Antoinette Haddad
Antoinette Haddad is a seasoned medical esthetician, educator, and the founder of Antoinette Aesthetics in Glendora, California. With over 35 years of experience in advanced skincare, she has built a thriving practice specializing in corrective treatments for acne, melasma, hyperpigmentation, and age-related skin concerns.
Originally from Lebanon, Antoinette moved to the United States with aspirations of becoming a dentist. However, her passion for skin health and lifelong learning led her to pursue esthetics — a decision that allowed her to merge science, artistry, and client care. Inspired by the early rise of advanced aesthetics in Europe, she developed a results-driven yet holistic approach that blends customized treatments, education, and long-term skin health strategies.
In addition to leading her private practice, Antoinette has dedicated the past eight years to teaching at Hacienda La Puente Adult School, where she prepares nearly 100 students annually for state board licensure and successful careers in esthetics. Known for her transformative teaching style, she builds both skill and confidence in students, guiding them from uncertainty to professionalism and mastery.
Committed to continued education, Antoinette consistently integrates advanced technologies and evidence-based techniques into her practice and curriculum, including hydradermabrasion, oxygen therapies, LED light therapy, chemical peel theory, and professional treatment customization within state board standards.
A sought-after conference presenter, she speaks on topics including skincare innovation, health and nutrition for skin, and the distinction between chronological and biological aging. Her professional excellence has earned her recognition as a leading educator in her district and region, as well as accolades for operating one of Glendora’s most respected esthetics practices.
Clients — including healthcare professionals — travel from across the country to receive her signature treatments, a testament to her reputation for innovation, integrity, and heartfelt dedication to both her clients and her students. Having built her career through resilience and determination, she embodies the belief that the woman who endured becomes the woman who leads.
• Medical Esthetician
• Bachelor's degree
• Number One Educator in the District (2025)
• California Council of Adult Education (CCAE)
• Antoinette supports her local community through mentorship, educational guidance, and charitable donations of skincare services to fundraising events. She is passionate about empowering aspiring estheticians and helping them build successful, confident careers.
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my passion for what I do and teaching from my heart. When I teach, it's not just a job - I feel it's from my heart. I come to my students as an instructor, as a mother, as a friend. I don't put them down, no matter how they come in. When students walk in here, they're often broken, not confident, and neglected, but the way I encourage them and inspire them, sharing my business experience and expertise, by the time they finish, you don't recognize them. Even the admin tells me the transformation is unbelievable - they come in one way and leave a totally different way. I look at the whole person, and I help them represent themselves well as estheticians, from their hair to their makeup to how they dress. I am always on top of my research and have the latest equipment and ingredients. I was using Korean pharmaceutical products 6 or 7 years ago before anyone knew about them, and now it's everywhere. This dedication to staying cutting-edge and truly caring about people as a whole is what has made me successful.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I ever received was to always keep learning and always lead with integrity. Skills may build a career, but character builds a legacy.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering this industry to believe in themselves, stay inspired, and never underestimate their potential. Confidence and resilience are essential, especially when navigating new challenges or unfamiliar environments.
My own journey — coming to the United States, building a business from the ground up, and dedicating myself to educating and empowering others — has shown me that perseverance and hard work truly pay off. Success doesn’t happen overnight, but with determination, continuous learning, and self-belief, it is absolutely achievable.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Social media has made beauty trends more accessible, but it has also created confusion. Clients are overwhelmed with conflicting advice, DIY treatments, and unrealistic expectations. As professionals, we have a responsibility to educate, not just treat.
At the same time, this is also one of our greatest opportunities. Advanced technology, innovative ingredients, and continuing education allow us to deliver better, safer, and more customized results than ever before.
For me, the opportunity lies in combining science with integrity — educating clients and students so they make informed, confident decisions about their skin.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are integrity, compassion, discipline, and empowerment.
I truly value the person as a whole. When students come to me, I don’t just see them as students — I meet them as an instructor, a mentor, a mother, and sometimes even a friend. I believe transformation is not just about learning technical skills; it’s about building confidence, professionalism, and self-worth. When they leave my classroom, I want them to stand taller, believe in themselves, and represent who they are with pride.
Family is at the center of everything I do. I am a mother of three successful daughters, and I am incredibly proud of the women they have become. They often tell me, “Thank you for being strict with us — who we are today is because of you.” Being happily married, raising my family, and building a business from nothing after coming to the United States has been one of my greatest accomplishments.
I also deeply value encouraging and uplifting other women. After losing my mother at a young age and living through war before coming to this country, I understand hardship. I share my story openly — starting from nothing and building a life, a career, and a legacy — so other women can see that resilience, faith, and hard work truly can change your future.
For me, success is not just about business. It’s about impact.