There’s nothing like writing about beauty to be on the receiving end of many (many) texts that are some version of: “Where’s the best facial in Sydney, need help desperately ty x x.” Now I love my friends, but I’m also a big believer in efficiency (aka laziness, with better PR), so rather than just send out my recommendations each time, I thought I’d put them in one article and send out that. Everything is content, as Nora Ephron famously didn’t say.
So if you’re looking for the best new facialist in Sydney to try, you’ve come to the right place. Acne? Rosacea? Dull skin that’s spent more time in front of blue light than underneath red light? Spent thousands of dollars on your upcoming wedding and now want to spend a few thousand more on bridal skin? Honeys, I’ve been there, back, and there again. I’m not saying the right facial will fix you, but I’m not not saying that. And everything is worth a try, right?
What you’ll find below are my tried-and-tested recommendations for facials in Sydney. You’ll also find recommendations from my friends, industry network, and cool girls with whom I’m in a deeply committed Instagram DM relationship with — everyone from beauty writers to the PR girls who always know the best spots.
Some of these facials I’ve been lucky enough to be gifted in the past. We’re too deep in influencer culture to pretend that isn’t the case. But I’ve also paid my hard earned dollars at many of these places, time and time again. You’re in safe hands.
Rationale
This is the bougie tip-top recommendation on this list. I booked myself in for a Rationale assessment and skincare treatment plan in the lead up to my wedding because it just felt bridal. It’s not cheap, but my skin never looked better.
Founded by Australian cosmetic chemist Richard Parker in 1992, Rationale operates with the understanding that the skin protects and repairs itself naturally — it just needs a little help to do that, particularly as we age. That led to the development of Rationale’s “essential six” product line, comprising of three daytime formulas and three evening ones. Many of the spas on this list will offer a Rationale facial, so if you want the OG experience, this is where to book. Note: Rationale doesn’t do any treatments like skin needling etc, but your facialist will point you in the right direction if that’s what you’d like.
Cost: $150 for a 90 minute skin consultation and 30-minute facial.
Address: multiple locations.
Website: Rationale.
Nicole Manning
I first learned about Nicole Manning in The Rich Creme, a Substack by beauty editor Emily Morello. (If you haven’t realised from this piece by now, I love a good recommendation, both giving and receiving. I’m a rec vers.)
Nicole actually co-founded Fenn (later in this list), and now treats at N. Manning in Mosman. You don’t book a specific treatment with Nicole, but instead book a time, and let her 20+ years of experience guide you. It feels a bit scary — particularly for the control freaks among us — but let’s be real: a facialist probably knows what your skin needs better than you do. And while I was drawn to Nicole’s expertise, it was her massage and gentle steering of me away from harsher treatments (I was using a prescription Retinol at the time) that made the experience heaven for my soul and skin. If you want a treatment that gets results and make you float, ask for skin needling collagen renewal facial, which combines science (the skin needling bit) with restorative, luxurious calm (a hot stone massage for your neck, shoulders, hands and arms).
Cost: $360 for a 90 minute facial.
Address: Level 1, 120-122 Prince Albert Street Mosman NSW, 2088, Sydney, Australia.
Website: Nicole Manning.
Jacqueline Brennan Skin
And speaking of recommendations: Jacqueline Brennan was recommended to me by Nicole Manning when I needed some laser work (those pesky broken capillaries aren’t going to fix themselves).
Also located in Mosman, Jacqueline Brennan focuses on tailored skincare journeys (Jacqueline herself told me around 90 per cent of their clients are on customised treatment plans, rather than people coming in for one-off treatments). Some of their most popular treatments include Laser Genesis (the treatment ex-beauty editors I know swear by, which can treat redness, rosacea, skin texture and pore size), RF Microneedling (for skin tightening, acne scarring, fine lines and wrinkles), Pico Laser (to treat pigmentation, sun damage, uneven skin tone and skin rejuvenation), advanced skin peels (used to improve brightness, congestion, acne and pigmentation) and dermaplaning. In other words: it’s the place to go when you want the tools for deeper treatments, rather than just a bougie treat for your face — although with the luxe nature of the space, it absolutely is that, too.
Cost: from $270 for a skin refining peel.
Address: Level 1, 559 Military Road, Mosman.
Website: Jacqueline Brennan.
Belaméres
I’m not a scientist, but Double Bay may have the highest clinic-to-resident ratio of any Sydney suburb. It says a lot, then, that beauty gals and Sydney socialites both share photos of the IYKYK staircase leading up to Belaméres regularly.
Carina and the team at Belaméres are best known for their signature Fairy Dust Facial, a non-invasive treatment that combines low-level laser technology with micronized hyaluronic acid. However, what really sets them apart IMO is each treatment plan beginning with a scan by default, so you can then track the progress your in-clinic treatments and at-home products are actually doing. Your treatment plan is then planned from there, which could include a Fairy Dust Facial, Bio Needling, a Lifted Facial (which targets the jawline, neck and lower face), radio-frequency and more. It’s definitely a clinic that focuses on technology-driven results over a more indulgent experience, but when you want results, you know where to go. And don’t worry: it’s not painful, and it’s still definitely relaxing.
Cost: $350 for a Fairy Dust Facial.
Address: Level 1/336 New South Head Rd, Double Bay NSW 2028.
Website: Belaméres.
FENN
When I asked people on Instagram for their recommendations, dozens of people said FENN. One described it as “a biblical experience”. Another simply said it was “always” their go-to. Multiple people recommending the same spot? I had to find out more.
I’m something of a FENN virgin myself, but when I reached out to the team, they described their approach as a blend of advanced skin therapies with deeply restorative facial rituals, targeted to each person’s skin journey and concerns. A “classic” treatment might combine LED therapy, antioxidant support and facial massage, while their “kinesis” treatment has reached cult status for using massage (including buccal massage) alongside hydrated infusions, aiming to boost circulation, support lymphatic drainage, and leave you with brighter, more sculpted skin. Consider me sold.
Cost: from $265 for a 60 minute FENN Foundation facial.
Address: 24 Glenmore Road, Paddington.
Website: FennStore.
Mecca
Of course, what kind of beauty write-up would it be without including the GOAT of beauty destinations, Mecca? The beauty retailer offers a range of different services, from skin needling to pregnancy safe facials to gua sha lessons and brand-specific treatments. There is a bit of a trade-off: while the more luxurious treatments at the Sydney flagship store on George St are in the dedicated Skin Suites treatment rooms upstairs, the lower-touch facial services are in the skin area on the lower ground floor and not fully separate from the shop floor. However, all facial services go towards your beauty loop, and some services are redeemable against product — a huge win in my books!
The FaceGym facial is a dream if you want a skin service that also pummels your face but in a loving, snatching kind of way, but if you want to go for something really bougie, you can’t go past the Biologique Recherche. Start with a skin assessment, then enjoy a completely customised treatment that can even target specific zones (eyes, jowls, lips, etc) in a completely private room. Heaven.
Cost: from $25 (the Biologique Recherche Bespoke Facial starts at $350 for 60 minutes). Find all of Mecca’s treatments here.
Address: George St & Market St, Sydney.
Website: Mecca
Dianda Politano
Diandra Politano is another name on this list I’ve not yet had the pleasure of trying, but came highly recommended to me by multiple people. Once I went investigating, it was not hard to see why. I mean — first of all, look at this stunning space:
Diandra Politano is a boutique private skin clinic dedicated to delivering results and a luxury experience, with tailored skin treatments that include bespoke facials, laser rejuvenation, skin needling, LED light therapy, BioRePeel, oxygen therapies, full body lymphatic drainage and advanced skin correction treatments. The space itself is designed for ultimate in relaxation from the moment you walk in, with just four treatment rooms in this beautifully restored heritage building.
Diandra Politano herself brings more than 18 years experience to her offerings, but if you’re itching to click that “book” button (same), we have bad news: she herself is fully booked for the next 12 months. However, she’s trained a team of some of Sydney’s best facialists who are free to book, so happy days!
Cost: $300 for a 75 minute facial.
Address: 236 Darling Street, Level 1, Suite 1a, Balmain.
Website: Diandra Politano.
Jurlique
One of the more affordable facial options on this list is also a secret winner. Jurlique has built a stellar reputation in its 40-year history, known for quality skincare that uses Australian ingredients while building a sustainable brand to boot.
At the heart of Jurlique is its biodynamic farm in the Adelaide Hills in South Australia, where 43 botannicals are grown and hand-picked before finding their way into many of Jurlique’s hero products (like the ever popular Rosewater Balancing Mist). Sustainability is at the core of this brand, which recently became B Corp certified. If you’re looking to trial the products, there’s no better way to figure out what really works for your skin than by trialling during a treatment in store.
Cost: from $110 for a 45 minute facial.
Address: various locations.
Website: Jurlique.
The Parlour Room
Another highly recommended place was The Parlour Room, a mainstay in Sydney’s eastern beaches since founder Natalie Ferrari opened in 2012. While they were originally known as thee nail salon, they’ve long since moved into the spa experience, and now offer everything from an indulgent facial designed to make you relax and glow, to bridal beauty plans and group bookings (perfect for hen’s parties where the vibe is more “silk pyjamas” than “boats and strippers”).
They also offer skin consultations, LED treatments, microdermabrasion, scalp treatments, and even a facial designed for maximum moisture before you jump on a long-haul flight. Heaven. I can personally confirm I’ve paid for and deeply enjoyed a facial or two at TPR; there’s nothing better than a birthday treat to yourself. They’ve also recently opened a Redfern salon, in case Randwick is a little out of range.
Cost: from $220 for a 60 minute facial.
Location: Randwick and Redfern.
Website: The Parlour Room.
endota spa
Consider this your sign to use that endota spa gift voucher you’ve had since last Christmas and actually book yourself in.
With more than 110 spas around Australia, endota is a more affordable facial option on this list, so a much more cost of living little treat. Their newest offering is a sculpt and flow facial (which includes facial cupping, a scalp massage, a gua sha massage, and a regular facial massage), and for the entire month of June, the brand has 25% off all products, in case you want to stock up on their signature serums.
Cost: from $190 for a 60 minute facial.
Address: various locations around Australia.
Website: endota.
Lead photo: Supplied.
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