About
Hi, my name is Jaleesa Parris,
I am a licensed esthetician and professional makeup artist based in New York City. As a Black woman and a makeup artist with over 11 years of experience, I have encountered many women who come to me seeking to cover their imperfections, often in awe of my own skin. While perfecting their look, they frequently ask about my skincare regimen. During my time as a manager for MAC Cosmetics, one of the biggest makeup brands, I didn’t have the opportunity to pursue formal education in esthetics due to the demands of my role. However, when the pandemic struck, I seized the moment to dive into the field of esthetics, noticing the clear disadvantage faced by Black and Brown individuals in both makeup and skincare. Many makeup artists struggle with proper color matching, and estheticians and doctors often lack the knowledge to effectively treat our skin.
A bit about my background—I earned a Biology degree from Florida Memorial University, the only HBCU in South Florida, with aspirations of becoming an OB/GYN, but life had other plans for me. My mission has always been to serve Black and Brown men and women, not only through makeup but also in esthetics. Understanding how to treat our skin effectively is crucial because skin conditions manifest differently on our skin. Unfortunately, esthetics textbooks rarely address the complexities of Fitzpatrick skin types IV-VI, leaving many estheticians to seek out this knowledge on their own. I’ve taken numerous courses beyond esthetics school to gain the expertise needed to treat our skin, which led me to specialize as a Corrective Esthetician.
I focus on correcting hyperpigmentation, severe dryness caused by eczema, skin texture issues from post-acne scarring, skin tags, DPNs, and overall skin health. I pride myself on being honest with my clients, which allows me to create customized treatment plans to correct their skin issues. My approach of clear communication and guidance helps my clients trust my expertise and adhere to the individualized plans I design for them.