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Conveniently located in Oakbrook Terrace, IL with easy access to four major highways, we are just minutes from downtown Chicago, and O'Hare and Midway Airports.
Katt Philipps, Licensed Esthetician, Master Makeup Artist, G.M. Collin Master, Owner
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Katt’s a bit different from most estheticians. But then, as she’s the first G.M. Collin Master Esthetician in the Midwest, you already know you’ve found someone special.
The story of two and half decades as a makeup professional began far, far away from Chicagoland, in a place they call Tinseltown, where Katt worked as an in-demand Makeup Artist on over 30 movies, preparing stars such as Dennis Hopper and Ellen DeGeneres.
Working in Hollywood was a dream but during her 10-year stay, Katt realized two things: taking makeup off was at least as interesting as putting it on and her passion for education was calling her.
So after stints teaching at the famous Makeup Designory School in Burbank and the Katsura School in Japan, Katt headed east with a dream of turning her talents into her day job. She qualified as an esthetician, patiently added to her skills and in 2013 opened Gräfin Skin + Beauty, her now world-renowned studio in Oakbrook Terrace.
In a glittering 25-year career, Katt spent a decade as an in-demand Hollywood movie Makeup Artist and taught at
But to talk about Katt only in terms of her experience and expertise is to miss at least half the point.
There’s another reason why she’s appeared on CNN, the BBC and in Forbes magazine. Why clients fly across borders to get one of her legendary 90-minute facials. Why Gräfin’s held a five-star Yelp rating since day one and has won the prestigious WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award for five years straight.
Philosophy.
For Katt, caring for skin means caring for people. And caring for people starts with listening to them. Clients, or rather guests, at Gräfin wax lyrical about how Katt creates a place without judgment or prejudice. A place of integrity where everyone is part of the family and works together towards the best outcome. A visit to Gräfin is good for the skin and good for the soul.
Katt understands that everything from diet and exercise to stress and sunshine impacts the way people look and feel so she helps guests learn to take care of their body and mind as one. But, refreshingly, it’s never ‘my way or the highway’ with Katt. She encourages guests to fit positive habits around their existing lifestyles and if they don’t manage to be perfect 100% of the time, well, who does? Don’t beat yourself up about it.
This educational and giving approach extends to the products Katt retails through her associated business, Petal & Herb. Katt’s investigative nature helps clients see beyond the advertising hype and figure out the science behind the formulas to make smart, informed buying choices.
Oh, and did we mention that Katt donates a portion of every Petal & Herb sale to community charity projects? A different charity to support every quarter. Told you she was a bit different.
the famous Makeup Designory School in Burbank. Her passion for learning and teaching subsequently led Katt to train as an esthetician and, ultimately, open Gräfin Skin + Beauty in 2013.
Guests at Gräfin are treated like family and can’t say enough about just how special Katt is: she listens intently, is always honest and never judges. They know she’s committed to helping them make their own smart beauty decisions at home.
Katt has appeared on CNN, the BBC and in Forbes magazine and her Gräfin studio has won the WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award five years straight. Her associated product retail business, Petal & Herb, donates a portion of every sale to community charity projects.
Katt is proud to be the first G.M. Collin Master Esthetician in the Midwest.
Sunny Fawkes, Licensed Esthetician
Originally from New York, Sunny earned a BFA from Parsons School of Design and was a graphic artist before completing certification in Esthiology Science from The Aveda Institute. With a strong focus on problem skin such as acne, rosacea, aging, environmentally and hormonally stressed skin, She aims to deliver results-oriented treatments for each client. Taking into account each person's unique history, lifestyle and goals, She uses her intent, empathy and knowledge as a therapist to achieve results for all skin types while delivering deeply relaxing and balancing treatment for each guest. She loves working on people of all ages and skin types from first-timers to the seasoned spa-goer. Each treatment experience offers a chance for renewal and recharging, a getaway from everyday stresses.
After graduating from Aveda, Sunny worked for Maxine Salon in downtown Chicago, for Skin Alchemy in Bucktown, and for 14 years as an esthetician at the Peninsula Spa Chicago in the Peninsula Hotel until just recently she moved to Downers Grove with her husband to raise her son.
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Gräfin Skin and Beauty is conveniently located in Oakbrook Terrace, IL with easy access to four major highways, we are just minutes from downtown Chicago, and O'Hare and Midway Airports.
Website Photo Credits: Gina at LifeLensAndLove and Jamie at Lorenweddings