Today we’d like to introduce you to Debbie Autumn Jensen.
Hi Debbie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
As a child, I was extremely shy, so much so that I could not answer simple yes or no questions when asked. I froze and my voice would just not come out! This continued through my school years and into adulthood. It was very difficult to get to know other people, to allow my personality to be seen, and to make friends. I felt self-conscious, lonely, and invisible. I loved glamour magazines, fashion, and design, and immersed myself into trends, playing with makeup, painting my nails with flowers, and subjecting my four younger sisters to my whims. Inside, I was trying to make myself FEEL beautiful.
In 1981, I met a woman who did acrylic nails. I was fascinated by the concept and asked her to teach me. In those days, a professional license was not required to do nails in Utah. I was a natural, after all, I’d been experimenting with all kinds of fun designs on my own nails for years! In 1983, I opened the first “nails only” salon in Utah. Soon after, I became an Aesthetician, Makeup Artist and a few years later added Permanent Cosmetics to my menu of services, which eventually became my main service.
Working one-on-one with women, allowed me to develop my communication skills and learn more about them, as well as myself. My career has led me to many rewarding opportunities. I have worked for numerous plastic surgeons, opened several studios, traveled the world teaching, I have been a guest speaker (yes public speaking!) at conventions and events. Being immersed in the world of beauty led me to publish a permanent makeup magazine for a few years, even though I knew absolutely nothing about publishing!
Women are complicated, and I am no exception. I’m curious and like to learn new things. I’ve been interested in the esoteric sciences and metaphysics since I can remember. At one time, I learned to do zodiac charts. Then I learned about meditation and adopted a daily practice. I became a Reiki Master. Somewhere along the way, I heard about Feng Shui and began to study those concepts. It goes right along with beauty. In 2005, I was certified in Western Feng Shui, and in 2017, I was certified in Classical Feng Shui as well as Eastern Astrology.
I feel well-rounded now in the world of beauty. It’s my calling; Beautiful Faces, Spaces & Places is my theme! It embodies the inner, as well as the outer beauty of human beings, allowing them to be themselves, only better, with more balance in all areas of their lives.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There are always struggles and challenges! Learning to navigate things like websites, licenses, mail lists, leases, taxes, legal forms, etc can be daunting, to say the least. I was only 23 when I opened my first salon. We didn’t even have the internet yet! I had no business experience, no training, no college degree. In fact, I didn’t get my high school diploma until I was 32! It was a learn-as-you-go experiment in what I could create.
I think business, and life in general, is just that, an experiment. I still suck at technology! I have not gotten the hang of Facebook or Instagram to this day, my website is… it just is, and I have not figured out online marketing strategies. Things like online payments and automatic notifications and educational downloads are a constant source of frustration for me. In my perfect world, I’d snap my fingers and have a magic technology fairy appear! So, I keep it simple.
I have always taken the approach that if something doesn’t work, try something else. You have to stay up-to-date and keep learning. I have failed over and over and over but enjoyed enough success to encourage me to keep going. And the main thing is to have fun, to try to do as many things as you enjoy in the name of “work.”
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
This is an area I really struggle to put a name to. For many years I felt as though I lived in two different universes, the professional Permanent Makeup Artist working with plastic surgeons, vs. the Reiki Master doing healing sessions, creating clients’ 4-Pillar charts, and/or helping them master the Feng Shui in their home or office.
It divided my whole into two separate parts, and that did not allow me a full expression of who I am. Then I realized, we are all body, mind, and spirit! We are complicated, multi-faceted, and unique beings. All of the skills I have developed, the things that I do, complement one another and work in unison! I am a very good Permanent Makeup Artist with 25 years’ experience. But deep inside, I also feel that much of the success I have with my clients come from the ENERGY that flows through me, not just from my technical skill.
Quite often, my makeup clients comment on how peaceful and comfortable my studio feels. That is not what one would expect knowing that permanent makeup, microblading, etc is a form of tattooing! I believe this stems from the Feng Shui that I apply to my surroundings as well as the healing frequencies that I purposely invite into my space every single day. Clients frequently tell me the procedure is very comfortable, unlike what they experienced elsewhere. Is this because of the healing Reiki that flows from my hands? Maybe. There is so much we humans do not know or understand. So much left for us to learn!
I’ve become known for many different things, depending on the circumstances we have met each other under. All of my makeup clientele comes by word of mouth. After 25 years, I’ve gained a reputation for natural-looking procedures done in a clean environment. I have presented at numerous energy conferences about Feng Shui, taught classes, and helped many people gain control and balance in their home and office spaces. Some call me to do energy blessings and clearings on their properties. Many people need help with emotional and energetic imbalances and seek me out for Reiki or Bars sessions.
I also use Shamanic practices in my energy sessions. I built a full-size 45′ labyrinth on my property, which I encourage my clients and students to walk when visiting. In the warmer months, I have led retreats for women in the mountains and in conference rooms. I enjoy teaching classes on my patio, where we may make sage bundles, learn about the elements, or create tinctures from flowers. My Rose Water has become a best seller, especially with those who do Reiki or practice Shamanism, as I create it in sacred ceremony, utilizing the energy of the moon. It’s some very powerful water!
As you can see, there is no one description for what I do. I just do what I do, be what I am, and try to amplify the beauty of all kinds in the world. I believe that the energy flowing through me and through my space creates harmony. It’s a form of Spiritual Art. How do I put a label on that?
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I like the close proximity of Lehi to other towns. Within 20 minutes, you can be in Salt Lake at shopping centers and a broad selection of restaurants, and if you drive the other way, you can be sitting on a beautiful mountain top, or go into the desert. I love the diversity! I have done my share of complaining about the growth and the traffic, but we have to look at all sides. More people bring more commerce and business. If you are a businesswoman, that spells success.
I love the country with the promise of a quiet life, sprawling fields, and open spaces where I could have lots of dogs, but it would not be conducive to what I do as a profession. As long as I can do the work I love, I will bless all that I have built with joy and gratitude. The beautiful thing about women in this time is the ability to live more than one act. It’s all an experiment. In my next act, I might move to the country and get four or six or ten dogs. Anything is possible.
Pricing:
- Makeup $400-600
- 4-Pillar Chart $150
- Reiki Session $111
- Feng Shui Services $100 hr
Contact Info:
- Email: permanentcosmeticsclinic@gmail.com
- Website: utahmakeupclinic.com autumnmoonfengshui.com
- Instagram: @debbiejensenpermanentcosmetics and @autumnmoonfengshui
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePermanentCosmeticsClinic https://www.facebook.com/autumnmoonfengshui
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1dToLJsiDiZgLqmqLBXPuA
Image Credits
KatieJoFinai
