After eight years in the aesthetics industry, Okaloosa County resident Kelsea Brown has opened her own studio in Destin following the birth of her daughter and years of experience at a local spa, bringing a holistic approach that considers clients’ Florida lifestyles.

• Brown, who has lived on the Emerald Coast since age 4 and graduated from South Walton High School, opened Aesthetics By Kelsea at 4507 Furling Lane, Suite 214, in Destin. The studio offers customized facial treatments, full body waxing and specialty services specifically designed for Florida’s outdoor culture.

“I have been an aesthetician for eight years,” Brown said. “I got into the industry at 23, not knowing what I wanted to do. I was fresh out of college and I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I knew I had a passion for helping others and wanted to make others feel good about themselves, I just didn’t know how I would accomplish that with my early childhood education degree.”

Brown credits her professional development to mentorship during her early career. “I had a great mentor who brought me in under her wing and taught me how to be a successful skincare professional who puts their clients’ concerns and needs first, to ensure they are properly cared for and leave happy every single time they visit.”

She worked at Spa98 for six and a half years before deciding to open her new practice. The timing aligned with having her daughter and wanting to create her own business.

The aesthetician serves clients ranging from teenagers to seniors, with her oldest client being 94 years old. “I have clients as young as 12 and all the way up to women in their nineties,” she said.

• Brown’s approach centers on customized treatments rather than standard packages, taking into account clients’ daily activities and Florida’s beach culture. She offers dermaplaning, diamond peel dermabrasion, LED therapy and microcurrent treatments, but tailors each service to the client’s specific skin needs at the time of their appointment.

“If a client comes in and they aren’t sure if they booked the right facial service, I’m going to tailor that service to meet the needs of their skin at the time of their appointment,” Brown explained. “Exceptional customer service is my top priority and I always want to be sure the communication between the client and I is clear on real results and expectations of their service.”

Her services are specifically adapted for local lifestyles. “These services are tailored more towards our lifestyle of being outside all the time,” she said, referring to her specialty treatments that target concerns from sun and outdoor activities. 

The studio also provides full body waxing services, including Brazilian and bikini waxing for women, eyebrow shaping, leg waxing and chest and back waxing for men. Brown additionally offers lash lifts and tinting as an alternative to lash extensions.

• One of her specialty services uses Osmosis MD skincare products for nanoneedling collagen induction therapy, which she said targets fine lines, wrinkles, acne, scarring, texture and tone while being safe for all skin types.

“My speciality services, Osmosis Nanoneedling and Facial Infusion, are tailored more towards our local lifestyle of being on-the-go.” she said. “Whether it’s a lunch break service, or a service before going on a trip, or coming back from one, I take into account the whole picture when it comes to treating clients’ skin.”

Brown describes herself as a holistic aesthetician, sourcing skincare products with non-toxic ingredients and considering clients’ complete lifestyles when developing treatment plans. “Skincare is more than just surface level topical treatments, it’s important to be aware of what’s going on inside of the body too.” she said.

Her holistic approach includes considering lifestyle, eating habits, exercise, hormone replacement therapy, stress levels, and adequate sleep  in treatment recommendations. Although she’s not a medical provider, Brown will suggest clients seek additional medical attention whether it be a concerning spot on their skin, hormone related pigmentation and overall advice on who and where to go for a more in depth skin assessment. 

Building personal relationships with clients is central to Brown’s business philosophy. She said she focuses on creating rapport and long-term relationships with her clientele, noting that “90% of my clientele that I have, have been with me since the beginning of my career, so oftentimes we will text each other outside of the studio and ask how each other is doing, or ask how their event, or child’s birthday went. I love and deeply value the community of people that I have to turn to in times of connection and conversation.”

• Brown takes extra care with new clients, often adjusting schedules to accommodate their needs. “I always make sure I book extra time on top of that service, just in case we run into other areas of concern,” she explained.

“I’m very welcoming and easy to talk to. So when a client comes into the studio they don’t feel like they are being pressured into a service they don’t actually need,” she said. “I strive to make each client feel comfortable and relaxed to ensure they have the best experience with a provider they can trust.”

The studio operates Tuesday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Clients can book appointments through Brown’s online booking system here, where they create a client profile, provide contact information and complete necessary forms while viewing her availability. 

Facial treatments start at $140 for a 60-minute derma plane facial, with prices ranging up to $235-$250 depending on services selected. Pricing is available for all services through the online booking system. For more information about the services available, contact Brown at 850-920-7783 or visit her Facebook page at Aesthetics By Kelsea.