Hidden Gems: Meet Jennifer Oursler of Fair Skincare

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Oursler.

Jennifer, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I had this idea that I wanted to be a special effects makeup artist, so I started looking into schools in NYC. But in all honesty, I got a little nervous moving out of my hometown at that point in my life and registered at a local esthetics school instead. It was then that I really started falling into my comfort zone. Although I respect and admire the creativity that goes into special effects, once I started studying the “whys” and “hows” of skincare my passion was ignited.

But it was not nearly as trendy as it is today. If it had been, I probably wouldn’t have gone into the field. I sometimes find myself snubbing my nose at trends because so many of them are fickle and under-researched. And it’s that attitude that propelled the opening of Fair Skincare – it’s what the name represents – a place of honesty, and inclusivity, that provides science-backed treatments.

I don’t have a clear vision as to where this journey will end, but whenever I think about growth (and any other endeavors), I always make sure my motivation is aligned with the original reason I started a business.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Starting out as an esthetician is rough. You have no clientele, no experience, minimal skills, and therefore are making almost minimum wage. The beginning years are a challenge. I tell early estheticians you need three years to build a solid clientele, so that’s a good amount of time to be faced with hardships and really question what you’re doing. I was able to make it through by bartending on the side, but that comes with its own challenges as well.

When I finally started getting a little comfortable, I decided to go out on my own. But I still wasn’t fully confident – I always partnered with other people in the business or had side-gigs. By February of 2020 I said, “This is it!” and signed a lease for my own brick and mortar location. Haha, well, I think we all know what happened after that.

I’m happy to say I made it through. And with that in mind, I want to thank the steadfast clients that bought gift cards during that time so I had the revenue to stay open. Specifically, I’d like to thank Tracy McCarthy who knew she wouldn’t live long enough to use those gift cards. She is a person I think about often, and if we are going to talk about “my story” I would be remiss not to mention someone who had been there through all of the challenges.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

To create a business where people feel good about spending their money, they have to feel connected. Fair Skincare’s mission is to provide a comfortable and trusting environment that can cultivate that connectivity.

If I am looking deep into your pores, and who knows what else, you would like to – at the very least – feel comfortable. I achieve that by recognizing that we’re all human, and the overgrown hair and inflamed acne that you’re coming in with is all just a season of life. That’s when I help.

All the products I carry have been thoroughly researched. And any products you may have questions about, I thoroughly research. That is the flexibility I always craved while working for corporations. Fair Skincare has been the answer to my own frustrations in the beauty industry, and I hope it can be for others as well.

How do you define success?
I struggle with this on a continuous basis. To be completely transparent, I was breaking out in stress hives last week because I haven’t spent enough time defining and appreciating “success”. I thrive when I set goals and don’t allow myself to become stagnant, but that nagging “to-do” list can feel crushing at times.

So for me – right now – success would be the ability to find peace and quiet my mind when necessary.

I should mention I have two kids under 4 and that I do occasionally find that quiet in my secret hiding spot behind the refrigerator. All parents have those, right??

Pricing:

• Hydrating Facial $98
• Lash Lift & Tint $105
• Eyebrow Wax $24

Contact Info:

• Website: www.fair-skincare.com
• Instagram: @fair_skincare
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/fairskincare.1050 

Image Credits
Bekah Lynn Hillary Moore