I want to be honest right from the start. My mornings used to be a blur of lukewarm coffee, scrolling through emails, and scrambling to find an outfit that did not make me feel tired before I even left the house. I would slap on a moisturizer, apply some concealer under my eyes, and hope that my skin could somehow convince the world that I was awake, alert, and slightly put together. Most days it did not. Most days I felt like I was moving through life on autopilot and my skin was moving with me, flat and uninspired.
Then I discovered BASE Fashion and Facial Bar in Atlanta. BASE is the brainchild of Eldar Karen and Stefani Silverman, two women who left their corporate careers to create a space that solves two big problems. One, helping you look and feel stylish without effort. Two, giving your skin the kind of care that actually makes a difference. BASE is not just a place to shop for a wardrobe refresh or to get a facial. It is a philosophy, a way of approaching your day that makes you feel prepared, confident, and even a little playful. Their tagline is simple. Cover your base with quality and you are ready for anything. And I am here to tell you that it works.
BASE merges fashion and facials in a way that feels intuitive and personal. You walk in and you are not just greeted with racks of clothing or a display of skincare products. You are greeted with the idea that your look and your skin are equally important parts of your story. The experience is about feeling refreshed, looking polished, and starting your day with intention.
Two of their hero products are small, powerful, and immediately transformative. They are not gimmicks. They do what they say and they make you feel like you are giving yourself a little luxury, even on the most ordinary days. One is the Lipid Serum by Epicutis. The other is the Zoom Crystal Eye Gel by Ingrid Millet. Let me tell you why these products changed my routine, my skin, and my mornings in ways I did not anticipate.
Lipid Serum by Epicutis
Calling the Lipid Serum a serum is accurate, but it feels like calling a personal trainer a person who walks you around a track. Technically true but deeply underwhelming. This little one-ounce bottle is packed with serious ingredients that have a big impact. The standout is a molecule called TSC. TSC reduces inflammation, protects collagen, balances your skin microbiome, and defends against UVA and UVB damage. It is essentially a tiny army working beneath the surface of your skin to keep it strong, healthy, and hydrated.
I like to think of it as a serum that talks to your skin. You swipe it on, you massage it in, and it feels like it recognizes every area that needs a little extra attention. Glycerin allows it to glide, hyaluronic acid boosts moisture, and propanediol helps plump the skin while keeping bacteria at bay. The absorption is quick, the sensation is soothing, and there is something about the act of applying it that makes you pause, take a breath, and feel intentional.
I started using it in the mornings, before my makeup, and at night, just before bed. The difference was immediate. The surface of my skin felt smoother, my redness diminished, and there was a glow that I could not attribute to my usual cup of coffee or hurried skincare routine. It was the serum. It is still the serum. Over time, it has made my skin feel more resilient, less reactive, and more ready for whatever I throw at it.
What I love about Lipid Serum is that it is serious without being fussy. You do not need a ritual or twenty extra steps. A couple of pumps, a gentle massage across your face and neck, and your skin feels like it has had a full reset. And that confidence carries through the rest of the day. When your skin feels good, your posture changes, your smile is more genuine, and the rest of your look feels easier.
Zoom Crystal Eye Gel by Ingrid Millet
If the Lipid Serum is the foundation, the Zoom Crystal Eye Gel is the highlight. And by highlight, I mean it is the product that makes your eyes look awake, youthful, and just… right. The area around your eyes is delicate and it shows every late night, every screen hour, and every stress spike. The Zoom Crystal Eye Gel addresses all of that with ingredients that actually do what they claim.
Caviar replenishes, honey locks in moisture, and light-reflective crystals minimize the appearance of fine lines. Persian Silk Tree and St. Paul’s Wort enhance the upper eyelids, smooth crow’s feet, and fade dark circles. The texture is a gel that melts into the skin without leaving any oiliness. It is perfect under makeup, smoothing imperfections while giving the eye area a refreshed, dewy appearance.
The first time I applied it, I was struck by how soothing it felt. Gently patting the gel around my eyes became a small meditation. I could feel the skin relax and my mind follow. Within a week, the under-eye area looked brighter, more even, and the skin itself felt firmer. This is not magic or hype. This is the result of a carefully formulated product that combines cosmetic and anti-aging properties in one.
Using both products together has been a game-changer. I apply the Lipid Serum across my face, let it absorb, then pat the Zoom Crystal Eye Gel under and around my eyes. Instantly, my skin looks hydrated and awake. The serum strengthens, smooths, and balances. The eye gel brightens, refreshes, and enhances. Together, they create a canvas that makes the rest of my routine optional. If I want to apply makeup, it goes on smoother. If I do not, my skin still looks polished. The combination is subtle but undeniably transformative.
Why the Ritual Matters
One of the reasons I love BASE and these products is that they make the act of caring for yourself feel intentional and pleasurable. Skincare can be rushed or mindless. A serum or eye gel is just another step in a routine. But when the products feel luxurious, absorb beautifully, and create visible results, the ritual itself becomes meaningful.
I look forward to applying my serum in the morning. I notice the texture, the way it glides across my skin, the gentle cooling sensation. I follow with the eye gel, massaging it in slowly, paying attention to the delicate area under my eyes. By the time I am finished, my skin feels cared for and my mind feels a little calmer. It is a quiet, grounding way to start the day.
At night, the routine is slightly different. I use the serum to repair and nourish after the day, then the eye gel to soothe and hydrate. It signals to my body that the day is over and that it is time to rest. Over time, these small acts accumulate into results that are noticeable and consistent. Skin that is calmer, smoother, hydrated, and more resilient. Eyes that look rested and bright. And a little extra confidence that comes from knowing I am doing something for myself that actually matters.
Fashion Meets Skincare
BASE does not separate beauty and fashion. The philosophy is that looking and feeling your best requires attention to both. When I leave BASE, whether with a wardrobe refresh or just with a small product purchase, I feel like I have done something for myself that goes beyond superficial. My skin is healthy, my look is intentional, and my confidence is real.
The products embody this philosophy. Lipid Serum strengthens and smooths, Zoom Crystal Eye Gel brightens and refreshes. Applied consistently, they become part of a larger approach to self-care that includes style, wellness, and small moments of indulgence. It is not about perfection. It is about preparation, intentionality, and feeling like yourself at your best.
How to Use Them
For those ready to integrate these products into your routine, it is simple. Start with a clean face. Apply a couple of pumps of Lipid Serum across the face and neck. Massage gently until absorbed. Then apply the Zoom Crystal Eye Gel around the eye area, patting and smoothing gently with your ring finger. In the morning, follow with sunscreen and, if desired, makeup. At night, follow with moisturizer if needed.
Consistency is key, but the experience is as important as the results. Take a moment for yourself. Pay attention to the textures, the absorption, and the way your skin responds. Over time, these products do more than improve your skin. They improve your approach to self-care.
Results You Can See and Feel
After several weeks of using both products, the results are visible and tactile. The skin feels smoother, more hydrated, and balanced. Redness and irritation are less noticeable. The under-eye area is brighter and appears lifted. Makeup glides on more easily, and the overall effect is one of natural radiance rather than artificial shine.
The best part is the psychological effect. When your skin looks healthy and cared for, your confidence rises naturally. There is no need to hide behind makeup or clothing. You walk through the day feeling supported by the small but powerful work you have done for yourself. That is a luxury that goes beyond appearance.
BASE Philosophy in Practice
Eldar and Stefani designed BASE to create a full experience of care and style. Their philosophy is simple. Cover your base with quality. It is not about excess or indulgence for indulgence’s sake. It is about building a foundation that supports the rest of your life. Skincare, wardrobe, and intentional routines are part of that foundation.
The Lipid Serum and Zoom Crystal Eye Gel are examples of that philosophy in action. Thoughtful formulation, effective ingredients, and a focus on results create products that feel personal, luxurious, and practical. They do not promise miracles. They deliver visible and tangible benefits that improve your daily life.
Final Thoughts
If you have ever felt that your skincare routine is a chore, that your mornings are rushed, or that your skin does not reflect how you feel inside, these products offer a solution. The Lipid Serum strengthens, hydrates, and balances. The Zoom Crystal Eye Gel brightens, refreshes, and smooths. Together, they create a ritual that is simple, effective, and transformative.
BASE Fashion and Facial Bar has created more than products. They have created a philosophy, a space, and a way of approaching your day with confidence and care. Covering your base with quality does not just improve your skin. It changes how you feel, how you show up, and how you approach the day ahead.
For those ready to invest in their skin, their routine, and a small moment of self-care that makes a noticeable difference, these products are worth exploring. They are luxurious without being complicated, effective without being gimmicky, and completely aligned with the idea that your base is your foundation. When it is covered well, you are ready for anything.
BASE Fashion and Facial Bar is not just a destination. It is a philosophy that invites you to slow down, pay attention to yourself, and invest in quality that actually matters. Lipid Serum and Zoom Crystal Eye Gel are small but powerful examples of how intentional, well-formulated products can change your routine, your skin, and even your outlook on the day.
Cover your base with quality and see the difference for yourself.
