Meet Alicia Pullen of Bb Soft Skin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Pullen.

Hi Alicia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Growing up, skincare was my example of feminine mystique and glamour. I was captivated by the pretty bottles, delicate scents and the ritual. I could spend hours reading ingredient lists on different products.

I was raised on a forested peninsula in the PNW and my mom took DIY to the extreme. She was a natural beauty, the kind of woman who never wore makeup but cared a lot about health and taking care of her skin. She would say, “You get what you pay for,” and that stuck with me. I remember her showing me how to make skin packs out of leaves to treat bug bites. When I was older, I began making masks out of different ingredients in the kitchen and mocking up skincare brand ideas in my journal.

It wasn’t until I had already been in college for several years that I considered skincare as a career. My friend suggested I check out the Aveda Institute in Seattle and the rest is history. I immediately felt that this industry was right for me and I fell in love with giving facials. Shortly before the pandemic, a friend asked me about a facial oil she was interested in buying. I looked at the formula and thought, “I can make this – but with more benefits and better ingredients.”

I took a pause from my career as a facialist and started my product line and e-commerce store, which eventually merged with my practice to create my first brick-and-mortar, Bb Soft Skin Studio in 2022. It was important to me to create my own space because after working in so many different spa environments I knew what worked and what was missing in the client experience. My studio is designed as a welcoming private space with flowers and cozy slippers; I want to provide a relaxing oasis while still offering a service that fits into a client’s busy day. The number of appointments I take is limited so that I’m able to build an intimate knowledge of each client and give their skin the attention it deserves.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would say that the road has been more like a roller coaster! After I realized this was my dream, it became non-negotiable to pursue it. I knew there would be a lot of rough patches but that I’d get through them. In a way, things become easier when you fully commit because you can just enjoy the ride. It’s intimidating to start something on your own, especially since I wouldn’t initially have described myself as a business-savvy person, but I’m growing as I go. Each challenge has allowed me to evolve as a person and expand my skill set which I believe is the universal perk of being a small business owner.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Bb Soft Skin?
Bb Soft Skin is a women owned skincare brand and inclusive space for customized facials and small batch handcrafted vegan products. We also showcase other like-minded wellness brands and offer a space to uplift local creators and deepen community.

I start every facial by listening to my client. I want to hear about lifestyle, hormonal conditions, sensitivities and goals so I can set them up with an effective home care routine and treatment plan. I believe in the importance of being present when working with skin, and with peoples bodies – and adjusting along the way. It’s all about that moment when my client looks at their skin after a facial. There’s nothing better than seeing how beautiful and refreshed they are or when they tell me how much more confident they feel in their day to day. I specialize in customization, meticulous extraction and massage focused facials. I’ve spent the last several years perfecting my extraction technique, to achieve a really deep clean with minimal inflammation.

As a retired sun worshipper, I have a soft spot for treating hyperpigmentation. I love to get clients skin healthy and strong enough to respond well to deeper treatments, like alternating peels and microdermabrasion – which delivers the results they are looking for.

The cornerstone of skincare in our climate comes down to hydration. Maintaining hydration and barrier function is key for every skin condition from premature aging to acne and it can be tough to keep it optimal living in a desert. Because hydration is necessary for overall skin health it’s always my first focus both in my practice and my product line.

When it comes to formulation I’ll get inspired by an image or feeling, and then merge that with an idea for a product I haven’t been able to find on the market yet. Currently I’m working on a new product that incorporates tropical florals, orchid stem cells and mushroom peptides inspired by the healthful lifestyle and native plants of Okinawa Japan. I find my best ideas spring from studying Korean, Japanese and Ayurvedic skincare as well as researching what’s fresh and exciting at the medical level. I spend a long time on the formulation process before I begin to market a product. One of my core values is creating multi-benefit products, and turning several different actives into a product that works, has the desired scent, texture, consistency and shelf life is a combination of art and science.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I love collaborating with other local small businesses, influencers, models and creatives. One of the goals of my studio is to build a community so don’t hesitate to reach out if you have an idea to pitch! Word of mouth both online and offline is the best way to support any new venture so I deeply appreciate sharing on social media, posting reviews or simply spreading the word to your friends and family.

Pricing:

• Customized Facial: $150
• Microdermabrasion: $50
• Peels: $40
• Aromatherapy scalp massage: $40
• Gua sha: $40
• Oxygenating treatment: $20

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bbsoftskin.com
• Instagram: bbsoftskin
• Yelp: https://s.yelp.com/CmD1huAqob

Image Credits
Cassandra Bell