From Costa Mesa and Newport Beach to Corona Del Mar, Dana Point and Laguna Beach, there are no shortages of lavish hotels and full-service day spas spanning Orange County. Spa enthusiasts are spoiled for choice, with so many different flavors of high-end interiors, signature treatments, elaborate services, retail areas and, often, swanky snacks served in cafés and solariums.

However, Facial Lounge offers a different kind of Southern California wellness retreat. Located in the middle of Back Bay Center, a crisp, white wood, beach house-inspired structure with several wellness-driven businesses, it offers visitors a fun, approachable way to enjoy the fabled Orange County lifestyle as its regular customers do. Unlike the more formal Orange County retreat spots tailored for a one-off day of indulgence, the Back Bay location presents high-end services and skincare with an approach that bridges local color with a solid menu of excellent facials, massages and other related services.

© Elyse Glickman

Founded in 2000 by Amber Johnson, Facial Lounge’s original Corona Del Mar location quietly gained a national buzz in the likes of Forbes, Vogue and The New York Times for custom-developed skin care treatments with organic and vegan products and regimens administered by the personable staff. It also doesn’t hurt it offers its gluten-free and vegan unisex skincare line that is custom formulated rather than outsourced from a private label manufacturer.

“When I started Facial Lounge, I wanted to create an atmosphere of fierce love and support not just for my clients, but for employees as well,” explained Amber Johnson, CEO/founder, on the website. “I absolutely love to see the changes that can occur in both our client’s skin and confidence as they continue treatments with us. Our customers are an extension of our family.”

© Elyse Glickman

At its heart, Facial Lounge’s second locale is a friendly neighborhood spa that just happens to have a national reputation for good services and good vibes, with its cheerful and beachy décor to its kind, intuitive aestheticians, to its playfully packaged but purposeful skincare line. The new location adjoins Coffee Dose, a quirky coffee house offering regular and vegan eats and treats; K V Nails & Spa for manicures; and Back Bay Fitness. The center also gets its name from a popular hiking trail and nature preserve area that epitomizes Orange County’s outdoor appeal.

Facial Lounge at Back Bay Center

2651-2675 Irvine Ave.
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
tel 949 209 0059