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Facial treatment after-care
So you’ve just had a facial treatment!
Feeling relaxed? Rejuvenated?
We hope so!
We recently shared a blog post on How to prepare for a facial that shared 5 steps to prepare for your first, or next, facial.
Well, as a natural companion to that post, today we’re sharing what logically happens next: facial treatment after-care!
Whether it was your first or your hundredth trip to the skincare salon, there are some steps you may need to follow after your treatment.
Let’s dive in!
So you’ve just had a facial treatment!
Feeling relaxed? Rejuvenated?
We hope so!
We recently shared a blog post on How to prepare for a facial that shared 5 steps to prepare for your first, or next, facial.
Well, as a natural companion to that post, today we’re sharing what logically happens next: facial treatment after-care!
Whether it was your first or your hundredth trip to the skincare salon, there are some steps you may need to follow after your treatment.
Let’s dive in!
Facial Treatment After-Care
Gentle, or exfoliating?
First things first, we need to establish what kind of treatment you received: something gentle, or something exfoliating?
Gentle
If you didn’t receive a specific treatment and opted for something like a basic cleansing facial, a hydrating facial, or a relaxing facial, then you likely fall in this category. A gentle facial is going to use gentle products that are safe for most skin types. The aim of these facials is usually to calm the skin, or to add hydration.
Exfoliating
An exfoliating treatment would include microdermabrasion or a chemical peel. These kinds of treatments are designed to remove the outer-most layer of your skin, revealing new, healthy, and glowing skin underneath. This also promotes collagen production, which over time, can heal some skin damage, reduce wrinkles, and overall help achieve a younger looking appearance. In addition, it can also promote healing for existing acne as it encourages the skin to turnover new cells.
Gentle facial after-care
Since a gentle facial treatment uses gentle products, you can likely expect to return to your typical skincare routine. You shouldn’t expect to experience any negative side effects like irritation or redness.
If you know you have particularly sensitive skin, you may want to keep an eye out for any unexpected reactions, even if your facialist only used gentle products. Be sure to discuss any of your concerns about potential reactions due to sensitive skin with your facialist during your consultation.
And lastly, keep your skin out of the sun. You should be protecting against sun exposure always, but definitely after a facial. You don’t want to dull your newly glowing and dewy skin! Wear hats and apply a light sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher. Your facialist may end your treatment by applying an SPF product, but you’ll want to reapply throughout the day and in the days that follow. Ask your facialist after your treatment for a specific sunscreen recommendation based on your skin type.
After care for a gentle or hydrating facial
Return to your normal skincare routine
Protect your skin against sun exposure
Report any unexpected reactions to your facialist
Exfoliating treatment after-care
If you received an exfoliating treatment during your facial, such as a micro peel or microdermabrasion, you can expect there to be some side effects afterwards.
You may experience some pinkness or redness and some irritation. You may even expect to have some peeling, depending on the strength of your treatment and your skin type. These side effects may take a day or more to appear.
Your facialist may have provided you with a nourishing moisturizer or calming balm to help mitigate your skin’s irritation. Be sure to use this as needed and as instructed by your provider.
A couple of our favorites are the Redness Rescue by MAD and Redness Neutralizer by SkinCeuticals. Our skincare specialist, Teresa, often recommends these products for after a microdermabrasion or chemical peel.
Redness Rescue by MAD Skincare
Redness Neutralizer by SkinCeutials
Because of the intensity of the exfoliating treatment, your skin is more sensitive than normal. As a result, you will want to avoid any additional exfoliation.
Identify any exfoliants you may be using in your routine by their title or description, or by their ingredients, and refrain from using them for 2-3 days. Some exfoliating ingredients to look out for are:
Glycolic acid
Tea tree oil
Benzoyl peroxide
Retinol
Micro-beads
Salicylic acid
As a general rule, most acne fighting products will contain exfoliants, so look at the ingredient label.
If there’s a product or ingredient you’re unsure of, you can always ask your facialist at your appointment, or give them a call after returning home and having a closer look at your medicine cabinet.
Exactly how long you should avoid using exfoliating products after your treatment will vary, so discuss the specifics with your skincare specialist.
Finally, protect your skin from the sun, especially after an exfoliating treatment. Your skin will be more vulnerable than normal, so cover up and wear a sunscreen approved or recommended by your treatment provider.
After-care for an exfoliating facial treatment
Identify any exfoliating products in your routine, and avoid them for 2-3 days
Treat any expected irritation with a calming product like MAD’s Redness Rescue or SkinCeuticals’ Redness Neutralizer
Protect your skin from sun exposure
Report any unexpected reactions or extensive irritation to your facialist
Discuss expectations with your facialist
The best way to define your particular facial after-care is to discuss the specifics of your treatment, your skin, and what you can expect.
It’s always beneficial to ask your facialist about the specific treatment you’ll be receiving. A good facialist will be proactive in this area, and let you know not only what to expect during and after your treatment, but how exactly the treatments or products work on your skin. In our Cedar Rapids skincare salon, we value educating our clients, and explaining our treatments is a big part of that.
An ongoing relationship with a skincare specialist is a big benefit here. This ensures your facialist knows and understands your skin well and how it reacts to specific products and treatments. This understanding informs recommendations for the treatments best-suited to achieve the skincare results you’re looking for. Familiarity with your skin also aids your provider in crafting an after-care plan best suited for you.
Is this reaction normal after a facial?
As mentioned above, an exfoliating treatment like microdermabrasion or a chemical peel, can leave you with some redness or irritation, but how do you know if what you’re experiencing is normal?
First, talk with your facialist directly after your treatment. In addition to asking for what you can expect after the particular facial you received, ask specifically when you should worry or when to call them. Their guidelines can help keep you at ease as your skin responds to your treatment.
Most of the time, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. But it’s always good to be prepared, especially if this is your first time seeing an esthetician.
In general, if you start to experience itchiness, excessive redness, or your skin starts feeling really warm, it is probably time to call your skincare specialist and let them know what’s going on. You may be having a bad reaction to an ingredient you weren’t aware you were allergic to. Your facialist can give you instructions and may have a specialized product to suggest depending on what was used during your treatment.
Again, this isn’t a common occurrence. And when in doubt, don’t hesitate to contact your facialist. They’re the expert and will be happy to advise you.
Facial after-care summary
The exact steps to follow for your facial treatment after-care will depend on your specific treatment and skin type. Discuss the specifics of your treatment and what to expect when you get home in the days to come. Be sure to follow their advice and instructions above all!
Here is a summary of the general post-facial guidance we’ve discussed above:
Discuss your treatment with your skincare specialist and what you can expect during and after facial
If you received an exfoliating facial treatment, refrain from using exfoliating products in your at-home skincare routine for 2-3 days or as directed by your facialist
If you experience normal irritation after a microdermabrasion or chemical peel, you can apply a soothing skin product like MAD’s Redness Rescue or SkinCeuticals’ Redness Neutralizer to calm the skin at home
If you did not have an exfoliating treatment, return to your skincare routine as normal
Protect your skin from sun exposure, regardless of the type of facial, but especially after an exfoliating treatment
Regardless of the treatment you received, if you experience a side effect or reaction you didn’t expect, always call your facialist to discuss it
Most importantly, listen to and follow the specific guidance from your facialist, and call them if you have any questions or concerns
Ready to get your own facial? We’ll be happy to see you in the salon!
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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How to prepare for a facial
Many of our clients have also been regular patrons of facials, but not everyone has already been introduced to this area of skincare, and trying to break into the world of facial treatments can be daunting.
So today we’re talking about facial prep! While chatting with Teresa about this topic, I gleaned these 5 steps to take to prepare for your first, or next, facial.
A facial feels like such a luxury. I remember being so excited to get my first facial treatment as a teenager, finally old enough to start playing in this world of skincare. Lucky for me, Teresa — skincare specialist, esthetician, and owner & operator of Professional Image Enhancement, is my mother. So I’ve been enjoying the spoils of regular facials throughout my adolescence and adulthood (when I happen to be home for a visit). They almost feel like second nature to me now.
Many of our clients have also been regular patrons of the salon, but not everyone has been previously introduced to this area of skincare, and trying to break into the world of facial treatments can be daunting.
So today we’re talking about facial prep! While chatting with Teresa about this topic, I gleaned these 5 steps to take to prepare for your first, or next, facial.
How to prepare for a facial
Step 1: Define your skincare goals
Before diving into all the fun of skincare products, ingredients, and finding yourself an esthetician, we need to cover our basics.
“The most important knowledge are the goals a client has.”
So ask yourself what is inspiring you to seek out a facial in the first place, and even skincare in general. Here are some goals you can consider:
Repairing past damage to skin
Preventing further damage from the sun and pollution
Managing dry skin and increasing hydration
Healing existing acne
Managing and preventing future acne
Reducing the appearance of acne scarring
Treating fine lines and aging skin
Preparing for aging skin
Evening skin tone
It’s when we have a clear picture of your skincare goals, that you and your esthetician can be on the same page and work together in the same direction.
Step 2: Become familiar with your current skincare products
In order for a facialist to create an effective facial treatment for you, they need to get to know your skin. One big way they do this is via a window into your at-home skincare routine. Of course this means you need to get familiar with what you’re actually using in your routine.
“The client has to be knowledgeable about what they’re using, to be open to share their routine, and what they might react to or that their skin doesn’t like. That will give me an idea of what kind of skin they have.”
First, it’s good to also make note of the types of products you’re using (cleansers, toners, serums, creams, etc), and what the product is aimed to do: an acne-fighting cleanser, an anti-aging moisturizer, an under-eye serum for dark circles. This further informs the aesthetician on your skincare goals, and they may have a good idea of what type of ingredients are likely to be a in particular type of product aimed at a particular focus.
Take some time to dig through your medicine cabinet, and take mental notes (or actual ones) of the key ingredients in the products you’re using and how often. Some ingredients to keep an eye out for are salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and retinol.
Finally, keep in mind the products and ingredients that tend to give you bad reactions. Do acne products always leave your skin red and irritated? Do you tend to stay away from salicylic acid? Is there anything you know you’re allergic to?
All of this information is going to be very helpful for your aesthetician.
Step 3: Find a facialist
Now comes the exciting, yet daunting task of choosing a facialist. Searching “facial” for Cedar Rapids, Iowa alone, returns well over 50 businesses!
After narrowing it down by personal recommendations or those that are most conveniently located for you, there are some qualities you want to look for.
Besides being sure they have adequate education for their field, you’ll really benefit from finding a provider who focuses on personalization. If the aesthetician talks about taking the time to get to know your skin and catering their services to you and your skincare goals, then you’re in really good hands.
“They have to search for someone who is going to customize the facial for them. No book or training will train them to do that. I’m going to try and meet the needs of your skin according to what I see and what you describe to me. If you have a little acne, I will do a little to treat it.”
A combination of foundational education and a lot of experience is what culminates to provide a truly personalized facial experience.
“The bottom line is finding someone who will customize their treatment and knows the biology and anatomy of the skin to do it correctly. That is what I recommend to everybody.”
That’s exactly what Teresa has done for 30 years!
Step 4: Don’t schedule your first facial right before an event
When it comes time to schedule your appointment, avoid anything very soon before a big event: wedding, prom, photoshoot, etc. Particularly if you’ve never had a facial before. Right before an important event is the last time you want to try anything new with your face.
If you have facials regularly and enjoy a history with a facialist or aesthetician that knows your skin well, they can be more specific about the type of treatments that would be a safe choice closer to one of those big events
“Never have your first facial right before an event because you never know. If I know their skin, if they’re an existing client, we will see what kind of facial they can have before the event. This is not the time to try anything.”
Step 5: Come as you are
If in advance, you’ve spoken with your chosen aesthetician in more detail about a particular treatment, follow any instructions for products or ingredients to avoid. Otherwise you can follow your routine as normal, just be sure to include that routine in what you share during your consultation so it can be taken into consideration for your treatment.
You don’t need to worry about leaving off your makeup that day, as your facialist will take care of any makeup removal before your treatment. You’ll also be changing into a facial-appropriate robe or wrap, so your outfit is also something you don’t need to be too concerned about.
Finally, some clients are a bit nervous about sharing their skincare routine, or lack of a routine, with a professional. But rest assured your aesthetician is simply concerned with being well informed in order to provide you the best service. No judgment found here!
We hope these steps are leaving you feeling confident for your first, or next, facial treatment! Teresa at our skincare salon in Cedar Rapids would be happy to see you whether you’re a facial novice or veteran. If you’d like to get on our schedule, give us a call at (319) 373-9596 or request an appointment online.
Facial prep FAQ
We’re sure you’ve still got some questions! Here are some common ones we get about prepping for facials. If you still have facial 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.
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Do I need to remove my makeup before a facial?
If you have a previous engagement before your facial and would like to wear makeup, that’s perfectly fine. You don’t need to go to the trouble of avoiding it or removing it before your appointment. Your aesthetician will take care of that for you as prep for your treatment. What you can wear on your face after your facial of course depends on the type of treatment you receive. Be sure to ask your facialist about this after your appointment.
What should I avoid before a facial?
If you are planning on a treatment that is on the aggressive side, ie. a microdermabrasion or chemical peel, you want to be gentle on your skin for the week leading up to your appointment. This would involve avoiding your harsher ingredients like retinol or benzoyl peroxide. Also be sure to wear your sunscreen and protect your face from those UVBs.
If you’re having your very first facial, the aesthetician will likely want to start gentle regardless in order to start learning about your skin and to see how it reacts.
Regardless of what you’re using at home, a knowledgable aesthetician can put together a facial treatment that will be a compliment. The bottom line is to be very clear about what you’re already using so your facialist can plan accordingly, and always talk with your specific treatment provider about any details.
How should I wear my hair for a facial?
At your facial, your aesthetician will use a cloth or paper headband to wrap all the way around your hairline. You’ll also be laying on your back. So, well-involved updo’s will likely be inconvenient, and if you’ve spent time slaving over a curling iron, you may be disappointed after laying on your hairstyle for 45+ minutes. Casual is better here. Hair down or in a low ponytail will be just fine.
What should I wear to a facial?
After your initial consultation and it comes time for your actual treatment, you will be provided a towel, robe, or wrap to change into. So the clothes you wear to your appointment aren’t particularly important. But perhaps opt for something that’s easier to get in and out of. This may be the time to pass over the full lace-up boots or that dress with a zipper in the back that you can’t quite reach.
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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Is a relaxing facial the best Valentine’s gift for her? Read this to find out!
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.
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.
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.
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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!).
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!
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?
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.
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.
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!