The TSG Community made me a better esthetician in a few simple ways: it got me out of my comfort zone, it pushed me to be better, it gave me access to brands and brand owners, and it surrounded me with Esties who truly understand me. If you’ve been wondering whether The Skin Games is for you, here’s how it happened for me. And if you want the full picture of this season, start with Everything You Need to Know About The Skin Games 2026-27 Season.
A small town and an even smaller esty scene
My practice was in a small town, and the esty scene was even smaller. When you work in a place like that, it’s hard to understand how much this industry has to offer, because you rarely get to see it.
Then COVID shut us down. I needed to keep myself busy and keep my brain fresh, and I kept seeing TSG come up in my Google searches, so I finally checked it out.
Five categories, five finals
Next thing I knew, I was a player in five categories. I became a finalist in all five and flew out to California for the live show. That decision changed the entire landscape of my career.
It gets you out of your comfort zone
Signing up for five categories was not a small step for someone coming from a small-town practice. Putting your work out there is uncomfortable, and that’s exactly why it’s worth doing. I never would have stretched that far if I’d stayed where I was comfortable.
It pushes you to be better
When you’re surrounded by professionals who take their craft seriously, your own standard rises with theirs. Being a player meant I wasn’t just measuring myself against the scene around me anymore, I was part of something much bigger.
Access to brands and brand owners
At the live show, I met so many amazing Esties, brands, and brand owners that I wouldn’t have met if I hadn’t played. If you work in a small market like I did, that kind of access is hard to come by any other way.
Greater opportunities
When you meet that many people in one place, your career gets bigger than your treatment room. Playing opened my eyes to what this industry can offer, and the opportunities that came with it were real.
A community of Esties who truly understand you
Working in a small town, I didn’t have many people around me who understood what the day-to-day of this work really looks like. The TSG Community changed that. These are Esties who truly understand you, and that kind of support is something I carry back into my practice every day.
Never be too scared to put yourself out there
If you’re sitting where I was, in a small market, wondering whether there’s more out there, there is. Never be too scared to put yourself out there. A great community can push you to places you can only imagine.
Ready to see what this season has in store? Everything You Need to Know About The Skin Games 2026-27 Season covers every category and every way to be part of it.