You probably know this about me if you are a regular reader, but I am a little bit of a pampering junkie. I didn’t start getting facials until my early thirties as I didn’t really need them and would have rather put the money toward a massage or a manicure/pedicure.
Oh how things change in as little as just a couple of years. The pores on my nose have gotten larger, and if I travel too much or even just have that extra glass of wine, the dehydration really shows the next day. For that reason I try to get a facial at least once every two months. For my blog, I have been fortunate enough to be invited in to so many amazing salons for some really extravagant treatments but that can be hard as those treatments aren’t always something I can regularly afford to do with my own money. I had also been craving a smaller, more intimate spa; something with more of a neighborhood feel. If I’m going every month or so, it’s really nice to feel like they recognize you and remember you.
Enter DAPHNE Studio… a cute little spa in Nolita on Broome Street that specializes in European skincare. I was first drawn in (full disclosure) when the salon’s publicist invited me in to experience the salon’s signature GLOW Treatment.
The GLOW is basically a non surgical face lift, with a slimming sudatonic body wrap. The facial left my skin super firm and de-puffed… and the body wrap made me really, really sweat. The sudatonic is said to burn between 1,500-3,500 calories – something I was skeptical about until I experienced it firsthand. Wow. It’s intense.
The aesthetician slathers your entire body in a special cream… paying extra attention to trouble spots (hello, inner thighs and love handles – this gets personal!!!) and then wraps you in plastic wrap and then the infrared blanket. You get hot. You sweat. A LOT. Like a lot. I probably sweat more than I have in my entire life, and I’ve run marathons before!
After the wrap I was obsessed. I had so much energy (and was incredibly hungry – in all seriousness, I felt as though I’d run ten miles, HA). My skin glowed for days (and was so much firmer – my jawline was super defined for days, and I swear I looked younger).
Of course, I had to go back. On my own dime, of course. I was obsessed with the sudatonic body wrap but felt like my money would be better spent on a deep cleansing facial vs. the face liftso on my second time back I went for the European facial, with the body wrap as an add-on.
What I love most about DAPHNE – the small, neighborhood vibe… the fact that they only use Biologique Recherche products (an amazing line from France which is SO hard to find in the US). I am now absolutely hooked on their PS 1970 Toner (more on that to come in a future beauty post, but it’s amazing – like a facial in a bottle). And maybe I am a masochist but I loved that the aesthetician did not fawn over my skin and tell me how beautiful it is, and blah blah blah. She made me feel a little bit ugly to be honest… but that’s what I want. If my aesthetician thinks I have perfect skin then we are not going to get anywhere. She immediately zeroed in on the clogged pores on my nose, the whiteheads I didn’t even realize I had at my jaw (probably from my phone, ew), and my need for regular exfoliation.
She poked and prodded and it wasn’t always comfortable but when I walked out, I was glowing, and my clogged pores were GONE. Consider me addicted. Whether you live in New York or are just visiting, it’s absolutely 100% worth popping by for a bit of pampering.
Also! I went and updated my New York Pampering Guide – it’s now up to date with all of my favorite spots.
The treatment sounds so luxurious. You’re lucky you had the opportunity to try it out!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
It’s incredible! But now I’m hooked! 😉
This sounds amazing – what a treat!
I hope you’ve had a lovely Wednesday,
Michael
https://www.mileinmyglasses.com
Thanks Michael, same to you!
Sounds amazing! Who did your facial? I want to go! 🙂
Jade! She is AMAZING!!! I went to another aesthetician the first time and she was great too but I loved Jade the most.
Thank you so much!! Def going to go. Love your blog and love your videos!!
Yay! Let me know what you think.
The body wrap sounds interesting. Have you ever been to a Korean spa? It is an intense experience and they really get up close and personal but OMG my skin has never been so soft.
If you come to San Francisco and want a facial, I highly recommend booking a facial with Justine, the owner of Skin Remedy (she books a couple months out). She has developed her own line of organic skincare products (Botnia) and while I have been seeing her for years and she helped me with chronic problems (hello rosacea) it wasn’t until I added using her line (goodbye Chanel and Clarins) into my routine that I have seen the most amazing results. And the spa is in a solar powered cottage on Sacramento Street and just lovely.
Oh wow – that sounds incredible! May have to book a flight to SF just to try it! 😉 Thank you for the rec!