#BeautyBoss: Lila Castellanos, Founder of Doll Face Skincare Studio

This week’s #BeautyBoss is Lila Castellanos, esthetician and founder of Doll Face Skincare Studio—a retro-inspired skincare studio with fun vintage decor that offers luxurious and personalized skincare services in the trendy Atwater Village neighborhood of Los Angeles. A longtime skincare expert and pioneer of the Oxygen Facial, Castellanos has been in the industry for 16 years and opened her business in 2014.

Doll Face Skincare Studio: Charming Retro Vibes and Flawless Skin

“I was inspired to become an esthetician though my own personal journey in dealing with skin issues, which included cystic acne and rosacea,” shares Castellanos. “I experienced first-hand just how much our self-worth, identity, and self-confidence are affected by our outer appearance. I wanted to be able to help people improve their skin health and by doing so, hopefully transform their perception of their own beauty and inspire more self-confidence.”

Since Castellanos founded her successful atelier, Doll Face Skincare Studio has been repeatedly named one of the best facial and brow shaping places in Los Angeles—and with hundreds of 5-star reviews from satisfied customers, it’s easy to see why. She customizes every facial treatment according to each individual’s skin type and needs, which are determined at each visit with a skin analysis, then adapts their care accordingly every time and uses the most up-to-date techniques, specialized products, and professional equipment to help them achieve their skin goals.

We chatted with Castellanos, who shared the inspiration behind her successful business, skincare routine and tips, favorite ways to relax, and more.

When was Doll Face Skincare Studio founded and where is it located?

Doll Face Skincare Studio was founded six years ago and is located in the Atwater Village community on the Eastside of Los Angeles.

What does the name mean?

The name Doll Face took inspiration from the vintage use of the words. It was a term of endearment and slang for attractiveness. As I’ve always had a strong connection to vintage culture, the reference to beauty and self-care definitely resonated with me as I was developing my brand and business. 

What was the journey like to opening your own skincare business?

My journey included working as a licensed esthetician in medical esthetics, a mobile spa, and luxury day spas before opening my own skincare studio. I’m so thankful to have all of those experiences as they truly helped shape my vision for my own business. 

What product lines do you use in your treatments?

The back bar in my treatment room consists of several different skincare lines, including those I retail so my clients can maintain their skin in-between visits to my studio. I use a combination of Intraceuticals, Bella Schneider Beauty, and my in-house brand, Doll Face Skincare Studio, that offers a variety of treatment masks to address the concerns of my diverse client roster. I also use MDSolarSciences for sun care and repair.

Do you have a signature treatment you’re known for?

My signature facial called The Doll Face is the treatment that started it all when I was developing the services and menu concepts for my business. After spending many years performing standardized protocols, I saw the need for truly customized skin care. I developed The Doll Face so it could be adapted to each client individually, then altered based on what was needed at the time of treatment.

What’s your personal skincare routine like? Any favorite products?

When I’m not researching and testing new products, I subscribe to a fairly routine skincare routine, but take care to address any changes in my skin caused by environmental factors or hormonal changes.

My A.M. routine consists of a light cleanse with my Intraceuticals Rejuvenate Gel Cleanser, followed by toning, a peptide serum, eye gel, and then moisturizing with my MDSolarSciences Moisturizer with SPF 50. I sometimes apply a light balm layer by Josh Rosebrook on those areas that are a bit drier as a result of wearing masks, around the mouth, nose, and chin area. I finish with a spritz of the Doll Face Pollution Solution to guard against environmental pathogens and surface radicals. It’s also a great way to set my make-up if I’m wearing it that day.

At the end of my day, my P.M. routine is using a skin oil to wipe down my face first. Then I cleanse my skin and use my Foreo. This I do twice if I’ve worn make-up that day or feel the need for a deep cleanse. I splash my face with a few cold splashes to finish. For added exfoliation, twice a week I use the Bella Schneider Mini Peel Pads or my Doll Face Ultimate Scrub. I like to use a lip scrub and balm, then I apply Evening Repair Serum by MDSolarSciences, followed by a moisturizer or balm depending on what my skin needs. And once a week I apply a Hydrojelly Peel Off Mask by Esthemax.

Doll Face Skincare Studio is a retro-inspired atelier in Los Angeles that offers luxurious and personalized skincare services.

What inspires you?

There are so many people that inspire me that it would be a very long list. Suffice to say that anyone pursuing their own dreams and having a zest for life inspires me. Given everything that’s going on in the world right now, I think we all have to find some bright spots in our day. There are good people doing great things every day. One of the best things to come out of this pandemic has been seeing how people are choosing to connect and inspire each other despite the challenges we’re all facing.  

Secret to success?

I don’t know that there are any secrets to success, but I believe that hard work, adversity, and a sense of humor will get you pretty far in life. I think having a passion for what you do is vital and will certainly help keep you engaged in what you do. I also believe in getting as much experience as you can, along with ongoing education. There is always something new to learn and it helps immensely to stay current with your industry and learn of new advances and trends. I also think that being truly present while you’re working and connecting with your clients is key to longevity in business. You could think that your clients want or need something, but until you are actively listening to them, you could be missing out on opportunities to provide them with what they’re looking for. And enough can’t be said about personalized service—I think it makes clients feel special and it delivers an experience that can’t be easily replicated.

Beauty secrets?

As our skin is our largest organ, what we put into our bodies is reflected in our skin’s health. I always encourage my clients to focus on fresh, whole foods and to drink a lot of water. I also think that customized skin care is key, along with varying your skin care and routine based on life changes, environment, and weather. Caring for our skin health is a dynamic process, so it’s important to be flexible with our product choices and routines. There is a lot of information out there and a lot of products. Find a professional you trust to make quality recommendations for you.

Wellness tips?

While it can sound rote, a healthy diet and daily exercise will benefit everyone. I’m also a firm believe in self-care and encourage my clients to invest in their wellness daily, even if it’s just a quick and simple 5-minute meditation or facial massage. Simply the act of making time for yourself will positively impact your life. I also think less but better is a good rule of thumb. Purchase less, but make those purchases of higher-quality items. Ingredients matter, so choose wisely.

Best advice?

The best advice I’ve received isn’t really advice at all, but the outpouring of support and encouragement I received when I opened my business has continued to serve as my inspiration and daily motivation. My family, friends, former colleagues, and clients all rallied behind me, which helped me to know that I was making the right move. All of their reassurances and advocacy helped in ways that I didn’t even know I needed at the time. So the best advice I could give someone else would be to have a support system. Find people or a community that will be your cheerleaders. And if you can be that for someone else, do it! 

How do you like to relax?

I love to connect with nature by taking walks, hiking at Griffith Park, or going for long bike rides along the LA River. I also like to perform my own home self-care rituals that include Gua Sha facial massages and testing new products. But nothing beats spending quality time at home with my fella and my animals.

For more information, visit dollfaceskincarestudio.com. Follow on Instagram: @dollfaceskincarestudio

[Images courtesy of Lila Castellanos]

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