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I have a confession to make: I canceled my spa membership. I didn’t want to. I genuinely love my monthly skincare treatments and catching up with my esthetician about skincare, career, family, and romance. But with rising costs from inflation and a fragile job market, I had to make some tough decisions and cut back on spending — and that meant professional grooming had to go (for now, at least).

I’m not alone. A Business Insider report from May 2025 found that 42% of regular salon patrons reduced their visits in the past six months, with 24% stopping services entirely. Most of them cite saving money as the reason for breaking up with their nail tech, hairstylist, esthetician, or massage therapist. Since Latines are among the most affected by job losses — with unemployment rates up 10% since April, according to Investopedia — many of us are also taking a break from our favorite salons and spas, or at least reconsidering them.

But just because I’m no longer spending $100 to $150 a month on facials doesn’t mean I’m giving up on skincare altogether. According to Neutrogena’s 2025 Belleza Latina Study, nine out of 10 Latinas between the ages of 18 and 34 say clear, healthy skin is extremely important, and more than half call their skincare routine a source of confidence. I couldn’t agree more.

With that in mind, we’ve put together an at-home facial guide that combines salon-style technology with Latina-owned skincare products — so you can treat yourself with ingredients and techniques rooted in culture at a fraction of the spa cost. And while some of these products are an investment, unlike a single in-salon treatment, they’ll last you for dozens of uses.

All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.

**Cleanse Your Face With the Wild Rose Cleanser by Honor MD**

Every facial treatment starts with cleansing to remove dirt, oil, and makeup while prepping the skin for the next steps. The Wild Rose Cleanser by Honor MD is a gentle, nourishing facial cleanser designed to release impurities without stripping the skin's natural moisture. Infused with antioxidant-rich rose hip seed oil and vitamin-packed seaweed, this cleanser supports collagen production and provides soothing benefits and a light, natural rose scent.

Honor MD is a skincare line created by the husband-and-wife duo Dr. John Diaz and Ursula Diaz. The couple — with roots in the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Peru — combined their expertise to launch Honor MD in 2019. Ursula’s background in cosmetic chemistry and skincare and Dr. Diaz’s expertise in medical science and plastic surgery informed a brand built on centuries-old plant-based remedies and modern formulations.

**Honor MD** Honor MD's Wild Rose Cleanser, $, available at Honor MD

**Use SBJ Esntls' Strawberry Dreams Facial Steam To Open Pores and Prep Skin**

After cleansing, it's time to open your pores, soften the skin, and prepare it for deeper treatments with a steamer. You can do this at home without any fancy equipment by heating water, but you can elevate this step with SBJ Esntls' Strawberry Dreams Facial Steam. This vegan, plant-powered blend by Mexican makeup artist and esthetician Jessica Monzalvo combines hibiscus, jasmine, and ashwagandha to promote blood circulation and loosen buildup for a deep pore detox and supple skin. Just boil water and pour it into a heat-safe bowl, add two tablespoons of the Strawberry Dreams blend to the hot water, drape a towel over your head and the bowl to capture the steam, and enjoy the steamy essence for 10 to 15 minutes.

**SBJ Esntls** SBJ Esntls Strawberry Dreams, $, available at SBJ Esntls

**Extract and Hydrate With Shark Beauty’s Facialpro Glow**

Anyone who's had a facial knows that after steaming comes the slightly uncomfortable part: extractions. If you’re not a professional, it's not recommended to use a comedone extractor to remove blackheads or whiteheads, since doing so incorrectly can lead to irritation, infection, or scarring. Luckily, technology now makes it possible to safely perform this step at home without the pain or risk.

Shark Beauty's new FacialPro Glow is an advanced at-home facial device that combines hydro-powered extraction, hydration infusion, and contrast therapy to deliver spa-quality results. Start by applying the Derm Detox AHA + BHA Exfoliating Gel to loosen buildup and prep the skin. Next, move on to extraction by attaching the exfoliating head to the device and using gentle suction to cleanse pores and remove impurities. Finally, switch to the Hydro Infuse BHA Hydrator, which replenishes moisture and boosts hydration by up to 128% and leaves the skin glowing.

**Shark Beauty** Shark Beauty’s FacialPro Glow, $, available at Sephora

**Use LED Light Therapy To Target Skin Concerns at the Source**

Okay, so LED light treatment isn’t technically part of a basic facial, but it was always one of my favorite add-ons, especially for calming the redness from my rosacea. With at-home LED Light Therapy masks, you can experience the same benefits without booking an appointment (or spending $50 to $75 more for each weekly treatment). Using LED light as recommended can help stimulate collagen production, reduce inflammation, and improve overall skin tone and texture.

Shark Beauty’s CryoGlow LED Light Therapy Face Mask takes the experience up a notch by combining red and blue light technology with cryo-cooling therapy to address multiple skin concerns — from breakouts and fine lines to puffiness and redness — at once. Start by applying the mask to clean, bare skin. Then wear it for about 10 minutes, allowing the light wavelengths to work beneath the skin's surface to encourage cell renewal and calm irritation.

**Shark Beauty** Shark Beauty’s CryoGlow LED Light Therapy Face Mask, $, available at Ulta

**Or Customize Your Facial With a Joanna Vargas Sheet Mask**

If you're saving up for an LED Light Therapy mask but still want to address your skin concerns on a budget, consider using sheet masks. These masks come in a variety of formulations to target different skin concerns, like hydration, brightening, calming redness, or firming. The Joanna Vargas skincare line offers a range of products, including masks like the Eden Instant Lift Mask and the Twilight Face Mask.

For years, founder and renowned celebrity esthetician Joanna Vargas, of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent, has used these innovative ingredients in her New York City and Los Angeles spas, and now you can enjoy the same treatments from the comfort of your home.

**Joanna Vargas** Joanna Vargas' Eden Instant Lift Sheet Mask, $, available at Revolve

**Sync Your Skincare Serums to Your Cycle With Muhza Skincare**

Next, it's time to add on your serums, which penetrate deeply into the skin to address specific concerns, like hydration, acne, brightening, or calming. One of my new faves is the Cyclical Muhza Skincare Serums, which are designed to align with the natural hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle. This approach addresses the various skin needs that arise due to changing levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Peruvian founder Alexia Coutts created the line after being diagnosed with PCOS, which made her recognize the impact of hormonal fluctuations on skin health.

Naturally, the Muhza system comprises four serums. The Muna Serum provides hydration and supports the skin barrier using prebiotics, probiotics, peptides, and hyaluronic acid during the menstrual phase. The Puri Serum encourages gentle renewal through fruit acids and mandelic acid, promoting exfoliation and skin resurfacing, during the follicular phase. The Qori Serum shields and balances the skin with bakuchiol and licorice root extract, reducing hyperpigmentation and boosting collagen, during the ovulatory phase. And finally the Ayni Serum calms inflammation and soothes the skin using lactic acid and salicylic acid, addressing issues like acne and redness, during the luteal phase.

**Muhza Skincare** Muhza Skincare Serums, $, available at Muhza Skincare

**Cool and Calm Your Eyes With Ere Perez’s Grape Water Eye Serum**

One of my favorite add-ons is the ice globes that estheticians use to cool, de-puff, and massage the skin. With the Ere Perez Grape Water Eye Serum, you can treat the delicate skin around your eyes to that same refreshing, soothing ritual.

Founded by Mexican-Australian entrepreneur Ere Perez, the natural beauty brand’s Grape Water Eye Serum features a cooling jade rollerball applicator that enhances microcirculation, reduces puffiness, and maximizes ingredient absorption. The serum itself is rich in antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and licorice root, which help moisturize, calm, and brighten the under-eye area. Simply take it out of the refrigerator, shake well, and gently roll the applicator from the outer corner of the eye to the inner corner three to four times.

**Ere Perez** Ere Perez's Grape Water Eye Serum, $, available at Ere Perez

**Hydrate With Tata Harper’s Nourishing Water-Lock Refillable Moisturizer**

Every facial requires a hydrating moisturizer, and Tata Harper's Water-Lock Refillable Moisturizer is a standout. This lightweight, silicone-free formula from Colombia-born Tata Harper and her husband Henry Harper uses orange peptides, pomegranate spheres, and macro hyaluronic acid to create a breathable barrier that smooths roughness, evens texture, and combats dryness and dullness. It primes the skin beautifully and works for all skin types, including dry, oily, combination, or balanced. Apply a generous layer to your skin, massaging gently in upward, circular motions until it's fully absorbed.

**Tata Harper** Tata Harper's Water-Lock Moisturizer, $, available at Tata Harper

**Nourish and Protect the Eye Area With Skinwit’s Eye Cream**

Finally, no facial is complete without a nourishing eye cream, and SkinWit's Eye Cream has made a name for itself as a go-to for brightening and de-puffing tired eyes. Founded by Dani Montanez in 2018, this formulation uses Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), retinol, hyaluronic acid, caffeine, peptides, and Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone to target dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines. These ingredients boost collagen production, accelerate skin regeneration, and deeply hydrate the under-eye area. With this cream, a little goes a long way. Apply a pea-sized amount to the under-eye area using your ring finger or the accompanying applicator, gently tapping until the cream is fully absorbed.

**Skinwit** Skinwit's Firming & Illuminating Eye Cream, $, available at Skinwit

**Exfoliate Your Lips With Seis Cosmetics’ Sugar Lip Scrub**

One of the most frustrating facial add-ons is a lip exfoliation. I just don’t think there should be a $10 charge for something that’s so easy to do at home. With Seis Cosmetics, a beauty brand rooted in founder Suhay Gonzalez’s Dominican heritage, you get a delectable sugar-based scrub designed to buff away dryness, dead skin, and flakiness as much as you need. Infused with shea butter, peppermint oil, rice extract, safflower oil, sunflower extract, and rosemary extract, this scrub smooths rough textures and leaves your lips feeling nourished and protected. Simply apply a small amount to slightly damp lips, gently massage with your finger to exfoliate, and rinse with warm water.

**Seís Cosmetics** Seis Cosmetics’ Sugar Lip Scrub, $, available at Seís Cosmetics

**Lock in Moisture With Vamigas’ Boquita de Rosa Lip Mask**

Last but certainly not least, it's time to moisturize your freshly exfoliated lips with a nourishing lip mask. Right now, I'm loving the Boquita de Rosa Lip Mask by Vamigas, a clean, sustainable skincare brand founded by Chilean-American Ann Dunning and Mexican-American Christina Kelmon. Packed with rosa mosqueta, agave, and papaya, this lip mask restores moisture to chapped lips, leaving them soft, nourished, and protected. Simply apply a small amount to clean, dry lips, and leave the mask on for at least an hour or overnight for maximum results.

**VAMIGAS** Vamigas’ Boquita de Rosa Lip Mask, $, available at Vamigas

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Fall is finally here, and you know what that means: The holidays are just around the corner. And while it may feel early, that hasn’t deterred brands from releasing some of their big-ticket holiday items. Case in point: Beauty-stuffed advent calendars.

While these blockbuster sets usually come at a premium price point, that's for a few reasons: They tend to be limited in quantity, feature exquisite packaging, and contain myriad products, including full sizes or limited-edition shades.

All that's to say that the beauty-filled advent calendars you'll find here are not only marvelous to ooh and aah at but also provide a surprisingly good value, given the ample contents inside. (Pro tip: Find a buddy to go halfsies with and divide the spoils.) And while advent calendars are inherently an exercise in patience, we won't tell if you open up all the teeny-tiny doors the day it arrives on your doorstep...

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

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