Thirty minute commutes are now a thing of the past for Nikki Chiverrell. Chiverrell, a Licensed Cosmetology Esthetician (LCE), Certified Massage Therapist (CMT) and Holistic Health Advisor (HHA) has relocated her Modesto based Skinnovations to Oakdale.
Earlier this month she opened the doors of the 460 N. Yosemite Ave., Suite 2 business in Oakdale. Prior to opening her doors, she spent roughly two months updating and personalizing the space, which includes a massage room and a skin care room in a restful/spa setting.
“This is my little sanctuary,” said the skin and body wellness specialist. “I live in Oakdale and I love Oakdale.”
The business owner brings with her 10 years of experience in the skin care field and four in massage therapy and holistic healing. She began Skinnovations in Modesto five years ago this spring.
“Anything from the inside out is kind of my thing,” she said. “I don’t want to just slap some lavender smelling stuff on you and say ‘Yay! You look nice.’ It’s kind of a healing sanctuary too.”
Chiverrell first became attracted to the wellness business during a retreat get away in Sonoma. At the time she was employed as an Interior Designer and had earned the trip as a reward incentive.
“That’s when I had my first facial,” she shared.
Chiverrell was both inspired and intrigued by her esthetician, whom she described as genuinely happy and fulfilled.
Speaking candidly, she shared growing tired of listening to people living abundant lives, complain about material items and excess.
“As I fell in love with it, I became a sponge,” she said of the skincare business early on. “I couldn’t get enough.”
As a child, she shared she was fascinated by science, dreaming of being a nurse or even a doctor, yet that did not come to pass.
“I learned what I loved about it and what I didn’t,” Chiverrell continued, “and I thought why can’t I take the wellness, holistic, earthy part of me and combine it with the scientific medical part of me to really marry the two to create something unique.”
That’s when I developed Skinnovations, innovative skin care … Skinnovations,” she said.
“My biggest thing not only in massage therapy, but skin care and being that I’m a holistic health advisor as well,” the business owner sated, “I’m going to educate them on how to care for themselves at home. Even if someone comes in to receive a complimentary consultation with me, I will still educate them in what they can do at home totally free to get the ball rolling.”
While she recognizes as a business woman, this may not be viewed as a wise business practice, Chiverrell focuses more on her intention and passion.
“There are a lot of estheticians out there that will not give helpful advice to their clients,” she confided, “as far as diet, water intake, exercise, hormones, all of those things. I feel confident that if I am forthcoming, truthful and honest and that if I really, really care about them, that’s going to draw them to me.”
Since relocating to the 95361, she shared feeling a bit overwhelmed by the number of her clients who have continued to follow her from the Modesto location.
“They’re choosing to drive 30 minutes for my services. They don’t have to do that,” she said. “They could find something closer to home.”
She is, however, grateful for their support.
I am lucky,” she continued. “I don’t have a job. I have a paid hobby. I get to come to open this door to this beautiful space, listen to music and feel the love.
“I love how everybody feels with they come in and how they look and feel when they leave,” Chiverrell shared. “You’ll be treated like royalty and loved like family.”
Skinnovations is open Monday through Thursday and one Saturday per month. It is a by appointment only salon. For information or to book an appointment, call (209) 606-2224, e-mail skinnovations@gmail.com or visit www.skinnovationsspa.com.
