Ambitious AF: Owning Your Power in Your 40s with Ana Lauren Hoare

Ambitious AF: Owning Your Power in Your 40s with Ana Lauren Hoare

📌 ABOUT THIS EPISODE Ana Lauren Hoare is an actress, model, screenwriter, and author, as well as Laura’s friend and makeup client. This conversation goes everywhere in the best way. From rowing for Oxford to appearing on early reality TV, from living in England for 20 years to coming home to California and reinventing herself in her 40s, Ana is a walking case study of what it takes to keep saying yes to life. She’s got a new short film hitting festivals (Selfish Marie, for which Laura was the key makeup artist), a book that just came out (Radiant AF: A Guide to Midlife Confidence and Wellness), and a whole philosophy about why women should stop shrinking and start taking up space. This one is for every woman who has ever felt like her best years were behind her… they are not! 🧠 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN Why Ana chose Oxford over the Olympics and what elite rowing taught her about discipline and confidence The honest truth about acting, self-consciousness, and why the most compelling performers have zero Fs to give How Ana got back in front of the camera in her 40s and why she’s using modeling to flip the narrative on aging What Radiant AF is really about and Ana’s 4-month framework for training yourself to be confident Why radical acceptance of your body at every age isn’t a passive thing, it’s an active practice What it’s really like on a film set: 17-hour days, swollen feet, Roberto Cavalli gowns, and a memorable moment with Catherine O’Hara ⏱️ CHAPTERS (00:00) Brandy and Laura Chit Chat — Mother’s Day Recap & Max’s Short Film (02:07) Welcome Ana Lauren to the Conversation (05:51) Ana’s Journey: From California to England & Back (11:00) Health, Lifestyle & Honoring Recovery at Every Age (11:01) Education: Berkeley, Oxford & a Master’s in Art History (13:53) Navigating the Entertainment Industry… Reading the Room & Building the Right Team (16:47) Theatre, Reality TV & the Early Days of Blind Date (22:58) Theatre Dreams, Film Opportunities & the Selfish Marie Set (30:11) Memorable Experiences on Set: 17 Hours, Golden Time & Catherine O’Hara (34:14) Embracing Aging & Authenticity… Why Ana Doesn’t Chase Youth (34:15) Confidence and Self-Acceptance in the Industry (38:17) The Art of Acting: Presence, Self-Awareness & Disappearing Into Character (46:50) Radiant AF - Ana’s Book on Midlife Confidence & Wellness (50:04) Radical Acceptance and Body Positivity (52:01) Creating Selfish Marie - The Journey of the Short Film (59:26) The Audio Sugar Podcast - A Fun Collaboration (01:01:35) Finding Confidence and Grace in Life - Ana’s Final Advice 💡 TIP OF THE WEEK “Find your confidence. Find your reason to be confident. If it’s for your children or for yourself. That will be your engine for your success. Have grace with yourself. Know it will be a messy process no matter what, but you will get to your goals. Have confidence and grace with yourself.” - Ana Lauren 🛍️ PRODUCT OF THE WEEK Radiant AF: Confidence, Courage, and the Art of Living Out Loud After 40 by Ana Lauren Hoare https://a.co/d/0iOGdi1J [https://a.co/d/0iOGdi1J] “Why do I still doubt myself when I’ve already lived this much life?” Ana’s answer to women is disarming and refreshing: confidence is not something you are born with. It is something you practice. Not in theory, but in real life. In seasons. In four-month sprints of discipline, gratitude, and support from other women learning how to come back to themselves. (Yes, cheering on other women is part of the confidence formula.) Drawing on her own journey as a model, actress, and filmmaker, Ana explores what it means to reclaim presence at any age, in any body, and with any past. She began her career in Los Angeles at 21, stepped away to build a life outside the industry, and returned in her mid-40s to modeling, acting, and creative work through film. She calls this the art of living. A way of moving through life that blends vulnerability, discipline, gratitude, and self-ownership. This is not a perfection book. It is a real-life book for women navigating careers, relationships, hormones, reinvention, and everything in between. In this book, you will learn how to: - rebuild self-trust - regain clarity in identity - develop a daily confidence structure - break cycles of self-doubt 🔗 RESOURCES & MENTIONS Ana Lauren — Actress, model, screenwriter & author. Follow her work and the Selfish Marie festival journey. Instagram Link [https://www.instagram.com/theanalauren] Selfish Marie (short film) — Written, produced, and starring Ana Lauren. Currently in post-production and heading to film festivals. www.babyramproductions.com [https://l.instagram.com/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.babyramproductions.com%2F%3Futm_source%3Dig%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_content%3Dlink_in_bio%26fbclid%3DPAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGngLMPxO1dhP1skGM9rR3Hc4CMSjUn_d1u454QTa8ToOG2fYmOlNrgXkiv7kc_aem_YWdncwAbeyyyfaDH4uEtWsJwwJjS%26brid%3DYWdncwGpfNzrQk62G4Qc47SxBAcN&e=AUD7bPI2nNzn-sATttz2VEt7HlEcjQrCmm9ziucV3_6Nyfj1UQW2jEZGETwBFzMhCC1xy5t7JaaUJZjUX-tjmPnNyvXIAfym2vLKW8JUOZdcU56-m_w12UWjdu_8W7KQgzMFc7qO3uQNrL2J2PmcOTF1kb7S] The Audio Sugar Podcast — Ana’s podcast with her co-host, a former Playgirl centerfold and photographer. Fun, a little ribald, very entertaining. Available on YouTube and podcast platforms. https://www.youtube.com/@AudioSugarpodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@AudioSugarpodcast] Meisner Technique — The acting conservatory training Ana completed that she credits with making her a better listener and human being. 📆 Book an Appointment with Laura: https://laurabarrowmua.com/ [https://laurabarrowmua.com/] 📅 Book an Appointment with Brandy: https://rockwaterspa.glossgenius.com/ [https://rockwaterspa.glossgenius.com/] 👤 ABOUT OUR GUEST Ana Lauren Hoare is an actress, model, screenwriter, and author based in Laguna Beach, California. She studied Art History at UC Berkeley and completed a Master’s degree at Oxford, where she also trained as a pre-elite rower. After 20 years in England, she returned to California and reinvented herself in her 40s — completing Meisner conservatory training, writing and starring in the short film Selfish Marie, and finishing her book Radiant AF: A Guide to Midlife Confidence and Wellness. She also co-hosts the Audio Sugar Podcast. Follow her on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theanalauren] ✨ HIGHLIGHTS “I’m not chasing youth. I don’t want to be 20-year-old me.” “You cannot be self-conscious in front of a camera. Acting is being present in the moment — if you’re worried about what you look like, you’re going to ruin the shot.” “Confidence isn’t inborn. I had to train myself.” “Let life surprise you. Acting was never in the cards for me, but in the past two years, I have finished my Meisner conservatory training.” “It’s an endurance sport no matter what you do. Mastery takes a long time.” 💥 CONNECT WITH US 🎥 YouTube: @PrettySmartTooPod [https://www.youtube.com/@PrettySmartTooPod] 📸 Instagram: @PrettySmartTooPod [https://instagram.com/prettysmarttoo] 🎵 TikTok: @PrettySmartToo [https://tiktok.com/@prettysmarttoo] 👥 Facebook: Pretty Smart Too [https://facebook.com/prettysmarttoo] 🌐 Website: prettysmarttoo.com [https://prettysmarttoo.com/] 🙌 LOVED THIS EPISODE? Follow Pretty Smart Too [https://www.youtube.com/@PrettySmartTooPod] on Apple Podcasts & YouTube — and leave us a review! It helps more beauty pros and business babes find the show. We read every single one. 💗 Wishing you confidence, love, peace, & great skin! Laura & Brandy XOXO 💋 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit prettysmarttoo.substack.com [https://prettysmarttoo.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Lucy Lindsey Beauty: The Sisterhood Episode

📌 ABOUT THIS EPISODE Laura’s very first guest on Season 2 is someone she’s been learning from since she was born, her sister, Lucy Lindsey. Lucy is a CIDESCO-licensed aesthetician with nearly 50 years in the beauty industry, a multi-location spa empire she built with her late husband in Lubbock, Texas, and her own professional skincare line built on one principle: correction over fluff. This one goes deep. They talk injectables and why Lucy doesn't get them, why so many clients are wasting money on the wrong products in the wrong order, what it really takes to build a beauty business that lasts, and the one product Lucy takes on every vacation. If you’ve ever felt like you were guessing at your skincare routine, this episode is for you. 🧠 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN * Why Lucy believes most clients are wasting money on skincare and the simple fix that changes everything * The truth about injectables: when they help, when they hurt, and why Lucy chooses to skip them personally * How Lucy and Don grew to a full medical day spa and the mindset that made it possible * Why your skin products need to start at the hairline (not the center of your face) and the science behind it * How to know if a skincare product is truly corrective vs. just beautiful packaging * The one product Lucy never travels without and why Vitamin C is your skin’s best friend ⏱️ CHAPTERS (00:27) Introducing Lucy — Nearly 50 Years in the Beauty Industry (01:07) Injectables: Where They Help, Where They Hurt, and Lucy's Personal Choice (04:45) Why So Many Clients Are Wasting Money on Skincare (And How to Fix It) (06:10) Sisters in Beauty — How Lucy Inspired Laura's Career (10:39) The Industry Is for Everyone: On Education, Drive & Finding Your Path (19:05) Growing Up on the Farm & How Creativity Takes Root (28:13) From Hair to Skin How Lucy Built a Multi-Location Spa Empire (34:28) Manifesting Your Business: Why There Was Never a Plan B (38:11) Staying Positive Through Hard Times Movement, Faith & Norman Vincent Peale (46:34) Why Lucy Created Her Own Skincare Line (And What Makes It Different) (53:04) Breaking Down the Products: Body Wash, Walnut Mint Scrub & Vitamin C (56:11) The Prescription Pad Method — How Lucy Teaches Clients to Use Products Right (58:54) The One Product Lucy Takes on Every Vacation (1:02:39) It's Never Too Late to Start Something New (1:03:13) Wrap Up & Thank You 💡 TIP OF THE WEEK When applying your serums and treatments, start at the hairline and work inward...not from the center of your face outward. The center of your face (the T-zone) typically needs the least product. The hairline, temples, and outer edges are where sun damage and discoloration actually live, so that’s where your active ingredients need to go. 🛍️ PRODUCT OF THE WEEK * Lucy Lindsey Vitamin C — Three derivatives of L-ascorbic acid in a stable, oxidation-resistant formula with gold. Corrects, lightens, and feeds the skin’s cells. $49. https://lucylindseybeauty.com/products/tight-and-light-gold-three [https://lucylindseybeauty.com/products/tight-and-light-gold-three] * Lucy Lindsey Walnut Mint Scrub — Lucy’s original and best-selling product. Use as a scrub, a mask, a body exfoliant, or a leg shave prep. Glowing skin guaranteed. $24. https://lucylindseybeauty.com/products/walnut-mint-exfoliating-mask?pr_prod_strat=jac&pr_rec_id=265fd0081&pr_rec_pid=3580887662666&pr_ref_pid=4543719505994&pr_seq=uniform [https://lucylindseybeauty.com/products/walnut-mint-exfoliating-mask?pr_prod_strat=jac&pr_rec_id=265fd0081&pr_rec_pid=3580887662666&pr_ref_pid=4543719505994&pr_seq=uniform] * Lucy Lindsey Body Wash — Formulated with glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and nine fruit enzymes. Tackles keratosis, back bumps, rough legs, and chest damage. Use with the strap for best results. https://lucylindseybeauty.com/collections/body-care/products/citrus-blast-exfoliating-body-wash [https://lucylindseybeauty.com/collections/body-care/products/citrus-blast-exfoliating-body-wash] 🔗 RESOURCES & MENTIONS * Lucy Lindsey Skincare — Corrective skincare line developed from nearly 50 years of professional experience. Products available direct at: https://lucylindseybeauty.com/ [https://lucylindseybeauty.com/] * Kat Caroy — The web and branding expert Lucy credits with transforming her online presence. https://www.katcoroy.com/ [https://www.katcoroy.com/] * The Amazing Results of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale — The book Lucy turned to during one of the hardest seasons of her business life. Highly recommended.https://www.amazon.com/Positive-Thinking-Every-Day-Inspiration/dp/0671868918/ref=pd_bxgy_thbs_d_sccl_1/131-8891627-8791647?pd_rd_w=UlViZ&content-id=amzn1.sym.dcf559c6-d374-405e-a13e-133e852d81e1&pf_rd_p=dcf559c6-d374-405e-a13e-133e852d81e1&pf_rd_r=9HJ3D022TJ04FB5G806V&pd_rd_wg=46Jmf&pd_rd_r=3e165d6f-1fd6-4abd-9229-2b7622b6e29d&pd_rd_i=0671868918&psc=1 [https://www.amazon.com/Positive-Thinking-Every-Day-Inspiration/dp/0671868918/ref=pd_bxgy_thbs_d_sccl_1/131-8891627-8791647?pd_rd_w=UlViZ&content-id=amzn1.sym.dcf559c6-d374-405e-a13e-133e852d81e1&pf_rd_p=dcf559c6-d374-405e-a13e-133e852d81e1&pf_rd_r=9HJ3D022TJ04FB5G806V&pd_rd_wg=46Jmf&pd_rd_r=3e165d6f-1fd6-4abd-9229-2b7622b6e29d&pd_rd_i=0671868918&psc=1]* 📅 Book an Appointment with Laura https://laurabarrowmua.com/ [https://laurabarrowmua.com/] * 📅 Book an Appointment with Brandy in Little Rock: https://rockwaterspa.glossgenius.com/ [https://rockwaterspa.glossgenius.com/] 👤 ABOUT OUR GUEST Lucy Lindsey is a CIDESCO-licensed esthetician and cosmetologist with nearly 50 years in the beauty industry. She and her late husband, Don, built a multi-location salon and medical day spa empire in Lubbock, Texas, growing from 1,250 square feet to over 8,000 square feet before relocating to Naples, Florida. Lucy is a product developer and the founder of Lucy Lindsey Skincare, a professional corrective line built around the philosophy that real results come from real ingredients. She is also Laura’s sister.✨ HIGHLIGHTS * “I got up as excited today at 70 as I did at 19. When you have a profession that you love like that, it is priceless.” * “Don’t follow the money. Take care of that client. The money will come.. the money is not number one, period.” * “Tiny steps create a hundred percent.” * “I end my blogs with: I’m Lucy Lindsey, and I’m not AI.” 💥 CONNECT WITH US * 🎥 YouTube: @PrettySmartTooPod [https://www.youtube.com/@PrettySmartTooPod] * 📸 Instagram: @PrettySmartTooPod [https://instagram.com/prettysmarttoo] * 🎵 TikTok: @PrettySmartToo [https://tiktok.com/@prettysmarttoo] * 👥 Facebook: Pretty Smart Too [https://facebook.com/prettysmarttoo] * 🌐 Website: prettysmarttoo.com [https://prettysmarttoo.com/] 🙌 LOVED THIS EPISODE? Follow Pretty Smart Too on Apple Podcasts & YouTube and leave us a review! It helps more beauty pros and business babes find the show. We read every single one. 💗 Wishing you love, peace, & great skin! Laura & Brandy XOXO 💋 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit prettysmarttoo.substack.com [https://prettysmarttoo.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

“Bestie Estie” Esthetician Podcast Season 2, Episode 1

📌 ABOUT THIS EPISODE We took a little break, but we’re back and we've got receipts. Laura and Brandy are officially relaunching Pretty Smart Too with a brand new format: more interviews, more insider product knowledge, and the trade secrets they’ve been keeping in their back pockets for years. Think of this as the “previously on” episode before things get really good. This week they’re spilling on two products that have quietly been saving them time, money, and back pain. They will also be previewing the technique deep-dives coming in future episodes. If you’ve ever felt like you were the last to know something obvious in the industry, this one’s for you. 🧠 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN * Why Brandy swapped her lash supply order for a $30 Amazon find — and why it might be the best 250 feet of your career * How Laura carries foundation for every skin tone on the planet in three small palettes (and what that means for your kit) * What’s coming next: interview episodes, technique breakdowns, and product reveals every single week * Why Laura’s extraction technique has been her most-guarded professional secret — and that she’s finally ready to share it * How Brandy’s lashing approach breaks the “one size fits all” mold — and why that’s exactly what makes clients come back ⏰ CHAPTERS (00:00:00) Welcome Back — Catching Up & The Band Name You Didn't See Coming (00:02:04) Season 2 Announcement & What's New This Season (00:03:02) Reintroductions: Meet Laura & Brandy (00:04:21) Brandy's Lash Journey — 10 Years in the Making (00:06:02) Product of the Week: The $30 Parafilm Hack Every Lash Artist Needs (00:08:47) Product of the Week: Make Up For Ever HD Foundation Palettes (00:13:09) Trade Secrets Preview — Extractions, Lashing Technique & Tutorials Coming (00:17:48) Next Week's Guest: Lucy Lindsay, CIDESCO Esthetician (00:19:35) Wrap Up & See You Next Week 🌱 FUTURE EPISODES June 8, 2026 Our sisterhood episode! Lucy Lindsey of Lucy Lindsey Beauty stops by to share her results driven products and 50 years of experience in the always growing beauty industry. https://lucylindseybeauty.com/ June 15, 2026 Ana Lauren Actress, writer, producer, and model shares her journey in the entertainment industry. https://www.instagram.com/theanalauren?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== June 22, 2026 Ariel Moody, CEO and Co-founder of Mama Sol stops by to share her non-toxic products and how she started her brand. https://www.shopmamasol.com/pages/our-story 🛍️ PRODUCT OF THE WEEK * Parafilm (250 ft roll) — The lash glove technique essential Brandy switched to from her lash brand’s overpriced sheets. Same product, fraction of the cost. https://amzn.to/4dJtaQ4 * Make Up For Ever HD Foundation Palettes — Laura’s secret weapon for covering every skin tone on set or at a wedding without hauling a suitcase full of individual foundations. Full, medium, and light coverage all in one book. https://amzn.to/4o8ZOyg 🔗 RESOURCES & MENTIONS * Make Up For Ever — HD foundations, lip pencils, lipsticks & palettes. Cinema-ready, no flashback, all skin types. https://amzn.to/4eeUJkl * Parafilm (Amazon) —“Parafilm 250 ft roll”. https://amzn.to/3RFyU4Y * Lucy Lindsay Skincare — Laura’s sister & next week’s guest. CIDESCO-licensed esthetician, business owner, and owner of her own skincare line. https://lucylindseybeauty.com/ * 📆 Book an Appointment with Laura: https://laurabarrowmua.com/ * 📅 Book an Appointment with Brandy: https://rockwaterspa.glossgenius.com/ 💥 CONNECT WITH US * 🎥 YouTube: @PrettySmartTooPod [https://www.youtube.com/@PrettySmartTooPod] * 📸 Instagram: @PrettySmartTooPod [https://instagram.com/prettysmarttoo] * 🎵 TikTok: @PrettySmartToo [https://tiktok.com/@prettysmarttoo] * 👥 Facebook: Pretty Smart Too [https://facebook.com/prettysmarttoo] * 🌐 Website: prettysmarttoo.com [https://prettysmarttoo.com/] 🙌 LOVED THIS EPISODE? Follow Pretty Smart Too on Apple Podcasts & YouTube and leave us a review! It helps more beauty pros find the show. We read every single one. 💗 ✨ COMING UP NEXT * Next week: Laura’s sister Lucy Lindsay joins the show — CIDESCO-licensed, globally trained, and the woman who walks into a spa and immediately knows exactly what you’re doing wrong (lovingly). ♥️ * Soon: Laura’s extraction technique.. the one she’s never taught employees until she knew they were staying. 🤩 * Soon: Brandy’s lash mapping method the technique behind lashes that look like you, not like there’s caterpillars 🐛 on your clients eyes. Wishing you love, peace, & great skin! Laura & Brandy XOXO 💋 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit prettysmarttoo.substack.com [https://prettysmarttoo.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Brazilian Wax Horror Stories: From Screamers to Smooth Skin

📌 Episode Summary It’s our spooky-season special! Laura (in her “Morticia chair” 🖤) and Brandy swap hilarious, slightly horrifying, and super-useful waxing stories—first Brazilians, “butt strips”, screamers, mother-in-law mishaps, even a spray-tan-gone-pumpkin. In between laughs, they share practical pro tips on hair growth cycles, pain management, timing around your period, setting client expectations, and how small-town spas can build a booming waxing book. If you wax, want to wax, or just need a laugh—you’re home. 🧠 What You’ll Learn * How to time Brazilians for less pain (and what to avoid before your appointment) * The truth about the “butt strip” (why it barely hurts + why clients love it) * Hair growth cycles 101 and why consistent waxing gets easier (and thinner!) * Scripts & setup for managing “screamers” without spooking the whole spa * Small-town strategy: build a once-a-month visiting waxer program * Wax + tools recs to explore (hard wax, trimmers, and what makes a difference) ⏱️Chapters (00:00) Halloween vibes, new clients, auditions & Monsterpalooza weekend (07:39) Topic kickoff: Why Brazilians still scare people (and why they shouldn’t) (09:56) Who gets waxed? Everyone—from athletes to grandmas (12:32) Cleveland caper: speeding (…in km/h), sushi, and a first “butt strip” (18:22) Airport chaos, missed flights & cardboard Ludacris 🤦‍♀️ (19:36) The “butt strip” case for comfort + cleanliness (20:34) Hair growth cycles: why consistency = less pain, less regrowth (22:17) Pain tips, period timing, and scheduling screamers wisely (24:28) Spray-tan horror: orange, tow yard, and a lesson learned (29:59) Small-town playbook: the monthly visiting Brazilian specialist (30:45) Wax talk: Mermaid [https://mermaidwax.com/collections/pro-wholesale], Cirepil [https://amzn.to/43pTsB9], Bushbalm [https://amzn.to/3JawJSY]—plus the tiny “peanut” trimmer [https://amzn.to/3JkuegS] (32:11) Family tales: yes, Laura waxed her mother-in-law (consent + comedy) (42:24) When a trainee asks for scissors… (and why prep matters) (45:41) Razorback stencils, athlete legs & memorable clientele (47:29) Plot twist: the professor-vibe client who was a retired adult-film star (48:22) Wrap + Halloween wishes ✨ Highlights * “The butt strip doesn’t hurt like you think—clients are always surprised.” * Book Brazilians the week after your period for the calmest experience. * Tell clients: hair should be about a grain of rice—too short or too long hurts results. * Quiet room hacks for screamers: isolate bookings, manage expectations, breathe together. * Small-town win: host an out-of-town waxer 1 day/month and fill 10–13 slots = great revenue. 💡 Tip of the Week: Set your waxing clients up for success: pre-appointment text with hair length guideline (grain of rice), timing tip (week after period), pain expectations, and aftercare. Less fear, better results. 🔗 Resources & Mentions Cirepil Blue Wax [https://amzn.to/43pTsB9] Bushbalm [https://amzn.to/3JawJSY] Wahl Peanut Trimmer [https://amzn.to/3JkuegS] Book an Appointment with Laura in Pasadena: [https://lauras.glossgenius.com/] Book an Appointment with Brandy in El Dorado: [https://kyleandcompany.glossgenius.com/] Book an Appointment with Brandy in Little Rock: [https://rockwaterspa.glossgenius.com/] 💥 Connect with Us YouTube: @PrettySmartTooPod [https://www.youtube.com/@PrettySmartTooPod] Instagram: @PrettySmartTooPod [https://www.instagram.com/prettysmarttoopod/] TikTok: @PrettySmartToo [https://www.tiktok.com/@prettysmarttoo] Facebook: Pretty Smart Too [https://www.facebook.com/prettysmarttoo] Website: prettysmarttoo.com [https://prettysmarttoo.com/] ⸻ 🙌 If You Loved This Episode… Please follow Pretty Smart Too on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pretty-smart-too/id1826623618] & YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCby73sWjD9UtrUnOyxdRlCw]. Reviews help more people in beauty and business find the show—and we love hearing what resonates with you! ⸻ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit prettysmarttoo.substack.com [https://prettysmarttoo.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Building Confidence in the Treatment Room w/ Marisol Lunceford | DMK

📌 Episode Summary In this confidence-boosting conversation, Laura sits down with Marisol Lunceford—licensed esthetician, international educator, and DMK Skin Revisions leader—to talk about what truly builds confidence in the treatment room. From running paid consultations that set expectations to choosing education that actually changes outcomes, Marisol shares practical frameworks solo esties and spa teams can use right away. You’ll also hear why she returned to the industry for DMK - Danné Montague-King Co., how “thinking therapists” get lasting results, and the small pro touches (hello, presence + attire) that make clients trust you—and rebook. 🧠 What You’ll Learn * Confidence, for real: Why continued education (beyond product facts) accelerates results and self-belief. * Consults that convert: How to structure a paid, face-to-face consultation that sets plans, homecare, and rebooking. * Owner/solo wins: A simple script to ask for +15 min consult time—and prove the ROI. * The DMK difference: Working with skin function; why clients can feel enzyme therapy working. * Professional presence: Dress the part, communicate clearly, and let genuine enthusiasm lead ethical sales. ⏱️Chapters (00:00) Welcome & Guest Intro: Who is Marisol Lunsford (DMK) (02:10) Education Roots: Santa Monica College, value vs. “fancy” schools (05:30) Never Stop Learning: Getting licensed vs. becoming a pro (08:00) Career Story: Murad years, creativity, and industry shifts (12:45) Why DMK: Returning to pro skincare with provider-first support (16:40) “Thinking Therapist”: Treating dysfunction, not just doing “fluffy facials” (20:10) Enzyme Therapy 101: Clients feel the change—and why that matters (23:15) Confidence via Consultation: Structure, expectations, rebooking (27:30) Solo & Team Tactics: Add 15-min consults and show the business case (33:20) Presence Sells: Dress the part, lead with clarity (41:15) Tip of the Week & Wrap 💡 Tip of the Week: Invest in your education—and look the part. Confidence comes from mastery and modeling professionalism: keep learning, communicate a plan, and present yourself like the expert you are. 🔗 Resources & Mentions * DMK Skin Revisions [https://www.dannemking.com/] — education & protocols * Enzyme Therapy [https://www.dmkskincare.co.za/dmk-enzyme-therapy/] basics * Santa Monica College [https://www.smc.edu/academics/academic-departments/cosmetology/skin-care.php] Aesthetics program * Murad [https://www.murad.com/collections/bestsellers?g_acctid=644-870-5280&g_adgroupid=176167713059&g_adid=736838033694&g_adtype=search&g_campaign=Search+-+Brand+-+Core+-+GFF_AdAi&g_campaignid=22314280963&g_keyword=murad&g_keywordid=kwd-95960097&g_network=g&g_type=search_display&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22314280963&gbraid=0AAAAAD1LT-ZJGGi0vCys5zJlUXupdDm8K&gclid=CjwKCAjwxrLHBhA2EiwAu9EdM-qc4ZOP9WpEFPCqV4_MC7klJgW-p3vxSVjt1E9OXwP-wh9XcGNuxhoCd1wQAvD_BwE] (industry background reference) * Book an Appointment with Laura in Pasadena: [https://lauras.glossgenius.com/] * Book an Appointment with Brandy in El Dorado: [https://kyleandcompany.glossgenius.com/] * Book an Appointment with Brandy in Little Rock: [https://rockwaterspa.glossgenius.com/] 💥 Connect with Us YouTube: @PrettySmartTooPod [https://www.youtube.com/@PrettySmartTooPod] Instagram: @PrettySmartTooPod [https://www.instagram.com/prettysmarttoopod/] TikTok: @PrettySmartToo [https://www.tiktok.com/@prettysmarttoo] Facebook: Pretty Smart Too [https://www.facebook.com/prettysmarttoo] Website: prettysmarttoo.com [https://prettysmarttoo.com/] ⸻ 🙌 If You Loved This Episode… Please follow Pretty Smart Too on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pretty-smart-too/id1826623618] & YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCby73sWjD9UtrUnOyxdRlCw]. Reviews help more people in beauty and business find the show—and we love hearing what resonates with you! ⸻ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit prettysmarttoo.substack.com [https://prettysmarttoo.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]