Winter is a time of year when skin – the body’s largest organ – can really take a beating, particularly our lovely mugs, which are likely to be the only portion of ourselves exposed on a brutal day. With that in mind, WAG has been on a quest for face-time, so to speak, at various area spas. (Yes, we know: It’s a tough job but someone has to do it.)
Recently, we had the pleasure of savoring facials at the Sisley Paris Boutique in Greenwich Village and the Clarins Skin Spa at Bloomingdale’s White Plains – complementary experiences that addressed two of women’s major beauty concerns, moisturizing and tightening.
Both spas offer relaxing environments. At the Sisley Paris Boutique on Bleecker Street, a cozy, pastel-colored shop, we enjoyed tea and sympathy with representative Linda Ortiz and makeup artist Natalia Acosta before slipping into a terrycloth wrap and a warm bed in a treatment room enveloped by New Age sounds, courtesy of Pandora.
Given Clarins’ vibrant red and white palette, we were more aware of the treatment room off the cosmetics department on the main floor of Bloomingdale’s White Plains. But it, too, enveloped us in warmth and serenity, accompanied by a Bach soundtrack.
But there the similarities ended, in part because Sisley and Clarins use different techniques to apply their products.
At Sisley, aesthetician Albina Maryasin used short, gentle brush strokes with her fingers to slough off many of the botanical products – Lyslait Cleansing Milk; Floral Toning Lotion, La Crème Gommante, an anti-aging exfoliant; Black Rose Cream Mask; Eye Contour Mask; Sisleÿa Global Firming Serum, Anti-Age Cream, Eye & Lip Contour Cream and Anti-Aging Concentrate Firming Body Care (facials delightfully include attention to the hands and feet); and Supremÿa Baume, an anti-aging night cream.
Rarely, have I felt more moisturized, glowing and protected as I headed out into winter’s harsh elements.
At Clarins, aesthetician Karlene Aarons used “The Clarins Touch” – a gentle press and release technique – to apply products that were warmed by her fingertips. They included Cleansing Milk with Alpine Herbs; Extra Comfort Toning Lotion with Aloe; Gentle Refiner Exfoliating Cream; Double Serum – Clarins signature product; the Super Restorative Serum and Day Cream; Total Eye Concentrate; Super Restorative Decolleté & Neck Concentrate; UV Plus SPF 40 Sunscreen Multi Protection and Hand and Nail Treatment Cream.
The result was an instant facelift. We felt toned, tightened and taut – in all the right ways.
We left both spas with generous goody bags to continue our experience at home. And while we doubt that we could ever replicate Albina’s and Karlene’s expertise, we know the memories will warm and soothe us all winter long.
For more on the accomplished, aristocratic family behind Sisley Paris, click on to http://www.wagmag.com/distinctively-sisley/. And for more on what Clarins and Sisley have to offer the guys – yes, it’s not just about us ladies – look for February WAG’s “Celebrating Love” issue next week.- Georgette Gouveia
