Top esthetician Maria Lomuscio shares why she loves her career in skin care.

Maria Lomuscio

Depasquale the Spa

Morris Plains, New Jersey

vocation: Esthetician

age: 31

years in the industry: 10

specialty: Facials and waxing

favorite products:

Age-Defyer Daily moisturizer by Avancé. It is my morning moisturizer, my night moisturizer and my undereye cream. It is my everything in a bottle!

favorite spa service:

Nothing beats a great facial.

advice for new estheticians:

Have a career, not a job. Go in full force and learn everything you can.

favorite way to unwind:

You would think that being in this business, pampering people and making them unwind, I should be a pro at it myself, but honestly being a mom, wife and a career-driven professional, “unwind” is a bit unfamiliar to me. But, I do feel at my best when my husband and I, my daughter and of course, our dog, are all in the bed on a Sunday morning!

q. How did you get your start in the skin care industry?

a. Always loving anything to do with beauty and fashion, I took a huge interest in skin and how many people are faced with acne and other conditions. Not having the greatest skin as a teen, I saw how facials and products helped me, so I wanted to learn more.

q. Have you had any mentors help you in your career?

a. Avancé’s Dee Deluca-Mattos. She is definitely my role model and a huge mentor to me. She is extremely knowledgeable, talented and successful. She is my go-to person when I have any questions.

q. What is the biggest challenge you face in your job?

a. Always making sure I am offering the best to my clients. I am always researching what is new in skin care so I can keep my clients informed and provide them with information to help meet their needs.

q. How does Avancé help you in your job?

a. Not only is it a wonderful line but it is versatile. All of my clients can use it—it is for all ages, for both males and females, and tackles everything from acne to aging. I love when you have just a few products that can be used for so many different things.

q. What is an average day like for you?

a. Busy! I first get started at my house, getting my husband off to work and my 2-year-old daughter ready for her day. I then head off to our spa, where we are extremely busy. For example, on a Friday I arrive at 7:30 a.m. and I am going nonstop from 8 a.m. all the way to 6 p.m. It is a 10-hour day of waxing, facials and body treatments, and I am constantly on my toes.

q. What’s the best part about your job?

a. It feels so great to say I love my job. I meet tons of people who hate what they do or where they work, and I cannot imagine having to do that every day. I can honestly say that I love what I do and where I work!