Today we’d like to introduce you to Khaki Paquette.
Khaki, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have been an Esthetician for a decade and about 5 years ago I began a journey to discover more natural and healthy skincare products I could use personally and on my clients. There wasn’t much out there (at least on the East coast) as far as “green beauty” products yet. I became increasingly unimpressed with conventional spa and personal care products so I sort of decided to take matters into my own hands.
I started crafting simple balms and creams at home using recipes I found online and drawing from my knowledge of botanical ingredients and their benefits. I very shortly after opened up an Etsy shop which sort of took off! I experimented and tested at home with my then 6 month old daughter, Lucy until I ended up with quite an extensive skincare line. That Etsy shop is still booming today, it’s kind of amazing!
I had taken a pause from Esthetics and was working from home making these products until it was quite literally taking over my kitchen. I missed seeing clients and desperately needed to move from my kitchen into another space. This is when I opened up Face Food Natural Skincare Studio (and found out I was pregnant with #2!), a cozy home away from home in downtown Newburyport above a local coffee shop. This space acted as my production studio, shipping warehouse AND spa where I took by appointment clients for facials, waxing and make-up services. I had my lovely little studio space for 3 years until a very recent move.
I dreamt of having a storefront and skincare spa in Newburyport and was keeping my eyes peeled for the right space. Things aligned perfectly and with a leap and an open heart I just opened Newburyport’s first Natural Beauty Market and Spa. My new location is 800 square feet of retail and spa space right in the center of downtown Newburyport.
At Face Food Beauty Market you will not only find the entire Face Food skincare line but a broad selection of curated skincare, body care, make-up, baby and mamma products and more. Now Face Food is your one stop shop for healthy, organic products that you can trust. Everything in the store has been handpicked by myself and I only carry brands I know and trust. In the Face Food Spa you can book appointments for all-natural European style facials, gentle waxing services and make-up applications and lessons using high performing healthy make-up.
It has been a dream come true. Now I get to see my clients and the general public and my hope and mission is to gently educate people about natural beauty products while making them feel like self-care and self-love are an essential part of well-being. It is my absolute pleasure to make these sorts of products accessible to people who may not have known they exist otherwise!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Like many, the work/life balance is a never ending struggle. I know, how over-played is that answer? But it’s true! I have a 5 yr. old, a 2 yr. old and a husband at home. Some weeks are harder than others but thankfully I have an incredibly supportive partner in my husband and for that I am extremely grateful.
Aside from the family stuff, I will say that I have probably vended every kind of fair, event, farmers market, you name it and I’ll tell you, not all of those things are a one size fits all. Lots of wasted time, wasted product, sleepless nights and making product for these sorts of events and it did take a couple years to figure out which are worth my efforts.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Face/Food All-Natural Skincare story. Tell us more about the business.
Face Food is more than a beauty store and spa. This is a sacred place for women (and men!) where they can come and experience a moment of calm, time for themselves, a sliver of self-care. The Face Food Beauty Market specializes in the best of all-natural beauty products. Everything is consciously and sustainably made and every ingredient is put in place to nourish not just your skin but your soul. Can we feel like we are treating ourselves well if we are using products whose ingredients we cannot pronounce?
There are many natural skincare lines out there these days (thank goodness!) but I feel Face/Food is set apart from many because it has been created and tested by an experienced Esthetician who knows skin from the inside out.
In the spa, I provide custom facials for all skin types, from acne to extremely sensitive skin types.
I personally specialize in skin education, especially for teens, my gentle waxing techniques and easy 5 minute make-up routines.
When you come to Face Food, either for products or services, I believe you will leave having felt nourished.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Interesting question! I am not totally sure I believe in “luck.”
I will say that having found the right people as staff since day 1 has been amazing! I mean this is a pretty niche thing to get into. I feel super “lucky” to have had the people I have by my side.
I also am lucky that about a year and a half ago I didn’t get sucked into signing a lease at a less desirable location that the one I currently have. I was so close, but something did not feel right and I let it go.
Pricing:
- Facials range from $65-$100
- All products in the store range greatly from $3.50-$65
Contact Info:
- Address: 8 Market Square
Newburyport, MA
01950 - Website: facefoodnaturalskincare.com
- Phone: 978 572-5121
- Email: khaki@facefoodnaturalskincare.com
- Instagram: facefoodnaturalskincare
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/facefoodnaturalskincare
Image Credit:
Rebecca Smith
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