Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristy Rustico.
Hi Kristy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
It’s hard to say where exactly I started in this field and in my career, because as I look back, I can see how all steps—and sometimes seemingly missteps—roads, and opportunities have all culminated to where I am now, which is still not an arrival of any sort, but a part of the story.
If I had to point to a pivotal moment, it was 15 years ago when I decided to leave my brief career in the pharmaceutical industry and instead become certified in personal training to work a flexible schedule in a wellness-related field while attending school at night for aesthetics.
I knew that I loved health in the context of nutrition, exercise, and holistic practices that nurture and maintain the body—inside and out. I knew that all of it was related in a way I didn’t yet fully understand, and I knew I wanted to be in a field where I could help people feel and look better, naturally.
Upon graduating from the Dermalogica Academy in NYC, I started working with clients in both fitness and skincare from a gym right downtown, where I had the amenities to do both.
I loved my work. Each day, I felt that I had a tremendous responsibility to the clients who came to see me, as my treatments and advice had a direct impact on people’s lives. It’s that sense of responsibility, paired with my love for the holistic wellness space, that keeps me a student.
Several years after building my practice, I returned to school to be trained and licensed as a massage therapist. The work I was doing in both fitness and facials was directly impacted by what I studied in that program, but also by my expanded scope to work with the body in ways previously limited without that training and license. My work became a fusion of holistic body treatments from the worlds of fitness, aesthetics, and massage therapy.
Shortly after the pandemic, my husband and I moved to Florida, where I continued my work—but now in a new state! Four years later, I am grateful every day for the honor and privilege of practicing this work in my new community.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has not been smooth—it’s been windy, and I have gotten comfortable knowing that the path in business is rarely linear. I know the ups, downs, and turns all come with the trajectory of building and creating something new. Some of the struggles I’ve faced along the way have always been moments or seasons when I forget to trust my unique journey. I’ve repeatedly had to—and still have to—resist the temptation to compare myself, my work, and my business to someone else’s. When I try to “be the best,” the weight of performance is crippling. Now, I commit only to “doing my best” instead of trying to “be the best,” and it gives me freedom instead of wrestling with perfection—which has always been my biggest struggle.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
EXCELSIOR Skin & Body is a holistic wellness practice offering organic facials (featuring the sculpting face lift massage), therapeutic massage for the entire body, and nutritional coaching (with functional nutrition counseling becoming available in late 2026). I wanted to create a place where people could experience total-body rejuvenation in a natural way that honors the relationship between the entire body, mind, and soul.
People often relate the aesthetics industry to glamour or superficial appearances—or even as an industry that “fixes” or “changes” someone’s appearance, often selling to insecurities. I love this industry, but not that side of it. I wanted to create a place where people can come to feel restored and cared for—where they can express their concerns about how they look and feel unapologetically, and where we can explore what some of the root causes may be while taking the journey toward feeling and looking their best.
I began studying functional nutrition because, over the years, I’ve found that so much of how we look and feel is related to how we eat and what our lifestyle habits are. I can nurture the skin and body in the treatment room with organic preparations from my apothecary that address concerns, but the real transformative work is deeper—it comes from within. I knew I wanted to support my clients on that journey.
My days are a mixture of facial and massage appointments, and I currently run the practice solo, so I am the provider of all the services offered. Therapeutic Massage, Sculpting Face Lift Massage, and the Organic Apothecary Facial—a customized treatment with a personalized blend of ingredients from start to finish—are my core offerings. Both the massage and facial treatments can be customized with cupping, gua sha, infrared, and red LED as needed. Microcurrent is another advanced modality that holistically treats pain as well as scar remodeling.
I am most known for my Sculpting Face Lift Massage—a unique treatment based primarily in massage techniques that naturally restores lift to the face by working on the muscles and related soft tissue of the face, head, and neck to promote a rested facial posture. This treatment is incredibly relaxing for the entire body and creates an immediate feeling of lightness and lift. It’s actually the reason I went to massage school! I knew I wanted to offer an effective, naturally rejuvenating treatment, and massage is one of the best ways to do it! When I first started studying this technique, I immediately knew I needed to educate my hands in massage to truly deliver this treatment from the foundation of massage therapy. It’s a beautifully unique treatment and my favorite one to give. It’s a natural answer for those looking to support the aging process in a way that maintains the health and integrity of their skin and face—and it feels amazing!
What sets me apart is my commitment to my clients’ experience. Time is a scarce commodity that we cannot get more of, and when someone chooses to spend their time with me, I consider it an honor. My intention throughout every appointment is to create an experience that leaves them feeling that every minute was worth it—that they leave feeling honored and cared for. I don’t take many appointments in a day because I reserve my time and energy for quality and presence. I think that’s a difference you can feel.
I am most proud to have a little corner in this huge industry where I can create a space for people who value slow beauty—the kind that honors mind, body, and soul, acknowledges the connection of all things, and exists to cultivate a renewed sense of beauty rooted in wellness.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson so far is this: in an age where our attention is fractured and easily distracted, being present with my client—in any service—is the key to a meaningful experience. Advanced techniques and luxurious products are only as transformative as the degree of presence and intention that I can offer.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kristyrustico.glossgenius.com/about
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skinandbodybykristy/
Image Credits
Lux & Bay Photography
