Introduction
New York City, a metropolis brimming with life and diversity, is also a haven for those seeking the perfect facial to enhance their beauty and achieve a well - defined facial contour. From high - end spas to cozy boutique studios, the city offers a plethora of options. In this article, we'll unveil the top ten facial spots in New York City that are renowned for their ability to sculpt and contour the face, leaving clients with a radiant and chiseled appearance. We'll draw insights from top Google search results and provide detailed information on each establishment, including the services they offer, the techniques used, and the prices involved.
Criteria for a Good - Looking Facial Contour
Before delving into the top ten list, it's essential to understand what makes a facial effective in achieving a good - looking facial contour. A high - quality facial for contouring should address multiple aspects:
- Muscle Stimulation: Techniques like microcurrent, buccal massage, and acupressure can stimulate the facial muscles, promoting blood circulation and toning. This helps in lifting sagging skin and defining the jawline, cheekbones, and other facial features.
- Exfoliation: Removing dead skin cells through methods such as microdermabrasion, chemical peels, or physical exfoliation not only improves skin texture but also allows for better product penetration. This is crucial for maintaining a smooth and youthful appearance, which is an important aspect of a well - contoured face.
- Hydration: Proper hydration is key to plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Facials that incorporate hydrating masks, serums, and oxygen therapy can keep the skin looking fresh and dewy, enhancing the overall facial contour.
- Relaxation: A relaxing facial experience is beneficial for reducing stress, which can have a positive impact on the skin. Stress - related tension in the facial muscles can lead to a dull and puffy appearance. A relaxing massage during the facial can help release this tension, contributing to a more sculpted look.
The Top Ten List
1. Joseph Carillo
As recommended by Jessica Cruel, editor - in - chief of Allure, Joseph Carillo is a makeup artist who also excels in facials. He is particularly known for his buccal massage, a technique that has won the hearts of many clients. All his facial treatments start at $275.
Techniques Used: Carillo combines facial cupping, acupressure, and lymphatic drainage. The buccal massage, an intraoral technique, helps release tension in the jaw, making it highly recommended for those with temporomandibular disorder (TMJ). This combination of methods works to achieve the ultimate facial contour and posture correction.
Results: Clients often report visible results from the start. For example, Jessica Cruel felt that the sweeping motions around her jaw, neck, and cheeks erased the bloated and puffy look. Three days later, her jawline was further transformed, with lifted brows, higher cheeks, and a pointed chin.
2. Joanna Czech
Jenny Bailly, executive beauty director, has been a long - time fan of Joanna Czech. Czech started in a cozy spa in Manhattan’s Washington Heights and now operates from an expansive loft space in Soho. She also has a spa in Los Angeles.
Services and Techniques: A facial with Czech in 2024 costs $1,250, but 90 minutes with one of her trained aestheticians starts at $450. Her facials are customized according to the client's skin needs. They typically include a deep tension - releasing massage of the face, shoulders, and upper back, and time spent under an arc of collagen - building, redness - soothing LED lights. There may also be extractions (if not for a major event like an Oscar), cryogenically cooled air to minimize inflammation and shrink pores, and in some cases, gentle physical exfoliation with diamond peel. Czech may also use conductive gloves to turn her fingers into microcurrent devices, increasing the penetration of skincare products.
Skincare Products: Czech now has her own line of products, but she and her team always use what's best for the client's skin. For Jenny Bailly, products like Biologique Recherche Pigm 400 and Environ Vita - Peptide C - Quence Serum 1 were used to address hyperpigmentation.
3. Raquel New York
Recommended by Dianna Mazzone, associate features director, Raquel New York is a facial studio in Tribeca. Co - founder Raquel Medina - Cleghorn is an esthetician with a wealth of experience, having trained with the best in the industry.
Studio Atmosphere and Services: The studio has an airy, loft - like atmosphere and offers a curated selection of hard - to - find skincare brands such as Auteur, Cosmetics 27, and Environ. The facials start at $500 and include features like microcurrent, LED therapy, and extractions. Medina - Cleghorn is also a great source of knowledge about treatments, tools, and ingredients.
Results for Clients: Even clients with skin prone to redness, like Dianna Mazzone, have found that they can leave the studio without any blotchiness, allowing them to go back to work right away.
4. Brooklyn Face & Eye
Annie Blay, associate beauty editor, is a fan of Brooklyn Face & Eye, which is owned by board - certified ophthalmologist Chan Eve Jeanniton. The studio is located in a quaint brownstone and has a charming decor.
Facial Options: The facials here start at $140 for a simple sculpting treatment using facial cupping and go up to $700 for a comprehensive facial that includes microcurrent, LED light, and microneedling. Annie Blay loves the essentials facial, which costs $240 and lasts 60 minutes. It begins with a consultation to assess the client's skin needs, followed by cleansing, an exfoliating treatment, extractions, and a sculpting massage using Epi. Logic, a line of skincare products created by Dr. Jeanniton.
Client Experience: Annie Blay left feeling relaxed, glowy, and inspired, as if she could be the main character in a ‘90s black rom - com.
5. Silver Mirror
Site director Sam Escobar was referred to Silver Mirror's upper east side location by a former Allure beauty editor. The setting is more like a clinic than a traditional spa.
Facial Treatment: After an hour - long facial that starts at $159, which includes thorough extractions and a pumpkin enzyme peel, clients' skin undergoes a significant transformation. Sam Escobar's skin became smoother, with bumps and blackheads disappearing, and the overall complexion looking brighter. He didn't wear foundation for days after the appointment, a testament to the effectiveness of the treatment.
6. Joanna Vargas (Triple Crown Facial)
Sarah Kinonen, associate beauty director, is a regular at Joanna Vargas, which is located across from Bryant Park. The spa is named after the celebrity - loved aesthetician who founded it, and her famous clients include Naomi Watts, Greta Gerwig, and Rachel Brosnahan.
The Triple Crown Facial: This 60 - minute signature treatment features microdermabrasion for deep - cleaning and exfoliation, a generous amount of time with a microcurrent device to lift and firm, and a cool blast of oxygen at the end to hydrate and give the skin a gleamy finish. It costs $275 per session (plus tip) and does not include extractions. However, the taut and glowy results make extractions seem less important, as clients often receive many compliments after the treatment.
7. Edyta Jarosz at Shafer Clinic
Senior beauty editor Paige Stables has had a great experience with Edyta Jarosz, an aesthetician located inside Shafer Clinic on Fifth Avenue. As you enter her cozy treatment room, you're greeted by a million - dollar view of the Empire State Building, but it's Jarosz's warm welcome that truly stands out.
Customized Treatments: Facials with Jarosz start at $400 and are entirely customized. For clients with sensitive skin like Paige Stables, an appointment may include cavitation peeling (non - invasive exfoliation) or the use of DiamondGlow (a resurfacing device), followed by an Ionix light Oxylight (including oxygen therapy, microcurrent, radio frequency, LED light, and more). Jarosz has also integrated techniques like Kobido Japanese massage and buccal massage into her treatments to relieve tension and further define the face. Her reputation for having “magic hands” is well - deserved, as clients find even the gentle slapping on the face to boost circulation to be a heavenly experience.
Special Occasion Results: Paige Stables entrusted Jarosz ahead of her wedding, scheduling several appointments before the big day. Her skin has never looked more radiant.
8. Pietro Simone
Commerce writer Jennifer Hussein was drawn to Pietro Simone after hearing rave reviews from fellow beauty editors. Simone's Soho studio has an intimate, one - on - one vibe.
Treatment and Results: An average treatment starts at $300. For Jennifer Hussein's custom treatment, Simone combined an intensive microcurrent treatment with an in - depth massage. This left her with the most carved - out jawline and collarbones ever. Although there may be a little discomfort at times during the facial sculpting massage, the jowl - lifting results are well worth it.
9. Aesthetica Skin Labs
Senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaror had the best and most thorough facial of her life at Aesthetica Skin Labs right before her wedding. The custom treatment involved facial imaging and a dermatologist consult, which justifies the price tag of $1,500.
Treatment Process: The first step was using a Visia skin analysis machine to scan and analyze the complexion for different conditions like hyperpigmentation and inflammation and quantify the findings into a “true skin age.” Then, board - certified dermatologist Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, evaluated the skin and created a facial protocol for an aesthetician to follow. Before the 90 - minute facial, the client was treated with laser genesis at the lowest setting to stimulate collagen production. The aesthetician then cleansed and exfoliated the skin and provided oxygen and LED light treatments.
Results: Jesa Marie Calaror's skin was smooth and radiant post - treatment, and the results lasted well beyond her wedding day.
10. Glowbar
Associate special projects manager Talia Gutierrez is a big fan of Glowbar's affordable, result - driven, express facial. The overall treatment is snappy, lasting no more than 30 minutes without an add - on, making it great for a last - minute pick - me - up.
Facial Options and Experience: You can choose add - ons like dermaplaning, medical peels, hydrating masks, extractions, and LED light therapy. Talia Gutierrez's go - to is the Union Square location. The facial costs $75 flat, but the brand offers a monthly $60 members - only discount, which includes one facial a month and a few other perks like one guest pass per year and 15% off retail products. After a self - check - in, you proceed to a facial washing bar with Is Clinical products and a fresh face towel before heading into the treatment room. A typical facial for Talia involves extractions, high frequency, a chemical peel, and a hydrating mask, ending with some light therapy and sunscreen. Her skin always glows when she leaves an appointment.
Comparative Table of the Top Ten Spots
| Establishment | Starting Price | Key Techniques | Targeted Skin Concerns | Notable Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph Carillo | $275 | Buccal massage, facial cupping, acupressure, lymphatic drainage | Jaw tension, bloated face, TMJ | Visible facial contour improvement, lifted brows, higher cheeks, pointed chin |
| Joanna Czech | $450 (aesthetician, 90 minutes) | Customized treatments, LED light therapy, microcurrent (with gloves), extractions, cryogenically cooled air, diamond peel | Hyperpigmentation, skin aging, redness, inflammation | Deep relaxation, collagen building, reduced redness, improved skin texture |
| Raquel New York | $500 | Microcurrent, LED therapy, extractions | Redness, general skin improvement | Non - blotchy skin, improved skin quality |
| Brooklyn Face & Eye | $140 | Facial cupping, microcurrent, LED light, microneedling (in comprehensive facials) | Texture, oiliness, hyperpigmentation | Relaxation, glowy skin |
| Silver Mirror | $159 | Extractions, pumpkin enzyme peel | Bumps, blackheads, dull skin | Smoothed skin texture, brighter complexion |
| Joanna Vargas (Triple Crown Facial) | $275 | Microdermabrasion, microcurrent, oxygen infusion | Loose skin, puffiness | Taut and glowy skin, defined jawline and cheekbones |
| Edyta Jarosz at Shafer Clinic | $400 | Cavitation peeling, DiamondGlow, Ionix light Oxylight, Kobido Japanese massage, buccal massage | Sensitive skin, tension in facial muscles | Relaxed and contoured face, radiant skin |
| Pietro Simone | $300 | Intensive microcurrent treatment, in - depth massage | Jowl sagging, lack of facial definition | Carved - out jawline and collarbones |
| Aesthetica Skin Labs | $1,500 | Facial imaging, dermatologist consult, laser genesis, oxygen and LED light treatments | Hyperpigmentation, skin aging, uneven texture | Smooth and radiant skin |
| Glowbar | $75 | Dermaplaning, medical peels, hydrating masks, extractions, LED light therapy | General skin maintenance, quick pick - me - up | Glowy skin |
Conclusion
New York City is truly a treasure trove for those seeking facials that can enhance their facial contours. The top ten spots on our list offer a wide range of treatments, techniques, and price points to suit different skin concerns and budgets. Whether you're looking for a relaxing experience, a high - tech treatment, or a customized facial, there's an option for you in the city that never sleeps.
If you're intrigued by the prospect of achieving a more sculpted and radiant facial contour, don't hesitate to book an appointment at one of these top - rated establishments. Share your experience with friends and family, and encourage them to embark on their own facial journey. You can also explore related topics such as the latest skincare trends or other beauty treatments available in New York City to further enhance your beauty regimen. So, go ahead and treat yourself to the facial of your dreams!
