21 best facials to book and the top aestheticians to have on your radar
Deciding on the best facial for your skin is always difficult and yet doing so is an important step in a comprehensive skincare regime. Sure, you might not have the luxury of booking into a spa every other week, but visiting a pro for a deep cleanse, a sculpting facial massage and a few necessary extractions every once in a while is always a good idea.
How we treat our skin now can impact its condition for years to come so seeking a pro treatment can actually save you time and money in the long run – especially with sensitised skin on the rise (directly thanks to us meddling with potent skincare at home) as well as conditions such as acne, rosacea and hyperpigmentation.
You're about to find out.
When it comes to facials, not all are made equal. You can get one that feels nice, but doesn't really make a huge amount of difference to your skin. You can get one that's all frills and no substance (aka heavy on dolphin music, but light on the active ingredients that kick-start cell renewal and rebuild compromised barrier functions). Or, you can get one with an experienced and exceptional aesthetician who can identify the issues particular to your skin and put together ingredients and techniques that leave your skin in peak condition.
Really, when it comes to facials, you're paying for the ingredients and the expertise. Nail that last point by finding someone who really knows what they're doing and the rest will follow.
We've made a list of the superstar facialists at the top of their game. Alongside a range of luxurious and results-driven skincare products, these experts rely on a combination of innovative massage techniques and technical innovations to provide a world-class facial that's able to treat a multitude of skin conditions and concerns. While some prefer the natural side of skincare, opting for essential oil blends and hands-on massage, others call on the latest tech like lasers to target pigmentation and light therapy to eliminate clogged pores.
These are the best facialists in London...
Best high tech facial
25 Kensington Park Road, London, W11 2EU
New to the UK, is famed Tel Aviv facialist, Keren Bartov, seen her with her A-list client, actor Gal Gadot. If you like your facials at the serious business end of the scale, with pamper facials at the opposite end, then Keren is your pro. Each facial is customised to your skin and goals. The experience starts with a deep cleanse and massage with her glowy enzyme peel, but then gets into the serious skin stuff. With over 50 medical technologies to hand your personalised treatment could include soft laser, IPL, radio frequency and ultrasound to zap your pigmentation or rosacea, firm and tighten skin, smooth fine lines, and stimulate structural collagen support. It's the new frontier of medi-facials that delivers on glow, but goes way beyond, to the extent you may want to reconsider or cancel that Botox appointment. You'll find Keren and her pro team at her new Notting Hill Atelier, where she drops in for a week in every three. Book early as the A-list have already joined the queue.
Best red carpet facial
Sadaf Jaffari
33 Elystan Place, London SW3 3JY
If you're looking for event-ready skin, Sadaf Jaffari is who you need to see. With her thorough knowledge of cutting-edge treatments, it's no wonder that she's a celebrated celebrity Aesthetic Aesthestician. The Red Carpet Ready Facial is worth every penny in our opinion; it's great for tightening and smoothing the skin and will leave you with that glowy result all the A-listers have. Sadaf knows exactly what treatment you'll benefit from most, so you're more than safe in her hands..jpg)
Best facial for a pre-event baby face glow
Natasha Clancy
14 Hanover Square, London, W1S 1HN.
Natasha Clancy, former global fashion model and celebrity facialist has launched a new treatment termed ‘baby face’ a full facial rejuvenation without any downtime promising completely resurfaced skin to give you the ultimate glow. Natasha uses the LaseMD from Lutronic, an intelligent skin laser rejuvenation treatment, varying in strength depending on your personal requirements. It successfully treats skin ailments from active acne through to fine lines, skin texture, pigmentation and skin laxity. You can expect a healthy and refreshed appearance after just one treatment.
Best results-driven facial
Dija Ayodele
77 Fernhead Road, Maida Vale, London W9 3EA
If you're after a results driven-facial, Dija's evidence-based treatments are aimed at identifying and resolving skin problems. Her ethos is all about promoting healthy skin using clinically-proven products. She's also GLAMOUR's skincare columnist and the founder of The Black Skin Directory and she specialises in the needs of dark skin tones.
Dr David Jack, 59 Ebury St, London SW1W 0PB
One of Harley Street's finest aesthetic and skincare doctors has recently opened this new clinic in the heart of Belgravia. Renowned for his A-list clientele, Scottish charm and incredible vitamin C serum, Dr Jack's new clinic is not only visually stunning, (lots of Marble and Italian furnishings) but it also has its own dedicated facial bar: SkinTechStudio. The studio's secret weapon is Iris Maglanoc, whose Hands Only Facial (£130) will not only remove tension and muscle bulk in your jaw, but also redefine your facial structure. Yes really. Using Korean Golki bone massage, Iris gets inside your cheeks, vigorously massaging the bones from the inside out and employing lymphatic drainage massage. She even works your eye sockets! Combined with a deep cleanse and a signature Dr Jack micropeel and finished with a dose of LED light therapy, after 45 minutes, your face will be redefined, revealing cheekbones you haven't seen for years!
@drbarbarasturm / InstagramBest high-tech facial
Dr Barbara Sturm
125 Mount St, Mayfair, London W1K 3NS
Dr Barbara Sturm has some of the world's most high profile clients (Hailey Bieber, Kim Kardashian, Kate Moss and Irina Shayk to name a few) and almost every time we interview celebs for their top beauty recommendations, Sturm's skincare line comes up. Now she's opened up a spa in London's Mount Street so that Londoner's can access her high-performance facials via the very capable hands of her meticulously trained expert aestheticians.
Best zen-inducing facial
Annee de Mamiel
The Ned, 27 Poultry, London EC2R 8AJ
Annee is a leading authority on high-performance natural skincare, tackling the effects of stress on the skin. Annee treats faces like roadmaps, since our skin can speak volumes about our health and wellbeing. Her Urban Warrior Facial is exclusive to The Ned and draws on all of these principles. The holistic 90-minute treatment was created with city girls in mind. Why? Because it's been designed to calm, sooth and deeply cleanse skin that's encountered the harsh effects of pollution, whilst simultaneously releasing locked in tension from stressed facial muscles. Our favourite part? The use of the gua sha crystals at the end to unlock all that tension. Pure zen.
Best facial for extractions
Vaishaly
51 Paddington St, Marylebone, London W1U 4HR
An advocate of less is more, superfacialist Vaishaly believes that you don't need endless amounts of creams to achieve beautifully healthy skin. Every facial is tailored to meet the needs and concerns of each client but Vaishaly focuses the treatment on skilled extractions, micro-dermabrasion, high-frequency tools to kill harmful bacteria and her signature massage technique that sees beauty insiders flocking from all corners of the globe.
Best facial for revealing cheekbones
Anastasia Achilleos
The Lanesborough Club & Spa, 2 Lanesborough Place, London, SW1X 7TA
Anastasia's magic hands will reveal cheekbones you didn't even know you had - FACT. She uses a combination of facial massage to drain away fluid build-up and revive a tired complexion alongside cranial sacral alignment to rebalance the body and mind, leaving everyone who visits looking and feeling like a total supermodel.
Best facial for lymphatic drainage
Abigail James
The Beaumont Hotel, 8 Balderton St, Brown Hart Gardens, Mayfair, London W1K 6TF
Abigail's 15 years of expertise and knowledge of all the muscles, connective tissue and lymphatic systems in the face and body means that her hands-on sculpting, microneedling, as well as LED light therapy and high-tech innovations, will address every manner of skin concern, leaving the complexion clear and radiant.
Best A-list approved facial
Sarah Chapman
259 Pavilion Road, London, SW1X 0BP
Rumoured to have given Meghan her pre-wedding facial, Sarah is one of London's most sought-after facialists. Trained in cosmetic science, Sarah has her own brand of high-performance skincare that she uses in her facial treatments, as well as 'gymnastic' massage techniques that are so amazing, her hands have been insured for £1 million.
Best concern-led facial
Fatma Shaheen
50-54 Wigmore St, London W1U 2AU
After a decade of providing her clients with expert, results-driven facials, Fatma knows exactly how to treat the skin and tackle any type of concern. So much so, in fact, that she formulated her own game-changing cosmeceutical skincare brand Skin Design London. While Fatma herself now focuses on her formulas, she's kindly trained a whole team of experts to deliver her coveted facials at the brand's Peel & Lift Bar in Fortnum & Mason.
Best clinical facial
Kate Kerr
Agua Spa at Sea Containers Hotel, 20 Upper Ground, London, SE1 9PD
Kate's medical approach to skincare means that there's no doubt over the efficacy of her treatments; they're proven to provide results, whether that be treatment of inflammatory skin conditions like acne and rosacea or the treatment of dehydrated skin and wrinkles, Kate is sure to provide expert care.
Best deep-tissue facial
Nichola Joss
39 Harley Street, London, W1G 8QH
An all-round beauty superstar, Nichola is known for her innovative inner-cheek massage, favoured for its unprecedented sculpting abilities as well as firming and lifting results.
Best laser facial
Debbie Thomas
25 Walton Street, Chelsea, London, SW3 2HU
If high-tech skincare is your vibe, then Debbie Thomas is your new favourite facailist. Known for her knowledge of lasers, Debbie's clinic specialises in bespoke treatments tailored to each concern, with lasers to rejuvenate, resurface and refine the complexion.
Best celebrity facialist
Chelseé Lewis
12 Bolton Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 8BD
Chelseé has over 22 years of experience in the beauty industry, and it shows; with celebrity clientele including Stella McCartney, Gwyneth Paltrow, Suki Waterhouse and Erin O'Connor. Her signature facial 'Le Visage' is a tailor-made treatment that really figures out what you personally need - you'll come away feeling rejuvenated and glowing.
Best medical facial
Dr Barbara Kubicka
32 Clabon Mews, Chelsea, London SW1X 0EH
Trained in aesthetic medicine, Dr Kubicka set up her Knightsbridge clinic to offer patients and clients a broad range of health and lifestyle therapies in addition to cosmetic and medical skincare treatments. Her facials are science-led and the result of studying skin for years. Her medical-grade peels give the word "glow" a whole new meaning.
Best problem-solving face treatment
Dr Sam Bunting
41 Harley St, Marylebone, London W1G 8QH
Dr Sam is of the firm belief that all skin concerns should be taken seriously, especially if they're affecting your confidence. If you're struggling to see eye-to-eye with your skin, she's your woman. Rather than a traditional facial, an appointment involves a thorough (and non-judgmental!) exploration of your skin issues, including a detailed analysis of your current skincare routine, and how this can be improved. A personalized skincare and make-up plan will be put together for you at the end of your visit, all designed to work harmoniously with your specific skin type.
Best facial for that celebrity glow
Shane Cooper
85 Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 5BW
If you’re looking for that celebrity glow, look no further than Shane Cooper. His bespoke red carpet facial has been hyped-up by regular clients of his including Rita Ora, Laura Whitmore and Maya Jama. Shane’s approach to skincare uses cutting-edge technology that gives lifting and firming results - the next best thing to botox. The fact that you’ll walk out the clinic with a new BFF is an added extra.
Best for a clarity boost
Dr Michael Prager
52 Beauchamp Place, London, SW3 1NY
As well as being the ultimate authority on injectable treatments such as Botox, Dr Michael Prager Clinic also offers a range of non-invasive, high-tech facial treatments like their Hydrogen Facial, which uses hydrogenated water to jet wash the skin and suction to remove dead cells, cleanse skin pores, and black heads to reveal a radiant, cleansed complexion.
Best for mega-watt glow
Radiance London
12 Charlotte Place, London W1T 1SL
They call the Radiance London x Decléor Ultimate Glow treatment the ‘ultimate glow’ for a reason because this exclusive 90-minute experience is guaranteed to make you feel like a glowy goddess when you step out of the clinic. Made up of a 30-minute targeted massage, to sculpt, tone and get deep into your muscles, and a 60-minute sculpting facial using a range of luxurious Decléor products to smooth and tone your skin, this treatment is the most relaxing workout your body will ever experience..jpg)
Best for lymphatic drainage
Dimple Amani at Define London, 42 Vauxhall Bridge Rd, London SW1V 2RX
Dimple Amani is the founder of “The Amani Method”, which combines Brazilian and Ayurvedic techniques for a transformative massage through lymphatic drainage. Expect to feel cleansed after your treatment, with water retention flushed and energy blockages released - your gua sha tool at home could only dream of results like this. This lymphatic drainage massage has benefits way beyond your session too, improving digestion and helping you feel lighter.
