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Summer is
in full swing, and like most New Yorkers I am walking blocks upon blocks
in this warm weather. I’m
usually wearing flats or flip-flops on these long walks, and my poor feet
have the calluses to prove it. I’m
usually a do-it-yourselfer and paint my own nails and try to sooth my own
summer abused feet. Thus, my treatments at Ruzica De Falica were
much needed and I was quite excited to have someone else pampering my
hands, feet, and face with a manicure, pedicure and facial.
Arriving at Ruzica De Falica, located on the beautiful Upper
East Side in an intimate but comfortable one-floor space on East 76th
Street, I was greeted by the receptionist and over-all welcomer, Rudy.
This Day Spa and Laser Center, run by Ruzica herself, has been
operating at this location for 29 years and boasts that most of its staff
and cliental have also been with Ruzica De Falica for almost 20
years. It was easy to see why
clients become regulars as all staff members were genuinely warm to each
client and were on a first name basis with most.
I
experienced great care from the staff members and my fear of looking like
a lost child in a candy store evaporated as soon as I was escorted to the
back where my pedicure tub was filled with warm water and frothing with
jets. The girls and Rudy, who
added that my final color choice was a “hot color for summer” aided me
in choosing colors for my nails from their selection of new summer colors.
For the next hour my poor banged-up and dirty New-York feet were
pampered with a whirlpool pedicure.
I relaxed and took in the atmosphere—I watched some soaps on the
TV, watched the steady stream of clients come and go, and gazed out the
back glass doors out onto a courtyard where flowers and trees were in full
bloom. My old polish was
removed, my nails were cut and filed, and my cuticles/skin were gently
trimmed away. The jets and
oils softened the calluses that wearing cheap summer footwear had given me
and after giving permission (I’m glad she asked, I’m sure the color
had drained from my face when I saw the blade being prepared) my calluses
were shaved away for good. My
feet were also softened and shined with a stone pumice and given a proper
foot/leg massage. Lastly, my
“hot” summer color was applied and I was ready (and quite relaxed) for
my manicure.
My
hot cream manicure was divine! My hands experienced pampering I
could never have given to myself. After
soaking in warm cream my nails were trimmed, filed, oiled, and snipped of
excess cuticle skin. Just like
my feet I received a hand massage before a bottom coat, color, and topcoat
were applied. My nails looked
perfect—shaped just the way I like them and long as I requested to keep
them.
Next
I was escorted to one of their private procedure rooms where soft music
was playing and the scent of lavender permeated the air.
I consulted with Ruzica, who performs the skin treatments herself
(as well as tests all the procedures on herself before administering them
on clients—which was evident because her skin looked great!).
Ruzica’s most popular treatments include chemical peels and
acne treatments. Ruzica
also has extensive experience in applying permanent makeup on
clients—often fixing other’s mistakes.
In addition, Ruzica offers
her services to cancer patients and people suffering from alopecia (a skin
disease where sufferers lose their hair), often on a pro-bono basis for
children and severe cases. Her
work was amazing as seen in her many albums that documented the before and
after pictures of some of the people she has helped.
The makeup looked extremely natural (In fact, Ruzica refuses
to apply gaudy permanent makeup to anyone) and I was surprised to learn
that one woman’s eyebrows were not eyebrows at all, but permanent makeup
she had applied. I was also
impressed by the pictures of the progressions of her acne treatment
clients where severe cases ended acne free with glowing smooth skin.
And that was my goal as I was told to lie down on the table—I
wanted glowing smooth skin as summer has caused my pores to clog with
sweat and dirt from the city. Laying
there I mentally prepared myself for my facial as I was expecting some
steam and maybe some salts and lots of mud.
However, I was put off guard when Ruzica asked me exactly what type
of facial I would like. I
would like a non-painful procedure, really.
Ruzica suggests a microdermabrasion and I immediately
imagine my face looking raw like the insides of a tomato. Microdermabrasion
is good for all skin types, Ruzica explains, because it stimulates the
production of collagen making ones skin look softer, younger.
I have an appointment in two hours I don’t think I can show up
looking like I’ve just had something done.
Ruzica assures me I will glow, not turn red.
Before the Microdermabrasion Ruzica shapes my eyebrows and offers
to dye my eyelashes using safe vegetable based dye.
The plucking of my eyebrows came first and compared to what came
after, it hurt the worst. My
microdermabrasion began with a showering of steam that opened up my pores.
Then a wand like tool was used to send pulses to my face, which
pricked somewhat. Next my face
began the anti-aging process through sand blasting (it sounds scarier than
it was and didn’t hurt) to remove dead skin and blackheads.
Then my face and neck were applied with a burn gel that literally
burns your skin to promote its natural production of collagen.
After that was removed I was applied with another substance of
electrolytes and vitamin B. Next
my face and neck were bathed in a stream of oxygen followed by firming
cream. Ruzica then applied an
algae mask and the vegetable dye to my eyelashes, which did burn just as
she warned me it might. Then I
was given a neck and shoulders rub and time to relax.
Once the dye had set I was finished and once my face was washed off
I was free to go. Ruzica
offers me the mirror and to my astonishment my face is still the shade as
I had began with, but my skin was just radiating with a healthy shine and
was silky smooth. All my
problem areas that summer weather has graced me with were evened out and
blemish free. I was told to
expect dryness over the next several days and was given some lotions.
Would my skin turn red in time?
I was worried but my fears were unfounded as Ruzica truly did take
care of me and I simply have glowed since then.
Some dryness has occurred but the lotion helped.
I also took Ruzica’s advice and discontinued the use of my
alcohol based skin care products as these can actually clog pores.
Instead, Ruzica suggests the use of peroxide and sun block.
I
had an amazing experience at Ruzica De Falica Day Spa and Laser Center.
My feet feel great callus free and look equally as great.
I left feeling re-charged, relaxed and ready to face summer with
glowing skin and perfect nails. I’m
definitely going to consider getting manicures and pedicures done more
often!
Andra
Kucerak
Beauty Editor - www.spa-nyc.com
Learn
more about Ruzica De Falica Day Spa & Laser Center
Tips for
the Manicure, Pedicure & Microdermabrasion at Ruzica De Falica::
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- Remember if you are happy with this or any other spa service tip at
least 15 - 20 %.
- Remember to tell them Spa-nyc.com sent you.
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