Today we’d like to introduce you to Lashay Garnett.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My very first job was at a tanning salon, which is what first introduced me to the beauty industry. At the time, I was attending SDSU and studying business, but I eventually realized that traditional college just wasn’t the right path for me. Since I was already interested in the beauty world, esthetics felt like a natural next step.
I enrolled in the advanced esthetics program at Bellus Academy in January 2020, just before the pandemic hit. What was meant to be an eight-month program turned into a much longer journey, and I officially got licensed in August 2021.
At first, I planned to focus on facials, but I soon realized that it was hard to land a job without experience. So I shifted gears and started applying for waxing positions instead. Once I got hired at a waxing salon, I gave it my all. I would even come in on slower days just to get more practice and continue improving my skills.
After two and a half years of working for someone else, I felt ready to bet on myself. I started searching for a studio space, buying equipment little by little, and investing everything I had to make it happen. On August 5, 2024, Pure Skin by Lashay officially opened its doors.
Now, not even a full year later, I’m preparing to move into a larger suite and have launched my own retail products. Getting to this point has taken a lot of dedication and intention, and being asked to share my story in this magazine really reminds me how far I’ve come. I’m proud of what I’ve built, and I know this is just the beginning. Waxing is where I started, but it’s not where I plan to stop. I’m excited to keep growing and expanding in this industry.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like most entrepreneurs, I quickly learned that starting a business is far from easy. One of the biggest challenges was learning how to juggle everything at once. As a solo esthetician, I wasn’t just the service provider. I was also the receptionist, the cleaner, the bookkeeper, the social media manager, and the person ordering supplies. I had to handle it all.
That alone was a lot, but I was also going through major personal life changes that made it even harder to stay focused. Life doesn’t slow down just because you’ve started a business. I had to keep pushing forward for my business, even on days when I felt completely drained.
There were moments when I questioned whether I could really do it or if I had made the right decision by going solo. But I kept showing up, even on the hard days. Over time, things began to fall into place and I started to build something steady.
What I’ve learned is that growth rarely happens when things are easy. It happens when you keep showing up, when you push through the hard days, and when you trust yourself even during uncertain times. That is where the real strength and progress come from.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My business is called Pure Skin by Lashay, and I specialize in full-body speed waxing and targeted aftercare treatments like Vajacials for the bikini area. My focus is on delivering fast, efficient services without sacrificing comfort or quality.
I use a hypoallergenic soft wax that has given my clients noticeably longer-lasting and smoother results compared to other waxes I’ve worked with. It is gentle on the skin but still highly effective, which makes a big difference in both the experience and the outcome.
What sets me apart is the experience I provide. Clean, professional, and welcoming. I aim to create a space where clients feel relaxed, confident, and cared for from the moment they walk in. I am proud that many of my clients say they actually look forward to their wax appointments, which speaks volumes about the environment I have worked hard to create.
Pure Skin is all about helping people feel good in their skin, and I take a lot of pride in making each visit personal and empowering. I recently introduced membership options to make consistent self-care more accessible, helping clients stay on track with their routines while saving money over time.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory probably has to be when I first moved to California in 2007 my parents took me to the Oceanside pier and it was the first time I saw the beach! I can still remember exactly what I was wearing and exactly how it felt! When my mom asked me if I wanted to move to California from Las Vegas, NV was so excited I didn’t even hesitate to say yes, now I know it’s because we were meant to live by the ocean. I didn’t care about leaving everyone I knew to come to a city I knew nothing about besides the fact that we would be 20 minutes from the ocean and that was good enough for me.
Pricing:
- New client Brazilian wax-$50
- Brazilian wax- $65
- Mini Vajacial- $85
- Brazilian and Vajacial-$110
- Glow Vajacial (1-2 weeks after your wax)- $65
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pureskinoasis.square.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pureskin.oasis
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/fJ2Sy-njjd
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@pure.skin.oasis
Image Credits
Jasmine Fontenot of Jade Studios.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jadestudios.sd
Lashay Garnett
