McKinney

I felt vulnerable as I lay shirtless under the covers on the spa bed at Birdies Brows & Spa while owner Laurie Rogers gave me a facial.

I enjoyed the practiced precision of her hands as they applied the personalized skin care, until I quickly became aware of why she called it a “peel.” My face lit up with thousands of pinpricks as every pore was liberated from layers of grease, blemishes and dead skin — all in the name of beauty.

Like many men, my skin doesn’t necessarily get the attention it needs, so Laurie’s work was cut out for her that day. I learned that Beta-Clarity liquid exfoliant and 20% lactic acid peel were necessary to repair my dehydrated face and congested pores.

In addition to peels, Birdies — located in suite 103 at 704 SW Forest Ave. — also offers face waxing, body waxing and facials curated to patient’s dermatologic needs.

I was surprised to learn that plenty of men have come in after they saw what magic Rogers did to their wives and daughters. I was equally surprised that I wasn’t her first transgender client either.

According to Rogers, her clients vary widely, from burly long-haul truck drivers to meticulously-groomed men. Of the roughly 15% male clientele, everyone comes in for these services and none of them can expect judgment.

“The best thing about having male clients is you can’t judge them because it doesn’t matter what spectrum they’re from. They like to be clean (too),” Rogers said.

As for Rogers, caring for people is ingrained in her. She had originally set out to become a nurse, but just before finishing, the trajectory of her life and career was disrupted. Her stepfather, the person who she credits with motivating her through college, died suddenly of cardiac failure.

The traumatizing experience tarnished her desire to work in a career where she had to hear death’s rattle on the regular. But still felt a genuine desire to make people feel good, which she says means her work at Birdie’s brings in the best of both worlds.

Rogers cut her esthetic chops for 18 years, taking her through the cutthroat culture of multi-million dollar luxury spas in Las Vegas, New York City, Boston and Portland. But she has since pivoted, and is now living her dream in Central Oregon.

Since I am on HRT, I struggle with acne and in-grown hairs suffocating my face, so this felt like a sigh of relief for my skin. Since the facial I have been following Rogers’ advice and it has cleared up pretty well. A week later I went in and bought a facial for my girlfriend, which proved a mistake as she asked to make it a monthly regimen.

Contact Laurie Rogers at Birdies Brows & Spa, birdiesbrows@gmail.com, 541-527-9638, or visit https://www.birdiesbrows.com