Elizabeth Grace Hand, esthetician and founder of New York Facial Studio stelle studioPopular for her bespoke, treatment-focused approach with clients including influencer Alix Earle and gallerist Hannah Traore, she met partner John Folkesson in 2019. Since it was Valentine’s Day, Hand had almost given up on dating. “I’m 29 years old, and I’ve been going on dates in this city ever since I moved here for college at 19, and it’s been boring one after the other,” she says. “I was tired, but I liked my job and I liked my friends, so I thought, “I like cats.” I’ll be a cat lady. ” I was really happy. ” Then her roommate introduced her to John, and five years later, the couple are living together with their cat, Muesli Pettifleur. But this Valentine’s Day, we’re learning more than just their love story. In the five years since he’s known Elizabeth, John’s skin care routine has disappeared from the one face he picked up haphazardly at Aesop. I added the cream to my two very serious routines, morning and night, and threw some injections into the mix. All at The Bowery Hotel, along with a glass of sparkling water from Dr. Barbara Sturm and 1,200 yen. It started with a dollar bill, as Elizabeth and John explain below.
John Folkson:
I had been living in New York for six months when I met Elizabeth. I moved from Stockholm, where I had lived my whole life. I met my girlfriend’s roommate Fran through another Swede in the city. It was my first Valentine’s Day in America, so I went to their apartment. Elizabeth came in and sat on the couch. She was drinking a can of Recess.
Elizabeth Grace Hand:
At the time, I was working as a sales representative for Dr. Barbara Sturm. I had just returned from a long day at work. I had some friends over for hors d’oeuvres and then they went to dinner at a restaurant across the street. Rosie’s Located in the East Village.
JF:
I started chatting with her because she was a beautiful girl.
EGH:
I could tell he was interested in me, but I wasn’t really looking at him because I was so anti-dating at that point. I mean, we talked and he was really sweet, but I was like, “Oh.” It’s just one of France’s strange friends. ”
JF:
The next day, France sent me a selfie from Instagram.
EGH:
It turned out later that it wasn’t a set up for France to invite John to her house, but that she realized he was a good fit for us when we were in the apartment.
JF:
I asked Franz for her phone number and if she had said anything about me. He said, “Yeah.” She said you are very Swedish. ”
EGH:
So John texted me, “Hi, Elizabeth.” This is John, my Swedish friend from France. ”
JF:
It’s one of the best texts I’ve ever sent.I asked her to buy her drink altro paradise. Her response wasn’t very friendly, but she said yes.
EGH:
I remember saying “hmm” to a girl at work. How foolish! He wants to go to a restaurant on the west side. He knows I live on the east side. ” That’s how confused I was. I was in a serious “man-hating” phase.
JF:
The obvious reason was that I live in the West Village and have only been to the East Village maybe once since moving to New York. I didn’t know about that.
EGH:
I suggested the Bowery Hotel instead.
JF:
She drank a glass of water during our date.
EGH:
It was shining brightly. The first time we started dating was when I was determined to be a cat lady. I was totally going to be me. There was no agenda. I never expected him to be my partner.
JF:
But I really enjoyed being with her. I left satisfied.
EGH:
Of course, we also talked about the nature of the work. He said his office was at Lexington and 52nd Street, so I didn’t get an email from him after a few days and I thought, “Fuck you.” I text him. ” I said, “I’m going to train Sturm at Barney’s near me.” you should come We will help you with your skin care. ” He didn’t have a routine, and I thought, “At least I can get some sales from him.”
JF:
At that time, I knew nothing about skin care. The only product I owned was Aēsop face cream. I didn’t even know that cleansing agents existed. But I was really happy when she messaged me because it was a sign that she wanted to meet me. I showed up at a Barneys I had never been to before. She wanted to support her because she was working. I asked her what she thought she needed and she started picking out her things one after another.
I came out with two different cleansers, two different serums, and maybe two different creams. I didn’t want to be that person, so I didn’t ask about the price of the product. I just gave her my credit card and didn’t see the receipt until she got home and she was fucking shocked when she saw the receipt. It was $1,200. I thought, “Maybe this is what people here do.”
EGH:
After that, I was like, “So, what are we doing this weekend?” [Laughs]
JF:
My routine seems a lot different now. First of all, I might be the most spoiled person when it comes to skin care. I am her guinea pig and do what she tells me.
EGH:
Maintenance and prevention are his real goals. Since it’s winter in New York, he does infrared saunas and cold plunges. He also does a lot of sweaty training. Your T-zone may become a little dry, red, and clogged.
JF:
Your morning routine needs to be quick. Hydrate with lemon water, do 10 minutes of yoga, take a shower, and put on the product.I start with retrove conditioning tonicthis is the best essence I have ever used.
EGH:
It also contains chamomile, so it’s great for shaving. It’s very calming.
JF:
I recently started using it Chanel La Solution 10 de Chanel. It has no odor and lasts on the skin. Then I applied sunscreen, Autours Definitive Sun Drops SPF 50, this is something you should only use with your esthetician. Before I met Elizabeth, the only time I wore sunscreen was on vacation.
EGH:
At night, he begins: Retrove Luminous Cleansing Elixir.
JF:
It’s really nice. I hate when it takes too long to remove cleanser from my face. I only splash water on my face twice at most. Having to splash water on my face 10 times is very annoying.After the cleanser I BioEffect 30 Day Treatment.
EGH:
A growth factor serum made from barley. Helps promote collagen production in the skin. The 30-day treatment comes with 3 dropper bottles and for most people it lasts 6-8 weeks. When one runs out, move on to the next one. Divided into three vials to keep the formula stable.
JFG:
Then I Retrove Intensive Replenishing Facial Moisturizer. I love this. I’m not trying to overstate anything, but Retrouvé is a game changer. I only use one pump but it still works great for my dry skin. Move down to your neck and chest.then it’s my time Retrove Eye Concentrate. It feels very rich and nutritious.
EGH:
Apply with moderate pressure with your ring finger.
JF:
I felt that the face oil was too sticky, Retrove Balancing Face Oil Not sticky at all. It feels so good. When I wake up in the morning, my skin is really soft and moisturized.
EGH:
Spray at different stages during the week.
JF:
Like exfoliation, a higher level of education is required. [Laughs]
EGH:
let him use it Sachi Ursolic Acid and Retinal Overnight Reform Nights once or twice a week. Otherwise, have them use something that contains enzymes. Autour Definitive Enzyme Cleanseror some kind of acid, Sachi Complexion Clarifying Accelerator. Sachi Accelerator contains mandelic acid and is very suitable for fairer people. It also contains manuka honey and is very delicious.of Retrove Skin Brilliance Priming Pad Since it uses lactic acid bacteria, it is especially recommended in winter. It’s so juicy that you’ll be able to squeeze it into your hands.
JF:
And I have two favorite masks. augustinus bader face cream mask And that Biologic Recherche Crème Mask Vernix-it’s not mask vivant; That smells bad. I call vernix a banana mask because it smells like ripe bananas. The skin becomes very soft. If you’re in a hurry and want to sleep, you can just wear a mask instead of your night routine. I have phases with them. Sometimes I use one every three days, but now I use one every week.
As for treatment, I have had Botox done once. Plump and amy lee. Elizabeth was taking fillers and I was sitting in her room with her. During her treatment, Amy said, “You should get Botox.” I feel like Elizabeth and Amy were probably talking about it before I came in. [Laughs] Elizabeth had tried to convince me before and I said no because I didn’t want to have something that I had to spend $1,000 on every few months, but Angry Eleven and a little Botox around my eyes. I received it. A week later I went back for a touch up and had more done. After that settled down, my wrinkles were completely gone. What Botox can do for you is actually really amazing. I would like to get it again. Why not?
Overall, I’m happy to have a routine that makes me feel fresh and clean. Although there was a time when I partied, I was always interested in health. Now I don’t drink, exercise, and eat clean. I consider skin care to be part of a lifestyle that takes care of myself. But to all the men reading this, say this. Your routine doesn’t have to be complicated. I just have the luxury of having Elizabeth and so many products at home. Everyone wants to feel like their best self. Skin care can help.
—As told by Dice Vedra
Photographed by Sienna Craigie.Courtesy of Elizabeth Grace Hand
