There’s something about a facial abroad that feels particularly indulgent. You’re already in an elevated state- sunkissed, relaxed, and primed for pampering. So, when I found myself in Barcelona, staying at one of the city’s most prestigious hotels (which shall remain unnamed for obvious reasons), I decided to book what was promised to be a bespoke, results-driven skincare ritual at their in-house spa.

The reality? A masterclass in what not to do during a facial.

1. The Nonexistent Consultation

Let’s s start at the beginning because that’s exactly where things went wrong. Upon arrival, I was ushered into a dimly lit room and immediately asked to lie down. No clipboard. No questions. No discussion of my skincare routine, my concerns, or even my skin type. The aesthetician barely glanced at my face before slathering on a cleanser that smelled vaguely like synthetic roses and hotel soap.

Had she asked, she’d have learned that my skin was parched from a week of sun, city air, and too many late-night tapas and cava. Instead, she seemed to be on autopilot, rubbing in a generic foam cleanser with all the enthusiasm of a flight attendant delivering the please fasten your seatbelt announcement for the hundredth time.

Lesson learned: A great facial starts with a great consultation. If your aesthetician doesn’t ask about your skin, they’re not treating your skin.

2. The Mystery Products

I am all for high-performance skincare, but I also like to know what, exactly, is being slathered onto my face. Instead, I found myself lying there, blindly accepting a series of unannounced steps. A scrub (too harsh), a thick mask (oddly cold, not in a refreshing way), and a serum that smelled expensive but confusing.

When I finally asked what was being applied, she hesitated before muttering something about exclusive formulations.  Read: mystery creams from the back room.

Now, I’m not expecting an ingredient list mid-treatment, but transparency matters. The best aestheticians treat products like tools in an artist’s kit each chosen with intention, each explained with confidence. This was more of a lucky dip situation, and my skin was not amused.

Lesson learned: If your aesthetician can’t confidently tell you what’s in a product, it’s probably not the right product for you.

3. The Zero-Touch Approach

There is something borderline spiritual about a well-executed facial massage- an expert aesthetician knows how to sculpt, drain, and lift using just their hands. In Paris, I once had a facial that left me looking as if I’d just had a subtle round of injectables (sans needles, of course).

This, however, was not that.

Instead of a proper lymphatic drainage massage, I got what can only be described as a half-hearted product smear, followed by an alarming pause while she left the room for ten minutes with a mask on my face. I lay there, wondering if I’d been abandoned. I had.

Lesson learned: A great facial isn’t just about product’s it’s about technique. If your aesthetician isn’t using skilled touch, you might as well be doing this at home.

4. The Hard Sell Finale

I had barely sat up before she was casually upselling an entire product range one that, frankly, I had no idea whether my skin needed or not. A true skincare expert doesn’t pressure; they educate. Instead of offering thoughtful suggestions based on my skin’s response to the treatment, she was practically ringing up my order before I’d even finished sipping the post-facial herbal tea.

Lesson learned: If the takeaway from your facial is a receipt rather than a glow, something went wrong.

5. The Post-Facial Fallout

The worst part? The morning after.

Rather than waking up to hydrated, radiant, post-facial skin, I found myself with a slightly irritated complexion, tightness around my cheeks, and a general feeling that my skin had been over-handled yet under-cared-for. The experience had felt expensive but uninspired more hotel amenity than true skin expertise.

How to Avoid a Subpar Facial -Anywhere in the World

If I took one thing away from this, it’s that not all facials are created equal, even at the most luxurious addresses. The right aesthetician will:

✔️Start with a consultation tailored to your skin’s current needs.

✔️Use high-quality, transparent ingredients that align with your skincare values.

✔️Incorporate expert manual techniques (not just rely on fancy machines).

✔️Educate rather than upsell your results should speak for themselves.

✔️Leave your skin better than they found it- not irritated, tight, or confused.

Next time, I’ll be booking with someone who sees my skin, not just my reservation.

Lesson learned.