I Tried the It-Girl Facial and Now I Get the Hype
I left looking like a glazed donut and feeling like I’d started a new skincare journey.
The minute I heard about Ställe Studios, I was itching to visit. On the lips of practically every person in downtown New York (probably the entire city, to be fair), this coveted facial has quickly become a top recommendation from beauty insiders and It-Girl-favourite.
Elizabeth Grace Hand is the brains behind the operation. She started her career in fashion before joining L’Oréal to work for the brand Dermablend. A die-hard beauty lover, she worked with derms, estheticians and plastic surgeons all over the country to learn how to treat various skin conditions. She later joined the team at Barbara Sturm to build its sales and training teams, all while training herself to practice the art of the facial at the Christine Valmy International School in New York, where she graduated with honors. During the pandemic, she decided to turn her one-bedroom apartment into a facial studio before eventually setting up the storied Ställe Studios.
Since going out alone, she’s gotten rave reviews from clients all over New York, dubbing her treatment the “It-Girl” facial. With a blend of medical and spa techniques, Hand treats all types of conditions, including acne, rosacea and melasma. Her clients include downtown gallerist Hannah Traore, who visits often for her bespoke facials, and Nell Diamond, who hit Hand up before the Met Gala. Jennifer Lawrence is said to be a fan, too. In short, it screams “that girl.”
So, what makes Hand’s work so good? Here’s everything you need to know about the It-Girl Facial…
It-Girl Facial: The Rundown
Best for: Those who are really looking to invest in their skin and work with someone who knows how to target a multitude of concerns.
Price: A 60-minute facial with Elizabeth Grace Hand is $500 USD and $300 USD with her other aestheticians on staff, both available to book on the brand’s website.
Rating: 10/10
It-Girl Facial: Why the Hype
New York City’s It-Girls, from Alix Earle to Jennifer Lawrence are flocking to see Hand in her SoHo space. Not only is each treatment is customizable to your skin, but also your schedule. Want to look good the minute you leave? Ställe Studios can do that. Have a few days of downtime for a peel to do its magic? Hand and her team have got it covered.
What really differentiates Hand’s studio is that, compared to a lot of facials I’ve had, is the post-glow. Where other facials can feel like an intense treatment with extractions that leave you red and inflamed, Hand is all about minimal redness — even if extractions are performed. Her clients leave with dewy, hydrated skin.
Whatever your skin type or skin concern is, nothing is missed. If you want to target fine lines or blemishes, feel like skin is dry or sensitive, you can be treated here. Even the products used are customized to a tee. Those who have gone to see her usually come back for a recurring appointment, where they can get onto a routine hand-picked by Hand herself. Chatting with some customers while waiting for my appointment, it’s clear that she has built a loyal following. Unsurprisingly, appointments with Hand have to booked at least a month and half in advance. But the wait (and expense, if you can spare it) is worth it.
It-Girl Facial: An Honest Review
I came to Ställe Studios post-fashion month with pretty “meh” skin — travel, rain and a lingering cold had left my skin looking dull and puffy. Getting barely any sleep and switching different time zones the night before, I was ready for Hand to show me everything the skincare community in New York was raving about.
After an initial consultation and discussion about spoke my skincare goals, Hand got to work. “Our focus is hydration, sculpting and a deep cleanse to target the small bit of congestion you do have,” she reassured me. “We’ll wake up the skin a bit from the late nights and long flights to get it to a good base line, ready for what is probably going to be a cold New York winter.”
Though each facial is different, because it is tailored to your skin’s needs, they all tend to start with a double cleanse that gently removes all makeup, dirt, grime and pollution away. This is followed by an enzymatic exfoliation, which is performed under steam. This helps to exfoliate the dead skin cells lying dormant on the top layer of the dermis. Then, an insane array of skin goodness followed, including a micro-infusion with growth factors, CO2Lift Pro mask, cryotherapy and LED lights. At the end, Hand applied some of her favorite products, including the Bioeffect Power Serum, Retrouvé Intensive Moisturizer and Auteur Sun Drops.
So far, so delightful. What really sold it for me was Hand’s extraction technique. She removed pimples that had laid dormant on my skin for months. It felt like a hard reset for my skin, or the start of a new skincare journey. As someone who’s been fortunate enough to try out many different facials, this visit turned me into a one-stop-shop kind of girl. From beginning to end, I felt like my skin was gently cared for. I left, in all honesty, looking like a glazed donut. My skin drank in every bit of that facial, leaving me with results that looked even better the next day.
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It-Girl Facial: The Final Verdict
In all honesty, this was one of my favorite facials I’ve ever had. Hands’ bedside manner, skill and attention to detail are unmatched when it comes to building on a skincare routine. I really felt like our skin analysis together boosted the end result tenfold and that her years of experience leaves you with skin that’s dewy, sculpted and ready for anything.
If you want to visit Ställe Studios in New York City for yourself, you can head to the brand’s website.
While you’re here, check out our interview with Niamarie Vargas, creator of the Gen-Z skincare brand, Heavenly by Nia.
