Scottish rebel cuts a dashing figure as esthetician and makeup artist

There is nothing about Scotia Kauppi you can call conventional or unremarkable. She is hardly a shrinking violet.

“I am a heavily tattooed, alternative woman who is also super nerdy,” she proclaims.

The esthetician at the heart of Sweet Cherry Spa also wants you to know she’s formed “a cute little club of fellow nerdy, punk and metal enthusiasts who come for out-of-this-world nail art and cosplay makeup work.”

The only child of a first generation Scottish-Canadian family, she initially wanted to become a funeral director. Having worked in a tattoo parlour, she changed paths and studied esthetics and makeup artistry

“I fell in love with skin and nail care and decided that being an esthetician was exactly what I wanted to do,” Scotia says. “I chose the classes that I actually enjoyed, to get into a career that I love. ‘Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life’ is something I hold to be very true.”

After working at other businesses, she decided to go out on her own.

Sweet Cherry Spa boasts a “Smart, Safe + Sweet Guarantee,” ensuring products are dermatologist-tested, made in Canada or held to the highest manufacturing standards.

“Everything is Sweet,” Scotia says, “because all products are eco-friendly, vegan and cruelty-free.”

With assistants Jessica and Cassandra, Scotia welcomes everyone at their Victoriaville location.

“We are a LGBTQ2S+ allied establishment and welcome all lifestyles,” she states.

As well as providing a variety of services, Scotia is also keen to share her knowledge of esthetics and makeup. She had a segment on Shaw cable TV, has presented workshops focusing on special effects make-up for Halloween and zombie walks, and taught esthetics at Everest College. She also blogs at SweetCherrySpa.com and contributes articles on health and beauty to NetNewsLedger.

There’s a streak of Scottish stubbornness that drives her.

“It may be the rebel in me,” she says of what motivates her. “Not wanting to work for anyone else, being let down by jobs that I loved, or the fact that I’m a Scottish Taurus. I’m too stubborn to let myself fail. I need to have the life that I want.”