Have You Met Renee? 🌟

Meet Renée, a highly esteemed Master Esthetics Instructor, Cosmetology Instructor, and former Gubernatorial Esthetics appointee to the Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetology. With over 20 years of experience in the Washington, D.C. area, Renée has performed facials for nobility and diplomats, showcasing her exceptional skills in the art of esthetics. Renée has a remarkable talent for breaking down complex skincare issues into simple, relatable concepts, a skill that has helped hundreds of Esthetics students prepare for licensure and launch successful careers of their own. Her journey with lash curling began in the early 1990s, and today, she is a certified Elleebana trainer specializing in lash lift, lash lamination, and brow lamination. Recently, we asked Renee to share her journey in the beauty industry:

“My Ellee-journey began innocently enough, as most affairs of the heart do! I have been licensed since the early days when we referred to it as lash perming. Back then, it was a tedious, smelly, imperfect service. Fast forward, and there’s an explosion of everything lashes! Lash extensions were all the rage, but I knew that particular service did not fit my clientele. After doing some research, I fell in love with the Elleebana story.

My children grew up in our salon, allowing me to relate to Otto’s experience growing up around his mother’s beauty academy. With Otto’s background in education and cosmetic chemistry, I felt there was something special about the Elleebana brand and products. I was impressed that Elleebana was not a second-party or private-label product; it was a professional line developed by someone who truly understood the service. Once my kit arrived, I found it so intuitive to use. My intuition at its founding were correct! I started performing lash lifts, and my clients loved the effects — it’s so much fun to see the results and receive enthusiastic texts from clients showing off their lashes!

As my career progressed, I gained my instructor’s license and, soon after, licenses as a Cosmetologist Instructor, Master Esthetician Instructor, and Permanent Makeup Artist. Following my success as an Esthetics instructor, I knew I wanted to take my expertise further — drawing me towards becoming an Elleebana educator. I loved the brand and felt that other licensees, who might not remember the days of lash perming, could benefit from my experience.

After getting certified, I got into contact with Gilbert Valverde; I was quickly impressed by the genuine and professional nature of our conversations. I also attended the Elleebana Symposium in California, where I met other trainers, distributors, and Zoe and Otto; here, I instantly realized that my conversations with Gilbert were representative of Elleebana’s ethos as a whole. It felt like family, even though I had never met these people before. I am very proud of the high standards that Elleebana expects from everyone involved with the brand. These standards are upheld in a loving and growth-oriented way.

I love performing lifts and laminations and have specialized for many years in the art of the European facial, with an emphasis on facial massage. This speciality has taken years to perfect, and my clients see uplifting results. I feel very fortunate to share Elleebana’s knowledge with those eager to learn. In my spare time, I am truly a product of my industry. If I’m not performing services, I am teaching, and I wouldn’t have it any other way! I also love to garden, another way I enjoy helping things grow. This year, my hydrangeas have been especially beautiful!”

Want to train with Renee? DM Renee on instagram OR email her via treatwellspa@gmail.com