I was about to have my first facial ever and I was a bit nervous. Thoughts of poking and prodding plagued me on my walk to the spa. Upon arrival at Allure Day Spa and Hair Design, I descend down a few flights of stairs to a quiet and serene salon and am greeted by the staff. My fears of clogged pores are eased by my esthetician, Ela who explains the exact process before we begin. I am brought to a low-lighted room with soft music playing. After I lie down wrapped in a towel, she takes a warm washcloth and washes my face with herbal cleanser, to prep the skin. As she cleanses, I am told that the spa offers a spectrum of facials and body treatments, and that each facial is custom tailored to the guest. What your skin needs, your skin gets. And my skin had an abundance of clogged pores!

I am soothed into a relaxed state as warm steam is methodically streamed over my face bringing impurities to the surface. Ela literally spends the next 35 minutes meticulously unclogging my pores. I was told that it was obvious I had not had a facial before—oops! Even with all of detoxification going on, I felt at ease. Whatever magical techniques and tools were used, were done so without pain. I was advised that with the workout my face was receiving, I might see some irritation afterwards, but that the benefits would outweigh this. After every inch of skin has been purified, I am slathered with a grape seed mask and left to bask in moisture until it was time to remove it. A light toner is applied and I’m ready to be on my way. All in all, the process took a little over an hour, but did feel like I had at least left the city for a long weekend.

As warned, après the spa my skin felt tight, like it was sunburned. A few days later it peeled a bit as I had been told it would. But my pores had shrunk and my skin did feel cleaner than ever. Ela recommended to me that follow-up facials once a month and daily upkeep with special treatments, would keep things on track. Allure Day Spa holds their own line of spa products, including a natural toner with fruit and tea tree oil, a camphor mask, and herbal cleanser that rivals all face washes. My face hasn’t felt this soft since I was a child.

Aside from their expertise in facials, Allure is a full-service spa. The main room has the atmosphere of a hair salon, but with small rooms pocketed away from the center area, each contain their own special service. From body treatments and waxing, to manicures and pedicures, the rooms are little havens. Allure’s other specialty is body massage. My next visit just might be to experience one of the Swedish, aromatherapy, reflexology or hot stone massages. I’ll save that story for another time.

This spa prides itself on catering to the individual. Many clients request special events for their spa experience such as for bridal parties, family spa getaways, or other occasions. The Spa is happy to oblige by transforming the spa into the environment envisioned.

You can find out more at www.alluredayspa.com or by calling 212-644-5500. Allure Day Spa and Hair Design is located at 139 East 55th Street, between Lexington and Third Avenue, in New York City.