Beauty Talk Confessions with Kati

Trend Thursday – Hot or Not: Colorescience Total Eye 3-in-1 SPF

In this episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati reviews the viral Colorescience Total Eye 3-in-1 SPF 35—a product designed to brighten, protect, and hydrate the delicate under-eye area.

With built-in SPF (something most people forget under the eyes), this multitasking product combines skincare, sun protection, and color correction all in one. Kati shares her real-time results, how it wears throughout the day, and why it stands out from other eye products—especially when it comes to no stinging, smooth blending, and reapplying without creasing.

She...

In this episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati shares the real, unfiltered journey of going from a solo esthetician to running a multi-room spa with a full team.

What started as a one-room space quickly grew into a business with multiple employees, advanced services, and major financial decisions—but not without some hard lessons along the way. Kati opens up about the mistakes she made, from hiring too quickly and blurring boundaries with staff to not understanding her numbers early on.

She shares the pivotal moment when everything shifted—after realizing her business was unsustainable and...

Trend Thursday – Hot or Not: SkinPen Microneedling

In this episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati breaks down one of her favorite treatments—SkinPen microneedling.

She walks you through how microneedling works, what it actually does for your skin, and why it’s a go-to for collagen production, acne scars, fine lines, and overall skin health.

Kati also shares her professional experience using multiple devices over 15+ years in the industry—and why SkinPen stands out when it comes to results, safety, and consistency.

From treatment expectations to who should be doing a series v...

In this episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati sits down with Angela, widely known as The Christian Sexpert, for a bold and eye-opening conversation about faith, sexuality, body image, and confidence.

Angela shares her journey from an unexpected start on TikTok to becoming a trusted voice in the space of sex and intimacy coaching—especially within Christian communities. Together, they dive into topics that are often considered taboo, including purity culture, postpartum intimacy, body confidence, and the pressure women feel around beauty and sex.

This conversation goes far beyond the surface, exploring how shame, societal ex...

In this episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati is back with another Hot or Not / Trend Thursday, reviewing the IUNIK Beta Glucan Daily Moisturizing Cream.

This K-beauty moisturizer has been gaining attention for its deeply hydrating formula and skin barrier support. Kati shares her real-time experience with how it applies, feels on dry skin, and whether it lives up to the hype—especially compared to other popular hydrating creams.

She breaks down the texture, absorption, hydration level, and overall finish, along with the benefits of beta-glucan and why it’s becoming a standout ingredient in skin...

In this episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, we dive into the importance of ongoing education and why staying current in the beauty industry is essential for growth, confidence, and long-term success.

We talk about how easy it is to get comfortable in our routines and how that comfort can hold us back from evolving as estheticians. From early career experiences to running a business, this episode explores how continued learning shapes our services, strengthens our team culture, and improves client results.

We also share a recent hands-on training experience in buccal massage and how stepping...

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In this episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati sits down with Colleen Fletcher, a mindfulness guide, embodiment teacher, nervous system educator, and licensed esthetician, for a deeply grounding conversation about healing, stress, and what it means to truly care for yourself from the inside out.

Colleen shares her unique path from massage therapy and Reiki to hypnosis, meditation, metaphysics, esthetics, and somatic bodywork. Together, she and Kati explore the connection between the nervous system, skin, self trust, and the way stress shows up in the body. They also talk about why true healing is not just about...

In this episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati is back with another Trend Thursday – Hot or Not, testing the viral Glaze For Days Lip Oil by Annette Beauty Project in a real-time, no-filter review.

This vegan lip oil has been trending for its high-shine finish, hydrating feel, and non-sticky formula—but does it actually live up to the hype?

Kati swatches and tries multiple shades, breaking down texture, shine, flavor, and how it actually feels on dry, winter lips. She shares her honest thoughts on application, wearability, and whether the added scent and flavor enhance the...

In this episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati breaks down the exact supplies you need when starting your own esthetician business.

Drawing from her own experience opening a waxing studio and later expanding into facials, she walks through the must-haves that actually matter—from your treatment bed and wax setup to the small details that elevate your client experience.

Kati shares her go-to essentials for waxing services, including tools, products, and setup tips that help protect your body, stay efficient, and deliver better results. She also covers the additional supplies needed to confidently transition into of...

In this episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati is back with another Hot or Not / Trend Thursday, comparing two viral Korean skincare favorites: the Cosrx Hyaluronic Intensive Cream and the Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream.

Kati tests both products side by side in a real-time, no-filter review, breaking down texture, hydration, absorption, and how each one performs on dry, sensitive skin. She shares her honest experience with both formulas, including how they feel immediately after application and how well they hold moisture.

She also gives esthetician insight into hyaluronic acid, what true hydration should...

In today’s heartfelt and beautifully honest episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati sits down with Maggie Bauer, the owner of Novum Skin in Castle Rock, Colorado. Maggie’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, motherhood, loss, and the deep healing power of skincare — both inside the treatment room and within ourselves.

What began as a cosmetology school assignment at age 18 eventually became Novum, a studio rooted in the belief that women can be made new — not changed, but renewed in confidence, identity, and skin health. Maggie shares her winding journey from hair to skincare, discovering a microbiom...

In this Trend Thursday episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati puts the viral Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm to the test in a real-time review.

This cult-favorite cleansing balm has been trending online for its ability to melt away stubborn makeup while keeping the skin hydrated and balanced. Kati walks through the texture, application, scent, and how the balm performs when breaking down foundation and mascara.

She also shares her honest thoughts on how it feels on dry skin, how it compares to traditional foaming cleansers, and whether oil-based cleansing balms are worth...

In this episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati breaks down how to actually get hired in the beauty industry and what it takes to stand out in today’s job market.

Whether you’re a new esthetician, moving to a new area, or starting over in your career, this episode walks through the real steps of finding the right job, preparing for interviews, and presenting yourself in a way that feels polished, professional, and memorable. Drawing from her experience as a business owner who hires, interviews, and trains, Kati shares what employers are really looking for and the...

In this episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati is back with another Hot or Not / Trend Thursday, testing the Smoochies Long Lash Mascara in a real-time, no-filter review.

With Northern Arizona’s dry climate causing many mascaras to flake, smudge, or dry out, Kati puts this viral mascara to the test to see if it truly delivers on its promises. From its lash-enhancing serum ingredients to its all-day wear claims, she breaks down how it applies, how it feels on the lashes, and whether it lives up to the hype.

She also shares esthetician insight on...

In this episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati sits down with Brittany Nicole, owner of Smooth Aesthetics and a licensed esthetician with nine years in the industry. Brittany is known for her Brazilian waxing expertise for both women and men, and she shares what it really takes to build a waxing business that clients trust and stay loyal to.

From starting in hair to finding her lane in waxing, Brittany opens up about how she perfected her craft, why she chose to stay solo, and what she learned stepping into ownership right after the chaos of COVID...

In this Trend Thursday episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati switches things up and takes a deep dive into one of the most talked-about professional devices in the aesthetics industry: the Glo2 Facial machine.

With more and more estheticians questioning expensive equipment purchases and sharing regrets online, Kati pulls back the curtain on her real experience owning this machine for the past two years. From shiny-object syndrome and sales promises to rep turnover, consumable costs, and actual treatment results, this episode is an honest look at what it’s really like to invest in high-ticket facial technology.

In this solo episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati gets real about what success in the beauty industry actually looks like — and why it doesn’t always match the “six-figure esthetician” narrative we see everywhere online.

Inspired by recent conversations with guests and what she’s seeing in industry groups, Kati breaks down the gap between the idealized version of success and the lived reality of building a sustainable beauty business. From starting in awkward, imperfect spaces to misunderstanding overhead, employees, education costs, and shiny-object syndrome, this episode is an honest reflection on growth, grit, and redefining what succe...

In this episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati is back with another Hot or Not / Trend Thursday, testing the viral Pixi On The Glow Blush in a real-time, no-filter review.

This cream blush has been trending for its easy application, hydrating feel, and natural glow. Kati breaks down why this product stood out, how it applies on skin that tends to pull orange, and whether it actually delivers a fresh, wearable finish without feeling heavy or overdone.

She walks through texture, pigment payoff, blendability, and how it performs on both cheeks and lips. She also...

In this episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati sits down with Aribela, owner of Forever Lashes, to talk about her unique journey into the beauty industry.

After leaving a long career in the public school system to care for her premature son, Aribela began exploring the beauty world in search of flexibility and independence. What started as a lash training quickly turned into a bigger journey—one that included going back to school for her esthetics license and even launching her first lash business out of a U-Haul storage unit.

Aribela shares the realities of st...

In this episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati continues her Hot or Not / Trend Thursday series with a real-time review of Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze Gel.

Laminated brows are everywhere, but not every client wants the commitment or inconsistent results that can come with the service. In this episode, Kati breaks down why she stopped offering brow lamination at her spa and why brow gels have become her go-to instead. True to the mission of Beauty Talk Confessions, this episode cuts through the hype with an honest, first-use review from an esthetician who cares about real...

In this episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati reflects on her conversation with Cindy Tusa and unpacks what that phrase really means in real life and in the treatment room.

Starting from her own journey into aesthetics through waxing, Kati shares how her understanding of skincare evolved from rigid protocols and product driven systems into something much deeper. This episode explores the shift from treating skin by checklist to truly seeing clients as whole humans and learning how to listen, communicate, and educate with intention.

Through personal stories, experiences training staff, and real client transformations...

In this episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati continues Hot or Not Trend Thursdays with a hands-on review of Tarte Go With the Faux Fake Freckles.

Freckles are everywhere right now, and this product has been all over the internet, so Kati puts it to the test in real time. She breaks down the packaging, pigment, application process, and overall wear while sharing honest first impressions from an esthetician’s point of view.

With its unique multi point stamp design, this freckle pen promises a natural, sun kissed look without the precision or effort of tra...

In this deeply grounding episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati sits down with Cindy Tusa — former NICU nurse and founder of The White Magnolia Advanced Skincare Institute and The Integrative Esthetician.With nearly 20 years in critical-care nursing before transitioning into aesthetics, Cindy brings a perspective rarely taught in this industry — one rooted in emotional intelligence, critical thinking, nervous system awareness, and truly seeing the human behind the skin.This conversation goes far beyond protocols and product knowledge. Together, Kati and Cindy explore wound responses, subconscious programming, fear in new estheticians, and why so many providers feel insecure or overwhelmed — not be...

In this episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati kicks off her Hot or Not / Trend Thursday series with a real-time review of the viral Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly Tint.

Beauty Talk Confessions was created to cut through the filters, fluff, and unrealistic expectations of the beauty industry and this episode does exactly that. From behind-the-treatment-room conversations to trying trends exactly as clients and professionals experience them, Kati brings honest reactions, esthetician insight, and zero sugarcoating.

In this episode, she breaks down the texture, pigment, application, and wear of the Cooling Water Jelly Tint, sharing w...

In this episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati shares what opening a beauty business actually looks like beyond what is taught in school or shared on social media.

Drawing from nearly five years of spa ownership, she walks through the emotional and practical realities of starting before you feel ready, learning through mistakes, and navigating the steps required to open a business legally and sustainably. This episode blends personal story with real guidance for anyone considering working for themselves.

In This Episode, Kati Shares

Why the path to ownership is rarely straightforward

In this episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati takes listeners back to the beginning of her beauty career and shares the messy, funny, and formative moments that shaped her foundation in the industry.

From cosmetology school to esthetics school, eyebrow mishaps to two hour Brazilians, this episode is an honest look at what it really means to start from zero, make mistakes publicly, and learn through experience. Kati reflects on how confidence is built over time, why mess ups are unavoidable, and how supportive mentors, clients, and education can turn failure into mastery.

This episode...

What No One Tells You About the Beauty Industry

Welcome to the first episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, where we talk about the human side of the beauty industry, beyond trends, tools, and curated success.

In this episode, Kati shares the intention behind the podcast and why connection is the foundation of a sustainable, fulfilling career in beauty. With over 15 years in the industry and experience as a spa owner, employer, and service provider, she opens up about the realities no one prepares you for: imposter syndrome, pressure to keep up, vendor hype, mistakes, growth...

In this deeply honest episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati sits down with Charlie Carter, owner of Aura Spa and creator of The CEO Goddess Code, for a powerful conversation about success, burnout, alignment, and rebuilding your identity as a business owner.

Charlie’s journey is raw, spiritual, and deeply relatable. Before Aura Spa existed, she ran a metaphysical wellness center, hosted tarot classes, built a yoga studio during COVID, managed multiple businesses at once, burned out, walked away from nursing, sold everything, and rebuilt her life and business from the ground up.

Together, Kati an...

In this episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati sits down with Dr. Michelle Gordon for an honest conversation about menopause, hormones, and what women deserve from healthcare as they age.

After stepping away from a decades long surgical career, Dr. Gordon now provides personalized, evidence based menopause care for midlife women who are tired of being dismissed, rushed, or told they are “just aging.” Together, they unpack where hormone fear came from, what the science actually says, and how women can reclaim clarity, confidence, and agency in midlife.

In This Episode, We Cover

Beauty Talk Confessions is a podcast that goes beneath the surface of the beauty industry. The stories, the struggles, the identity shifts, the healing, and the grit behind the glow.

Hosted by Kati Wasserman, esthetician, business owner, and product developer, each episode features real, raw conversations with beauty professionals, founders, healers, coaches, creators, and clients who have lived the truth behind beauty.

We talk about:

•⁠  ⁠identity and reinvention

•⁠  ⁠confidence, comparison, and self-worth

•⁠  ⁠the emotional and unseen side of beauty work

•⁠  ⁠entrepreneurship and the messy middle

•⁠  ⁠a...