Theresa Irene Esthetics

Theresa Irene Esthetics is a one-person studio in Long Beach, run by Theresa Irene, who has built her practice around acne, pigmentation and aging skin. Clients are welcome to come in for help with any of these concerns, as well as for sensitive skin.

Each treatment is shaped around the client's skin on the day. Before the appointment, the esthetician talks through the client's concerns, any upcoming events and their lifestyle. The aim is a calm, quiet appointment where the client can relax.

The studio's services are grouped as facials and treatments. The Purr-fect Experience is a 60-minute facial at $135, with steam, enzyme exfoliation, massage, extractions, a custom mask and oxygen-infused serums, which the studio describes as suitable for any skin type. The Peel Experience is a 60-minute no-downtime peel at $170, chosen for each client's concerns. The Acne Experience is a 75-minute facial at $180 for moderate to severe acne. It starts with a consultation to confirm it is the right fit, and clients unsure of their suitability can book it as a placeholder and discuss it on the day. The Gua sha Experience is a treatment at $155 for 75 minutes or $205 for 90 minutes, combining massage, gua sha and a hydrating mask. Returning clients can add advanced exfoliation to the 90-minute version, such as dermaplaning, microdermabrasion or a no-downtime peel. Returning clients may also choose customized facials of 60, 80 or 100 minutes.

Some preparation is requested before visits. Clients are asked to stop prescription and over-the-counter retinoids and exfoliating products, including AHA, BHA and peel pads, 72 hours beforehand, to avoid heavy makeup, and to wear SPF on the day. Clients who have had Botox or filler should wait at least two weeks before a facial. Appointments require a valid credit card. Cancellations or reschedules made less than 24 hours ahead are charged 25% of the booked service, and no-shows or no-call cancellations are charged in full. Clients arriving more than 10 minutes late must reschedule, and late arrivals receive only the remaining time while being charged for the full appointment. Parking nearby is metered street parking, and the studio is near public transport.

The studio sells its own skincare through an online store, including serums, cleansers, toners, masks, eye cream, a lip treatment, a scrub and a mandelic acid renewal product. The store describes the Rx Complex Serum as award-winning.

Recommends noninvasive solutions and multi-purpose products over many single-purpose ones, and avoids pushing the skin beyond its limits.

A quiet, peaceful studio designed for unwinding during the appointment.