Today we’d like to introduce you to Caitlin Birchett.
Hi Caitlin, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve been a Makeup Artist & Esthetician for 15 years. I started out working in the restaurant industry while chasing creativity wherever I could find it — weddings, photoshoots, theater, you name it. But what I didn’t expect was how deeply I’d fall in love with skin — not just making it look good, but helping people feel safe in it.
Eventually, I opened Luna Aesthetics, my little celestial sanctuary in central Jax. It’s not your average spa — it’s tropical, witchy, moody, and real. I work with a lot of alternative and nontraditional clients who don’t always feel seen in mainstream beauty spaces.
I didn’t want Luna to just be about external beauty — it’s about taking up space, honoring the strange & unusual, and turning selfcare into a ritual.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Whew. Starting Luna was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done. I opened during a pandemic with saved stimulus checks, zero investors, and a whole lot of hope. For the first three years, I kept working at a corporate chain spa just to stay afloat. I juggled side gigs — cleaning banks, food delivery, pet sitting — whatever it took to pay the bills while building the dream.
My first year in business I faced a cancer scare, a major surgery, and the loss of my dog of 16 years — my shadow through it all. There’s been no financial cushion, no family money, no business loans. Every penny has come out of my own pocket, which has made growth slower but deeply personal and resilient. It’s been brick-by-brick.
And just when things started to feel steady, my partner — who’s also our spa’s handyman — was abruptly laid off, then nearly killed in a car accident about a month ago.
This journey’s been anything but smooth but I wouldn’t trade a thing. Luna is built on pure love.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I offer all kinds of makeup — from fresh-faced natural to full drag and everything in between. But my heart? She belongs to the spooky. Halloween is my favorite holiday, and I book at least one Halloween wedding every year. October is my peak season — and honestly, my Super Bowl.
I specialize in alt and non-traditional bridal looks, glam and vampy artistry, and bold, creative makeup that makes people feel like their most powerful self.
On the skincare side, I’d call myself a minimalist holistic esthetician. I believe in working with the skin, not against it. You won’t find aggressive treatments here — just thoughtful, nourishing, and protective rituals.
I’m most proud of how I make people feel when they look in the mirror. The confidence instantly appears.
What sets me apart? I’m not doing this for the paycheck. (Though, yes, rent is still due.) I’m doing this because it’s what I’ve wanted to do my whole life. I’m obsessed with helping people feel at home in their skin — whether that’s with a dreamy facial, a wedding beat, or full-on Halloween glam.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
In the beginning, I was obsessed with anything I could get my hands on. Now I mostly take continuing education courses. I follow a lot of other Estheticians, Makeup Artists, Dermatologists, and Biochemists on social media.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lunaaestheticsfl.square.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luna.aestheticsfl/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaitlinBMUA/
- Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/B78Z5poGFFRjQCiV9
