Posts in Skincare & Beauty
What is Microderm? Everything You've Wanted to Know About Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion, or “microderm” for short, is a physical tool used to sand away the outermost layers of skin. It works by physically exfoliating the dead skin cells of the face and removing them with light suction. Depending on the machine used by your esthetician, microderm sprays tiny abrasive crystals over the surface of your skin, then sucks them back up with a vacuum attachment. Newer models, like the one we use in our microderm services at the Pearl Day Spa, use a diamond-tipped wand that glides over the surface, providing the same effect.

Read More
3 Common Early Spring Skin Conditions and How to Fix them

As spring arrives and then temperature increases, sweat and increased oil production increases. Oil and sweat on their own are not inherently an issue. The skin creates oils in order to protect the moisture barrier, which prevents foreign bodies from entering the skin as easily. But oil production is increased, it can trap dirt and dead skill cells in the pores, leading to blemishes, pimples, and blackheads. So how do you set your skin up for success over this transition period?

Read More
Do I Need An Eye Cream? and more questions on turning 30

But aging is part of life, and there are some inescapable things that aging entails: not being able to pull all-nighters like back in college, worse hangovers, et cetera. I am also noticing more changes in my skin that I am not exactly thrilled by. So let’s explore some of the ways our skin changes from 20 to 30, and what to do to mitigate some of them.

Read More
Consider Women-Owned Businesses this Mother's Day

As Mother’s Day approaches, I find myself thinking of all the women I see hustling to provide for their families, those girlbosses who are focusing on their big dreams, and those managing to do both. At the Pearl, we support other women-owned businesses through our retail selections, partnering with both local and international companies to provide the best in spa and skincare products. If you’re looking for a unique gift this year for Mother’s Day, check out some of these offerings we carry from women-owned businesses:

Read More
The Secret to Soft, Glowing Skin

Spring is upon us, which means the sun’s out and our skin may actually see the light of day. After a long winter, your skin can sometimes feel dry, flaky, and appear dull. It’s time to shed the past season and step out feeling fresh and radiant. The best way to do that? Exfoliation! I love treating my skin to various exfoliating approaches year round. Exfoliation supports a healthy glow, skin cell renewal, removal of dead skin, clear pores, and makes all the nourishing gems from your favorite skin care products more effective. Let’s look at the different types of exfoliation, the benefits, and how you can get smooth radiant skin for yourself.

Read More
WTF is Acne (and how do I make it stop)

Acne, pimples, blemishes, zits-- whatever you call them, they SUCK. Not only can they be painful sometimes, but they can also have a big impact on your self confidence. Trust me-- I’ve had 15 years of personal struggle with it. I am sitting on my couch writing this, acutely aware of the volcano-sized pimple hiding out just under my jawline. It got me thinking-- what even is acne? And, probably more importantly, why? Maybe, by talking about it, I can somehow shed light on how to get rid of it once and for all.

Read More
Four Simple Ways to Make Self Care more Environmentally Conscious

The environment. It’s kind of a big deal. So is wellness. But a lot of the time, self care and wellness routines aren’t the most environmentally friendly. The spa and cosmetic industries have yet to make significant changes to their practices, and problems like greenwashing make it difficult to determine what is truly impactful as a consumer. Here are some tips and pointers if you are looking to make your wellness and self care routines, both at the spa and at home, a little more eco-friendly.

Read More
5 Reasons Fall is the Best Time for Chemical Peels

Maybe years of back-to-school conditioning have affected me, but autumn feels like a time for new beginnings. Like a switch flipped, autumn has suddenly arrived, painting the hills and valleys of Eugene gold and orange. It’s time to unpack the sweaters, brew endless pots of tea or coffee, and settle into the still of the darker months. Like me, you might be ready for fall and winter-- but is your skin ready? 

Read More
5 Summer Hacks to Cool Off, Spa Style

Those skincare products you have that normally live in your medicine cabinet are just as at home in your fridge. After a long day doing yard work or hiking, I like to put on a chilled sheet mask-- I recommend the Celavi Cucumber or Aloe Sheet Mask. Similar to a cold compress, cooling your sheet mask reduces puffiness around the eyes. But, unlike a cold compress, sheet masks….

Read More
The Little Joys of a Really Good Pedicure

There are certain joys in life that are irreplaceable: a new book, a fresh garden tomato, a perfect blanket of snow on a winter morning. Joys like these are seemingly insignificant, yet they can have the biggest impact on us. Little joys can be the difference between a cherished memory and a normal Tuesday. I see the importance of creating time and space for new little joys in my day-to-day existence. To some, they seem indulgent or selfish, but I view them as necessary breaks in the monotony that awaken the senses, bring clarity and renewed optimism. One thing that I rely on to bring me so much joy are pedicures.

Read More
Everything You Wanted to Know About Intimate Waxing but Were Too Afraid to Ask

A lot of women are hesitant to try intimate waxing. There can be a lot of emotion, shame, or even pressure in making the choice to remove hair from this area. However, it is 100% your own personal decision to wax or not to wax. Our esthetician, Allie, put it best, “It’s amazing to see how waxing can boost confidence and just make them feel like a new woman. 99% of them are waxing for themselves... not for a partner.” So tame the bush or don’t, we support everyone making the decision that’s best for their body.

Read More
The Secrets to Perfectly Waxed Skin

First, leading up to your waxing appointment, you should stop exfoliating for at least a couple days. Exfoliation can leave the skin more susceptible to irritation, and potential lifting (that’s when layers of skin pull away and tear.) You should also stop using certain products before a waxing appointment. Retinol should be stopped for 2-5 days before, since it can thin the skin. If you’re on antibiotics, you should also postpone your wax appointment to prevent skin lifting.

Read More