Beauty HQ co-owners Nicole Wente, RN and Melissa Pavelka seated together at the Lakeville clinic

About Beauty HQ

Confidence in every credential

“We are honored you're here, but can't wait to see your face.” Beauty HQ is owned by two women — one of them a registered nurse — and staffed by nurses and licensed aestheticians whose credentials are a matter of public record.

We would rather you check than take our word for it.

Book Your First Session Meet the Team

How it started

Two seventeen-year careers, then this.

Nicole Wente spent 17 years as a pediatric nurse at Children's Hospital. “After 17 years and having three children of my own, it was finally time to start a new adventure.” That background is why she works the way she does: “My background in pediatric nursing guides my soft and gentle touch. I believe the natural look is beautiful — I take a more conservative approach so it doesn't look or feel overdone.”

Melissa Pavelka spent the same 17-plus years on the other side of the industry — the original operations manager at Stonewater Skin & Laser as it grew into Contour Clinic, for more than a decade. “I have always been drawn to the business side. You will often find me strategizing ways to accommodate a patient's schedule, placing special orders and following up — I love to go above and beyond to make you feel cared for.”

Between them, both halves of the promise: the treatment, and everything around it. As Melissa puts it, “I always live by the golden rule and treat others how you want to be treated.”

Nicole Wente, RN & Melissa Pavelka · Owners

Confidence in every credential

What is an Advanced Practice Aesthetician?

Aesthetician, AP Aesthetician, Medical Aesthetician, Cosmetologist, Clinical Skincare Therapist — the titles blur together, and it is fair to wonder which of them actually qualifies someone to work on your skin.

Look Up a Provider's License

Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners license lookup — search any provider by first and last name.

Minnesota raised the bar in 2018.: The Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners introduced a licensure update in 2018 to protect clients and raise the standard for professional skincare statewide. It created the Advanced Practice Aesthetician (APE) license, with higher requirements for education, training and clinical expertise.
Not all credentials are equal.: An APE license means your provider has completed higher-level education and training, so results-driven treatments are performed safely and responsibly. Our skin treatments are performed by APE-licensed aestheticians — not by someone with a weekend certificate.
You can check it in a browser tab.: Many aestheticians display their license in the treatment room, but you never have to take that on trust: the Minnesota Board of Cosmetology's online lookup will show any provider's active license status. “When it comes to your skin, credentials matter. Choosing an Advanced Practice Aesthetician means choosing expertise, safety, and confidence in your care.”

The injectable question

In Minnesota, who should perform your injectables?

Injectables are prescription medication. Minnesota regulates them through medical oversight and delegation — which means state rules can allow a trained provider with no medical background to inject under appropriate supervision.

We hold a narrower standard than the law requires.

Our injectable treatments

Why medical training matters here

Registered Nurses and advanced medical providers — Nurse Practitioners, Physicians — receive extensive education in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and medication safety. That background prepares them to properly assess patients, understand contraindications, recognize complications, and respond quickly and appropriately if concerns arise.

Why many med spas make the same choice

For this reason, many medical spas choose to have injectables administered by RNs or higher-level providers. The approach prioritizes patient safety, clinical judgement and evidence-based care, and it means treatments are performed with a thorough understanding of the medical factors involved.

Why we only hire nurses for injectables

Injectables are prescription medication, so we treat who holds the syringe as a credentialing decision, not a staffing one. At Beauty HQ there is one rule with no exceptions: injectables are performed only by a licensed Registered Nurse or a higher-level medical provider.

That training is what you get on the day. The person treating you has reviewed your health history, knows which medications and conditions rule a treatment out, and is trained to act if something unexpected happens.

Only registered nurses inject here — Nicole Wente, RN and Charisma Vang, RN. Both licenses are public record, and you are welcome to check them before you book.

“We always recommend you do your research on your provider — you want to know who is injecting your beautiful face.”

Who you'll see

Five people, four licensed providers, all local.

Every word below is theirs, in their own words. Open a full story to read the rest.

Owner · Nurse Injector, RN

Nicole Wente

“For me, it's not just about ‘doing a treatment’ on someone, I pride myself in cultivating relationships with my clients to ensure they have my trust.”

17 years as a pediatric nurse at Children's Hospital before opening the clinic.

Owner

Melissa Pavelka

“I believe customer service is the key to any great business. I always live by the golden rule and treat others how you want to be treated.”

Co-owner, and the reason the front of house runs the way it does.

“My journey has led me to this beautiful place in life. I've never been more excited for anything than what we're doing now. Come in and see us!”

My story

I was the original operations manager at Stonewater Skin & Laser before it evolved into Contour Clinic under Dr. David Christianson. I played an integral part in the growth of the business for over 10 years! I am so excited to take everything I've learned throughout the past 17+ years and apply it to my own business here at Beauty HQ.

I have always been drawn to the business side of our industry, I have great respect for how pivotal and paramount the customer experience is. You will often find me strategizing ways to accommodate a patient's schedule, placing special orders, and following-up with clients. Basically, I love to go above and beyond to make you feel cared for at Beauty HQ.

I have always had a passion for maintaining healthy younger looking skin. If you want to know about a treatment we offer, ask me! I have experimented with everything and am happy to share all of my stories. I know how important it is for clients to hear real life accounts of the treatments we offer.

I pride myself in being an advocate for all of our clients. I am consistently reliable and follow through with every client. I feel extremely lucky to have a career that I love and can implement my strengths within.

“I believe customer service is the key to any great business. I always live by the golden rule and treat others how you want to be treated. I take great pride in each and every one of our staff members, they all bring something different to the table making us the very best at what we do.”

Registered Nurse Injector

Charisma Vang

“My philosophy centers on enhancing natural beauty — creating results that feel effortless, confident, and distinctly you. To me, aesthetic medicine is never about erasing your identity, but about honoring and elevating what already exists.”

Advanced Practice Aesthetician

Anna Randall

“I love offering treatments that are results driven, helping clients achieve their skin goals. I am constantly seeking opportunities to enhance and broaden my skills.”

Completed her Advanced Practice Esthiology license at the Aveda Institute in Minneapolis.

Aesthetician · Certified Lash Tech

Savannah Smith

“My focus is being a warm, welcoming face that makes every client feel comfortable from the moment they walk through the door. I love helping clients achieve beautiful, low-maintenance lashes that simplify their daily routine.”

Verify any of us

Every licensed provider on this page appears in Minnesota's public register. Search a first and last name and you will see the active license status — no phone call, no request to us.

Open the MN license lookup

Come see us face to face.

A consultation carries no obligation to book a treatment. Thirty minutes with a registered nurse, an honest answer about what will and won't help, and a plan you can think about.

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