Ask an Esthetician: Skin Care Specialist, Master Makeup Artist and Salon Partner, Tanja Catoe of Salon INGÁ

Tanja Handing Catoe grew up in the salon — her mother, Inge Handing, founded Salon INGÁ in Tampa, FL in 1988. For over 30 years, Salon INGÁ has been a leading salon in Tampa area with accolades including “Best in Biz 2015” by Tampa Bay Business Journal, “Best of Hair Salons in Tampa 2017” by Expertize, and the prestigious Intercoiffure Knight Award and Intercoiffure Cheena O’Searo Award.

In 2009, Tanja joined her mother as a partner, bringing a new wave of creativity with her background in media and marketing and experience as a freelance makeup artist since 2001. In 2015, Tanja helped open The Barbershop by Salon INGÁ, a new venture to provide men with the same luxurious and client-centric experience that Salon Inga has provided for the last 30 years. 

Today, Tanja wears many hats, serving as Co-Owner/Salon Partner, Salon Coordinator, Skincare Specialist, Master Makeup Artist/Lash Extensions, and Hair Extensions Specialist and a mother to three girls.

We chatted with Tanja to hear her personal skin care routine as well as find out the skin game-changers for Salon INGÁ skin care clients and spa business.

To learn more about Tanja Catoeand Salon INGÁ/The Barbershop by Salon INGÁfollow them on Facebook (@ingasalon / @barberinga) and Instagram (@saloninga / @thebarbershoptampa)

What is your personal daily skin care routine?

1. Cleanse –Hydra 4 Cleanser
2. Tone –Hydra 4 Tonic
3. Serum –C-Serum Seaweed Filtrate
4. Moisturizer –Biolight Brightening Overnight Cream
5. Eye Care –Opti-Firm Eye Contour Cream

Why do you use these products?

I have relatively sensitive skin and I love all of the calming ingredients in Hydra 4. It's like I can hear my skin breathe a sigh of relief! Biolight helps with the little bit of unevenness that I have without being abrasive.

How long have you been using Repêchage and have you noticed a difference in your skin?

I have been using Repêchage for about 5 years — absolutely YES!

What are the most popular retail products and spa treatments among your clients?

Retail:

• C-Serum Seaweed Filtrate – A super-hydrating serum suitable for all skin types.
• Triple Action Peptide Mask – A sheet mask that helps to hydrate, firm and brighten skin’s appearance.
• Biolight Frost Bright Eye Contour Gel – A cooling eye gel to help reduce the appearance of puffiness, dark circles and awakens tired eyes.

(A client experiencing the Triple Action Peptide Mask for hydrating, firming and brightening while at the shampoo bowl at Salon INGÁ)

Treatments:

• Hydra Medic Facial – A holistic approach to treating oily and problem skin that deep cleanses and controls the appearance of oil with seaweed and natural-based ingredients.
• Reveal & Renew Express Facial – Helps to lessen the appearance of sun damage and wrinkles, while exfoliating and smoothing the skin’s appearance, with a Seaweed Treatment Mask and gentle glycolic-based peel.
• Four-Layer Facial – Helps to tone, deep cleanse, nourish, moisturize and firm the appearance of the skin using a four layers or fresh seaweed.

What are the most common skin concerns you see amongst clients, and how do you help with these concerns?

Dark spots – The Biolight Miracle Facial with Glyco-Sea Glycolic Peel,Biolight Luminex Mask,Biolight Express Brightening Facial for at the salon andBiolight Brightening Collection for at-home use.

Problem skin – The Hydra Medic Facial for at the salon andHydra Medic Collection for at-home use.

What have the results been for clients since using these products/treatments?

The results have truly been outstanding! Just look at the difference in this client’s skin below! She received treatment with the Hydra Medic Facial and used the at-home Hydra Medic Collection for problem skin.

(Results with theHydra Medic Facial andHydra Medic Collection for problem skin)

What do you tell your clients is the MOST important step in their skin care routine and why?

It’s hard to narrow it down to just one, but I believe cleansing and toning should be considered one step. These go hand-in-hand and give the client a clean and fresh palette to work with. If this step is done right, the rest of your products (creams, masks, etc.) will work that much better!

For clients who just can’t commit to a full skin care routine, I always recommend they at least _____.

Cleanse!

What are your top 3 skin care tips for clients? 

1. Cleanse
2. Tone
3. Hydrate with a serum or moisturizer

What are your top 3 health and wellness tips for clients?

Drink lots of water, sweat as much as you can and pop in a little caffeine or chocolate! We have to keep balanced!

Salon INGÁ
11722 N Dale Mabry Hwy
Tampa, FL 33618
saloninga.com

The Barbershop by Salon INGÁ
4544 W Kennedy Blvd
Tampa, FL 33609
www.thebarbershoptampa.com