I’m No Longer a Facial Virgin Because of Vital Skin Care

I had my first pedicure at my bridal shower and my first manicure a few weeks ago. Odd, maybe. Pampering simply wasn’t a part of my culture growing up.

Nonetheless, when I was offered the chance to have an Austin facial as my first facial ever, there were no complaints from me. Megan Deterling of Vital Skin Care has been a much appreciated sponsor of The Austinot in the past, and she kindly invited me out for a facial demonstration.

Vital Skin Care is located in Grapevine Salons’ northern location, just off of W. Anderson at Mopac. Grapevine Salons is an elegant space with multiple suites that are rented out. The vast majority of suites at this location are occupied by hair stylists. There are also a small handful of manicurists (or is it nail technicians? I never know what to call them). Vital Skin Care is in the minority, with only one other suite offering facials on site.

Genesis of an Esthetician

Megan Deterling, owner of Vital Skin Care, received her degree in Nutrition at Texas State. After graduating, she decided to get licensed by the State of Texas as an esthetician. (I love that word. Seriously. Try it.) Getting this type of license requires 750 hours of instruction and practical and written exams.

Megan Deterling

With her license, Megan has been working as an esthetician for the past four years. Since Vital Skin Care opened this past May, she has performed a variety of services, including facials, eyelash and eyebrow tinting, waxing and chemical peels.

Vital Skin Care specializes in chemical peels, which aren’t offered by many similar businesses. While microdermabrasion provides deep exfoliation of the skin, it can’t be focused on specific trouble spots like pigmentation, sun damage and acne scaring. Chemical peels can.

Because of the exciting results Megan has been able to achieve for customers through chemical peels, they’re one of her favorite services to provide. Her other favorite is waxing, which she likes because it provides “instant gratification” to customers.

My First Austin Facial Experience

Here’s Vital Skin Care’s facial routine:

• Cleanse and steam
• Exfoliate and steam
• Extractions
• Toner to prevent breakouts
• Massage
• Hydrating masks (to replenish stripped-off oils)
• Moisturizer
• SPF

Let me just say that I loved my experience. Aside from the extractions part, the whole process was absolutely relaxing. Megan took her time and was extremely thorough. She used soothing lavender lotion during the massage of my face, hands, arms and shoulders, and learned that my arms are abnormally ticklish!

Note: the room will not be this bright during your facial!

It was so hard for me to get up once she was finished. I wanted to stay for another hour to nap, with the lights kept low and the quiet music playing in the background. Though the relaxation part had to end, the positive effect on my skin was just starting. I immediately noticed that my skin was super soft and smooth. And the next day when I woke up, my skin was clearer than it had been in a long time.

Megan loves what she does and it shows. Not only that, but she’s extremely knowledgeable about her craft, the products and tools she uses (all her products are paraben-free), and the way our body systems work and how it affects our skin. She provides a safe environment for asking questions, and I really enjoyed learning from her.

Vital Skin Care often runs monthly specials that provide a great excuse for a first-time visit. Megan is generously offering two specials for friends of the Austinot who are first-time clients: $60 facial ($85 value) and $40 Brazilian wax ($70 value). Just let her know that I sent you!

Stay up to date with Vital Skin Care on their website, Facebook page and Twitter.

@QuasiBrit asks:

What is your favorite part about getting a facial?