Our Team

Meet Our Team of Esthetics Experts

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Sara Gonyaw, LE, LI  Director of Education

Sara has been an esthetician for over ten years...

Sara Gonyaw, LE, LI

Sara has been an esthetician for over ten years. She comes to the school with a medical esthetics background with eight years of experience at two of the nation's top laser companies. Prior to esthetics, Sara served our country as a Naval Search and Rescue Swimmer. From there, she went on to be an H3 helicopter mechanic before turning her passion for esthetics. She shares her passion and enthusiasm for esthetics with every student at the Skin Institute.

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Breanna Gonzalez, LE, LI Licensed Instructor & Owner of SkinWizard LLC

Breanna first received her Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Missouri- St. Louis...

​Breanna Gonzalez, LE, LI

Breanna first received her Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Missouri- St. Louis, where she found her love for people. Breanna chose to further her education by tapping into her passion for esthetics and encouraging everyone around her to feel special and beautiful. She owns her own business where she specializes in more advanced services like dermaplaning and deeper chemical peels. Breanna is also a 2x-certified lash technician. She also specializes in skincare products and ingredients, because she believes having a better understanding of ingredients allows her to tackle skin conditions with ease. Her compassion and devotion to helping her students succeed is what makes Breanna a great addition here at Skin Institute. 

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Sarah Blackburn, LE, LI Licensed Instructor

Sarah graduated from the Skin Institute in 2007... 

Sarah Blackburn, LE, LI

Sarah graduated from the Skin Institute in 2007. She has worked as an esthetician ever since graduating with experience in both day spas and med spas. She has vast expertise with different lasers, devices, and several skincare lines. She inspires the students with her passion for the industry and her well rounded knowledge. Her goal is to help prepare every student for a fulfilling career in the field of esthetics.

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Skin Institute

Victoria Zubiena Owner & School Director of Skin Institute

Victoria has owned and managed Skin Institute in St. Louis, MO since 2005...

Victoria Zubiena, School Owner/Director

Victoria has owned and managed Skin Institute in St. Louis, MO since 2005. Her vision was to create the best esthetics school that would prepare her students for real life upon graduation. She has accomplished that and more in the past fifteen years, with some of our graduates working at the most prestigious salons, spas and doctor's offices in the area.

Her previous 30+ years experience in the esthetics and beauty industries have helped tremendously in owning a school designed to aid in the health and beautification of the skin. Before opening Skin Institute, Victoria was a professional makeup artist and earned a prestigious scholarship to train under Max Factor in LA. In St. Louis, she was the lead makeup artist for Elite Modeling Agency before becoming an agent herself. She has a keen eye and intuition for seeking out the next best estheticians as well as the latest and greatest trainings and techniques.

All of her experience lead up to owning the best esthetics school in St. Louis and choosing the perfect staff and students to do it. Skin Institute remains a leader in the industry thanks to Victoria's perseverance and strive for excellence.

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Ebony B., LE, LI Esthetics Instructor & Owner of Force of Beauty LLC

Ebony B. is a freelance Professional Makeup Artist and Master Educator Esthetician specializing in...

Ebony B., LE, LI

Ebony is the creator of Force of Beauty. She is a Licensed Educator & Professional Makeup Artist. As a Master Esthetician specializing in beautiful bespoke bridal makeup for clients of all skin tones as well as skincare. With over 10 years of beauty industry experience Ebony passion and natural talent for the beauty industry started at a young age Fast forward to 2010 she realized that the beauty industry was her passion and true calling. She decided to further her education an become a licensed professional cosmetologist and aesthetician . With the ever-changing climate within the beauty industry,  Ebony also has 5 advanced certificates in Makeup Artistry, Waxing, Skincare & Body Treatments and Eyelash Extensions. Ebony worked for Benefit Cosmetics for six years as an arch expert and went on to open Force Of Beauty. Ebony is affectionately known as The St. Louis Brow Queen. As a Brow Arch Expert, she has mastered the perfect arch even with the most difficult brows.  Brow Design is her specialty as she has a particular attention to detail when it comes to shaping brows!

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Marlon Clay, LE, LI Licensed Instructor

Marlon graduated from Grabber of Hair Design’s Esthetic program in 2019...

Marlon Clay, LE, LI

Marlon graduated from Grabber of Hair Design’s Esthetic program in 2019. He also served in the United States Navy for 4 years as a Yeoman 3rd Class. He fell in love with esthetics even more while practicing at Massage Envy. He learned by teaching and providing knowledge for clients to build a better at home routine as well as how therapeutic facials can be. He specializes in facial massage, massage, and reflexology. His love for people, thirst for knowledge, and willingness to help educate others about skin care is what makes his presence a great addition at Skin Institute.

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