Insights from an Expert Esthetician: An Interview with Varuni Palacios

Photo Credit: Bettina Niedermann

I had the privilege of conducting an interview with Varuni Palacios, an accomplished esthetician, mother, and entrepreneur, who owns Studio Varuni. Our conversation covered her personal journey, her entry into the profession, and a range of other subjects.

Amit Ahuja: I would love to hear more about your background and personal journey. Could you tell me where you grew up and how your upbringing influenced your values and perspectives? Additionally, I’m curious about your cultural heritage and how it has shaped your identity. What specific experiences or milestones have particularly impacted who you are today?

Varuni Palacios: I’m the youngest daughter of three girls, born in Toronto, Canada to Indo-Caribbean parents who immigrated from Guyana in the 70s for better educational and career opportunities. We moved to Tampa when I was in elementary school. Growing up in my house looked like this:

Varuni Palacios: We watched TRL on MTV and 90s sitcoms every day after school until our parents got home from work. We listened to soca and reggae in the car while on the way to anywhere. Everything we ate was deliciously curried at home, plus an occasional Friday night pizza night. We hosted pujas for everything——for every birthday, anniversary, new year, new house or new car. We watched every major Bollywood box office movie that came out in our local theater or on bootleg video and went to dance class to learn Kathak and Bharatnatyam every single Sunday.

Varuni Palacios: For us, family (immediate, extended and friends) was everything, our values were deeply connected to our rich cultural history and religious practices, and if we were allowed to leave the house, it had better be for something educational. Lol.

Varuni Palacios: I graduated with a BA in Mass Communications and spent the first couple of years in my career working in public relations in Tampa. At 23 I completed my MBA, and then spent 15+ years working in media and entertainment marketing at HSN in Tampa, WWE in NYC, and NBC Entertainment, goop, Miss Grass and MasterClass in Los Angeles.

It was a joyride, but all the while, I knew I was born to work in aesthetics. So in my 30s, after getting through the pandemic and becoming a mom for the first time, I took the plunge and made the pivot——and never looked back.

Amit Ahuja: Can you share the story of how you first became interested in skincare and what ultimately inspired you to pursue a career as an esthetician? Was there a specific moment, experience, or personal challenge that sparked your passion for this field?

Varuni Palacios: Skincare is an experience I believe so deeply in for its ability to transform us——our moods, our self-confidence and the way we move in the world. Someone once told me that for them, skincare was an act of self-worship and I loved that. I believe that in a world that values us based on how productive we are, taking care and prioritizing yourself can be seen as an act of rebellion.

Varuni Palacios: Ever since I was a kid, even as young as 12, I knew I wanted to work in aesthetics, even if I didn’t know exactly what the opportunities were or how it could be possible decades later. On hard days during my first career in marketing I’d joke and say, “If I could do anything without a care in the world I’d be a facialist.” And so one day I just went for it.

Amit Ahuja: What aspects of running your esthetician business have brought you the greatest sense of fulfillment, and conversely, what have been some of the most difficult or unexpected challenges you've encountered along the way?

Varuni Palacios: I feel fulfilled every single day when I walk into my studio or visit my website and look around at all that I built with my own hands from scratch. Being a business owner is not for the weak, but there are tremendous benefits when it comes to ownership like flexibility to be there for my family and build a community of like-minded people who value my services and what I have to offer. Every day I feel grateful for the opportunity to dedicate myself, my gifts / my talents to being in service to others. It’s also creative and feminine, and I needed much more of that in my life.

Varuni Palacios: Conversely, building, growing and running a business is the hardest, most difficult thing I’ve ever done. I think the most successful business owners are the ones who can gather enough resources to make it past the point of wanting to give up on the hardest days. The ones who just keep going, reminding themselves of why they started in the first place——and doing that on a daily basis.

Amit Ahuja: Could you please provide an overview of the services you offer and explain what each of them entails?

Varuni Palacios: My facials are not average, relaxing spa facials. They’re luxurious and maximalist, results-driven treatments meant to transform your skin into the best you’ve ever had. In my clinic I offer hydrafacials, facial sculpting and lymphatic massage, and advanced treatments to hydrate, clarify, brighten and tighten your skin.

Amit Ahuja: From your experience, what qualities, personal characteristics, and technical skills do you believe are essential for achieving long-term success and fulfillment as a professional esthetician?

Varuni Palacios: First and foremost, this is a service-based industry. As providers, we are here to serve our clients and that requires a relentless commitment to hospitality. Being entrepreneurial and a self-starter is important, because opportunities don’t just come knocking. You have to create them. Being committed to furthering your education and training is also important to keep on the cutting edge because the innovation, technology and science of skin treatments are ever-evolving. Most important, is having an unyielding desire for wanting to make people feel good. The best version of themselves.

Amit Ahuja: How would you personally define the concept of 'healthy skin'? Could you describe the characteristics or signs you associate with it?

Varuni Palacios: Healthy skin is hydrated, clarified and even-toned. Healthy skin effectively performs its function to protect us from environmental stressors (like pollution, pathogens, physical harm, UV radiation), regulate our body temperature through sweat production and blood flow, play a role in immune defense and more. Healthy skin looks beautiful, but more importantly, it functions optimally. Healthy skin heals quickly and efficiently when injured and shows no signs of infection or inflammation——the number one cause of any problematic skin concern like acne, rosacea, pigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles and more.

Amit Ahuja: How would you describe your skincare philosophy in a sentence or two?

Varuni Palacios: When it comes to skincare, I believe in fewer / better products (quality over quantity) and a streamlined morning and nighttime regimen. I believe in science, not miracles and that there is no one-size fits all approach. I believe that skincare should be looked at just like our diet (how what we eat allows us to function well or not) and that getting monthly maintenance treatments is just like going to the gym or the dentist.

Varuni Palacios: I also believe in skincare as an act of self-care.

Amit Ahuja: Do you see skincare as more science-based, wellness-based, or a combination of both?

Varuni Palacios: Definitely both wellness and science-based. At the end of the day, skincare products are compounded chemicals based on ingredients strategically formulated together to help the skin function given its external and internal environment. At the same time, everyone deserves to feel good, and wellness is an important aspect of health that I’m so happy we’re all prioritizing much more.

Amit Ahuja: How do you approach skincare for clients with different ethnic backgrounds and skin tones?

Varuni Palacios: Every single treatment and product offered in my studio is done with melanin-rich skin in mind. What a lot of people don’t realize is that our skin behaves based on the amount of melanin it produces—it plays a huge role in its function. My priorities are to make sure that every treatment and product is safe and clinically-effective for all skin types and skin tones.

Amit Ahuja: Can you walk us through your process for developing a personalized treatment plan? 

Varuni Palacios: I start every single consultation with a thorough assessment to better understand lifestyle, diet and health history, along with your personal skin concerns and goals. From there, we discuss the appropriate at-home regimen based on your budget and the amount of time you’re willing to spend on your skin in the morning and at night. If in-clinic treatments are possible, I incorporate them on a regular basis, alternating between regular deep-pore cleansing Hydrafacials and quarterly or annual advanced treatments to address larger concerns like acne, pigmentation and aging skin.

Varuni Palacios: I treat every client as a partner on the path to their greatest skin, because while I treat you monthly on average, you get to treat your skin twice a day, every single day.

Amit Ahuja: Below is an example of my facial treatment with Varuni Palacios, where I typically receive the hydration facial.

Video by Varuni Palacios of Studio Varuni

Amit Ahuja: What advice would you give to someone who is seriously considering pursuing a long-term career in the field of esthetics, particularly in today’s evolving beauty and wellness industry?

Varuni Palacios:  Don’t do it for the money. :) Do it because you’re excited to dive in, create a path for yourself and most importantly, work with clients who you get to serve and care for——if you’re lucky. Never, ever take any client for granted.

Amit Ahuja: In your experience, what are some of the most common misconceptions or misunderstandings people have about the role of an esthetician? Why do you think these misconceptions exist, and how do you typically address them in your work with clients?

Varuni Palacios: I think a lot of people assume that being an esthetician is easy, and something people do when they don’t know what they want to do. It may seem like the barrier to entry is low when compared to the education and licensure requirements of other professions, but nothing is easy. Succeeding in this highly competitive, ever-evolving industry requires drive, resilience, strategy, creativity, a commitment to quality and excellence, and to always seek more education.

Varuni Palacios: I thankfully haven’t met a client who imposes this misconception on me, but I think that’s because I’m an open book——I will always be honest and authentic with my clients about where I’ve been, how much I value their time and investment with me, and what my goals are for the future of my practice.

Amit Ahuja: How has social media impacted your work, both in terms of education and client relationships?

Varuni Palacios: Instagram is one of the top 2 drivers of new client acquisition for me. I look at it as a portfolio of my work and a way to audition for being your facialist. It’s also a place to gather my community and share. I take it seriously as a core part of the marketing strategy for my business, but I also set firm boundaries with it and still try to keep it fun. And I never pretend. For me, it has to reflect who I truly am, not serve as a highlight reel of a hypothetical life.

Amit Ahuja: Skincare advice is everywhere these days—from social media to well-meaning friends. What are some persistent skincare myths or misleading trends that you frequently encounter, and why do you believe it's essential to help clients separate fact from fiction?

Varuni Palacios: I think people are tired of drinking from a firehose of misinformation and conflicting information. They’re looking for a trusted source to guide them to what’s best for them. It’s so important to do your own research, be conscious of what you purchase and consume and never, ever, EVER get your information from TikTok.

Amit Ahuja: What boundaries do you set to protect your energy or avoid burnout?

Varuni Palacios: I constantly rank and re-rank my priorities, and they can change depending on the day. Being a mom, a wife and business owner can feel like a lot, but I’m ruthless with time-blocking: allotting time to different aspects of my life. I try to do something active to work out my body every single day. I make myself available to my clients if they need me during business hours and shut off to be fully present with my family during breakfast, dinners and on Sundays.

Varuni Palacios: I constantly seek opportunities for education and betterment, and plan ahead if those times interfere with other priorities when I can. I remind myself that taking rest isn’t being weak, and I read a lot to quiet and calm my mind. I roll around on the floor with my dogs, often. And I invest in taking care of myself, just as I expect my clients to do for themselves. I always, always, always prioritize a good night’s sleep.

Amit Ahuja: What’s one piece of skincare advice you wish everyone followed?

Varuni Palacios: Double cleansing at night every single night will transform your skin. The most important step in your morning routine is SPF. Wear it every single day, rain or shine, winter or summer. You don’t need 10 steps in your AM/PM skincare routine to have great skin. When in doubt, consult a professional.

Amit Ahuja: Can you share three individuals who have had a significant impact on your life—whether in a positive or challenging way—and explain how they influenced your personal or professional journey?"

Varuni Palacios: My mother taught me to be entrepreneurial. To have guts and to just go for it. To be unapologetically myself and to dream really, really big. My best friend taught me emotional resilience and how to really not give a fuck about what people think because being a people-pleaser has held me back in the past. My husband taught me to be consistent and how to budget lol. And my son Remy, he’s 5, taught me that life would be easier once I learned that I’m in control of absolutely nothing.

Amit Ahuja: Can you share what motherhood has been like for you, and how you juggle your career while still making time for your family?"

Varuni Palacios: Becoming a mom for the first time catapulted me into this career. I realized that my time is precious, and anything that takes me away from my family better be worth it for me and for them. And so, I committed to being much more intentional with my time in ways that either benefitted our health and all that goes on in our home. It’s definitely a juggling act, but I am strategic with my time and time block my days: time for family, time for work and time for me.

Amit Ahuja: What has surprised you most about becoming a mother?

Varuni Palacios: I thought I would be more in control. Turns out, navigating motherhood is one big lesson in releasing control and surrendering to the flow of it all. I also learned that everything is temporary. Bad day? Temporary. Good day? Enjoy it now, bc the days are long but the years are short.

Amit Ahuja: How has motherhood changed the way you see yourself and the world?

Varuni Palacios: Of course. It’s not just about me now.

Varuni Palacios: In fact, it’s easy to put myself last, so not doing that takes effort. Every day, I prioritize my decision making for the benefit of my children. My child comes first, and everything I do is to ensure that he has every opportunity as he grows and finds himself. Although these times can feel dark, I also feel a responsibility to protect him from that and create a bubble of peace, happiness and freedom so that he looks back and remembers a joyful childhood. Challenges are inevitable, but it’s the way that we rise to them that makes us who we are. This is the lens I choose to view the world through, for me and for him.

Amit Ahuja: Could you share some of your favorite bands or music artists that you're especially passionate about? I'd also love to hear about your most memorable concert experience—what made it stand out for you, from the atmosphere and performance to the venue and any unforgettable moments.

Varuni Palacios: I currently wish I had bought a Bad Bunny ticket and gone to his concert in PR. What he’s done for Puerto Rico by only having his concerts there——boosting the economy via tourism was so brilliant for his people.

Varuni Palacios: Anyway, I went to Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter concert most recently. I am in awe of her grind, dedication and consistency to her craft over the last 40 years. Not many people can say they’ve done that or could do that. Cliche, I KNOW, but true. She’s broken a lot of ceilings for herself and continues to, now for her children who she’s bringing along with her.

Amit Ahuja: What message would you share with everyone if you had the world's attention for five minutes?

Varuni Palacios: You’re never too old or too late to begin again and again and again. And the most successful people are the ones who just didn’t quit. :)

Amit Ahuja: Thank So Much, Varuni Palacios for sharing your story with us.

Photo Credit: Bettina Niedermann

To schedule an appointment with Varuni Palacios for an exceptional skin transformation, please visit her website or explore her Instagram profile using the links below.

https://www.studiovaruni.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadIBhivFqDqRmEpZMBTdMQ80RPokWTavJlIQEp8FxAOCpFEc7kq8jPfqkViRw_aem_R2ijzgsBNi-hBlwSlFYhQw

Studio Varuni Instagram Page:

https://www.instagram.com/studiovaruni/

***Photo credit is attributed to Bettina Niedermann, unless otherwise noted. ***

*** Video provided by Varuni Palacios of Studio Varuni***