Toska Spa & Facial Bar
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Fresh from pampering Jennifer Lawrence and Kim Kardashian for the Oscars, celebrity facialist Toska Husted is preparing to expand her beauty business — far from the flashbulbs of Hollywood.
The Kosovo-born, North Carolina-based aesthetician is bringing her signature “Toska Glow” this summer to Downtown Dallas, Nashville and Miami’s Coral Gables, where clients can soon experience the same star-loved skin rejuvenation ($295-$895 and up; add-ons range from $40-$295) as Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Lopez (her 2020 Super Bowl skin was all thanks to Husted), Queen Rania and daughter Princess Iman of Jordan, Billy Porter, Kendall Jenner, Karlie Kloss, Alexandra Daddario, Elsa Pataky, Hollywood stylist Jamie Mizrahi and many others.
At her namesake Toska Spa & Facial Bar in Charlotte (or wherever she’s asked to jet-set for clients), Husted offers personalized, results-driven facials with her proprietary lifting, hydrating and sculpting techniques, plus a custom concoction of masks and serums from her “go-to” European skin-care brands such as Switzerland’s Valmont and L’Elixir des Glaciers, Germany-based Auteur, botanical Moroccan label Future, London-born 111Skin and cult-favorite French clinical line Biologique Recherche (for which she is an ambassador).
A red carpet preparation facial (from $10,000) by Husted herself, for example, “combines many modalities into one, from deep cleansing, manual lifting, various masks, custom handpicked quintessential serums to using galvanic current for embedding product within the skin, and microcurrent for muscle stimulation, toning and lifting,” she tells The Hollywood Reporter. “All of these elements combined makes for a powerful treatment that gives the clients that elusive photo-ready glowing complexion.”
The result: a dewy, natural-looking lift that leaves the visage contoured, firm, nourished and radiant for awards season, the Met Gala or a royal wedding. (Husted was responsible for Princess Iman’s bridal glow.)
“The first time that I was really thinking, ‘I’ve really made it big this time,’ was with Jennifer Aniston,” 52-year-old Husted says. “I was asked to go see her while she was filming in Atlanta. It was a pleasant experience and I was flattered when she said my facials were ‘next level.’”
Toska Spa & Facial Bar
Husted moved from her native Bosnia more than 23 years ago to London, where she earned her beautician license from the Confederation of International Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology. She opened her first spa in 2016 in Charlotte’s Dilworth neighborhood and relocated a few years ago to the tony SouthPark enclave. Dallas-based Surge Private Equity acquired Husted’s company last year, and will partner with the celebrity aesthetician to open the new skin-care outposts in the three Hollywood-beloved Southern destinations.
The Charlotte studio also offers quickie 30-minute facials ($129 and up), body treatments ($295 and up), Biologique Recherche’s Micro-Puncture method (a less-invasive technique that’s similar to microneedling), waxing and brow and lash services. Expect the same menu at her trio of upcoming openings; Miami is expected to debut in May, while Dallas and Nashville will come later this year.
“Since I was young, I knew that I wanted to do something related to esthetics,” Husted adds. “Feeling comfortable in your skin and the confidence that comes with that is important to me, and I know it’s important to many other women and men as well. After moving to the States from London, I noticed the lack of results-driven spas and I got inspired. There was a vast gap between medical spas and the more comfort-based spas. I wanted to make something that would utilize clinical strength products while also having that personal, holistic approach that would help clients feel comfortable enough to fall asleep before waking up to beautiful, healthy skin.”
Toska Spa & Facial Bar
After closing out a busy awards season, Husted sat down with THR to explain what skin-care enthusiasts should remember before slathering on layers of products and the at-home routine she suggests for those who can’t hop on a plane to her Southern skin-care sanctuaries. (Otherwise, you’ll have to catch her when she’s next in Los Angeles.)
Keep reading below and shop some of the star facialist’s favorite products, with the exclusion of Biologique Recherche (only available through select spa retailers, including Toska Spa).
Not all buzzy skincare ingredients are right for everyone — what do you want people to keep in mind before they start using vitamin C, retinol, hyaluronic acid and other products?
Always check in with an expert before starting new products. Ingredients that work like magic for some may spell disaster for others, and an expert opinion can take out the guesswork and struggle when it comes to keeping your skin in balance.
Nothing will replace getting your facials IRL, so how can clients who can’t necessarily visit your spas get a version of your treatments at home?
We have our various mini-treatments that last for 30 minutes, making them perfect for those who are short on time but still want a well-rounded facial experience. For your at-home regimens, what products you use will depend on your skin, but we will typically recommend a cleanser, toner, mask, serum and cream to be used twice a day, plus sunscreen to be used throughout the day. The biggest thing you can do with your home routine is to stay consistent.
Toska Spa & Facial Bar, 4401 Barclay Downs Dr., Charlotte; (704) 332-8500; toskaspa.com.
Cleanse
Auteur Definitive Enzyme Cleanser
Auteur’s Definitive Enzyme Cleanser boasts ingredients such as ascorbic acid, ascorbyl glucoside and a vitamin C concoction to promote collagen production and exfoliate, smooth and brighten the skin.
Target
L’Elixir des Glaciers Fluide Merveilleux
This luxurious pre-serum by L’Elixir des Glaciers (the sister brand of Valmont) contains sturgeon DNA and marine minerals to stimulate, regenerate and illuminate the skin from within.
moisturize
Valmont Prime Renewing Pack
Valmont’s best-selling Prime Renewing Pack cream contains liposome RNA and matrikine peptides that “promote cell proliferation [and] collagen synthesis” to bring firmness and triple hydration to the skin, leaving a smooth and radiant finish while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Protect
Valmont Daily Veil SPF30 Sunscreen
Valmont’s Daily Veil SPF 30 not only protects the skin from sun damage — it also hydrates and smooths the skin, too.
Lips
Auteur Definitive Lip Renewal Treatment
Collagen prepeptide, squalane and a proprietary LipSculpt Complex in Auteur’s Definitive Lip Treatment help to infuse pouts with deep hydration, softer texture and “transformative” plumping.
Cool
111Skin Cryo Sculpting Globes
Husted recommends cooling metal cryosticks — like these 111Skin sculpting globes — for soothing redness, lifting and extra sculpting.
Treat
111Skin Anti-Blemish Booster
Formulated for all skin types, the Anti-Blemish Booster helps to prevent and treat breakouts with salicylic acid (for exfoliating and de-clogging pores), kojic acid (for addressing discoloration) and colloidal sulfur (for clearing acne-causing bacteria).
Treat
111Skin Black Diamond Wrinkle Erasing Retinol Patches
Another 111Skin bestseller, the Wrinkle Erasing Retinol Patches (from the brand’s Black Diamond line loved by Husted) contains “a potent blend” of vitamin C, a peptide complex and retinol to address frown lines, crow’s feet, nasolabial folds and forehead wrinkles overnight.