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Best Places For Facials In Los Angeles

Everyone wants beautiful skin, and living in Los Angeles gives us access to some of the top experts in that field. But how does one sort through all the choices to pick the people who provide the best results? Whether you're looking for LED treatments, lasers, peels, a little freshening up in the middle of some blissful serenity, or a little bit of all of the above, we've come up with a list of the top places to get facials in Los Angeles.

Alchemie Spa
2021 Main St
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 310-8880
www.alchemiespa.com

Before you even get to the front door, you're enrobed in clouds of lavender and orange blossom. Once inside, the spa's warm, wooden interior feels like you've entered a retreat unlike any other. At Alchemie, they say "Beauty is soul deep," so visitors can expect everything from body sprays to nail polish to be natural and organic. Even better, most of the products are local. Their Custom Superfood Facial is targeted to each client's concerns, and uses pure, plant-based ingredients during every part of the process. The treatment ends with a head, neck and shoulder massage, and custom mask. Aside from organic and Hydrafacials, this premier local organic spa retreat offers relaxing and therapeutic results driven treatments, including massage therapy, waxing, nail care, tinting, body treatments, and men's treatments too.

Alexandra Wagner Skin Care
1636 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Venice, CA 90291
(310) 399-0123
www.alexandrawagnerskincare.com

Living in Southern California is usually a special privilege, but with all of the joys of sun and surf and availability of indulgences that make this place so amazing, there is also a downside: their effect on our delicate skin. Alexandra Wagner knows all about the treats and tricks of our environment, and can even compare it to skin conditions in other parts of the country, since she got her start at Jurlique, in New York City. Now living in Venice Beach, Alexandra sees a lot of sun damage, and she is an absolute whiz at getting rid of it. For every Signature Facial at Alexandra's studio, she donates an Art Kit to a child in need. The signature facial here lasts for 60-75 minutes and includes cleansing, surface exfoliation, an enzyme peel, steam, thorough extractions, microdermabrasion, oxygen therapy, and a customized facial mask.

Brigitte Beauté
360 N Camden Dr
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 858-4038
www.brigittebeautebeverlyhills.com

"The French are trained to get the pores especially clean," we're told at Brigitte Beasse's intimate retreat above the natty José Eber salon in Beverly Hills. Since Brigitte has been in the business for over 11 years, one can only presume the pores under her care become absolutely immaculate. Brigitte believes everything is linked -- skin, body and mind -- so her studio offers integrative services to treat the whole person, ranging from standard facials to reflexology and massage. She is one of a small handful of specialists in the United States who offer acufacial treatments, which combine the latest advancements in skincare with the oldest traditional methods for treating blemishes and signs of aging. Brigitte offers the service as a nourishing alternative to Botox, where she begins the session with a customized facial, then quietly leaves the room while a licensed acupuncturist takes over. This Deluxe Acupuncture Facial runs for 150 minutes, but also offers individual acupuncture facials for an hour. Not ready to "go under the needle," so to speak? Standard skincare services are available at Brigitte Beauté, and are fully customizable.

Corrective Skincare
16161 Ventura Blvd
Encino, CA 91436
(818) 981-6130
www.correctiveskincarela.com

There are a lot of places in Los Angeles to get a soothing, relaxing, pampering facial. Corrective Skincare isn't one of them. Instead of repose, clients come here for results. These facialists see some of the worst skin problems and transform them into truly glowing skin. Full treatments include cleansing, enzyme exfoliation with steam, extractions, calming or therapeutic mask, and application of an anti-inflammatory or topical medication. Peels are definitely the service they specialize in though, so if you're ready to let them slough off the old, and expose your true beauty, this place can't be beat.

Facials by Karina
334 N Mariposa Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90004
(323) 663-8382
www.facialsbykarina.com

Karina Kara may be chatty and fun, but she's all business when it comes to undoing the remnants of ravaged skin. During a careful facial analysis, Karina asks questions and explains every step of her process. When she gets to work, she takes as much time as necessary to get the job done, and educates her clients on home care to optimize results. This isn't the type of treatment that will leave you glowing for a night out on the town, right away. Karina's facials are therapeutic, and -- depending on the damage -- tend to result in redness and peeling over the following few days. But, like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon, as new skin emerges, Karina's clients swear they've never looked better and the results are nothing short of magical. The Grand Facial, includes an advanced glycolic peel, relaxing facial, acupressure scalp massage, extractions, specialty mask, energy work and hot stone therapy.

From Head To Toe
7466 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 306-4333
www.fromheadtotoela.com

At LA's From Head To Toe, all facials are customized to address each client's unique needs. Based on skin type and skin care goals, the team here chooses unique products and techniques so they can bring your skin to a state of health, and balance that is just right. Each full-session facial (75 minutes) includes a detailed skin analysis consultation to discuss your goals, as well as what you should do to maintain your skin each day, in addition to a custom cleanse, two unique exfoliations, deep pore cleansing, a customized mask application, a customized serum application and a customized moisturizer application. Also included is an organic aromatherapy toner made fresh daily for skin balancing, customized eye and lip products, a hand and arm massage and a massage of your shoulders, neck and upper back.

Gregory Dylan Skincare and Beauty
801 Larrabee Street
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 467-8186
www.gregorydylanbeauty.com

Gregory Dylan has been in the business for 20 years, although you would never know it by looking at him -- a true testament to his magic. There is no doubting his authenticity when he talks about how he personalizes and customizes his facials, as his lovely, light-filled studio has only one treatment room, and he blocks hours off his schedule to ensure he gives his clients everything they need. The session begins with water, tea or coffee in his anteroom, while there's a discussion of problem areas, hoped-for results, the client's lifestyle, and current product usage, helping Dylan become a skincare Sherlock Holmes -- looking at the whole person in order to solve for solutions. "I don't 'drop you off' when you leave," Dylan says. "I want to continue that relationship. We're like a team." Dylan gives his clients a beauty routine, and they are encouraged to text him about everything from product to dietary questions in-between visits. Treatments begin at $115, and a Virtual Consultation can be arranged over Skype or FaceTime for $100.

Lea Advanced Skincare
417 N Camden Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 278-2221
www.leaeigard.com

Lea Eigard is, unquestionably, an expert. Not only is she a certified trainer for Epicuren and Roger Medical, she has also developed a full line of skincare, and facial exercises to combat the signs of aging. While Lea does her best to ensure clients feel comfortable, this is not a spa, and the services are not relaxing. Although she's aggressive, results are guaranteed here. The Beverly Hills suites could easily pass for the homey offices of a plastic surgeon, with the walls of shiny equipment. Resurfacing, lifting, toning, peeling, draining, microdermabrasion- and micro-current-ing -- there is a glimmering tool for every deeply penetrating job. Eigard also boasts a state-of-the-art LED (light emitting diode) machine, which activates cell receptors to detoxify, oxygenate cells, aid circulation and stimulate collagen production, with just a brief bit of exposure. The full treatment, her EMrx LED Deluxe Sapphire facial ($750), is a true fountain of youth. For those looking for a more entry-level experience, the EMrx JProSkin Ultrasound LED 7 Spectrum Light and EMrx JProSkin Microcurrent LED 7 Spectrum Light both start at $150.

Massage Therapy Center
2130 Sawtelle Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 444-8989
www.massagenow.com

For clients who want the indulgent bliss of an upscale spa experience, without the pretention or the price tag, there is Massage Therapy Center. With their plush robes, eucalyptus steam rooms and refreshing cucumber water, they have pampering down to an art and a science. Hylunia Skin Care and January Labs products, and Brigitte Tolson's incredible skill, insure Massage Therapy Center also provides facials that get results. Their Deluxe Facial ($125) includes a custom peel. For $69 per month, regulars can subscribe to a plan that includes one monthly complimentary massage or facial.

Modem Salon & Spa
1712 Silver Lake Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 662-1888
www.modemsalon.com

Modern Salon and Spa is a boutique retreat with an emphasis on education and eco-conscious living. Treatments start in the Silverlake spa, but are designed to carry over into individually prescribed home care regimens assigned to Modem's clients after their treatment. While dreamily relaxing, Modem is also about relationship, and the staff strives to build clients' best skin, from the inside out; facialist and facial-ee working together. Their most popular service, the Isun facial, is intended for all skin types, but is personally customized to each client and their individual complexion ($100).

The Peninsula Spa
9882 S Santa Monica Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 975-2854
beverlyhills.peninsula.com

The Peninsula Hotel is renowned for providing the ultimate in luxury and amenities for their guests, so it comes as no surprise that Peninsula Spa the hotels' Beverly Hills location offers the ultimate in luxurious facial treatments. Their Bio-Ultimate Lifting Facial is everything the most discerning jet-setter needs to lift and tone facial muscles, and increase skin's elasticity. A gentle cleanse is followed by an AHA peel, and then TAMA micro-current technology is used to naturally stimulate the production of collagen and elastin and cellular repair. Fine lines and wrinkles disappear in one treatment. The session draws down with a soothing face mask and jade roller massage. Before and after their service, guests can enjoy the eucalyptus steam rooms, and a spread of muffins, fruit, chocolates and ginger tea in the Peninsula Spa's lounge. Prices begin at around $330.

Skin Laundry
8789 Beverly Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(310) 360-0791
www.skinlaundry.com

Once upon a time, "red carpet ready" was reserved for the realms of the well-heeled. The time and expense necessary to get that certain glow was way beyond the reach of us mere mortals. But now, thanks to Skin Laundry and the wonders of modern technology, it's possible for just about anyone to look their best on even the tightest of budgets and schedules. Skin Laundry offers 10 minute laser facials -- just enough to clean the pores, promote cell turnover and stimulate collagen growth -- without any extras. With prices starting at $50 for an individual session, monthly subscriptions of $160 for four treatments, or packages starting at five for $225, it's possible to get laser facial beauty on your lunch break, and still afford to go out for lunch, too.

Skin Sense by Marion Simms
8448 W 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 653-4701
www.skinsensewellness.com

While any facialist worth their sea salt scrub will customize facials to the client's individual needs, Skin Sense by Marion Simms is particularly dedicated to this practice. Choosing from 12 targeted services, clients' skin is treated based on their concerns, lifestyle, and desired results. Initial consultations are often 90 minutes or more, giving plenty of time for the esthetician to get an in-depth understanding of their client, and to discuss home care and best practices at the end of the service. Treatments start at $100.

Touch of Faith Aesthetics
717 N Highland Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 939-1654
www.tofaism.com

Faith Tatro has an extensive celebrity following, but don't expect to see any stars coming in or out (or even at!) this complexion rehabilitation refuge. Everything at Touch of Faith is carefully considered, including the privacy of their guests. As one would expect at an A-level establishment, the most popular service - Sapphire 3 Dermabrasion with LED Light Therapy - carries a luxury pricetag ($600+), but regulars swear by it and won't schedule anything else. Perhaps less expected, the benefits of this studio can be enjoyed from a much more modest price point, including $100 for their 40 minute Express Facial, waxing from $15, and spray tanning from $35. Facials are fully customized, and complimentary mineral makeup application is available for clients who need to put their best face forward before going out amidst their adoring public.

Article by Arianna Armstrong.

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