In the list of feel-good compliments, nothing hits quite like “Did you get a facial?” When the question is posed, you know you’re looking radiant, rested and all-around better than your regular self. These 11 tested facials practically guarantee the ask—no prompting required.
The Well Signature Hypercustomized Facial
It’s not exactly a secret that anything and everything Biologique Recherche is a slam-dunk in the good-skin department. I’ve been lucky enough to get a handful of them at different spas over the years, and The Well’s version in New York is consistently spectacular for a solid, no-nonsense facial that leaves you looking radiant and feeling rested—not always an easy feat in the middle of the city. Starting at $230
Biologique Recherche Ambassade Bespoke Facial
I would be remiss not to mention a facial from Biologique Recherche Ambassade over on Melrose Place in Los Angeles. The street is pretty much a beauty mecca—Kate Somerville and Violet Grey are neighbors—and the Ambassade’s very educated staff can get you sorted on everything from a skin diagnosis to exactly which P50 is right for you. Yes, this place is luxe (there’s a private entrance that many celebs use), but it’s also non-pretentious, comfortable and offers a slice of solace. Starting at $275
Hydrafacial
The patented Hydrafacial promises to give you “the best skin of your life,” and our staff writer Rowan backs up the claim: “I have mild acne, or I should say, I used to! Since getting a few sessions of the Hydrafacial, my skin is absolutely thriving. I also love that it’s real feel-good self-care.” Starting at $200
Repêchage Facial of Champions
As a working mom aspiring to live a “soft life” on the weekends, our aesthetic content manager Tatiana says indulging in the Repêchage Facial of Champions at PGA National Resort can only be described as a lavish self-care moment. “The layers of seaweed left my skin soft and hydrated, while the Glycolic Peel and the LED Radio Frequency and EMS Skin Tightening device brightened my complexion. With added perks like soothing foot and leg scrubs, it truly felt like the ultimate pampering experience.” $320
Babor Bespoke Facial
Also hitting Tatiana’s “really good facials” list: A recent BABOR treatment at the member’s-only Admiral’s Cove in Jupiter, FL. “The bespoke facial featured BABOR’s intensely hydrating ampoules. My skin really took a liking to the Algae Vitalizer which gave it an instant glow. Throughout my multi-step treatment, my skin felt enveloped in a luxurious cocoon. It commenced with the Doctor BABOR Collagen Cream and Collagen-Peptide Derma Filler Serum which are perfect for dry, maturing skin. These facials not only helped me look and feel better, they also helped me launch my new ‘soft life’ era.” Prices vary, depending on location
Dr Schrammek Green Peel
When content creator and Brain Trust member OMGBart finds something good skin-care wise, he shares it, and I haven’t heard him rave about anything as much as the Dr Schrammek Green Peel. “I first heard of an in-office chemical-free peel, I was equal parts skeptical and intrigued,” he shares. “But after Samantha Susca, the resident aesthetician supreme-o at the Casa Cipriani Spa in New York gave me the Dr Schrammek Green Peel, my reaction hovered between how? and wow! Available in three strengths—Classic, Energy and Fresh Up—this German protocol utilizes a proprietary herbal blend that exfoliates, refines and cancels every sign of dullness and skin fatigue. The Energy variant proved to be the ultimate Goldilocks treatment, leaving my complexion smooth as glass for weeks. Most importantly, there was absolutely no downtime. I haven’t stopped telling everyone I know to book a Green Peel ever since.” Prices vary, depending on location
Omorovicza Hungarian Ritual
“For me, Omorovicza tops the very short list of skin-care lines whose brand DNA is defined by that unmistakable spa aesthetic,” shares OMGBart. “While visiting Charleston for a wedding last year, I treated myself to the Hungarian Ritual at the Hotel Bennett Spa. Located mysteriously below ground level, the spa is the epitome of an urban oasis. Indulgently bespoke, the multistep sequence of expertly tailored steps revived my lackluster complexion in one-hour flat. I would never knowingly compete with my friend’s bridal glow, but photos from that day prove otherwise….” Starting at $250
Diamond Glow Facial
Our editorial assistant Isabelle received a Diamond Glow Facial with SkinMedica products last month, and she swears the results literally give that “lit-from-within glow.” As aesthetician Edyta Jarosz explains, the diamond-tip wand helps to physically exfoliate and infuse products deep into the skin—so your skin really does radiate from the inside out. Plus, the results last for a long time, as opposed to just delivering a fleeting glow. As Isabelle says in a succinct line: “My favorite facial I’ve gotten to date.” Starting at $150
Éminence Organic Radiant Reflection
I’ve received a few Éminence Organic facials over the years and all of them have been fabulous. But nothing compares to the recent 90-minute version I had two weeks ago at Manoir Hovey in Quebec. The slice-of-heaven spa uses all the trusted Éminence holy grails, then (depending on what your skin needs) mixes it with some of its own on-property honey. After a night of sleep, a bumpy flight home, and another night of sleep, I hopped on a 4 p.m. Zoom to be met with the “did you get a facial?” ask from my coworker. I think it’s safe to say if you can still see it 24 hours later through a computer screen, you know it’s good. $170
Raquel New York The Facial
Tucked away on a side street in Tribeca, Raquel New York offers a fully tailored—think microcurrent, LED, ultrasound and more—fully transformative facial that is absolute magic. Between the hard-working Environ product lineup and Raquel’s lymph technique (she has an advanced certification in Dr. Vodder Manual Lymphatic Drainage) you literally leave lifted. $500
NaturaBisse Pure Air Bubble Facial
The beloved NaturaBisse brand just commemorated its 20th anniversary of creating their signature glow seen on red carpets with a private pop-up space in LA. The 10,000-square-foot-space is dedicated to all things well-living, and while I didn’t hit up Hollywood during the awards circuit, I did get an up-close look at the all-new proprietary Pure Air Bubble when I visited the Barcelona offices this fall. The one-of-a-kind, refined space houses 99.9-percent pure air and, no matter what targeted facial your aesthetician performs, your skin shows it. (My only complaint is that I wish I remembered more of the steps, but I was fast asleep about two minutes in.) Prices vary by location
