My Favorite At-Home Facial

It may surprise some of you to know that I am not a big fan of facials. I’m not sure what happens when I get them, but despite looking amazing when I walk out, I always breakout a few day later. I look good for three days, but I suffer for two weeks while waiting for my skin to clear up. As a result, I have taken to doing my own facials. If you are eagerly awaiting your spa to open so you can get your facial, I understand. It’s wonderfully relaxing. In the interim, consider giving my favorite at-home facial a try.

Double Cleanse

Any good facial starts with cleaning the skin. I like to start with a cleansing oil or oil balm cleanser. I apply the cleanser in a circular motion all over my face starting on the cheeks and moving onto the forehead, then down the nose and onto the chin. I massage the balm all over my face and then remove with a warm, damp cloth.

The next step is to cleanse again with a cream, gel, or foam cleanser. I prefer a gel cleanser. Using upward strokes and beginning on the chin and moving toward the forehead, then in circular motion all over the face adding a bit of water to emulsify. After massaging into the skin, I remove the cleanser with a warm damp cloth.

Exfoliate

The next step is to exfoliate. I prefer a chemical exfoliator to a physical one (one with grains or beads). I generally use a peel pad like that from Dr. Gross or Cane and Austin. Again, moving in upward strokes from the chin to the forehead, swiping the pad over the entire face. Let sit for two minutes.

Steam

I like to follow the exfoliation with steam. I steam for five minutes to open my pores.

Mask

At this point, I apply a mask all over my face. I choose the mask depending on the particular needs of my skin at the time. Lately, I’ve been loving the brightening and hydrating masks. Leave the mask on for five minutes and remove with a warm damp cloth.

Moisturize

My last step is to moisturize. I apply a few drops of oil and then follow with a cream moisturizer to lock in.

• About the author
• The latest from Angela
• About the boutique

Angela Sitilides

Owner | Bellacara

http://www.bellacara.com/

info@bellacara.com

I have been a beauty junkie for what seems like forever, but before I did anything about it, I went to law school. (Yes, my life is a little like the reverse of Legally Blonde.) Then, I worked as a prosecutor in Sonoma County after which I moved to the DC area with my husband in ’97. I served as Majority Counsel to the Senate Banking Committee followed by a year-long stint at a lobbying firm. You get the picture. It was then that I decided to act on my dream of becoming an entrepreneur. Finding my favorite beauty products proved to be impossible without stepping foot in a mall–the horror. So, I decided to bring my favorites to Alexandria. A few trips to New York and a flight to France and Bellacara was born in March 2000.

• 

  Finding My Routine

  By Angela Sitilides

  06.08.21
• 

  Jillian Dempsey Makeup, Now At Bellacara!

  By Angela Sitilides

  05.25.21
• 

  Bellacara Goes Online

  By Angela Sitilides

  05.18.21

Located in historic Old Town Alexandria, for more than 17 years Bellacara has been Northern Virginia's preeminent boutique for high end cosmetic, skincare and haircare products. At Bellacara you will find premiere beauty products that have been carefully edited by the store’s owner, Angela Sitilides, who personally tests all the products sold in store. The boutique carries only the best product lines – Kiehl’s, Jouer, Dr. Dennis Gross, Christophe Robin, Moroccan Oil, Bumble & Bumble, Fresh, Molton Brown, Skinceuticals, Smashbox, Stila, Mario Badescu, Clarins, Dermalogica, Kevyn Aucoin, Kai, Child, St. Tropez, Smith and Cult, and many more.

www.bellacara.com

1000 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

703.299.9652