As a beauty editor, one of the most frequent questions I'm asked is, 'where should I go for a facial?' It's valid, and the answer isn't always straightforward. It depends on what sort of treatment you want —rigorous, relaxing, a little bit of both — and of course your location. That's why I've rounded up some of the best facials in Australia (beauty tourism is my favourite kind of tourism, after all). So no matter where you are, or what kind of skin you have, the crème de la crème, below.
Herbario
Located in: Melbourne
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Husband and wife duo Vito and Valli opened their Melbourne clinic in 1988 and it's become a haunt for those in the know. They combine herbal skincare with holistic science and rigorous massage for a facial experience you won't have anywhere else.
Try: The Face Detox & Muscular Stress Treatment
Melanie Grant
Located in: Sydney, Melbourne
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Mel is the guru. She's based in London and loved globally — Victoria Beckham and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley are regular clients — but still makes time to visit her Sydney and Melbourne clinics. Mel combines leading skincare brands like Augustinus Bader and Biologique Recherche with lasers and LED light, all within a chic setting. I love the way tailors every treatment based on your skin's needs.
Try: Custom Skin Health Facial
Rationale
Located in: Multiple locations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide
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Rationale is an Australian skincare brand that's often referred to as a cult because one you start using the 'Essential Six' formulas, you won't be able to stop. I love their products and have used them religiously for years, so it makes sense the treatments are on my list. A Rationale facial experience is luxurious but results focused. Think LED light, massage, deep cleansing and topical infusions that aren't otherwise for sale.
Try: The CryoGenic Resilience Facial (this is the treatment I had before my wedding).
Fenn
Located in: Sydney
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I love Fenn because they seamlessly blend holistic principles with effective skincare modalities. You're guaranteed to leave calm, glowing and with a regulated nervous system. They also have a beautiful curation of skincare brands like Rationale, Emma Lewisham, Lesse and Medik8.
Try: Fenn Classic
Ascension Clinic
Located in: Brisbane
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Ascension is one of the few clinics in Australia that offer an Augustinus Bader facial, and it's absolutely worth trying. It focuses on the AB 'method' infusing the brand's signature TFC8 while sculpting the features and restoring serious glow. I've had an Augustinus Bader treatment at the flagship in London and it was just as good at Ascension.
Try: The Extended Method Facial
Skin to Heart
Located in: Melbourne
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Everyone I know that's into skin and located in Melbourne recommends Skin to Heart. They offer classics like HydraFacials (perfect for a deep clean) all the way through to peels, lasers and micro-needling. The owner, Mai, is highly regarded — a good spot to commit to a skincare plan if you want to tackle trickier concerns like acne or pigmentation.
Try: Signature Platinum HydraFacial
N.Manning Skin
Located in: Sydney
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Nicole Manning used to co-own Fenn, but took time off to raise her family. But recently, she's started working again out of a clinic in Mosman, and thank goodness. Nicole has a gift; I've never experienced facial massage quite like hers. She's intuitive, caring and really knows skin. I saw her a few months ago and asked about my recurring periorial dermatitis — I took her recommendations (less face oil) and haven't had a flare up since. She's also very customised, the treatment list is small (trust me, it's better this way).
Try: The Classic
Crown Spa Perth
Located in: Perth
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Sometimes, you just can't beat the luxury of a hotel spa. Fortunately for WA, Crown in Perth is one of the best. La Prairie have a residency inside, and you can bet any facial treatment on the menu is characterised by luxury. It's the place to go if you just want to be wrapped up in a fluffy robe and
Venustus
Located in: Sydney
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No one does it like Jeannie and her beautiful team. Venustus isn't the place to go if you want to focus on something like skin tone or clarity, but rather you want to show yourself some care. Any facial treatment is grounding, restoring and nourishing. Your skin will look incredible, but more importantly you'll feel restored. Venustus use all their own organic products, and every treatment is done in a steel circular room with headphones. Bliss.
Try: Sculpt & Define Lymphatic Facial
Kailo
Located in: Brisbane
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Situated in the Calile Hotel, Kailo feels a world away from the poolside scene. The spa actually offers Biologique Recherche Facials, including the cult remodelling treatment. If you want to purify, balance, tone and lift your face, it's the place to go.
Try: Biologique Recherche Treatment with facial Remodelling
Framework by Miranda
Located in: Sydney
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Miranda doesn't offer a classic facial, but more of a remedial massage that will melt away signs of misalignment and TMJ (if you grind your teeth, you'll love it). Miranda is so nurturing, and comes from a physio background so is very informed. I haven't tried anything like it — highly recommend.
Try: Face Lift & Restore
Clarins
Location: Sydney
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I get that sometimes convenience is key, which is why the new Clarins QVB space is on my list. It only recently opened, and I had an incredible 45 minute treatment that easily could have fit into a lunch break. It's also about a five minute walk from Town Hall Station. Genius.
Try: Bye Bye Dry Skin
Images: Fenn, @emilyalgar
