A post has been making the rounds in esthetician circles about "the extinction of the OG beauty therapist." The idea is that the traditional, hands-on esthetician, the one who built her reputation on touch, knowledge, and a really good facial massage, is being pushed aside by machines, med spas, and whatever is trending on TikTok this week.
I've been in esthetics for 15 years, and reading those posts made me laugh, nod, and get a little misty all at once. So let's have some fun with it first. Then I'll tell you why I think the OG esthetician isn't going extinct at all.
New here? Catch up with Part 1: From Cold Cream to Med Spa, A History of Esthetics in America.
You know you're an OG esthetician when...
Your facial had about five steps, and every single one of them mattered.
You whipped up masks from honey, oatmeal, and yogurt, and nobody thought that was weird.
You could do your massage routine in your sleep. Every stroke, every pressure point, every repetition.
Your textbooks weighed more than your treatment table.
"Research" meant reading, attending seminars and conferences, talking to colleagues and putting that knowledge into practice. No YouTube. No Google. No influencer tutorials.
You practiced on anyone who sat still long enough. Mom, your best friend, your neighbor, your classmates.
Your state board practical felt like the Olympics, with someone watching your EVERY move. No do-overs.
Client records were handwritten, filed in a cabinet, and pulled before every appointment.
Your uniform was crisp, your nails were short and bare, and your hair was pulled back tight.
There were no ring lights, no treatment room selfies, and no "get ready with me" videos.
Your whole reputation came from local word of mouth and being REALLY good at what you did.
If you're nodding along, hi friend! You're one of us.
What the OGs got right
Under all the nostalgia, there's something REAL that veteran estheticians are protecting. I call it the sacred core of our work, and it has nothing to do with machines.
We learned to really see skin. Before apps and skin scanners, we studied skin with our eyes, our fingertips, and good lighting. We noticed changes from visit to visit because we were paying attention.
We listened. A real consultation means asking about your sleep, stress, diet, medications, and what's going on at home. Your skin tells a story, and the OGs knew how to listen.
We trusted our hands. Slow, intentional massage isn't a time filler. It's the part of the facial that helps you relax, unwind, and finally take a deep breath.
We didn't overdo it. Five steps, done well, beat 17 steps done in a rush. Less really can be MORE.
We earned trust slowly. No viral moment. Just showing up, doing great work, and caring about every client.
Want to bring that hands-on feeling home? My pick is the Circcell Facial Cupping Tools, paired with a few drops of Living Libations facial oil so they glide.
That's the foundation I built my practice on, and it's what I'm teaching my daughter Kym, who just earned her own esthetics license this year.
Five steps, done well (plus a little bonus)
Five steps, done well. That's still my philosophy, so I built my Shop by Concern routines the OG way. Each one is five steps chosen to work together, plus one bonus treat like an eye cream or a mask. No guessing, no 17-serum pile-up.
Dry & Dehydrated for tight, flaky, thirsty skin
Breakouts for clogged pores and blemishes, without stripping your skin
Redness & Sensitivity for calming support when your skin reacts easily
Fine Lines & Firmness to help skin look smoother, firmer, and more lifted
Dullness & Uneven Tone for a brighter, more even-looking complexion
Shop all my routines here. Not sure which one is YOU? That's exactly what a virtual consult is for.
What I DON'T miss
Here's where I part ways with the "they don't make them like they used to" crowd. I love where I came from, but I also don't want to go back.
Guesswork. Ingredient science has come SO far. Today I can explain exactly why I'm picking a certain product for your skin, instead of reaching for the same cream for everyone.
One-size-fits-all facials. Modern tools like red LED, microcurrent, and microchanneling let me customize a treatment for YOUR goals, and they pair beautifully with hands-on massage.
Harsh everything. Plenty of old-school routines meant scrubbing, stripping, and drying skin out. Today we know how important a healthy skin barrier is, and gentle, barrier-first care is at the heart of everything I do.
Paper only. Digital records mean I can see your skin's progress in photos and notes over months and years.
Geography. In the old days, if you moved away, we had to say goodbye. Now I can work with clients anywhere in the US through virtual consults. (More on that in Part 3!)
Fellow OGs, a quick note for you... if you want a modern add-on that still honors hands-on work, ask me about Procell microchanneling. I'm a Procell educator and would love to help you bring it into your treatment room. Connect with me about Procell here.
Technology didn't kill the OG esthetician. In the right hands, it makes her even better.
The best of both worlds
So how do you find an esthetician with OG roots and modern skills? Here's what I'd look for.
They spend real time on your consultation and ask questions beyond "what's your skin type?"
They can explain WHY they're choosing a treatment or product for you.
Their facials still include unhurried, hands-on massage.
They use technology to support your results, not to rush you through.
They know their scope and happily refer you to a dermatologist when something needs a doctor.
They're more interested in your long-term skin health than trend chasing.
That's exactly the kind of care I offer at Trinity Esthetics, wherever you live.
Anywhere in the US? Book a virtual video consult, and I'll build a routine around YOUR skin and goals. Book your virtual consult.
In Evergreen? Kym and I would LOVE to give you a long, relaxing, old-school facial with a modern boost. Book your facial.
Next up, Part 3: The Virtual Esthetician and the New Self-Care, where I'll show you how I bring this same personal, hands-on philosophy to clients across the country, right through a screen.
