As a little girl, Regina B. Smith loved to color. With a coloring book and crayons, she was happily busy for hours. To Regina, the world of color was full of possibilities. As she got older, coloring evolved into makeup. “I was the one among my friends and family who did all the girls’ makeup – so I was always the last one to arrive at the event!” she said laughing. “But I didn’t mind. I loved it.”
“I grew up with the entrepreneurial spirit in my blood. My parents owned a dry-cleaning business. It was the first black-owned business with multiple locations in the Peapack-Gladstone area with clients like Jackie Onassis. I can remember driving around with my father in his work van with my coloring book and crayons along for the ride,” Regina said.
That feeling – and talent – made her a sought-after makeup artist with names like M.A.C., Chanel, and Laura Mercier just to name a few. She attended NYC’s Fashion Institute of Technology where she studied fashion merchandising, buying, and marketing which only added to the driving force behind all she did -beautifying and uplifting clients and friends alike.
After earning her esthetics license in 2004, skincare became her focus after being recruited by Dr. Howard Murad Skincare. As a spa and retail trainer, her territory grew from the tri-state area all the way to Hong Kong. While at a trade show during her career at Murad, Regina fell in love with a new beauty innovation – eyelash extensions. “I was just amazed! I knew I needed to bring it to my clients.”
Not long after that trade show, Regina found the stars aligning for change. After being laid off from Murad, she knew where she wanted to take her career next. Regina went to train at Xtremelashes, also crediting that training with giving her the tools and confidence to open her own business.
“I was living in Scotch Plains for 15 years and had just registered my son, Allen, at St. Joseph’s school in Metuchen. I figured if I could get just 10 clients a month, I could pay his tuition. I began as a mobile service - bringing all my supplies to local salons. I just wanted people to give it a try.” With Regina’s skill and radiant personality, lashes began catching on. Her first space was in a Millburn salon until Hurricane Sandy flooded the downtown.
Never deterred, Regina then opened Rstudio Lash Spa in Westfield where she remained for ten years until recently moving her studio to Scotch Plains and renaming it Rstudio Beauty. “I loved my space on Quimby Street, but parking was a growing issue. It was detracting from the relaxation my clients were seeking. My new studio in Scotch Plains is a parking dream and no steps to climb.” Regina has also incorporated wellness into this new serene space with special breathwork and sound bath events.
“My clients have done their research. They come because they trust me for the impeccable sanitation and sterilization as well as beautiful eyelashes. Every service is customized to their individual needs.”
Many of Regina’s clients began wanting lashes for a one-time special event. But after seeing and feeling the difference, they’ve continued coming for a decade. At the urging of her snowbird clients, Regina opened a second location in Delray Beach, Florida.
“People look at this as therapy while getting their lashes done,” Regina says. “Lying down for a minimum of an hour on our heated treatment beds and taking a ‘beauty nap’ is a big part of self-care. Women are nurturers – always caring for others. It’s important to take time to breathe.”
Rstudio Beauty offers all lash services plus luxury skincare, brow services, and massage. With a treasured team that Regina calls extensions of her family, trust and consistency are key.
Women are nurturers – always caring for others. It’s important to take time to breathe