Beauty Boss: Jennifer Worley, Face Haus Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer
From left to right: Face Haus Co-Founders Dawn Olmstead, Jennifer Worley and Karey Burke.
Our latest Beauty Boss is Jennifer Worley, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Face Haus—a fresh and fun modern destination where men, women, and teens can enjoy accessible yet high-quality spa-grade facials at reasonable prices. Along with her friends and co-founders, Dawn Olmstead and Karey Burke, Worley teamed up with celebrity dermatologist Dr. Harold to create a service menu and launched the innovative business concept in 2013, which has since expanded to seven locations across the United States—and continues to grow.
We spoke with Worley, who shared her favorite beauty and wellness tips, best advice, what inspired the creation of Face Haus, and more.
When was Face Haus founded?
The first Face Haus launched in Los Angeles in 2013 and there are now five locations in the LA area, as well as new Haus destinations in Dallas and New York City.
What does the name mean?
Face Haus speaks to our open, inviting space and the guest experience that makes you feel right at home. It’s also a nod to the Scandinavian heritage of the three founders.
What inspired the creation of Face Haus?
It all started when I threw a facial-themed birthday party with my good friends, Karey Burke and Dawn Olmstead, which made us face some facts: most professional facials were pricey, time-consuming, and frankly, intimidating. So, we went on a hunt for a high-quality facial we could afford to turn into a habit. It didn’t exist, so we decided it was time for the world of skin care to get a makeover. The result was Face Haus: a place for everyday people to get fantastic, spa-grade facials on the regular for roughly the price of a mani-pedi. A fun and fresh single-service destination with an upbeat attitude and an uplifting message of inclusion. We enlisted celebrity dermatologist Dr. Harold Lancer to consult on the menu, hired a team of superstar esthies, and brought our light-bulb moment to life!
How many Face Haus locations are there?
There are seven Face Haus locations across Los Angeles, New York City, and Dallas.
What’s your favorite service at Face Haus?
Our services are all efficient and fully loaded! My favorites vary according to the season and whatever skin drama I’m in. The in-chair consult with my Haus Esthie is really the key to targeting concerns and creating the perfect service for my skin. That said, I’m a big fan of the ‘Haus Special’ Facial with a ‘Universal A-Peel’ and ‘Beam Me Up’ add-on. The peel and Lightstim LED combined with our signature oxygen blast leaves the skin incredibly renewed and hydrated.
Face Haus in Santa Monica, California.
Who inspires you?
My 92 year-old grandmother, Esther Zawolkow, is an incredible woman and role model. She and my grandfather have been married for 71 years. She was the youngest of three girls born to two deaf parents and she invented a form of sign language in the ‘70s that is now used all over the world. She still runs her company, a non-profit, and teaches college courses four nights a week! If you were to stop by her house right now, not only would she invite you to stay for dinner, but she would have guests staying over from Holland, Zimbabwe, or some distant land where she made friends and stayed in touch with them over many decades!
Secrets to success?
Dreaming up an idea and then seeing it come to life is one of the most awesome experiences in life. If you have an idea you are passionate about, go for it—but do your research and business planning, surround yourself with positive people, know your own weaknesses and compensate for them, be open to constructive feedback, and be prepared to work very hard. Growing a business requires stamina and focus!
Beauty secrets?
Summer in LA is hot and dry! Right now I’m all about Hylunia Vitamin C Serum and Suntegrity Sunscreen by day and Eminence Facial Recovery Oil at night. Regular exfoliation is also important. I love the Elemental Herbology Skin Resurfacing Pads, and of course, a super hydrating and renewing facial at Face Haus once a month!
The real universal beauty secret, more critical than any one beauty product, is to adopt a “pro-aging” mindset. By pro-aging, I don’t mean chain smoke and race into wrinkles and a mid-life crisis. My pro-aging attitude is that we should embrace where we are, love the evidence of a life well-lived, and not cling to an artificial ideal that discredits all of our accumulated wisdom and experiences. Be the best version of yourself at every age. This confidence and self-love emanates magnetic beauty.
Wellness tips?
Now that I’m in my mid-forties, I can really see the impact of healthy living on my skin, body, and mental well-being. Never underestimate your need for sleep and water. It sounds so basic, but it’s a real game-changer. Lots of water, fresh veggies, lean proteins, and very little sugar definitely help me feel my best. This combined with regular workouts is the magic recipe for feeling and looking great. During a good week, I whip up this Angela Liddon (Oh She Glows) Green Morning Smoothie (romaine, spinach, fresh mint, lime, avocado, water, ice, and agave). It’s awesome!
Best advice?
We were first to market with this skincare concept in 2013, and with a lot of patience and hard work, we are currently in major national growth mode. What has led to this “staying in business” are a few key things: developing a concept and strong brand identity that fills a gap in the market, learning from mistakes, and staying open to improvements. Our company has a culture of community and is always open to ideas and innovation. Bringing in the right partners has also been a key part of our recent shift into growth mode. We held out until the right relationship formed, and we are now partnered with some of the incredible people that grew the amazing female-founded brands Bliss and Carol’s Daughter (among others).
Favorite way to relax?
As a mom of four and ‘face-deep’ in the steep growth of our company, it’s often a difficult thing to dedicate time to this. The wellness in my daily life comes from a combined prescription of water (with lemon on a good day), designing gardens, creative projects big and small, hot yoga when time allows, putting my phone down, and laughing/cuddling/annoying my kids, husband, and dogs (it helps to be married to a film and TV comedy writer!) And my current favorite relaxation activity is taking long walks with my dog Wally, where I curate all the music for Face Haus—a treasured meditative, de-stressing ritual.
For more information and to book a treatment, visit Face Haus’ website and follow them on Instagram: @facehaus
[Images courtesy of Face Haus]
Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk