Chelsey Gets a Facial

Hello, my name is Chelsey. And I have poor hygiene. Especially with my skin.

Ok, wait. That’s not entirely true. I do take showers. I don’t smell bad or anything. But I am 31-years-old and I literally just started washing my face. I know. I know. I’m not the best at adult-ing.

But my skin has always been decent so I just went with the if it ain’t broke don’t fix it technique and it was working for me. Until it wasn’t. Until I looked into the mirror and staring back at me was an old lady with wrinkles and loose skin. I had to take a photo of myself for a blog promotion, and I was horrified to see what my face looks like up close. When did I get so OLD?!

I received a custom HD Beauty Facial from Melanie Trehan, owner and operator at HD Beauty the Skincare Boutique. Her services were provided to me free of charge for my open and honest review.

I was a little nervous when I first went in– the feeling akin to going into the dentist when you know you’re overdue. There is that underlying anxious feeling of being judged for not taking care of yourself in the way that you know you’re supposed to. But my nerves were immediately set at ease when I stepped foot into the cozy, clean lobby of HD Beauty in Rancho Bernardo.

The decor is light and fresh and it smells divine. And Melanie looked like she was glowing from the inside out. Her skin was radiating. I want whatever she got, I thought.

After introducing herself and going over details, Melanie showed me to the back room. There I was instructed to step behind the divider (that looked like it was from a fairy tale) and change into the robe. Being the bumbling freak-show that I am,  I had to call her back to clarify.

What exactly do you want me to take off? I asked. No one wants to be the lady that was only supposed to remove her socks and instead is waiting butt-naked, tucked under the covers of the bed like she owns the place.

I emerged from behind the divider wearing the soft, plush towel like a cape. It had a neck-hole. I thought I’d done it right.

Melanie gently corrected me. It actually goes right here, she said, gesturing below the armpits. My bad.

And folks, for the first time in what felt like years, I laid down in a bed all by myself. The bed was soft. The bed was warm. It smelled like herbs and lotions. Soft music started; I found my happy place.

Melanie gave me an hour long, custom facial. She asked me questions, we discussed my skin concerns, and she looked deep into my soul (ahem, pores). Each step of the way she explained in detail what product she was using and why. There were hot towels, massages, chemical peels, moisturizers, yummy-smelling oils and what I think were cucumbers placed on my eyelids.

I felt like I was in a movie. I didn’t know that real women, in real life, could get this treatment.

Everybody benefits from a facial, says Melanie. No matter what age, male or female, we all need cleansing and hydration.

The experience itself was a needed get-away for a busy mom of three like myself. Moreover, there were results afterwards. I kept glancing in the mirror and my skin seemed be singing “AHHHHHHH”. There is something about the after-effect of a facial that is very satisfying because you actually see results.

Have you ever been lazy getting your car washed? The grime builds and builds until your vehicle is covered with layers of dust, mud and water marks. You kind of forget what your car used to look like. You get used to it being dirty. But if you take it in and get it washed and detailed, you suddenly remember how good it used to look. It’s all shiny and pretty, and it feels new again. That’s what this facial was like for my skin. (Note: to the men reading, you’re welcome for the analogy. You just got womansplained.)

How did you get into this? I asked Melanie.

I started modeling as a teenager and in that process I fell in love with makeup. I was working as a makeup artist for major skin care and cosmetic lines such as Clinique, Chanel and Benefit Cosmetics, only to to find that I was covering up problematic skin with tons of foundation. I decided to target the issue head-on and go to skin care school to become an esthetician.

I got curious in the waiting room after the facial, scouring over the products that were so beautifully displayed.

That’s my line, Melanie said proudly, when I got close to one of the display cabinets.

HD Beauty Clinic Skincare is my personal luxury brand, she told me. Cosmeceutical grade skincare at a competitive price. You get the amazing results with my custom formulations at a fraction of the cost of cosmeceutical competitors that I’ve sold for years.

Seeing as how I just started washing my face, being the skincare virgin that I am, I hesitantly asked her what that even meant. She explained the benefits of a product that is cosmeceutical grade– that they are only available through doctors or licensed estheticians. And like any other product that is sold exclusively through professionals, they are higher grade and higher quality.

As someone who is just dipping my toe into the vast pool of facial care, I am not sure what this means for me. But I want good, clean, younger looking skin. So I bought products and I’m trying them. Melanie advised me that it takes a good three months for results to show. I’m taking a before picture and I will take an after so we can all see what happens.

I highly recommend Melanie at HD Beauty. She was professional and down-to-earth but most of all she was honest and knowledgeable. I’m already looking forward to my next appointment.

For HD Beauty pricing and monthly specials you can visit the website at www.theskincareboutique.com

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