In this episode of Skin Anarchy, Dr. Ekta Yadav sits down with Michele Henry, founder and CEO of Face Foundrié, to unpack how the facial industry is being fundamentally restructured—from an exclusionary, time-intensive luxury model to one rooted in accessibility, consistency, and real results. What emerges is a candid look at why the future of skin health depends not just on products, but on systems that make professional care repeatable, affordable, and sustainable.
A Founder Story Rooted in Frustration
Face Foundrié was born from Michele Henry’s own experience as a consumer. After having her third child and struggling with hormonal acne, she found herself caught between facials that were either prohibitively expensive, overly clinical, or wildly inconsistent. What she wanted was simple: visible results, education, efficiency, and the ability to walk in, get treated, and get back to real life. When that middle ground didn’t exist, she built it herself.
Why the “Facial Bar” Model Works
The concept of a facial bar may seem obvious in hindsight, but it challenged long-standing norms in the aesthetics space. Traditional spa experiences often demand hours of time and hundreds of dollars, with little clarity around outcomes. Face Foundrié flipped that model by prioritizing streamlined services focused entirely on the face—designed to fit into a modern schedule without sacrificing efficacy. Early experimentation even revealed that clients didn’t want wellness add-ons like juice bars; they wanted high-quality facials, delivered efficiently and consistently.
Accessibility Over Prestige
A central theme of the conversation is accessibility. Michele is explicit about rejecting the beauty industry’s historical reliance on exclusion and intimidation. Face Foundrié was designed to be welcoming, non-judgmental, and approachable—meeting clients wherever they are in their skincare journey. Monthly memberships at transparent price points make frequency possible, which in turn drives long-term results. In Michele’s view, prestige has a ceiling, but approachability scales.
Consistency as a Clinical Standard
One of Face Foundrié’s most disruptive moves is its emphasis on protocol consistency. Unlike traditional spas, where services can vary dramatically depending on the practitioner, Face Foundrié operates with standardized core protocols that deliver the same experience whether you’re in Sarasota or Sioux Falls. Personalization comes through targeted enhancements layered onto those protocols, not through improvisation. Behind the scenes, technology plays a critical role—allowing estheticians to track treatments, enhancements, and skin progress over time.
Built to Scale, Designed to Last
Franchising was not an afterthought—it was part of the blueprint from day one. Drawing on lessons from a previous retail business, Michele intentionally designed Face Foundrié to be systematized, documented, and replicable. That foresight has paid off, with dozens of locations open nationwide and significant expansion underway. In an industry where viral concepts often fail to scale, Face Foundrié stands out as an operational model, not just a trend.
Professional Care Still Matters—Even in the Age of Biotech
The episode also addresses a growing misconception: that advanced at-home skincare products can replace professional treatments. While effective products are essential, Michele underscores that services like dermaplaning, extractions, peels, and hydrafacials play a critical role in allowing those products to penetrate and perform. Skincare works best when treatments and at-home routines function in unison—not in isolation.
The Emotional Side of Skin Health
Beyond protocols and pricing, Face Foundrié places equal emphasis on emotional safety. Every client is invited to choose how they want to experience their facial—whether that means quiet relaxation or step-by-step education. Store design, scent, tone, and service flow are all intentionally crafted to reduce anxiety and foster comfort. For many clients, it’s their first facial experience ever—made possible by an environment that feels welcoming rather than intimidating.
Where Skin Health Is Headed
Looking ahead, Michele shares how Face Foundrié is investing heavily in technology, including AI-driven skin tracking and education tools that allow clients to visualize progress over time. The goal is not just better facials, but better decision-making—helping clients understand how treatments, products, nutrition, and lifestyle all intersect in skin health.
Listen to the full episode of Skin Anarchy to hear Michele Henry explain how Face Foundrié is redefining professional skincare—making consistent, results-driven facials accessible, scalable, and grounded in real skin health, not just luxury optics.