Choosing A Skincare Line

When I was deciding to open Ritual, there were so many important decisions to make. I had to choose a business name, find the right location, decide on the services to offer, and set prices. However, one of the most significant and challenging decisions was selecting the right products. I wanted to ensure I was offering:

• Products that were ethically and consciously made.

• A skincare line within my budget that didn’t compromise on quality.

• Products that truly deliver results and are enjoyable to use.

Initially, I launched with a beautiful line called Blissoma. They are a small-batch, woman-owned business based in St. Louis, and I was already familiar with many of their products. I genuinely enjoyed using them at the time. But as I continued my work as an esthetician, I felt the need to challenge myself further, so I decided to invest in Botnia Skincare. This was another brand I loved and was familiar with, which also met the criteria above. My favorite aspect of working with Botnia was the training and sense of community they provided. It was an uplifting and supportive environment with a network of like-minded holistic estheticians who shared their knowledge and were eager to help me succeed.

However, over time, I began to experience allergies and irritation with certain Botnia products, particularly I noticed reactions in my own skin. It became increasingly difficult to recommend products and use them when they didn’t work well for me personally. I also noticed that some of my guests were having strong reactions during facials, even with the gentlest products. This left me feeling less confident in my ability to provide effective treatments.

It took me nearly a year to write this because I still believe Botnia is a beautiful line that works for many people. I would never discourage anyone from trying their products, as they are truly incredible. Unfortunately, they just didn’t work for my skin, which left me at a crossroads. I had already invested thousands of dollars in this line and felt discouraged without knowing where to go next. I explored a few other plant-based skincare brands, but none of them impressed me.

Then it occurred to me: I could bring Blissoma back! I decided to restock my backbar and place a big order. Since then, I’ve been thrilled with the facials and results I’ve been able to achieve. Blissoma allows me to customize treatments to suit each guest, though in a slightly more simplified way than Botnia. Regardless, I’ve been seeing beautiful results with minimal to no irritation, and I’m incredibly grateful to have these products back in my lineup.

I hope you’ll come visit me soon so you can experience these beautiful and nourishing products for yourself!