When was the last time you bought yourself a gift?

Take on the challenge of treating yourself this holiday

Hark! The herald angels sing. Although it felt like we would never make it here, it is finally Christmas. The advent of Christmas means the coming of the New Year. For most people, I am sure that neither can come soon enough! If you are anything like me, you do not buy gifts for Christmas. No, I am not a cheapskate. I am quite the opposite. Most people I know do not like gifts and do not care about your “thought that counts” either. Further, you can only show love in the languages that you wish to receive them, and what do you know? Gifts are my 4th least important love language of the 5 Love Languages. 

3 beautiful holiday gift ideas for you and your skin

Since you are in the spirit of giving this year, how about you think about something nice for yourself? You deserve it. If you are not used to spoiling yourself, no worries! I thought of a few unconventional beauty gifts that you can treat yourself to this Christmas. Let’s start with: 

1. Chemical peel

I know this is a gentle skincare blog and most chemical peels are anything but that. But, hear me out. Skincare should be a holistic experience. If you do not have perfect, poreless skin, you may need to try a combination of things to keep yours in order. One of the biggest culprits of acne breakouts, uneven skin tone, and rough texture is dead skin. 

Every day, your skin sheds dead cells. These cells protect your body from free radicals and other ugly toxins. A good skin exfoliant without ground walnut shells maintains your skin between facials. Yet, it does not get to the root of your skin’s issues. That is why no matter how much exfoliating you do, you still feel like your skin is dull, rough, and dry! Getting a chemical peel 4-6 times a year will do wonders for your skincare routine! There are few chemical peels on the market with different levels of intensity. Usually, I do a medium peel that includes TCA. This peel sloughs off all dead skin cells that are too stubborn for every day exfoliants. 

Recently, I did a VI Peel for the first time, and let me tell you - I am a believer! Some of their products are for women of color that suffer from acne and hyperpigmentation. Within two days, my skin peeled off like a snake shed its skin. It was both the grossest and most fascinating thing I ever experienced! 

2. Laser facial

Okay, so maybe you are not brave enough to try a chemical peel. I understand! It can be scary if you never did it before. If this is you, investing in a medical spa facial may be worth your dollar this Christmas. There are different kinds of laser facials that you can try. One of the most popular ones is a Laser Genesis Facial. It is a painless, non-invasive facial that targets:

• Skin inflammation and redness
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Dark spots
• Sun damage. 

It tightens your pores, reduces oil production, and improves your skin’s texture. Most dermatologists and medical estheticians recommend 4-6 treatments. The number of treatments you need depends on your skin's condition and tone. The typical Laser Genesis Facial starts at $250. Yes, that is pricey, but so is spending money on skincare products and treatments that do not work. At least the Laser Genesis Facial provides long-term results.

3. Eyebrow lamination

Oh, the wonders that a woman’s brows do for her face! Nothing frames and lifts your face like well-groomed eyebrows do! Eyebrow lamination is a non-invasive procedure that gives your brows a fuller, more natural look. It is ideal for women and men who have thinner, sparse, unruly brows.  

According to Healthline, this new procedure is akin to getting your eyebrows permed. No, they do not use chemical relaxers to straighten your eyebrows! They use keratin, a protein found in the body, to “pull up” your eyebrow hairs. This four-step process takes about an hour and lasts for up to six months before you have to do it again. Most people tend to shade and shape their eyebrows during the lamination process. Eyebrow lamination costs vary, but I have an appointment to get mine done in early January. It will cost $150.