Meet James Lewis | Aesthetician & Nutrition Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with James Lewis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi James, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process initially, was just to be a great Aesthetician. As time in school passed, I changed my thoughts on what I wanted for myself, but also for my business. For my business, I needed it to be catchy, brand specific, and also notable. Category Skin Aesthetics was born. Still at the beginning phase of coming up with branding ideas, my market, and later developments with the Category Skin Aesthetics, I had an aha moment in class. That’s when I knew I wanted it to be male specific skincare. I thought about all the things that men in general lack in the beauty industry and thought it was time we give the guys a push in the market. There are very few male specific companies nowadays, yeah, we have things for grooming, but not a lot on skincare and skincare education. This led me to create to my own skincare line: Lewis Skincare, that will be launching in a month, and I am so excited about this venture.

However, in order for my business to be top tier, I have to make sure that I was studying every chance that I could. Learning the new “it” trends in the beauty industry, but also keeping on top of what’s changing in the science arena. Science and biology places such a HUGE role in my treatments with my clients. Yes, you booked with me just get a facial or body treatment, but for me, its more than that. You’re my canvas, and also my opportunity to educate you on your own skin and body. Any of my clients will advise that I will give you a full run down of any of my findings. You will not walk away knowing less than what you came in with. I cover your sleep patterns, your health, lifestyle and eating habits, etc.. I am using different chemicals, solutions, and treatment modalities, so it’s best I know as much as possible to properly treat you without having any contraindications or contractions. With that being said, sometimes the treatment actually needs to take place on the inside, intrinsic.

Category Skin Aesthetics, differs from just your regular aesthetician, here, we go far above and beyond to ensure overall bodily care. I have such a huge passion for people, I need that to be displayed in my work. Every step I take to build my brand is because of the people. What are they missing? What more can I do? How is this benefiting them? Things I often ask myself. I want my journey to open doors for many guys in our industry that just haven’t quite found their niche yet. Daily refining my processes and mind to be better than yesterday. I will be the largest male aesthetic skincare brand and company, one day. Everything I do is gearing me to make sure that I achieve this success for myself in order to help others. We are going to rock the beauty industry.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Category Skin Aesthetics is a male skincare business. We transform your old skin into new skin, working from this inside out for you to have the ultimate skin fitness as possible. Many people that know esthetician’s, just know them for facials, lashing, and eyebrow tinting/sculpting. What sets CSA apart is that we go beyond the superficial. We can care for the outside of us all day, but what is truly happening on the inside bears what happens to the outside. Because of my care to make sure that my clients are challenging themselves at home to care for the work and effort I put in, I hold them accountable. This has brought us a great influx of clients, local and outside city and state for me.

This journey has not been the easiest. Shortly before beginning this amazing journey my father passed away and that nearly destroyed me and every day was painfully hard, then too follow that up with a personal heartbreak of losing a relationship with someone I loved so much almost put my journey on the back burner. That hit my turning point to keep moving and do better. As business and brand was building, I was not seeing the clients I wanted, so I had to work a lot harder, learn new things, but ultimately be active on social media and old school it and help get the name out by word of mouth.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love a good outing, and Houston has some of the hottest and coolest spots to go to. I am a big movie buff, but I do not like actual movie theaters, however, Rooftop Cinema Movie Theater is so cute. Obviously is on a rooftop with a beautiful view of the city, and also Insta worthy pics can be taken around the theater. They provide you with headphones to enjoy the movie and comfortable seating.
Next we need to head to Palace Social- this is great for all in one fun and gaming. It has bowling, 4d movies, tons of arcade games, and plus DRINKS. Another place i love is FAO and you need a special code to enter into the building, they too are have arcade games and adult drinks. So round up the gang and go have fun and they have great food choices also. Cidercade is another arcade and they only serve ciders and seltzer’s. They have over 275 vintage and new arcade games and always have a food truck outside. Also don’t forget to check out seismique museum. We love any time to get great photos, so why not hit up Selfie World located in Katy. Go to the Interactive Zoo, horse back riding on the trails, Andretti so fun, The Infinite- this will be an out of this world experience, zero latency, Lucky land,

Food and Drinks- there are so many places that I cannot keep up anymore, however, here’s a list of my places to eat: Kamp Houston, they have great drinks and food and a total vibe to dance and enjoy the weekend. The new food the hall Post Houston- they have a sky lawn, more than 20 food spots, a full bar and take plenty of pictures. Houston, has grown so much in food trucks, so go to all the food truck parks, my favorite is the Chimney Rock Food truck park, so many great options. KISS Houston has amazing food, Taste Bar Kitchen is a total vibe amazing food and drinks, look cute for the pics. Amahle another vibe with great food and drinks. State fair for brunch, The Breakfast Kanu for breakfast (get here early). MAAD Houston is so lovely, they don’t sell full course meal, its more tapas style but great drinks and a beautiful place. Bar bohieme has a great Sunday drag brunch with great food and drinks. Grab breakfast at Bisou, lunch at Lost and Found (get the Cadillac drink on the rocks). Dress Dinner at Steak 48, Simone on Sunset, Maria Rita’s, Rabbits got the gun, Prey Houston, BuffBrew, Sixes and Sevens, Hit the bar complex that has many bars (wonder bar – don’t forget to find the ice bar here, 77 degrees rooftop, electric feel good, disco bar (the have a bowling alley and when you go into the restroom, push the red button and get your camera ready), plus several more bars. Seaside Lounge, Atomic Bottle, Zenaku (anime nightclub) Space Houston (night club) Crocker bar (gay district with the BEST drinks and they’re cheap) Culture for the after hour, Parma, Prospect Park, Ebony, Sticktalk Hibachi.

Sooooo much more we can do but my brain is fried thinking haha.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to shout out a particular a group in which I call my sisters. They are a group of loving, funny, and supportive women I had the pleasure of being fellow classmates with that created a great bond for life. They know I am the loud, assertive, very blunt, but funny guy in the group (I am the only guy that was in our class). If we had a yearbook I probably would be voted, “Most likely to succeed”. They have such confidence in me, and I love it and them dearly.

Website: www.categoryskin.com

Instagram: @categorys.k.i.n or @Jae.lewis__

Other: TikTok: estehtx_jae