Is The Best Facial In DC At Aiyana Atelier?

Looking for the best facial in Washington, DC or aesthetics in NOVA? Look no further than Aiyana Atelier with locations in Alexandria, VA and Middleburg, VA!

May 2024 Update: I’ve now been seeing Ashley consistently for 2 years and every single thing in this post is just as true as the day I wrote it. My skin is happier, healthier, and I have found a skincare/facial home at Aiyana Atelier. 

Real talk: When we moved from Hawaii to Washington, DC my skin took a serious hit. I went from non-stop sunshine to the ups and downs of weather that come along with seasons – humidity, blistering cold, wind, etc. It wasn’t pretty. Add in the mix the hormone shifts after four pregnancy losses in two years and my skin was downright angry.

My skincare routine last summer could best be described as “using whatever was left in my drawers” coupled with “buying things I saw on Instagram that other people liked.” One day I looked in the mirror and all I could think of was how dull my skin looked. There is no other way to describe it. Everything I had been through was finally taking a toll and I decided to start investing in myself.

Is Aiyana Atelier The Best Facial in DC?

Two very good friend had recommended Ashley at Aiyana Atelier and I immediately put myself on her waiting list. Yes, waiting list. I know how that sounds, but here’s why I didn’t hesitate to be patient (news flash: I am not a patient person). 1. I trusted the opinions and results of my friends’ recommendations and 2. If I was going to go all in on skincare with an investment, I wanted to do it right. 

I was so excited when my name was finally pulled off the waiting list and I was able to make an appointment with Ashley in Alexandria. The day of my appointment, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I mentioned I needed/wanted a skin consultation, because I truly had no idea where to begin.

Pro tip: The Aiyana Atelier location in Alexandria has street parking, but I’ve never run into an issue. Unlike other spas and skincare studios I have walked into for my first time, the vibe was so soothing and calming. More – the staff was super welcoming. Honestly, I was a little nervous and intimidated since they’re all so beautiful (and sometimes it’s hard walking into a new place where you don’t know anyone!), but as I waited I got to chat with Brandon and Angela who are so kind and friendly. 

When it was time for my appointment, I was prepared for Ashley to give me a facial and send me on my way, but you guys – it was so much more than that.

She took me back to a private room and just sat and talked to me like a girlfriend for 30 minutes. Before opening Aiyana Atelier, Ashley worked as a nurse practitioner, so she explained the “why” behind my skin was doing the things I was experiencing and talked me through options for getting myself back on track.

Three things to note that were super impressive to me and differed from other skincare experiences I’ve had: 1. She didn’t try to force treatment add-ons. 2. There was not a huge push for product sales and when she explained what would be helpful, she asked if I had a similar product at home already. 3. She walked me through every single product she was using on my face, why she was using it and how it was going to benefit me. I LOVED all of the above and it made me so much more comfortable in deciding a path forward. 

Aiyana Atelier Facial

Since that first visit, I have been back multiple times and worked with Ashley to put my skin on a path forward that is sustainable for me. Sadly that doesn’t include facials every month though if I win the lottery, it absolutely will.

I can vouch for facials, microneedling, neurotoxin, and skincare products (PCA Skin and Epicutis, as well as the Aiyana Atelier line). My face and neck have come a long way since the initial consultation I had and I cannot say enough good things about Ashley and her team. I truly think my before and after says it all!

As far as pricing is concerned, I think Aiyana Atelier is extremely in line with comparative locations and actually really affordable for the DC/NOVA area. If you follow them on Instagram the sales and bundles they offer are a great way to save, too. One thing is for sure – Ashley has a waiting list, because she’s one of the most professional and talented people I’ve ever encountered in this line of work.

Also, just in case anyone was wondering Ashley and her team did not ask me to write this, or pay/compensate me in any way to share this review. In fact, they probably have no idea I wrote it. I just know how hard it can be to find a good location and with any luck, my SEO knowledge will pay off and someone in the DC/NOVA area searching online for the best facial or aesthetic studio in the area will read this post and find their home at Aiyana Atelier 🙂