Folklore, Formulas, & The Spa Witch
I’m Kandyce, known to many as The Spa Witch!
I spent a decade in the treatment room and the lab to figure out why the industry is broken, and I’m here to help you fix your skin with botanical truth and hard science.
What Order Do I Actually Apply My Skincare?
Your skin barrier is lipid-based, designed by nature to keep water in and foreign invaders out. Because oil repels water, applying a heavy oil or rich cream first creates a seal that prevents water-soluble hydrators from penetrating.
To give every botanical extract and active ingredient its best chance to do its job, layer your daily essentials from the lightest, most water-rich textures to the richest, most oil-dense formulas.
Facial Reflexology Ritual for Radiant, (Peri)Menopausal Skin
If you’re curious about how Reflexology and Acupressure can help your skin glow, release tension and calm your mind, check out the Blog!
Why Virtual Skincare Consultations + POMP Beauty Are a Game-Changer
Discover how virtual skincare consultations with a licensed esthetician and POMP Beauty give you access to fresh, top-tier professional skincare tailored to you.
Why Most Lash Artists Quit (And Why I Didn't)
Ever wondered why so many lash artists quit after their first year? Behind those gorgeous anime spikes, custom color sets, and 'wake-up-ready' volumes lies an intense physical demand and micro-precision that few talk about. Here’s a look inside the wearable craft of lash artistry and what really goes into every set.
Nourishing Your Body with Carter + Jane
Transitioning to a minimalist, botanical-rich routine focused entirely on barrier health might be exactly what your skin is craving to finally find its true balance. In my latest article, I’m pulling back the curtain on the exact personal ritual I use to calm my own reactive skin and keep it happy all year round.
A Minimalist Routine Upgrade! Quiet Luxury
Struggling with dry, reactive skin or eyelid dermatitis? Discover a minimalist, quiet luxury botanical routine using Odacité essentials to restore balance.
Is it Dryness or Buildup? An Exfoliation Guide
Is your skin flaky, or does it just have buildup? Discover how to tell if you need to exfoliate or repair your barrier with tips from a licensed esthetician.
Why Your Skin Isn’t Changing (And How a 12-Hour Skincare Routine Fixes It)
The reason we aim for that 12-hour window, morning and night, is that our skin operates on a biological clock known as the Circadian Rhythm. During the day, your skin is in a high-stakes "protection mode," fending off environmental stressors, pollution, and UV damage. By the time evening rolls around, the skin needs to shift entirely into "repair mode." This is when the heavy lifting happens: cellular turnover increases and the skin works to undo the oxidative stress of the day. When we skip a session, we’re essentially breaking the momentum of that repair cycle.
The Ultimate SPF Guide: Finding Your Perfect Sunscreen Match
Is your daily SPF working for your lifestyle, or is it secretly irritating your skin barrier? High-performance, water-resistant sunscreens are incredible for sweaty outdoor days, but if your skin is actively healing or compromised, they might feel a bit too stimulating. In my latest guide, I’m breaking down the exact profiles of the sunscreens I carry at Trinity Esthetics, including Odacité, ClearChoice, Colorescience, and Aspen Glow, so you can choose the right tool for your specific skin journey.
Your Personal Skincare Mentor
Get an Esthetician’s Perspective
on Your Skin, FREE!
Every great journey needs a guide. I’m Kandyce, and I’m here to help you stop guessing and start a real relationship with your skin health. Let’s build a routine that actually works for you, together!
Coconut Isn't a Dirty Word: A Formulator’s Perspective
Coconut in skincare isn’t always comedogenic. Learn how different coconut-derived ingredients (oil, triglycerides, fruit extract) impact acne-prone skin and barrier health.
The Messy, Beautiful Reality of Feeling Worthy…
When I run out of steam and my routines crumble, that old "lack of self-worth" tries to creep back in. But this year, I’m learning to meet those moments with compassion instead of shame. Falling off my routine doesn't mean I've failed, it just means I’m human, and my brain works a little differently.
"Self-care isn't a destination you reach and stay at forever. It’s a practice you return to, over and over, every time you wander away."
Curated Chemistry: A Note from Kandyce
Your skin is a living, breathing organ, and it requires different support at different stages of its life. My mission is to be your guide through the noise of the beauty industry, ensuring that whatever we choose for your ritual is exactly what your skin is asking for at this very moment.
Looking for the KrX Green Sea Peel at Home? Read This First.
The KrX Green Sea Peel is not your average facial treatment. It uses liquid microneedling (or "spicules"—which are naturally sourced, microscopic siliceous "spikes" from sea sponges) to create 3,000,000 micro-channels in the skin.
This dramatically accelerates cell turnover and is incredible for pigmentation, scarring, and acne.
Beyond Marketing, Into the Science
The industry wants you to focus on the "quick fix." I focus on Skin Longevity. True radiance isn't found in a syringe or a bottle of high-percentage acid; it’s found in hydration, barrier support, and a holistic approach that respects your skin’s unique chemistry. We are moving away from "stripping" and toward "nourishing."
The Mystery of Milia: Those Pesky Little White Bumps
Unlike acne, which is caused by bacteria and oil, milia are actually tiny keratin-filled cysts. Keratin is a strong protein found in your skin, hair, and nails. When dead skin cells don't slough off properly, they can get trapped under the surface, hardening into the little "seeds" we see as milia.
To Double Cleanse or Not? The Definitive Guide to Truly Clean Skin
The concept of double cleansing is often dismissed as a marketing gimmick, but as a cosmetic formulator, I view it through the lens of pure chemistry. The logic is rooted in the principle that "like dissolves like." Most of the products we use to protect our skin in the Colorado mountains—specifically heavy mineral SPFs and long-wear makeup—are lipophilic, meaning they are designed to bond to the skin and resist water.
Your Skin is Screaming! Holistically Repairing a Compromised Skin Barrier
As a Holistic Esthetician and Herbalist, I see the skin as a messenger. If your barrier is failing, we have to look deeper than just the top layer.
The Gut-Skin Axis
Your gut and your skin are best friends—they talk to each other through the immune system. If you have "leaky gut" or dysbiosis (an imbalance of bacteria), it can trigger systemic inflammation that shows up on your face. This is why I often suggest clients look into a GI Map to see what's actually living in their microbiome.
The Evergreen Glow Program: Your 90-Day Path to Transformed Skin, Energy & Well-being
Traditional approaches often treat symptoms in isolation. A facial for dry skin, a supplement for fatigue, or a cream for breakouts. But true, lasting change happens when we recognize the interconnectedness of our body's systems. Your skin, energy levels, and hormonal balance are not separate entities; they are a finely tuned orchestra influenced by everything from your gut health and nutrient intake to your stress levels and sleep quality.
Beyond Vanity: Why Your Esthetician is Your Skincare Savior
We're more than just facialists and waxers; at Trinity Esthetics, we’re problem solvers, researchers, purveyors of herbal concoctions and skincare delights, advocates of mental health, and partners in your skin health journey.