The Next Generation of Status Facialists: L.A. Edition

A good skin-care recommendation is worth its weight in gold — but a great facialist recommendation? There's no better love language.

No matter if you're looking for an expert to help guide you through a new wave of cystic acne, a sculpted jawline and sharp cheekbones or just a 90-minute session of sweet skin-care ecstasy that leaves you with a glow worth documenting, the first step is finding the right professional. Of course, there's no better (or more vain) city to find one than Los Angeles.

With that in mind, we scoured everywhere from East LA to Brentwood and beyond to find the next generation of genius estheticians living and serving throughout LA. Ahead, eight names to know and book — if you can get on the list.

Alicia McKeithan, Biologique Recherche on Melrose

What she's known for: While some clients visit McKeithan for acne and hyperpigmentation, it's her lymphatic massage they call home about. "My clients love my pressure when performing the facial massage and lymphatic drainage," she says. "They automatically see a difference and, in their words, it feels like they just got Botox."

Her background: After spending six years as a concierge at a luxury hotel spa where she sold Biologique Recherche products, McKeithan began training as an esthetician two years ago, earning her certificate after six months of full-time training.

Her signature treatment: The Soin Lissant, a plumping, hydrating facial that utilizes the brand's Remodeling Face Machine to contour the jawline and cheekbones, as well as breathe life into dehydrated, dull skin.

"The machine uses a combination of four electric currents and one radio-frequency wave to push our active products deeper into the skin, giving immediate results," says McKeithan. "This treatment also involves a lot of pulsing of the skin to increase blood flow, reduce tension in the facial muscles and to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles giving the skin a healthy radiant glow."

The Soin Lissant treatment costs $375 for 90 minutes.

Her favorite modalities to use in treatments: While McKeithan loves to use the Remodeling Face Machine in many of her treatments, it's her hands that clients call home about. Each treatment is a custom one, but she loves to use the Crème Masque Vernix (a protein- and lipid-rich mask), Crème ISO-Placenta for hyperpigmentation and Serum 3R, "an amazing, pregnancy-safe retinol alternative that immediately brightens, tightens and tones."

Skin-care philosophy: "Have patience when expecting results — and be kind to yourself."

Christine Walsh, Rationale Melrose Place

What she's known for: Even first-timers comment on how gentle and relaxing Walsh's facials are. Her massage technique will put anyone at ease. But don't mistake that for ineffectiveness — epect to walk out with glowing, event-ready skin.

Her background: Walsh began her professional beauty career as a makeup artist for film and TV, and eventually transitioned into becoming a full-time esthetician while working at a spa in South Bay for six years. After a local celebrity esthetician retired, Walsh happily inherited her clientele, and she eventually landed at Rationale.

Her signature treatment: The EpiNova Brilliance Facial ($295), a powerful, "blissful" 90-minute treatment that delivers intense hydration, refines skin texture and promotes collagen synthesis for an instant glow.

Her favorite modalities to use in treatments: Walsh loves to use Rationale's skin-cooling technology for a calm, clear complexion, as well as the ProLift device to lift and sculpt the facial contours. To that, she says, "Chef's kiss."

Noteworthy clients: While Walsh isn't able to divulge her celeb client list, she did call out that one of her favorite celebrity makeup artists is now on there.

Her skin-care philosophy: "We can't look young forever, but we can look beautiful at any age."—Richard Parker

Vanessa Hernandez, VH Skincare Clinic

What she’s known for: "I'm known for transforming skin — especially if they're dealing with congestion or hyperpigmentation," Hernandez says. "I place them on a skincare boot camp where I see them once a week anywhere from four to eight weeks in a row, depending on the clients goals. Within this timeframe, we can accomplish magical results by incorporating facials, lasers, microneedling, exosomes, growth factors, natural and medical grade skincare, etc."

Her background: She got her cosmetology license at 22. She worked between LA and New York for four years, and then, when she was 26, started VH Skincare out of a treatment room in the office of Beverly Hills plastic surgeons Dr. Michael Groth and Dr. Robert Hutcherson. The company has grown a lot since then — she now works out of a five-room, 1,600-square-foot clinic in downtown Brentwood.

Her signature treatment/price: The VH Method, which Hernandez describes as "a personalized and curated skin treatment protocol specifically customized for your skin" that includes both "in-office treatments and at-home routines that fit your lifestyle and budget." Then, there's the VH Method Facial, an hour-long treatment that encompasses "a 20-minute mini facial as well as anything from a diamond-tip microdermabrasion, extractions, wet microdermabrasion, a stem cell or brightening solution, a mask or a light stimulation and oxygen therapy, depending on the clients needs."

The VH Method Facial costs $550 with Hernandez or $375 with a member of her team.

Her favorite brands to use in treatments: The VH Method Peel, which is spiked with glycolic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. "We tout it as a facial in a packet," says Hernandez. "Used once a week, it can help transform your skin, smoothing, brightening and firming."

Her favorite modalities to use in treatments: She cites the diamond-tipped dry microdermabrasion machine as her favorite everyday tool. "When it's done properly, it can honestly be done on any and all skin types," she says, "and can be used not only on the face, but the whole body for an instant refresh!" Oxygen and LED therapy are other favorites.

Her noteworthy clients: Jeremy Pope, Amber Valetta, and Becky G.

Her skin-care philosophy: "Good skin is a lifestyle," she says. "It takes commitment and consistency. When it comes to your at home routine, less is more — when you are using the right products for your skin."

Celeste Rodrigues, Celeste Rodrigues Beverly Hills

What she's known for: Rodrigues is something of a hyperpigmentation whisperer — and though she treats all skin types, she specializes in melanated skin. "I'm the person you come to when someone has burnt or damaged your skin and no one wants to take on your case," she says.

Her background: After becoming a licensed esthetician nearly 15 years ago, Rodrigues trained alongside several Beverly Hills surgeons before eventually opening her own studio in 2019.

Her signature treatment: Her signature facial is the 30/30, which combines hydra-infusion and microcurrent for refreshed, lifted skin. It costs $400 for 60 minutes.

Her favorite brands to use in treatments: Like many experts, Rodrigues favors Is Clinical, as well as SkinBetter. "Is Clinical is gentle, yet effective, with brilliant actives, [while] SkinBetter Science provides results without stripping the skin," she says.

Her favorite modalities to use in treatments: "I love using ultrasonic microcurrent, lymphatic drainage and LED light therapy."

Noteworthy clients: Savannah James, Jada Pinkett Smith, Normani and James Marsden.

Her skin-care philosophy: "Look at your skin holistically and keep it simple."

Tess Adams, Take Care on Abbot Kinney

What she's known for: Not only can she take care of hyperpigmentation and fine lines, but her lymphatic technique will sculpt your face and make you feel restored.

Her background: As a holistic esthetician with 15 years of experience, Adams first combined forces with her sister Sadie to open Take Care in NYC's East Village back in 2009, which closed shortly after the pandemic took hold. The pair opened their LA location in Venice in January 2020.

Her signature treatment: Take Care's 75-minute Microcurrent and Buccal Massage Facial focuses on lifting, tightening and building collagen in the skin. The treatment costs $275.

Her favorite brands to use in treatments: Adams says she favors Marie Veronique for her clients because the brand prioritizes the skin's delicate microbiome.

Her favorite modalities to use in treatments: Adams loves to use her "microcurrent machine, LED light and my favorite tool of all: my hands!"

Her skin-care philosophy: "Less is more, and natural beauty is best. Simplify your daily routine and get monthly facials."

Sonia Vargas, Sonia Vargas Studio

What she's known for: Anyone with jaw and neck tension should know Vargas by name: The holistic esthetician specializes in sculptural facial lifting massage, which includes everything from connective tissue manipulation, fascial work, intra oral, manual lymphatic drainage, TMJ release and microcurrent. She's also worked with skin cancer patients to restore mobility of connective tissue.

Her background: Vargas is a licensed esthetician, certified in sculptural lifting technique, buccal facial massage, Vodder Manual Lymphatic Drainage, connective tissue massage and reiki. Before opening her own studio, she worked as an esthetician at Skin Worship in Beverly Hills and Take Care in Venice.

Her signature treatment: The Vibrational Facelift ($550), a 105-minute "natural facelift" experience that combines deep sculpting facial techniques that stimulate blood flow, increase oxygenation to the cells, lift and contour facial muscles, plus have an overall osteopathic effect on the structure of your face. (In other words: You'll look snatched.)

Her favorite brands to use in treatments: Vargas swears by Marie Veronique, as well as Osmosis.

Her favorite modalities to use in treatments: "My hands and quantum microcurrent."

Her skin-care philosophy: "I believe healthy skin begins with proper movement of fluids and release of stagnation in the tissues."

Biba de Sousa, Biba Los Angeles

What she's known for: Known as Hollywood's unofficial acne whisperer, de Sousa is great at treating problem skin: acne, rosacea, folliculitis or compromised, irritated skin.

Her background: "I have 20 years of treatment experience. My advanced training started while I was still in beauty school, which is four months long and basically gives one a license to work with the public, but not much more than that," she says.  "Immediately after realizing that I felt deep passion for an esthetic career, I went to conferences and all sorts of available classes, connected with online esthetician chat groups, found several mentors and met pretty much all industry leaders and experienced then trendy professional skin-care lines... I have a huge binder with certificates of training, and I still attend seminars as they're available to veteran professionals."

Her signature treatment: The Meta Facial, a trademarked treatment that de Sousa describes as "a signature combination of intuitively layered modalities." ("I think that scripted facials belong at a relaxation spa, not at the serious skin-care studio," she adds.)

Her favorite brands to use in treatments: "I exclusively use my products — not because other brands are 'bad,' but I tailored my products to my needs and have everything that is needed for a successful treatment outcome," says de Sousa. Her only exception? "I don't have sunscreen, and I use Elta MD SPF 46 — that's pretty much the only cosmetically elegant, decently priced non-comedogenic sunscreen."

Her favorite modalities to use in treatments: de Sousa relies on microcurrent, ultrasonic devices, microdermabrasion and wellness tools such as gua sha and fascia blasters.

Her noteworthy clients: Miley Cyrus, Emma Roberts, Billie Eilish, Hailey Bieber, Mandy Moore, Emily Blunt and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.

Her skin-care philosophy: "Aging gracefully is aging gradually."

Joomee Song, Joomee Song

What she's known for: The lauded facialist takes a gentle, holistic approach to skin care — without gadgets or devices. That's right: hands only!

Her background: "Growing up in Japan, I found my passion for facial sculpting massage by watching my grandmother, Hiroko," she says. "No matter how crazy the day was for her, she never missed her beauty rituals — she would always take the time to nurture her face and skin with her hands. She passed at 86 years old, but I still remember how supple and beautiful her skin was even at that age."

Since moving to the U.S. in her 20s, she has "studied more than 30 European and Asian skin-care methodologies," she continues, noting that, "once here, I couldn't help but notice how heavily American practices rely on devices and chemical treatments — often, those more aggressive techniques compromise the skin's barrier and natural immunity, which opens the door for long-term sensitivities and damage." Song decided to open her own practice in 2014, Faceworks Inc. in Brentwood, as she felt "the conventional approach to skin care in America didn't meet my standards."

"I strongly believed my job as a professional esthetician was to make a client's skin better than when they first came to see me," she says.

Her signature treatment: Song's signature facial is called Kaika, during which she uses facial massage to stimulate elastin and collagen production with her bare hands. Before getting started, she works with each client to best understand where they hold tension to best inform her technique. "This, in turn, increases blood flow and improves cell turnover so the skin can heal itself inside and out," she says. Each treatment is between 60-80 minutes, with pricing available upon request.

Her favorite modalities to use in treatments: "The number-one tool I use is my hands," Song explains. "Like it or not, skin keeps a running tab of everything we put it through — every laser, every chemical peel, every harsh product, every day we go without sunscreen. It can only go so long before it will start to show signs of our past indiscretions. This is why I say tools are an enhancement, not a replacement for feeling the skin with my handstand seeing where there is tension or stagnant blood flow."

Noteworthy clients: Jodie Smith, Sarah Paulson, Lena Waithe, Sabrina Carpenter, Barry Keoghan and Steven Yeun.

Her skin-care philosophy: "Bringing healthy blood flow back to the skin is often overlooked, but it is essential to its resilience and wellbeing. Be patient — and consistent."

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