From brows to Brazilian waxes, one thing is for sure—Bridget Larson knows beauty.
Larson, the owner of the waxing and bronzing studio SKIN, has been blazing the trail for estheticians in Lane County for more than two decades. In the late 1990s, she was one of the first in the area to offer the Brazilian wax. “I think I can call myself a Brazilian wax expert because I’ve probably been doing them close to the longest in town,” she says.
Introducing New Beauty Services
After experiencing the less-than-satisfying spray tan booths available in the early 2000s, Larson decided to bring another new service to the area. “The booths gave you an uneven, splotchy tan, and it was just awkward to be in there turning with the machine blowing on you,” she says. “So I started researching and practicing on my friends in about 2005. I was one of the first in Lane County to offer airbrushed spray tans.”
Beauty is a lifelong passion for Larson—by the age of three, she was already begging to paint her father’s nails. Turning it into a career, however, was something of a journey. Larson spent five years as a nurse before taking the plunge and pursuing her true passion.
“I thought that while I was young, why not try and follow the desire to love my job?” she says.
After attending beauty school and working for full-service salons, Larson opened her own business 12 years ago. SKIN, located on Willagillespie Road, offers a range of body waxing options for both men and women as well as lash lifting and tinting, brow sculpting, brown henna, brow tinting, and airbrush spray tanning. Larson also sells handbags, jewellery, and a selection of tried-and-true products such as makeup brushes, brow filler, and lip plumper gloss. She takes clients by appointment Tuesday through Friday, noon to 7 pm.
Not prone to complacency, Larson keeps herself sharp with classes and training programs across the country. She is a certified Elleebana Lash Lift Artist.
“I work hard, but I love my job. Twenty-four years later I still love it; I don’t regret anything.”