Faces By Amanda

You’re looking at the proud owner of your next fav CBD product! Production of my VERY OWN skincare line begins later this month — the prototype will be created soon and I get to try my very own privately manufactured proprietary CBD SERUM very soon - there will be nothing like what I am creating in the market yet per the technology only being available through my manufacturer I chose. I can’t wait to share the liquid gold that will be this serum. Being a creative/entrepreneur has always been the dream, and to step into this part feels a bit surreal. 2024 is looking BRIGHT. Excited to share the process with you all 🦋✨

At peace and in my element 🦋

It’s taken a while to get here. It’s taken unyielding perseverance. It’s taken learning to go one step at a time through the darkness when all I had was my own light to illuminate the path. And it’s taken the support of many of you, my closest people and those of you who have shown love and support throughout the years. All of it matters.

Every day isn’t perfect and it doesn’t have to be, life is a mixture of all sorts of experiences. Sometimes even when we don’t fck around we still find out the harsher lessons…but I’ve learned these things happen for me, not to me.

Cheers to the road less traveled and for those of you who are down for the journey …

it’s going to become even more fun from here 🚀

Hiii 🖖just stoppin’ by since it’s been a while 🙃 I’ve been busy with starting the steps of doing my next big move — which I’m excited to share will be starting my own skincare brand — a custom manufactured label that I will own ✨🫶 I’m still early in the process, but I am so excited I couldn’t wait to get you all excited, too

Doing this on top of being a mama, prioritizing my mental and overall well-being, expanding my horizons, and being a person in the world outside of my “roles” has kept me a busy woman! I’m just grateful to be here, grateful to be growing, and grateful for all of you who are along for the ride. More on all of the above to come! Cheers ✨

And I could never be stopped. Each step I’ve taken has been meaningful and deliberate, and in the face of adversity I have faced in my life. I talk about the adversity aspect because I lived most of my life masking and hiding the effects of the adversities that I don’t “look like” I’ve endured. I’ve always been pity averse, but I’m realizing my story is a part of the dream coming to life. I will share more of my story in the future because it really does apply to what I am creating. For now, I am investing my energy into the behind the scenes aspects (on top of continuing to be the best mama, family, friend, and community member I can be). I’ve never been one to take anything for granted… which is exactly why my dreams are coming to fruition. The thing about my dreams are, they always include the benefit and care of others, as well as myself. I knew a long time ago my mission had to do with sharing my gifts, unconditionally, without gatekeeping.

More to be shared when I am able, but I’ve begun the first steps of a very important next chapter 🧚‍♀️ and I am incredibly grateful to be here to take those steps. Thanks for being along for the ride… It’s been an arduous journey, but I can always find the levity in life to find laughter, albeit maniacally, in the face of all darkness I’ve encountered. I am consciously moving into my “soft life” era, but the work I need to put in to get there is the chapter of life I’m in now. It’s an exciting, scary, and exhilarating time in my life. I am looking forward to sharing it all with you. The adventure continues…. 🚀

Her? Oh yeah, she’s the unstoppable one.
I’m the one who finds gratitude in everything and beauty in the little things, even the times I was stomped on when I was already down. I’ve remained steadfast in my truths even when it wasn’t the popular thing to do, but the right thing to do. It’s proven my absolute powerhouse energy is real and that I will always rise from the ashes. It proves that I always have community to love me, hold me up, and dust me off — which adds to the overwhelming gratitude I have for those of you who have ALWAYS been in my corner. After all of what the last few years held for me in pain and feeling defeated/isolated by my circumstances, I have still always risen to any occasion… but I could not have done it without the unconditional support I have from so many of you.
I’ve learned to find the good in any circumstance that could have prevented me from accelerating forward, because they further proved the immensity of my strength of character and ability to rise up.
Now is the time I begin to take off because all of the strength I gained, integrity I’ve always held, raw creative talent, humility I carry, and belief in my mission that will rapidly propel me into the rooms and spaces I’ve always meant to occupy 🚀

Photo:

Play small? For what?

Photo:

She’s giving, “I mean what I say and say what I mean,” and I like that about her 🫶
My happily unbothered era is hitting, and after a long time of being adversely bothered by things outside of my control (how people have treated me, my own shortcomings/cyclical patterns, re: my past, etc.) it is so freeing to just let it gooooo (much thanks to EMDR therapy).

I really did have to lose myself to find myself. Many of those days were so dark and bleak I wouldn’t even know where to begin in explaining. I’m grateful that I’ve persevered through the toughest days, even if it was through gritted teeth and hurt from deeply painful circumstances. The effects of C-ptsd and PTSD are so real… And if you are going through that and healing that…and waking up every day with that kind of heaviness, please know my heart is with you. Mental health has always been something very meaningful to me and I am working on a way to create community and outreach in my own way to help even one person feel less alone. I’m working on creating a movement that provides more support and community for anyone feeling lost in their life, as well as sharing a bit more about my insights from my own healing journey story at .unleashed if you want to support!

Sending the immensity of my inner strength to those who need it 🧚🫶 you are not alone, and please know that needing help does not make you weak

Home sweet Wisconsin 🌻
My brother snapped a couple candids of me in my natural element (pretending to be captain jack sparrow mid conversation b/c I work hard but my ADHD works HARDER)

Out of office til next Monday for family time and to celebrate my grandpa’s life on Saturday. I’ll be chipping away at responding to emails and messages very leisurely until Monday so I can be present with family and friends. I appreciate the continued support as I’m out here doing my best to create balance in my life as a single mama-business owner-mentally healing-friend-family member-person of the world ✨💕 Slowly but surely I’m getting the swing of things in my life after a couple years of my life foundation being continuously shaken and shattered.

Those of you who support me as a person and/or my business are truly the MVPs of my life. My comeback and glow-up is kicking in hardddd thanks to the rest and recovery space I’ve been giving myself…
my ride-or-dies who have loved and supported me along the way will always be at the top of my list to give back to when my cup is full 💌 that time is coming and I always keep my word

Cheers ✨

I love this little galactic getaway I call my home away from home ✨️

I've always been a dreamer, and my studio is a little peak inside my inner world!

As a business owner in a highly competitive market, I know what my point of difference is. It's ME 💜

Welcome, you can be exactly yourself here. No need for pretenses - just show up! I'll take it from there.

Not sure what you need? I offer complimentary consultations, in-person or virtual

Click "Book" in my profile or find me at AmandaEngstrom.glossgenius.com

Photos by the incredibly talented
Hit her up, she does amazing branding sessions!

I just realized that in less than 1 month I will be celebrating 4 years in business. I haven't ever even celebrated these milestones in the past - not because I didn't want to, but it seems like I've been going through major life events ever since the birth of Faces By Amanda

Year 1 - lockdown
Year 2 - found out I was unexpectedly pregnant
Year 3 - postpartum brain and being a new mom took over my life

Year 4 will be different. I'm not just celebrating 4 years in business. It's 4 years of trials, tribulations, and triumph over many things that could have made me want to shut down completely. I have 4 years of the most amazing and supportive clientele. Four years of increasing my knowledge, skill, and capacity to give back to those of you who support me. Four years of expansion, creating genuine connections, learning from my mistakes, and always getting back up to create something even better... Every. Single. Time.

I would not have had the will or desire to do that if it wasn't for those of you who remind me of the positive impact I have had in your life, big or small. Being a business owner is hard for many reasons, but mostly because it's a massively vulnerable position to be in. My livelihood depends on the ability to self-initiate the not-so-fun parts of business, following through, massive amounts of humility, being authentic, and showing up even on the hard days.

So all of you who have been in my life for the journey, whether you are an OG client or brand new... you are the real MVPs

I've evolved so much in 4 years, and thus, my business has followed suit. I have no idea how I will celebrate this 4th year, but I am absolutely going whip up something good. Stay tuned... ✨️💜

I'll probably never stop taking MySpace era e-girl selfies 🤠

What I'm really posting for is because sometimes it's nice to know a little something about your service provider, especially if we have never met IRL yet (or learn something new if we already have)
So here are a few tidbits:

-in my "previous life" I was studying to become a clinical social worker/counselor. I decided to drop out during my Junior year in 2011, upon realizing I had more growing to do before I could ethically provide mental health support for others. I still had the desire to help others, but in a way that felt more aligned with where I was on my journey.

-This led me to my current path of being a skin therapist and eyebrow guru. I get to combine my creative personality with my love of learning, and my ability to connect with/care for others. I am so grateful I listened to my intuition all those years ago and pivoted into the path I am on now

-I am here to do my best to provide a comfortable space for people of all backgrounds, personalities, abilities, identities, and bodies. All are welcome and will receive top notch care, as long as we both come from the understanding that mutual respect is our foundation.

- a few more random facts:
•I am a mama to my amazing daughter, Evie.
•I am easy to laugh
•Sarcasm is my love language, I love a good playful banter sesh.
•I love ALL animals, but cats are my people
•my favorite place in the world is Barcelona
•My happy place is in nature
•INFP Myers-briggs personality type
•I LOVE chocolate and always keep a stash to share!

And if you read all of that, CHEERS! You win a prize. No for real, mention a random fact about YOU and receive a 10% price reduction at your next (or first) service. You can DM it to me or email me at [email protected] 💜 I can always help guide you to what would be the best service for you!