By Jessica Denyer, thebirdonfire.org Editor-in-Chief

No matter who you are or what you do, everyone in the entire world has had at least a pimple in  life. Acne and general skin problems are recurring issues that billions of people deal with every day. I was one of them. I know how terrible it is to feel like you need to hide your face under pounds of makeup or try a new skin product every week. For those of you still suffering, I am here to help! Please, just listen!

Throughout most of middle-school and into my high-school years, I dealt with progressively worsening acne. It was really bad. No, like really bad. I have spent many nights crying into my serums just wishing that some day one of them would finally be the magic fix I needed. I know when I write these things, I’m really personal, but I know I’m not alone here, and I seriously want to help. 

I tried Clearasil. I tried Cetaphil. I tried every drug store brand. I tried every expensive brand. I tried Microblading. I tried special facials. I tried prescription creams and pills. NOTHING. Around the end of freshman year it was really starting to take a toll on me. Mentally, I was exhausted, and it was making me depressed. I would turn down plans regularly, and people would even try to talk to me in regards to my acne. “Have you tried….?” “Do you wash your face?” “You’d be so pretty if you could just get the acne under control.” Yes, these are all real comments I would get on a regular basis. Not to be dramatic, but it was totally ruining my life. I was at my wits’ end, until I heard about a skin expert and acne specialist named Nicole and her company Meta Skin Studio which was located in downtown Palm Springs but has since moved to Borrego Springs.

Nicole Mandallaz, or as I simply know her, Nicole, has been in the esthetics industry for over 13 years and has worked on everyone from Hollywood celebrities to little old me. For her, skincare isn’t just about getting the check; it’s about helping people and making them feel as confident as possible in their own skin.

Now, of course, I was skeptical, but anyone that knows me knows that I am never one to give up. I went home and checked out her website, and it seemed promising. I booked an appointment with her, and when I got there she was so lovely, and I could tell right away she was going to help me. I remember my mom even leaned over to me and said, “I think this one might finally work!” She assessed my skin, but also went on to ask me about my diet and regular habits. She was very detailed and wanted to know everything about me. No one else had ever gone into such detail. I think the thing I liked most about Nicole was the fact that she didn’t make me feel disgusted about my skin. She made me feel comfortable and confident that she was going to get me looking right. 

So besides her wonderful personality, what makes Nicole so special?

Nicole’s products contain ethically sourced, active plant extracts and botanicals that haven’t been diluted like most skincare companies, and they have research-backed results. Her products are all cruelty free, and her packaging is all completely environmentally friendly. I started on a special acne treatment of various products that she had hand picked for me, and she told me to try cutting out sugar, as my skin was inflamed, and sugar apparently contributes to that. After doing this for only two days, I couldn’t believe the immediate results I was having. My skin was less red; the acne itself had gone down, and the rest of my face was soft and smooth. I continued my treatment for six months, and by that time my acne was completely healed. Of course, I still get the occasional zit, who doesn’t? But, overall, my skin was perfect compared to how it once was. Now I use a different set of everyday products from her to keep my skin clear. 

So, what is the point of me writing this? So that the good people of this school who may also be dealing with similar skin issues as I did can finally have some relief. Meta Skin Studio is a small business whose products really work, and I want as many people to know about it as possible both for the prosperity of your skin and her great business. 

A message from Nicole:

“You can think you’re doing everything right from what you read on the internet, but treating acne takes many things internally and externally to help you get clear. It’s not going to be as easy as taking a couple pills or using a few creams, and everyone is unique. What I do is help give you tools to manage acne for the long run. The results are all you, I just help along the way.”

Nicole has relocated recently to her beautiful new spot in Borrego Springs. If that feels too far a drive, you can have an online meeting with her and send her photos of your skin. She can give you an assessment remotely. 

If you want to learn more, reach out to Nicole at (760) 835-2004 or at www.metaskinstudio.com.