Hey guys, storytime. Grab a cocktail and vibe with me for a few minutes. So boom, as if life wasn’t stressful enough, we decided to attend Art Basel week in Miami. Yikes! The week was filled with long uber/Lyft wait times, long lines, crowds, parties, dinners, canceled reservations, swollen feet, and exhaustion. Yet somehow, we enjoyed it all. The creativity was off the charts, and the parties had Miami rocking. But none of that was the highlight of the week.

To close the eventful week, we sleepily walked into Oasis Face Bar to warm, smiling faces and energy for the ultimate pick me up before heading back to the hustle and cold weather in NYC. The facial bar is located in South Miami and offers walk-in facials. So, no more having to schedule appointments and waiting for your dose of joy. Pop in on your own time. No waiting in a lounge, changing out of your clothes, and all the other hoopla. The décor is giving 80s Miami Vice, and I loved every minute of it. From the pink Christmas tree to teal walls and the neon sign urging you to #buyyourfaceadrink, I was overwhelmed yet overjoyed with nostalgia. I was ready to release all the stress we collected that week and weeks before the trip.

The staff, manager Ana and esthetician Lexa were just what the doctor ordered. Their hospitality and laid-back demeanor set the tone for the level of awesomeness to come. It is extremely refreshing to meet people genuinely passionate about their work. Who aren’t just trying to sell you things but offering knowledge and giving you options to aid in achieving your skin goals. Sitting in the chair at Lexa’s station, I was offered a warm blanket, water, tea, and/or a mimosa. I opted for water as the drinks the night before, and coffee at breakfast had my skin dehydrated and in need of some TLC.

Instead of just choosing a facial off a menu, Lexa started by assessing my skin, and its needs. She then tailored her services to give me what I needed/wanted: glow baby! I wanted you to have to wear sunglasses to look at me. After a once over, under a bright light, we hopped right in with a gentle cleanse and steam. I agreed to do a hydrating mask with dermaplaning. If you’re new to dermaplaning, it’s a procedure where the esthetician uses a medical-grade scalpel to remove dead skin cells and vellus hair off the top layer of your skin. This, in turn, helps products absorb better and facilitates a faster cellular turnover. It also reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and leaves your skin with a more even tone and smoother texture. Contrary to popular myth, your hair does not grow back thicker on your face after this service.

To add to the hydration goal, we ended the facial with the season’s hottest add-on, a winter mint mask with a hot stone massage. Since I manage an auto-immune disorder, lymphatic drainage and circulation are my priorities of mine. These services, coupled together, boost circulation by bringing blood flow to the skin’s surface and aides with moisture, with the mask containing ingredients like shea butter and coconut oil. I’m unsure if the next step was added for razzle-dazzle, but it impressed me. Micro-current/nano-current poles were used to lift muscles and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. When I thought it couldn’t get any better, I was met with another service that topped the previous one.

While going through each step, Lexa explained everything she was doing and its benefits. I appreciated that because we’re constantly inundated with videos of multi-step skincare routines on social media but often without explaining why someone is using a particular product. We all want glowing skin but not at the cost of a chemical burn or irritation due to product overstimulation. Lexa explained how to avoid this and the steps I should take with the products I already owned.

The facial bar also sells an array of organic products that will help you maintain your skin goals until your next visit. Because I believe one shows signs of wear and age around the eyes first, I opted for a CBD-infused eye cream. They also have dermatologist-recommended and prescription-grade products and again offer the science behind them before selling them to you. Listen, I can talk about our experience here all day, but I’d rather you see the pictures and videos yourself. It’s giving no filter, as the kids say.

Head over to our Instagram and join the conversation. What are your skin goals? Should we do a live with Oasis Face Bar to answer your questions? Let’s us