Not all allergies are created equal. Last week we were invited to Smooth Synergy in New York City to test out a treatment touted as having the ability to not only sculpt your face, but also de-puff the eyes, clear sinuses and reduce allergies. We sent Dina, Spa Week Account Manager and sneezer extraordiare, to decide if the CelluM6 Integral Machine at Smooth Synergy was the real deal. Here’s her recap:

I’m almost 30, and my eyes are the only thing that are showing my age (or so I tell myself). I also have epic allergies that make my eyes puffy and baggy most mornings. In other words, my eyes are doing wonders for my appearance.

Enter the Endermolift treatment at Smooth Synergy in Manhattan. It’s the only place in the city that offers this de-puffing and contouring, complexion-reviving and lymph node-draining treatment using the CelluM6 Integral machine.

Endermolift is designed to target different problem areas, which means the treatment can be used to tone your neck, sculpt your cheekbones, even slim down a double chin. But when it came to my choice of problem area  – the eyes had it.

My 20 minute-long session with Tamara and the CelluM6 Integral, left me looking visibly refreshed and younger. My cheeks were plumped, my bags diminished, and my around-the-eye wrinkles made less visible. Added bonus: my sinuses felt relieved, too. Amazing.

How does it work? The machine gently delivers “micro-beats” into the problem area. These micro-beats stimulate cells and kick-start their natural production of collagen and elastin.

CelluM6 Integral in action - the difference around the eyes was noticeable!

Smooth Synergy suggests weekly treatments in order to see the best possible benefits and offers special bundled pricing (such as one free treatment when you buy six.) Their prices range from $120 for the eye treatment up to  $200 for a complete face, neck and décolleté anti-aging treatment.

The stress from Lindsay Lohan’s  stint in jail is taking a toll on Dina and Ali, so much so that the duo needed to take a day to unwind at the spa. There were no visitors allowed this weekend at the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood, California. While Lindsay probably spent most of her day twiddling her thumbs in a 4 foot cell, mom and sis were treated to a relaxing spa day by a complete stranger. An eyewitness at Raya European Day Spa in L.A. claimed another client footed the bill.  “Some random guy, a stranger, at the spa paid for them. He said it was because you’ve been through so much. ”

Image Courtesy of Socialite Life

What could be better than a massage?
Two massages at once.

And what could be better than two massages at once?
Two massages at once, in which both masseurs are 6′3, tan and chiseled with sharp jaw lines and indecipherable European accents. In loin cloths.

This was the delusional hope for my Four-Handed massage at Graceful Services Spa in NYC, but the reality was just as fantasy-like. Grace herself, the owner of Graceful Services, specifically recommended I am taken into the (many) hands of their 2 finest, strongest therapists. Introducing Jeff and David:

During a Four-Handed Massage, two massage therapists manipulate the muscles of the body simultaneously; concentrating on the areas at different extremes of your body. Oftentimes one therapist will work deeply on an area of pain, such as the shoulders or lower back, while the other continues to massage the rest of the body.

I was prepped for my treatment by being told that my therapists speak very little English, so if there were any requests or specific areas to focus on, I should tell the  in advance. I was also told that in a Four-Handed Massage, the therapists sometimes have to chat with one another to coordinate motions and discuss your body’s needs. I was assured that any chatting would NOT be about a football game after work, or more importantly, anything inappropriate about me.

The massage, in a word: MINDBLOWING. It was a literal double-your-pleasure situation, so much so that I didn’t even mind it only being 25 minutes long. Jeff concentrated on my upper half: back, neck and head, while David focused on my legs and lower half: legs, glutes and feet. The knots in my back were thoroughly addressed, my legs felt immediately revitalized, and the deep scalp massage at the end hit all the right chords. Eastern and western techniques combines for a perfect package.

For modest spa-goers, this may not be the best choice of treatment, especially with two men. There was the occasional adjusting of towels that exposed me almost entirely at times. Perhaps to make room for all the hands. Personally, I felt completely comfortable because I know the goals of massage therapists are for their clients’ benefit and enjoyment only. But if you’re shy or new to massages, save this one for another time.

As someone who receives massages fairly regularly, I must say that this one really put the TREAT in treatment. Graceful Services is a friendly, no-fuss facility that delivers exquisite, professional wellness services for a reasonable price. They specialize in massage, and their combination of traditional Chinese deep tissue massage including Swedish and Shiatsu techniques, enriched with the power of “Qi”. I would absolutely visit them again to de-stress after a long week of work.

Right now, you can get a one-hour Four-Handed Massage for $120 (Regularly $140).

Graceful Services
1095 2nd Avenue, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10022
212.593.9904

It’s exactly what it sounds like. A facial for your vagina. Until Vajazzling hit the scene, vaginas everywhere felt left out of the spa circuit… but no more. 2010 is officially their year. For the non-bedazzled, minimalist approach to making your lady bits shine, the spa treatment you need to get on your radar is: The Bum/Bikini Facial. Especially during the summertime, bumps, redness and ingrowns on your bikini line should be treated with the same care and attention as the skin on your face.

Sound creepy and weird? Here at Spa Week Daily we seek to deliver the most candid looks inside all sorts of spa treatments, and today is your day to learn all about this below-the-belt beauty ritual sweeping the nation. Here’s a preview:

This spa treatment, officially called The Bikini/Bum Facial, works to minimize the damage from continual trauma from a bad wax, excessive shaving and ingrown hairs resulting in discoloration, scarring, and hyper-pigmentation causing a “shadow” effect. The treatment also treats acne, age spots and rough skin on the buttocks, ensuring that skin looks flawless in even the most itsy-bitsy of bikinis. At the end of the treatment, skin feels baby-smooth to the touch. $135 at Completely Bare Spa.

We’ll be exploring the 5 steps to achieve a southern region as smooth as a baby’s bum.

Step 1: Cleansing the area

Step 2: Crystal Microdermabrasion – exfoliates dead skin and scars of ingrown hairs, shadowing caused by skin being pulled during waxing sessions

Step 3: Steaming – to help with the extractions of ingrown hairs and acne, as well as open pores

Step 4: Soothing Organic Mask – to close the pores and balance the skin

Step 5: LED Light Therapy – Green LED reduces melanoma production and pigmentation. Blue LED prevents bacteria and acne. Yellow LED detoxifies.

Watch the live-recorded action at Completely Bare Spa. (SFW – promise!)

SPA NEWBIE

If you were to look up the definition of a spa newbie, a picture of my shiny, porous face would be perched right under the example phrase. I’ve had problems with my skin for years– pimples, break-outs, dry skin and oily skin. I’d buy face washes, toners, and scrubs… but after working the regimens for several weeks without results, I’d just give up. Ironically, a facial at a spa seem to be the last choice. That was until I started interning at Spa Week… and visited La Peau Day Spa for my first facial.

THE DIAMOND FACIAL

It was intense to say the least! After a much needed cleanse and steaming, my facialist Joy massaged my face with cream in all different directions. Then she started the diamond peel, aimed at tackling all my troublesome acne problems. After, I was given a neck and back massage, a pleasant surprise. Then Joy applied a cold mask which hardened while I drifted off into a relaxing afternoon nap.

THE BIG SQUEEZE

My spa experience came to an end with painful extractions. Although it wasn’t included, Joy reassured me that I needed it. The peel itself would only take care of the little bumps and pimples, but I needed the extractions to get rid of the big ones, full of bacteria. I definitely didn’t want dirt left in my face, so I let Joy do the extractions. While it was a painful experience (it felt like someone using the end of a wire hanger to tug at my skin) I definitely needed it. The results were instantaneous.

EXTRACTION WARS!

There’s been much debate about extractions: Should they come with your facial or if it should be an add-on treatment? Melisse from Well + Good NYC looks deep into the debate, speaking to estheticians on both sides of the coin. My extractions did not come with the treatment, but I didn’t mind because it was worth and made such a big difference. Then again, if it’s so essential, they should just include it!

Do you think extractions should be included in the treatment? Read more and weigh in on the extraction wars HERE.

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