The Post-Skin Games Reality No One Talks About
What it feels like to go home without a trophy—and why it doesn’t define you.
We all see the posts—the excitement, the trophies, the recognition for the winners at Skin Games.
But what happens when the applause isn’t for you?
Man… it kind of hurts.
I know, because I’ve gone home without a win a few times myself.
And I remember something Kelly Wolcott said that really stayed with me. She shared that when you’re an esthetician, this work becomes part of who you are—so when you don’t win, it can feel like someone is saying you’re not good enough.
And wow… that hit.
Not because it’s true—but because that’s exactly how it can feel.
Because being an esthetician isn’t just a job. It’s how we care for people, how we show up, how we express ourselves. It is a part of us.
And when you pour that much of yourself into something… and don’t hear your name called?
Yeah. It stings.
The Work No One Sees
Let’s talk about what it actually takes to compete.
It’s eight weeks of treatments.
Eight weeks of documenting progress.
Writing detailed case studies.
Filming and editing videos (which is a whole skill on its own).
And somehow getting everything submitted on time.
It’s a lot.
It’s overwhelming.
So when you add not winning on top of all of that effort… it can feel really discouraging.
My Reality with Skin Games
I’ve been participating in Skin Games since 2019.
And here’s the truth—I’ve had years where I’ve won… and years where I haven’t.
But every single time I’ve participated, I’ve walked away better.
I became a stronger esthetician.
I built confidence in my hands, my knowledge, and my decision-making.
I saw what I was truly capable of.
I cleared acne.
I transformed aging skin.
I learned how to treat skin more holistically.
I lifted brows and lashes to perfection.
And I felt proud of myself.
Would a win have made me feel even better?
Yeah… lmao, of course.
But that’s not the point.
The point is who you become in the process.
What I Know Now (As a Judge)
Now stepping into 2026—as a judge—I can confidently tell you something important:
It’s not rigged.
And I can also tell you… you probably had a great case study.
But if you don’t follow the directions exactly, it will affect your score.
Looking back, I can honestly say that’s probably where I fell short in some of my earlier years. Not because I wasn’t talented. Not because I “wasn’t good enough.”
But because I missed details.
(We can blame a little dyslexia, ADHD, and yeah… sometimes just not reading everything fully 😅)
So if you’re sitting there thinking, “Maybe I’m just not good enough…”
No.
That’s not it.
Read the directions. Follow them fully. That matters more than you think.
And I also want to say this honestly—sometimes it’s not just the details. Sometimes another study was stronger. And that’s okay too.
That doesn’t mean you’re not talented. It just means there’s room to grow.
That’s the beauty of this industry—and honestly, of life. We’re always evolving, always learning, always refining.
Win some, learn some.
The Part No One Talks About
That feeling of walking into a room where it seems like everyone already knows each other.
I’ve felt that too.
Like you’re on the outside looking in.
Like everyone is more experienced, more connected, more… something.
But here’s what I’ve learned:
Skin Games is what you make it, like anything else.
People are friendly. People are welcoming.
But you have to be willing to take that first step.
And I get it—even as an extrovert, imposter syndrome hit me hard in the beginning. There were moments I didn’t feel “good enough” to join conversations or speak up.
But that’s not how we grow.
We have to connect.
We have to ask questions.
We have to be willing to be seen.
Now? I love it.
I love walking up to new estheticians.
Learning how they run their treatment rooms.
Hearing how they think, how they treat, how they build their businesses.
That’s where the real gold is.
If You Didn’t Place…
Please remember this:
You are not alone.
There are 10 finalists.
Only 3 go home with trophies.
That means 7 other estheticians in your category are feeling exactly what you’re feeling.
Disappointed.
A little sad.
Maybe questioning themselves.
And it’s okay to feel that.
Let yourself feel it.
But don’t let it turn into believing you didn’t accomplish something incredible.
Because you did.
You showed up.
You committed.
You changed your client’s skin—and their confidence.
That matters.
If You Needed to Hear This…
No trophy does not mean no growth.
No award does not mean no impact.
And not hearing your name called does not mean you’re not an incredible esthetician.
Be proud of yourself.
I know I’m proud of you.
And I hope you keep showing up. 💛
A Little Reminder From Me to You
This is exactly why spaces like LEFE exist.
Not just to highlight wins—but to support estheticians through every part of the journey.
The growth.
The learning.
The moments that don’t always get celebrated publicly.
Because you deserve to feel seen, supported, and confident in your skills—whether there’s a trophy or not.
And if no one has told you lately…
You’re doing an amazing job. 💛