Nova Skincare Studio

If dark circles, puffiness, or dryness around the eyes are concerns for you, this is a great little multitasker to know about.

Kizo Lab's eye cream combines peptides with hydrating botanicals and ingredients like niacinamide and red algae to help the eye area look smoother, more hydrated, and refreshed.

It's an easy addition to your routine without adding a lot of extra steps - which you know I'm always a fan of!

Available in the Nova studio and our online shop. ✨

It might feel early to start talking about the holidays, but if you have parties, family photos, travel, or special events coming up, October is actually a great time to start thinking about your skin.

Six to eight weeks gives us time to identify what you'd like to work on and create a realistic treatment and home-care plan.

As the event gets closer, consistency becomes more important than experimentation. And during that final week, I generally recommend keeping things calm, hydrating, and familiar rather than suddenly introducing a new product or aggressive treatment.

Good event skincare isn't about trying to transform your skin at the last minute. It's about giving it thoughtful, consistent care well before the event arrives.

Retinoids and exfoliating acids are both popular active ingredients, but they work differently - and using more actives doesn't necessarily mean you'll get better or faster results.

Retinoids support skin cell turnover and can help address concerns like the appearance of fine lines, uneven texture and tone, and breakouts over time.

Exfoliating acids work differently by helping loosen dead cells at the skin's surface. Different acids can be useful for concerns like dullness, congestion, uneven tone, and texture.

Does that mean you need both? Not necessarily.

What makes sense for you depends on your skin, your goals, your sensitivity, and everything else you're already using. This is one of those areas where a little professional guidance can save you a lot of trial and error.

I'm excited to introduce October's studio special: the Trick or Treatment Facial! 🎃

This one is all treats, no tricks. We’ll start with a luxurious pumpkin treatment designed to smooth and brighten the complexion, followed by a cloud-like marshmallow whip mask to deeply nourish and hydrate the skin.

It’s an indulgent little autumn treat that leaves your skin feeling soft, refreshed, and glowing.

The Trick or Treatment Facial is available for a limited time this October. I can’t wait for you to try it!

x Vicki

After more than 20 years working in skincare, my friends know they're going to get an honest answer when they ask me about a new product or trend.

And most of the time, my advice isn't very complicated.

Don't change five things in your routine at once. Wear SPF every day. Give your products enough time to work. Don't assume the most expensive option is automatically the best one for your skin. And if you're about to spend a small fortune experimenting with products, ask for some guidance first!

The skincare industry can make healthy skin feel much more complicated than it needs to be. A thoughtful routine, consistency, patience, and products that make sense for your individual skin will take you a long way.

And yes, my friends still send me pictures from the skincare aisle asking, "Should I buy this?" 😊

x Vicki

Chemical peels can sound a little intimidating, but professional exfoliation isn't one-size-fits-all.

Different peels use different exfoliating acids, concentrations, and approaches to address concerns like uneven texture and tone, congestion, and the appearance of fine lines. And despite the name, not every chemical peel results in visible peeling or significant downtime.

The most important part is choosing an approach that's appropriate for your individual skin, current routine, sensitivities, and goals.

Fall can be a great time to explore professional exfoliation, but that doesn't mean everyone needs the same peel. As always, I prefer to start with the skin in front of me.

I'm back!

I had a wonderful time in the UK with my husband, family, and friends, and I'm feeling refreshed and ready to get back into the treatment room.

Fall appointments are open, and this is a great time to check in on how your skin is feeling, talk about any new goals, and make adjustments to your routine as we move into a new season.

I'm looking forward to catching up with everyone. See you soon at Nova!

One of my favorite parts of being an esthetician is getting to know my clients over time and watching their relationship with their skin change.

Progress doesn't always happen overnight. It comes from consistency, patience, thoughtful treatments, and a home routine that makes sense for the individual.

I'm incredibly grateful to every client who trusts me to be part of that process. Thank you for allowing me to do what I love.

Fall is often talked about as the season to bring stronger active ingredients back into your skincare routine, but that doesn't mean everyone should make the switch at the same time.

Ingredients like retinoids and exfoliating acids can have an important place in a routine, but when and how you use them should depend on your individual skin, current sun exposure, sensitivity, and what you're already using.

I always prefer to make these decisions based on the person in front of me rather than the date on the calendar.

Your routine should follow your skin, not simply the season!

One of the things that can make booking a facial feel overwhelming is simply not knowing what to choose.

The good news is: you don't need to be a skincare expert before you come see me.

We'll talk about your concerns, your current routine, what's happening with your skin, and what you'd like to work toward. From there, I can help determine which approach makes the most sense and customize your treatment accordingly.

You don't have to figure out your skin before making an appointment. That's part of what I'm here for.