Educated in Europe, Latin America and the United States, Carmen Reyes Velez, CE, is one of the most experienced and sought-after skin care professionals in Middle Tennessee. Her international experience and holistic approach to skin care, which is built on totally personalized prescriptions for beauty, have won her a cult-like following among her many clients, who trust no one else for skin care, hair removal and revitalization treatments. She is known for her ability to create a more youthful look through skincare and makeup instead of surgery.
Born in Cuba, Carmen immigrated to the United States in 1966. Her entrance into the world of skin care was spurred by her search for a doctor to treat her severe acne. Desperate for a remedy and frustrated by physicians who misunderstood her condition, Carmen happened upon an aesthetician who combined effective treatments with caring service. As Carmen watched her skin improve, she was inspired to pursue aesthetics training in order to bring the same relief to others. The seeds of her life’s work were planted as she traded her dreams of being an architect of structures to being an architect of the skin.
After completing cosmetology training in California, Carmen was one of the first aestheticians in the United States to work in partnership with physicians to bring relief to patients with a variety of skin problems. Here, she was able to perfect her signature loving-care service in a clinical setting that has won her so many fans.
As Carmen’s career progressed, she gained experience as an aesthetician in private practice and as the manager of large spas. She launched Carmen’s International skin care clinics in Los Angeles, Tampa and Costa Rica from 1983 through 2001, managed the Women’s Spa at the Bellevue Biltmore Hotel and Spa in Clearwater, Florida. In 2001 she relocated to Middle Tennessee and began delivering her signature care in Hendersonville.
Carmen received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Chandles College in Havana, Cuba and Cosmetician’s Certificate from Golden West College, Huntington Beach, California. Carmen was certified in 1982 by the Aestheticians International Association, AIA. She is an active member of committee for National Cosmetology Association and participates in annual congresses held in the United States.
Since entering the skincare field, Carmen has invested thousands of hours in professional education in the aesthetics field, including advanced training from the Aestheticians International Association (AIA) in skincare, nutrition, make-up theory, make-up application, body treatments and lymphatic drainage. She completed the “Styliste en Beaute” Jean Pieree Fleurimon School of Professional Skin Care and Make-Up in 1986 and attended the “Les Nouvelles Esthetiques” Annual Congress in both the United States and Europe from 1983 - 2000. Carmen has completed extensive acne treatment training with skin care pioneer James E Fulton, Jr.., M.D. Ph.D., the co- developer of Retin A® and the developer of Benzoyl Peroxide.
Through her career, Carmen has studied para-medical skin care, the study of plastic surgical pre-operative and post-operative treatments, and has worked in partnership with dermatologists and plastic surgeons to administer skincare treatments that boost the effectiveness of surgical procedures. Carmen is one of only a few local aestheticians skilled in pre-and post-surgical treatments to the face, eyes, neck and body.
Carmen has vast experience in the design and delivery of treatments that regenerate and improve skin on the face and body, including oxygenation facials, anti-aging treatments, lymphatic drainage treatments, micro-dermabrasion, acne treatment; chemical peels, pressotherapy, Ultrasound, Soft Laser and doctor-assisted applications such as Restylane®.
During her career, Carmen has received many honors and awards. She received the Certified Aestheticians’ Award at the National Level and was chosen to be an Examiner at the 1985 Aestheticians International Association examination. She was the Guest of Honor at the 1985 International Congress of Aesthetics in Nice, France, and was honored as one of the United States’ top 100 Aestheticians servicing Aesthetics America for the National Cosmetology Association.
Carmen’s make-up artist credits include several stints as chief make-up artist for the 1989 Super Bowl, Tele-Veriedades, ABC/FOX television news in Tampa and the Kathy Fountain Show. Beauty pageant contestants in the Miss Pico Rivera Pageant in Los Angeles, Miss Venezuela Pageant, Miss USA Tampa and Miss Carnaval Tampa have also benefited from Carmen’s make-up artistry. She has also served as chief make-up artist for a wide variety of celebrities, including Dr. Ruth and Morgan Fairchild and served as make-up artist and skin care consultant to JC Penney’s “Nuestra Modelo Hispano” program.
Carmen’s work hasn’t always behind the scenes. A sought-after speaker and television personality in Latin America, Carmen hosted a weekly educational television program on skin care that was shown on Channel 6 in Costa Rica, Central America and conducted educational TV programs on Tampa Channel 12 and 33. She is a veteran workshop leader who has conducted hundreds of seminars on total beauty care in schools, social organizations and clubs.