Bliss Skin Care owner and aesthetician Jennifer Lewis offers facials, waxing, manicures, pedicures, and more at 767 Main St. in Damariscotta. (Maia Zewert photo)
A one-woman operation offering skin-care services, from facials to pedicures and almost everything in between, is open in the Pine Grove Plaza in Damariscotta.
Nobleboro resident Jennifer Lewis, a licensed aesthetician, or skin-care specialist, and nail technician, owns Bliss Skin Care. After nine years working for someone else, she decided to start her own business after a recent birthday.
“It was one of those moments where you look at your life and think about what you want next,” Lewis said. “I thought, you know, it’s been nine years, it’s a good time to take the plunge!”
When looking for space for the business, Lewis drove by the Pine Grove Plaza office building and noticed construction. Her father-in-law introduced her to Wayne Farrin, the owner of the building, who agreed to lease her the space and renovated it to fit her needs.
“The moment I stepped in the door, I knew it was going to be beautiful and perfect, and just what I needed it for,” Lewis said. “(Farrin is) very supportive and was very eager to do whatever needed to be done to make this work.”
Bliss Skin Care opened for business Nov. 15.
Most of Bliss Skin Care’s business consists of facial treatments. Each treatment is customized to fit the needs of a client’s skin. While many of her clients are female with “mature skin,” Lewis also sees everyone from teenagers dealing with acne to men “working out in the elements,” she said.
“It doesn’t matter what the issue is, everyone can benefit from treatment, because it’s so important to take care of your skin,” Lewis said.
Lewis starts each appointment by analyzing the client’s skin to identify what treatment will be most beneficial. She uses products from Skim Script to customize the treatment to the client’s needs.
During one of the hour-long treatments, Lewis applies an exfoliating product to help slough off dead skin, followed by a moisturizing mask. She offers optional blackhead extractions between the two treatments, a service that has proved to be pretty popular, she said.
Other facials offered include the sensitive skin facial, which replenishes and calms dry, inflamed skin; and the anti-aging firming facial. Lewis also offers facial treatments for shorter periods of time for a discounted price.
Lewis also offers hand and foot massages during treatments to aid in the relaxation process.
“That’s a really satisfying part of my job, helping people step back from their lives and really just relax in a warm and cozy space,” Lewis said. “That’s why I called the business Bliss, because it’s the feeling you should have when you leave.”
At the end of the treatment, a client should notice healthy, glowing skin that is clean and clear, Lewis said.
Depending on a person’s skin type and age, facials every four to six weeks are ideal to keep skin healthy and balanced, Lewis said. At Bliss Skin Care, Lewis sells products that can help clients prolong the benefits of a facial.
At a minimum, Lewis recommends a facial treatment at the end of every season to “slough off the dead skin and start fresh.”
“If you have that buildup of dead skin, when you try to moisturize or apply products or makeup, the skin is rough from the dead skin and the products can’t penetrate, and you won’t see the same results,” Lewis said.
The most important thing a person can do to maintain good skin health is have a daily routine, Lewis said. She recommends cleaning the face of any oil and makeup at the end of the day.
“If you’re applying any products, they tend to work best at night,” Lewis said. “That’s when your whole body does its repair and replenishing, so the products will absorb better and you wake up with nice, refreshed skin.”
In addition to facials, Lewis offers waxing, manicures, pedicures, brow and lash tinting, and lash extensions.
During the winter, Bliss Skin Care is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
The response to Bliss Skin Care has been “hugely positive,” Lewis said.
“Everyone has just been so overwhelmingly supportive and it’s just been very exciting,” she said.
For more information about Bliss Skin Care, visit blissskinmaine.com or email blissskinmaine@gmail.com.
