The 411 On CosMedix's Opti Crystal and Eye Genius
Our massage therapist, Kelly, met up with Anissa, a longtime esthetician here at the milk + honey 2nd Street District location to discuss all things skincare and about our May special, featuring Cosmedix's Opti Crystal and Eye Genius. Though the two work in different departments, and don't get that much time to talk much, they really enjoyed connecting with each other and geeking out about milk + honey spa's culture. Check out the interview here:
Kelly: So how long have you been in aesthetics?
Anissa: I've been in aesthetics for 20 years, and I've been here at milk + honey for almost five.
Kelly: Same as me! Cool! Outside of aesthetics, what do you like to do in Austin? What's your favorite thing to do when you're not working?
Anissa: I love spending time with my family. I have a 13-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy, and a husband. Austin is getting a little too big for us, but when we're here in town, we enjoy eating at all the great restaurants and I like to run around the lake. But, we really like our quiet little corner outside of the city in Round Rock.
Kelly: What's your favorite type of client to work with?
Anissa: My favorite type of client is someone who is laid-back and open to learning more about skincare. Someone who doesn't have a lot of insecurities; who's very open to your knowledge and skill.
Kelly: So someone who's open to working with you and learning more about their skin...someone who's more enthusiastic about asking, "What do you know?!"
Anissa: Yes, exactly!
Kelly: What do you think about the Cosmedix line in particular?
Anissa: I think that Cosmedix is a great line, in general. Being as seasoned as I am, I would love to have other things to bring into the treatment room. I miss hyaluronic acid. I think that's a really important ingredient. Cosmedix doesn't have that in any of their products. And I love supporting local businesses, so I miss Inventive. I also think it's important for us being a local company to support local organizations if we can.
Kelly: Yeah, and we are in the process of creating our own milk + honey skincare line, so that's really exciting.
Anissa: Yes, I'm very anxious for that to happen!
Kelly: What would you most like to see in terms of our skincare line? What would be super exciting for you, when we start developing that?
Anissa: Scent is a big deal, especially for our clientele. I know that anything we create needs to smell really good in our spa, that's really important. And then, of course, effective ingredients.
Kelly: Yes, and I know that we have a commitment to natural ingredients and things that are naturally derived, free of phthalates, poly-parabens, etc.
Anissa: Yes, I'm all about all-organic ingredients and low-waste packaging, too. If we can ever do anything using less plastic, less glass, etc., I don't know if there would be a way for us to have a bulk system so clients can refill their products (like cleansers and daily moisturizers) and just reduce the amount of waste we produce overall, that would be incredible!
Kelly: It would! And we would be doing more with less, for sure. So, we're currently running a Cosmedix special...with the purchase the Opti Crystal and the Eye Genius together, at our 2nd Street District, Hill Country Galleria, or South Lamar locations, you'll receive a free RevitaLash or RevitaBrow, which a pretty amazing value in terms of the Revitalash. How much is Revitalash, normally?
Anissa: I think it's around $110 to $150 depending on the size.
Kelly: And I've heard that people in our spa who've gotten a chance to use it have found it really effective, too. You'd never think that there would be a product that would promote growth and density with the eyelashes, but apparently it really works!
Anissa: It really does.
Kelly: In terms of the Opti Crystal in conjunction with the Eye Genius products, to whom would you generally recommend them to? Who would see the most benefit from using that combination of products?
Anissa: Obviously, everyone over the age of 30.
Kelly: What?! Really? Men and women?
Anissa: Yes, definitely. What I really like about the combination of these two products is that Eye Genius you can use morning and night. You don't have a blue glow around your eyes. With the Opti Crystals, you may have a bluish-green tint on your skin.
Kelly: And that would be only for nighttime, the Opti Crystals?
Anissa: You can mix it in with the Eye Genius or your regular moisturizer, or even CosMedix's Pure C to take away that bluish-green color, a lot of people are turned off by that during the day. And if they're wearing makeup, it gets a little weird with that. (laughs)
Kelly: (laughs) Like they're trying to cover it up? So generally speaking, people normally apply the Opti Crystals at night, before bed?
Anissa: Yes, definitely. And, the other great thing is to apply the Opti Crystals to your upper lip, to reduce fine lines there. Then you'll have blue glowing eyes and a blue glowing lip. (laughs)
Kelly: Wow! So if your spouse is having trouble finding you at night, you'll be glowing in the dark! (laughs) What exactly makes the Opti Crystals so useful and effective in terms of diminishing fine lines?
Anissa: The copper complex is the ingredient that really helps with that product.
Kelly: Ah, so the blue tint, that makes sense!
Anissa: Yes! It is amazing, though. I mean, within 6 weeks when I have my clients come back in, you can see a marked difference in the lines on their face and their eyelids, it really is an effective product. It's actually one of the products I recommend the most from CosMedix. Even though I might have glowing eyes, it's the one I really like and I regularly use it myself.
Kelly: Wow. And then Eye Genius, my wife uses. And she's a working mom like you, so sometimes sleep can be scarce if one of our kiddos gets sick or something blows up at the office. And she swears by it to just even out fine lines or puffiness or dark circles around the eyes.
Anissa: Exactly.
Kelly: And then how long do these products usually last you? Does a little go a long way?
Anissa: A little does go a long way. You can use a q-tip and just use a pinpoint amount. With Opti Crystals, it's not as if more is better. And again, you can mix it in your moisturizer or in the Eye Genius and it gives the application a little more slip.
Kelly: And how much would those two containers last you with regular daily application?
Anissa: Six months, easily.
Kelly: That's great. So it's an investment. I just wanted to check, because some might be concerned about the combined price-point. Thanks for all the info!
Anissa: Yeah, of course! And just to add, I always remind my clients, and I'm gonna sound like the dentist now, "You have to floss!" But for these products to really work, you have to use them. You have to add them to your daily routine. So every night, put it where you know you're going to use it! By your toothbrush, or by your nightstand, wherever.
Kelly: So would this go in the moisturizing stage of your evening routine, apply it then? Wash, tone, moisturize, and then apply it?
Anissa: Yes, and then put your eye treatment on. Or you could even put your eye treatment on and then moisturize. But as long as you're doing it regularly, it will work!
Kelly: And then generally speaking, how often do you recommend that people get facials?
Anissa: Every 4-6 weeks.
Kelly: Cool! Thank you so much, Anissa!
Anissa: Thank you! Anytime I can answer questions, I'd be glad to!
Contributor: Kelly M., is one of our talented 2nd Street District massage therapists.
Leave a comment