The perfect facial is one of the most elusive beauty treatments I can think of. Aside from negotiating a multitude of products, treatment techniques, and aestheticians giving you all sorts of conflicting skin tips (to SPF or not to SPF? Gel exfoliant or scrub exfoliant?) -- it's sometimes difficult to really gauge the effectiveness of a facial. Case in point: I can't count the number of times I've discovered a new skincare line that adds a certain glow to my visage, only to wake up to an unsightly allergic reaction the next morning.

Oil & Water Skincare is a one-woman operation that's perfect for those on a quest for the perfect facial. Run by aesthetician Lisa Tabbush, a petite brunette with a slew of informative tips on skin upkeep (with perfect skin herself, to boot), Oil & Water is a cozy one-room salon in the industrial wasteland between the South of Market area and Mission district. -- Nirmala Nataraj