When you think of a fabulous facial treatment, a few words typically come to mind: relaxing, pampering, indulgent and other similar synonyms that evoke a sense of calm. However, the facial treatments of today are much more layered and intensive than your standard gentle steam and extraction approach, with LED light therapy, microcurrent, diamond-tipped resurfacing, supercharged ingredients and much more. We wanted to find out what next-level facial treatments—the kind you see your favorite celebs posting about before the red carpet—can really do.
DiamondGlow Facial
Name & Title: Tatiana Bido, Aesthetic Content Manager
Location: Azala Skin Clinic, Miami, FL
What I Loved About It: “The name of the game for me is hydration and this facial was a skin saver during these months where the weather is changing. There was no way I could achieve this glow on my own at home. The Diamond part of the DiamondGlow refers to the exfoliating diamond tip that has actual crushed diamonds in it and helps to resurface skin while the vacuum action unclogs pores. The serum-infusing mechanism ensures my skin was not stripped during the extraction and exfoliation portions of the treatment. Of the serums you can choose, there are the Skin Brightening option, as well as an Ultra Hydrating one, Vitamin C, Pore Clarifying, and SkinMedica’s TNS Advanced+. Even though I usually get really red during facial treatments, this one did not leave my skin looking pink or raw. It did everything I wanted it to and more.”
Benefits I Saw: “I actually got compliments on my skin for days afterward, which is a true testament to how well it worked.”
What I Learned About My Skin: “I need to do more than a self-care Sunday for my skin more often. This facial treatment was a game changer and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is in need of a refresh but isn’t ready for a more invasive treatment.”
Who It’s Best For: “Acne, dryness, fine lines and wrinkles and dullness.”
At-Home Follow Up: “SkinMedica’s TNS Advanced+ was recommended to use afterward and I think the DiamondGlow facial plus the SkinMedica line of medical grade skin care can transform anyone’s skin for the better. 10 out of 10.”
HydraFacial
Name & Title: Allie Hogan, Staff Writer
Location: Alastin Skincare Academy Symposium
What I Loved About It: “As someone with sensitive skin which has rosacea and keratosis pilaris bumps, I’m always very wary about facials. The HydraFacial is so gentle that I wasn’t worried about having a negative reaction or flare-up.
Benefits I Saw: “I loved how clean my face felt following the treatment, like all of my impurities were sucked away by the machine. Of course, the boost of moisture is a huge benefit—I felt like it lasted for days. Following the treatment, I felt smooth and hydrated.”
What I Learned About My Skin: “I’ve only received a handful of facials in my life but having a HydraFacial and chatting with the aesthetician made me realize that even though I had sensitive skin, I could still benefit from treatments.”
Who It’s Best For: “Acne, dryness, wrinkles and dullness.”
At-Home Follow Up: “I was instructed to apply sunscreen and avoid washing my face for a few hours. I used hydrating serums and moisturizers to maintain the hydrating benefits.”
Repêchage
Hydra Dew Pure Moisture Lift Facial
Name & Title: Olivia Wohlner, Editorial Assistant
Location: ZZ Day Spa, New York, NY
What I Loved About It: “Repêchage’s hero ingredient, seaweed, never disappoints, and, in this facial, I really understood why the brand has the ingredient formulated into all its products. The Hydra Dew line is exactly what it sounds like: hydrating and dewy, and all the products in the set envelop the skin in comfort and moisture. When I left, my skin not only felt soft and fresh, but the glow was out of this world, and it lasted for days.”
Benefits I Saw: Hydration, reparation, plumping, lifting
What I Learned About My Skin: “Whenever I get a facial, my aestheticians constantly tell me my skin is too dry, and the trend was followed in my appointment at Repêchage. I need to infuse more moisture into my skin, and Repêchage’s nine products in this line are here to save the day, so a solid five stars is on tap for my next appointment.”
Who It’s Best For: “Dry, aging, dull and compromised skin.”
At-Home Follow Up: “I was lucky enough to go home with the Hydra Dew Pure Starter Collection, which includes five hero products from the line. Since then, I have become a major fan of the Hydra Dew Pure Facial Essence Mist, which creates a dewy radiance before applying makeup or skin care, and the Hydra Dew Pure Gentle Foaming Cleanser, a one-stop-shop for clean, hydrated skin sans any signs of stripping.”
Biologique Recherche
Sapphire 3 Oxylight Ultimate Facial
Name & Title: Danielle Fontana Dooley, Associate Director, Digital Content
Location: Paul Labrecque Salon in Palm Beach, FL with Aesthetician Brianna Krier
What I Loved About It: “We’ve all experienced a limited treatment menu that leaves you—and your skin—wanting a bit more. This uber luxe facial offers a little bit of everything—diamond microdermabrasion, cryotherapy, oxygen therapy, ultrasound, LED light therapy and microcurrent—for a total skin transformation that’s just as effective as it is relaxing.”
Benefits I Saw: “I walked in with dull, congested skin and walked out with skin so hydrated it looked glassy. The lymphatic cleansing and microcurrent also significantly de-puffed and sculpted my face and I noticed a decrease in my usual redness thanks to the ultrasound and LED therapy.”
What I Learned About My Skin: “I was happy to hear that the elasticity of my skin is in great shape, but my congested T-Zone needs some love. I learned that I am not exfoliating nearly enough to treat my pesky blackheads, and I also need to make seeing a professional for extractions a priority.”
Who It’s Best For: “Anyone looking for a skin-health revamp or pre-event prep. For best results, book your facial for the day before your event.”
At-Home Follow Up: “My aesthetician Brianna used Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 1970 on my skin during the facial and she suggested I continue daily use at home with it (it’s the most concentrated option of the P50 range).”
Natura Bissé Diamond Life Infusion Ritual
Name & Title: Britt Fallon, Director of Beauty
Location: The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore
What I Loved About It: “First let me just say that all facials should be 90 minutes—what an indulgence! This is the brand’s most scientifically advanced facial to date, as it works on your skin’s bio-markers to help reverse visible signs of aging like dullness, fine lines and a lack of firmness for a smoother, healthier, younger look. Hence its name, the treatment essentially breathes new life into your skin via Natura Bissé’s ultra-luxe Diamond Life products—the serum has a retinoid-like effect without any irritation—and the trained “magic” hands of an aesthetician. Another standout is the Glyco 3 Peel that combined three types of exfoliation and carboxytherapy to create a sparkling fizzy effect on my skin (kind of like Pop Rocks) and pull all the gunk out of my pores.”
Benefits I Saw: “My bare skin glowed like it does in an Instagram filter. But not only that: My aesthetician used the brand’s signature Spanish massage techniques to eliminate all the puffiness in my face and give my jawline and cheekbones a noticeable contour.”
What I Learned About My Skin: “I shouldn’t be afraid of physical exfoliation every now and then. I tend to lean toward chemical exfoliation via acids, but this facial combined physical and chemical, and my skin tone and texture greatly benefited from the mix.”
Who It’s Best For: “Anyone showing signs of aging like lines and wrinkles, dullness and dryness.”
At-Home Follow Up: “After any peel, I know to keep my skin out of the sun and protected with sunscreen, but I do that regularly anyway. No other maintenance was needed.”
