As a mom, Jackie Gunter knows how easy it can be to put yourself second when busy schedules and family needs take priority. After the birth of her youngest child, Gunter began investing in her own health and confidence. What started as a few small self-care routines has grown into a passion for aesthetics and wellness at Lavish Beauty Lounge in Chesterfield.
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Organization: Lavish Beauty Lounge
Title: Owner I Aesthetic injector I Wellness Specialist
Age: 44
Hometown: St Louis
Education: RN, BSN, HIS, Certified Aesthetic Injector
Interests / Hobbies: I never turn down live music, a good patio, karaoke (despite my questionable singing ability), or an excuse to throw a themed party. I also love traveling, spending time with family and friends, and finding fun local events.
What motivated you to get involved in this work/community/activity? For many years, taking care of myself simply wasn’t a priority because I was busy raising my family. It wasn’t until after my youngest child was born that I started investing in my own health and confidence. What began as a few small self-care routines grew into a passion for aesthetics and wellness. Today, I love helping others realize that it’s never too late to invest in themselves, and that self-care isn’t about vanity, it’s about confidence and feeling like the best version of yourself.
What values or principles guide how you show up in this role/community? I believe in leading with integrity, education, and compassion. My goal is for every patient to feel heard, informed, and never pressured. I take a conservative approach to aesthetics because I believe confidence comes from enhancing what’s already beautiful, not changing who you are.
What’s the most enjoyable aspect? Building lasting relationships with my patients. Some of my favorite appointments are the conversations we have while catching up on life. Helping people feel confident is rewarding, but earning their trust is what means the most to me.
Can you briefly share a few standout memories? Some of my favorite moments are the ones that can’t be measured. Hearing a patient say they finally feel confident in their own skin, receiving a text that they love their results, or having someone tell me, “No one has ever gotten it right before you.” It’s also incredibly rewarding when patients trust me enough to refer their family and friends or when a bride chooses me to help her look and feel her best on such an important day. Watching patients achieve life-changing milestones like losing 100 pounds through our medical weight loss program or celebrating our clinic’s first 1,000 pounds lost has been equally unforgettable. Above all, nothing means more to me than earning a patient’s trust. Confidence looks different for everyone, but being trusted to help someone find theirs is something I’ll never take for granted.
Can you share an insight about this role that most people don’t know? One thing that surprises people is how much time is spent educating patients. Some of the most important appointments end with someone deciding not to have a treatment because it isn’t the right fit for them and I consider that just as successful as performing one.
What’s one key piece of advice you’ve embraced? Never stop learning. Healthcare and aesthetics are constantly evolving, and I believe my patients deserve someone who is always committed to growing and improving.
What’s the greatest challenge? One of the greatest challenges is helping people understand that aesthetics isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every patient has unique goals and anatomy, so I spend a lot of time educating patients and creating individualized treatment plans rather than taking a cookie-cutter approach.
Where do you find inspiration? I’m inspired by both art and people. I love studying anatomy, learning from leaders in aesthetics, and appreciating natural beauty, but my greatest inspiration comes from the person sitting in front of me. Every face is unique, and I enjoy finding the features that make someone beautiful and enhancing them in a natural, balanced way.
What are your future plans or ambitions? I’m excited about the direction aesthetics and wellness are heading. Advances in regenerative medicine, personalized treatments, and technology are allowing us to focus more on prevention than correction. My goal is to continue bringing innovative, evidence-based treatments to my patients while preserving the natural, individualized approach that has always been the foundation of my practice.
