When Emma Stone stepped out on the 2026 Oscars red carpet in March with a chiseled jawline and high cheekbones, the face lift allegations started immediately online. But according to celebrity facialist Iván Pol, otherwise known as The Beauty Sandwich on Instagram, he was responsible for Stone’s contoured face, along with 19 others at this year’s Academy Awards. He also used his “Snatching” technology, a term he’s trademarked for his non-invasive skin-sculpting treatment, on 30 other faces who attended the Met Gala in May. A quick scroll of Pol’s Instagram feed and it’s filled with his work on A-listers, from Kim Kardashian and Penélope Cruz to Rosalía and Anya Taylor-Joy.
Pol, who has 1.2 million followers, isn’t the only facialist to the stars who’s built a following online. Hadda Akrim has 333,000 followers, Melanie Grant boasts 144,000, Guendalina Gennari’s following totals 176,000, and Shane Cooper has accumulated 116,000.
Iván Pol. Photo: Getty Images
Like the celebrity stylists, makeup artists and hairstylists before them, celebrity facialists are now emerging as a key member of the so-called “glam squad”, building sizable social media followings, based on posts from their clients. Brands are taking note. In 2016, Chanel tapped facialists Pol and Grant as in-house skin experts, meaning they advise the brand on new product development, host events, and work with their ambassadors during awards season and fashion week. Dior Beauty works frequently with facialists Akrim and Sarah Akram.
As their stars rise, these facialists are building successful businesses, with clinics and product lines for consumers wanting to look like their high-profile clients. Now, they’re grappling with scaling clinic networks, growing waitlists, and an ever-demanding roster of celebrities.
Scaling a service
Facial treatments have had a glow up in recent years, using advanced lasers and topical products that target all types of skin concerns, yielding impressive results, which are readily shareable on social media. According to beauty and wellness marketplace platform Fresha, 5.1 million facial appointments have been booked through the platform in the last 12 months. Celebrity facialists, who often use the most cutting-edge methods, are primed to capitalize on growing demand.
Melanie Grant. Photo: Courtesy of Melanie Grant
