Inspiring Conversations with Sally Forrest of Savage Skin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sally Forrest.

Hi Sally, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Did I begin my beauty journey at a very young age-maybe 12 or so? I always loved makeup and would constantly bug my little sister to let me practice on her.

At 14, I took classes at Cinderella Modeling (Agency and School) in my hometown of Manchester, NH, where I learned there are different ways to apply makeup depending on the day’s events runway, black and white vs. color photoshoots, daytime/nighttime, tutorial, etc. I was hooked!

I continued to dabble in both modeling and makeup application (for both myself and other models) throughout my late teens and early twenties. I then started freelancing for family and friends’ weddings and proms and eventually started putting myself out to strangers, as I served and bartended my way through life at the time. There’s a very lucrative market out there if you know where to look and how to talk to people!

Fast forward to 2013, when I enrolled in the Laird Institute of Spa Therapy (also in my hometown) and fell in love with all things skincare. I am now going on eight years as a licensed esthetician, certified lash stylist, and makeup artist. I absolutely love the variety of skills I’ve accrued over the near-decade of beauty care work!

Back in December of 2021, I signed a lease to rent my own beauty bar room in Wake Forest. Life has been such an adventure of late and I can’t wait to see what else is in store!

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?
Absolutely not! Haha.

It has been VERY trying, changing my mindset from employee to self-employed. I’m currently straddling the line between my two part-time gigs, one where I’m employed by another person, and the one where it’s all me. Owning my own business has kept me on my toes and I’ve been forced into some situations where my resolve has been tested.

I’ve never been very self-disciplined, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized I don’t like being dictated to-not even a little bit. My current employer is great, as she allows me the trust and freedom to come in, do my job, and leave work at work. When I go home I get to be fully present.

I do work for a franchise and we have certain limitations, which I chose to eliminate in my beauty bar. Arts and crafts always come out better through an imperfect process. I find myself having more fun and going to my job feels less like work and more like social time with my makeup and lash clients.

There are other little hiccups that have occurred along the road to becoming 100% independent. Yes, I’ve had to spend some money on lawyers when certain people didn’t want to act right, but I honestly appreciate the challenges. I’m not one to back down from a fight, even if I’m the weaker party.

Maybe it’s foolish, but I am who I am. I continue to grow stronger through the drama.

We’ve been impressed with Savage Skin, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I specialize in makeup application and lash extensions while being a bit of an eyebrow fiend.

Makeup is my main focus at my Wake Forest location, as I can’t seem to find anywhere else to do it (without having to be employed by say a Macy’s or Sephora). Lol.

With all the TikTok and YouTubers out there these days, everyone seems to do their own thing, which is great but I get tired of only ever making up my own face (which I rarely do of late anyway).

My lash extension work tends to be on the natural side. I’m fully capable of performing all types of styles-classic, hybrid, volumes and recently learning mega volumes; but I love to customize my work to suit each individual guest.

Beyond unique preferences, I love educating my clients about their lash health and what they can expect through my work. The irony is I despised applying for extensions while at The Laird Institute and now it’s a primary focus!

I also offer facial waxing and brow/lash tinting services. I’m a hard wax snob!

What matters most to you? Why?
Relationships… the idea of existing without another person around absolutely devastates me.

I love meeting new people and learning about their life experiences and stories. Small talk bores me. Give me your best ideas and tell me your deepest dreams (I keep so many secrets). I love genuine honesty. You don’t need to be polite, prim, proper, or perfect around me, because I am so far from any of those things.

I make friends fast, but keeping them often seems more complicated, so when people do stick around, it feels so much more special to me.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: Savageskinllc.glossgenius.com
• Instagram: @_savageskin_
• Facebook: @savageskinllc