The ‘skin-tillating’ journey
Saima moved to Reston, Virginia from Amman- Jordan twenty-three years ago. Before the move, she obtained her bachelor’s degree in journalism and public relations from Yarmouk University, Jordan, and worked as a journalist at a daily newspaper for a year. However, when she became a mother, she started to explore alternative career paths.
During college summer breaks, her mother (Suraya) had encouraged Saima to take courses in essential life skills, among which was a course in esthetics. So, when an opportunity to change careers presented itself, she decided to pursue her passion for skincare. She decided to go back to school and took a comprehensive certification in esthetics from the French Academy for Beauty Arts & Techniques in Amman, Jordan.
On moving to America, Saima started her career as the senior master esthetician at a privately owned Day Spa in Chantilly. Her superior noted her initiatives to improve the work environment and offerings to the clients and she was soon promoted to the position of spa director. Saima remained in charge of the spa for 12 years.
Over the years, Saima constantly worked at improving her skill set and qualifications. She is now certified in several skincare modalities including facials, Microdermabrasion, Dermaplaning, Chemical peels, Brow contouring, and Hair removal. She is also certified in advanced Manual Lymph Drainage for the head and neck, Cupping, Reflexology, and Skin Fitness. While quarantined due to Covid-19, she took the time to earn more certifications and became a certified infection preventionist. In 2021 she obtained her second license as a permanent make-up artist.
Suraya Beauty Lounge
The Covid Pandemic lockdown changed Saima’s perception of her future. She had already successfully helped many clients turn around their problematic skin, and she realized that with her formidable qualifications, she had a lot to offer to her fellow professionals, clients, and community. “I knew then it was time to establish my own business,” she says.
In September 2020, Saima launched Suraya Beauty Lounge in Chantilly, Virginia. “One of my goals is to alter the current misconceptions about skincare and to positively influence the way females take care of their skin health and maintain their beauty. At Suraya beauty, our clients learn that caring for the skin is a ritual they should be practicing daily and celebrate once a month with proper professional care” says Saima. After all, beautiful skin is a sign of a healthy mind and body.
Everything was carefully chosen at Suraya Beauty Lounge- the name, the logo design, and the selection of all the tools, equipment, and products that are used for treatments. The theme color, purple, was inspired by the magical view of the violet light scattering across the sky during sunrise.
Suraya Beauty Lounge expanded and evolved at a higher speed than anticipated. The expansion and the changes were positively influenced by the client’s trust in the company and demand for a larger selection of beauty services and modalities. To keep ahead in business, the company adopted numerous digital and technological tools and methods to enhance clients’ experiences.
Alleviation Care Initiative
“Establishing my own corporation was the best thing I did,” says Saima. “I’m proud to have one of the only programs in northern Virginia to offer the alleviation care initiative, a care program designed to give the spa experience to clients who are unable to travel to the lounge due to terminal illness.”
Saima recollects the time when she arranged home visits for a dear client, fighting a terminal illness. Saima arranged for home visits to provide her with manual lymph drainage to help her overcome some of the skin-related side effects due to harsh medications. Although the lady passed away, the bond they formed was the reason that Saima created the alleviation care initiative to provide service for her terminally ill clients at the convenience of their homes.