Skin and the City Podcast by Kasey Boone Skincare™
Episode: Katie Sobelman: Organic Esthetician + Electric Facials
Release Date: November 11, 2024
Host: Kasey Boone
Guest: Katie Sobelman, The Organic Esthetician
Introduction
In this episode of Skin and the City, host Kasey Boone welcomes Katie Sobelman, renowned as The Organic Esthetician on Instagram and YouTube. Kasey shares her excitement about connecting with Katie, who is celebrated for her expertise in organic skincare and innovative electric facials.
Kasey Boone [00:01]: "Welcome to Skin in the City. I'm your host, Casey Boone, and I'm so excited to share this episode with you."
Guest Background and Journey
Katie Sobelman has been a licensed esthetician since 2010, having trained at the Cinta Aveda Institute in San Francisco. Her early career at an Aveda salon in Napa under the guidance of the North American educator for Hausha skincare laid the foundation for her holistic approach to skincare.
Katie Sobelman [04:01]: "I started with Aveda... And that, at the time, just, like, kind of spoke to me."
Katie emphasizes the importance of touch in her practice, a lesson ingrained during her tenure at Aveda, where she learned the significance of essential oils and therapeutic rituals.
Katie Sobelman [05:12]: "It's really amazing."
Embracing Electric Facials
A significant portion of the discussion revolves around Katie's specialization in electric facials. She clarifies her nomenclature to avoid stepping on Melanie Simon's term "electric esthetician," while proudly carving her niche in integrating various electrical modalities into her treatments.
Katie Sobelman [07:24]: "I do a lot of massage but then I incorporate these electrical modalities."
Katie uses clean, organic products, predominantly featuring Lucerne, and is excited about introducing Marie Veronique to her offerings. Her focus lies in anti-aging and skin health, leveraging advanced devices to enhance cellular wellness.
Innovative Modalities and Techniques
Katie details the array of modalities she employs, including microcurrent, light therapy, PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields), and the Biocharger—a device that blends PEMF with other subtle energies.
Katie Sobelman [08:51]: "The biocharger blends PEMF with three other subtle energies."
She describes her signature facial treatment, which includes a double cleanse, facial massage to promote relaxation and blood circulation, exfoliation, extraction, and extensive use of microcurrent and light therapy. This holistic approach not only targets superficial skin concerns but also addresses cellular health from within.
Katie Sobelman [42:08]: "I go right into facial massage... promoting lymphatic drainage."
Navigating Challenges: Injury and Career Pivot
Katie recounts a pivotal moment in her career when she sustained a repetitive motion injury while working at the Ritz Carlton in LA. This incident led to a three-year hiatus from hands-on treatments, prompting her to pivot towards content creation on YouTube to continue aiding others in skincare education.
Katie Sobelman [15:32]: "I had a complete meltdown... I could not use my hands for three years."
During this period, Katie developed her YouTube channel, focusing on explaining skincare modalities and home devices, which eventually led to her role as an educator for skincare companies.
Building a Sustainable Business Model
Post-recovery, Katie returned to hands-on practice by establishing a home studio in Napa and gradually expanding her presence in LA. She emphasizes the importance of sustainable scheduling to prevent burnout, advocating for longer intervals between clients to ensure quality treatments and personal well-being.
Katie Sobelman [14:10]: "I give myself like 30 to 60 minutes now between clients."
Katie discusses the complexities of securing brand partnerships, highlighting the need for authenticity and the challenges of navigating deals that may not align with her organic and clean skincare philosophy.
Katie Sobelman [19:54]: "Most of my clients are using light therapy because light therapy, I think, is the easiest as simplest thing to do."
Client Education and Lifestyle Integration
A recurring theme is the integration of client education with lifestyle changes. Katie stresses that effective skincare extends beyond facials and requires consistent home care and lifestyle adjustments such as proper hydration and exercise.
Katie Sobelman [35:50]: "To have nice skin, you have to have healthy cells... So if all you're worried about are lines on your forehead and you're not drinking your body weight in water every day..."
She shares strategies for motivating clients to adopt healthier habits, ensuring that her treatments yield sustained results.
Personal Insights and Future Aspirations
Towards the end of the episode, Katie and Kasey delve into personal wellness practices and aspirations. Katie expresses her desire to expand her wellness offerings, including sauna blankets and cold plunges, envisioning a comprehensive wellness space in the future.
Katie Sobelman [21:29]: "Eventually I just want to open my own space that has all of that."
Kasey discusses her own wellness journey, emphasizing the therapeutic power of touch and the fulfillment derived from helping others.
Kasey Boone [48:37]: "We all have our own journey... there's something about estheticians. It's like, why are we drawn to help and like, touch these other people?"
Closing Remarks and Future Plans
As the episode wraps up, both Kasey and Katie reflect on the importance of authenticity in the beauty industry. They express excitement for future discussions, particularly around controversial topics like the use of parabens in skincare.
Kasey Boone [59:16]: "We're gonna have to do a whole other podcast just on, like, debunking things because people..."
Katie shares her contact information, encouraging listeners to connect with her on Instagram and YouTube, while playfully mentioning her aversion to TikTok.
Katie Sobelman [54:00]: "I am the organic esthetician. There are underscores between the words on Instagram..."
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Katie Sobelman [07:24]: "I do a lot of massage but then I incorporate these electrical modalities."
- Katie Sobelman [42:08]: "I go right into facial massage... promoting lymphatic drainage."
- Katie Sobelman [35:50]: "To have nice skin, you have to have healthy cells... So if all you're worried about are lines on your forehead and you're not drinking your body weight in water every day..."
- Katie Sobelman [15:32]: "I had a complete meltdown... I could not use my hands for three years."
- Kasey Boone [48:37]: "We all have our own journey... there's something about estheticians. It's like, why are we drawn to help and like, touch these other people."
Conclusion
This episode offers an in-depth look into Katie Sobelman's holistic and innovative approach to esthetics, blending organic skincare with cutting-edge electrical modalities. Through her journey overcoming injury and pivoting to education, Katie exemplifies resilience and dedication to advancing skin health. Listeners gain valuable insights into sustainable esthetician practices, the importance of touch, and the integration of wellness into skincare routines. The conversation also touches on the broader challenges within the beauty industry, setting the stage for future discussions on maintaining authenticity and advocating for healthier skincare standards.
Follow Katie Sobelman:
- Instagram: @theorganicesthetician
- YouTube: The Organic Esthetician
Stay Connected:
- Website: kaseyboone.com
- Instagram: @kaseyboone
Don't miss future episodes of Skin and the City for more expert insights and inspiring conversations in the world of esthetics.