There is no one-size-fits-all protocol here. I assess your skin on the day, listen to what you're experiencing, and build your treatment around that. Whether you're navigating sensitivity, congestion, signs of aging, or simply need to decompress, I'll take care of it.
Choose your time. I'll design the rest.
A complete, personalized facial. Cleanse, treat, and restore. I assess your skin on arrival and tailor every step (actives, massage, and targeted care) to what your skin needs that day. No template. No guesswork.
Ideal for: regular maintenance and those with a busy schedule.
Everything in the 60-minute session, with deeper treatment time, extended facial massage, and a slower, more intentional rhythm. This is your hour and a half of complete surrender.
Ideal for: first-time guests, stressed or reactive skin, or anyone who simply wants more.
Not sure where to start? Have questions about your skin or want to know which treatment is right for you? Let's chat. No pressure, no commitment.
Ideal for: first-time guests, anyone navigating new skin concerns, or those who want to talk before booking.
Your face holds more tension than you realize. Your jaw, your cheeks, every muscle behind every expression. Facial massage releases it, naturally. No needles. No chemicals. No downtime. Just skilled hands restoring what stress, time, and gravity quietly take away.
Contouring the way your body was designed to do it. Working entirely from the outside, sculptural massage uses firm, intentional strokes over the skin and muscle to firm, lift, and define your facial contours: no needles, no tools, just skilled hands.
Because it stays external, it's the gentler, more relaxing of the two sculpting techniques: a natural lift you can see and feel, with zero downtime. A beautiful place to start if buccal's intraoral work feels like more than you're ready for.
For: natural lifting, loss of definition, jawline and cheekbone contouring, a gentler sculpting option.
This is not a typical facial massage. We begin on the outside, warming up the muscles of the face with external strokes to prepare and relax the tissue. From there, we bring in the buccal technique that works from the inside out: gloved hands gently work intraorally (inside the mouth) to reach the deep muscles of the face that surface work simply cannot access.
It releases something most people don't expect: the jaw is one of the body's primary stress-holding sites, and a full buccal session can feel like years of tension finally letting go. Because it reaches the deepest muscle layer, the lift and definition go further than external work alone: a defined jawline, lifted cheekbones, and softened nasolabial folds, without a needle or filler in sight.
For: deep jaw tension, TMJ relief, nasolabial fold softening, the deepest release and lift, stress held in the face.
Slow, intentional, and deeply restorative. This technique follows the body's lymphatic pathways with light, rhythmic strokes to encourage drainage, reduce puffiness, and support the skin's natural detoxification process.
Where gua sha moves stagnation and buccal sculpts the deep muscle, lymphatic work clears: clearing excess fluid, clearing dullness, clearing the kind of puffiness that sleep alone won't fix. The result is a face that looks more awake, more defined, and genuinely clear.
For: puffiness, fluid retention, post-treatment recovery, dullness, congestion, sensitive or reactive skin, and nervous system support.
You're welcome to request any add-ons below when booking. I'll confirm what's right for your skin during your consultation and may adjust from there.
A physical resurfacing treatment that sweeps away dead skin cells, smooths texture, and reveals brighter, more even skin, while helping your products work harder. Great for normal, oily, or congested skin dealing with dullness, clogged pores, or uneven texture. If your skin runs sensitive, reactive, or you're dealing with rosacea or inflamed acne, I'll usually recommend a gentler option that gets similar results without the extra stimulation.
Using the LightStim Elipsa, a clinical-grade device trusted by dermatologists and med spas, this treatment uses five therapeutic wavelengths to calm inflammation and support collagen. FDA-cleared for wrinkles and acne, gentle for every skin type, with zero downtime.
Gentle electrical stimulation that lifts, firms, and re-educates facial muscles, the natural facelift. Clinical studies show improvements in muscle tone and firmness with consistent use. Best for early to moderate sagging, a great choice when you're short on time but still want visible lift, and a smart addition before Botox to help results last longer. Not recommended during pregnancy or within two weeks after Botox or filler.
Often called "microneedling in a bottle," spicules create tiny channels in the skin to boost absorption of actives like hyaluronic acid, peptides, and growth factors, brightening and refining texture. It's a resurfacing peel that works mechanically, without any acids. Offered in light, medium, and deep intensities. First-time clients start with light; medium and deep are reserved for returning clients, with medium to deep involving some downtime. Since spicules are derived from marine sponges, this treatment isn't suitable for anyone with a seafood or iodine allergy.
Targeted exfoliation using carefully selected acids to dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells, accelerating renewal and addressing pigmentation, congestion, or uneven tone. Chosen based on your skin's current state and history. Best for sun damage, post-acne marks, chronic dullness, and textural concerns. Not typically done on first-time clients.
Manual drainage technique to reduce puffiness, improve circulation, and encourage the skin's natural detox process.
An ancient tool, used with intention. Gua sha uses a smooth stone to glide along the facial contours, lifting, depuffing, and encouraging lymphatic flow with every stroke. It releases facial tension, improves circulation, and leaves the skin with a warmth and glow that comes from being truly worked. Deeply relaxing and surprisingly transformative.
For: puffiness, tension, dullness, natural contouring, and lymphatic support.
Lips lose volume, definition, and moisture quietly over time, often before you notice. This treatment nourishes, resurfaces, and restores, leaving lips soft, defined, and naturally full. A small ritual with a visible result.
For: volume loss, dryness, fine lines around the mouth, definition.
The skin around your eyes is the thinnest, most delicate on your face, and often the first to show what you've been carrying. This targeted treatment addresses puffiness, fine lines, dark circles, and dehydration with carefully chosen actives and gentle technique. You'll leave looking more rested than you have in months.
For: puffiness, fine lines, dark circles, dehydration, fatigue.
Because tension doesn't stop at your face. This treatment combines the grounding release of scalp massage with the purifying power of high frequency therapy. As skilled hands work through the crown, temples, and base of the skull, where stress quietly accumulates, the high frequency comb moves through the scalp to oxygenate, stimulate circulation, and energize the hair follicles at their root. The result is a nervous system that has exhaled, a scalp that feels alive, and hair that grows from a healthier, happier place.
For: stress relief, tension headaches, scalp health, hair growth support, and deep relaxation.
All add-ons are subject to your skin's condition and time.
A 24-hour cancellation policy applies to all bookings. Read full policy →
Your sanctuary, wherever you are. Any facial or facial massage, brought to the comfort of your own space. Same intentional care, none of the commute. I arrive with everything needed and create a quiet, spa-like moment right where you feel most at ease.
Available for any facial or facial massage on the menu. I bring the table, linens, and everything else. All I ask is a small, quiet space and access to a sink. You simply arrive to yourself, no driving, no rushing afterward.
A flat $30 Home Ritual fee is added to your chosen service, covering setup and the convenience of in-home care. Travel is complimentary within 5 miles of San Mateo; a small travel fee applies beyond that.
| Within 5 miles | No travel fee |
| 5–10 miles | +$20 |
| 10–20 miles | +$40 |
| 20+ miles | By inquiry |
A free 15-minute consultation is the easiest way to get clarity on what your skin needs. Bring your questions. I'll bring the answers.
She listens to my concerns, explains each step in the process, and tailors treatments to my specific skin needs. I've fallen asleep during extractions because of how relaxed I am. Like, who does that? She checks in throughout to make sure I'm comfortable. Her care is wonderful. Illuminaé is a beautiful, serene hidden gem. Cannot recommend enough.
I highly recommend the anti-aging facial with Bess. I'm 50 years old and I think this is the only facial I've had with visible results. I had a really soothing, relaxing experience. Honestly wasn't expecting dramatic results. The next day my face started purging, and at the end of the week my skin tone was greatly improved. Several weeks later, my skin was noticeably plumper and my laxity was seriously improved. Is this why some people get addicted to facials? I can't wait to go back!
My facial with Bess was a wonderful experience! My skin is very sensitive and the products she used felt good and did not cause any irritation, which is rare. She was also very gentle with the extractions and mixed in some massage which was amazing. Each step felt luxurious without being rushed. I left feeling extremely relaxed and my skin was brighter, smoother, and felt moisturized for days. I will definitely be returning, highly recommended!
Slow aging. Barrier-first. Always personal.
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