Meet Selina Castillo | Owner and Founder of The Skin Societé, Colorado’s Leading Skin Specialist

This is actually funny because there really wasn’t a thought process it kinda just happened for me. Let me elaborate, before becoming an esthetician I was actually a banker who loved to get her lashes done! Even before that I had been visiting an esthetician since I was 14 years old for my skincare needs, all thanks to my mother of course. I would visit my lash tech every couple weeks and I just loved my experience! I loved how she made me feel and one day it just clicked for me. I came home from my banking job and told my partner at the time “hey I think I want to do lash extensions for a living”. He was so supportive and told me to do what I had to do to reach my goal. I looked into certifications but in the state of Colorado you need to either have an esthetics license or cosmetology license to be a lash technician. So I thought ok how hard can this be, I found an esthetics program enrolled in it to start the following year and waited. My first day of school in August of 2018 I had no idea what I had gotten myself into but just ended up falling in love with everything from facials to waxing and quickly realized I would not be able to do lashes full time! The amount of back pain I had was unreal haha! Long story short, I knew I had made the right choice and decided I wanted to own my own esthetics business. I worked on friends and family from home. I had built such a strong base before even graduating. I flew to LA for masterclasses with celebrity facialist and took every additional training my school offered. It all honestly came together so well and I never let a thought of doubt cross my mind. The first step was figuring out what I wanted to do and the rest was history.

Both my parents came from Mexico in search of a better life and have granted me the opportunity to be where I am today. After being the first in my family to graduate high school I was unsure of what I wanted to do next, I attempted higher education by pursuing a career in medical assisting and quickly realized that it was not for me. Then, I worked for a financial institution for many years and this contributed to the knowledge that I now have on the financial aspect of business. I knew what I wanted to do but actually quitting my job and committing to this was the scary part! Though, I have always had a passion for fashion, lifestyle and beauty. In 2018, after having my kids I made the risk to pursue my dream and do something that really made me happy. I made the sacrifice to go back to school and obtain my esthetics license. A decision that would also affect my marriage and family. There were countless nights where I would go to school after working my 9-5. My day job was done but I was still a wife at the time and most importantly a mom, my favorite job of all. Upon graduating I knew I wanted to go out on my own and not work under anyone so I did just that six months after obtaining my license.

Opening my business in early 2020 felt like the right move and as other business owners know it could not have been a more difficult time. No one could have ever imagined what was to come in March of that year, a pandemic that would affect the whole world. My business was barley in its first stages, some of the challenges that I had to face was keeping up with all protocols, laws and regulations by the state. There were moments when I was unable be open yet I knew the importance of maintaining my clients engaged through my marketing. Having your own business makes you realize that you have to be welcoming to change while also managing every aspect whether it may be the social or the financial aspects. My prior experiences allowed me to build a financial plan and know the resources that were available to small business owners.

Through this journey I have learned that self care really is important. With my brand I not only want to convey that everyone should feel beautiful but I have the goal to be a one stop shop for all things regarding skin care. I am also a support for other business owners around me, I want to continue being someone who can be the help they may need and keep building on the sense of a “community” or what I like to call a “Societé”.

It has not been easy by any means and I have sacrificed so much mentally emotionally and physically, it has literally taken blood sweat and tears but I wouldn’t change it for anything in this world. I am still learning lessons every single day. My favorite saying is grow through what you go through and I can tell you all. I have come so far and will continue to reach for the moon. I pride myself in my work and if I could offer it as a free service I would. Ive never been motivated by the monetary aspect but by the simple feeling of knowing I made someone feel good today. So if you are ever in the area come in let me help you “age gracefully” and let me get to know your story.

I’m not an expert in any way of knowing where all the cool spots are and I should but, as a Colorado native there are a few locations I think are a MUST SEE. First I would take them to my favorite Latin food restaurant in cherry creek SOL Cocina. They have the absolute best ceviche and micheladas. Dairy block is my second favorite area there are just so many cool restaurants, shops to find cute one of a kind things, and most important selfie spots. We would also head over to Meow Wolf which is just so much fun. We would probably end our weekend with a nice early morning workout over at Red Rocks. Its never boring here from the highlands to the little hole in the wall spots down south federal there is just so much to see and do so a week would never be enough!

This is a tough one, because everyone who is a part of my life in one way or another deserves recognition. I owe the biggest thank you to those who helped with my two boys because it has taken a village, I certainly haven’t done it alone. From the business stand point one of the most important people who have helped me get to where I am were my continued relationships with mentors such as Kami one of the best instructors out there, Angel from Angel aesthetics who I admire and look up to so much, and L’erin my business coach who I worked with to help build my brand to the point where it is now!
I have people in my life who are a lot younger to friends who are a lot older. Friends that are in loving marriages and friends who are single mothers or fathers. Some who are very successful at what they do and also friends who really don’t know their life path is yet. I have taken bits and pieces from each of their stories and used it as motivation and guidance in my life.