Skin Care Secrets From Barbra Streisand's Facialist
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Welcome to Take the Edge Off, a series that breaks down the beauty and self-care routines of influencers, CEOs, experts, and celebrities. Find out how they unwind and decompress, while taking a closer look at the holy grail essentials they're currently raving about.
Behind every jaw-dropping red-carpet makeup look or next-to-perfect unedited selfie lies one thing: an effective skin care routine. For nearly 30 years, entrepreneur and aesthetician Angela Caglia has been the mastermind behind the celebrity complexions of stars like Lili Reinhart, Aurora James, and Barbra Streisand, as well as her namesake product line Angela Caglia Skincare. Caglia's love for skin health started at a young age on her grandfather's ranch in Central Valley, California.
"My grandfather was a farmer of apricots, nectarines, and plums, and he would ship them all over the world. My brothers and sisters and I were always on his ranch, and they would eat the fruit while I was mixing it in bowls and patting it on my face at, like, eight years old," she tells BAZAAR.com. "And I was kind of obsessed with that; I'd love to take off [my mixtures] and see my skin look different afterwards, which made me even more fascinated with the process."
Caglia later studied abroad in Paris at the age of 23, which ultimately transitioned her early experimentation into a well-rounded and practical knowledge of skincare. After moving to West Hollywood, and eventually New York City, she began working in-house for a number of prestige brands like Ole Henriksen, which helped the entrepreneur expand her roster of A-list clientele.
"Being an aesthetician can be a grind, as you hope you can get clients, and hope you can pay your rent, and all these things," Caglia explains. "I lived in New York in my mid-20s and learned a little hustle. I worked on a woman randomly and asked what she did—just normal conversation—and she says, 'I'm Barbra Streisand's assistant.' I was already working on major celebrities at that time so I felt confident enough to ask her to relay to Barbra that I'd do a facial for her for free. So it actually happened and she loved it—it was a two-hour facial. At the end of that day, I felt so empowered by her that I immediately started looking for a lab to start my skincare line. And even to this day, Barbra is still a client, and just a really supportive and amazing woman."
To learn more about how one of Hollywood's top skincare professionals unwinds and relieves stress—in addition to executing a full, spa-grade complexion detox—BAZAAR.com catches up with Caglia for notes on some of her favorite, expert-approved beauty and wellness picks. Read on for a closer look at the essentials she's currently keeping in rotation—from clean makeup staples to eucalyptus-scented body wash—plus, her thoughts on the game-changing importance of a quality night's rest.
What are you reading these days?
I actually just picked up Skin in the Game, by Jane Wurwand, who founded Dermalogica. When I was just starting out, Dermalogica was one of the top skincare lines—she built an empire. So I'm just starting that, and it's just an empowering book. I'm curious about her story and perspective, because it's really just remarkable what she's created.
What are some of your go-to bath and/or shower products?
Oh, that's, like, my favorite thing; water is so healing and therapeutic. I love scrubs—I used to make my own, and I should do it again. I'd order all these different ingredients: salts, flower petals, essential oils. I really love a good scrub. I also dry brush before getting in the shower, because I find that I feel better when I do that. And I love the brand Nécessaire; they have this eucalyptus body wash and scrub that's very spa-like, so that's in my shower right now. I know the woman who started the company, and I always like to support female-founded brands.
What beauty or self-care products do you use on a regular basis to help combat Zoom fatigue?
For eye strain, my Rose Quartz Mask is great. We source the quartz from Brazil, which produces some of the highest-grade available. I also reach for my Daily Botanical Serum—which is totally organic and includes ingredients like ylang-ylang and frankincense—even if I'm already wearing makeup before a Zoom and apply it for extra sheen. And all of a sudden, I'll look together and kind of glowy and dewy. That's my secret for Zoom calls, because as an aesthetician, I have to have somewhat decent skin. When I'm bare faced and not using the Daily Botanical Serum, I like using our Soufflé Moisturizer for extra hydration.
Do you have a favorite hand sanitizer, soap, and/or cream right now?
I really like Aesop's No Rinse Hand Sanitizer, but honestly, because I make my own products, I'll usually just grab a little of my Soufflé Moisturizer and put it on my hands. I also like going to farmers' markets locally, or even when I'm traveling, and find that (usually) older woman who hand-crafts her stuff and buy lotions that way. I'm not going to spend a ton of money on a hand cream, so I'd rather support locals and find good stuff.
Do you ever light a candle or stick of incense to decompress? If so, what are some of your favorites?
Yes, you're speaking my language. I like using this very thin Japanese incense that burns so beautifully and has this incredible aroma. Each time I use it, which is typically at night, I lay the incense on this cute little chakra statue I have.
What was the last beauty product you put on today?
The Daily Botanical Serum, and that's all that I've put on. I have zero on my skin right now. If you put an oil on people think, "Oh, no, it's going to break me out, it's going to congest my pores," but this actually contains a purifying emulsion of oils so it won't.
Are you into bold makeup, no makeup, or no-makeup makeup right now, and why?
With COVID, I didn't feel the need to put too much on—most days, I'm very low maintenance—but I do like to put makeup on. I think it's important that we put makeup on if we like using it to feel most beautiful. But I love clean products from brands like Kosas, the founder is one of my clients, and ILIA as well.
What's the last fitness class you streamed or attended in person?
I have a trainer that comes once a week, and this morning, we did an outdoor workout with some Pilates moves and cardio, and I have my husband do it too. Since we get trained together, it's really fun—and a little competitive.
What's one piece of self-care advice you'd recommend to our readers?
Sleep—never underestimate the power of sleep. They call it beauty rest for a reason, but, of course, it's also important for your health, mainly your heart and other organs that are regenerating. Your skin also regenerates, so if you don't get enough sleep, maybe try sleeping in a little in the morning if you're up late—just do what you can to get eight hours of rest. That's one of my secrets to not looking totally 50 yet. So I do get sleep. And I know how valuable that is for your health, and your skin is part of that.
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