A little more than four years ago, Alanna Silva opened her own business. Fast forward to the present, and she is celebrating nearly a half decade of operation, with plans to stay in business for many years to come.
“I made so many mistakes in the beginning,” she told the Sun, “but I think I’ve learned some really valuable lessons.”
For example, education is key when it comes to skin care.
“A lot of people are misinformed about their skin,” Silva said. “They aren’t aware you should be using a cleanser that is pH balanced for your skin.”
One common occurrence Silva runs into with customers is that they use store-bought bar soap to wash their faces. “They think they have one type of skin but it’s only because their skin has been stripped because they’re using bar soap,” she explained, adding that the base acidity of the soap can strip skin of its protective coating.
According to Silva, people should consider or learn what type of skin they have before choosing the appropriate product to care for it.
“If you are a drier skin type, you want to go with a creamier cleaner rather than something that lathers and foams up, but if you have oily skin or [acne], you want something with salicylic acid to help clear your follicles,” she said.
Teaching her clients about how to properly care for their skin is one of the best aspects of the job, Silva added.
“I like to talk to them about their skin and give them advice on their skin care products and how they can have their best skin ever,” she said.
It’s a passion Silva has held close to her heart since she was a kid.
“I remember waxing people’s eyebrows in high school and it was dreadful,” she said. “I made so many mistakes: Some would be too far apart, while others had arches that were weird. Everybody had awful, awful eyebrows back then.”
Now, however, Silva is focussed firmly on the future, as she plans to focus on the clinical treatments for skin care, which include things such as microdermabrasion—a manual form of exfoliation using a machine that has a wand attached to essentially a large vacuum that runs along the skin.
“It’s very similar to a ‘sandpaper-like effect,’ she said. “It helps reduce fine lines, and makes skin very, very smooth. It’s similar to taking a rough piece of wood and sanding it down.”
Silva currently offers the treatment starting at $75 per half hour session and includes a facial clay mask. Other sessions vary depending on the needs of the client.
To set up an appointment, call (805) 598-0235 or visit schedulicity.com/scheduling/sba4ek.
Silva said she is also planning to host some skin care product giveaways on her Facebook and Instagram pages. The winners will be announced in February.
Highlights:
• The Santa Maria and Orcutt Lions will host their 37th annual enchilada sale on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Enchiladas will be sold by the tray for $8. Proceeds go toward glasses for local youth. The meals are made to order. To place an order, call Don at (805) 720-4898.
• Jewelry designer Diane Dorsey and jazz musician Ron Helman announced the opening of the artisanal boutique R&D in Los Olivos. The gallery offers a highly edited collection of original works of art, jewelry, and home accessories unique to the Santa Ynez Valley. Dorsey’s own collection of hand-cast 18-carat and sterling jewels are featured along with pieces from fine jewelry designers Scott Diffrient, Anthony Lent, Amyn Rahimtoola, and Holly Masterson—each selected for their master gold and silversmithing skills and their distinct designs.
Staff Writer Spencer Cole wrote this week’s Biz Spotlight. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, mail, or email at spotlight@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jan 25 – Feb 1, 2018.