Review: Dyanna Spa’s Placenta Facial

I had first heard about the benefits of placenta facials on CNN awhile back but never thought twice about getting one.  However, I was recently offered an opportunity to get a placenta facial at the Dyanna Spa located in the Gramercy-Flatiron area of NYC and I am super excited to share my experience.  (FTC disclosure: the Dyanna Spa was very generous and performed the facial free of charge)

First of all, I’ve never gotten a facial before, so I wasn’t sure about what to expect.  I did read this article beforehand so I at least knew not to wear makeup .  Dave also came with me to the appointment to help me take pictures.

Nervous!

The spa itself was small but very neat and clean.

The front

The waiting area

After waiting for about 5 minutes, my esthetician, Alla, led me to my room where I changed into spa gear.

Ready to go!

Alla wrapped my hair up and started the first treatment- a facial massage with steam.  The massage was very relaxing and the steam really calmed my nerves.  She said that this treatment helps open up my pores and stimulates blood flow to my face.  I was glad that this was the first treatment because I needed to be calm for the next stage, PORE EXTRACTIONS!!!

Pore extractions were pretty painful.  For more experienced spa goers, I’m sure that y’all are used to it- but for a first timer like me- I was in pain!  Luckily, Alla had over 20 years of experience giving facials and knew exactly how to distract me.  She told me a funny story about how she used to bribe her husband and son with food to let her practice on them- now, they are begging her to do it .

After the pore extractions came the masks.  Alla used 2 different masks on me targeting different areas.

Glad pore extractions are over!

She then performed a high frequency treatment on my face.

Lights on…

Lights off!

Finally, it was placenta time!

The number 1 question that my friends have been asking me about the placenta facial is if the mask smells like placenta.  Well, I’ve never smelled placenta before so how would I know?  Honestly, the mask didn’t smell like much, as there were no artificial fragrances in it.  If anything, the mask smelled like a bottle of unscented lotion (if that even makes sense).

After Alla peeled off the placenta mask, she applied serum and lotion to my face and I was good to go .

A little red but my skin feels like silk! Dave said that my skin was glowing the whole day .

She also gave me an awesome skincare tip!  She said that as soon as I feel a pimple or blemish coming on (when it’s just starting to become pink), I should dab a bit of drying lotion on it (preferably overnight) and it’ll go away ASAP.  Since I do get hormonal acne (ladies, you know what I’m talking about) I can’t wait to try her tip!

Overall, I had a wonderful experience at the Dyanna Spa, the facial took about an hour and a half including getting changed, and I felt comfortable during the whole process.  This is not a pretentious spa with snobby receptionists or ritzy decor, this is a spa for people who want great results.  Let me know if you check it out and be sure to ask for Alla if you’re getting a facial.

Note: I would not recommend getting a facial the day of a big event because your face may be a bit red from the pore treatments.

Update: It’s been about 4 days since the facial and my skin still feels incredibly soft and smooth!  I can’t wait to go back and try their other treatments!

Eating My Way Through NYC

Since Dave’s arrival to the East Coast, I’ve been in a perpetual food coma.  Yesterday we went to Bonobo’s based on Sophia’s suggestion and also to Terri’s.  I LOVED both places!!!  Both eateries were pretty casual – no waiters or waitresses -  just good food.

We went to Bonobo’s for lunch and both ordered nut “meat” salads.  Dave had the spicy curry veggie nut salad with sweet basil dressing.

I had the walnut veggie salad with sesame tahini dressing on the side.

I loved that the salads were light yet filling.  I would recommend having the dressing on the side because your salad might get too watery otherwise (the nut “meats” were of a hummus-ish consistency).

We then shared a sesame ball and banana cinnamon pudding for dessert.

So small yet so tasty!

YUM!

My first time having banana soft serve!

Heaven in my mouth!

I’m not exaggerating when I say that the sesame ball and the banana pudding were some of THE BEST desserts I’ve EVER had!!!  Dave didn’t think they were the BEST he’s ever had, but he says that they were very good and was surprised that both were raw.

For dinner, we went to Terri’s right down the street.

The sandwiches were AWESOME!!!  Dave and I each ordered a sandwich and split them half and half.

We shared a buffalo “chicken” sandwich.

So, so, so yummy!

You MUST try this sandwich!

And a jerk tofu pineapple sandwich.

A perfect sweet and salty combination!

Both sandwiches were delicious but I liked the buffalo “chicken” sandwich slightly better.  The texture of the “chicken” reminded me of real chicken but there was just enough seitan flavor to keep it from being freaky.  The jerk tofu sandwich was also really tasty.  It had a nice sweet flavor from the pineapple that went well with the tofu and peppers in it.

Anyways, right now I am getting ready for a placenta facial at the Dyanna Spa.  If you’re wondering why I, a vegan, am getting a placenta facial, it’s because I’ve heard many good things about using placenta creams on the face and body and I don’t believe that any animals were harmed in the process as placentas are a byproduct of birth.  I told my friend Ally about this and she freaked out.  She seems to think that I am using a dead baby on my face.  Note to Miss Ally: the placenta is the sac that carries the baby during the gestation period, it comes out after the baby .  I’ll let you all know how it goes!  Are you guys freaked out by the idea of a placenta facial?