Interview with Jane Bates
Licensed Cosmetologist | Rhode Island & Massachusetts
How long have you been a licensed cosmetologist, and where are you from?
I've been licensed in Rhode Island since 2011 and in Massachusetts since 2019, where I currently practice.
What sparked your interest in specializing in brows?
I sort of fell into brows. I had been a hair stylist, then makeup artist after beauty school, which led me to a job with Benefit Cosmetics. I was at one of their Brow Bars for three years before making the transition to work for myself.
What are your top 3 "must do's" to maintain healthy brows?
Exfoliate, Shampoo, and Condition. I recommend that my clients treat their brows as they would their scalp, so I send them home with a routine to follow. It includes exfoliating the skin behind the brows three days a week, using shampoo to cleanse the brow of makeup and sunscreen instead of facial cleanser, and using hair conditioner on the brows a few days a week for 5-10 minutes depending on hair texture.
You've often shared how adamant you are about your "no kids" policy, how do you stay firm with your boundaries while keeping your space welcoming?
I think it’s healthy for Moms to need a break from their home life, and an appointment with me away from their kid(s) allows them that. For me to work at my best, give clients my full focus, and provide a top-tier experience, I need to be in an adults-only environment. I'm very fortunate to attract those who respect my wishes, and because I am so clear about my policies up front and require signed agreements upon booking, clients are really mindful about planning accordingly for child-care. I very rarely run into issues around this because of the clarity I present.
Share with us the inspo behind the theme of your space.
I started planning for a 1980s-themed beauty salon when I was fifteen years old, in the early 2000s. The ‘80s has always been my inspiration, both in and out of work. The layout of my current salon suite is inspired by various music videos, movies, and TV shows from that era like "Mannequin", "Desperately Seeking Susan", "Girls Just Want To Have Fun", but especially "Miami Vice". '80s print ads, TV campaigns, retro-MTV, fashion models, kids' toys, and creatives like painter Patrick Nagel inspire me as well! Most of the furniture and decor I have is authentic vintage, and I'm proud to display an impressive collection of 1980s and '90s toys and memorabilia for clients to see when they visit.
As someone who is neurodivergent, in what ways would you like to see the beauty industry improve to better accommodate those who are on the spectrum?
In general, I think the beauty industry supports people on the spectrum really well. This field is creative in nature and has a flexible structure, which is great for neurodivergent people. For example, working in a salon suite really benefits me because I can control as much as possible about my environment, schedule, and sensory needs. To help accommodate my sensitivity to unwanted sound, my franchise manager had white noise machines installed within the hallway walls of our building—this significantly helps soften the loud voices that distract or drain me throughout the day.
As a whole, I think there is an opportunity for better access to affordable health care, additional coverage from an employer, or part-time disability to help cover time off needed for things associated with Autism like burnout, exhaustion, low mood, migraines, chronic pain, heart and gut issues, etc. Autism is so much more than experiencing the world differently... it can come with a lot of physical ailments as well that need support and can make working full-time challenging. As we know in this industry, supporting your own healthy body and mind is just as important as supporting your clients’!
