The Joanna Vargas Triple Crown Facial Experience

Beauties, I have a confession to make...

I see... bad skin?

Since I am a beauty blogger, it comes as a shock to most people when I tell them that I have never, ever had a facial. Between the pain promised by the process of extraction, my lack of free time, and my lack of trust in most venues (oy, have I heard stories), I had assembled my own laundry list of excuses for avoiding the aesthetician's bed. For a while, this worked out for me; as I am fortunate in that I have pretty good skin. Lately though, my face hasn't been behaving itself as per usual protocol. A list of volatile ingredients including manic weather, a harsh skin environment, and a heaping helping of stress came together, resulting in a minor case of skin distress. With that, I knew it was time to let go of my fears and take the facial plunge. When offered the opportunity to try the Joanna Vargas Triple Crown facial, I eagerly accepted.

For those who don't know her, Joanna Vargas is a brilliant facialist, sought after by many members of Manhattan's elite. After working for one of the top celebrity facialists in the world, Joanna decided to branch out and open up her own salon, catering to clients with her own developed brand of facials. Her techniques are completely non-invasive, leaving clients with glowing skin and none of the pain and irritation of traditional facials. Joanna's approach is completely holistic, and combines pure and organic skincare with the latest technology has to offer.

The space itself is fairly inconspicuous, and consists of a single treatment room nestled in a standard midtown apartment building. Stepping inside the boutique salon, I immediately felt like I had stumbled upon a mini oasis, far away from the craziness of the urban jungle. The spot was warm and inviting, with soft tranquil music playing overhead, and gauzy white curtains creating a serene ambiance. I entered the single treatment room and found it warm, comfortable, and inviting. Shedding my street clothes (along with my reservations), I happily donned the terry dress the salon provided, sat on the bed, and waited for the fun to begin.

With a soft knock as the door, Joanna entered the room, and I was immediately struck by how flawless and radiant she is. Her own skin is a reflection of her sparkling personality, and of her immense skill. Lying on that bed, I knew that I was in the best of hands, her soft voice and light touch instantly putting me at ease. The process began with Joanna massaging an organic, soothing cleanser into my skin, melting all of my anxieties right along with the dirt trapped on my face. She then followed up with gentle exfoliation via diamond tipped microdermabrasion machine, which gently smoothed out all the rough spots. A skincare analysis confirmed that my skin was in good shape for the most part, and with Joanna's advice I decided I would go for a radiance boost with her signature, The Triple Crown facial.

Veering slightly off the beaten path of the traditional facial, the Triple Crown's main feature is a device that delivers micro-currents to the surface of the skin, promoting collagen and elastin regeneration for a reduction in puffiness and wrinkles. The micro-currents sound scary, but I didn't feel more than a very faint tingle as the device traveled across the contours of my face. Halfway through, Joanna handed me a mirror to point out the differences in the treated vs untreated sides of my face. I looked into my own reflection and saw a significant reduction in puffiness, more prominent cheekbones, and a more toned looking appearance on the treated side. Proof of the facial's efficacy was looking right back at me, and we were only halfway done. After having finished with the microcurrent phase, the last step was a refreshing puff of vitamin spiked pure oxygen, designed to deposit nutrients into my skin while providing cooling refreshment and moisture. I left the salon with radiant, glowing, healthy skin and a more relaxed demeanor. It was official, I was hooked. I am so satisfied with the experience, and so thrilled with my glowing skin, that I know it won't be long before I go back for more.

Joanna Vargas Skin Care is located near Bryant Park. If you are looking for radiant skin, fine-tuned to its maximum potential, look no further than to the Joanna Vargas salon.