey List makes an excellent glycolid acid body stick. I use it as deodorant. So that's in reference to the anti odorant spray I mentioned from Surface Deep, which is a glycolic acid based spray. And I was like, I don't wanna put a cream on, but a stick sounds nice. So Muchia, thank you for that recommendation. Okay, enough of reviews comments. There's more of them on Spotify if you wanna check them out or leave a review of your own or comment of your own. But let's get into our interview today. So as you know, it's that time of the year when celebrities and models are extra busy. There's the fall, winter fashion shows around the world, then there's all the award shows, the Grammys, the Oscars, et cetera. Well, here in New York, I have been hearing more and more about the magical hands and the treatments of esthetician Vanessa Mark. She's at the Vanessa Mark Studio and I will put a link to that in the show notes for you. But she's prepped the skin of celebrities like Zendaya Cardi B. But what stands out to me is that the models trust her. So like Jasmine Tooks, Adut Akesh, Anak Yai, these are women who are getting a full face of makeup and then having to wash it off like four or five times a day. Can you just think about that? Imagine what your skin would look like if you had to get a full face of makeup. Wash it off, go somewhere else, put makeup on, wash it off. Your skin would be a mess. But Vanessa knows how to deal with that. She has a very classic approach to facial care, which I love. But she's also known for helping to heal some of the issues that affect skin of color, like hyperpigmentation and scarring. So I wanted to ask her about all that, but also the body treatments that she does, including lymphatic drainage massage, which I still cannot wrap my head around. It just does not feel good to me. But I know people love it, so I wanted to learn about it. And she does Colombian wood therapy, which is something I think you're going to be hearing more about here in the United States if you don't know what that already is. So let's have Vanessa explain all of it. We'll get to know her. Everybody welcome her to the studio. Let's get into it. So, Vanessa, you just told me. I'm very excited to share this with our listeners, that this is your first podcast.

[Vanessa Mark]

It is, and thank you for having me.

[Jen Sullivan]

Oh my gosh, thanks for coming. And I can't believe that because your presence in like the entertainment industry and the beauty industry. So I'm glad we can share you with the first podcast audience that you're ever talking to.

[Vanessa Mark]

How are you? I'm so excited. I am excited. New year, new podcast. I've never done this before, so it's just an exciting feeling.

[Jen Sullivan]

Good, good. Well, we're going to talk about skin. We're going to talk about every skin. Your studio, what work you do, all of that. But I have to, I have to talk about you first. So I'm so curious, what drew you to this line of work that you're in?

[Vanessa Mark]

I would say that my journey into beauty industry began as a client.

[Jen Sullivan]

Okay.

[Vanessa Mark]

Solutions for like have hyperpigmentation to scarring and razor bumps. So I noticed that there weren't many places that were comfortable treating darker skin tones. So I realized from an early on that there weren't too many luxury black owned spas in New York City. So I was very determined to change that. So I took the initiative to enroll in aesthetic school to gain deeper understanding of the field. After gaining so much experience working for like places, I started focusing on learning how to effectively treat my own skin and concerns, including hyperpigmentation, razor bumps, ingrown hairs.

[Jen Sullivan]

So you yourself had these issues that a lot of women of color deal with, but that you weren't finding that in the spa industry. Do you think that clientele is just generally underserved by med spas in like, not just New York City? Is that around the country? What do you find?

[Vanessa Mark]

I strongly believe that a lot of clients like myself have experienced that because a lot of places aren't comfortable treating darker skin tones. So yes, within this industry we are undeserved, especially women of color. Many skin care treatments and technology were initially designed for lighter skin tone in mind. So overlooking the unique needs of melanin rich skin or how to treat melanin rich skin effectively because you're not going to use the same treatment for someone who spare skin tone, who uses IPL towards someone with darker skin tone. So this has led to a lack of safe and effective treatments and concerns for like hyperpigmentation that people of color usually tend to experience, or keloid scarring, uneven Texture and it's more prevalent in darker skin tones. So yeah, so I started to get all these kinds of clients coming in, all having the same issues and me understanding the issues and, and having the proper equipment and technologies to help cure that.

[Jen Sullivan]

Okay, so let's talk about some of these issues. You mentioned hyperpigmentation. Are we talking about like from the sun melasma or from acne scarring or what? What are you seeing in clients that you really focus on?

[Vanessa Mark]

It's a variety. One is hyperpigmentation from the sun. We tend to experience sun damage that causes us to be a lot darker and causing uneven skin tone and texture. Then if you're someone who constantly have been waxing for years, shaving for years, you get these irritation from razors that causes so many causes. The term for that is called folliculitis, which is ingrowns. That causes like these severe bump that almost look like acne causing.

[Jen Sullivan]

Yeah. Are you talking about like body hair more or does that happen on the face too?

[Vanessa Mark]

It happens all the face, especially if someone is going through pcos. So I've noticed people would get it on their face, under their chin if they have hormonal imbalance. That's pcos. It causes like ingrowns and scarring and razor bumps. I've seen it on intimate areas for like the underarms, the Brazilian area from constant shaving and waxing that causes scarring and hyperpigmentation from waxing and, and constantly shaving. So I had to figure out a solution how to fix those skin issues that a lot of clients with darker skin tone was experiencing.

[Jen Sullivan]

I'm so interested. I'm just going to jump right into it because this facial hair and hair in general, I forgot about like. Yeah, if you have facial hair and you want to remove it, that is on itself a beauty treatment that people deal. But then you're sometimes left with this after effect of like cool. Now I don't have any hair, but I've got these bumps instead. And that's almost worse because it almost is more visible than the hair was. You know what I mean?

[Vanessa Mark]

Yeah. So the beauty about technology is there are machine in technology that help combat hyperpigmentation, the bumps, the scarring and the pigmentation. In addition to that, there's also different types of solution where after a client's done laser hair removal. So what's the next step to clear the scarring, the marks on your skin? Yeah, that's what we would advise them to do. Like a medical graded chemical peel in areas like the face and the body to help peel away any skin imperfection.

[Jen Sullivan]

So it's like that post inflammatory hyperpigmentation or that folliculitis that leaves the dark mark, you're finding that a certain type of chemical peel is a good fix for that?

[Vanessa Mark]

Correct.

[Jen Sullivan]

And how do you, I mean this is what you do, but like how do you make sure that doesn't then cause some sort of damage to the skin?

[Vanessa Mark]

I have many years of experience, so it doesn't cause any damages and it is safe if it's also FDA approved. So a lot of the things that we use has been around for a long time, whether they had scientific feedback, they've done research and you know, through trial and errors and just being an expert for over seven years doing this, that, you know, I've done it multiple times and we've given clients proven results. So the combination of doing like the technologies that's safe for like certain skin tone, along with putting clients on a skin regimen to also follow up with additional services that will work in conjunction to doing like your laser and chemical peel. And these are things that clients follow through and 100% of them are usually satisfied with their results.

[Jen Sullivan]

So you're not just the fix it person now. You're not just fixing. They went somewhere else or did it themselves and now they've got the marks. If they want to do hair removal, you can do the hair removal and then also make sure that we're not leaving you with any marks. Is what you're saying correct?

[Vanessa Mark]

Because most want flawless.

[Jen Sullivan]

Of course you do. I get that. That's why I'm saying it's so, it would seem so disturbing, like, cool, I just did the hair removal. Now my skin looks actually even worse. It must, you know, you just, it hits you emotionally. Do you find that with your clients?

[Vanessa Mark]

Yeah, it does hit them emotionally. And you know, one of the things that we love to do is give clients proven results because now where just adding a small change in their life helps boost their confidence so they feel comfortable wearing bikinis, certain clothes and these skin issues can occur on the face. So imagine you're a woman and you're, you just have like these ingrowns and pcos causing you to have like these ingrowns and marks on your face. Like it kind of takes away from your confidence. But the minute they find a solution or someone who understands how to help fix these problems within following our skin regimen, they're a whole new different person. So it boosts their confidence and makes them feel More comfortable with the way they look and things that they wear. And it doesn't always necessarily have to cover it with makeup.

[Jen Sullivan]

Yeah. So I have to ask, because I see some of the people on your Instagram, you end up with a lot of models coming into you. What's that all about?

[Vanessa Mark]

Oh, models. Well, I started my career working with models, customizing their treatments to leave them with radiant, dewy skin. So my facials are unique and tailored to each client, ensuring.

[Jen Sullivan]

Yeah, but how'd you get to be the model person? Do you know somebody that was an agent for the models? Like, now? I'm sure agents send their models to you because you have this specialty. What happened?

[Vanessa Mark]

Well, it all started with my career. Started with Victoria's Secret models. And when I started as an esthetician, I didn't have an agency. I didn't have a publicist. I didn't have a famous best friend or came from famous parents. So what happened was I was like a New York socialite. I used to love to go out. I've always made my presence known just about anywhere I went. And when I would engage with friends and going out, I would tell some of these girls, hey, what are you guys doing? Why don't you stop by the spa for a facial? We were just getting started in our career. Didn't have any clue that these people would have took me seriously. But believe it or not, they all started coming. Iman Haman, Candace Swan, Peel, Sarah Sampaio, Jasmine Tooks, Romy. They all were coming to this walk up near Penn Station. They could have went to La Prairie. They could have went anywhere. But I guess I was very personable, and, you know, we were all trying to figure out in our career what to do. And I guess it was just.

[Jen Sullivan]

You came up together kind of.

[Vanessa Mark]

Yeah. So we all came up together. And then they loved me because I was like, this young girl, and they were young in their career, and they just wanted to go to a place that they felt like someone understand them, could communicate with them. But the most important thing is that I was able to ensure and tailor their treatments, ensuring that there would be no downtime, no redness, no deep extraction which might interfere with their work. So I have constantly proven to the models and my clients the results that they were looking for for any big photo shoot, red carpet, and event. So we just tailored their facials, knowing that they would be okay wearing makeup an hour later or going to a photo shoot or getting dressed for a big important event right after. Because, you know, most facial is when you go to a place sometime, they like to do facials and they do like these deep extraction and they use certain tools that will scar your skin and leave you red. But I was able to curate this technology and give them these results without any scars. Redness. And this is for all skin types. It's not just for darker skin tone. I started my career with nothing but Victoria's Secret Angels. So that tells you a lot. So my clients were all like their skin models for someone who was darker skin tone. Trying to figure out things for myself. And I had all these amazing girls that I was making them look beautiful for. Like photo shoots for fashion shows, awards shows, or whatever big events they were attending.

[Jen Sullivan]

Yeah, okay, so this explains why you're the pre Met Gala person now, because they have to look good that day. When did you start doing the Met Gala prep? That's kind of your thing now. I've seen you've done some celebrities for that.

[Vanessa Mark]

So that actually started for me, I believe. 2018. I was working with nothing but models and I had the opportunity to get Sarah Sampayo ready for Met Gala. And I was just buzzing on like the whole social media. All the girls like were tagging me, posting me. And I had the opportunity to prep hailey bieber for 2018 for met gala. She came in, became a client because I was also doing her best friend, Justine Sky. She was also my day one client who was supporting me. And then Haley Bieber came and then she asked me to prep her for Met Gala. Then Cardi B team reached out to me and asked me to prep Cardi B for Met Gala. And Zendaya's stylist, Law Roach reached out to me and said, I want you to prepare Zendaya. So it became like a trickle effect that all the girls was like, okay, we're going to the hottest person who's keeping everyone's skin looking flawless and who's doing all the models. And so I was the most sought out person, their team, they were reaching out to me just to get them ready because they've literally seen my work with all the Victoria's Secret model. I was in Vogue, business insiders. So I was featured in a lot of publication.

[Jen Sullivan]

And then word of mouth and the results speak for themselves. Can we talk about some of these celebrities skin? First of all, Cardi B, I can't even imagine having to do a treatment on Cardi B because I just want to hang with her and laugh the whole time. But you can keep it serious, right? Right?

[Vanessa Mark]

Yes, absolutely.

[Jen Sullivan]

You're professional okay. Because I, I don't know how I would be able to do that. But my question is, I feel like a lot of the celebrities, people look at them and then start to feel bad because they're like, I don't look like that person. I could never look like that person. And I don't think a lot of people realize how much work goes into looking like a celebrity. Do they seem to have different kind of skin than the rest of us? Like, do they just have naturally great skin or do they still need to do the work that we're doing, needing to do?

[Vanessa Mark]

Skin is universal, so they're not any different from us. We all experience breakout, dullness, hyperpigmentation, dry skin. We all have issues. And I tend to find that you're not on top of, like your skin care regimen or seeking professional help. You will experience skin issues and skin problem. And skin issues starts from internal. Right. So the things that we eat are important because if you're not eating correctly, it's going to reflect on your skin. Correct. And if you're constantly working and you're constantly have makeup being put on you, like with their lifestyle and traveling, you get dehydrated, you tend, your skin becomes congested. So their skin is not any different. So this is why they're always on top of their skincare regimen, because their face, their look is their, their brand by, you know, their face, their looks. So.

[Jen Sullivan]

And it's their paycheck. I mean, that's their job.

[Vanessa Mark]

Correct. So I, I know that for a fact that most people would see, like, oh, my gosh, Hailey Bieber. I want beautiful, flawless skin like her. Who does she go to, apart from certain products that she's using? So usually people like to go to who the celebrities are going to because they want to achieve the same results, you know?

[Jen Sullivan]

Yeah. You said what's going on on the inside, like how you're eating affects it. This is so true. I saw something on your website. You said, what is your skin trying to tell you? Often the skin is a metaphor for what's happening on the inside. So my question is, what's happening on everybody's skin these days? Just generally speaking, like, what do you think is going on? Are you seeing a lot more of certain issues? And how does that relate to what we might be doing internally with our bodies? And here it is, you know, February 2025, so we know it's winter. I get that's going on. But what are people coming in? What's going on?

[Vanessa Mark]

I believe that our skin Is often reflects to what's happening internally, Both physical, emotional. Correct. So if you're eating a lot of things with toxins, like fast foods, sugar, processed food, high things with, like, sugary sweets, you know, that could cause inflammation, breakouts, dehydration, cause a lot of stress on your skin. Correct. So when people tend to ask me, okay, what do I do if I can't see you and my next and I'm traveling, I tell clients, be mindful of the things you're putting your body to. Make sure you're cleansing internally, you're cleansing your organs, you're flushing out, you're flushing toxins and impurities. So I do my research just to kind of advise people. It's not just only taking care of your skin on the outside, but internally. It's also important that you're feeding your body with the proper nutrients. Because, you know, if you're a big meat eater, which I'm not, like, I stay.

[Jen Sullivan]

I literally was just gonna ask. You sound like someone who eats very healthfully. Are you vegetarian?

[Vanessa Mark]

I tend to be, but I'm also pescatarian too, as well.

[Jen Sullivan]

Okay.

[Vanessa Mark]

So I don't get me wrong, I'll eat meat, but maybe once a month or every other month.

[Jen Sullivan]

Okay.

[Vanessa Mark]

But it's not something that I'm running to as a first choice of food.

[Jen Sullivan]

When you made that, when did you make that choice? And did you see it in your skin?

[Vanessa Mark]

When you started to notice inflammation in my body, like when I would eat chicken, when I would eat red meat, why was I feeling bloated? Why did I feel so, like, sluggish? It just didn't feel good. So I decided just to kind of change my diet. And I noticed that I would function a lot better. I had better cognitive thinking. My skin was a lot clearer. I was less bloated, feeling confident in the way I look and felt. So when I removed certain dairy products, meat, animal products, it did make a significant difference in, like, my overall well being versus when I wasn't, because I noticed that it caused a lot of inflammation, swelling in my body, you know, so that was just something that was a trial or experiment. I was trying to see what was going on with me, and doctors couldn't really explain it to me. And I was like, wow. Once I stopped eating red meat, I was able to use the bathroom regularly. I was detoxing heavy. I'm drinking, like, the moringa teas or my black seed bitters. And I just noticed an overall difference in, like, the way I felt, the way my skin looked My skin was a lot more glowy. It was just more radiant and I just felt good.

[Jen Sullivan]

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[Vanessa Mark]

Oh my God.

[Jessica Matlin]

We've talked about that. The tofu bra. No, these are cute.

[Jen Sullivan]

It's not that. Honey Love is great.

[Jessica Matlin]

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[Jen Sullivan]

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[Jen Sullivan]

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[Jen Sullivan]

Let's you brought up bloating. So this was something I really wanted to talk to you about because I know you also have a bit of a reputation that you do very good lymphatic drainage and you do body treatments. And I am so curious about lymphatic drainage because I was talking to my friend who's Brazilian and I was like, what does it really do? Like, we're not there's no toxins in our body that aren't ever going to go out. And he said to me, he's like, if you go to Brazil, it's as common to get lymphatic drainage as it is to get your nails done here in New York City. It's just part of the culture and everybody does it and feels good. I'M curious, how do you see it working? Like, what are you doing to someone when you give them lymphatic drainage, massage, and what is happening to their body right after and maybe for like a while after.

[Vanessa Mark]

So lymphatic drainage is something that started in Latin America between Colombia, Brazil and other Latin countries. And it was very common, especially after doing surgery. So a lot of people who were into cosmetic surgery did lymphatic drainage because as you do surgery, the body goes through shocks and you experience swelling, inflammation. And this massage technique was to help to reduce water retention. It had so many health benefits when you do a lymphatic drainage. So they've noticed that by when you do certain massage, there are certain nodes in the body that activates, like, certain organs to function properly. And it's a special massage technique that when you activate and press on certain nodes, it helps to flush out toxins, it helps to remove water retention, help flush waste toxins out of the body going through certain lymphatic nodes and drainage. And I've noticed in myself and clients and just doing it for many years, overall, it boosts, like, your immunity. It helps with regular.

[Jen Sullivan]

How regularly are people getting it that they're getting that immunity boost and that kind of benefit?

[Vanessa Mark]

Well, it depends. I have clients that comes in twice a week for it, once a week, or even those that come in at least once a month, if they're not. If they just want that, you know, I'm having issues with like bowel movement or I'm. I feel like I'm a little bit sluggish. I feel sploaded. So everyone have different reasons to come in, whether it be surgery, cosmetic to regular people who just want to maintain healthy organs, healthy functions. And everyone varies. It depends on, you know, your schedule and one's finances too, as well. But there's just so many benefits when you do this massage because it helps boost immunity, it helps with bowel movement and activates function. It helps with blood circulation with those.

[Jen Sullivan]

Before and afters you see sometimes on social media, like with the water retention that goes away and they just. They look less puffy. And how long does that effect last?

[Vanessa Mark]

Well, it lasts for as long as couple of days. As long. We would tell clients refrain from drinking after doing this massage.

[Jen Sullivan]

Like alcohol, you mean?

[Vanessa Mark]

Yes, exactly. Because alcohol is probably the number one thing that will cause us to feel bloated. It turns into sugar in the body. It's just so bad for you.

[Jen Sullivan]

Can I ask about the Colombian wooden therapy tool?

[Vanessa Mark]

Correct.

[Jen Sullivan]

Yeah, she just said correct. Okay. For People who have not seen this, can you explain what that is and how you use it?

[Vanessa Mark]

So the Colombian wood therapy are specialized tools used to sculpt the body. It helps break down any kind of scarring tissues such as cellulite. It is good to break down fat as well in stubborn areas that we tend to experience where there will be like, your love handles, arms, things that diet and exercise doesn't always reach. Even like the lower abdomen area. It's good just to break down fat.

[Jen Sullivan]

Are you scrap, like, it looks like it hurts. Are you scraping? Is it like gua sha?

[Vanessa Mark]

It only hurts if you've had like, let's say lipo in a certain area and you're very sore, you're going through inflammation. That's when you feel it more. But if you're someone who just wants to come in and experience it, it's actually feels good. So let's say if you've work out a lot and your muscles feel sore.

[Jen Sullivan]

Yeah.

[Vanessa Mark]

The therapy will help to loosen up the lactic acid. It will help to break down fat. It actually tones and sculpt you immediately, so clients will see a difference, like immediately or before and after.

[Jen Sullivan]

So it's like using your own fingers, but stronger. Is that what the concept is?

[Vanessa Mark]

No, it's not using your fingers, but it's using wood. It's like wood tech. It's a actually made out of wood. It's sculpted into different shapes to target different parts of the body. And there's different tools used for the stomach.

[Jen Sullivan]

Do you have a whole set of them?

[Vanessa Mark]

I do at the spa, yes.

[Jen Sullivan]

And where did you get it?

[Vanessa Mark]

Some of them I've ordered straight from Colombia.

[Jen Sullivan]

Yeah, I just hadn't seen.

[Vanessa Mark]

And now they sell it on Amazon, so it's more accessible. But about four years ago, it wasn't like a thing in the States, so you couldn't really buy it, but you could actually purchase it. You ever heard of like dry brushing? When?

[Jen Sullivan]

Yeah, of course.

[Vanessa Mark]

Dry brushing that helps with like blood circulation.

[Jen Sullivan]

This is like a firmer, firmer dry brushing.

[Vanessa Mark]

Yes, correct.

[Jen Sullivan]

I've been seeing it more and I have a feeling it's going to be getting popular. But I know you've been doing it for a while. That's why I wanted to ask about it. Also, personally, I just felt like it was going to hurt.

[Vanessa Mark]

No, it doesn't. It doesn't. Some areas, especially stomach, you might feel like, oh, my gosh, I feel like I just did a thousand abs, sit ups, crunches. But the results after are impeccable.

[Jen Sullivan]

Let's talk about songs for a second because I remember the first time I had a massage where they massaged my stomach was in France. I didn't like it. Why do people have to massage the stomach when you're getting like that technique?

[Vanessa Mark]

Well, the massage for the stomach is great because then it kind of remove anything that's stagnant in your abdomen, your.

[Jen Sullivan]

Intestines moving and like everything underneath.

[Vanessa Mark]

Everything moving. Yes. So that.

[Jen Sullivan]

Do you hear people's stomach gurgle? Vanessa, be real with me.

[Vanessa Mark]

I mean, if they're hungry on the table.

[Jen Sullivan]

But it's so intimate.

[Vanessa Mark]

But during a massage I had his client asked me this question this week. It was her first time trying a lymphatic massage. She was like, oh my gosh, this my stomach. She was like, wait a minute. Have you, have you ever had anyone fart while you're doing this massage?

[Jen Sullivan]

Yeah, you must have.

[Vanessa Mark]

Honestly, they probably kept it in cause. No, I don't know. But what they do, I know in between treatment they would ask if they can go use the bathroom. So that's how we know it's working.

[Jen Sullivan]

So do you want that to happen to your client? You want that gas to get moving and stuff?

[Vanessa Mark]

Absolutely, because it's amazing. Because it's going to help flush you. It's getting rid of toxin. It's helping all the toxin go through like your urine, through your bowel, anything that's stagnant in your body.

[Jen Sullivan]

And no, I get, I get the. After, I get that afterwards. That feels very good. Especially if someone's bloated or gassy and whatever. But like it's just such an intimate procedure. I just was like when she started pushing on my stomach after I had just gotten off an eight hour airplane and you know how your stomach gets when you're on the airplane. Does that happen to you?

[Vanessa Mark]

That's actually, that's actually the best thing you did. Because when we're flying up air, do you know our body starts to expand.

[Jen Sullivan]

Yeah, the pressure changes, right?

[Vanessa Mark]

The pressure changes. So you're experiencing like inflammation in the body. So you want to maybe as soon as you get to destination, massage it, get rid of all that water retention. Get rid of anything that makes you feel bloated, inflated, inside, internally. So that's actually a great thing. It may feel uncomfortable because, because you've never experienced it before. But when you're eating and digesting, it's just gonna go through your body. So that's actually good because what she did was activate your lymph and your organs to Function correctly. So that's why it feels uncomfortable. Cause your stomach is like, what is going on? What is this? I'm just not stuck and backed and you know, now it's coming out and your body's reacting to it.

[Jen Sullivan]

Yeah. When you offer those kind of services, do people come and say that they've had, that they feel better afterwards? Do you?

[Vanessa Mark]

Absolutely. Every time they're like, oh my gosh, I even lost 3 inches immediately compared to versus. I have actually have a post on my Instagram that shows a girl who's a model who came in, she measured herself before coming in for the lymphatic massage and also leaving immediately after she noticed that she was a lot smaller. She was at least like 1.52 inches a lot smaller than what she came. So it works immediately.

[Jen Sullivan]

Well in her line of work, I guess that would be a good thing before, like walking a Runway or whatever.

[Vanessa Mark]

Yeah. But then I have regular clients who sees different, who are not models, who are like working class and you know, hard working people. And they come in. Can you imagine just like being on your feet all day, whatever it is you're doing, or being at a desk all day and you're coming in, you're like, listen, I feel sluggish. I've just been in front of my computer, stuffing my face, eating. And you come in and do this massage.

[Jen Sullivan]

You were very stagnant. The way we live. Like you just sit and do like you stare at screens and stuff sometimes too, or stand and so get stuck.

[Vanessa Mark]

You're like in front of your screen, you're on your computer, you're stuffing your face and you're eating. You're not even fully aware like what you're putting into your body. And then few hours later you're like, oh my gosh, I feel weird, I feel dizzy, I'm going through anxiety, I feel depressed. That really affects our mental health, our mood. So it's very important to very be mindful of what you put into your body. Especially if you're. If you have one of those jobs that requires you to be on your feet all day in front of a computer and it's not a lot of movement, you know?

[Jen Sullivan]

Yeah. So I know you do all these body treatments. I'm sorry I took us down that personally. I'm just very curious about them. But what's a facial like with you? Are you also one of those facialists who likes to use all the fun tools and lasers? Not lasers, but like IPL and things like that?

[Vanessa Mark]

I don't use IPL anymore. But I do have this amazing high tech machine is what I started with my facial. Our facial are tailored and unique because it's curated for each client that comes in. We all have different skin types and different skin needs. So the facial machine that I have, it's like this high tech machine that sucks and draws out like dead skin impurities built up.

[Jen Sullivan]

Is there anything that every client gets when they come to you? I know everything's bespoke but like everybody's getting this cleanser because it's the best cleanser. Everybody's getting X thing. Is there anything you love to use on everyone?

[Vanessa Mark]

Yes, I do. I love using dermalogical products on everyone because it's been in the market for over 38 years and I started using this way before I was an esthetician because of its science back research and it's just not something that's like not new on the market because I want to follow a trend and come out with a skincare. It's proven and it sells, it sells globally and it's great for also.

[Jen Sullivan]

That's your favorite line?

[Vanessa Mark]

That's one of my favorite line. I also love Murad because it's also was developed by dermatologists and pharmacists too as well. So they're both amazing lines because dermatologists, I mean Derma Dermalogica, it's all research, science based and the formulas work. Then there's not really harsh chemicals in these products which doesn't really cause any adverse reaction. And you can get that a lot with new products that's on the market.

[Jen Sullivan]

I that happens to me whenever I go. That's why I don't get facials a lot because depending on what I don't know what they're using sometimes and I'm always so reactive. But I've noticed that about Dermalogica too that it does not cause me at least irritation.

[Vanessa Mark]

Yeah. So I love to use that at home and also in my practice. I love the dermalogical like the special cleansing gel. It's great to draw out impurities oil without stripping moisture from your skin.

[Jen Sullivan]

Okay.

[Vanessa Mark]

I also love using their toner just to help balance the skin ph. I love using their rice enzyme powder. It's a good gentle exfoliation. It's good to like gently remove dead skin cells to help the skin leave look radiant and flawless. I also love Dermalogica is also glycolic cleanser. So that helps to even out skin tone. It helps with if you're experiencing dull dehydrated skin. And the reason why I love that because it has glycolic in it and calendula extract. So if you're someone who also wants to like renew your skin cells without using something so harsh on your skin to exfoliate, this is like a great boost for like radiance and a gentle exfoliation too as well.

[Jen Sullivan]

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[Jen Sullivan]

And can we talk about skin tone a bit? That is something that you brought up earlier but I wanted to ask again about it. When people come in with pigmentation issues and things like that, is there a product that you always recommend to those people who are going to be put on a regimen to get rid of areas of darkness and pigmentation all the time?

[Vanessa Mark]

I tend to when I see clients go through hyperpigmentation whether they're fair skinned because you know you guys experience hyperpigmentation on a different level. I think it's more like redness and when you get leave these red marks on your skin. So that would be your version of hyperpigmentation. People of darker skin tone experience darker marks and spots on their skin as scarring for hyperpigmentation. So what I tell my clients to do first is to do a medical graded chemical peel with us and we provide like an aftercare and you will need some downtime where you're going to peel for about five to six days. So this sort of peel that apply on the skin and it stays on the skin for six hours.

[Jen Sullivan]

Which acid does it have multiple acids in it?

[Vanessa Mark]

There's different kinds of ingredients in it from Kojic acid, glycolic, retinoic, glutathione and a few other mix and blends within that chemical peel.

[Jen Sullivan]

Oh my God, my face would fall off. But you do want this is the kind of peel that people will get some actual peeling and it's great if.

[Vanessa Mark]

Even if you have sunspots, melasma and I'm talking more on a broad spectrum of all skin types, people who experience not just for darker skin tone but also fair skin tones who tend to Experience sunspot melasma, redness from scarring and even darker skin tone who experience like hyperpigmentation. That is like our golden secret to doing a chemical, medical medical graded chemical peel with us. To peel all those imperfection and you'll be left with renew skin cells and buttery baby even skin texture within less than a week.

[Jen Sullivan]

So for five days it's like a little bit rough though is what you're feeling.

[Vanessa Mark]

You're shedding like a snake.

[Jen Sullivan]

Some people I see part of that it would feel so like okay, something's happening, I'm doing something correct.

[Vanessa Mark]

And then one of. One of the other things we do tell clients for maintenance afterwards. The products that you use are going to be key and important just to help to maintain the aftermath. So like for example, we'll provide them or tell them to pick up some certain products to help with pigmentation. Also applying a good SPF as well. That's going to protect your.

[Jen Sullivan]

Talk to me about this. Yes, I've heard like you after you do peel like the sunscreen is even more important even though we know it always is. What sunscreen do you recommend?

[Vanessa Mark]

I love the dynamic skin recovery SPF50 that is also by Dermacologica. It does not leave that white cast. It easily absorbed into the skin skin and it's also moisturizing and it prevents anti aging hyperpigmentation and it provides also hydration because I'm sure you've all used SPS and it just feels greasy and thick and our skin doesn't feel hydrated from it. Right?

[Jen Sullivan]

Yeah. And also the white cast, I mean.

[Vanessa Mark]

Especially that's the most important thing that I hate because with me I'm darker skin tone so it would look like I have powder on my face. It just looks, looks crazy, you know. So I was able to find an SPF that I've. I've never have. I have not changed this SPF since I've been in business. And it's the Dermalogica Dynamic Recovery spf. So it's good for anti aging and it has hyaluronic acid in there too. Good for UV protection and it also moisturize. So it also help fight wrinkles and premature aging on the skin.

[Jen Sullivan]

Got it. I hope that you get people to use their sunscreen. That's so important to me. What other Now I'm curious about you because you said you use that. What other beauty products do you love besides your skincare? What else are you using?

[Vanessa Mark]

I love to use also Murad, their clarifying cleanser.

[Jen Sullivan]

Okay.

[Vanessa Mark]

It has like 1% salicylic acid. So we all experience breakout time to times. Right. So this is a universal thing. It doesn't matter. You could wash your face, but one day you're gonna wake up like, why do I have to spend ample hair? So it's always good to have a regular cleanser and also a cleanser just for backup if you're ever experiencing like skin congestion breakouts on your skin. So I love that brand because it's also been on the market for over for about 35 years or so. And it's a science back skin care targeting acne.

[Jen Sullivan]

So you like their cleanser?

[Vanessa Mark]

Yes. So there's different lines. There's lines for act, there's a blue line for acne, there's a line for like aging, there's a line for hyperpigmentation. And then it's nice to always have go with a brand that has a variety of lines that offers different skin needs because we all have different skin needs, different issues. And if you're able to buy multiple things, one could be for like acne, one could be for hyperpigmentation. I tend to stick to things that's been around in the market for a very long time that's has given proven results and has been tested.

[Jen Sullivan]

Do you find. Do a lot of your clients like experiment too much or. That's a leading question. But I mean like, do they come in, do they show you their skincare? Like, what are people using these days? Are you ever surprised?

[Vanessa Mark]

Yes. They're using a lot of new things on the market because they're not fully well versed and educated. If they see like someone new or someone famous coming out with a skincare line, well, I'm using this or I'm using that or this is new on the market and sometime it's not always best because us seen a lot of them have allergic reaction or their pores are even clogged even more. So that's why I always tell clients like, stick to the brands that's been around the market for a long time really doing this and really have took the time to do the research and, and really study each and every single ingredient and products they're developing. And it's not something that has been on the market for less than a year or two. That doesn't always mean that it's great. But there are a lot of things that's caused cutting corners just to come out with a product. And it's really not that great because now you're having like these Allergic reaction, these irritation on your skin.

[Jen Sullivan]

So you find the longer a brand's been around, you just feel safer recommending it to people because it's been.

[Vanessa Mark]

That is correct. And this is why I mostly stick with Dermalogica Murad. Because they're obviously science back pharmacists, doctors. Not just someone who's famous and have a brand or chemist wanting to slap a product on their name. Just for capital, you know?

[Jen Sullivan]

Yeah. So who do you go to, though, for all your beauty treatments? Like clearly your own for your skin. Yes. But like, do you do lashes? Do you do brows? Like, who are your other beauty providers? Or do you do it all yourself now that you're a cosmetologist?

[Vanessa Mark]

No, I don't do my own lashes. And I get them done only if I really need to. Maybe once or twice a year.

[Jen Sullivan]

Who's doing your lashes? Who's the good lash person? Give me the tea.

[Vanessa Mark]

When I do go get them, I go to Bling lash. It's on 23rd street in New York City. This is where I live. I love a soft, subtle look. I'm not into like the big, thick, whispery, spider looking lashes. It just doesn't look realistic or natural. A lot of the Gen Z's love it, but I don't because I just think it looks a little too much for me. When it comes to brows, I usually would get it threaded.

[Jen Sullivan]

Okay.

[Vanessa Mark]

I don't have a specific place I go to, but any place that does. Threading is just my thing. I'm not a fan of waxing because cross contamination, they don't really periodically change the wax. It's just like on top of everyone and you.

[Jen Sullivan]

The threading feels more sanitary.

[Vanessa Mark]

Yeah. So threading is clean and it's just a lot safer just to avoid anyone burning you. Avoid any bacteria growing on your face. That's just the thought of that just grosses me out.

[Jen Sullivan]

Have you seen complications from waxing ever in clients?

[Vanessa Mark]

I have. Especially in intimate areas. Because waxing, you think about it, why are we getting ingrowns, why you're getting these folliculitis, these sort of bacteria that's grown on your skin. Because this is the same wax that is being. It's cross contamination if they're not.

[Jen Sullivan]

If they're just using the melted pot and not fresh for every client. Yeah, correct.

[Vanessa Mark]

And that's one of the main things I don't. I tell clients, you know, it's time to like stay away from those type of things and do things like laser do things like threading. Because there's no cross contamination. You know, that same wax will sit there for months and probably a hundred people used it that month. You know, it's just gross.

[Jen Sullivan]

Before I let you go, I, I don't really let go.

[Vanessa Mark]

We could continue.

[Jen Sullivan]

What didn't we talk about that we should be talking about? What, what else is going on with people's skin that you, that I should have asked you about?

[Vanessa Mark]

Well, what else is people going, you know, people just following these Diu's on TikTok. Like I recommend people do not follow everything that you see that is happening. Or people are posting on social media, on TikTok, on YouTube because everyone want to act like they're expert. Everyone or everyone is just copying each other. Like if you have any issues, seek a professional like a esthetician dermatologist. Because you could just be irritating your skin even more. And 99% of it doesn't mean you see on social media it's going to work. So it's best to always seek professional advice so you don't cause yourself any more problems. And I think one of the other questions you had for me was about do I have used any at home devices?

[Jen Sullivan]

Like, oh yeah, we forgot to talk about devices. I'm so sorry. Talk to me.

[Vanessa Mark]

Yeah. So you know, I'm just gonna be honest. Like I don't use any at home devices at all. Do I believe in them? Like, you know, if they're trying to sell something for you to use at home, I don't really love it because everything that I've ever used I invested properly into like good technologies at the spa. So I do everything at Vanessa Mark Spa. We're located in New York City and Chelsea, Manhattan.

[Jen Sullivan]

So you wait, you're saying you think the professional level of the radio frequency.

[Vanessa Mark]

The spas are a lot better.

[Jen Sullivan]

Do you have clients that try and use the at home ones or ask you about them?

[Vanessa Mark]

No, clients never ask me to use at home products.

[Jen Sullivan]

Okay, good.

[Vanessa Mark]

Because it takes time to kind of be at home. Unless you're like an influencer. You sit at home and you're going to try these things. But for the average person like me, you who works and deals with people constantly, who's constantly on a travel or move, there's no time really to do that. You have to have a lot of time on your hand to use an at home device. I feel like for it to work and 90% of us are just working and making it by day and then just dealing with life and we have our own personal life and Then we just want to come home and rest. So, you know, Covid was a great time for that. Perfect. That was the time we had to use a lot of at home device, but they all don't work. How many people were going on Instagram saying, oh, mix turmeric in this and then you're going to help lighten and even out your complexion. And it didn't help because clients came back saying I'm experiencing maskne, which, which was a thing because you're wearing these masks and you're hot, you're sweating. It's accumulating sweat and bacteria causing people to break out on their cheeks. So it's always best to seek professional.

[Jen Sullivan]

Before I let you go. This is the fun part of the podcast, so it's just don't think too much. I have like some speed questions for you that we give people. I know you have your phone there. Do you use the notes app?

[Vanessa Mark]

I do all the time.

[Jen Sullivan]

Will you open up your notes app for me? I am curious if you're able to share it. What's the last note you wrote yourself?

[Vanessa Mark]

Well, it wasn't so much a note to myself. The last thing I have on my note, believe it or not, is like an NDA contract that I had someone sign.

[Jen Sullivan]

Oh, that's exciting though.

[Vanessa Mark]

So it was like an NDA, more like a contract agreement. Because, you know, as a business owner, I scan things in my notes. So if I don't have a scanner, if I ever lose it or something ever happens, I use the notes has like a scanner. I don't know if you guys are aware of it, but definitely go on your notes and use it. Because me being in business, I always have to like send myself emails or send it to my team. And the last one I have is actually a contract with me and his independent contractor. We're actually doing business together. And I scanned it in my notes and I emailed it to myself because that's a quick way for me to send myself proprietary information so that I don't lose it or I misplaced it. So it's a good way to always protect yourself.

[Jen Sullivan]

This is exactly what I would expect to be the last note of a business owner who's building her business business in New York. It's perfectly on brand. I'm very happy about that. You know, you never know what people are going to say or in their notes. Okay, next question. What was the first beauty product you ever remember falling in love with?

[Vanessa Mark]

The first beauty product I've probably ever fell in love with before I was in ss. I would say makeup, because I think that's all we gravitate to.

[Jen Sullivan]

Do you remember which item?

[Vanessa Mark]

I was young. Just whatever products with cvs, whatever I was able to afford then. A teenager. I. I think it was just really, like, lip pencils. Remember the white eyelining pencils was a thing.

[Jen Sullivan]

Yes. This is. Now I know how old you are. If that was the thing when you were. We would do, like, the waterline.

[Vanessa Mark]

Yes.

[Jen Sullivan]

And you got. And you were into that.

[Vanessa Mark]

Yes. And then what else? Buying tons of wrong foundation that didn't go with my complexion.

[Jen Sullivan]

Well, I said, what did you love? Not what you didn't love.

[Vanessa Mark]

Yeah, but I'm just saying, I thought I was like, I'm gonna get this foundation. Cause it looks so good on this picture. It's just this illusion of like, yeah, buy this and you're gonna look like this.

[Jen Sullivan]

Yeah.

[Vanessa Mark]

But I would say makeup.

[Jen Sullivan]

Makeup. Okay.

[Vanessa Mark]

I would say makeup.

[Jen Sullivan]

And the lip liner was another one you said. Do you remember your lip liner, the.

[Vanessa Mark]

Lip liner brand, whatever was at CVS at those time? They were very inexpensive. Yeah.

[Jen Sullivan]

I thought it might be the Wet N Wild. There was a number. Yes.

[Vanessa Mark]

That was the brand. Yes.

[Jen Sullivan]

I forget what the number. I want to say 666, but I don't think that's right. But there was, like, this brownie, like Mac Spice, but better. Wet N Wild lip liner that. I don't know. I could. It was a good color, and I remember.

[Vanessa Mark]

But if you want to talk about when I got into, like, my professional career. Yes. Mac was like my staple. You know, we all had the Mac lipsticks, the lip liners, the foundation. They used to. You just sit in the chair and they used to just, like, put makeup on you and do. And tell you to buy all the products they use. Yeah. I was a sucker. They sold me every single time. That's good.

[Jen Sullivan]

That's. You weren't a sucker. You felt good. I mean, you feel good. Okay. All right, next question. Who would be your fantasy client? Someone you haven't treated yet, you would.

[Vanessa Mark]

Love to treat my fantasy client? I would say Elon Musk.

[Jen Sullivan]

Wait, what?

[Vanessa Mark]

Yes. It sounds crazy.

[Jen Sullivan]

Why? I.

[Vanessa Mark]

Why? Because, you know, when you're working with clients, it's a very intimate, personal space. I'm always. I loved having conversation and picking people's brain because how does he do everything that he does? You know, you.

[Jen Sullivan]

Okay, so you wanna. You want him to open up and hear what's going on inside that brain?

[Vanessa Mark]

Yes.

[Jen Sullivan]

Okay.

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[Jen Sullivan]

That makes sense.

[Vanessa Mark]

It's Just like, how is one human being just thinking like 20, 30 years of Vance? Like, what? Like, that's a different kind of brain. Like, it's just powerful. It's just I would definitely want to know what's going on in his brains, you know?

[Jen Sullivan]

Okay. It's not because you're like, he's got X skin issue. And I can really fix that for him.

[Vanessa Mark]

He's dead people. Yeah, he's one. I had to put that, put it out there.

[Jen Sullivan]

Okay. Okay.

[Vanessa Mark]

I actually have a vision board of live people. And believe it or not, I've had a vision board with everyone. I created one of the Kardashians, either Kim or Kylie, just because they're beauty queens. And I just love everything about their aesthetics, the way they carry themselves. They're into beauty and fine things. So it could either be Kylie, it could be Kim, Kourtney, Khloe.

[Jen Sullivan]

May I ask, you've now done like all of these models. You've done Cardi B, you've done Zendaya. Did you ever have any other pictures on this vision board?

[Vanessa Mark]

Yes, Zendaya. And I've even sent her my vision board. Two years before I met her, she was on it. I sent it to her. I was like, zendaya, you know, I manifested, I prayed to have you as a client. And I was like, look, I did this two years ago.

[Jen Sullivan]

Did she respond?

[Vanessa Mark]

She, like, her mouth dropped. She's like, oh my gosh, like, for real, like she was so ecstatic. Like, she's just flattered and she was so sweet. Zendaya's very, very sweet. Like, everything about like her aura, her personality is just very like sincere, compassionate. She actually cares about you as a well being and how you're doing as a person. And her and Cardi are both the same way. There's not too many people that would come in and say, hey, how's business? How's work? How's things? Because, you know, things are tough. Life is hard for everyone, including myself as a business owner. And, you know, with inflation, with the economy, and we all are experiencing it, and there's very few people that actually come in and act how you're doing, care about your well being. And I tend to find that, you know, those kind of people makes me cherish them more and admire them a lot more because, you know, we're all humans and it's nice if someone actually cares and asks you how's your day's going and did you meet your goals and how's business going versus people who just feels entitled and wants things for free or trying to cut corners. You know, I, I see a difference. And so I'm very aware of people's behavior and how they react and how they treat you. And to me, that's very important. Like, I value people that are compassionate, sincere. Things like that really matters because it tells you a lot about a person's character.

[Jen Sullivan]

I agree. All right, well, now my next question is going to seem trivial, but what's your favorite snack?

[Vanessa Mark]

My favorite snack. I love blueberries. That's one of my favorite snacks.

[Jen Sullivan]

Okay.

[Vanessa Mark]

It's good for the brain.

[Jen Sullivan]

So healthy. Yes.

[Vanessa Mark]

Yeah, when I'm cheating chips.

[Jen Sullivan]

All right, last question. It is 11am on your day off. I don't know what day that is for you. Probably a Sunday. What are you most likely doing?

[Vanessa Mark]

Sleeping? Snoring.

[Jen Sullivan]

Did you not wake up yet or you went back to sleep?

[Vanessa Mark]

Wake up and went back to sleep.

[Jen Sullivan]

Okay.

[Vanessa Mark]

I'm in bed at 11am this is my only personal day off.

[Jen Sullivan]

You're getting your beauty sleep at 11am on a Sunday?

[Vanessa Mark]

Yeah, I'm still in bed.

[Jen Sullivan]

Okay. Good for you.

[Vanessa Mark]

I'm not running out to go have brunch. I'm not getting up to do anything. I am resting.

[Jen Sullivan]

Well, I get it. This was fun. Thanks for introducing our listeners to your philosophy and telling us about Vanessa Mark Studio. Thanks for coming on the show.

[Jessica Matlin]

We hope you enjoyed the show.

[Jen Sullivan]

It's your reviews and feedback that help us make the podcast even better. Head over to itunes to rate and review us or email your thoughts to infoatmascara.com we also want to answer your.

[Jessica Matlin]

Beauty questions and hear what products you love to share, a raise, a wand product review, or to ask a beauty question. Email us at infoattmascara.

[Jen Sullivan]

If you send it as a voice memo file, we can even share your voice on the podcast. You can also do that by leaving us a voice message. Our phone number in The United States is 6,8182.

[Jessica Matlin]

Thanks so much for listening.

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