By: Elizabeth (Liz) Connolly, 889 Concierge
Hello 889ers! As many of you have noticed, much of my time is spent at the studio- working the concierge desk and practicing yoga! Last week, though, I walked through the doors of 889 for something different: an Essential Therapeutic Facial. Anyone who has had a facial here at 889 knows they’re divine. If you’ve considered having one but haven’t booked in, consider this an invitation to treat yourself. It is absolutely one of the most relaxing experiences you can find in the hustle and bustle of the city!
Let me explain why this is the case… Needless to say, I had really been looking forward to my own appointment. I booked myself in for a facial because lately my skin has been acting up- blackheads, whiteheads, dryness, breakouts- you name it! Like many of us, my skin doesn’t manage change very well, especially with all this back-and-forth weather we’ve been having. A fresh face was just what I needed to brave the rest of the winter. To get started, Pauline instructed me to get comfy, which was easy to do on the heated spa bed with plush cozy bedding! She asked if I had any concerns about my skin, assessing the situation and explaining to me how she would proceed. She also asked me if I had made any significant changes to my lifestyle- diet, sleep habits, etc.
This is what I love most about 889 facials- they are totally customized, and Pauline truly cares about keeping you informed about what impacts your skin!
The first half of the facial is the “Cleansing” portion, and the second half is the “Treatment”. My skin was quite congested, so Pauline used the REN cleanser and a refreshing Jojoba and Peppermint Micro-bead scrub before gently steaming open my pores to prep for extractions and removal of milia, or whiteheads with a tiny sterile needle. REN is the UK science-based clean skincare that is used in Essential Therapeutic Facial.
Once my skin was all cleaned up, it was time for the treatment portion. Pauline used REN’s Invisible Pores Detox Mask, which has a French clay base to decongest and tighten the pores, with Spirulina to detoxify the skin. While the mask set, I relaxed into a divine arm, shoulder, neck, and scalp massage. After about 10-15 minutes, the mask came off but the experience continued! Pauline chose a REN serum to use for a facial massage, which is great for circulation as it relaxes the muscles of the face. It can also be used for lymphatic drainage.
The meditation chime rang, signaling the end of my skincare spa experience. Already I was thinking about when I could come back! I left the studio with my skin feeling clean and balanced. When I came out of the treatment room, Pauline made some great suggestions for my skincare regime and diet going forward. She also gave me some product samples of the Sensitive line from REN, used in the Essential Therapeutic Facial. This was such a treat, that I’m thinking next time I’ll splurge on the 889 Luxury Therapeutic Facial which features Tammy Fender Skincare!
We bring so many Yoga and Wellness experts to our 889 community throughout the year. Our ‘Guest Blogger!’ is intended to share much of the abundant information and inspiration they bring to our community; to send it out, through our blog, even further into the universe!
