The best facial in NYC
Meet Cali Strauhs, steal her "fugly" skincare recs, and book a facial before she blows up
Walking into Cali Strauhs’ Tribeca studio feels like entering a downtown loft you could swear you’ve been in before but can’t remember when or why. Maybe a press preview? It’s dim, peaceful, and smells like suede and kitchen herbs. I’m pulled toward the white candle flickering on the coffee table with a label I’ve never seen before. It’s Nostalgia. Near the cloudy glass, I spot the polished resin claw clip I’ve seen linked in enough of the right Substacks to know I want one. That’s when Cali comes out to greet me.
A bit about Cali
“My best friend actually makes that candle,” Cali tells me. (Okay, cool.) The two met a few years ago while working at Le Labo. The friend (Shabnam Tavakol, I stalked her) then flew to France to study perfumery, and Cali enrolled in Aveda’s esthetician program and quickly found her passion for “integrative” skincare.
As a self-acknowledged empath (this comes up in the first five minutes of our meeting <3), Cali is sensitive to energy, which makes her an intuitive healer to anyone struggling with inflammatory skin conditions, like acne, often caused by high cortisol levels. As a practitioner, Cali’s energy is relaxed and assured. “I’ve never been more confident about anything in my life,” she tells me, referring to her ability to take care of people’s skin. Humbly, she notes: “I never imagined I’d be able to make it into a business — or that people would pay for it.”
But boy, do they! Over the past two years, seeing just four or five clients a day, Cali has built a name for herself through word of mouth and results. I’d pay to see her full client list. Through chatting, I learn it includes high-net-worth lawyers who beg for her recommendations (“My skin has never looked this good! I’ll buy whatever you tell me!” one wrote in an email yesterday), fashion people, and Emily Ratajkowski. Cali doesn’t name-drop; the EmRata tip came through a source.
The treatment
The Strauhs Studios treatment room has impressive natural light for a second-floor studio. The space is open and airy save for the key furniture: a massive freestanding mirror against the side wall, a chair in the corner with a white waffle bath wrap folded on top, a jewelry dish, and the heated bed in the center, where I lay for what turns out to be — spoiler alert — the best facial I’ve ever had in New York City.
Once I’m tucked under the sheets, eyes closed, Cali starts with a gentle lymphatic massage using a balm cleanser I’d never heard of. This becomes a theme. She follows with a toner and a light peel (on a scale of 1 to 5, stinginess is a 1) to prep my skin for carboxy.
The main event, a carboxy treatment, is new to me — exciting! As Cali explains it, CO2 gel works by pulling oxygen from inside the body to the skin’s surface, creating a natural plumping effect. Side note: CO2 gel is sometimes applied vaginally to increase “laxity” and “blood flow.” Of course, Cali doesn’t offer that;). While the gel sits on my face (also not registering on the pain scale), Cali massages my head using one of these — it feels like someone playing with my hair, which might be my love language — and tells me about the therapist who transformed her life. (When I get home, I book a consult.)
A note from Cali’s good-skin bible: Use “fugly” products
Digging into Cali’s product recommendations feels like discovery. You won’t find the brands she carries at Sephora or even Violet Grey (a few retail at Moda). Instead, she recommends almost exclusively “fugly” nameless skincare, think brands with bad packaging and no marketing team behind them. Here are a few of the gems she turned me on to (trust her storefront).
Epicutis Lipid Serum ($250): If you have dehydrated skin like me (which you know if you have static lines under your eyes and across your forehead), you probably need more lipids, or fats, in your skincare routine. This is the serum Cali swears by to solve dehydration. She used it on my skin following the carboxy treatment, and I’d make it an am/pm staple at home without question.
So boring and ugly! But so good! Tizo Ultra Zinc Tinted SPF 40 ($43): I literally gasped when I realized this was a mineral sunscreen. Never have I ever! It has a slight tan tint to it (a universal shade) and melts into a watery texture, glossing the skin just so. I always want my face to look a tiny bit sweaty, but with the sheerest touch of coverage — this is that. Plus SPF!
YLBB!
Anfisa Ceramide Lip Tint in Berry Crumble ($45): When Cali touches the cotton swab covered in lip balm to my lips, my eyes flutter open because it tastes so good. Then I grab the handheld mirror, and let me tell you, I’ve never seen my lips a prettier shade of flushed pink. “Yeah, people go batshit for this stuff,” Cali tells me. Unsurprisingly, it’s sold out.
Two hours later, I walk out onto Canal, skin reflective and energy lighter than it’s been in weeks. If you’re looking for a good facial in New York, go see Cali. My prediction? She’s about to blow up.
More to love…this week’s saves include:
A skincare brand I’m recommending to my guy friends. I found out about Margin through Katie’s newsletter, Plant Based, where she interviewed Drew, the founder. He seems great. After reading the profile, I’d recommend his skincare to any guys who want a face wash and moisturizer that feel menswear-coded (i.e., not from Amazon or stolen from a wife or girlfriend). Honestly, guys ask me for skincare recommendations all the time, and I’m usually at a loss. Kiehl's? I like the Matts behind Huron. My brother uses Dr. Squatch…
Sport shorts! I’m wearing my new favorite shorts in the above selfie, and while you can’t really see them there, I assure you they’re so comfy: flowy fit, elastic waistband (doesn’t dig!), and built-in brief. Love spearmint green.
Ina’s garden pasta. Angel hair is underrated.
Platform flip-flops! A hairstylist friend recently told me she sprained her ankles (plural) wearing platform flip-flops in high school…but I’d risk injury for these. I mean, Kendall Jenner’s whole outfit here. Killer.
Summer reading guide. Love this list of titles and the annotations.
Anyone who feels less than confident about their nose should read this.
Okay, wrapping it here. I’m going to try to see the Diane Arbus constellation at the Armory this afternoon. Happy summer Friday!
Love,
Megan