Let’s be honest. When you think of Beverly Hills, you probably picture luxury, palm-lined streets, and celebrities ducking into spas with their hats pulled low. But what if I told you that behind the glitz and paparazzi flashes, there’s real skin magic happening? I recently spent a few days in Beverly Hills, exploring the city’s iconic spots and immersing myself in the kind of high-end self-care that Black skin absolutely deserves.
Between rooftop lunches, Rodeo Drive strolls, and views that made me want to move in forever, I made time for a different kind of tour. In true beauty editor fashion, I embarked on a skincare journey to find out if the city’s most elite spa experiences live up to the hype—and work for our skin. Spoiler alert: they do, especially if you’re a melanin-rich beauty dealing with hyperpigmentation, dark spots, or just chasing that radiant glow.
I tried three facial and skin treatments that promised just that—here’s what went down.
La Prairie Spa at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
Let me set the scene: you’re greeted with a glass of cucumber water, ambient lighting, and the faint scent of white florals floating in the air. The La Prairie Spa at the Waldorf Astoria feels like a five-star retreat perched in the sky, and I was ready for it.
I came in with one goal: glow. Specifically, I wanted to brighten the hyperpigmentation around my cheeks and jawline—those stubborn dark spots that always linger long after a breakout. “The Signature La Prairie Facial is offered in 60- and 90-minute sessions,” explains Samantha Craddock-Gretzinger, Director of Spa. “At the start of the session, expert estheticians discuss each client’s skincare needs and goals… to curate a selection of luxurious products before performing an exquisitely tailored facial.”
My esthetician did just that—taking time to learn my concerns before creating a game plan that focused on radiance, hydration, and skin tone clarity. They began with a double cleanse and gentle exfoliation before massaging in La Prairie’s White Caviar essence and serum with cryo-globes to depuff and stimulate circulation. The lifting massage? Pure bliss.
“The benefit of the Signature La Prairie Facial is the same for seasoned and new facial guests alike: personalization,” says Craddock-Gretzinger. “Each client has strengths and opportunities with their current skincare needs, and this facial provides a unique experience with results-driven benefits.”
After the treatment, I was glowing—no filter necessary. My skin tone looked more even, my dark spots appeared softer, and I was told (by more than one person, might I add) that I looked like I’d just come back from vacation.
The Spa at The Maybourne Beverly Hills
The Maybourne feels like the kind of serene, ultra-private hideaway where the skincare elite retreat to recharge. I tried the Dr. Barbara Sturm Glow Facial, which is designed to brighten and hydrate, and yes, I needed both.
The esthetician started with a detailed consultation to assess my skin concerns—namely post-acne marks and uneven tone. “We start with a consultation to address target areas and hear about the client’s concerns,” my esthetician shared before we got started. “During the service, a lymphatic drainage facial massage helps remove toxins from the skin but is also incredibly relaxing while effective.”
They customized the treatment with the Darker Skin Tones line from Dr. Sturm, a line developed specifically for melanated skin. The enzyme cleanser, anti-inflammatory ingredients, and hyaluronic ampoule worked in sync to calm irritation and plump dull areas. Add in a cooling mask and glow cream? I had to double-check if I was even wearing my usual dark marks anymore.
“This facial revives tired, dull-looking skin, strengthens the barrier, reduces puffiness, and is perfect for special occasions,” they added. I couldn’t agree more—this treatment made me look like I’d gotten eight hours of sleep, even though I’d been running on espresso and adrenaline. I had a signature glow as I walked to the Terrace for dinner by myself.
The Spa at The Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel
Now let’s talk about the Renewal Ritual Body Treatment—a full-body reset that had me glowing from scalp to soles. This isn’t your average exfoliate-and-moisturize situation. This is a luxury ritual designed to nourish, brighten, and quite literally wrap you in wellness.
Gillian Garcia, Lead Spa Therapist and creator of the treatment (and the angel who performed mine), described it best: “The Renewal Ritual is a rejuvenating experience that not only revitalizes the body but leaves guests feeling refreshed and renewed… just like our Spa.”
She began with a generous rubdown of energizing fair-trade coffee scrub, focusing on areas where I tend to get texture and dark spots—my arms, shoulders, knees, and back. “The coffee exfoliation gently energizes the skin, leaving it noticeably smoother and more revitalized,” she explained. I let it sit for a few minutes, breathing in the grounding scent, before rinsing it off in a warm shower.
Next came the shea and coconut body butter—whipped, rich, and massaged in with the kind of care that made me rethink everything I thought I knew about moisturizing. “This deeply nourishes while promoting a sense of grounding and balance,” said Garcia. She finished with a nanogold face mask that firmed, brightened, and made my skin look high-def IRL.
Before the treatment, Garcia recommended using the eucalyptus steam room to open pores and skipping shaving to avoid irritation—smart tips I’ll take with me for life. And afterward? “Leave all products applied overnight to maximize optimal results,” she added. You better believe I slipped into something loose and let that glow marinate, especially at dinner at The Beverly Wilshire.
The Glow-Up Recap
Touring Beverly Hills gave me the inside scoop on the city’s most iconic beauty spots—but these spa treatments gave me something deeper: results I could see and feel on melanin-rich skin. Each esthetician understood how to customize their approach, choosing the right pressure, ingredients, and techniques to boost glow, fade dark spots, and respect the unique needs of Black skin.
So if you’re booking a trip to Beverly Hills, don’t just plan for poolside cocktails and shopping sprees—schedule some time to treat your skin like royalty. Because this kind of self-care? It hits differently under that California sun.