MEET THE ESTHETICIAN BEHIND THE GLOWING SKIN OF NEW YORKERS IN-THE-KNOW
Your skin will thank us for introducing you to celebrity aesthetician Elizabeth Grace Hand, whose "glow bombs" have graced the skin of A-list models and influencers, including the likes of Alix Earle, Katie Holmes, Vanessa Bryant, and Nell Diamond. Founder of Ställe Studios, a treatment-focused facial studio in Soho, New York that combines deep knowledge of medical and spa treatments, Elizabeth has become a go-to expert for those seeking to achieve healthy, radiant skin.
Below, we’ll explore her journey in the beauty industry, the tips she shares with her high-profile clientele and her ride-or-die beauty must-haves. Join us as we dive into the world of skincare with Elizabeth and discover how you can elevate your own beauty routine with her expert advice.
Can you tell us how you got started, and the inspiration behind Ställe Studios?
My obsession with beauty began at Sephora. I grew up in North Carolina, an hour from the closest Sephora, and a trip there was always a special treat and a bonding experience for my mom, sister and me. And, the only luxury skincare lines I remember were Perricone and La Mer.
It wasn’t until I first experienced acne in my teens that I started getting serious about what I was using on my face. I tried everything — peels, microdermabrasion, prescription and OTC topicals, supplements, antibiotics, including one whose potential side effect was turning my skin yellow! Nothing worked.
At the same time, I was starting my career in fashion. I graduated from FIT and worked in wholesale fashion for a few years before making the move to the beauty industry. I had always been interested in beauty but lacked the experience to get my foot in the door. Eventually I joined L’Oreal in a wholesale role for corrective cosmetics brand Dermablend. I worked with and built amazing relationships with some of the best dermatologists, estheticians, and plastic surgeons throughout the country. And something just clicked that I should become an esthetician. I enrolled in esthetician school but kept my job at L’Oreal and did everything I could to learn from and meet people in the industry. During my first semester, I attended an event where I met the Sales Director for Dr. Barbara Sturm. I emailed her for three months until she finally replied. Eventually, I was hired to do field sales and facial events for the brand. Once the Sturm Boutique & Spa opened, I transitioned to doing in-spa treatments where I found my true calling which years later led to me launching Ställe Studios. I wanted to combine clinical results and products in a relaxing and stress free environment.
And the true inspiration behind launching my own studio comes from the Swedish word “smultruonställe”, which means a secret special place discovered, treasured and returned to often for comfort and relaxation; completely free from stress, worries and sadness.
"The true inspiration behind launching my own studio comes from the Swedish word “smultruonställe”, which means a secret special place discovered, treasured and returned to often for comfort and relaxation; completely free from stress, worries and sadness."
Are there any specific natural ingredients that everyone should incorporate into their skincare routine?
Caviar lime! It’s a natural source of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) extracted from the native Australian caviar lime for gentle exfoliation with an innovative mechanism of action for smoother, brighter, and even skin tone and texture. French Farmacie uses it in their Elixir Exfoliant. It’s so great for all skin types but especially those who are too sensitive to other AHAs because it really gets the dead skin cells off, minus irritation. I love recommending it to my pregnant clients because it is also safe for pregnancy.
How do you achieve the signature Ställe glow?
I’m hyper fixated on loading on the hydration. Hydrating cleanser, serum, moisturizer, oil always - morning and night and sprinkling in various exfoliants a few times per week. I avoid more intense exfoliation like glycolic acid in the winter and instead stick to gentler ones like mandelic acid. Sofie Pavitt makes a great mandelic serum. French Farmacie’s Elixir Exfoliant has the most amazing seed oil/AHA combo that I sleep in 1x per week for the glowiest skin in the morning. Auteur Definitive Enzyme Cleanser. is another great product I’ll add in 1-2x per week instead of my regular cleanser. I love how customizable it is. It’s a powder so you can make it as exfoliating as you want depending on how much water you add to it. It contains Vitamin C so the brightening effect is next level.
Do you incorporate sustainability and eco-friendly practices into your esthetician services?
Sustainability is super important in all that we do at Ställe. We try to keep the use of single use plastics and disposable products at a minimum, preferring to use machine washable towels and biodegradable gloves. I recommend that our clients all use my favorite reusable face towels from Clean Skin Club and washable cotton pads to get their faces really clean while being eco-friendly.
What is the one skincare product you can’t live without?
ACTIVIST Manuka Mask. It really does it all and is for every single skin type. Using medicinal grade manuka is proven to help with breakouts, inflammation, irritation and dryness, it really is miracle worker. I love it as a spot treatment to clear blemishes minus the dryness that others can leave behind.
What designer can you not live without at this moment?
It’s hard to pick just one - I am equally obsessed with The Row, Khaite and Toteme. Shoes, bags, coats, tops, pants - they really are the best at everything. For cashmere I am addicted to Felicite Apparel. Their sweaters last me years - with no pilling!
If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go and what would you be in your makeup bag?
Stockholm is my favorite city in the entire world and Ett Hem is my favorite place to stay while I’m there. It’s a former mansion converted into an 11 bedroom hotel. Ett Hemm means a home in Sweden - they want you to feel at home. And it really does feel like a home — of my dreams. A fresh pie is always warmly waiting in the kitchen and they can whip up pretty much whatever you want, whenever you want it. The food is amazing - all fresh ingredients. And the interior design is what I would call sophisticated Swedish minimalism. For makeup I would also keep it minimal, which is my go to ethos anyway. I am always trying to be a bit more Swedish in every part of my life! Everyone has the most gorgeous skin there. I think it’s partly that Scandinavians are just so naturally beautiful and also because they only see the sun for 3 months of the year. They are living proof of what staying out of the sun does to your skin. So my Scandinavian minimal look would be Make Beauty Sculpting Browl Gel in Clear, Chanel Les Beiges Water Fresh Tint all over, Make Beauty Minetic Concealer under my eyes, Saie Dew blush in Sweetie on the apples of my cheeks, Westman Atelier highlighter in Nectar for the the cheekbones and Cupid’s bow, one coat of Victoria Beckham Vast Lash mascara, Auteur Lip Treatment layered under Chanel Rouge Coco Baume in Natural Charm, and a few spritzes of Bioeffect Mist to make it last all day.