I Tried Sephora's Perk Facial - Here's What Happened
Sephora offers facials? That's right!
The newest addition to Sephora's service menu is the Perk Hydrating Facial. The cosmetics giant started offering this option in October 2017 and it is truly unique. I got an e-mail about it and booked an appointment pronto.
HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED:
- CONSULTATION: I arrived at my appointment and took a seat along the beauty bar which was set up with lit mirrors, sinks, and various applicator tools. My beauty advisor Kat, who is specially trained to use the Perk System (not all associates are) asked me various questions about my skin type, cleansing routine, and what I wanted to achieve with my skin. I shared that I had oily, acne-prone skin that I wanted to get under control and clear up dark spots.
- CLEANSING: Kat provided me with a headband and cape to put over my shoulders. She then picked out products to use on me based on what I shared with her (see below for her selection of products + links). She removed my make-up with an oil cleanser and washed my faced with a clay/water-based cleanser.
PRODUCTS USED DURING FACIAL
Boscia Make-Up Breakup Cleansing Oil (favorite oil-based cleanser)
+ Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Face Wash (effective oil-eliminating face wash)
+ Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Essence
+ Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Serum (for heeling acne scarring)
+ Sunday Riley U.F.O Clarifying Oil (prevent and treat acne)
+ Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Moisturizer (light gel moisturizer)
+ Dr. Dennis Gross C+ Collagen Brighten & Firm Eye Cream
+ Supergoop 50 SPF Sunscreen (broad spectrum & high SPF is A++)
3. THE PERK: Once my face was clean, Kat attached 1 of 2 Perk rollerball pens to a long tube, which was attached to the device that sats on the counter (above). This is a salon-grade machine that simultaneously exfoliates, sucks up dead skin, AND pushes nutrients into your skin. Both pens contain concentrated serum: the Nourishing pen contains lactic-acid and the Eye Replenishing pen contains Vitamin C.
Kat turns on the machine and starts rolling the device in long strokes across my face and occasionally dotting near my eye area. The device gently sucks up dead skin, blackheads, oil, and other debris. Kat eventually switched to the 2nd rollerball pen for brightening and repeats the rolling process. It didn't hurt at all but I did feel a light pressure from the suction. My skin turned a little red during the process but reverted back to normal after a few minutes.
Finally, Kat turned the Perk device off and proudly showed me what came off my face: a jar of oil floating on top of cleansing solution and dead skin on the bottom (see below). It was disgustingly cool to look at. It was mesmerizing to see what the pen was able to suction off. My beauty advisor claimed that she could see my blackheads floating around but I didn't see any.
4. FINISHING TOUCHES: Kat wrapped up the facial with a layer each of essence, serum, oil, eye cream, moisturizer, and sunscreen. The entire treatment took about 35 minutes.
THE RESULTS: (before & after)
Before the treatment, my skin was uneven, spotty, and slightly dull. Immediately after the treatment, my skin was noticeably brighter and smoother. The areas around my chin and around the sides of my nose showed the most improvement. These areas had whiteheads and felted "bumpy". Post-treatment, these areas were significantly clearer and smoother. What the Perk facial didn't address was my budding pimples. The pens didn't clean out my pimples so don't expect any changes there. However my older acne scars seemed ever-so-slightly lighter.
The morning after, I noticed that my skin looked plumper and glowy. Nice!
So would I do this again? This isn't a skin-changing treatment but - ultimately yes. BUT - only if I had plans to buy product at Sephora. The Perk facial is complementary with a $75 purchase. It is like getting a free facial with your purchase so make sure you go to the appointment with what to purchase in mind. You can book facial appointments online on the Sephora website.
Have you tried Sephora's Perk Facial yet? Let me know how it worked out for you!