The time a client's face mask turned into a full blown art project

Last week, a regular came in for her usual hydrating facial. I mixed up a custom mask, like I've done for years, and started applying it. Out of nowhere, she asks if I can 'make it look like a butterfly'. I paused, brush in hand, and just went for it. Three years ago, I would have said no way, that's not professional. But last month, after seeing so many folks on Instagram doing these wild mask designs, I figured why not. I spent maybe 15 extra minutes drawing wings with the green tea clay. She loved it, took a picture, and posted it. It got me thinking, when did our job shift from just skin care to also being a bit of a performance? Has anyone else felt pushed to do more of these 'Instagrammable' treatments just because clients ask?

2 comments

2 Comments

mitchell.daniel5d ago

Hot take: It's the new normal. The whole game changed when phones got good cameras. Now a service isn't just a service, it's content. I see it in my barber shop too. Guys want fades with designs shaved in, not because they like the look, but because they want the picture. It puts pressure on you to be an artist on top of your main job. You have to learn new skills just to keep people happy. The flip side is it can be fun and it gets you free advertising, so it's a weird trade-off.

palmer.val5d ago

Right? My mechanic friend says people now want their engine bay cleaned for photos, not just the car fixed.