The 7 Basics of a Facial

A woman receiving a professional facial

A facial might seem like an extra, over-the-top beauty service that only wealthy people get to have a day of pampering—but a facial can actually be a very important part of a regimented skin routine. A professional facial can be used to help your battle with blackheads, find a remedy for anti-aging, and yes, it can be a very relaxing way to spend an afternoon.

If you’ve never gotten a facial before—or if it’s been awhile—here is a list of what to expect will happen during your professional facial appointment.

Cleansing

After you’ve gotten undressed to your level of comfort (typically shirt and bra off, and then you wrap yourself with a towel), your esthetician will come back into your room and begin your facial with a deep cleanse. She will typically use cotton balls or a special sponge to get your face all nice and clean.

Skin Analysis

One of the big benefits of getting a facial is that you finally have a skin care professional who can take a close look at your skin and analyze it. This will help you know what type of skin you have and how to best care for it. She will also look at any skin conditions that you have (blackheads, whiteheads, aging, sun damage, dehydration, etc.) and make recommendations for further care.

Steam

To loosen up any blackheads or whiteheads that may be lurking on your face and to give your skin some much-needed moisture, your esthetician will apply steam directly to your face—typically using a machine that will put a thin layer of vapor on your skin.

Exfoliation

In the next step of a facial, your esthetician will start your process of exfoliation in order to make the skin a smoother surface. Exfoliation can be done in a mechanical or chemical way, with each having their benefits. A chemical exfoliation is usually done in a series of steps and is much stronger than a mechanical exfoliation.

Extraction

If you are in need of any extractions—i.e. getting rid of those blackheads and whiteheads—you can opt to do so. However, if your skin doesn’t need this then this step will obviously be skipped.

Facial Massage

Now here comes the good part: Your esthetician will massage your face and neck in order to help you relax and also to stimulate the skin cells. Be sure to enjoy this part of the process!

Are you interested in schedule a professional facial? Whether you need to pamper or your skin is having some issues, Volume Eyelash Studio is here to help you with all of your skincare!

The 5 Biggest Beauty Myths

An assortment of makeup brushes and makeup on a counter

There are millions of beauty blogs, vloggers, Instagram accounts, and magazine articles giving beauty advice—and not to mention our mothers (the ultimate source of beauty advice). But how do we know what's real and what's fake when it comes to the advice they give?

Here are the top five beauty myths that we've ever heard—debunked.

1. Your Brows Should Always Match Your Hair

Oh, where do we begin with this one? Some people have light eyebrows and dark hair. Some people have dark eyebrows and light hair. Both of these are fine. 

We're all about beautiful eyebrows, but we're also all about working with what you've got—and if what you've got is light eyebrows when your hair is dark, that's fine by us. 

2. A Base Tan Will Prevent a Sunburn

As much as we'd like to think that this beauty myth is true, the reality is that no matter what, when you go out into the sun you are risking a sunburn. Plus, sun exposure is so not good for your skin. In fact, a tan is actually a sign that your skin cells are damaged from the UV rays. 

3. You Shouldn't Put Lotion on Oily Skin

There's so much wrong with this myth. Although it's counterintuitive, oily skin actually needs moisturizing just as much as dry skin. However, if you have oily skin you'll need to be careful about the kind of moisturizer you use. Instead of heavy, saturated lotions like shea or cocoa butter, look for lightweight lotions or serums containing hyaluronic acid or glycerin. This will be lighter on your face and won't overload it.

4. To Help Your Hair Grow Faster. You Should Cut It 

We've always been told that in order to grow long, strong hair, we need to get our hair cut in order to refresh it and aid in its growth. This is so not true, according to beauty experts. It turns out that the best way to help your hair grow, you should take care of it by using restorative shampoo and cutting down on the number of times you wash it. Keep your hair trimmed regularly, but there's no need to get drastic with it to promote new growth. 

5. Wearing Makeup Daily Is Bad For Your Skin

It's good to skip a day of makeup every once in awhile—if nothing else but to save time—but, there's no basis that makeup is inherently bad for your skin. What actually causes skin issues is when you forget to take your makeup off or using faulty methods. (Not that any of us have ever been guilty of this.)

Are you in need of a facial or microblading to freshen up your look? Call the experts at Volume Lash Studio in Santa Barbara to schedule an appointment today! 

 

 

 

How to Take Care of Dry Skin

A woman puts lotion on her hand

Whether you're dealing with chronic dry skin or you're just a seasonal dry skinned person, it can be very frustrating to deal with—especially when your makeup starts to flake off and your skin feels rough to the touch. 

Here are a few tips for taking care of dry skin and getting that smooth, vibrant skin you've always wanted. 

Stop Taking Long, Hot Showers

You know those long, hot showers that you love so much? Not only are they making the rest of your family angry because you're taking too long in the bathroom, but they're also drying out your skin hardcore. Instead of blistering hot, take it down a notch to a warm shower—and make it snappy. Trust us: Your skin will thank you (and so will your family + the environment). 

Avoid Anything with Harsh Ingredients

If you have dry skin on your face, you might want to take a look at all of the products that you're using on a regular basis. Are you using a cleanser with harsh ingredients like peppermint, eucalyptus, or citrus? Chances are, that could be the culprit of your dry skin. In addition to harsh ingredients, you should also avoid cleaning your face with bar soap, which can irritate it. 

Wear Sunscreen. Always.

Most beauty experts preach the importance of wearing sunscreen (even when you're not going to be basking in the rays), and we're no different. Wearing sunscreen is the least you could do to protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays, which (guess what?) could be the reason why your skin is dried out. 

Moisturize Twice Per Day

Moisturizing when you have dry skin is a no brainer, but it's important to get into the routine of doing it twice a day. Moisturize with a water-based moisturizer once in the morning and once before you go to bed. Your skin will look glorious as a result!

Get a Facial

Sometimes your skin needs a little more than over-the-counter DIY treatments. When your skin is extremely dry, you might want to seek out the services of a professional who can apply special treatments to your skin to keep it moisturized. Facials aren't just for relaxation (although they can be!)—they are a full-fledged skin treatment. 

Are you in need of a facial for your dry skin? Call the experts at Volume Lash Studio in Santa Barbara to schedule an appointment today!