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I've created a path for myself through decades of working in the beauty industry. As I continue to blaze that trail, I notice the need for more men in the industry. It makes sense that women dominate the professional and consumer sides based on women’s natural ability to nurture others and themselves, coupled with how the industry markets products.
I believe a shift is coming due to men being more interested in how to care for themselves. This not only changes the industry for the better, but it also changes how we seek self-care for others and ourselves.
Connecting With Male Clients
Seeing a professional in an industry that possesses knowledge and relates to you can generate interest in that particular industry. As men become more prevalent as consumers in this space, they need to see themselves as estheticians, makeup artists and all other lanes in the skin care industry.The traditional man has been taught to be of service and provide, so revealing to them the level of success and profitability obtainable in this industry, while being of use to someone in need can be eye-opening. Many men believe that only women can do this work, but because self-care in the beauty industry is directly related to your overall health, having men more involved will be a game changer in a positive way.
Related: Capturing the Senses of Men
Making a Good First Impression
As we’re exploring how men can get more involved and the needed diversity, it’s warranted to take a deeper dive into men currently in the beauty industry. In my experience, I see more Black and brown, gay men in this space. Most of us have been conditioned to care about what we look like. Having such a complex history with equality, men of color understand that the benefit of the doubt may not be given so quickly, making the first impression very important.
We understand that people see you before they hear you, so being conscious of your outer appearance is just one layer with a much deeper core. Some men are conditioned with confidence through the lack of barriers in any field of endeavor, so that layer of self-care can be a luxury for them, while being a necessity for others.
To truly satisfy our need for more men in the skin care industry, we need representatives of all men, including straight men. Historically, it’s assumed that straight men don’t care about appearance as much, which can be a direct correlation to overall health. Your appearance includes your skin, the biggest organ on your body. We must remember that skin care is also health care, and the more all men are represented in the industry, the healthier and safer more men will feel under professional care.
Breaking Into Beauty
Some men may believe it’s difficult to break into the beauty industry, but what’s more difficult is the path to success while in it. Plan your route, including receiving education and certification in your chosen area. Putting your heart into this can expose you, so you must care for yourself while caring for others.Authenticity is one of the most widely respected character traits in any industry; the spa industry is no different. In this field, you are a salesperson and mustn’t be void of honesty or emotion, as clients trust you with their appearance. Putting your heart into this helps establish a relationship with your clients. That relationship of nurturing them is just as much a part of the experience as the service you provide.
I have tried to be the change I’ve wanted to see in the industry. I am a Black, gay man who allows my thirst for knowledge, integrity and experiences to be pillars in my profession. Even though I’m a man, I learned from the women I worked with. For example, one of my first positions was at Estée Lauder as a stock person. I watched how the women on the cosmetic floor took pride in making their clients look and feel good. They could be ruthless, but it was all to give their client the best. I watched them display a supreme level of emotional intelligence, so I made it a point to work with them and continue learning from them when I got on the cosmetic floor.
I worked many years in the industry, and had an amazing journey to becoming the proud owner of The Lashelle Effect Atelier in Beverly Hills, California. A big part of my growth has been working on myself, so that I am emotionally available to connect to the people I care for.
Revolutionizing The Industry
Only some of my clients are men. However, I am dedicated to showing men we can be professionals and consumers in this industry because the industry needs this. Every human being deserves to be cared for and nurtured. I don’t want men to be forced to compartmentalize their masculinity to administer or receive care from another man. Expanding that masculinity will allow men to be brave about carrying and mirroring that openness in their everyday lives.
As men, we must look to care for each other in moments of tragedy and every moment we get. We must continue to work with our peers, women and men to help change each other, and hopefully, the world.
Lashelle Ullie is a licensed skin health professional and integrative esthetician committed to promoting holistic wellness for men. By combining conventional and complementary treatment strategies, he helps men achieve optimal health by addressing the root causes that impact their overall well-being. His exceptional commitment to excellence has earned him a stellar reputation and celebrity clientele, including Kelly Rowland, Toni Braxton, Emma Watson, and numerous other entertainment insiders. With over 20 years of experience, Lashelle's passion for integrated health has led him to build a network of health professionals from various therapeutic modalities, working together to improve the quality of life for men.
