Jessica Alba's BFF Gave Me a Facial! (Here's How It Went Down)

That morning, I Uber’d over to Shani’s homey studio, which is tucked in a small, unassuming Spanish-style bungalow on a residential street just off Melrose. The living room is the waiting room, what would have been the master bedroom is the treatment room, and the backyard is a leafy oasis perfect for Instagramming—or meditating. (The latter of which Emmy Rossum reportedly did back there just after I left.)

Shani greeted me in the waiting/living room and ushered me back. (Side note: Her skin is just as perfect—and her hair is just as gorgeous and insanely thick—in person as it is on the ‘gram.) There was a big cushy treatment bed in the center of the room surrounded by multiple machines and all of her lotions and potions. I removed my earrings, necklace and maxi dress (I broke the #1 rule of facials: wear two pieces or you’re going to be naked for the treatment! Oops.). I then crawled under the fluffy duvet, closed my eyes and Shani got to work.

After removing my makeup (yes, I am the type of person who wears a little of it to a facial; no way I’m going outside without concealer!) I braced myself as she began inspecting my skin under a bright light. I always cringe for this part because I hate when estheticians berate you basically for not having perfect genes. But I shouldn’t have worried. Shani listened to my complaints (occasional breakouts, fine lines around my eyes, brown spots on my cheeks, acne scarring on my chin) but in the end, she actually made me feel good about my complexion. She even pointed out that what I had thought were breakouts around my nose was really a little dermatitis (i.e. a rash).

Image via @shanidarden