FACIALIDOCIOUS! Jillian Wright’s Glow Skincare Spa
Tantejoan here! Did you ever hear the story of King Canute, the ancient English king who marched down to the seashore and commanded the tide not to encroach on his realm? He got soaked, and sometimes I feel that I do, too, as I pat, stroke, exfoliate and knead in my efforts to turn back the advancing tide of age. No matter how many amazing products I embrace, what tips and techniques I employ or the hours and dollars I expend, at some basic level I periodically have to take stock of my face and body in a mirror that does not lie to me, as I have trained my own to do. Sometimes I think I look pretty good, always adding for my age. Sometimes, though, I flinch, especially if the light over that stranger’s mirror is cold and clinical. That’s usually when I call in my Big Gun. Its name is The Jillian.
I have been going to Jillian Wright’s Glow Skincare Spa for several years now, after reading an article in InStyle Magazine that called her East 60s spa “the best kept secret of famous faces.” My face is pretty anonymous, to be sure, but I am always treated as a valued client and, more importantly, my face and body are given the careful attention and respect I have seldom found in over 30 years of New York City spa-tripping. Skin and what goes on under and on top of it is what has made Jillian’s reputation as a celebrity facialist. Frankly, I have never seen the point of being a “best-kept secret.” When you are the best, everyone should know about it – so long as I still can get an appointment, that is! Well in a few weeks, Jillian and her staff of 6 are moving from their “secret” location inside a medical tower close to the Three “Bs,” Barney’s, Bloomies and Bergdorf’s, and are taking up residence on the second floor of a lovely historic townhouse at 22 East 66th Street. And to celebrate the move Jillian is finally branding her spa with the name and the description that has made her famous: Jillian Wright: Clinical Skin Spa
On Monday, fresh from a vacation at my sister’s beach house that included lots of sand, disobedient tides, glorious food and drink and great company but virtually zero makeup, I presented myself to Jillian and beseeched her to do to me whatever she wished. I should say that normally I confine my visits to simple facials, although “simple” is a misnomer. Jillian’s facials are all soundly based in science, and designed to deal with a full range of skin issues. But because I knew I would be writing about that day’s treatments, I simply turned myself over to her preferences. Here’s what I got: After a simple, gentle cleansing, we proceeded to a LumiFacial with Enzymes, an arm and hand massage, a LumiLift for Eyes and finished with two Bioelements treatments I loved: Calmitude Delicate Skin Eye Gel and CreateFirm, a serum that slips on easily and melts into the face and neck, leaving them firm but not taut.
So, back to the beginning. I’m not a fan of extractions. Years of painful sessions at Georgette Klinger in my acneic youth with Xacto-blade-wielding Valkyries has given me a lifelong case of the heebie-jeebies when the topic comes up. After 15 minutes under a soothing layer of enzymes, my blackheads were literally standing at attention at the top of my pores, simply begging for Jillian to release them from captivity. An excellent beginning, I thought, so make with the Lumi, whatever that is, I breathed. As many of you may know, it is light. Colored LED lights, micronized and polarized to encourage collagen production, smooth fine lines and wrinkles and a host of other cool things. Using a sequence of colors to perform functions designed to calm, correct and renew the skin, the sensations were at first distracting, but soon relaxing. According to Jillian, when done in a series, these light treatments can actually re-train your skin cells to help make your skin thicker, more elastic, less acneic and all sorts of new tricks. Fascinating does not begin to tell the tale, but the good news is that, even after one treatment, the results are actually visible. And measurable. Today my skin is less red, softer and much better able to make the most of fewer products. In all, the session was slightly over an hour, and both relaxing and stimulating.
And my eyes? The LumiLift that followed my main facial was designed to de-puff and de-toxify the skin around my eyes, again using polarized light in combination with a sort of rhythmic, targeted massage with an instrument that felt strangely like a multi-pronged divining rod. This morning I awoke with no bags. At all.
I can never lie to you. This is not a cheap facial. My super-duper treatment cost $275, not including tax or tips. Regular facials begin at $90 for 30 minutes, but an average one hour facial is usually about $150, and includes a hand or upper body massage. The spa is full-service, so you can also have microdermabrasion, peels, massage, and a dizzying array of waxing options. And then there’s the Sleep Machine, which she took to Sundance this past year for her annual celebrity facial fest for the film crowd. It sends you to dreamland while your procedure is underway, so you wake up refreshed and beautiful. Oh, and here’s the one that got Jillian a feature spread in Playboy: she offers a butt facial.
Even if you never come to New York or visit Sundance, you may still benefit from Jillian Wright’s expertise. St. Ives, whose scrub Gigi recently reviewed in Drugstore Deals, recently signed Jillian as a consultant. As a mother of two young children, Jillian is very eco-conscious and has helped St. Ives to commit to a company-wide green campaign that reflects her long-held beliefs and values. If you check the St. Ives web site you will find a new page called “Our Natural Commitment.” Among other things, by 2010, all St. Ives products and their containers will be completely environmentally-friendly and biodegradable. No parabens. No phthalates. No animal testing. No toxic ingredients. And the formulas will all be reviewed and reformulated to reflect a more earth-friendly profile. Nice.
Special to Meg’s Makeup readers: Mention the website when you reserve and get 10% off any treatment with one of Jillian’s fabulous staff. (As owner, Jillian does not discount her own services.)
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Reviews
Great review Joan! I am soo jealous. My blackheads need some serious action like this. Maybe if I can ever get back to NYC. But until then I can live vicariously through you! BTW-The Sleep Machine sounds awesome!
This place sounds like a dream. I sure wish we had something like this in the Portland area. Sigh!
WE are going to have a playdate at Jillian's the very next time I touch my feet in the Apple girl!!! What a pretty woman and it sounds like she really knows how to treat a girl! :)SO glad you had fun and thanks for sharing one of your REAL beauty secrets! Hugs!
I wish I could visit her in New York. I have never been to NY. My sister visited there about a year ago. She loved it! She posted a video on YouTube of Times Square. It was great! My face could use some pampering. I have never been to a spa for a facial. I worked at a plastic surgeon's office for about a year. I got one of the nurses there to do a microdermabrasion on my face w/ extractions. I was not too impressed. I did do a facial peel when one of the reps came in to sell it to us. I really did like that.I am always looking at the skin care lines in Sephora. I want to purchase them all, but most are just so expensive. However, I bet they are GREAT products.
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Great review!!!I've been in dire need of facial for awhile now... but it seem as if when I have the time, I don't have the money & when I have the money, I don't have the time. Of course, I could save the money and time by doing it to myself, but it's not the same...
I've never been to a spa before. I'd love to try it someday. Spending that much on just one day of beauty treatments just isn't in my budget anywhere. I'd have to go without food for a month!
Super Jealous...ahh I need a good relaxing facial and massage! All those treatments sound great for the skin including the butt facial..lol.
;) Gloss & Gum <3
I'm jealous! Wish there was something like this in my area!
You look great! I have pondered the idea of getting the LED treatment next time I get a facial... Im curious to see the results. But I probably wont be getting one anytime soon.Moving and money is tight!
Tan is Love
Ladies, ladies! I wish I could take the compliments, but that lovely woman at the top of the review is Jilian Wright, not your humble correspondent. She is a beauty, yes, and a perfect advertisement for her services.
I wish I could go there tomorrow, I will definitely look into it for my next NYC trip. As a sleep tech I would love to here more about the Sleep machine, I am guilty of falling asleep during massages and getting my hair blown out straight, lol.
i 'm coming to NY in 1 years !!! i'll hope i can test this spa !!!
Oh, how I wish I could hang with you in New York! We could have so much fun, salon trips during the day, drinks and dancing at night! You never know....I am so happy you are able to get these types of services, good for you beautiful girl! Great post, I felt like I was actually there.
Wow to the highest power Tantejoan! Completely lovely review! Four more days until my layoff takes effect...I wish that I was going to spend a few days at Jillian's Spa to sooth my entire being! Your day there just would be a dream to experience and the thought of telling them.."I'll leave it up to you to do what you think would be best for me..." absolutely enchanting fantasy! I have only been to New York City once and that was in the early 80's - I'm betting her spa wasn't there then - probably just barber shops where they put hot towels on your face! I laughed out loud at "After 15 minutes under a soothing layer of enzymes, my blackheads were literally standing at attention at the top of my pores, simply begging for Jillian to release them from captivity." I could practically see that image in my head! I have no doubt that Jillian and her staff would have me walk out a new and vibrant woman after a day there! Also, if I WAS in New York...I'd want you to spend the day with me just so I could hear you talk! I LOVE reading your reviews! I can equate with the mirror talk...some days I look in my mirors at home and think, "I don't look so bad for my age today" - then I'll happen by a different mirror with different lighting and I think "What the hell happened to me?" This is a side bar but the best flattering mirror ever with great lighting for me is in Target store dressing rooms! I always end up buying stuff I try on in their dressing rooms because inevitably it looks fantastic! My skin and hair always rock in the dressing room mirrors there! Several times when I have thought about changing my hair color I have gone in the Target dressing room to try something on and their mirror showed me a spectacular looking hair color in my reflection! As a result, right after that I would change my mind about scanning the hair color isle!! LOL! I would bring the outfit home I had tried on and look in my mirror and find myself putting the thing back in the Target bag with the receipt thinking, "Crap - another completely unflattering piece of clothing I'll have to take back." Mirrors. Sigh. The person I go to for facials always includes a hand and foot/leg massage and THAT my friends is to die for dreamy!
Jeanasina!
as a person who cannot afford such treaments just yet, and as a person who is probably a bit young for such treatments- i still enjoyed this article very much. i have never been to a spa before, let alone had a massage or a facial done by a professional, but i was always curious to read about such experience... maybe when i have a nice job in a near future, i can share my own spa experiences, and i do hope they will be as nice as yours, TanteJoan :)
You know, many spas do spa parties for groups, but if the logistics of time and space prevent us all from crowding in right now, I'd say Meg offers the best virtual spa on the web! I feel pampered, exhilarated, soothed and stimulated every time I log in. And, lest you think I spend my time and nonexistent fortune flitting from spa to spa like some demented hummingbird, you should know that when Jillian and I looked up my last appointment, it was a year ago.When I checked the search engines to see how many day spas are located in New York City, the sheer weight of the query caused Jeeves to break down and cry. The short answer is there are more than a thousand in Manhattan alone, not to mention Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. And their prices range from a $10, 10-minute massage (thanks, Gigi) all the way up to a $2,000 gold (yes, gold) full body scrub and massage at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel day spa. In between, there are treatments at every price point, so if you are looking for a NYC experience, be assured that you can find one that is affordable and just as fun as my day with Jillian. Best of all? Twice a year, some of the best spas in the city host Spa Week, where you can book in for many of the services for $50. The next Spa Week is in the Fall, so I'd check in at NY Magazine or TimeOut for their special spa issues around then. The reservations are first come, first scrubbed, and they go fast. Enjoy!
Jeanasina, thank you! Maybe you should look into becoming a receptionist at a spa, and take part of your salary in trade! That's how my girlfriend got her teeth veneered -- she put her MBA in her secret pocket and temped for a dentist for a year. You know, I've also noticed that Target has great mirrors -- my Isaac Mizrachi pants always look best in the store. Those shiny babies are kind, and the lighting is, too. Better than Bloomingdale's, in fact, where I have been known to run away from their 3-way mirrors in tears. Way to lose sales, Bloomie's. Strangely, Filene's Basement's dressing rooms, which always make me think of cattle pens in a Chicago stockyard, have really good mirrors. And by good I mean makes-me-look-5-pounds-thinner good. If only I could chop that mirror into a bazillion pieces and turn them into universal contact lenses I'd be a happy camper.
Tantejoan! Wow - one of the employees I work with actually suggested to me that I should be a receptionist in a spa! That really appeals to me! Perhaps there will be one in Minneapolis who needs me! I'd love to take part of my pay in spa luxuries and pampering! I need it! Perhaps a fabulous spa owner is reading this now and hoping to get a hold of me! I'm GOOD with people - I'm REALLY good! OX
Jeanasina!
Go for it! According to this listing, http://www.minneapolis.com/spas-massage/business-directory, there are 10 pages of day spas in Minneapolis.
I think we should all plan a bus tour...head to the big apple....go get these facials and go see a show (rock of ages.....maybe)! Have a good time and then go get a few drinks....LETS GO!
Sounds like a fabulous day! Oh how I wish I could go! I have never been to a spa, it's just not in my price range as I am a humble person with 4 children... the kids come first : )I'd rather give them what they want than take it for myself... :Even though some days I really think I need it!hehehe. Maybe one day someone will treat me : )
Oh, how I would love the Lumi-Facial. Too bad for me I can not afford this kind of treatment and I can't get to NY either. Tantejoan, I am super jealous but I am glad you had a good time.
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I've never actually been to a spa before. I love the idea of getting a facial at one, but right now I can't imagine shelling out the cash. Your treatment sounds awesome though, glad you enjoyed the experience :)It's good to know that St. Ives is going 'green'. I always like it when companies try a little harder to be better for the environment and not to have so much bad crap to put on in skin/in our hair..that kind of thing.
im gonna get so many facials when i have money!
How consumed with jealousy am I ,any chance of Jillian franchising in Ireland.I know you say the treatment's are quite expensive but when you see all you get for your money it actually seems like great value,god the facials are twice the price in Ireland and nothing as fabulous as that.Does Jillian sell any of the fabulous looking product I spy there on the shelf behind her?.My sister just came back from holiday's in New York three weeks ago as she has a friend there.My mind is made up now-next time I'm going with her-Gillian here I come get your sleep machine ready.Gigi you made me laugh with the "I need noise to sleep-when my brother was a baby the only thing that put him to sleep was the noise of a hairdryer-my mother wore out 5 hairdryers in a year-I was even more annoying from the ages of 2-6 I wouldn't go to sleep till someone danced with me for at least an hour.Tantejoan thanks for sharing a true new york beauty secret.
PotionPrincess♥
My eyes are positively green! Partly due to UD 24/7 liner in Covet - but mostly from hearing about this completely drool-worthy treatment! I would love to fly to NYC right this second and get one. Just lay back and tell the facialist "do what you will with me." A 200+ dollar facial once a year sounds completely acceptable to me. ;) I'll have to remember this post so when I return to NYC I'll make an appointment and get something good! Probably at the end of my trip so I wouldn't have any chance of post-facial irritation messing up my vacation photos. Great job tante!
That sounds like a spa treatment to die for. I live no where New York, and probably never will. But if I ever visit, I will try to book an appointment. It is interesting that she is working with St. Ives. Maybe we will see some improvements and developments from this line now.
I'd always wanted to try a spa (or even the DIY ones at home where you apply your own face mask); however, I'm always worried about the contents that they use in the face masks that you can buy in Sephora or even some drug stores, since (after reading the Drug Use info online on some of the fask mask products) I've noticed that many of those face masks contain sulfer in them, and I'm not sure if it's good to actually put stuff that contain sulfer on my face.