Today we’d like to introduce you to Aurelia McClure.
Hi Aurelia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Aure The Esthe began as a receptionist in Memphis,TN when I granted one of my coworkers the request of practicing on my brows by shaping them with a razor. Let’s just say the experience left me surprised for two weeks which led me to makeup. Learning how to cover the unfortunate events of a razor and audacity i fell in love with makeup. I was currently attending The University of Memphis for a degree in Special Education, but i feared that I wouldn’t be able to give me all seeing as though I was a teen parent to not only one, but two children and I knew if continued to pursue this career one or the other would be neglected because that is a field you need to be able to give your all in. You need passion and my passion came with a brush not a clip board.
So as i became more interested in makeup I decided to look into some type of schooling because my mother would not take well to me dropping out of college with two children under two to “play” with makeup if I couldn’t prove to her that I was serious and that this is a lucrative career to venture into. I found Esthetics, that covered skin, makeup, and waxing. I dropped out of college and began pursuing while working even getting fired from the job that was literally steps away from my school because the manager was convinced I wasn’t focused on the task at hand. Unfortunately my schooling in Memphis was short lived due to my older brother coming to live with me due to his illness. He needed genuine help with surgeries and we just couldn’t afford it. But I didn’t let that stop me Delay yes, stop, no!
Our mother around that time moved back home to Detroit and we followed which allowed me to re-enroll at the Aveda Institute in royal oak and that’s where the hair removal specialist was born.Along with his support while battling his own battles and the support of my mom continued to push forward.
I thought makeup would be my thing but after experiencing my first Brazilian in school, never hearing much of it prior it peaked my interest. Every snatch raised a new question. Was this something black and brown women got done? Was this something that was marketed to plus size women being that I was plus size?
I found my answer with a little research and began my ten year journey. Fast forward I dove into hair removal of all kinds Soft, sugar, and hardwax and began to make a name for myself year by year while working odd jobs but also working for myself whenever however I could.
Trying to find myself in a city that was my home half my life and every summer but not going to school here in Detroit was difficult. I felt out of place sometimes. With my country accent but having grew up in the Linwood and Davidson area it was hard at first. I had to prove myself to my city and Detroit is no easy market to break into. We are protective of our support, and we will make you work for it. We want the best of the best and that’s our standard. Through it all I’ve been able to work with some really great brands and salons and that helped boost my name.
After the pandemic life got busy FAST. The girls were coming because through the pandemic i started waxing out my house and then transitioned to a salon in Dearborn, MI and I was hot as fish grease due to a few of my day one girls bringing me a group of friends and family that echoed my name everywhere they went along with working at a prestigious salon. The Honey was born because I’d say ‘hey honey’ to every client and I specialize in sugar hair removal that looks like honey. The honeys named me and i just kept it. It worked seeing as though I had i love for winnie the pooh since a child. It Felt like destiny!
After getting hot as fish grease I continued to show up as myself authentically online and building my brand. I went on to compete on a global esthetics stage called The Skin Games for waxing and sugaring and I am now a nine times award winning sugarist and sugarist of the year for the year of 2025.
My goal is to continue building and curating a space for my clients that is welcoming and a soft place to land for my busy bee’s at The Honey Cove. That is my favorite part of all of this, being someone that my girls feel like they can bear it all with knowing i won’t judge and I get to use the community built to piece together relationships while utilizing the ecosystem. It’s not just a hair removal space. It’s a cohort of sorts. The middle man. I have a honey in need and a honey who does that! Now I am currently in my second year solo in the Edit collective in Allenpark, MI on the edge of Detroit and this is only the beginning.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road. I come from very humble beginnings, and it takes a lot of capitol to start something like this. like with most trades you have to have the proper tools to get the job done and that cost money. Seeing as though i didn’t make it easy on myself by becoming a teen parent at the very young age of 15 and again at 18, juggling a career and being a full time mother came with its ups and downs. There were many cries in the car, a few car repossessions, and many odd jobs in between it all. Along with watching my brother fight for his life and loosing my father to the same illness as him through the pandemic. It was very hard. But my family supported me and I was able to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
We’ve been impressed with The Honey Cove, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Honey Cove is owned and operated by a nine times award winning esthetician that specializes in hair removal with soft, sugar, and hard wax. From head to toe hair removal and brow services like wax and tint for all. Male and female, etc. What sets me apart is specialty, I am considered one of the best in my field. What makes me most proud is that the community built from dream and grit gets to celebrate each other, support one another, and experience a laugh and good energy when they come to see me. Not only am i behind the chair i am also in the classroom. I’ve been able to teach my technique and knowledge through The Honey Univeristy teaching, sugaring, waxing, and business knowledge about my field to future bad ass esthes with the audacity to get the job done.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
First and foremost, my mother. Growing up i saw my mother chase her dreams despite our circumstances in multiple different avenues. She had tenacity, audacity, and grit. What she didn’t know she was going to find out. Watching her pursue her dreams taught me to never give up no matter what. Exhaust all efforts before you say something isn’t working or can’t be fixed.Then I worked at a Salon Called Strip and Rip ran by a beautiful soul named Laura who was eclectic but about her business. She ran her business to the T and left no room for mediocrity. To get that job I had to wax her and it taught me right away never to leave it to someone else to make decisions for your business on what they deem is good. If you want great you have to go after it. She also took a chance and a lost by investing into me and another coworker by covering our sugaring class and not even being able to see profit from the $3,600 investment, due to covid.
Then i was scouted out through Instagram from thee Nady B for that reason, Sugaring. She taught me that scared money won’t make money, and to show up as the brand everyday. To get a certain kind of client you have to show up as a certain kind of provider. She is also the place where I truly developed my brow skill-set. She always meant business and she has no space for excuse. She taught me how to show up in the beauty space comfortably.
Then there is my sugaring community that I met while competing at The skin Games Deb, of Sugar Mama Pro, Dalia, Sugar Deulce, Rasheeda or carribean candy, Jared of Keko Botanicals, and Yvonda of Perfected Beauty. They all taught me that community matters. Having people who cheer for eachother and root for eachother is important. Community over competition.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://honeycove.glossgenius.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/auretheesthe
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/auretheesthe
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Honeycoveaure
- Other: https://skool.com/thehoneyuniversity
