Meet Varuni Palacios, The Mother & Esthetician That Created Our Dream Facial

“Perfection isn't real. Comparison will steal your joy. Everything is temporary, so be present.” — Varuni Palacios

WHAT DO YOU DO AND WHAT LED YOU TO THIS CAREER?

I’m Varuni Palacios — founder of Studio Varuni in Los Angeles, California-licensed esthetician, Hydrafacial Master Esthetician and Face Reality Certified Acne Expert. I specialize in luxury, high-touch, high-tech facial treatments with sculpting, clearing and hydrating goals top of mind.

By the time I gathered the guts to pursue my passion for skincare as a facialist, I was 15 years into my first career. For these years, I led top performing marketing teams through the journey of building high growth brands——at NBC Entertainment, goop, Miss Grass and MasterClass.

But all along, my answer to the question, “What’s the one thing you’ve always wanted to do?” has been facialist. My entire life, skin has been my thing. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do since well before my parents influenced my career choices.

And now, in my second life, I work with you 1:1 in the treatment room where I belong, helping you to achieve the best skin of your life and feel your best, yet. In other words, I’m on a mission to elevate the way you care for your skin and feel about yourself.

WHAT ARE THE NAMES OF YOUR CHILDREN?

My son, Remy is 4 years old—born May 15, 2020 right at the beginning of the pandemic. He’s a Taurus. On the outside, the spitting image of his dad. And on the inside, my spirit and personality.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CAREER ACHIEVEMENT THUS FAR?

My greatest career achievement has been (without a doubt) the leap of faith I took to pivot my career. Opening Studio Varuni has been the hardest, most complicated and rewarding decision I’ve ever made. A reminder that no matter the pivot, you’re never starting from scratch, but from experience instead. And a testament that betting on yourself will always pay off.

WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING ASPECT OF BEING A MOTHER?

Every single day I wake up with the responsibility of teaching my child how to be a kind, hardworking, loving, smart and empathetic human while nurturing the parts of him that will bring value to and make meaningful change in his world. But he teaches me so much more than any experience ever could. And he loves me more than anyone else ever will. Best of all, becoming a mother cracked me open to parts of me that I had never met or even knew existed within myself. It is truly a gift. Even when he’s acting a fool and impossible to deal with.

AND WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING?

Every single day I wake up and argue with a 4 year old. He’s NOT a morning person. He wants total control over his little life and to prove his independence. It’s like negotiating with a terrorist. What’s hard is that doing what’s easy (giving in for the sake of peace) is usually never what’s best for either of us and that takes way more effort. And then there’s the constant fear of what could go wrong; the worry of whether I’m doing things right; the struggle to balance his life with my own; and the guilt of when I feel like I fucked up. It’s all so god damn challenging. In those moments, I tap my partner in for a break, lock myself in the pantry with a secret snack or call my bestie to talk shit. And I move on to the next.

WHAT IS YOUR BEST ADVICE FOR SOMEONE NEW TO YOUR INDUSTRY?

Soak up every opportunity to learn. Know the gritty details and study hard. Release ego and allow yourself to be a beginner. Be patient—instant gratification and overnight success is a lie. Master your mindset—it will take you further than any sort of experience will. Forget about failure and remind yourself that only success and learnings exist. Failure only happens if you give up.

WHAT IS YOUR BEST ADVICE FOR A NEW MOTHER?

Perfection isn't real. Comparison will steal your joy. Everything is temporary, so be present.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR YOU? DO YOU HAVE ANY EXCITING PROJECTS COMING UP?

Studio Varuni is where you'll find me. I’m focused on treating every single client to the best facial treatment of their whole entire life. On making people feel the best they ever have. On building a long standing business that adds value to everyone it touches. On being my most creative and strategic self to be successful in this industry. On bringing awareness to what effective skincare is and is not. (It is NOT an opportunity for you to waste your money on dumb ass internet trends.)

Follow Varuni at @studiovaruni and book the best facial of your life at studiovaruni.com.