Our Experts

We combine the best products with the best education so that you get even better results. Our professional contributors – selected for their deep expertise and outstanding reputation in their fields – have graciously agreed to share their top skincare and beauty tips with us, and they're completely objective. We’re very grateful to these distinguished experts who have contributed their knowledge to Ayla. Here are their bios: as you’ll see, it’s an amazing group, and it’s an honor to be able to share their expert advice with you.

Our Resident Facialist

Sarah Iveson, LE

Sarah is a natural and non-toxic beauty pioneer in addition to having one of the most soothing spirits we know. She first became fascinated with holistic approaches to skincare when she trained in depth at a holistic pharmacy with highly regarded European health and beauty brands in the early 2000s — long before natural beauty was the broader force that it is now.

Sarah became a licensed esthetician in 2007 and soon became known for her stellar facial treatments and relaxing facial massage techniques at a celebrity makeup artist studio in San Francisco. We speak from experience when we say that her glow-inducing oxygen facials are reason enough to book repeat visits, but she’s also such fun to hang out with that it’s hard to leave our cozy room when your treatment is over. She also constantly astounds us with her depth of knowledge of all things skincare.
In her free time, Sarah dabbles in photography and floral design — hobbies that enhance her knack for esthetics and her ability to pick not only the most effective skincare products for your specific concerns, but also what might be the perfect lipstick shade for your date night. 

Sarah is available for facials at Ayla on Fridays and Saturdays.

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Our Resident Makeup Artist

Melissa McMillan

Melissa McMillan is a professional makeup artist in San Francisco. She has worked with a variety of makeup and skincare brands including NARS and Benefit — where she was chosen as their national brand ambassador and a national makeup trainer due to her artistry, product expertise, and warm personality. Melissa can put absolutely anyone at ease in the makeup chair, and she offers personal makeup lessons at the Ayla studio in San Francisco on select evenings and Saturdays. 

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Our Resident Hair Styling Expert

Bradley Crane

Bradley Crane has been cutting hair in San Francisco since 1990. He trained at the legendary salon Architects & Heroes; later, at Cowboys & Angels, he served as a senior stylist and led the salon's highly respected training program. Most recently, he ran Suite Five Salon (and fine art gallery) for 8 years. He has been featured in the New York Times, CNN, ABC7 News, Allure Magazine ("Best blow-dry in San Francisco"), and 7x7. He creates wash and ready wear looks for both men and women, working with the natural texture of the hair, and he's a master at breaking down styling techniques and teaching them to real people in real-world situations. From time to time, Bradley offers hair styling lessons at the Ayla studio in San Francisco that have been featured in The San Francisco Chronicle. To book a personal lesson with him, email help@aylabeauty.com

Our Contributors: Dermatologists (Skincare And Haircare Expertise)

Macrene Alexiades, MD, PhD

Dr. Alexiades, who holds a BA, MD, and PhD from Harvard, is a Diplomate of both the American and European Boards of Dermatology and Associate Clinical Professor at Yale University School of Medicine. She runs a dermatology, laser surgery and research center in Manhattan and a lab-based skin care research company. Dr. Alexiades has numerous publications and discoveries in the fields of basic science, dermatology and laser surgery. Her practice and academic work are focused on topical dermatologic anti-cancer and anti-aging therapies, laser technology and skin rejuvenation.

Diane S. Berson, MD

Diane S. Berson, MD is a Board Certified Dermatologist, an Associate Professor of Dermatology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University, and an Assistant Attending Dermatologist at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital. She has a private dermatology practice in New York City and is particularly interested in adult acne and hair loss. Widely regarded as one of the leading dermatologists in the United States, Dr. Berson is frequently featured in national print, broadcast, and online publications. She lectures regularly at national dermatology conferences and is on the editorial boards of Practical Dermatology, Journal of Drugs in Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery.

Jeannette Graf, MD

Jeannette Graf, MD is a Board Certified, Clinical and Research Dermatologist with a private practice in Great Neck, New York. While at the NIH, Dr. Graf was one of the first doctors to work with peptides; she continues to research innovative technologies and has been published in several scientific journals. Widely respected for her expertise and objectivity, she is regularly called upon by a number of leading drug and skincare companies to conduct independent clinical studies and forecast trends, and she’s a frequent guest on TV programs like The Early Show. Dr. Graf is also the author of the best-seller Stop Aging, Start Living.

Elizabeth K. Hale, MD

Elizabeth is a Board Certified Dermatologist and a Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology at the New York University School of Medicine, where she received the Surgical Attending of the Year Award in 2008. She specializes in Mohs micrographic surgery, dermatologic surgery, cosmetic dermatology, and laser surgery. Dr. Hale has lectured extensively on the detection and treatment of skin cancer, and she has published numerous articles and chapters in the field of dermatology. She has been quoted in top print and TV outlets, including Good Morning America.

Debra Jaliman, MD

Debra is a Board Certified Dermatologist, spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology, and Assistant Professor at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. She treats actors, models, and newscasters at her private practice in Manhattan, where she is always at the forefront of the latest skincare news, clinical updates, and emerging trends. An authoritative source in dermatology, Dr. Jaliman is frequently quoted in top print publications and featured on national TV shows including 20/20, Dateline, CBS News, NBC News, FOX News, and BBC News.

Peter Kopelson, MD

Peter Kopelson, MD is a Board Certified dermatologist specializing in cosmetic procedures and laser treatments. He has been in private practice in Beverly Hills, California since 1993, where he is known for his loyal following of both male and female Hollywood A-listers. Peter is well-respected by his peers for his extensive training and experience and valued by his patients in the entertainment business for his trust and discretion. Dr. Kopelson has been featured in top print publications including Men’s Health, Women’s Health, and W.

 

Amy Wechsler, MD

Amy Wechsler, MD is one of only two physicians in the country board-certified in both dermatology and psychiatry. She is well known for her unique approach - administering traditional practices only after thoroughly understanding her patients’ emotional state of mind and the impact it is having on the outer surface. Equally respected by her peers and her patients, Dr. Wechsler is the author of The Mind-Beauty Connection and is frequently called upon by the media to demystify complicated dermatological topics. She's been featured on the Today Show and the Dr. Oz Show, as well as extensively in print publications.

Our Contributors: Nutritionists

Ian Marber

Ian is one of the most respected and best-known nutrition experts in the UK. He founded The Food Doctor, a nutritional consultancy that quickly became a top nutrition practice in London and developed a best-selling range of healthy foods. He has published 11 books on the subject of nutrition and is a frequent contributor to Britain’s leading magazines, newspapers, and radio stations. He also appears frequently on television and has his own series on the Discovery Health channel.

Our Contributors: Facialists

Julia March

Julia is a skin care therapist who specializes in facials exclusively. From June 2000 until July 2002 she was the senior aesthetician at one of the most prestigious salons in NYC, where she offered treatments to celebrities, models and editors including Brigitte Hill, Eva Herzigova, Liv Tyler, and Miranda Brooks. She began her own practice in Soho in September 2002. Her philosophy of beauty reduces to one principle: beauty is a process of de-stressing and rejuvenation that covers the whole being, including the body, the mind, and the soul. When all three aspects are in harmony, the client looks good on the outside and feels good on the inside, resulting in skin that glows with renewed radiance.

Lori Anderson

Lori, an aesthetician who has had her own skin care practice since the late 1990s, has been widely reviewed as one of the best facialists in San Francisco. Her approach is one that balances science and common sense: Lori's medical background as a paramedic helps to inform her choices and philosophy towards skin care. She prides herself on providing her clients with customized facials and an experience that is completely comfortable, relaxing, and warm.

Kristina Holey

Kristina Holey is a skin care specialist with a focus on the scientific and holistic processes of the body. Her training includes an apprenticeship with renowned Parisian skin expert, Joelle Ciocco, in addition to a period of study at the ISIPCA (Institut Supérieur International des Parfums, Cosmétiques et Arômes Alimentaires), one of the world’s most prestigious fragrance and cosmetics schools. The unique pairing of her scientific background in chemistry and cosmetic formulation, California roots, and French training enables Kristina to provide effective treatments as well as expert advice on skin routines, body awareness and overall wellness.

Our Contributors: Hair Stylists

Josh Rosebrook

Josh Rosebrook has officially been a hair stylist for 17 years...although he did open up his first salon at the age of 10 in his parents' basement. He currently has a private salon in Los Angeles that's frequented by celebrity customers (he won't mention their names, but we will: Ellen de Generes and Olivia Wilde, to name just a couple). A natural-products enthusiast and skin care expert as well, Josh has developed an eponymous line of hair care products that are as good for the scalp as they are for the hair itself.