Welcome to the

Tart ‘N Trendy Edit

Hi, I’m Ashton, the esthetician, nail tech, and dreamer behind Tart ‘N Trendy Aesthetics. For my very first blog post, I thought it only made sense to share my story: who I am, how I got here, and the vision behind this brand that has grown into something far bigger than I ever dreamed when I first picked up a nail file on a whim.

How It Started

If you had asked teenage me what I’d be doing today, I never would’ve guessed this. Unlike a lot of people in the industry, I didn’t have some life-changing skin experience that inspired me to go into esthetics (although I did struggle with acne… acne-prone buddies unite ✋).

At that stage of life, I was focused on something completely different: sports. In high school, sports were my world. I loved the competition, thrived on the long practices, the discipline, and the joy of pushing myself harder every day. When an injury ended that chapter, I pivoted. I started assisting our school’s athletic trainer and discovered how rewarding it felt to help others heal, grow stronger, and regain confidence. That planted the seed: I knew I wanted to help people feel better in their own bodies.

I thought that would lead me to physical therapy. After high school, I got certified in personal training and group fitness so I could stay close to the health and wellness field. At the time, I figured it would be a stepping stone while I worked my way through college. But when it came time to actually enroll, I had a gut feeling it wasn’t my path. So I pivoted again, enrolled in an interior design program, and was accepted. The same feeling hit me: nope, not it. By then I was thinking, okay, what am I actually supposed to do with my life??

And I know what you’re probably thinking: “So when does Ashton finally get into the beauty industry??” Spoiler alert—it’s coming. On a total whim, I packed up and moved four hours away to start nail tech school. (Don’t ask me where that idea came from, it was pure instinct.) I fell in love!!

Two weeks after finishing, I found myself, again on a whim, signing up for a Master Esthetics program. From there, my world completely shifted. I was living away from my family longer than intended, suddenly juggling school full-time while renting a desk part-time, taking clients whenever I could. Mondays were my longest days, working from 8 AM to 8 PM since I didn’t have school. On the days I had school, I’d head straight from classes to my desk and work from 6 PM to 10 PM.

I was nervous at first about building a clientele, but I showed up consistently on Instagram and slowly, people started finding me. I must’ve done something right, because I attracted all of the loveliest clients in the city, I truly have the best ones! My very first nail client—who I drove to see at her home before I even had a space—is still with me today. Word of mouth spread quickly, and within four months I had to close my books and start a waitlist until I graduated and could open my schedule more fully.

Moving to Make Space

When I graduated from the esthetics program, I signed my first suite lease. It was such an exciting step, I was finally able to expand my books and start focusing on skin clients along with nails. That space was where I first invested in certifications, dove into continuing education, and started to really define my vision as an esthetician.

After about a year, one of my clients told me about a new salon opening nearby that had both a nail desk and an esthetics room available. It felt like the perfect fit. I moved, began working longer days, and loved being part of a community with other professionals. But as my books grew and I needed more flexibility, I realized I had outgrown that space too.

That’s when my husband and I decided to renovate the front room of our home. We tore up the carpet, laid flooring, painted, added a sink and a door (thanks Dad!), and turned it into the most personal space I’ve ever worked in. Every corner has meaning, because it was built with my family’s help and with my clients in mind. Moving three times in just a few years wasn’t easy, but it was necessary to keep creating room for growth and to continue serving the clients who trusted me from the very beginning.

The Vision Behind My Work

I’ve always believed that skincare should be more than surface-level fixes. My brand was built on the idea of results with heart and soul, pairing science-backed treatments and products with genuine care and meaningful connection.

Yes, I love formulas, protocols, and results. But I also love the conversations, the trust, and the friendships that grow in my treatment room. To me, aesthetics is about skin therapy and soul therapy. It’s about giving people back their confidence and creating a space where they feel cared for inside and out.

What You’ll Find on This Blog

This blog is my way of opening the treatment room door a little wider. Here, I’ll share:

Honest skincare education that cuts through the noise
Seasonal tips and treatment guides straight from my practice
Stories and lessons from my journey as a business owner
Thoughts on confidence, self-care, and the bigger picture behind beauty

My hope is that you leave each post with something useful—whether it’s a practical skincare tweak, a little burst of motivation, or simply the reminder that you’re not alone in whatever you’re working through.

The Story Behind Tart ‘N Trendy