MILTON — Born and raised in Milton, Lex Bastian, owner of Bare Aesthetics Skincare, recently celebrated the grand opening of her business at 106 South Front Street
“I’ve always been passionate about skincare and helping others feel good,” the 2011 Milton Area High School graduate said.
She started with an online boutique, and after working in the industry for a few months and building relationships with clients, “I realized I wanted to do something new. I wanted more freedom to create a space that truly reflected my vision. That’s when I decided to go to school (Central Pennsylvania Institute in Pleasant Gap) and open my own spa, where I could focus on corrective skincare, waxing, and brows, the services I’m most passionate about.”
Her space in Milton “came out of nowhere,” she said. “I even considered doing the business in Florida, but it felt right doing it here.” she said, adding that she didn’t have to do much to her new space, other than painting. It didn’t need any major renovation.
Working on the corrective aspect of skincare means learning and researching everyday about the latest innovations, she said.
“I wanted to focus on areas where I knew I could make the biggest impact for clients,” she said. “Corrective skincare allows me to really dive deep into each client’s unique needs and concerns, whether they’re dealing with acne, hyperpigmentation, aging, or other skin concerns.”
Body waxing and brow services complement that focus on confidence.
At Bare Aesthetics, the focus is “where results and relaxation meet.”
The owner’s goal is to create a welcoming judgment-free space for everyone. “I take the time to listen to my clients, understand their goals, and tailor each treatment to fit their individual needs. It’s not just about a quick fix, it’s about educating and helping them achieve long-term results and health.”
From the start, there were challenges to overcome.
“It took patience and consistent marketing to get my name out there, but word-of-mouth has been a huge factor in my growth. I also had to navigate the logistics of setting up the business side of things, which was definitely a learning curve. I did a lot of research and was prepared for the hard work that comes with owning a business. It’s not just about being good at my career but also understanding marketing, finances, customer service.”
She incorporated as an LLC in the beginning of June, 2024. Through it all she worked with Bucknell’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC). “They were amazing. I was very overwhelmed at first, but they guided me through everything.”
SBDC business consultant Amber Guerrero said: “Lexa came to the SBDC in February with a Milton property in mind and needed guidance on getting started.
We walked through key steps like forming a legal entity, reviewing her lease agreement, and securing her sales tax license.
“She had a well-thought-out plan, so we focused on providing technical support. We were excited to see the strong turnout at her grand opening — the shop looked amazing, every detail was carefully considered, and the event was well-attended. Lex clearly has a strong grasp of marketing and word-of-mouth.”
Owning a business is definitely a lot of work, Bastian said. She attends workshops, webinars, and conferences to stay on top of the latest trends and techniques. “Continuing education is key in this industry, so I make it a priority to invest in learning and expanding my skills with different certifications.”
The most rewarding aspect of her work is making relationship with her clients, and seeing the positive changes in their skin and how it boosts their confidence. “There’s nothing better than hearing a client say they feel beautiful or more comfortable in their skin after a treatment.
It’s truly a rewarding experience to make such a difference,” she said.
Bastian is now looking for ways to grow the business.
“I have exciting plans for the future. I’ll be bringing on a few more specialists on that side to offer multiple services including spray tanning, permanent jewelry, teeth whitening, Japanese head spa, lash extensions, and possibly nails or permanent makeup.”
Visit the company’s website —linktr.ee/bareaestheticsskincare — to make an appointment. All sessions are by appointment only.
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