The Very Best Facials You Can Get in New York City According to a Skincare Snob
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There are certain parts of personal maintenance that require more discernment than others. Whether you're seeking out a hair colorist or a plastic surgeon, it's prudent to do a bit of due diligence. By that logic, the same thing applies for one's esthetician. You only get one face, so best be choosy and entrust its care in skillful hands. And in New York City, the estheticians par excellence are abundant— you just need to know what you are looking for. That's where we come in. Whether you're searching for the hands that can skillfully sculpt and depuff your face using the finest lymphatic drainage techniques, the master behind your favorite influencers impossibly glowy skin, or the experts known for soothing inflammation, here is exactly where to go and who to see. Without further delay, the Snob's Guide to Facials in New York City.
Sculpted by Joseph
Joseph Carrillo's hands are known far and wide amongst the social set for their ability to lift, sculpt, carve out the facial structure that you thought was never going to be seen again. Some might even call it a non-surgical face lift. Not only does he blend in-depth knowledge of the facial and postural musculature that causes sagging and puffiness with lymphatic and osteopathic techniques for instant impact, but the glow you get is so good, you might even decide to forgo the rest of your glam. It's an essential prep for any big event, if you ask me.
Aida Bicaj
The first thing to know about Aida Bicaj is that Town & Country Editor in Chief Stellene Volandes is a long time client of Bicaj. With both an Upper East Side and Tribeca atelier, the uptown and downtown crowds turn to Bicaj's holistic and regenerative facials that utilize everyone's favorite IYKYK skincare line, Biologique Recherche.
Raquel New York
A former stylist and alum of the Joanna Czech studio, Raquel Medina-Cleghorn's magical hands cultivate the very best facial money can buy in New York City— if you ask me. Not only does the airy Tribeca atelier offer both an elevated aesthetic experience, but the treatments, which blend high tech modalities like ultrasound, radio-frequency, and micro-current with gua sha, lymphatic drainage, LED treatments, buccal massage and more, are ultra customizable and yield an unrivaled result catered to your goals and skin's needs. You can even have an astrological reading during your treatment, should you fancy really splashing out.
Rescue Spa
Rescue Spa is a New York institution in no small part due to founder Danuta Mieloch's three decades of skincare expertise. Not only are all of the estheticians at Rescue Spa personally trained by Mieloch, but the signature Bio Lift facial offers a cutting edge combination of signature massage techniques, and meticulous application of innovative high-performance Danucera products that were developed by Mieloch herself. It's a reliable go-to for a reason.
Crystal Greene Studios
If it's a gorgeous glow you want, then Crystal Greene Studios is where you should head. Not only does Greene specialize in a gentle, customizable technique that employs light exfoliation with bespoke mask and serum combinations to suit individual needs, but its downright difficult to leave Greene's care feeling anything other than feather light and utterly pampered thanks to her soft-spoken nature and energetically intuitive manner.
Madalaina Conti
Madalaina Conti has quickly developed a following amongst the wellness-obsessed for her integrative modalities and inflammation-targeting treatments (and she is thorough, Conti will even address oral health and spinal alignment during a treatment). If that's not enough to intrigue you, her skincare know-how and credentials (which include advanced esthetics diplomas) have also landed her on Violet Grey's curating committee— and she regularly preps her clients for high profile events such as the Met Gala and NYFW.
Gotham Wellness
Stefani DiLibero's Gotham Wellness has long been the go-to acupuncture atelier for the fashion and beauty community, and for good reason. DiLibero's extensive knowledge of Traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture led to her creation of the ultimate acupuncture facial, which lifts, tones, sculpts, de-puffs and gives you a nervous system reset. I myself am a devotee and can assure that while you are bypassing extractions and some typical facial components, working her magic into your maintenance routine will do as much for your stress levels as it will for your visage. A treat.
Sofie Pavitt Skincare Studio
Sofie Pavitt's viral ingredient checker is known far and wide on the internet as the best way to figure out whether your skincare is breaking you out—and which ingredients might be the culprit—but its hard to say if her very streamlined skincare line is more popular. With a cult-following due to her inflammation busting abilities, Sofie Pavitt has extensive knowledge of acne and topical treatment of its various presentations, and a visit to her Chinatown studio includes high-tech treatments as well as consultation about your lifestyle and current product regimen to yield long term results.
Stalle Studios
If you've noticed that every fresh-faced model and influencer has paid a visit to the oh-so buzzy Stalle Studios in Soho, you wouldn't be mistaken to believe that founder Elizabeth Grace possesses the know-how to give even the most tired, dull complexions an infusion of dewy vitality. If it's glass skin and caché that you seek... look no further.
Joanna Vargas
Joanna Vargas isn't just known as the essential prep step for A-listers prior to a red carpet, but her skincare line and Fifth Ave Skincare Spa have been much beloved, perhaps even institutions, for years. These days, the must-have treatment on the Joanna Vargas menu is the Oxygen Purifying Facial, which starts with microdermabrasion, extractions, and an oxygen infusion for a plumping, hydrating, and rejuvenating boost. A real crowd pleaser!
Skin Peace
If it's skincare and energy work you seek, then Skin Peace by Josie B is the place to go. The signature facial ritual includes a lifting and sculpting massage, that tones and helps promote detoxification, as well as micro-needling for surface renewal, paired with a sound healing bath and energy clearing with crystals.
Strauhs Studios
Helmed by Cali Strauhs's exceptionally talented hands, Strauhs Studios is a no-brainer for anyone looking to delve into comprehensive holistic assessment of skin health melded with some truly new age modalities and treatments, built on top of the basics for decongesting the skin. Take the CO2 Lift Carboxy Gel Therapy that I was introduced to by Strauhs herself. This treatment infuses the skin with carbon dioxide, which in turn stimulates natural oxygenation processes and blood flow, and leaves any inflammation quelled and your skin with bouncy hydration that is hard to believe.
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