A highly respected and innovative skincare expert, Joanna Vargas originally arrived in New York City after college with visions of becoming a photographer. But her abiding interest in wellness and beauty was always an underlying passion, bubbling up beneath the surface and behind her lens. And thank goodness: The go-to aesthetician for New York’s elite, celebrities, and supermodels alike, Joanna uses her cutting-edge, noninvasive techniques to deliver youthful-looking, firmer skin and making it unnecessary for them to go under the knife. Now, as the proprietor of an eponymous salon and line of all-natural, organic skincare products, she’s gained a coterie of beauty devotees who travel the globe for her famous treatments and keep her motivated. “Nothing is more beautiful than a confident woman. I have great clients—Julianne Moore, Rachel Weisz, and Karlie Kloss among them—who inspire me because they are both strong and beautiful.” —Jennifer Henderson
Name: Joanna Vargas
Occupation: The founder of Joanna Vargas Skincare and Salon. I was always interested in wellness and nutrition. Ask anyone I went to high school with and they’ll you that beauty was always a passion for me. I was always buying makeup and fragrance before everyone else.”
Little girl luxe: “I’ve been obsessed with products since I was three years old. My favorite childhood product line was called Tinkerbell and I had every bubble bath, powder, and lip gloss imaginable. The packaging made such an impression on me. I loved feeling like I smelled good and pampered.”
Her work ethic: “I am a very hard worker. I would never ask an employee to do anything I wouldn’t do or haven’t done already. I love my work, and taking care of people is something I hope to do forever.”
Her turning point: “In the past year, I tripled my staff. I look at this amazing group of women that work with me every day and I feel so blessed. It’s the culmination of years of hard work and really holding steady to my vision for my salon.”
Aging gracefully: “I always tell clients that my job is to make them feel confident. I don’t judge anyone who gets Botox or surgery; but I let everyone know that you don’t have to. I truly believe you can look amazing at any age without it.”
The secret to her success: “I think the key to success is sincerity in what you do. For me, I believe in my treatments and products as a lifestyle, and I think I am very good at finding talented, smart women to work alongside me.”
Her personal style: “Urban casual. I wear a lot of Prabal Gurung for meetings and events. I love how his clothes fit and feel and that they’re elevated, but are still comfortable and cool. For everyday, I’m mostly a black jeans, tall boots, and motorcycle jacket kind of girl.”
Her must-haves: “SoulCycle, New York’s New Museum, my Jennifer Fisher earrings, my Alpha Industries bomber jacket. And Kimberly Snyder’s green smoothie.”
Beauty is: “Confidence, curiosity, openness.”
Obsessed with: “Art and photography. I was an art student in college and I love discovering and collecting new art. Right now, I am super into photography. I recently met Yelena Yemchuk, who is a NYC. photographer, and I’m obsessed with her work.”
Her cutting edge: “My L.E.D. Light Bed; it’s whole-body anti-aging and you can’t beat it. My Rejuvenating Serum, which contains argan oil mixed with neroli for circulation; rose hips for sun damage; and olive oil for inflammation. It’s the perfect super serum and I couldn’t live without it. And my radio frequency Forever Facial. It’s lifting and tightening for the skin in the best way possible; I feel like I look 30 again, and to be able to give that to clients is incredibly rewarding.”
Words of beauty wisdom: “Exfoliate and get proper sleep. And a famous model once told me that the secret to finding your confidence as you age is improving the lighting in your bathroom.”