Anastasia Jodie Betancourt is a 26-year-old millennium entrepreneur, born and raised in Morvant. She is a past student of Providence Girls’ Catholic Secondary School with an Associate Degree in Food and Beverage Management from the T&T Hospitality and Tourism Institute (TTHTI) and an Associate Degree in Business Management from UWI Roytec.
After spending nine years within the food and beverage, banking and insurance industries, Anastasia, being the thinker, researcher and go-getter that she is, decided to take a leap of faith and invest in her personal and (by extension) financial growth. Her enthusiasm for personal and beauty care, led her to enrol in a course specialising in dermaplaning facials and individual eyelash extensions.
Now, Anastasia happily enjoys using these techniques to enhance her clients’ natural beauty and achieve their perfect glow with confidence. Intrigued by her dermaplaning services, we sought to learn more about the young beautician and her skills. Check out our interview with her below:
Tell us a bit about dermaplaning and what it entails?
Dermaplaning is a physical exfoliation procedure. It requires the use of a sterile, surgical scalpel to gently, safely and effectively remove the top-most layer of dead skin called the stratum corneum which is made up of non-living keratin cells along with fine, vellus hair (aka peach fuzz). This procedure, due to the added hair removal benefits, leaves the skin more silky and baby smooth when compared to other exfoliation techniques. It reveals the light reflective skin cells beneath and enhances your (facial) skin’s overall complexion. The procedure can be performed monthly, in less than 30 minutes, with no downtime post-treatment. Dermaplaning is especially effective on those with dry or rough skin texture and helps to minimise superficial acne scarring or uneven skin tone. It is also beneficial for mature skin, which tends to have a build-up of dead cells as cellular turnover slows down with age. Dermaplaning is safe for pregnant or lactating clients who cannot have chemical peels (peels penetrate skin to act at the cellular level, thus are contraindicated).
What is one thing for which your clients can really count on you?
According to one of my amazing clients, “My dermaplaning girl doing house calls...I could just cry at this convenience...hit her up she is very affordable and flexible”. I offer professional, reliable and convenient beauty services for all hardworking women and mothers who know and appreciate the importance of taking time to indulge in self love and care.
Who or what are you inspired by?
My inspiration comes from God. He allows me to get up every day so that I can continue to contribute my services to my community whilst achieving my goals and purpose. I can’t imagine my journey without him; he’s been there with me throughout my entire journey thus far. I believe that he provides the right clients, business partners and support system for the success of my business, Show Up Studio.
Tell us about your best achievements in your life or profession.
As I see it, my belief in life, is always that the best is yet to come. So, everything I accomplish is a bonus to me—each new client, each compliment/praise of my work is a milestone in itself. I’ve managed to attain a considerable number of clients since I started this journey and that number is growing and expanding daily. I feel it in my core that there are so many more blessings and achievements around the corner.
Why should women consider dermaplaning?
Women of all skin types (besides acne prone skin) should consider dermaplaning because it helps soften fine lines and wrinkles by also minimising the appearance of pores. There is absolutely no recovery time. Physical exfoliation triggers the cell regeneration process and allows products to better penetrate skin. Makeup application also goes on much smoother to achieve the desired flawless look.
What skin care tips can you offer to us?
Tip 1- Wear your sunscreen rain or shine. Regardless of how the sky looks, you can still be affected by the sun’s harmful UV rays. To reduce the risks of premature skin ageing and some cancers, it is vital that you apply (and re-apply) sunscreen as part of your daily skin-care routine.
Tip 2- Never wear Makeup to bed as it can lead to clogged pores and potential breakouts. For that reason, you should always wash your face with a gentle cleanser to remove impurities, dirt, bacteria and makeup before hopping into bed.
Tip 3- Apply products in the proper order. Most dermatologists recommend that you apply skin-care products from lightest to heaviest.
Tip 4- Massage your skin whilst cleansing and moisturising. When you take the time to gently massage your products into your face before rinsing, you’re able to boost circulation and create a fresher-looking complexion.
IG handle @showupstudiott