Lise Emond Aesthetics

A wonderful aesthetician — skin felt wonderful after the service, plus she’s extremely friendly, and really seems to care about her clients. I’m so happy to see that she is now located in Arlington.

Lise has gone out of business.
If you create a website and invite people to email you, you should email them back when they email you.
If you give out your phone number and someone leaves you a voice message, you should return the phone call.

I love Lise. Best aesthetician I’ve ever encountered.
Facials are my ultimate guilty pleasure – I prefer them over pedicures, manicures, the hair salon, everything. So, I have high standards. I like a facial that cleans every single pore and leaves my skin moist.
Lise does the best extractions ever. Be prepared for a little pain. A good facial will completely empty all your pores through «extractions». Your skins will be blotchy afterwards but within 3 days it will look better than ever before. I have tons of little blackheads on my chin and nose – when i leave Lise, they are all gone.
She has also introduced me to some new products that are surprisingly cheap and very effective. She is the whole package when it comes to skincare.

I’ve held off on this review for almost 8 months. But literally, it took half this time to undo the damage done by my two visits. The glycolic caused serious reactions on my sensitive skin, even causing bumps all over my otherwise lovely clear neck! I have yet to find a good Facialist in DC, I so miss my Violetta in NYC, but I’d agree with one other reviewer that if you have real problem skin, this may not be the right place.

I’ve been going to Lise for a year and a half now, and she is the only one who has ever made a difference in my skin! She does have some counterintuitive ideas about skincare, but they do work! Even the hydrogen peroxide! I have incredibly sensitive skin, and it took some trial and error to figure out just how to make the different types of treatments work — but they do, and that’s what counts.

I have mixed feelings about writing this review. Lise is really nice, and I really enjoyed my facial. I thought she was very caring in her consultation with me, and she gives a wonderful face, neck, and shoulder massage as part of the experience. And her prices are pretty reasonable for comparable treatment and attention at other spas I’ve looked into.
But there were a few things I didn’t like, and they’re sort of deal-​breakers for me, and so I will not be returning. For one, I didn’t agree with her take on skin care products and her recommendations for me. I felt like there were some real gaps in her knowledge, which was surprising given that she says she used to be employed at a dermitologist’s office.
I mean, she actually suggested that hydrogen peroxide was better to put on my face than benzoyl peroxide, and was good to put on extracted pimples also, when I’ve read doctors don’t apply hydrogen peroxide to wounds anymore because it apparently slows the healing process and can increase the likelihood of scar formation. This is not good advice for my face.
For two, the extractions she did were a little sloppy. She missed a major one (and an easy one, I did it after she was done in her bathroom) and caused two spots on my face to become really inflamed blemishes where they were just little bumps before. Not good, and I’m still trying to calm them down.
I guess I’d say if you want a theraputic spa facial experience, Lise is a good option. But if you have blemishes or acneic skin, and actually want help clearing things up, I’d hesitate on recommending Lise.

You know what? No more Mrs. Nice Guy. I held off off on writing this review for almost a year b/​c Lise is so nice. Well nice is fine, but my face is not. If you want pics of the scars, message me and I’ll send them to you.

Believe me, when it comes to skin issues, I’ve had them all, and pretty much my entire adolescent/​adult life. So, needless to say, the number of dermatologist/​aestheticians I have seen were mind numbing — I’m a pro! I had my first facial yesterday with Lise. I didn’t really even specify what I needed, she went to work on me after about 30 minutes of chatting about what my daily skin routine looked like. If Lise was a doctor, she would DEFINITELY win an award for bedside manner. You can tell skin is this woman’s passion!
Also, what Lise brings to the table is a whole new kind of skin care. She gave me tons of advice on what to do and not to do, which I will definitely try. AND, the products she tells you about are from her own research and surprisingly, are NOT the most expensive things on the shelf; on the contrary, the products she recommended were quite affordable! Overall, I’m a believer. A day after my first facial, my face is glowing and the patches of red irritated skin from overuse of prescription topicals had noticeably calmed. I mean, don’t expect miracles; come on, she’s only human. But I think you will be pleasantly surprised after meeting with her.
Happy 5^th anniversary Lise. I’m so glad to have met you!

I’ve been experiencing embarrassing skin issues for the past year now, embarrassing because I’m old, and shouldn’t be breaking out anymore — right? I searched long and hard for a decent aesthetician in DC, and Lise is it. She examined my skin, analyzed my products and offered advice. She did not try to push products on me, for which I am grateful, I don’t have tons of money to throw around!
Lise worked on my skin and discussed the reason why I was having so many problems, namely that my skin was stripped of moisture from too many drying products! She took her time, it was about 2 hours, and did not pressure me in any way to buy products or to buy more sessions.
She was lovely, sweet, affable and down to earth. My skin has already improved! Amazing, and benzoyl peroxide does not work on pimples?! I’m only allowed to wash my face once each day and moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! After less than one week, no new zits, softer, fuller skin, and no more feeling like an oil-​drilling zone by 2 pm.
I’ll go back until my skin is glowing and balanced again. Thanks Lise!

You know how sometimes you want to treat yourself to, say, a facial or a massage? And how, if you are going to a new spa, you aren’t really sure what to expect, but you think «How bad can it be, they are certified and stuff, right?» And how then sometimes you end up on a table with a woman who looks like she’s going to rap your knuckles with a ruler? Or a series of women who insist that the best — indeed, the only — way to radiant skin is a 6-​month treatment package and a pricey over-​the-​counter kit? And isn’t it the worst when you leave optimistic and then just end up breaking out for a week and thinking «Did I give her all that money so my skin could be exactly the same?»
I have had many a facial in my day. Most of them have concentrated on the facial itself and the related products they can entice you to buy. Like pill-​pushing doctors, it seems like they just want you to realize how clearly inferior your skin routine is («You clearly haven’t been exfoliating every morning and afternoon»), prescribe a solution («This is the ONLY thing in the whole WORLD for your type of skin»), take your money («That will be $ 2,305.98. And would you like to try our $ 45 special ointment potion with glitter? You deserve it!»), and see you every week for a check-​up («You really shouldn’t go more than 3 weeks…») Spas are often more stressful than relaxing.
Enter Lise. Her place is cozy, in the basement of a Georgetown rowhouse (rowshop?) with dim lights and nice music. She’ll inspect the products you’ve been using without uttering a word of judgment, telling you what’s working, what’s not working, and why. Then she’ll inspect your skin, ask relevant questions («Do you get red after exercising? Do you drink a lot of water?») and quickly come up with a treatement. She’s sociable, chatty but not obnoxious, absolutely un-​intimidating, non-​judgemental, warm, friendly, and all around wonderful.
She had spot-​on recommendations for my acne-​prone skin. It has been acne-​prone for years. And years. And she is the first one to have told me, «Well, it’s dry!» and prescribe a nice moisturizer. Simple, right? The best part: she was right. All those other intimidating salons just scolded me for washing too much, washing too little, sleeping on dirty sheets, not buying enough Retin-​A, and eating chocolate. My skin never actually improved long-​term. Lise’s holistic approach and obvious knowledge of her craft are refreshing (and good for your skin!)
During the facial, she applied some magical mixture of cream and other nice-​smelling things, massaged it all in, chatted sweetly, and then at the end, told me I didn’t need to see her all the time, but maybe I should call with questions, and reminded me to drink a lot of water. No product-​pushing. No post-​facial blotchiness. This is the facial you have been looking for.

I purchased a series of 6 facials with Lise… I decided if I am going to give Lise a try, I am going to do everything she wants me to do… I also just had a Brazilian with her and she did take her time but she didn’t do too well when it came to the shape (straight strip) and she didn’t get the back. I also got eyebrows and upper lip and she got the outer hairs but did no shaping. I just got my 6^th treatment and my skin isn’t looking much better. the first time was great and after that it was downhill and maybe that’s because she recommended I see her weekly which was overkill. I got a nasty rash because she applied two masks in the same session… plus we should have never done glycolic in the summer time… despite this I remained positive and continued but now I am disappointed because I had better expectations.

WOW. What an amazing experience. I truly hope more people visit Lise for a facial; their skin will thank them later. I’ve had some bad facials in DC. When I made the appointment, I was praying the experience would be good because as a poor grad student, I technically should not even indulge in this luxury. but. we all have our obsessions. I was just sick of not receiving adequate services for the prices I am pay.
The atmosphere is so cozy; it is not like the sterile salons where everything seems so contrived. After Lise buzzed me in, I immediately liked her warm personality and I could tell I was in good hands.
Her facials are long and very, very thorough. She will ask questions about your skin and concerns you may have, ect. Lise’s work is impeccable. She doesn’t «time» the facials which I love! Sometimes, things (like extractions) take more time and she is definitely not one who rushes just to get the job done. Lise takes pride in the quality of her work and goes above and beyond any other salon around. I also liked how knowledgeable she is about skincare and products; she knows her stuff and will not try to sell you products you do not need.
So, will I return? Yes. Although it is a luxury for me, after hours of studying and all nighters reading about economic theory, I deserve it! Do yourself a favour and pay a visit to Lise :)
And just a tip: She does not accept credit cards so bring another form of payment (cash, cheque, ect).
ETA: Since receiving the facial, I decided to trust my eyebrows to Lise, who commented they were looking rather thin. In a few months, she transformed my thin, uneven brows to thick, nicely shaped ones. She uses the best quality of wax and does a thorough job. I used to get my eyebrows waxed every 2 weeks, but now I can easily go a month. Lise is an artist in every sense of the word. Give her a try, you will not be disappointed!

If you are looking for the best facial of your life, try Lise. She takes her time and when you leave, you will look the best that your skin can. Thanks Lise!!!

I needed a facial, and I needed it bad. A friend had given me a card a few months back for an aesthetician, so I hunted for it frantically, and called the number with great hopes — mostly, hopes that she would be able to fit me in TODAY. Thankfully, she could, and I will sum up here by saying I just had the BEST, and longest, facial I think I’ve ever had.
Her office is just around the corner from mine, so I headed over and got buzzed into her charming apartment on the lower floor of a Georgetown townhouse. It feels like a relaxing home (though she doesn’t actually live here). Lise (pronounced «Leez») is a lovely, unpretentious and genuine person — we sat and chatted for a while — she likes to talk to you, find out what your skin is like, what you think about it, what you like and don’t like about it, to give her an idea of what it is you want to accomplish.
Then it’s time to get changed and lay down. The robe (wrap) is soft and cozy, as are the sheets on the table. She puts a pillow under yours knees, just the way I like it :-) She uses some really nice products, and combines the treatments with an impressive amount of massage. Of course you get the cleanser, exfoliation, steam, etc. We opted for an additional pumpkin peel, which is similar to a glycolic peel, to even out my skin. Combine all this with extractions, high-​frequency treatment, and a 20-​minute moisturizing mask, and you’ve had a *thorough* facial.
I was told by my friend ahead of time to leave plenty of time for my facial with Lise, and he wasn’t kidding. All told I was there for two hours. I think the consultation beforehand and the chatting afterward took up a bit more than half an hour, so I expect future facials will be about 1.5 hours. And yes, I will be making future appointments with Lise.
It’s one thing to have a wonderfully comfortable setting (which she has), and very nice products (which she also has), but the clincher is that she really knows what she’s doing. She does her own research, and by this I don’t just mean she uses her own products (which she does) — she also does a lot of reading and seeking out of information. She has lots of acquired knowledge about what works and what doesn’t, and (surprisingly!) most of what works isn’t going to cost you an arm and a leg. That’s right, there’s no hard sell here at Lise Emond Aesthetics. I give her a bonus star just for that :-)