When it comes to beauty, many turn to the experts. Who better to tell you about the latest trends and tricks of the trade than a former
Erin Edmiston, 27, won the title of Miss Louisiana USA back in 2012. She went on to compete in the Miss USA pageant and finished in the top 15.
Since then, she has become part owner of the Miss Lafayette USA pageant with longtime friend and pageant judge, Ross Walters. The two acquired the pageant from another former Miss Louisiana,
But the glamour girl, who was also Miss
We recently spoke with Edmiston to find out what keeps her busy and beautiful these days.
TDA: So how does one get to own a beauty pageant?
Edmiston: Well, you can buy into the prelims (preliminaries) and then you have to register it under the Miss Louisiana USA organization.
TDA: When is the pageant?
Edmiston: We just had the Miss Lafayette competition in April and now our winners will compete in Miss Louisiana USA in two weeks.
TDA: Wow. How did it go? That must have been hectic since it was your first.
Edmiston: Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a smoother ride. Everything went perfect. I brought to the table the experience as a former competitor and Ross brought the experience as a former judge. It was great.
TDA: So now what?
Edmiston: We are working with our winners to prepare. We had a mock pageant Sunday and we ran through the entire thing
TDA: What does owning a pageant do for you? Is it a profitable business?
Edmiston: It can be. But we wanted to keep it simple for the first time. We also own the rights to the baby pageant and that’s where you make the money. Moms register their kids for $100 to $125 for each child.
TDA: What else is Erin doing these days?
Edmiston: When I was Miss Louisiana, I had a sponsorship with Dr. Hubbel and I met with the aesthetician once a month for facials, dermabrasion, whatever I needed for my skin. That’s what sparked my interest in skin care. I had to keep up my skin for an entire year. But I also tried some other jobs that just didn’t work out.
TDA: Like what?
Edmiston: I sold real estate for two years and some other things, but they were not my passion. So then I started school at the Aveda Institute in Metairie, with the intention of staying there, but I had a hard time making connections there. Mine were all back home. So I interviewed with Dr. Kevin Duplechain and he hired me. I loved working as an aesthetician. But I started thinking, "You could do this on your own." So I started doing it out of my home.
TDA: What services do you offer?
Edmiston: Facials, for all skin types, chemical peels, full face and body waxing, dermaplaning, eyelash and eyebrow tint. The big one is Nova Lash. That's really popular.
TDA: What are the pros and cons of doing it on your own?
Edmiston: My prices are lower. There is no doctor supervision, so I son’t do everything they do, but I am a licensed aesthetician. I work from my home so there is no wait. I have clients who tell me it's more convenient because I have flexible hours and they can come in before or after work, or on their lunch break. It’s a very homey feel.
TDA: Well it makes sense. You do have the background for how to look your best.
Edmiston: I do have extensive knowledge. When you eat, sleep and breathe beauty for an entire year, I mean, I lived it. I developed a passion for it. When we look good, we feel good.
TDA: Do you tell your clients what they need, or do they tell you?
Edmiston: I find out what their needs and concerns are, what I offer or what can benefit them. With peels, there is no down time. You can come in on a Friday and look great the next day.
TDA: How do you like it so far?
Edmiston: I ‘m loving it. I love the autonomy. I’m making all my own decisions.
TDA: But it's still the work world I guess?
Edmiston: There are highs and lows. I came out of a year of fame and fortune, in the public eye. All my make-up, my hair, food, everything was paid for. And then it's time to give it up and crown the next one. And then you are back to being just Erin again. Honestly, I won five years ago, and I’m just now fully recovered. I mean, your expectations are so high and you want to be successful, but you still want to be perceived as Miss Louisiana USA and it doesn’t last forever. That’s the problem.
TDA: Yeah. I bet a lot of girls don't realize that part of it.
Edmiston: I wasn't prepared to give up the title. Now I have to look for a job and, you know, its real life. It's difficult. It's an emotional ride.
TDA: I totally get it. OK, now, what everybody probably wants to know, do you have a boyfriend, husband? What's going on there?
Edmiston: Yes. My boyfriend and I have been together four years. And yes, it's serious. He is a former UL Lafayette football player.
TDA: Wonderful. Where can people find out about your skin care business or book a treatment?
Edmiston: They can check out my business Facebook page, Erin Edmiston - Licensed Aesthetician. It has all the information.
TDA: Thanks so much Erin. We can't wait to see what's next for you!
