"It puts the lotion on its skin."

https://vanitiesblog.wordpress.com/2020/03/22/it-puts-the-lotion-on-its-skin/

March 22, 2020 
What is this now - day 7 of the coronavirus US version?  As much as I am happy to stay home and distance myself (a beloved practice of mine already - LOL), I've realized that I don't want a world without Cosmetology, Chiropractic & Massage.  What about you?
  
As our hair grows out and our roots begin to show PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do me and your hairdresser a favor - DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!!!!   Waxing and hair maintenance is NOT - I repeat - NOT DIY!  We will be a nation of shaved heads once this is over and you get back to your salons and your hairdresser says "What do you want me to do with THIS???" because you've tried to give yourself highlights or trim your bangs.  Let it grow, let it flow, and we'll shape things up as soon as we can.

HOWEVER, one thing you CAN do at home to relieve some beauty boredom, is a FACIAL!  Granted it will be nothing like what I offer at Vanities, but it can work in a pinch as long as you have a well stocked vanity.  (Get the wordplay --- yes that is how I came up with the name of my spa.)

Step One :: if you have a pre-cleansing oil - like what I use professionally - or in a pinch, the one I first used from dermalogica, PreCleanse (these are the only two I have experience with but there are likely more) apply the pre-cleansing oil to DRY skin.  Massage around fully, and then rinse off.  This step is very useful in removing water-resistant sunscreen, oils and makeup - things that are not water-soluble.  

Step Two :: With the cleanser suitable for your skin type [or skin condition] (creamy for drier skin, foaming gel for oilier), cleanse the skin (face, neck, chest) thoroughly using small circles, especially around areas that are prone to clog [yes, even dry skin clogs] - nose, chin, forehead.  A massaging action can help to loosen embedded debris (sebum, whiteheads, blackheads, pimples).  Rinse with warm water and a cleansing sponge or CLEAN washcloth.

Step Three :: apply the exfoliant of your choice.  If you have sensitive skin an enzymatic mask is useful.  These are made with papaya and/or pineapple enzymes and are not manipulated around the skin, but left on for 2-10 mins.  OR use a textured scrub (NOT any with walnut husks --- ONLY ones with smooth, round beads) get back into circle mode and GENTLY massage the beads around the skin.  Rinse thoroughly.

Step Four ::  Clay mask.  I recommend a clay mask for both oily and dry skin.  But it depends on what else it's mixed with.  In my treatment room I have a selection - one has zinc in it for deep clearing of pimples & pores (it's a follicle, not a pore, but for sake of wordplay, you get my drift), another is geared for skin exposed to pollution (if you jog on Man-O-War, this means YOU), and one is filled with vitamins for times when your skin is looking a bit tired.  (Hmmm, I think I need that one tonight!)  Apply a generous layer and let sit for about 10-minutes. 
Tip-of-the-Day :: To REMOVE a clay mask, it is VERY helpful to first dampen your hands with warm water and apply to the dried mask, massage around a bit, and this will loosen up the hardened clay and make it easier to wash off with facial sponges or a CLEAN washcloth (yes same one from earlier.  You can use one facecloth per facial, but get a new one for each new facial.)

Step Five :: Treatment Mask.  I call this step the treatment mask not because all the other steps aren't good treatments, but because this phase can be either a gel mask or a cream mask depending on what skin you have.  You guessed it ... gel for oilier, dehydrated and cream for drier.  Although, in a professional setting where I see lots of DEHYDRATED skin, I will often layer the gel mask first, and then after that has had a few minutes to soak in, layer a cream mask (my MIRACLE MASK) over the gel for extra benefits.  Remember, skin is OIL AND WATER.  ALL SKIN is a mixture of water and oil (or sebum as we know it).  One misconception why so many oily skin people think they are oily when they are actually dehydrated..... more on that if you are interested, just ask.  EVERY SKIN needs a combination of oil and water in their products, it's just a matter of how much of each.

Step Six :: WHEEEE, ISN'T THIS FUN!!!   After your treatment mask is rinsed off, you are nearly finished.  You have some options now ... you can put on an anti-aging serum (coincidentally, I have one of the best ones on the market today ... my YOUTH SUPER SERUM); or select a serum for acne and breakouts (yep, got one of those in stock, too), you can put on eye cream, and then select your final product, your moisturizer!

An at-home facial will never replace the soothing lusciousness of The Vanities Experience, but until you can get back in that lush spa bed and let my fingers and my magic wand do their tricks, this will tide you over and keep your skin looking Vantastic.  It's also a boost for morale!  And if you have people at home with you, you can take turns playing Esthetician with each other!  Now that really sounds like FUN!  

BTW - If your vanity isn't as stocked as my treatment room is, I would be happy to create a little mini-facial kit for you to pick up at Vanities front door --- NO CHARGE!  (Gee, did I just say that?  It must be Spring Fever! (*no relation to any virus). But, yes, I would love to get back in the laboratory and play with my lotions and potions and hand pick some Pro products that you can enjoy at home until we get to meet again.  Limit of one per customer, naturally.  ​

STAY HEALTHY!!!
(Or even better .... "healthy, wealthy, & wise"!)
​
~N.