From the moment we stepped onto the High Street in Alderley Edge, there was a quiet sense of anticipation. The village has that polished, Cheshire charm, understated yet unmistakably luxurious, and it felt entirely fitting that this was where William Foley, the celebrity facialist everyone seems to be talking about, had built his sanctuary.
We were warmly received as soon as we entered the Wellness One clinic, with the space feeling calm and beautifully curated, elegant without being intimidating.
Almost immediately, we were shown through to a private consultation room where William himself greeted us, his presence is gentle and grounded with no ego, just genuine warmth and an unmistakable passion for skin.
Before any treatment began, he took us through a detailed questionnaire about our skin including concerns, lifestyle, what wasn’t working, and what needed to change. It wasn’t rushed. In fact, it felt more like a wellness consultation than a typical beauty appointment.
William’s whole philosophy centres around a wellness approach. Skin, he explained, is interlinked with nutrition, fitness, stress levels and longevity. “It’s never just about what you put on the skin,” he said “It’s about how you live.”
Listening to his story only deepened our appreciation for his approach. He began 17 years ago, initially training in personal fitness after school before branching into holistic therapy, acne specialism, wellness and health. After college, he worked at Harvey Nichols in Manchester with ESPA, refining his skills before moving to London, where he worked in Harrods and Harvey Nichols, immersed in the world of high-end beauty.
Eight years ago, when aesthetics began to surge in popularity, he worked alongside surgeons and dermatologists, gaining clinical insight. Yet, despite the prestige, he chose to leave the corporate world to create something of his own, a holistic practice built on integrity and standards. He went on to win Professional Beauty Therapist of the Year and, notably, became the only male BA Cosmetology graduate to receive the award. From working with one celebrity client, word spread organically and now clients regularly travel from London to Cheshire to see him, and he even runs a London residency each spring.
The treatment itself was exquisite. Every step, cleanse, tone, serum, moisturise, felt intentional and gentle. Nothing harsh, nothing aggressive. His hands worked with precision and calm assurance.
For William, it’s about skin longevity and mid-face structural support rather than chasing injectables or quick fixes. “The language around aesthetics is changing,” he explained. “It’s about long-term programmes, strengthening the skin, not overnight transformations.”
One of the most memorable additions was 25 minutes under red light therapy, using the Dermalux Tri Wave MD, the most powerful LED phototherapy device in the world, which elevated the experience beyond skincare into holistic balance.
William spoke passionately about global influences, biohacking in Switzerland, Sweden and the USA, spiritual practices in Asia, all feeding into his philosophy of longevity and wellbeing. He recently launched his own skincare brand and continues to build his team and clinic with impressive standards and with a spring residency in Ibiza, the year looks to be shaping up nicely.
As we left, skin glowing and feeling genuinely fresh rather than overworked, we understood why his reputation continues to grow. It isn’t just a facial. It’s a conversation about health, strength and caring for your skin for life.
