Colette Sugar Studio

Mia, a licensed esthetician, runs Colette Sugar Studio and has worked in skincare since 2013. Sugaring has been her focus since that year, and the studio is built around it alongside facial work. The studio says it was one of the first in Silicon Valley to offer sugaring.

Facials are holistic and begin with a one-to-one, in-depth consultation. That conversation also looks at how nutrition, lifestyle and stress levels may affect the skin. Treatments are customized to the skin's condition on the day, and a requested modality such as Gua Sha or LED Light Therapy can be added. Ingredients include whole plant compounds, plant tinctures, cold-pressed oils, floral waters and masks, and holistic facial therapies use Botnia Skincare, a line the studio notes was created and grown in Sausalito.

Sugaring is made from lemon, water and sugar, and the studio presents it as a gentler hair removal method for sensitive skin. Sessions are led with comfort and communication in mind, with the aim of keeping the appointment easygoing. Brazilian sugaring is a specialty, and the studio also offers underarms, half arms, back, bikini and combination packages.

Booking is by appointment only, Tuesday through Friday from 11am to 6pm. The studio does not take phone calls; contact is by email, and bookings and the waitlist run through Vagaro. Changes need at least 24 hours' notice made online. Shorter-notice cancellations, reschedules and no-shows are charged 50% of the booked services, and appointments are unavailable while an invoice is unpaid. Arriving on time or within a five-minute grace period is requested, since late arrivals may shorten the visit.

Before a facial, clients are asked to pause exfoliating, retinoids, glycolic, lactic or salicylic acids, enzymes and face hair removal for at least a week. Botox or filler injections should be at least four weeks old, and spray tanning, fresh brow lamination and fresh lash extensions are best avoided. For sugaring, hair should have grown at least three weeks since shaving, and clients are asked to use an exfoliating mitt and jojoba oil in the days before and after, and to wear loose clothing.

Holistic and gentle, with skin treated as closely tied to overall health and consultations that consider nutrition, lifestyle and stress.

The studio describes itself as a secure, attentive environment where every visitor is met with warmth and consideration.