Living Beauty Bffs
For the first installment of Living Beauty BFFs, we sat down with influencer Sasha Exeter and Tight Clinic founder Karmen LaMer to chat about the life-changing relationship between a skincare pro and her client
Just steps away from the hustle and bustle of Toronto’s King West strip is a beautiful, historic townhome where you’ll find Tight Clinic, an urban oasis of wellness and self care. Owner Karmen LaMer opened Tight after overcoming a cancer diagnosis at 30 with the goal of helping others look and feel their best. Her results-focused approach has won her a devoted following of clients she’s happy to call friends, including Sasha Exeter, the Toronto-based influencer known for her authentic voice. Sasha’s become a true devotee of Tight’s effective methods, and says her skin has never looked better since she started seeing Karmen on the regular. Read on for more on how these Living Beauty BFFs inspire each other.
Karmen, what was your goal when you opened Tight?
“I wanted to create a safe space for women, acting as a true advocate on their behalf. This industry can take advantage of women’s insecurities, which I have experienced myself in the past. I wanted to create a curated, rare, fun and incredible space that people actually looked forward to coming to. And I’m living my dream!”
Sasha, what first brought you to Tight Clinic?
“Tight Clinic has a serious cult following on social media. Over the last couple years, I’ve seen so many women and my fave content creators posting after their services. But I have to say, it was the infamous lymphatic drainage treatment that pulled me in and then I started to hear about the Biologique Recherche facial in addition to some of the other amazing treatments they offer. I get a lot done there now and my skin has never looked better.”
And what keeps you coming back?
“The staff and their expertise. It totally feels like my second home. I’ve been doing lymphatic drainage at Tight for well over a year but only just started my journey with Biologique Recherche treatments and products a couple months ago. I am hooked. Iva, who does the BR facials there is a skincare genius. I’ve never had my skin analyzed like that before and the products she’s prescribed from the line for my skincare routine has dramatically changed my skin. At 41 years old, my skin looks way better than it did when I was in my 20s and 30s.”
What are some of the treatments that you’re into right now and why?
SE: “The Biologique Recherche Signature Facial! And the Forma Facial has given me new, defined cheekbones. I went in wanting my face sculpted and to work on the sagging skin underneath my chin after having a baby.”
KL: “We have Sasha on a monthly Biologique Recherche facial regime for making her already incredible skin to age gracefully and glow. And the lymphatic drainage massage has been key for her on a regular basis this past year and moving forward.”
Which products have you discovered here at Tight, and how have you incorporated them into your routine?
SE: “My bathroom counter looks very different since I became a client at Tight! Since Karmen introduced me to Biologique Recherche, I’ve been using their Eau Micellaire Biosensible, Lait U Cleansing Milk and the Lotion P50 of course—which was my first product from the line because everyone raves about it—and a couple of the masks which I love to indulge in on the weekends. Oh, and how can I forget the serums? The placenta and marine serums are life!”
KL: “We are focusing on purifying, brightening, healing and anti-aging. Sasha has such a beautiful base to work with already, it’s just a pleasure to work on her skin.”
How has Karmen’s professional advice transformed your skin and your self care?
SE: “Omigosh. OK, Karmen, well, I think I owe her my firstborn child for all she’s done for me since I met her during the pandemic. She’s the one who encouraged me to see Iva for the BR facial. She’s the one who put me on to the placenta serum. She got me into all the treatments I do at Tight Clinic that have become part of my regular self-care routine. Through my frequent visits and how much time I spend there, she has become a very important person in my life and I’m happy to now call her a friend.”
KL: “We always give honest advice. We would rather send clients away than take their money and disappoint them. This is the ultimate in women supporting women and we don’t take it lightly. We also remain fully accountable to our clients and make sure that we get them to where they need to be. Bespoke, tailored and truly personal!”
Karmen, what do you personally get out of delivering such exceptional treatments?
KL: “My heart is so full after getting to connect with the most incredible humans every single day. I try to give all of myself to everything I do, not just skincare but soul searching, energy sharing and beautiful moments that translate into long-lasting friendships. And I see these beautiful women feeling happier and stronger for it as the years go by. I’m truly blessed.”
Credits
COPY, CAITLIN AGNEW; PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF KARMEN LAMER EXCEPT EXETER BY DAVID PIKE