Our Salon's 5 Best Selling Skincare Products - 2024

We’re back with a new list of our top 5 best selling skincare products, — now updated for 2024!

The skincare counter can be really overwhelming, so let us (and our customers from 2023) do some paring down for you. Take a browse through our best skincare products by sales, and maybe you’ll see one that’s the skincare match you’ve been looking for.

As always: Skincare is personal. No product is perfect for everyone. The products listed here may not produce the golden ticket you’ve been searching for, but they can provide a solid starting point. All the products we sell in our Cedar Rapids skincare salon have the highest quality ingredients and come from brands with long standing reputations in the skincare industry. We’ve been trusting them on our own skin and our clients’ skin for years. The product information compiled here is a combination of descriptions direct from the brand, synthesized product reviews, and comments from Teresa, our facialist and skincare specialist.

So without further ado - here are our current top 5 best selling skincare products!

Our salon’s top 5 best-selling skincare products for 2024

#5 MAD: Glycolic Age Diffusing Cleanser

From the brand

Effective exfoliation and cleansing. A blend of Glycolic Acid and gentle cleansing agents lift away dirt and dead skin cells leaving your skin glowing and rejuvenated . Minimizes the appearance of fine lines and makes your skin look radiant.

Why clients love it

• Refreshing

• Clean feeling

• Smoothing effect

*Not recommended for sensitive skin

From Teresa, our skincare specialist:

This is a gentle anti-aging exfoliating cleanser, and one you can start with at all ages to prevent and treat wrinkles. It’s a very gentle, so if you’re thinking of trying exfoliation this would be one of the products I would recommend to start with. This cleanser is for anybody who is concerned with defying aging at any time; this is the place to start.

#4 M.A.D. Skincare: Breakout Control Daily Moisturizer

From the brand

A lightweight, daily moisturizer tames oil production and calms irritated skin. Breakout Control Daily Moisturizer helps skin look and feel great as botanicals, such as Chamomile and Ginger Root, control sebum production and gentle moisturization keeps skin from feeling dry and irritated.

Why clients love it

• Manages breakouts while keeping skin moisturized

• Lightweight, not greasy

• Does not clog pores

From Teresa, our skincare specialist:

If you are treating your acne using anything exfoliating, this will calm and moisturize your skin all while preventing breakouts. Acne-prone skin needs hydration, too.

#3 SkinCeuticals: A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced

From the brand

Backed by 15+ years of glycation research and expertise, A.G.E. Interrupter Advanced is a potent anti-wrinkle cream that helps correct and defend against visible signs of aging. Formulated with 18% concentrated ProxylaneTM, 4.25% wild fruit flavonoid blend of blueberry and pomegranate extracts, and 0.1% glycyrrhetinic acid, this breakthrough corrective cream is clinically proven to smooth visible lines and deep wrinkles in five facial zones targeted for aesthetic procedures.

Why clients love it

• Creamy texture

• Minimizes fine lines

• All-day moisture

From Teresa, our skincare specialist:

This is a great multi-tasking product that I can recommend to a variety of different skin types. It’s works great to correct fine lines and wrinkles, but is also a fantastic choice for younger clients looking to keep their skin looking young.

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Want your own, personalized list of recommended products?

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#2 SkinCeuticals: Micro-Exfoliating Scrub

From the brand

Micro-Exfoliating Scrub features a powerful 2% concentration combining hydrated silica, glycerin, and aloe extract to purify pores and promote a healthy skin barrier. Gentle enough for daily use, this exfoliating scrub provides a mild and even exfoliation to improve texture while softening and hydrating the skin.

Why clients love it

• Satisfying physical exfoliation

• Results in smooth skin

• Gentle but still effective

From Teresa, our skincare specialist:

I really love to recommend this scrub because of the size of the exfoliants. The size makes a difference, because the smaller exfoliants will achieve a better exfoliation than larger exfoliants. That’s why this one is the best.

#1: M.A.D. Photo Guard SPF 50 Self-Adjusting Foundation — again!

The number 1 spot remains the same and for good reason! Both Teresa and our clients LOVE this self-adjusting foundation. It’s practicality and multi-functionality makes this winner from M.A.D. Skincare such a great all-around skincare product that works for so many.

From the brand

M.A.D Skincare Sun Protection products deliver cutting edge UVA/UVB protection and more. This non-greasy yet moisturizing liquid SPF 50 foundation goes on white and instantly adjusts to match your skin tone. Available in 2 shades, the Neutral is ideal for fair to neutral skin tones and the Medium is perfect for beige to tan skin tones. It can be used daily for an illuminating silky finish. The fragrance-free formula is lightweight and quickly absorbed with no dryness and is suitable for all skin types.

Why clients love it

• Convenience, easy high sun protection

• Light makeup

• Smooth on the skin

From Teresa, our skincare specialist:

This is the most incredible product on the market that will protect your skin with SPF 50, and give you a glow with adjustable color. It protects and moisturizes at the same time. You get two, in one: your SPF and your makeup! This is for people who do want to even up their skin tone, but don’t enjoy heavier makeup. This gives you a gentle coverup without the heavy look or feel of foundation.

How to get personal skincare product recommendations

As mentioned at the top, skincare is personal. Your skin is unique, so your perfect skincare product for your specific skincare goal can be different from someone even with a similar skincare profile to you. So what is better than making your best guess at your next skincare product winner? Personal product recommendations from a skincare professional.

Many estheticians and skincare salons may offer a consultation or “first-time” style facial for clients who are just beginning their skincare journey, or who simply want to get to know their skin better.

At our own skincare salon in Cedar Rapids, we offer a skincare consultation for any new client scheduling their first facial, or first facial with us. Teresa takes some time at the beginning of the treatment to discuss your current skincare routine, the products you’re using, what, if any, sensitivities or allergies you have, and your specific skincare goals. This is followed by examining your skin then putting together a personalized facial based on your unique skin and its needs.

After your personalized facial, Teresa can provide personalized skincare product recommendations to match, some of which she may have even used during your treatment.

When you work with an esthetician or facialist or skincare specialist who focuses on getting to know your individual skin, they are able to give you product recommendations that have the highest chance of success for whatever your goals are. Not to mention, you’ll walk away better acquainted with your skin yourself, and can make your own better-informed product choices moving forward.

Curious to see last year’s top 5?

Our Top 5 Best Selling Skincare Products for 2023

Skincare Products FAQ

We’re sure you’ve still got some questions! Here are some common ones we get about skincare products. If you still have product questions of your own, schedule a skin care consultation at our salon in Cedar Rapids by calling (319) 373-9596 or by requesting an appointment online.

——

How do I know if a product will work for me?

No skincare product will work for everyone, even when following those helpful skin type labels like “dry” or “oily”. This is why there are just so many products to sort through! Quality ingredients certainly help, but at the end of the day, it comes down to your unique skin.

There are a few great ways to increase your new skincare product success, rather than just buying blind.

1. Get to know your skin type: Dry, oily, combination, mature, and acne-prone are some of the common labels for skin types, and are used to categorize many skincare products. Many skincare brands even offer self-assessment guides for how to find your skincare type and make shopping easier.

2. Ask for a sample: This takes the most risk out of buying a full size of a skincare product you’ve never tried before. If it doesn’t work out for you, you didn’t spend a lot of money, and you won’t have another bottle of product you won’t finish cluttering up your cabinet.

3. Get a skincare consultation for a professional assessment: Skincare self-assessments are a great starting point if you are just beginning your skincare journey. But if you’re looking for something a step further, consider a skincare consultation with a skincare professional. This will give you even further insight into what new skincare products could work for you.

What if a skincare product doesn’t work for me?

It’s natural to try a product and find it doesn’t give you the results you were hoping. Depending on where you purchased the product, there may be a return policy available, but not always. This is why samples are great options when trying a new product. Take note of what in particular didn’t work with your skin. Did you have a reaction? Did it make your skin oily? Did you break out? Did nothing change? And also take note of the ingredients in that particular product. Over time, and after trying many different ingredients and products, you may start to see a trend for how your skin reacts to certain ingredients. This information is priceless! A skincare professional can certainly help shortcut this process and give you a good foundation to start with.

What skincare products can I combine?

Just like all the ingredients in your kitchen, not all of them should be used at the same time! If you’ve already added something spicy to your dish, you might not want to double up. Same can be said about skincare products. You don’t typically want to mix like-type products, like two exfoliating products. Some product combinations just don’t want to play nice with one another. For example, when using retinol with a moisturizer, you many need to wait 20 minutes after applying retinol before applying your moisturizers. Be sure to read all the information that comes with your skincare product, as they may highlight what products to avoid using in conjunction. Keep track of how your skin responds, and stop using a product combination if your skin becomes irritated. Finally, talk with a skincare specialist for help building a personal skincare regimine, and to learn more about how and when to combine specific products you’re interested in using.

How can I buy one of these products?

While we don’t have an online store, you can give us a call at our salon in Cedar Rapids at (319) 373-9596 to order any of the products listed here. Teresa can help you further assess if a particular product is right for you and your skincare goals. If ordering over the phone, we provide pickup in our Cedar Rapids salon, or can ship directly to you. You can also schedule a skincare consultation over the phone or on our website where Teresa will be better able to assess your skin for even better personal recommendations.

WANT OUR BEST SELLERS IN YOUR CABINET?

CALL TO ORDER

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Meet your Cedar Rapids Skincare & Electrolysis Specialist:

Teresa Dove

Teresa is the proud owner and operator of Professional Image Enhancement. She is a Licensed Cosmetologist (L.C.) and Licensed Electrologist (L.E.) based in Cedar Rapids and has been providing professional skin care and permanent hair removal to her clients from all over Eastern Iowa for over 25 years. She regularly attends the International Esthetics, Cosmetics & Spa Conference for continuing education and to stay on top of the industry.

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Our Salon's 5 Best Selling Skincare Products - 2023

Choosing skincare products can be a huge challenge given the overwhelming selection staring at us from the skincare counter. Eyes glaze over, and soon we can’t tell our cleansers from our toners. So we ask our friends and family, “what do you buy?” for a chance at a shortlist of products to sift through.

We read recommendations and scan reviews online, trying to narrow in even further. But sometimes numbers are the biggest talkers!

So today we’ve put together our shortlist of our clients’ favorite skincare products at Professional Image Enhancement in Cedar Rapids - our top sellers in 2022!

With that being said, we like to remind you that skincare is personal. No product is perfect for everyone. The products listed here may not produce the golden ticket you’ve been searching for, but they can provide a solid starting point. All the products we sell in our Cedar Rapids skincare salon have the highest quality ingredients and come from brands with long standing reputations in the skincare industry. We’ve been trusting them on our own skin and our clients’ skin for years. The product information compiled here is a combination of descriptions direct from the brand, synthesized product reviews, and comments from Teresa, our facialist and skincare specialist.

So without further ado - here are our current top 5 best selling skincare products!

Our salon’s top 5 best-selling skincare products for 2023

#5 MAD: Glycolic Age Diffusing Cleanser

From the brand

Effective exfoliation and cleansing. A blend of Glycolic Acid and gentle cleansing agents lift away dirt and dead skin cells leaving your skin glowing and rejuvenated . Minimizes the appearance of fine lines and makes your skin look radiant.

Why clients love it

• Refreshing

• Clean feeling

• Smoothing effect

*Not recommended for sensitive skin

From Teresa, our skincare specialist:

This is a gentle anti-aging exfoliating cleanser, and one you can start with at all ages to prevent and treat wrinkles. It’s a very gentle, so if you’re thinking of trying exfoliation this would be one of the products I would recommend to start with. This cleanser is for anybody who is concerned with defying aging at any time; this is the place to start.

#4 Dermaquest: Stem Cell 3D Eye Lift

From the brand

Stem Cell 3D Eye Lift offers instant lifting and firming of the delicate skin around the eye area. The stellar collection of advanced ingredients found in this eye cream will help to achieve healthy and youthful eyes at any age. Stem Cell 3D Eye Lift is an age fighting powerhouse due to its ability to take on, and control the “big 3” most common eye area concerns – puffiness, dark circles and aging. a polysaccharide blend provides an immediate age fighting “mini eyelift” as peptides and botanicals work to maintain that lifting, firming and reduction of inflammation of the eye area. Advanced hydrating ingredients like mdi complex® increase immediate and long term moisture retention as plant stem cells maintain skin health and integrity.

Why clients love it

• Fights crow’s feet

• Visible results quickly

• Lightens dark circles

From Teresa, our skincare specialist:

This is another anti aging product that will feed and hydrate the skin if you’re using a lot of exfoliating. This is one of the best anti-aging moisturizers for crows feet as it works very well at diminishing the lines around the eyes.

#3 SkinCeuticals: Renew Overnight Dry Nighttime Moisturizer

From the brand

A nighttime skin-refining face moisturizer enhanced with a hydroxy acid blend for gentle exfoliation and hydration. Ideal for normal or dry skin, this nighttime skin-refining moisturizer contains a 10% hydroxy acid blend to gently exfoliate the skin for a healthier appearance.

Why clients love it

• Minimizes the appearance of wrinkles

• Helps even out dry patches

• Great for aging, dry skin

From Teresa, our skincare specialist:

This an exfoliating product that will work specifically well if you have dry skin. People with dry skin often don’t want to exfoliate, but this hydrates the skin and gently exfoliates. Ideal for normal, and more sensitive skin.

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Want your own, personalized list of recommended products?

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#2 M.A.D. Everyday Renewing Toner

From the brand

The environment’s more damaging to skin than ever before. Pollution, stress and poor diet contribute to premature aging. Your skin needs a shield to protect against these environmental aggressors. Non-drying, balancing, quenching, a toner like no other, you’ll immediately feel the difference when you apply Everyday Renewing Toner. Sodium Hyaluronate maintains moisture and a synergy of antioxidants optimizes skin for treatments to deliver best possible results. Multi Fruit Acids for gentle exfoliation, Trinity Tea Complex to fight free radicals, and an Amino Acid-rich complex for natural UVA protection and accelerated cellular repair designed to maintain your skin’s optimal look.

Why clients love it

• Pleasant neutral scent

• Good for oily / acne-prone skin

• Gentle

From Teresa, our skincare specialist:

This is a toner that everyone can use, and one of the few on the market that is alcohol free. For me, that’s the way toners are supposed to be. It has anti-aging properties and feels refreshing and moisturizing, bringing the ph of the skin to normal — gently.

#1: M.A.D. Photo Guard SPF 50 Self-Adjusting Foundation

From the brand

M.A.D Skincare Sun Protection products deliver cutting edge UVA/UVB protection and more. This non-greasy yet moisturizing liquid SPF 50 foundation goes on white and instantly adjusts to match your skin tone. Available in 2 shades, the Neutral is ideal for fair to neutral skin tones and the Medium is perfect for beige to tan skin tones. It can be used daily for an illuminating silky finish. The fragrance-free formula is lightweight and quickly absorbed with no dryness and is suitable for all skin types.

Why clients love it

• Convenience, easy high sun protection

• Light makeup

• Smooth on the skin

From Teresa, our skincare specialist:

This is the most incredible product on the market that will protect your skin with SPF 50, and give you a glow with adjustable color. It protects and moisturizes at the same time. You get two, in one: your SPF and your makeup! This is for people who do want to even up their skin tone, but don’t enjoy heavier makeup. This gives you a gentle coverup without the heavy look or feel of foundation.

How to get personal skincare product recommendations

As mentioned at the top, skincare is personal. Your skin is unique, so your perfect skincare product for your specific skincare goal can be different from someone even with a similar skincare profile to you. So what is better than making your best guess at your next skincare product winner? Personal product recommendations from a skincare professional.

Many estheticians and skincare salons may offer a consultation or “first-time” style facial for clients who are just beginning their skincare journey, or who simply want to get to know their skin better.

At our own skincare salon in Cedar Rapids, we offer a skincare consultation for any new client scheduling their first facial, or first facial with us. Teresa takes some time at the beginning of the treatment to discuss your current skincare routine, the products you’re using, what, if any, sensitivities or allergies you have, and your specific skincare goals. This is followed by examining your skin then putting together a personalized facial based on your unique skin and its needs.

After your personalized facial, Teresa can provide personalized skincare product recommendations to match, some of which she may have even used during your treatment.

When you work with an esthetician or facialist or skincare specialist who focuses on getting to know your individual skin, they are able to give you product recommendations that have the highest chance of success for whatever your goals are. Not to mention, you’ll walk away better acquainted with your skin yourself, and can make your own better-informed product choices moving forward.

Skincare Products FAQ

We’re sure you’ve still got some questions! Here are some common ones we get about skincare products. If you still have product questions of your own, schedule a skin care consultation at our salon in Cedar Rapids by calling (319) 373-9596 or by requesting an appointment online.

——

How do I know if a product will work for me?

No skincare product will work for everyone, even when following those helpful skin type labels like “dry” or “oily”. This is why there are just so many products to sort through! Quality ingredients certainly help, but at the end of the day, it comes down to your unique skin.

There are a few great ways to increase your new skincare product success, rather than just buying blind.

1. Get to know your skin type: Dry, oily, combination, mature, and acne-prone are some of the common labels for skin types, and are used to categorize many skincare products. Many skincare brands even offer self-assessment guides for how to find your skincare type and make shopping easier.

2. Ask for a sample: This takes the most risk out of buying a full size of a skincare product you’ve never tried before. If it doesn’t work out for you, you didn’t spend a lot of money, and you won’t have another bottle of product you won’t finish cluttering up your cabinet.

3. Get a skincare consultation for a professional assessment: Skincare self-assessments are a great starting point if you are just beginning your skincare journey. But if you’re looking for something a step further, consider a skincare consultation with a skincare professional. This will give you even further insight into what new skincare products could work for you.

What if a skincare product doesn’t work for me?

It’s natural to try a product and find it doesn’t give you the results you were hoping. Depending on where you purchased the product, there may be a return policy available, but not always. This is why samples are great options when trying a new product. Take note of what in particular didn’t work with your skin. Did you have a reaction? Did it make your skin oily? Did you break out? Did nothing change? And also take note of the ingredients in that particular product. Over time, and after trying many different ingredients and products, you may start to see a trend for how your skin reacts to certain ingredients. This information is priceless! A skincare professional can certainly help shortcut this process and give you a good foundation to start with.

What skincare products can I combine?

Just like all the ingredients in your kitchen, not all of them should be used at the same time! If you’ve already added something spicy to your dish, you might not want to double up. Same can be said about skincare products. You don’t typically want to mix like-type products, like two exfoliating products. Some product combinations just don’t want to play nice with one another. For example, when using retinol with a moisturizer, you many need to wait 20 minutes after applying retinol before applying your moisturizers. Be sure to read all the information that comes with your skincare product, as they may highlight what products to avoid using in conjunction. Keep track of how your skin responds, and stop using a product combination if your skin becomes irritated. Finally, talk with a skincare specialist for help building a personal skincare regimine, and to learn more about how and when to combine specific products you’re interested in using.

How can I buy one of these products?

While we don’t have an online store, you can give us a call at our salon in Cedar Rapids at (319) 373-9596 to order any of the products listed here. Teresa can help you further assess if a particular product is right for you and your skincare goals. If ordering over the phone, we provide pickup in our Cedar Rapids salon, or can ship directly to you. You can also schedule a skincare consultation over the phone or on our website where Teresa will be better able to assess your skin for even better personal recommendations.

WANT OUR BEST SELLERS IN YOUR CABINET?

CALL TO ORDER

---

Meet your Cedar Rapids Skincare & Electrolysis Specialist:

Teresa Dove

Teresa is the proud owner and operator of Professional Image Enhancement. She is a Licensed Cosmetologist (L.C.) and Licensed Electrologist (L.E.) based in Cedar Rapids and has been providing professional skin care and permanent hair removal to her clients from all over Eastern Iowa for over 25 years. She regularly attends the International Esthetics, Cosmetics & Spa Conference for continuing education and to stay on top of the industry.

---

You may also like:

Is a relaxing facial the best Valentine’s gift for her? Read this to find out!

Your wife, girlfriend, or partner is the most important person in the world to you! 

You intentionally choose them as your partner in this one life, and if you’re married, you’ve even vowed it! You likely spend more time with them than anyone else, and they probably know you better than you know yourself. You share intimate secrets and dreams with them. They inspire you, care for you, and you deeply want them to feel fulfilled and happy in their life. Because that’s what love is, isn’t it?

But so often people are grabbing some drugstore chocolates and flowers as an afterthought on their way home from work on the 14th. 

Meanwhile what our partners really want is to actually feel the care and love that you do feel for them.

So you’ve come up with the idea to gift them a pampering, relaxing facial at a local salon to show them how much you care for them. Sounds perfect and romantic, right? How do you know it really is the perfect gift you thought it was?

Today we’ll walk through how you can be confident in whether a relaxing and personalized facial is perfect for your Valentine.

Is a relaxing facial the best Valentine’s gift for your Valentine?

What does your Valentine Enjoy?

Now, of course we’re saying that we believe a facial is the best Valentine’s gift. And for some, it definitely is! But it also might not be for your Valentine.

How do you know? 

Well besides just point-blank asking her, “would you like a facial for a Valentine’s gift this year?” and completely spoiling any surprise, there are some more discrete ways to flush this out.

Do they already enjoy facials?

Easiest way to find out if your Valentine would love a facial this year? Do they already enjoy facials? Have they gotten facials in the past, but it’s just something they don’t have time or budget for anymore? Or did they have a facial once on vacation and absolutely loved it, but haven't gotten around to finding a good skincare salon near home yet?

If they have had facials before, it would be a good idea to casually bring up their previous facial(s) and ask how they enjoyed the experience. You wouldn't want to accidentally gift them something they’ve done before but disliked! And the more time before actual Valentine’s Day, the better as to not arouse suspicion. 🤫 

Well what if your partner has never had a facial before? Then let’s break down what the gift of a facial entails, and think critically if those elements are things she would enjoy.

Would they like some alone time?

Firstly, facials are often solo services. There are some salons that offer couple's massages, but couple’s facials are less common. If a salon does provide parallel facials, they tend to be done in separate rooms, so you’re still alone for the service.

Logically, for many people, a Valentine’s gift is meant to represent and honor your relationship, and should include time together, rather than apart. Would your partner be turned off to a gift that didn’t include time with you?

However, if you, say, have a romantic evening together, at the end of which you present the gift of a relaxing facial to be used at a later date, you can manage both a solo-themed gift, while also spending time together. Win/win!

Are they looking for peace and relaxation?

Peace and quiet. Taking time to do something, enjoy something, just for you. 60 minutes without email notifications, phone calls, or pestering kids or colleagues. These are often the top reasons why our clients love facials. 

Does your partner have a particularly chaotic daily schedule? Are they constantly rushing from place to place, task to task? Is the majority of their time spent taking care of those around them? Whether that be employees, children, other family members, or even colleagues and friends?

If this sounds like your partner, then the solo time that comes with a relaxing facial might be exactly what they’re looking for.

But be careful - some people have lives that don’t stop because that’s exactly what they enjoy. Some people hate the idea of an hour with nothing but their busy bee thoughts. 

Which one is your partner? Not sure? Try to investigate with questions like:

• “Have you had some time to yourself today?”

• “Would you like me to take some things off your plate?”
  (And if they say “yes” to taking things off their plate, be sure to actually follow through!) 

• “Do you feel like you get enough down time?”

Not only will these help you better assess if your Valentine would enjoy some quiet alone time, but will likely make your partner feel loved just for asking! We all love to be noticed and thought of, after all.

Would they be uncomfortable?

Secondly, a facial is a personal service. It involves an esthetician using their hands to apply product to and massage the face for anywhere from 30-90 minutes. And the esthetician performing the facial will likely be someone you haven’t met before. And while the esthetician is a professional and typically makes themselves relatively easy to ignore so the client can focus on relaxing, some people may find this uncomfortable.

So think about how well you know your partner. Do they feel uncomfortable having their face touched? Even in an atmosphere made to feel relaxing?

A skincare service is the perfect gift for…

In short, it’s important to actually test the waters to see what your partner enjoys. This of course goes for any gift-giving occasion.  Please remember that people are not a (word for homogenous) group! And yes, this goes for women, too.

So who is this the perfect gift for?

A relaxing and personalized facial is the perfect Valentine’s gift for: 

• someone interested in time alone, maybe in addition to an activity together, 

• someone who isn’t bothered by someone touching their face,

• someone who may have enjoyed getting facials in the past

What about products? 

While there is something to be said about unwrapping a physical item, gifting skincare products can be tricky. Which ones go well with their skin? What skincare goals does your partner have? Are they allergic to any topical ingredients?

You could take an observant moment and make note of what they already have in the medicine cabinet. But isn’t the spirit of gift-giving, gifting something one wouldn’t get for themselves?

And of course there’s the classic hang-up of handing them a bottle of “get rid of those wrinkles, baby!” on the most romantic day of the year. That might send the wrong message…

When you gift a service like a personalized facial, you avoid the possibly boring routine of products they already use day to day. It gives them an opportunity to explore new additions to their routine with advice from a professional in the skincare industry.

Just be sure to stray away from the “so you can look better” or “younger” types of messaging when actually doing the gift giving. You don’t want to imply there’s anything wrong with the way they look to you now. Instead, lean into messaging like “pampering” or “relaxation” or “you-time”.

But it is true that unwrapping an envelope isn’t nearly as fun as the mysteries of what lay inside a gift box. So here are a few ideas to make giving a gift certificate or digital gift card more exciting!

• Turn it into a scavenger hunt with hidden clues throughout their office or home

• Put the envelope in a box with loads of packing peanuts or shredded paper

• Place it in a small box, wrap it, then place it in a larger box, wrap it, then in an even larger box! — just make sure your Valentine will see this as more amusing than irritating 😉

Choose a quality salon

Now that you know if a relaxing and personalized facial is the best gift for your Valentine, be sure to shop at a local skincare salon with a good track record and reputation. Teresa at Professional Image Enhancement has been providing high quality skincare services and electrolysis for over 30 years, so you know they’ll be in good hands! Whether your Valentine has never had a facial before or is a facial connoisseur, they’ll be sure to leave feeling refreshed, relaxed, and better informed on how to take care of their unique skin.

Want to go above and beyond?

So you’ve decided to order a gift certificate or gift card for a skincare service, like a facial, for your Valentine? With just one additional step, you could really go over the top!

No one likes a gift that turns into a chore. So how about not just purchasing the ability to enjoy a facial some time, but actually book the appointment for them!

Do you share a digital calendar? Have access to their appointment book? Do they have a secretary that manages their agenda? Take advantage and seal the deal when you set aside a specific day and time for them to enjoy their gift. Then it doesn’t become an item on their to-do list.

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Frequently Asked Facial Questions

We’re sure you’ve still got some questions! Here are some common ones we get about gifting personalized facials. If you still have questions of your own, reach out to our salon in Cedar Rapids by calling (319) 373-9596 or by requesting an appointment online.

——

What kind of facial should I gift?

The safest bet here is a personalized facial. With a personalized facial, the esthetician will take a little bit of time at the start of the treatment assessing the client’s skin, and discussing their skincare routine. From this assessment, the esthetician will build a facial specifically tailored to the clients skin and skincare goals. You can’t go wrong with that! Order your gift here.

How much does a facial cost?

This all depends on the type of facial, the salon providing it, and the duration of the facial and can cost anywhere from $60-$120. Facial treatments typically can come in 30, 60, and 90 minutes, and the price of course goes up with the longer durations. Cost can also increase if you want to include an additional service like a chemical peel or microdermabrasion to your facial. Adding an additional service can increase the price above $120, especially if you’re looking to book a 90 minute treatment. It’s best to contact the salon you’re interested in directly to get a quote on a specific facial they offer.

In our salon, if you’re looking to gift a personalized facial for Valentine’s Day or any other occasion, we recommend getting an eGift card with at least $95 that includes the price of a basic facial with a little wiggle room for some possible additional service, or credit toward a product.

If I order a digital gift card now, how do I deliver it on actual Valentine’s Day?

The eGift cards we offer include the option to deliver the gift now or on a future specified date! So you don’t need to worry about accidentally sending it too soon, or forgetting to order it on that day. You can order one of our convenient eGift cards here and have your V-day shopping done in a few clicks. Again, we recommend at least $95 for personalized facials.

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Meet your Cedar Rapids Skincare & Electrolysis Specialist:

Teresa Dove

Teresa is the proud owner and operator of Professional Image Enhancement. She is a Licensed Cosmetologist (L.C.) and Licensed Electrologist (L.E.) based in Cedar Rapids and has been providing professional skin care and permanent hair removal to her clients from all over Eastern Iowa for over 25 years. She regularly attends the International Esthetics, Cosmetics & Spa Conference for continuing education and to stay on top of the industry.

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4 Unique Skincare Holiday Gift Ideas

No matter the gift giving holiday, we’re always looking for new and exciting ideas for our loved ones. Everyone wants to be that perfect gift-giver, don’t they? Well here are some ideas to send you in the right direction for your skincare loving friend or relative this Christmas (or whatever holiday!). And if you want to go a little above and beyond, Put a Bow On It!

1. Ask their aesthetician, facialist, or skincare specialist

   Are they already a regular at a local salon? Any good skin care specialist keeps records of the products their clients love and that are working well with their skin and the season. So stop by and ask what products your loved one is using right now and what might need a refill. It’s the next best thing to reading their mind!

   Put a Bow On It: Ask their facialist for a luxurious recommendation based on your loved one’s skin profile. Perhaps something they haven’t wanted to splurge on for themselves and treat them! That’s what gifts are for, aren’t they?

2. Give the gift of the results that you’re getting

   Are you really satisfied with your facialist? Are you getting skincare results that are just sending you over the moon? Well you can put those feelings of confidence and beauty in a box and give them as a gift! Or at least you can get pretty close. Ask your salon if they have gift cards or gift certificates. If you and your loved one share similar skin profiles, gift them one of your favorite skincare products.

   Put a Bow On It: If there’s a specific treatment that’s really been making you feel amazing, get a gift certificate for that specific service or amount, and maybe a little extra for a product. Then put the envelope in a box full of packing peanuts or newspaper so they still have something fun to open.

3. Demystify the world of skincare! Or at least their own personal skincare

   Many people have never visited a skincare salon or gotten a facial before because it can be very daunting. There seem to be endless options for the kinds of treatments you can get, let alone the variety of products. So get them a personalizable package with a skincare consultation! Some salons and facialists are able to take a generic service and personalise it based on someone’s skin type. Ask if your salon offers this, and if they do, grab a gift certificate.

   Put a Bow On It: See what options they have for upgrading the service. Can you can pair a facial with a massage? Maybe some aromatherapy? Ask the salon what extras they can offer to make your loved one’s experience truly relaxing.

4. A classic skin type gift basket

   If you know your loved one well enough to know what kind of skin they have (you must be close!), get a collection of products suited for that skin type. Talk to a skincare specialist at a recommended salon or at your own, and talk with them about the products they would recommend for skin that’s dry, oily, combination, ageing, acne prone, etc.

   Put A Bow On It: Ask the salon if they do skincare consultations. Book them one along with an amount to be used toward products based on recommendations from the skincare specialist during the consultation.

Happy holidays from Professional Image Enhancement!