Meet Natalie Morales | Licensed Esthetician & Owner of Beluminous Skin Studio

We had the good fortune of connecting with Natalie Morales and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Natalie, what role has risk played in your life or career?
When I think about risk, I think reward. I’ve lived by the saying, “jump and the net will appear.” Growing up I wasn’t afraid to jump into doing different things. Sports, dance, music, and different jobs in retail, food and beverage, events, sales, and beauty. It excited me to try different things.

Before opening Beluminous Skin Studio, I worked for 10 years at various positions for Marriott International. There, I was given many opportunities to grow and practice taking risks. When I was working for my first Marriott property, my general manager asked me if I’ve ever thought about being in her position. Of course, I did! She looked at me and told me that I need to know Sales to be a General Manager. I was 22 thinking how do I make this career jump not having direct hotel sales experience. I knew that I had to take a risk. I saw a perfect sales opportunity just a few weeks after that conversation, so I jumped. I applied, landed the position as Sr. Sales Catering Executive. It’s a risk I’m so glad I took! I ended up being Top Southwest Catering Seller for three quarters and was on the Southwest property sales team of the year. The net is what you create.

Just months after I opened my first location of Beluminous Skin Studio, I was approached for a rare opportunity to be a Spa Manager with the assignment to assist in opening a 14,000 sqft spa for Marriott. This truly was a full circle moment for me as it was a dream I’ve always had. However, after working this position and working a couple days a week on Beluminous, I knew I was physically and emotionally doing way too much. My body and heart were telling me something that I couldn’t ignore. I was running someone else’s business instead of running my own. I missed being in the treatment room as an Esthetician and knew I wanted Beluminous Skin Studio to blossom. After much thought, I left my corporate job to run Beluminous Skin Studio. Was I scared, nervous, excited, uneasy and everything in between? Yes! Has it been easy? No. Has it been rewarding? ABSOLUTLY! Who makes it all worth it? My current and future Beluminous Beauties.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I grew up in Orange County with my father and grandparents, Mammar and Pops. I’ve always been interested in beauty since I was young. Being bullied for my weight, I found myself gravitating towards makeup, nails, hair or really anything beauty related. It took many years to have true confidence along with learning to love myself. Self-love starts with self-acceptance. While this self-discovery was happening within, I was well into my hospitality career. I attended Cal State Long Beach and received my Bachelors Degree in Hospitality Management. I’ve been fortunate enough for the past decade to work for one of the world’s largest travel companies, Marriott International which provided an opportunity to be one of selected individuals that graduated from their leadership in training Voyager program, recipient of Manager of the Year Award and partner with high end clientele and companies such as the NFL, MLB and Allergan. The most rewarding part, I cultivated deep rooted customer focused skills such as empathizing, listening, executing and providing results which led to many ever-lasting relationships. Serving customers and ensuring their highest level of comfort and satisfaction is not only something I’ve learned, it’s what I LOVE to do and truly have a passion for.

The pandemic provided the gift of time that reignited the importance of health and love. I was also going through skin changes experiencing cystic, hormonal acne. I went to clean out my drawers full of collected makeup and was flooded with thoughts, “Why cover up when there’s skin care and wellness to improve overall skin health that would enhance one’s natural beauty?” What did you do to learn to love yourself in the toughest of times? What else can you do in life to make a positive impact? ” Light bulb… ESTHETICS. I enrolled in Esthetics school and became a licensed Esthetician. I received further training and became a master certified spray tan artist and sugarist. I’ve worked in several spas as an Esthetician with most recently being the Spa Manager for the opening of a luxury 14,000 sqft spa, SPA VEA Newport Beach. Ultimately, all my experiences have naturally helped me create a beautiful business of my own.

Beluminous Skin Studio exists to provide a transformative luxury inspired service in a safe, inviting, and comfortable space. A place and experience that leaves you luminous from the inside out. If you can feel just as bright on the inside as you do on the outside, then in turn you’ll feel a confidence that allows you to be your true beautiful self all while loving the skin you’re in. The services I provide are not to alter but to enhance natural beauty, provide skin health and nourish the soul. Beluminous Skin Studio Mission is embracing all while promoting self-confidence, self-care and self-love through offering services alongside products that allow people to glow both from the inside and out.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There is endless eateries, places and things to check out which makes Orange County a desirable destination. Let’s say my best friend had the weekend here with me so we would start with Brunch at Snooze located in Old Towne Orange. The wait usually runs about 45 minutes plus so we would walk to a new place in town, Bluestone Lane for the best premium coffee. This is also where I like to plug in since my studio is about 7 minutes away. Old Town Orange is very charming with many antique shops to explore. We would shop at these stores after brunch and end our day with some self-care at my studio for a Beluminous Signature Facial, sugaring and rapid spray tan providing smooth glowing skin for the rest of the weekend. Rise n’ shine, we would shop till we drop at South Coast Plaza. Sugarfina is located inside South Coast Plaza which is where I get luxury candy delighters for my clients aka Beluminous Beauties. For celebrations, you are treated with a personalized take home personalized candy pack at the end of your service with me. Of course, I’d treat my best friend to one! We would end our evening with some of our other friends to enjoy the best sushi, Sushi on Fire located in my hometown of Huntington Beach. We could have our night cap right next door over a glass of wine at the Main Street Wine Company. To end our fun filled weekend, we would enjoy the breathtaking PCH ride to the “top of the world” located in Laguna Beach. This is a great place to get picturesque views along with some outdoor exercise. On the way back down headed into downtown Laguna, there’s this steep hill that you can drive down that makes you feel butterflies in your stomach, nothing like a free Disney land ride! We would explore the heart of downtown laguna making our way to the one and only Spa Del Rio for a massage. Making our way back up the coast, we would stop at Lido Island for a sunset Duffy ride where I’d bring my best friends favorite drinks and food on board. This is a fun filled, good for the soul weekend we’d both remember!”

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This is a tough question since there are multiple people and influences that I would dedicate my shoutout to. I remember in my Marriott career the question; do you have a board of directors? This would include people who don’t necessarily tell you what you want to hear but what you need to hear to grow personally and professionally. The following individuals may not know that they’re a part of my board however, they will always have a seat at it. Thank you, Breana Nadal, Director of Hotel Operations, Marriott Hotels, Ben Stinnett, Market Director of Sales & Marketing, Marriott International, Lesli Del Rio, Owner of Spa Del Rio and Jennifer Davis, Owner of Begin Beauty Consulting. Each of you have been critical in my journey. Thank you for all being inspiring, amazing leaders and mentors. Lastly, my husband because your overall daily support is appreciated more than I can express.

The one person I would love to dedicate my shoutout to would be my father. He was 20 when I was born and raised me in Orange County as a single father with my two amazing grandparents whom I call, Mammar and Pops. He was still figuring out his life goals along with many other factors you go through in your twenties. This man is many things but most importantly I’m lucky to call him my Dad. He has countless accomplishments. The legal profession wasn’t allowing any family time, so he made a life change to pivot into real estate, focus on family and start his own business He is now real estate broker and successful entrepreneur. My father has taught me countless lessons, spent hours giving advice, lending an ear to listen, love including the tough kind and so much more. He has been on my personal and professional journey since day one, literally! He asked me the challenging questions that no one else did, providing the words of advice through his own journey while providing the needed emotional support to leave my corporate career and start Beluminous Skin Studio. Whenever I need anything, I can call him. He will always show up. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I wouldn’t be who I am today without you.

Website: www.beluminousskinstudio.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beluminousskinoc/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/nataliemsm

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/beluminous-skin-studio-orange

Other: https://www.vagaro.com/beluminousskinstudio

Image Credits
Name: Aline Espino Owner of Aespino Media