Aveda
The Secret To Better Skin
If you’re anything like me, summer isn't exactly friendly to your skin. We all love the bronze-y summer glowing skin that the warmer months give us, but I’m not exactly a fan of the dryness that follows it. Vacations, outdoor activities, and sunbathing are all some great perks of summer, but they can be a huge opportunity for the sun to damage your skin. If you want to enjoy the sun, repair your skin, and pamper yourself a little bit all at the same time, skincare services like facials can be a great way to counteract that damage and put your face back on the right track. (So maybe you can have your metaphorical cake and eat it, too.)
For this post, I received the Oliver’s facial and see how skin treatments would fit into my skin care routine. So if you're constantly asking, "How do I get better skin?", the answer might be to pamper yourself a little more often.
Facials are the ultimate tool to relaxing yourself and giving your skin that much-needed boost during the summer.
That Tan Looks Good Now... But What About Later?
I’m well aware that putting a 375º flat iron on my hair, clogging my pores with foundation, or laying out to get a couple shades darker aren’t necessarily my “healthiest” life choices, but we all make sacrifices for our beauty routines. Ideally, for whatever sacrifices you’re making you also have some kind of reparative treatments to counteract some of the damage you’re doing.
Skin is especially important because its the largest organ in your body. While a split end from a flat iron here or there isn’t going to kill you, not having a well-balanced skincare routine can seriously damage your skin, causing early aging and wrinkles. Although you may not see wrinkles, smile lines, or excessive dryness now after spending all day in the sun, they’re more than likely to pop up in the future. Preemptively treating issues now can lead to better skin in the future, so you can keep looking healthy and glowing no matter what age you are.
Are You Feeling Stressed Out? Maybe It's Time For A Little Pampering
Skin treatments aren’t meant to be done everyday, so there is a definitely pampering factor to them. However, skin treatments like facials lower stress levels and provide tons of relaxation which can have actual, tangible benefits to your health. Countless studies have shown the negative effects of stress on the body for your health, looks, and general well-being. Spa treatments completely relax you and the added face, arm, and neck massage that is included in our facials doubles the benefits. Massages release oxytocin into your body, which directly counteract stress hormones, making you feel immediately more relaxed.
Many of us have jam-packed schedules and remembering to take time to take care of yourself mentally often takes a back burner to school, jobs, and family obligations. Sure, being pampered sounds great. But seeing as many of us have fairly busy lives I’m sure feeling de-stressed is even more appealing. Keep this all in mind for the next time someone makes you feel high-maintenance for wanting to get a facial or any other skin treatment. You can tell them it’s just for your health, like eating a salad or hitting the gym.
Don't Have Any Skin Troubles?
While I love skincare products, I don’t have very problematic skin. Being in college full time and working comes with its own set of stress, so even though I may not suffer from severe acne or dryness, I am still looking to get healthier, better skin and lower my stress levels. So, I can still benefit from the relaxation and massage properties of skin treatments.
Even if you’re like me and don’t necessarily have any specific skin issues, facials and other skin treatments can still benefit you by mellowing you out, reducing acne or dark spots, and exfoliating the dead skin cells from your face. Which pretty much everyone has, unless you frequently get dermaplaning treatments or have somehow maintained baby soft skin as an adult. (If the latter's the case, call me. I have a few questions.)
Overview of The Oliver's Facial
The Oliver’s Facial is our signature hour long skin treatment. It's great for all skin types provides a well-rounded treatment for a variety of potential skin issues. The Oliver’s facial includes a skin analysis, complete cleansing, steaming, facial massage, exfoliator, mask, and moisturizer. The facial's exact steps and products are custom blended for your needs. So, let your aesthetician know of any specific issues you notice with your skin beforehand. The Oliver’s facial is a great starting point to skincare because even if you don’t know your specific needs or have more regular skin, there’s many different steps that cover all the bases.
I’d definitely recommend the Oliver’s facial for anyone who wants to improve their overall skin health but may not know where to start. It's also a great option if you have regular skin that you want to perk up.
Setting the Mood
To preface, I’ve never had a facial before. So I was definitely excited for some relaxation during my work day. (It’s worth mentioning that at this point my friends are more than jealous of my internship. I mean, a facial during work hours? How could they not be?) I was also looking forward to the prospect of having a new step in my skincare routine that would hopefully give me better skin.
Clients at Oliver’s know how busy it is here. While our location is large, we also offer a wide variety range of services. On a typical day there's customers in and out of the door every minute and it’s very lively in here. The spa room I was in completely cut off the typical salon noise and chatter from the outside. The room was dimly lit and relaxing music was playing. and I was tempted to take a nap before we even started. (The super comfortable bed I was laying in was more than a little enticing).
My Experience: The Products
One of our aestheticians, Jen, performed the facial on me. She started off by asking questions about my skin and any trouble areas I had. I told her I had fairly tame skin, not really any acne issues but some occasional dry skin. She then explained the steps of the process that she was going to do.
I'm not a big fan of strong smells or perfumes in my skin care products. Anything with too harsh of a smell reminds me of chemicals that I definitely don't want on my skin. All of the products that Jen used on me either had no smell, or smelled natural and light. I attest this to the use of Aveda and Jan Marini products. Aveda only scents their products with all naturally sourced ingredients and Jan Marini is a top innovator in research for new skincare products. (You can check out my blog on that here!) The products felt weightless and were getting fully absorbed into my skin.
My Experience: The Treatment
Jen first applied steam to my skin to open my pores. I was suffering from allergies that week so it helped clear my sinuses as well.
Between each of the steps Jen massaged my face which was very relaxing. Around halfway through the facial, I also received a small arm, neck, and upper back massage. Different layers of exfoliators, hydrating creams, moisturizers were applied with soft brushes and sponges to my face. Next, Jen applied a super hydrating mask. The mask was left for a few minutes to fully treat my skin. (This is the point where I nearly dozed off.) A final facial moisturizer was applied and left on. My skin absorbed it and I had no residue. Finally, the facial ended with an Aveda Lip Saver which was smooth and lasted for hours.
The After Effects: Was I Glowing Like A Goddess?
Immediately following the facial, my skin was extremely soft and hydrated. One of my pet peeves are the dark circles under my eyes after waking up. The morning after the facial, they were much lighter. My face looked brighter and rejuvenated and I felt refreshed and glowy for the rest of the day. I ran errands and met with friends without a bit of makeup on my face.
As for the next day, I definitely noticed my skin looking much nicer in the morning. The under eye circles I usually wake up with were less noticeable. I noticed my skin looking evenly colored, so I used less foundation. The foundation that I did wear sat on my skin more nicely. Because of this, I didn't have to use any powder or setting spray.
Unexpected Effects
One of the biggest differences I noticed wasn't a physical change from the facial, but a mental one. My face looked and felt so amazing afterwards that I became more aware of what I was doing to it. My skin is pretty resilient, so I sometimes slack on my daily skincare routine if I'm feeling lazy. Which I usually am. After the Oliver's Facial, I was dying to keep the glow I had so I've completely stepped up my skincare routine as a result.
All of the physical benefits of the facial aside, I'm more conscious of how I'm treating my skin. The facial made my skin look better in the short term, which made me want it to look better in the long term. Also, if your skin looks healthier, you may be able to cut out some of your makeup routine. A more strict skincare routine, using less makeup, and feeling less stressed out are all indirect perks I noticed from my facial. Eventually all these little changes can build up. So, the occasional facial has a ton of indirect benefits that give you better skin.
The Road To Better Skin Continues
Is a one-time facial going to give you completely flawless skin? Of course not. But they’re great for times when your skin may need a boost, like before a special event. They're also a great idea if you need a little kickstart to your skincare routine. Over time, I can absolutely see how repeated facials can improve the overall health of your skin and stress levels. Unfortunately, there is no cure-all that will give you better skin, de-stress you, and take 20 years off of your face. (And any product or service claiming to do that immediately is probably a sham.)
However, with periodic facials to rejuvenate and mellow you out a little bit you can definitely get better skin. In other words, if you’re planning on going to a tropical vacation and laying out in the sun for a week straight, it wouldn’t be the worst idea to “counteract” some of that “damage” with a facial right when you get home. You should do it for your health, right?
Thank you to our talented aesthetician Jen for treating me to the Oliver’s Facial!
For more information on how to get this service from one of our many amazing aestheticians, call us at (610) 366-8808 or book online.
Oliver’s Top 3 Beauty Brands
Most beauty lovers have spent more than a couple years narrowing down our favorite makeup, skin care, and hair care brands. Similarly, salons have to make decisions about which beauty brands they’re going to use for the services they offer. At Oliver’s, we want to make sure our customers receive an amazing experience. The different products we use all go into making sure of that. In this post, I’m going to give you a look into the different beauty brands Oliver's uses and sells and why they make our already excellent services even better!
Here's our beautiful reception area and part of the retail space at Oliver's! It's the perfect place to snag some last minute products on your way out of the salon.
Want To Look Great Even After Your Appointment?
Getting your hair done is fun, relaxing, and exciting, but what's the point if you can't recreate how awesome you look and feel the next day? Our staff at Oliver's aren't just here to make you look amazing for the afternoon after your appointment. They're also here to educate and show you how to maintain your look so you can feel great 24/7.
When you get a service done, especially a new hairstyle, your stylist will be able to recommend specific products that can relieve some of the issues they've noticed in your hair. So, not only are you getting a new look, you're also learning how to maintain your new style and create it yourself at home. The products we sell mirror what the stylists are using while you're sitting in the chair. So if they recommend a product, it's because they use it day in and day out.
Personally, I'm not big on reading directions. It's a character flaw I'm willing to admit. However, its pointless to spend money on products and not use them correctly. If you use too much or to little, it can sometimes counteract the entire goal of the product. Also, depending on your own features, you may have to slightly alter how you use a product. To get the most bang for your buck, theres no one better than your stylist to tell you how to use what you're buying.
So Why So Many Products?
Oliver's was created on a holistic basis, meaning that all of our services are connected and we want every client to leave here feeling the best that they can. Oliver's retail area is extensive and we have products for pretty much anyone. If you have heat damaged hair, we have products for that. Want to prevent wrinkles and dry skin? We have you covered. Looking for a new outfit to go with that new haircut? We also handpick adorable clothes, accessories, and jewelry from New York. Oliver's is a well-rounded salon and spa that can totally be used as a one-stop shop for many of your beauty and fashion needs.
If you're a dedicated shopper like me, once you're on a roll nothing can stop you. So instead of driving all around the Lehigh Valley, it's pretty convenient to have almost all of your beauty needs in one place. While big name beauty brand stores like Ulta have a large range of products, not all the products there are salon quality.
What Brands Do We Use
While were use many different brands at Oliver's, our top 3 are Aveda, MoroccanOil, and Jan Marini.
Aveda is an all natural beauty brand committed to using organic ingredients. The brand was founded by Horst Rechelbacher, who is called “a pioneer of holistic beauty, and a champion of environmental responsibility.” Just like how Oliver's was the first full service salon and spa in the Lehigh Valley, Aveda was the first full service beauty brand. Aveda has a large range of products from makeup, skin care, and hair care.
MoroccanOil
MoroccanOil is primarily a haircare brand that uses Argan oil of Morocco in their products. Carmen Tal, the brand's founder, had her hair badly damaged after a color service. (Fried hair after a salon appointment? Everyone's worst nightmare.) She was away traveling and received a MoroccanOil treatment that revitalized her hair, and she knew she had to share it with the world.
Jan Marini
Jan Marini is an innovative skincare brand that constantly researches and tests new products that provide proven results. In skincare, they're one of the most respected brands because of how thoroughly they test their products. Other beauty brands make wild claims about what their products are capable of, but Jan Marini makes sure that any claim they make is based in fact.
Some Fun Facts About Our Brands:
- Aveda uses ALL naturally derived ingredients, and is cruelty free and never tested on animals.
- MoroccanOil's signature product, the Treatment Oil, has been raved about by celebs like Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift, and Penelope Cruz.
- Jan Marini products are medically validated, meaning they undergo lab testing to prove they work.
- Aveda is the first beauty company to use 100% post-consumer recycled packaging.
- MoroccanOil products use oil from the argan nut, which can only be grown in Morocco.
- Jan Marini products are cruelty free and not tested on animals.
- The aromas in Aveda products are created completely from natural plant and flower essences - no synthetic fragrances are ever used.
Already Have Your Go To Beauty Brands? Here's Why What Your Salon Uses Still Matters.
Imagine after a rough week you decide to treat yourself to a facial. Do you really want to spend that hour worrying about what the products being used might be doing to your skin? Regardless of age, background, or skin type you should be conscious of what chemicals you’re putting onto your skin and body. Beauty brands make broad claims about hydration, or anti-aging. In reality, many have chemical ingredients like parabens, synthetic colors, or harsh fragrances that can do more damage than good.
Reading every single ingredient on the back of every product you own isn’t realistic. (To be honest, I can't even pronounce most of them.) With so many skincare products out there, it can get stressful trying to find what’s perfect for you. After taking your specific skincare or haircare needs into account, it seems like theres a product for everything. Even if you eventually find that “perfect brand” for yourself, your salon probably isn't going to be using the exact products you use in your personal routine. When you visit Oliver’s, you don’t have to worry about what chemicals might be going into your skin or on your hair. For us, the number one goal is that our clients leave looking and feeling amazing.
Make Sure Your Products Are The Best Of The Best
Obviously, everyone’s skin and hair are different. What works for me might not work for you, but harsh chemicals often found in cheap products are downright damaging. At Oliver’s, we make sure to use products that are high quality and well-researched. Even though we may not use your go-tos, you can feel comfortable knowing the beauty products we use and sell are top of the line.
For more information on Aveda, MoroccanOil, or Jan Marini, click to check out their websites. If you’re interested in these excellent brands and the services Oliver's uses them for, call us at (610) 366-8808 or book online.