FAQ

Depends on what you’re looking for! The Introduction is the full Star Faced starting point: an in-depth consultation, full treatment, home care + a plan forward. If you want the guidance without a facial, book an in-studio or virtual consult. And if you truly just want a facial, there’s actually still one for that too.

The Introduction is your full starting point with Star. It includes a 30 to 40 minute in-depth consultation, a full-length treatment that’s safe for first-time skin but still anything but subtle, a custom skincare routine, step-by-step digital routine template, curated skin education + resources, a detailed appointment debrief, ongoing 1-on-1 support + direct access when questions come up.

“I Just Want a Facial” is exactly what it sounds like. Skincare has become very focused on routines, treatment plans + transformation, and there is absolutely a time and place for all of it. But that doesn’t always fit into what you want, need or have space for right now. Sometimes the facial itself gets to be the whole point. Come in, let Star take care of your skin, enjoy a really good facial + go live your life.

Both are completely customized. One begins a more involved skin relationship with Star. The other lets a facial just be a facial.

The Method is how Star works with current clients. Instead of choosing from a list of treatments, you choose your time and Star takes it from there. Every appointment is guided by your skin in real time, how it responds + what you’re working toward, with products, modalities + techniques adjusted as needed. No rigid protocols, no doing the same facial just because it worked last time.

Your skin leads. The Method follows.

No. Please don’t worry about choosing your own peel, modality or treatment protocol. That’s quite literally what you’re coming to Star for!

Absolutely. Both in-studio + virtual consultations are dedicated time to go through your skin, what you’re currently using, what you want to work on + where to go from here. You’ll leave with a custom home care routine, skin education + a clear plan forward. No treatment required.

Yes. Virtual isn’t reserved for long-distance clients. If you’d rather talk skin with Star from your bed, that is always supported. duh!

Not at all. You don’t need something to “fix” to come to Star Faced. Acne, pigmentation, sensitivity, aging, maintenance, or simply keeping really good skin really good. It all belongs here.

Very much so, wow. Acne has always been a big part of Star Faced, but Star doesn’t believe there’s one right way to treat every person who has it. Your barrier, history, lifestyle, routine + the skin actually in front of her all matter.

Perfectly fine. You don’t need to know your skin type, understand ingredients or have a routine figured out before you come in. That’s Star’s job ;) But you will soon!

Even better. Now you + Star have something to talk about, and there’s always a chance you both learn something new heheh.

A lot. Star doesn’t want you blindly following a routine because someone told you to. Part of becoming a Star Faced client is learning your own skin: what Star is seeing, why she’s making certain choices, how your products work, what your skin responds to + what’s actually worth paying attention to. You’ll also get skin education + resources curated specifically for you along the way. The goal is for your skin to make a lot more sense to you than it did when you walked in.

Of course. Makeup, SPF, bare skin, whatever your day required before getting here. Star is going to cleanse your skin anyway, so there’s no need to arrive freshly scrubbed + shining.

Possibly. Retinoids, prescription topicals, exfoliating acids, benzoyl peroxide + other active ingredients can affect what is safe to do during your treatment. Be thorough on your intake form and when in doubt, tell Star what you’ve been using.

And when in doubt, simplify. Especially if you’re planning to start a skincare routine curated by Star. There’s no need to introduce five new things the week before she meets your skin.

Medications, allergies, pregnancy or nursing, sensitivities, recent waxing, laser, peels, injectables, procedures + anything unusual happening with your skin. If you’re wondering whether it matters, mention it. Star would rather know.

Yes. Your treatment will simply be curated around what is appropriate for you during that time. Make sure Star knows beforehand so ingredients + modalities can be adjusted accordingly.

Timing matters. Some treatments need space before or after a facial, and the appropriate window depends on what you had done. Let Star know what you had + when so she can tell you whether you’re good to go or better off waiting.

Tell Star before you come in. Depending on what’s happening, the treatment may need to be adjusted or moved to another day. Your skin being safe matters more than keeping an appointment on the calendar.

Stay home + take care of yourself. If you’re contagious or feeling unwell, reach out as soon as possible and Star will help figure out the next move.

Come clean. Figuratively, at least.

Tell Star what happened so those areas can be treated accordingly. No shame, no lecture + definitely not the first picked face to enter the room.

No. Facial hair is skin-adjacent, not an emergency. Come exactly as you are:)

Tell Star what you’re getting ready for + when it is. The perfect timing depends on your skin, the treatment + whether you’re a familiar face or a first-time one. This is not the week for mysterious surprises.

It depends on the treatment. Heat, intense exercise, sun exposure, active skincare + makeup may need a little time apart from freshly treated skin. You’ll leave knowing exactly what applies to you, so there’s no post-facial guessing game.

Usually, giving your skin a little time away from heat + heavy sweating is the better move, especially after more active treatments. If your treatment requires a specific window, Star will tell you.

Usually, yes, but freshly treated skin appreciates a little breathing room when you can give it. Depending on the treatment, Star may tell you to wait. Your dinner reservation + tinted SPF choice will be taken into consideration.

Protecting freshly treated skin from unnecessary sun exposure is always a good idea, and some treatments require more caution than others. SPF is non-negotiable, and Star will give you any treatment-specific instructions before you leave.

That depends on what was done. Some treatments play nicely with your usual routine right away, while retinoids, acids + other actives may need a few days off. Star will tell you exactly what to use, what to pause + when to bring it back.

Reach out. Some redness, dryness, flaking or an occasional breakout can be normal depending on the treatment, but you never need to sit at home wondering. Send Star a photo + tell her what’s happening.

No, thank god. If your appointment includes a debrief or home-care plan, the important information will be there for you to reference later. You’re allowed to enjoy your facial without taking mental notes from the table.

Yes. There is no facial Star could decide on three weeks in advance without seeing the skin attached to it. Your skin that day, its history, how it’s responding + what you’re working toward decide where Star takes the treatment.

It’s skin care, but it’s also an experience. Star takes your skin very seriously. The rest doesn’t have to be. Every facial is completely curated to the skin in front of her, with real intention behind what’s being done + why. And somehow, at the same time, you’re under red lights listening to a very good playlist, surrounded by whatever strange little things Star has collected lately, talking about your life or saying absolutely nothing.

It feels like its own little world. Personal, private, a little indulgent + very Star Faced. Come for your skin ~ disappear for a while.

Your skin history, barrier, current routine, lifestyle, sensitivities, previous treatments + how your skin responds in real time all matter. Star is looking at the whole picture, not just what showed up on your face that morning.

Yes, when your skin actually needs them + they can be done safely. Extractions aren’t a requirement for a facial to count, and Star isn’t interested in forcing something out of your skin simply because it exists.

They shouldn’t be an endurance test. Some modalities can feel spicy, tingly, cold, warm or just plain weird, but Star will tell you what’s happening + check in with you. Pain is not proof that a treatment is working.

Maybe, but peeling is not the goal and more peeling does not equal a better treatment. Depending on what your skin needs, you may have no visible peeling at all. A treatment can be doing plenty without your face shedding to prove it.

Possibly. Some treatments can leave temporary redness or warmth, while others leave you looking suspiciously good immediately. Your skin + what was done that day determine what happens next.

Sometimes skin can behave differently after a treatment, but every post-facial breakout is not automatically “purging.” If something comes up afterward, tell Star. She’d rather look at what’s actually happening than give it a trendy name and hope for the best.

Yes. “Sensitive” doesn’t mean untreatable, and it also doesn’t mean your skin should be pushed to prove otherwise. Star will work with the skin in front of her, protect the barrier + adjust accordingly.

That is useful information, not a reason to be embarrassed. Sometimes the smartest treatment is less, sometimes it’s different, and sometimes your skin needs support more than stimulation.

There isn’t one magic number. Frequency depends on your skin, goals, home care, budget + what you’re actually treating. Star would rather recommend an appointment because it makes sense than because four weeks have passed.

Some things can change quickly. Others take consistency, time + several skin cycles. Star will always be realistic with you about what can change, how long it may take + what’s actually worth focusing on.

Probably not, and it doesn’t need to. One appointment can teach Star a lot about your skin, make meaningful changes + give you a much clearer direction. Skin health is cumulative. There is no prize for transforming your face by Tuesday.

Absolutely. More treatment is not automatically better treatment. If Star thinks your skin doesn’t need the peel, product, modality or appointment you had in mind, she’ll tell you. Good skin decisions occasionally involve doing absolutely nothing.

No. The best routine is the one your skin actually needs + you can realistically live with. Sometimes that’s beautifully simple. Sometimes there’s more to it. Star isn’t adding six steps to your bathroom counter just for fun.

Please don’t be. Star has spent years looking closely at faces in every possible state. Acne, picking, hair, texture, pigmentation, dryness, oil, irritation, things you’ve been staring at from two inches away in the mirror. None of it changes how you’re treated in the room.

Yes, yes + yes. Talk the entire time, say three words, fall asleep, answer an email, ask 400 questions or stare into the void. There is no correct way to receive a facial.

Star knows the boundary. Estheticians can do a lot for skin, but they don’t diagnose medical conditions or replace dermatologic care. If something looks outside Star’s scope, she’ll tell you + recommend that it be evaluated by the appropriate medical professional.

Maybe. Most clients come to Star because they want her to take a real look at what they’re using + build something better for their skin, so very possibly. If there’s something you already own that Star genuinely likes + wants to keep, she will. Otherwise, expect some editing. That’s usually part of why you’re here! <3

When Star recommends something new as part of your routine, it should be purchased through Star Faced if you’d like her continued guidance + support with it.

Your skin comes first. Star works across multiple professional + independent lines and loves to cherry-pick the best from each, rather than fitting every face into one brand. Your routine is built from the products that make the most sense for your skin, your lifestyle + your budget.

Because Star isn’t just handing you a product name. She’s choosing it for your skin, fitting it into the rest of your routine, showing you how to use it + staying available as your skin responds. The product is only one part of the recommendation. Knowing where it belongs, how to use it + what to change along the way is the other part.

If it’s something you already owned when you began working with Star, absolutely bring it into the conversation. But new recommendations should be purchased through Star Faced if you’d like ongoing guidance with them.

No. There are expensive products Star loves + inexpensive products Star loves. Formula, function + whether it actually makes sense for your skin matter more than the number on the box.

Star gets your face for a couple of hours. You have it every day. What you consistently do at home has an enormous influence on what can happen in the treatment room + how those results continue afterward.

However many make sense for your skin + your life. Sometimes the answer is three. Sometimes there’s a reason for more. Star would rather build something you understand + actually use than make your bathroom unnecessarily complicated.

Tell Star about them. She’ll take a look + give you her actual opinion. Sometimes the answer is “keep it, Star loves that too.” Sometimes your beloved product is not making the cut. Both can be true.

Yes. Send it over. Star loves skincare and has opinions, obviously. She can tell you what she thinks, whether it makes sense for your skin + whether you might already have something doing the same job.

Tell her. Seriously. Budget is part of building a routine that actually works in your real life. Star can prioritize what matters most + decide where your money is best spent.

Not necessarily. Star may have you introduce things slowly or in a specific order depending on your skin. Follow the routine she gives you rather than deciding everything looks exciting and starting it Tuesday night.

Tell Star. That’s exactly why the support exists. Your skin can respond differently than expected, something may need to be adjusted, or Star may want to change how you’re using it. Please don’t quietly hate something in your bathroom for six weeks.

Yes. The Star Faced shop is for everyone. If you already know what you love, have at it. If you’re unsure what belongs on your face, a consultation is the best way to get recommendations made specifically for your skin.

If Star builds your routine, you’ll know. Your digital routine lays out what to use, when to use it + how it all fits together. Star would never want her client standing in the bathroom holding three serums wondering which one goes first.

Star Faced lives in West Hollywood, upstairs above Erewhon. The studio is located within the private studio suites on the third level, with exact arrival details included with your appointment.

There’s a parking garage attached to Erewhon, and you’re welcome to park on any level. If you head up to the third level, you’ll arrive right where the studio suites are located. Take a ticket when you enter + bring it with you for validation at Erewhon or with Star. Parking rates vary and validation does not make parking free.

Metered street parking is also an option. Just make sure you give yourself enough time for the length of your appointment. However you get here is fine. This is LA, Star respects a parking strategy.

Yes. Appointments are reserved specifically for you + can be booked online. No walk-ins.

Text Star as soon as you know. Depending on how late you are + what’s booked after you, your treatment may need to be adjusted so the next client’s time isn’t borrowed from. Life happens. A few minutes happens. Communication helps:) drive safe! xo

Life happens + plans change. Please make changes within the cancellation window listed in the booking policy whenever possible. Late cancellations + no-shows may be subject to a fee because that time was held specifically for you.

Reach out. Policies exist because Star Faced is a tiny business with very real appointment time, but Star is also a person who understands that occasionally life goes completely off-script. Communication is always the place to start.

Appointments are intentionally one-on-one, and coming alone is usually the best way to fully disappear into it. But if you’d prefer to change the vibe + have someone there with you, reach out beforehand and Star will let you know if it works for that appointment.

If you need to, reach out before your appointment. The treatment room has equipment, products + plenty of things that are better left untouched, so whether it works will depend on the situation.

Just ask first! Star loves your dog already, obviously, but there are still safety + sanitation things to consider in a treatment space.

Gratuity is always appreciated + can be added at checkout. Whatever feels right to you is perfect <3

Payment is taken at the studio at the end of your appointment. Accepted payment methods will be available at checkout.

Yes. Star Faced makes a very intentional & thoughtful present for someone whose face you care about. Gift cards are available through Star Faced.

As soon as you know you want to come in. Star’s books tend to fill up, so the earlier the better, especially if you have a specific day or time in mind.

Reach out before giving up. Text or email Star with the days + general times that usually work best for you, and she’ll see what she can do. Star is happy to accommodate when the schedule allows, but can’t always promise there’s a secret appointment hiding somewhere.

Yes, but the appointment should ultimately be connected to their own information, intake forms + skin history. Faces are unfortunately non-transferable.

For appointment, skin + order questions, email starfacedskin@gmail.com. Existing clients with direct access to Star as part of their care can continue using that channel for the skin questions that inevitably appear at inconvenient hours.

Star Faced Esthetics is committed to making this site usable by everyone, including visitors who rely on assistive technology. We aim to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2, Level AA. Steps we’ve taken include keyboard-operable menus, galleries + forms, visible focus indicators, screen-reader labels on controls, color contrast tuned to AA, and support for reduced-motion settings.

A Pause motion control in the footer of every page stops the background videos and the scrolling announcement bar together, and stays paused as you browse until you resume. If your device requests reduced motion, everything starts paused automatically.

Please tell us. Email starfacedskin@gmail.com or use the contact page — include the page you were on and what happened, and we’ll work to fix it promptly. Accessibility is ongoing work here.