When it comes to helping you feel confident, Afterglow's Natalie Aguilar may just be the person for the job. The Latina, who owns and runs the Beverly Hills spa, is using her business to help people understand that beauty is about more than just hair and makeup.

Raised in Los Angeles, Aguilar is the eldest daughter of Mexican immigrants. After becoming a nurse and studying under Japanese beauty guru Shu-Uemura, she set out to make her dreams a reality.

Aguilar decided to open Afterglow Beverly Hills after stints working for some of the biggest names in fashion and prepping models for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week and "America's Next Top Model."

The young Latina took her growing resume and her own experience treating herself with natural oils to fight psoriasis, and began a practice.

At Afterglow, she is assisted by her sister and fellow nurse, Nadia Aguilar, and together they provide clients with options that are laser-free and all natural.

Skincare, unlike makeup and hair, is a micro health topic that doesn't get enough attention but Aguilar believes should be considered a precedent to the other two.

"Skincare started the day we were born...that should have been something we never let go of," Aguilar told Latin Post. "I have friends who have face cream that expired but have tons of new makeup. They are struggling to take care of their blemishes but don't realize that makeup gives them more."

Like Aguilar, who is no ordinary skincare specialist, Afterglow is not just like every other skincare boutique.

Afterglow aims to provide harmless alternatives that focus on giving the skin a natural glow though hydration and vitamins. This is administered through IV drips, cleansing and exfoliating with the Gem Peel, or tightening with the Venus Legacy.

Clients at the skincare boutique include women and men, at an almost equal ratio, who come from all over the United States and abroad for one of Aguilar's unique and natural treatments.

Some of film and television's most popular Latinas -- Ana de la Reguera, Eiza González, and others -- all look to Afterglow to keep their skin healthy.

However, everyone will have a different experience with their treatments no matter how similar because they are customized to cater to each individual client.

"Everyone's skin is different," she said. "There isn't one product out there that will work on everyone."

For example, when discussing the skin issues common among Latinos, Aguilar explained that Latinos are generally stuck in the middle color-wise and are prone to issues like scarring and melasma, (particularly during pregnancy). She also insisted that laser treatment should be avoided because it can create burns.

Instead, she recommended Afterglow's popular treatment of mandelic acid, which comes from almonds and helps darker skin tones.

Aguilar also suggested simple things like sleeping with a humidifier to avoid dryness in the winter or the addition of grape seed oil to a moisturizer, not to be confused with cream or lotion, to help with acne and fight aging.

A look at the spa's social media accounts will reveal how stars like González, who recently showed off her flawless skin for her new Vanity Fair photoshoot, take advantage of Aguilar's services.


Working with such high-profile clients has gotten Aguilar exclusive television spots on Univision, Extra and various magazines, making her one of the most talked-about Latinas taking on skincare.

But despite all the attention, Aguilar continues to focus on helping people feel confident and look their best. She isn't out to grow an empire.

"I hope to be exclusive only...I don't want to be these trendy spas that are all over the world and forget their motto," she said. "I am hands-on and want to continue to be hands on. I never want to sell myself out."

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