Leslie Blix and Nick Doneff launched the first Houston area The Only Facial in The Woodlands in May. (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)
Founded by a group of women in St. Louis, Missouri, in 2017, the skincare company has expanded with over 20 locations nationwide and launched its first Houston area location this May in The Woodlands with franchisees Leslie Blix and Nick Doneff.
On May 26, co-owners Blix and Doneff held a soft opening and provided complimentary services to 120 members of the local nonprofit group, Memorial Hermann's Canopy Cancer Survivorship Center at The Woodlands. The organization offers a variety of programs for individuals affected by cancer.
“I hope to be most known for providing an amazing experience, an amazing facial that is attainable for every individual,” Blix said.
Leslie Blix and Nick Doneff, owners of The Only Facial's location in The Woodlands, are residents of The Woodlands area. (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)
Meet the owners
Blix said from the moment she learned about the opportunity to become an owner of The Only Facial in The Woodlands, she felt compelled to take it on.
Both The Woodlands area residents, Blix and Doneff said they have always enjoyed being a part of the community and have been participants of several events including The Woodlands Wine Walk and Ladies of the Vine. When starting out as owners of The Only Facial in The Woodlands, the two said they were ecstatic to further engage with the community.
While Blix first joined the community as a Sam Houston State University accounting professor at The Woodlands Campus, Doneff has planted his roots as a Realtor in the area.
“I always say I accidentally ended up in one of the best places in America,” Doneff said. “We just instantly fell into the community because we would walk and bike and take the trolley and walk along the waterway and ... it was easy to fall in love with, because we ended up in the right spot.”
Moving forward, Blix and Doneff said they plan to continue with their partnership with the Canopy and further extend their partnerships.
The Only Facial offers five private rooms to provide an relaxing experience for customers. (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)
What they offer
Along with a staff of five estheticians, The Only Facial offers two facial options, including a teen facial focusing on problematic skin, and the company’s signature facial consisting of several steps customized to each unique skin type and concern.
Upon entering the establishment, customers are warmly greeted and taken to a private room where they can unwind and fully experience their self care treatment, Blix said. After their tailored treatments, clients pay from the comfort of a private room. Upon exiting, customers are provided with a beauty bar where they can refresh and have a quick touch-up before leaving.
The Only Facial offers a beauty bar where customers can have a quick touch-up before leaving. (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)
Each facial is set at a standard price of $155 and includes gratuity, Blix said.
Signature facials include an 11 step process including:
A cleanse
Brow shaping
Dermaplaning
Microdermabrasion
Chemical peel/enzyme exfoliation
Massage
Extractions
LED light therapy
Microcurrent/high frequency treatment
A treatment mask
Hydration/SPF
The Only Facial gift cards come with a complimentary gift box. (Jovanna Aguilar/Community Impact)
Blix and Doneff said they refrain from partnering with other specific skincare brands and do not push products onto their clients.
“We want our estheticians' goals to align with the customers' and clients' goals, not for their sales goals, " Blix said. “We just want it to be a ‘wow,’ relaxing experience, and something that they know that every month they can come ... and they're not going to have to worry about—is the price going to change, or is the experience going to change? We always just want to provide that ‘wow’ experience every single time.”
The St. Louis-based company also has its sights in Katy, where it plans to open by August.
2520 Research Forest Drive, Ste. 400, The Woodlands
