Article: The November Edit: A Party-Prep Facial, a Vanilla Spice Exfoliator + 25 Things I'm Loving
The November Edit: A Party-Prep Facial, a Vanilla Spice Exfoliator + 25 Things I'm Loving
Hi There,
Welcome to the very first Monthly Edit. Once a month, I'm going to round up what's new in the studio, what just landed on the shelf, and one thing worth knowing about your skin, plus a long list of everything I'm reading, using and gifting. Think of it as the conversation we'd have if you were on my treatment table, minus the steam.
November is when the heater goes on and every face I see starts feeling tight, so this month has a winter skin fix. It also has my favorite facial before a party, a limited-edition exfoliator that smells like dessert, some news I'm very proud of, and a few dates to plan around before the holidays take over.
Book your November appointment
In the studio: the party-prep facial
If you have a holiday party, a wedding or family photos on the calendar, the Glo2Facial is the one I'd book. It works in three steps: it exfoliates, it oxygenates, and it finishes with a lymphatic massage. Skin looks brighter and more sculpted afterward, and it's the kind of glow that shows up in pictures.
Here's what to know before you book:
- Time: 60 to 90 minutes in the chair.
- Downtime: none. Makeup goes on beautifully afterward.
- Timing: book it 3 to 4 days before your event.
- Price: $199. If it's your first Glo2Facial, there's a $50 off offer on my codes page.
Who should hold off. Skip it for now if you're pregnant or nursing, under 18, or have an active flare-up like a rash, eczema, a cold sore or a sunburn. Tell me first if you've had Botox or filler in the past 2 weeks, or used Accutane or Retin-A in the past 6 months. That matters this time of year, since party prep and injectables tend to land in the same two weeks. We go over your health history at every consultation, so nothing gets missed. And if you're new to the studio, the Signature Facial is the best place to start.
Add the Hydrafacial Lip Perk. It's a 20-minute add-on that exfoliates, hydrates and lightly plumps your lips, so lipstick sits smoothly all night. It's $35 and you go home with a serum to keep it going.
Book the Glo2Facial + Lip Perk
On the shelf
Three things earned their spot this month.
Marini Skin Solutions Limited Edition Exfoliator, Vanilla Spice · $95
The holiday exfoliator is back, and this year it smells like vanilla spice. It exfoliates three ways at once: glycolic acid loosens dull surface cells, tiny wax beads polish, and papaya and pineapple enzymes dissolve what's left. The result is smoother, brighter skin, with help for texture, fine lines and sun damage over time.
A little tingle is normal. It's made for combination, dry and oily skin, and I use it 3 times a week. If your skin is feeling raw right now, skip it and book the Barrier Repair Treatment instead. It's limited edition, so when it's gone, it's gone.
Shop the Vanilla Spice Exfoliator
Epicutis Holiday Boxes · Face $499, Body $375
One for face, one for body. Both are limited edition and sold only through licensed providers like me, so you won't find them at a beauty counter.
The face box is all your Epicutis favorites in full size for a great price: the Oil Cleanser, Lipid Serum and Hyvia Crème, plus an eye mask, a travel set and bag, a cream spoon, and the chic Ritual Stone to display it all on your counter.
The body box is a three-step ritual: a sugar and rice powder scrub, the Lymphatic Brush by Cecily Braden, and a full-size Lipid Body Treatment. The scrub and the brush are only here for this holiday season, and the scrub is dreamy.
It's the gift for the person who already has everything. Or for you.
Read about both boxes · Shop the face box · Shop the body box
Epicutis Hydrobiome Serum · $165
I started using this after my skin reacted badly to a PDRN serum I bought off TikTok. Lesson learned! It helped rebalance my microbiome and calm everything down so I could get back to my regular skincare.
It's a lightweight, fragrance-free gel with just 10 ingredients that calms visible redness and strengthens your barrier. It's best for sensitive, redness-prone or reactive skin, and for recovery after a treatment. If your skin is already calm and happy, you can skip this one.
Shop the Hydrobiome Serum · Read the whole TikTok saga
Shop the spotlight
Skin school: why does my skin feel tight the minute it gets cold?
Cold air outside and dry heat inside both pull water out of your skin, and your barrier can't keep up. That tight feeling is dehydration. It is not a sign that you need to scrub harder.
Three changes help most:
- Swap a foaming cleanser for a gentler one.
- Add a richer moisturizer at night.
- Ease up on exfoliating until your skin feels comfortable again.
If you're past that point and everything stings, the Face Reality Barrier Repair Treatment is the appointment to book.
Read my full winter skincare guide
Mark your calendar
I'm a 2026 Neighborhood Champion!
Some news I'm proud of: I've been named a 2026 Neighborhood Champion for Small Business Saturday, which means I get to help rally our community to shop small all season.
Small Business Saturday is November 28. Come see me at The Dunes for a luxury gift bag with orders over $100, then make a day of it at Monterey Bay Moves, The Brass Tap and El Charrito. Share your finds with #ShopSmall and #SmallBizSat and tag @doranpoma so I can cheer you on.
Codes and offers
Codes from brands I trust and use myself.
- Glo2Facial: $50 off a treatment at select providers. Sign up through my codes page.
- Intelligent Skin: 12% off my A+ everyday cleanser, the Glycolic Cleanser, with code DORANPOMA12.
- CurrentBody Skin: 10% off my nightly Red Light LED Face Mask with code DORANCB.
- Sunday Riley: 15% off my favorite first cleanse, Aquamarine Melt, with code DORAN15.
25 things
What I'm using, reading, gifting and sending to friends this month.
- It smells like dessert and it's only here for the holidays.
- The cleanser I gave an A+. Gentle enough for every day. Code DORANPOMA12 takes 12% off.
- What I reach for when my skin is red, irritated or dehydrated.
- I wear this every single night. Code DORANCB takes 10% off.
- Fuller lips, no needles. A+.
- Plump and dewy without feeling heavy. Dry skin, this one's for you.
- I grade everything I test, and not everything gets an A.
- My holiday lip routine, in three products.
- My first cleanse at night. Code DORAN15 takes 15% off.
- Tight winter skin? Start here.
- Everything I used up last month, and what I'd buy again.
- I bought something off TikTok Shop and my skin was not happy. Here's how I fixed it.
- Which face mist does your skin actually need? I compared three.
- My real routine after 40. No 12 steps, no trend-chasing.
- For the friend whose favorite plans are no plans: the cozy gifts.
- For the friend who's never home: what I'd pack first.
- Stocking stuffers under $30. I have opinions.
- The advent calendars worth buying this year.
- One for face, one for body, and who each one is for.
- I'm pairing book characters with face masks. Here's the first one.
- Speaking of which, I'm finishing up book three.
- Also on my nightstand: a very Christmas read.
- And one on menopause and anxiety.
- On Substack: I put my face in a 3D scanner!
- My weekly roundup lives on Substack.
Some links in this post are affiliate links. When you shop through them, I may earn a commission.
Local love
The Crust Deli. I'm hooked on the roast beef sandwich and the tomato soup in a bread bowl! Also, I'm so excited that TOUS les JOURS Bakery Café is coming to The Dunes.
Last call
I only have 10 appointments left between now and Thanksgiving, and that includes 6 spots I just opened the week of Thanksgiving. So if you're looking to glow like a freshly glazed turkey, get on the books now!
The Self-Care Club is sold out until next year. To join the waitlist, send me a note.
See you in the treatment room,
Doran
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Written by doran poma
I'm Doran Poma, a licensed esthetician and skincare specialist dedicated to helping you achieve healthy, radiant skin. At Haute Beauty Guide, you'll find expert skincare advice, product reviews, facial treatment insights, anti-aging tips, and beauty recommendations backed by professional experience. Whether you're building a skincare routine or exploring the latest treatments, I'm here to guide your journey to your best skin.
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