It’s been five years since my last facial.
You know it’s bad when the HR head/salon manager/MB mama bear presses you to just make a trip into the city for a spa day. Yes, I work for a skincare brand—not to mention one of the top names in the facials game—so please don’t chastise me any more than my aesthetician already has. She was sweet about it, though. Kind of like your second-favorite aunt would be when noticing the extra five pounds you’ve put on since she saw you last Christmas: Enough to make you get your shit together, but not enough to cry about it over an entire Bûche de Noël.
Sweet, straightforward Maria.
I’m writing this one day post-facial and my skin has visibly cleared up. For context, my skin was not in the best condition when I laid out on her chair—a result of aging (I have pores where I’ve never had them before!), horrible diet (late night pizza), stress (adulthood, man), and insomnia (I got it from my mama). If you still need convincing, know that regular facials are crucial for skin health. You make bi-annual or yearly checkups with your GP, eye doctor, dentist, gyno, etc.—so why shouldn’t the same check-up philosophy be applied to your skin? It’s the largest organ on your body and faces and receive a daily beating from harsh weather, pollution, makeup, etc. and thus require a deep clean and treatment. If you can’t plump for one every 2-3 months (and realistically, who has time to?), aim for one at least once a year. It’s worth every penny.
Granted, I work for Mario Badescu, but the proof is in the pudding the difference in the clarity of my T-zone is pretty incredible. Here’s what Maria did on my face:
EUROPEAN FACIAL
This is Mario Badescu’s signature treatment that involves a no-frills-all-business cleanse, steaming, extractions, and mask. The extractions are no joke (and my favorite part because I’m a masochist), but you’ll emerge with skin smooth and clear as can be. There’s good reason why the European Facial part of Mario Badescu’s claim to fame, second only to the Drying Lotion; its sheer efficacy is keeps celebs, editors, and models worldwide coming back.
And it’s only $65. You read right. Sixty. Five. Dollars. I’m not going to tell you how to live your life, but you get a much greater return on investment when you put your bones towards a facial than when you buy lunch for a week instead of packing it. Do you, boo-boo. But don’t say I never told you.
SUPERFICIAL PEELING TREATMENT
It sounds a lot more aggressive than it is—it’s actually the gentler of two exfoliating masks, my aesthetician said. Because I went so long without getting a facial, this one was necessary to help remove five years’ worth of dead skin cell buildup without being harsh on skin. Gross, but necessary. My face is nearly as smooth as a baby’s bottom right now.
VITAMIN C TREATMENT.
This is one of the best-selling facial treatments in the salon. It’s custom-made to suit your skin type (this one includes berries, Maria said) and is applied all over the face, concentrating on the areas between the brows and around the mouth to help prevent elevens and laugh lines.
It feels incredible. Plus, it comes off as one solid piece. I was too embarrassed to ask Maria if I could take a picture, but my inner kid was pretty excited about having a mold of my face.
. . .
In the tri-state area? Book an appointment today.
xx
Your turn. Thoughts?