Interview | Michele Henry of Face Foundrié

Michele Henry has spent the last six years redefining what modern aesthetics looks like: fast, accessible, and designed for real life. Since launching Face Foundrié in 2019, she’s scaled it into the world’s largest chain of focused facial bars, with 65 US locations and nearly 125 more in development.

A natural entrepreneur, Michele’s journey started long before Face Foundrié. After earning dual degrees in business and apparel design from the University of St. Thomas, she launched fashion boutique Primp with just $8,000 during the recession, growing it into a multimillion-dollar business before exiting to build Face Foundrié.

Now, alongside the expansion of Face Foundrié, Michele continues to help push the industry forward — most recently with the launch of Savant Aesthetics Institute, focused on shaping the next generation of aestheticians.

In our interview, Michele shared how a gap in the market turned into one of the fastest-growing names in aesthetics, why a consistent routine beats a complex one, and what’s next for the future of facials.

What inspired you to launch Face Foundrié?

I was a busy mom and entrepreneur who genuinely loved facials but couldn’t justify the time or cost of a traditional spa experience. I kept thinking: why isn’t there a place focused only on the face? The blowout bar model had completely disrupted hair, and I saw the same white space in skincare. People were investing more in their skin than ever, but the options were either clinical and intimidating or spa-like and less accessible. I wanted to build something that felt elevated yet approachable — a place you could visit regularly, not just for a special occasion.

What has been the biggest challenge or surprise in launching Face Foundrié?

Honestly, the speed of growth surprised me most. I knew the concept resonated, but watching franchisees step into this vision and make it their own across so many different markets has been humbling and sometimes overwhelming in the best way. The challenge has been building the infrastructure to support that growth without losing the soul of what makes Face Foundrié special. Scaling a culture is much harder than scaling a business model.

What has been the biggest highlight?

Hearing from clients who say their skin has genuinely transformed and that they finally feel confident in their skin without a full face of makeup. That never gets old. On the business side, seeing our franchisees (many of whom are first-time business owners) thrive has been incredibly meaningful. We’re not just building a beauty brand; we’re creating a pathway for entrepreneurship, and that feels significant.

What advice would you give to those wanting to launch their own beauty business?

Find your white space and own it completely. The beauty industry is crowded, but there’s always room for a concept that solves a real problem in a new way. Don’t try to be everything to everyone; the more specific your focus, the more powerful your brand becomes. Get comfortable with discomfort early. Every stage of growth will ask something new of you, and the entrepreneurs who thrive are the ones who stay curious instead of defensive.

What’s next for Face Foundrié?

We’re continuing to grow our franchise footprint across the country while deepening our product and treatment offerings so clients get even more personalized results. I’m really excited about the intersection of technology and skincare. Think smarter skin assessments, results tracking, and membership experiences that truly meet people where they are in their skin journey. The future of Face Foundrié is about making expert skincare feel like a non-negotiable part of everyday life, not a luxury.

What does your daily beauty routine look like?

I keep it intentional but efficient, which is very on-brand for me. Mornings are all about protection: a good cleanser, layered serums (like our Blue Stuff), moisturizer, and EltaMD SPF without fail. At night, I focus on repair — retinol a few nights a week, night cream, and gua sha with oil — always followed by a 15-minute red light session before bed. And of course, I’m getting regular facials. I practice what I preach. Consistency is everything in skincare — the big dramatic products mean nothing without the daily habits.

What are three beauty products or treatments you can’t live without?

Outside of my monthly facials, I absolutely love red light therapy, use Rini makeup wipes daily, and religiously practice gua sha in the sauna to help with lymphatic drainage.

What’s the best beauty advice you’ve been given?

• SPF daily, no matter what.
• A gallon of water a day.
• Monthly facials.

What person or brand would you love to collaborate with?

I deeply admire what La La Land is building in the spirit of kindness.

For a collaboration, the dream team would be the Giggly Squad. With an office full of Gigglers, we could be their go-to for preventive skincare.

What’s not getting the attention it deserves in the aesthetics industry right now?

The skin barrier. Everyone is chasing the next active ingredient or the most aggressive treatment, and we’ve created a culture of over-exfoliation and over-treatment that’s actually working against people. A compromised barrier leads to sensitivity, breakouts, and accelerated aging — the very things people are trying to fix. I’d love to see the industry shift toward education around barrier health and the power of doing less, consistently, rather than more, dramatically.

Face Foundrié is available exclusively in the US. To find your nearest bar, visit facefoundrie.com.