Waxing, Massage And More

One of Kristine Long’s specialties is waxing at Kaua‘i Skin Clinic. Coco Zickos photos

Please tell us about your business. Kaua’i Skin Clinic offers skin care, massage, reflexology and full body waxing. Lihu’e is my primary location, and I have an appointment-only part-time location in Kapa’a. One day a week I also travel to Relish Salon in Hanalei for my clients who don’t want to make the drive. I’ve been in business since 2010.

Where are you originally from and why did you move to Kaua’i and start this business? I’m from California originally, and came here for the first time in 2005 and fell in love with the island like everybody else does. But before I moved, I wanted to make sure it would be permanent so I wanted to fill a need on the island. Being a certified massage therapist for 10 years, I knew there was a surplus of massage therapists here. I also figured there were more places to go for waxing here than California, but there weren’t, especially bikini waxing. I went back to school and took two practical demonstrations with a French master waxer and really liked their product. I also took some advanced courses in aesthetics because I wanted to make sure before I came here that I knew my craft. And when I knew I was ready, I moved here in 2010.

What kind of wax do you use? One of the things I really am proud of is that the primary wax I use is hard wax from France. It’s good for sun-sensitive skin here on Kaua’i. Because waxing is becoming a lot more popular, I’m getting a lot more virgin skin here and I like being able to introduce that line to them, too.

What kind of massage do you do? I worked with professional athletes in California, doing deep-tissue sports massage therapy, and found that to be my niche. There are a lot of weekend warriors and a lot of athletes here on whom I use the same treatment.

What is reflexology? Foot reflexology is trigger point therapy for the feet. There are particular spots on your feet that pertain to your organs, your spine and pretty much your whole body. It has been a really good treatment for most of my clients.

Why do you do what you do? It’s a passion for me. When I’m doing a reflexology session, I always tell myself I should do it more often. When I’m doing a deep-tissue massage, I think to myself, ‘This is what I’m born to do.’ Then, when I do skin care like facials and waxing, I see results right after and people are so happy with the results, I think, ‘This is why I’m here.’

Do you have more visitor or kama’aina clients? Most of my clients are locals, and I’m really proud of that. I really wanted to work with the local clients because everyone else works with the visitors.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of what you do? How people are so receptive to it.

What makes you get up every day and do this? My 15-year-old daughter Danielle. We had a pretty comfortable lifestyle in California, and I want to keep that lifestyle here on Kaua’i. I want her to have the best of everything.

Who inspires you? Danielle. Once you have a child, you always want to give them what you didn’t have. And because she’s such a good kid, I don’t mind doing that for her.

If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing? I’d be a philanthropist.

Appointments are available Monday through Saturday. Call 635-2299.