Sunday, September 12, 2010

A Sisley Facial - The Ultimate Luxury

This year, two Sisley aestheticians have treated me to one-hour complimentary facials. At some Sisley locations, including the two Neiman Marcus stores in my area, Sisley's experts offer their customers this ultimate luxury - an hour of skin pampering with Sisley's extraordinary skin care. Victoria Hamilton at Mazza Gallerie treated me last week, and I want to tell you about the experience. I can't do that, though, without also telling you that Simone Noorestani at Tysons Galleria has also given me two facials this year. Both of these lovely ladies know how to make a customer feel very special!

There are facials, and then there are facials. My skin won't tolerate the kind of facial that involves picking, prodding, rigorous massage, or other tortuous procedures. As a result, when I was first offered a Sisley facial, I demurred. I didn't want to end up a red, blotchy mess. Silly me I should have known a Sisley pro wouldn't do that to me!

My skin loves the Sisley approach - cleansing, exfoliation, masks, light massage, and moisture, the essential elements of a Sisley facial. In the process, your neck, arms, and hands get a little TLC too. After lying on a comfy table in a darkened room, with soothing music, and a healing touch for an hour, I leave a new woman - calm and without a care in the world.

Sisley's aestheticians select the products they use during a facial based on your skin type and concerns. My Sisley friends know me well, so they never have to ask. They always cleanse my skin with Lyslait Cleansing Milk with White Lily, a rich, delicate cleanser that I use at home. It leaves the skin soft and glowing. It's perfect for dry and sensitive skin. A follow-up with Botanical Floral Toning Lotion, rich in rose, cornflower, and witch hazel extracts, tones the skin and prepares it for the treatments that follow.

Because my skin is so thin, Sisley's pros usually exfoliate with Gentle Facial Buffing Cream, which scrubs away dead skin cells so gently. It leaves my skin gleaming.

I am usually so relaxed by this point that I can't tell you the exact order in which the next few products are applied. Sisley makes a massage cream with essential oils (that is customized to your skin type), and it's used to gently massage the face and neck. Victoria used the formula for sensitive skin on me last week. These products feel good and smell like an herb garden in bloom. Unfortunately, you can't purchase the massage creams. Sisley makes them specially for use in their facials.

The masks are always divine. Simone and Victoria have used different masks, both using Botanical Facial Mask with Linden Blossom, but Victoria mixing in another product to achieve two purposes. I'm always fascinated with their choices. Then there is Sisley's incomparable Eye Contour Mask - one that will reduce fine lines and puffiness. It works.

Last week, Victoria used an after-sun product on my arms and hands that I would never have thought to try. It was wonderfully cooling - a real treat. I think I need it.

Both use and love Sisleÿa Daily Line Reducer, an anti-wrinkle serum that uses natural plant-derived ingredients to increase the production of collagen and elastin. It contains white willow, wheat protein, and lavender, and like most of Sisley's botanical formulas, smells good as you apply it. Victoria also showed me how to apply the new Sisleÿa Global Firming Serum to firm the skin on the lower half of my face (under the cheekbones). No matter what treatment products they select, they always follow with a generous application of a moisturizer, often one of the Comfort Extreme Creams for me.

I could go on for several more paragraphs - what a heavenly experience. The fact that there is no charge and no pressure to purchase after the facial adds to the love! What I find hilarious is that they always offer to have someone apply makeup for me after the facial. Are we kidding? I want my skin to experience the sheer luxury of Sisley skin care, without color that I have to wash off before bed, taking my Sisley skin care with it. I go to sleep at night knowing that Sisley has my back - and my face!

Love you, Sisley, Victoria, and Simone!

If you have a Sisley counter near you, ask about this complimentary treat. You will find many of the Sisley products mentioned here reviewed if you use the "Search This Blog" feature on the right-hand side of the page.