Welcome to Beauty Field Guide, a series that explores the best beauty treatments and wellness experiences that a place has to offer, through the lens of our favorite cultural insiders. This week, Angela Ubias, the co-founder of Common Heir, a plastic-free beauty brand, walks us through her favorite spots in Austin, Texas.
Photo: Courtesy of Angela Ubias
Angela Ubias had just quit her job as a buyer at a boutique in Austin when she stumbled upon a job posting for an entry-level role at Texas Beauty Labs, one of the first clean beauty manufacturers. Seven and a half years later—after rising to the VP level and helping to launch over 50 brands—Ubias realized that she wanted something that was hers. With the product innovation and development skills she'd gained from her time at Texas Beauty Labs, Ubias developed a partnership with Cary Lin, and together the two launched Common Heir in 2020. Believing that no one in the luxury beauty sector was tackling plastic in a way that was impactful, Common Heir took on the task, releasing a plastic-free and biodegradable vitamin C serum.
To Ubias, beauty is all about the rituals and traditions that ground you. Below, she walks us through her favorite beauty and wellness spots in the city she's called home ever since she was an undergrad.
Photo: Courtesy of Angela Ubias
"Wellness, self-care, beauty rituals—I find all to be rooted in one thing for me, which is anything that brings me joy and allows me to decompress. And every time I leave a facial at Viva, I feel like a new woman. Glowing skin, blissed out, and rejuvenated. Morgan, my secret weapon/aesthetician, is absolutely phenomenal at understanding precisely what your skin needs to look flawless, and when I say 'blissed out,' I have been known to fall asleep during a facial with Morgan—yes, it's that relaxing. I also love to book time in the infrared sauna pre-facial if I'm feeling particularly tense."
Photo: Courtesy of Milk & Honey
"Go for a massage and stay for their thoughtfully curated product and service offerings. The founder, Alissa, has worked tirelessly to commit to top-tier clean beauty and wellness for years, and it's evident in all of their services. The ultimate massage offers dry-brushing as part of the service, which leaves my skin soft and refreshed. Depending on location, you can also book a blowout post-massage."
Photo: Courtesy of Angela Ubias
"A lovely mani-and-pedi day is one of those longtime self-care rituals that has endured the test of time. On a hectic day, it's a tiny window of opportunity to unplug completely. When you add chic nail art to that equation and ethical nail practices, you get a gem like Lacquer. Not only is the team of nail artists extremely talented—Lacquer is one of the first luxury nail salons in Austin to commit to sustainable and ethical nail practices like soak-less nail care. If you have a kiddo that also loves manis, Lacquer offers an adorable 'petit' manicure option for little ones."
Photo: Courtesy of Angela Ubias
"One of my favorite ways to maintain my overall mental health and well-being is carving out time for loved ones and sharing a beautiful meal. Launderette is one of my favorite restaurants in Austin and is ideal if you're not into Texas barbecue or find yourself overindulged on tacos. They serve vibrant, delicious bites that won't leave you feeling overindulged and on weekday afternoons are a great place to co-work if you can snag a seat at the bar."
Photo: Courtesy of Blooming Lashes
"Possibly my most self-indulgent (but fabulous) beauty ritual is lash extensions. The owner of Blooming is my other secret weapon when I'm traveling and want to put minimal effort into looking pulled together on the road or if I have a special event. She's a true artist that can do natural to ultra-glam all while maintaining the health and integrity of my natural lashes. If you want to roll out of bed and look like doe-eyed Bambi, this is how."
Photo: Courtesy of Angela Ubias
"I'm not one for meditation, but I do find clarity when walking or running the trails at Lady Bird Lake. Early mornings are peaceful on the trails, and for those that enjoy being on the water, you can also rent kayaks, canoes, and take tours of the lake."
Top photo: Courtesy of Angela Ubias
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