Fashion

Saint Laurent CEO: Heritage Must Keep Moving

Fashion

Giorgio Armani CEO Touts Links to Chinese Culture

Fashion

Compromise Is Underrated: Prada Group CEO

Shop
Beauty

I Got a Red Carpet Facial From Celebrities’ Go-To Esthetician Before the Oscars — Here’s How to Replicate the Results at Home

Joanna Vargas has worked on the faces of everyone from Maggie Gyllenhaal to Dakota Johnson and Sofia Coppola. I tried out her best facial in NYC during awards season.

By Stacia Datskovska Plus Icon

Stacia Datskovska

Senior Commerce Writer for WWD

Recent Articles by Stacia Datskovska

View All

March 15, 2026, 6:00pm

Add us as a Google Preferred Source

inside of joanna vargas' NYC facial studio; writer stacia datskovska's selfie before getting a red carpet facial from vargas

Courtesy WWD/Stacia Datskovska

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, WWD may receive an affiliate commission.

Get Red Carpet–Ready Skin at Home With Joanna Vargas’ Brand

View more +

While I treat my skin well — cleansing nightly, maintaining a diet that mitigates breakouts, and trying to remain as sun-safe as possible — you’ll rarely find me stepping foot in a skin clinic for regular facials. The reasons for this were once myriad (no time; journalist’s salary; etc.), but the tide recently turned when I booked an appointment with none other than Joanna Vargas, a bicoastal esthetician who owns three booming spas across Hollywood and NYC and has touched the faces of everyone from Maggie and Jake Gyllenhaal to Dakota Johnson, Sofia Coppola, and Naomi Watts.

Shop Shoes

Where to Watch the 2026 New York City Marathon Online Without Cable

Fragrance

Willy Chavarria Teams With Xinú for Limited-Edition Candle Vessel

Vargas is part of the old guard when it comes to celebrity facialists, but she nonetheless chases innovation with a vehemence. The timing of my visit to witness her tried-and-true techniques couldn’t have been better, considering the Oscars were right around the corner: one of the busiest times for Vargas, who starts prepping clients’ skin way in advance and puts the finishing, camera-ready touches on their complexions right before they get in the car and head to the Dolby Theater.

“It’s very common for me to see someone in NYC for prep steps and then again in LA for the final glow-up,” Vargas tells WWD. “People often start thinking months in advance depending on what we’re working on and what their personal goals are.”

View this post on Instagram

get a red carpet–level glow at home

The day of my own glow-up, I introduced myself to Vargas, and she immediately led me to one of her studio’s inner chambers: a room where throwback jams (no white noise here!) were playing over the speakers, soft-pink couches chic-ified the space, and a variety of contraptions — microcurrent machines and the like — sat silently behind the esthetician bed.

Vargas, equal parts talkative and professionally restrained, started by examining my every pore under a light. Her verdict? My blackheads and intermittent pimples needed a good ol’ fashioned extraction, which is most definitely not advisable the morning of the Oscars (but, given that I’m neither an actress, director, nor costume designer, this rule didn’t apply in my case). She worked with impressive dexterity, thanks to the kind of muscle memory that comes from training your hand for decades. Supplementing the procedure, Vargas used her brand’s skin care salves and saviors on my face. Some products smelled, gloriously, like a just-picked citrus fruit; others blessed my skin with a much-needed cooling sensation, and I felt like my face was depuffing in real time.

Though the extractions Vargas did on my face inflamed some already-existing problem areas (a natural response), I left her HQ feeling thoroughly glowy — inside and out. Courtesy WWD/Stacia Datskovska

Then came time for a shortened version of Vargas’ magnum opus: the Triple Crown Classic Facial that celebrities have stayed loyal to across dozens of awards seasons. With two little gadgets that looked like face rollers, Vargas initiated a microcurrent therapy meant to tone facial muscles and amp up skin’s collagen production. I felt a consistent flow of tiny zaps, which didn’t hurt at all but simply signified that the woman in charge was doing her thing. After drawing strategic circles around exactly half of my face — forehead, cheekbone, jaw, and even décolletage for good measure — Vargas handed me a mirror.

“Look at the difference,” she said, first pinching the affected part of my face and then the still-uninitiated one. The former barely budged, so chiseled it was after mere minutes.

One of my other favorite parts of Vargas’ red carpet facial: the pure oxygen blast, which mimicked something your dentist might do to your teeth during a routine cleaning. Staying one step ahead of the rest always, Vargas infuses the O2 flow with green tea, vitamins, and aloe.

My not-so-little suite in Joanna Vargas’ Midtown Manhattan spa. Courtesy WWD/Stacia Datskovska

After the hour was over, the word that repeated itself in my head as I gazed at my reflection was “dewy.” My skin was quenched and cleansed at once, and Vargas’ fluency in her craft made the time absolutely fly by.

While the Triple Crown is currently Vargas’ bread and butter, she reports that regulars have been increasingly turning to the Glass Skin Facial (which merges “salmon DNA with non-invasive lifting,” according to her) and the Cellstory procedure (“like microneedling with sea sponge”). A fan of cutting-edge technologies and ancient health secrets alike, Vargas has also introduced a XERF machine into her spa, which harnesses radio frequency to tighten up the skin. Think no-surgery-needed face lift paired with the “cumulative benefit of long-term collagen stimulation.” No wonder Kim Kardashian has tried it out for herself.

Notably, Vargas also complements her facials with the Body Booster: a leg compression gizmo that promotes lymphatic drainage, builds immunity, and speeds up healing.

Throughout my time at Vargas’ Midtown Manhattan outpost, she never once mentioned an A-list client directly. The simple reason for that? Vargas wants her brand to speak for itself. “Whether it’s my skin care formulas, my book, or my patented LED bed, the impact I value most is that I’ve led with innovation and thinking beyond the usual boundaries of an esthetician,” she shares.

‘Glow From Within’ by Joanna Vargas

$21.59 $26.99 20% off

Buy Now at amazon

Joanna Vargas’ book-long examination of the skin care industry’s biggest obsessions (hyaluronic acid, dry brushes, retinol, you name it) and how best to incorporate them into your daily rituals. Also: wise insights on how nutrition, sleep, and stress management can help your skin reap big rewards.

Price upon publish date of this article: $21.59

Vargas’ first-ever salon landed in Manhattan circa 2006, with a West Coast expansion following and a Brooklyn location opening its doors only last year. The through line connecting these ventures has been Vargas’ reliance on a skin care brand she launched in 2011. Stocked everywhere from Amazon and Bluemercury to Shopbop and Dermstore, the Joanna Vargas assortment boasts a trinity of hero products that beauty gurus have been using religiously for years: the Vitamin C Face Wash, the Daily Serum, and the Exfoliating Mask.

Joanna Vargas Daily Serum

$85

Buy Now at dermstore

Per Vargas, this serum takes a page from her daily habits. ”I was inspired [to develop it] through my love of making green smoothies and juices at home. I wanted to create that same glow in skin care through greens-powered oxygenation.” Rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and hydrating hyaluronic acid, the lightweight, gel-textured formula diminishes the appearance of pores, evens out skin tone, and remedies dullness. It’s safe to use on all skin types and, fittingly, has a scent that will remind you of mornings spent blending together spinach, lemongrass, celery, and ginger into a health elixir.

Price upon publish date of this article: $85

Joanna Vargas Vitamin C Face Wash

$40

Buy Now at amazon

“My Vitamin C Face Wash is loaded with vitamin C, kojic acid, and salicylic acid, so it’s soothing, brightening, and helps maintain clean pores in between facials,” says Vargas. Targeting fine lines and oiliness both, the cleanser also promises to never dry out your skin. Vargas, after all, is all about attaining the kind of radiance that makes headlines the morning after.

Price upon publish date of this article: $40

Joanna Vargas Exfoliating Mask

$75

Buy Now at revolve

What Vargas has to say about this mask of the non-sheet variety: “It’s a double-duty chemical and physical exfoliant that can also function as a spa treatment overnight.” Gentle in its efforts yet mighty in context of its ingredient roster (made up of the smoothing lactic acid, sebum-absorbing kaolin clay, and galactoarabinan, a natural substance that boosts lactic acid’s exfoliating prowess), this mask can be thought of as the ultimate pore detox: unclogging congestion and shooing dead skin cells away.

Price upon publish date of this article: $75

As she pampered my skin with these and other plant-based topicals, I developed an incredible feeling of well-being. Clearly, the textures, smells, and immediate after-effects of Vargas’ eponymous product line, combined with her magic touch, is what kept the Mindy Kalings, Laura Derns, and Julianne Moores of the world coming back to Vargas’ studios for more.

View this post on Instagram

Hollywood insiders have been entrusting their faces to Vargas for events like the Met Gala, Actor Awards, Critics Choice Awards, Academy Awards, and beyond, but you don’t need to be a household name or live in California or New York to experience what she has to offer. Besides the three marquee products above, Vargas sells everything you need to optimize your skin’s health online — from bar soap to wrinkle-fighting moisturizer — and her selections are also available at select luxury hotels around the world (not to mention having recently appeared as part of special-edition vanity kits in American Airlines’ premium cabins).

You might not be walking in front of a step and repeat anytime soon, but looking like it just got a whole lot easier.

Sign up for WWD Shop‘s newsletter to get the scoop on the best in beauty and style with in-depth reviews of exciting new releases and buyer’s guides to find the products you need to try ASAP.

Shop More From Joanna Vargas

Joanna Vargas Cloud Bar

$22

Buy Now at dermstore

Reverse skin dehydration with this bar soap that repairs damaged cells, kicks pollutants to the curb, and moisturizes courtesy of components like coconut oil.

Price upon publish date of this article: $22

Joanna Vargas Eden Hydrating Pro Moisturizer

$90

Buy Now at dermstore

Claiming to “address the full-spectrum signs of aging,” Vargas’ Eden Hydrating Pro Moisturizer is all about achieving that youthful, plump look: brought to you by the stem cells of fruits, ginkgo biloba, and macadamia seed oil.

Price upon publish date of this article: $90

Joanna Vargas Glow to Go Mask Set

$75

Buy Now at amazon

Whether you apply it while jet-setting or reading in bed, the Glow to Go Mask Set’s botanical actives are bound to brighten, firm, depuff, and revitalize. Those who are well aware that variety is the spice of life will be happy to know that this set contains five distinct sheet masks: one for every day of your busy work week, perhaps.

Price upon publish date of this article: $75

Joanna Vargas Twilight Night Serum

$195

Buy Now at revolve

This right here is Vargas’ personal favorite product from her lineup (yes, unlike with children, she has no problem choosing one). “It’s a milky serum [with] epidermal growth factor that’s incredibly hydrating and firming for the skin,” Vargas comments. Said growth factor is composed of 53 amino acids and does its best work as you snooze.

Price upon publish date of this article: $195

Why Trust WWD

Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as “the fashion bible” — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women’s and men’s fashion, retail and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD’s breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD’s editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections. Learn more about us here.

Meet the Author

Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tentpole sales events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska regularly reports on beauty trends, celebrities’ skin care routines, and what’s worth shopping to get the look at home.

WWD Recommends

Most Popular

WWD

Get all the top news stories and alerts straight to your inbox.

Enter your Email

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. // This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

I Got a Red Carpet Facial From Celebrities’ Go-To Esthetician Before the Oscars — Here’s How to Replicate the Results at Home

Recent Articles by Stacia Datskovska

Get Red Carpet–Ready Skin at Home With Joanna Vargas’ Brand

‘Glow From Within’ by Joanna Vargas

Joanna Vargas Daily Serum

Joanna Vargas Vitamin C Face Wash

Joanna Vargas Exfoliating Mask

Joanna Vargas Cloud Bar

Joanna Vargas Eden Hydrating Pro Moisturizer

Joanna Vargas Glow to Go Mask Set

Joanna Vargas Twilight Night Serum

Related Articles

‘Glow From Within’ by Joanna Vargas

Joanna Vargas Daily Serum

Joanna Vargas Vitamin C Face Wash

Joanna Vargas Exfoliating Mask

Shop More From Joanna Vargas

Joanna Vargas Cloud Bar

Joanna Vargas Eden Hydrating Pro Moisturizer

Joanna Vargas Glow to Go Mask Set

Joanna Vargas Twilight Night Serum

Why Trust WWD

Meet the Author

Tags

WWD Recommends

Ferran Torres Talks World Cup and That Hat

Most Popular