Meet Tara Durnbaugh of Raleigh

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara Durnbaugh

Hi Tara, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
This is a story that will never get old. I started my esthetics career in 2020/2021, which was peak covid. I had graduated beauty school and had no clue where I would go from there. I knew I had a leading spirit, a big heart to heal and help others, and a calling that God placed on my heart to change lives. Becoming a solo Esthetician was not the OG plan, but I am so glad it’s become my career. About 5-6 months after graduating, I signed a lease to my first ever Salon Suite in Cary, NC. I had 0 clients, bare minimum experience, but I had a big dream. Soon after opening Poppin Skin Spa, I myself started experiencing severe cystic acne on all parts of my face. I quickly went from excited and confident to treating clients & owning a beauty business, to anxious and uncertain that I was capable of clearing the skin of future clients when mine was FAR from that. This personal struggle with acne was the start of something beautiful down the road. I become 2x certified with one of the leading brands on the market (Face Reality Skincare), and completely engrossed myself in learning about the condition and how to treat it. Fast forward to 2025, we won bronze for Raleigh’s Best Day Spa 2024, cleared dozens of clients in the RDU area (virtually AND in clinic), and have been rocking and rolling with boosting clients confidence ever since.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Entrepreneurship? Smooth? HAH! I’m just kidding. It has been a huge blessing but a long, long road for sure. Some of my biggest struggles throughout my career have mental hurdles. Dealing with imposter syndrome or burnout have been two major ones. As business owners, especially solo, we have to wear every single hat in our business. Or, at least we feel obligated too. There are of course many other struggles that arise ever so often in the treatment room, but for the most part, working on mental stability and healthy habits outside of work have been that most challenging. Everyday is a work in progress, and giving yourself grace is KEY in a having a fruitful career.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Yeah! So I am a Licensed Esthetician specializing in acne, hyperpigmentation, and sensitive skin types. We also offer a wide variety of facials (including Microneedling, Dermaplaning, Chemical peels, Microdermabrasion, etc.), body waxing, & epigenetic hair scans (addresses root causes to internal issues) for clearer skin. Poppin Skin Spa is most known for it’s acne facials and Acne Bootcamp. Acne Bootcamp is a 3-6 month program through Face Reality skincare where clients can expect to learn more about their skin condition and see an acne expert for bi weekly treatments! I am most proud of the brand we’ve built and the acne cases we’ve treated. The community really appreciates what we stand for and how we treat our clients, and it shows in our reviews & testimonials! We’d be nothing without our Poppin skin family. What sets us apart from other beauty professionals is our why and the passion behind the care we provide. Our why, is personal. Our why, is relatable. And our passion shines through our services, interactions with clients, social media, emails, and more. Poppin Skin Spa is all about approaching skin concerns with a true level of care and understanding that you may not receive at the dermatologist or another practice. Your voice, your skin, and your concerns will be heard, understood, and met.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was rambunctious! I was competitive, eager to strive for #1, always laughing or making someone else laugh. I was a super silly kid with big dreams. Funny enough, I was girly, but I wouldn’t consider myself beauty industry girly until I become a teenager. I was into physical activity so I did gymnastics, ballet and tap, professional ice skating, soccer, the list goes on. I never saw myself becoming a licensed skincare professional, but once I hit puberty and the following years into high school, that’s when my love for all things beauty and skincare really started to show. I did always take interest in helping others though. I thought I’d be a vet when I got older, as I deeply love animals. But God had another route for me to take, and His was much more fitting and fulfilling for my life! I owe it to Him for my success.

Pricing:

• $250 Hair Scan for clearer skin
• $155 Acne Bootcamp consult
• $70 New client Brazilian wax
• $300 Microneedling treatment

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.poppinskinspa.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poppinskinbytara/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/poppinskinbytara/
• Other: https://pocketsuite.io/book/poppinskinbytara