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I think, after a few years of (pretty enjoyable) searching, I’ve finally done it – I’ve found Sydney’s best facial.
Hiding up a set of warmly-lit stairs, seconds from the buzz of Oxford Street, Riya Studios is the latest addition to Sydney’s beauty and wellness scene, and wow – I didn’t realise we needed it. The immaculately designed skin and wellness space, owned and operated by skincare guru Mariya Makas, takes a holistic approach to crafting glowing complexions – combining bespoke facials with acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, super hi-fi new techniques and the most wildly divine facial massage you’ll ever experience. It’s on the more expensive end of the scale, but this is a genuinely exceptional treatment with a perfect curation of products. If you’ve got the cash to splash on a facial, splash it here – your face will thank you.
If you're after a treatment that delivers equal parts results and relaxation, the studio's signature Aerolase Facial is the one – I fell asleep several times during my treatment, and left with skin that looked almost glassy. The experience begins with a luxe cleanse and gentle enzyme treatment using Mariya’s fave biotechnology-led skincare brand Epicutis, before a gorgeous sculpting facial massage to melt away any remaining tension.
The hero of the treatment is the Aerolase Skin Rejuvenation Protocol, a next-generation laser designed to improve overall skin quality while targeting concerns like uneven tone, texture, redness and congestion. At Riya Studios, each session is tailored to your skin on the day, making it suitable for a wide range of skin types and goals.
From there, an Epicutis Lipid Recovery Mask is applied across the face, neck and décolletage before cooling cryosticks help infuse the active ingredients into the skin (and help to wake you up, if the laser has worked its peace-inducing magic). You'll then spend 20 blissful minutes beneath a near-infrared Dermalux LED light, while Mariya turns her massage wizardry to your hands and scalp.
The treatment finishes with a layer of Epicutis's deeply hydrating Hyvia Crème, which leaves skin looking bright, calm and noticeably more refreshed. There’s also (from my experience) zero downtime, so you can take your new glow out for dinner at one of Paddington’s best restaurants if you’ve got room left in your budget.
Specific treatment aside, Riya is a truly delightful addition to Sydney’s beauty landscape – a genuinely welcoming, astonishingly beautiful space operated by someone who clearly cares deeply about helping her clients feel like their best selves.
You can find out more and book over here.
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