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Aromatherapy Facial
Praba Salon
For
those New Yorkers who "don't go above 57th street" or
"travel to the Upper East Side," the time has come to branch
out, and Praba Salon is the reason. Just one year after
opening, this Asian-Indian inspired beauty salon and spa (Praba
is a sanskrit word for light and radiance.) certainly knows
what they're doing. Located on Third Avenue between 99th and 100th Street,
Praba Salon is small and peaceful. This spa offers an array of
services from threading to waxing; facials to massages; and special spa
packages that are reasonably priced and well worth the trip uptown.
Upstairs,
Praba Salon has a very far east feel. Indian inspired clothing,
jewelry, jewelry boxes, purses and gift baskets are on display and
available for
purchase. I snagged a great pair of chandelier earrings for under
$20.
Downstairs, where most treatments are done has a
more Tibetan
vibe, with soft music playing and scented candles. You definately
forget you're in New York. I especially loved the textures
downstairs as the walls were covered with beautiful Indian silk-scarf
like material in rich, vibrant colors.
Praba
is more than just a full service spa. It allows you to look and feel beautiful and to accessorize with
exotic
items. And ladies we all know how hard it is to find great original
jewelry at a reasonable price.
For me,
Praba Salon was all about the
Aromatherapy Facial. I am always asking myself when trying a new spa
facial, "Will I be red and blotchy?", "Will I have an allergic
reaction to the creams used?" I have an extremely sensitive
skin and I'm often nervous getting facials. As soon as I walked in to Praba
Salon my
tears subsided when I filled out an information sheet about my face and
then my facialist evaluated my skin type prior to treatment, putting me at ease.
Praba Salon stands out because they actually do evaluate
your skin and specifically pick out the essential oils that work for your skin type.
So
each facial is different depending on the face. They use Christine Valmy
beauty products. These beauty products use only plant extracts from
plants that have been grown under controlled conditions, which make them
more potent and better for your skin. The oils are also homeopathic and
work holistically, so they aren't heavy. They don't clog or weigh
down your pores. For my skin we used the Christine Valmy "Fifth
Avenue Lane," which was loaded with plant extracts, vitamins and
amino acids. These oils help severe dry skin and dark spots which I
unfortunately have.
We
began with a deep cleansing of my face using four different creams,
followed by a light massage that stimulated the pores. Steam was used to
help extract the blackheads and we then began exfoliation using other
essential oils and creams. All the products were very hydrating. Never
once did my face feel rough. It felt refreshed. After my exfoliation they
used something called a "Mummy Mask," which was my favorite
part, instead of making me feel like if I moved I would crack my face.
My mask was quite soothing and left my skin firm. I've always been insecure
about the blackheads I have on my nose and chin, but after the
aromatherapy facial, my blackheads were gone and my pores were clean.
I
left Praba with my
skin looking and feeling moist. It had a glow about it, which made me
feel like a million bucks and I didn't have to spend that much. So take it from me; get in a cab or hop
on the subway and see for yourself that Praba Salon is a great new
affordable spa. It is worth your time and your skin will thank you.
Kathy
Searle
spa-nyc.com
learn
more about Praba Salon
Tips
for a visit to Praba Salon:
- Although the salon is very affordable, bring some extra cash because you
will want some Jewerly.
- Ask your facialist to write down which oils are the best for your skin
type. Knowledge is beautiful.
- If you’re happy with this, or any other salon service, tip at least
15-20%.
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