Michele Henry and Ali Nanne are owners of The Face Foundry, a new beauty concept that makes it easier for those on the go to still get facials and other beauty services.
Photo by Halle Marcell Photography
The Face Foundry opens its Galleria doors on March 1, but owners Michele Henry and Alexandra “Ali” Nanne have given some hints of what to expect, and it’s luxurious. Scrub your memory of dim and tucked away spa retreats, and think accessible open space, lots of light, and a bar serving up wine Wednesdays and Monday morning matcha lattes—a pampering haven for those on the fly. Add details like swinging egg chairs, succulents, and treatments with rose quartz rollers and ice globes, and you can get the gist of what this express spa is going for.
Before meeting through a mutual friend, the beauty and retail veterans (Henry co-founded Primp Boutique and Nanne owns The Lash Refinery) had been asking the same question on their own for years: For busy people, why can’t there be quicker skincare solutions that don’t skimp on quality?
“It’s super important to be preventative when it comes to facial services and skincare,” Henry says. “Forty minutes isn’t much of a commitment, and we wanted something that worked with a work schedule so they could create a regimen.”
All of the Face Foundry’s treatments take an hour or less, but they still include a consultation with one of their estheticians so you can choose the right treatments for your skin and situation. For instance, the Hydrafacial is a five-step process that cleanses, exfoliates, extracts, and hydrates, leaving your skin ready for any big event, even if it’s the day of. Those who have sensitive skin or are breastfeeding have all-natural product options.
Different facials target issues like acne and dull skin, and you can match them with enhancements that remedy eye bags, cleanse pores, and more. With Nanne as part of the leading duo, you can also expect lash options as well as facial waxing services.
Henry and Nanne are self-proclaimed product junkies, and their mix of proprietary and curated products reflect that. While you’re there, get your Joanna Vargas skincare masks from them—they’re the only ones in the area carrying the brand—or try taking home some of the Face Foundry beauty line, such as the chamomile facial cleanser, green tea antioxidant serum, or advanced wri-lax.
Online booking has already begun for Face Foundry services and events, but the team will do its best to accommodate walk-ins. After all, their focus is on making pampering and skincare a regular part of self care for people—the mission is even in the name.
“We spent hours and hours on a name we wouldn’t get sick of. The Face Foundry was self explanatory, and ‘foundation’ starts with how you are,” Nanne says. Hopefully, with the help of places like The Face Foundry, taking care of yourself can get a little bit easier.
