How to Get Facials in Austin

We see ads on television or in magazines, promising that a certain product will keep our skin glowing and healthy. But, there’s nothing like a good facial to cleanse the pores, relax tense muscles and take your skin back a few years. Austin is a city that cares about health and believes that looking good is a result of feeling good. So instead of spending a fortune on products that promise more than they can deliver, venture out to try some of Austin’s best facials.

Instructions

Before You Go

1. Call ahead to book an appointment. If you need help selecting a the right kind of facial, the representative on the phone can help you choose. Most facial technicians will be able to customize the treatment once they see your skin and figure out your needs.

2. Wear comfortable clothing. Some spas will provide robes to wear, as well as lockers to store your belongings. Remember to remove all jewelry, or don’t put any on before you go.

3. Be prepared to take a shower after, either at the location, or when you get home. Facials tend to mess up your hair, even if covered with a towel. Often a standard facial will include a scalp massage with oils that will need to be rinsed out before you go about the rest of your day.

Where To Go

1. Set in a hip, yet relaxed downtown atmosphere in Austin’s Second Street district, milk + honey is one of Austin's premier day spas, offering men and women a variety of treatments that relax, invigorate, heal, and soothe. The Lux Facial is their signature treatment that refines, cleanses and extracts impurities in the skin, plus customizes the experience to provide extra toning and exfoliation. This particular facial is 90 minutes ($165) and gives extra attention to the lip and eye areas. Call [phone] to schedule an appointment.

2. If you have time to indulge, a visit to the Spa at Lake Austin is truly a divine experience. Set in a beautiful location along Lake Austin, you will be pampered from the moment you walk in the door. Herbal teas and water flavored with citrus fruits in complimentary in the locker rooms, and you will have full access to the spa’s steam room, sauna, and Jacuzzi, as well as the outside sunning area. With several facials to choose from, the Marine Therapy Facial is one of the best. An anti-aging treatment that uses vitamin C esters, liquid oxygen and pure seaweed extracts, the facial strengthens your skin’s collagen matrix, getting rid of free radicals, and rejuvenating the surface skin. The treatment improves skin tone and reduces fine lines. The 50-minute treatment is $150. To schedule an appointment, call [phone].

3. For a less indulgent experience, but without sacrificing the relaxation and pampering, head to Jackson Ruiz on the corner of Lamar and Fifth Street. The spa is small, but cozy and has just enough frills without the pomp and circumstance to make it one of the most fulfilling treats you can give yourself. Using only the best Aveda products, made from organic plants and essential oils and minerals, the aromatherapy is the products alone is enough to transport you to an island oasis. One of their more unique facials is the Stone Fusion Facial ($115), which allows you to experience the aromatic power of traditional North American plants along with the added benefit of smooth stone massage. The opposing warm and cool sensations from the stones, placed on your neck, shoulders, and arms, balances, soothes and invigorates the entire body. This is a good choice for someone who isn’t fond of the more intense extractions included in other facials.

4. For a more casual facial and to avoid the spa environment altogether, the Waxing Studio on South Lamar has outstanding facials at more affordable prices. Their standard Steam + Clean facial ($55) gently uses steam to help extract impurities from deep pores and is followed by a purifying masque. To go up a step, try the Glycolic Acid treatment, which intensifies the refinement and afterglow. To book, call [phone].

Tips & Warnings

• If this is your first facial, or you haven’t been in awhile, expect some minor breakouts in the day or two following the treatment. This is normal. A facial will slough off dead skin cells and open the pores, which can bring dirt beneath the skin to the surface. It will go away in a day or two and the result are well worth the minor setback.