There are facials, and there are facialists. Then there is Susie Lung, whose Dr. Hauschka treatments and magic pair of hands sends me to the epitome of peace. I am compelled to Yelp about Susie for all that she's done for my skin, for my sense of well-being, her education, and the sheer fact that she does not advertise her business at all. It is completely word-of-mouth, and discreet. But I feel the world must know how utterly transformational her work is.
No other style of facial has ever topped Susie's Dr. Hauschka treatment. Her classic facial is 2 hours long, and if you're balking at that time length, then, you're a fool. Allow yourself this time, for you and your skin will emerge transformed.
Upon initial consultation, it's best to bring or list the skin products you're currently using. This gives Susie an idea of where you're at, and what you know about caring for your face. She'll give your face a once-over, and proclaim which Dr. Hauschka products she'll use to balance your skin. My skin was tired, flaky, dry, and haggard-looking from years of swimming in chlorinated pools, and hard city living. It looked gray and ashen!
You'll be asked to lie on her esthetician's table, comfortably warm under sheets and blankets, as she begins to relax you by massaging your feet and lower legs. Next she works your arms and hands. By this point, I'm already zoning out in bliss!
Next, she takes a seat by your head, and examines your face thoroughly. Depending on your skin condition, she'll use different oils, masks, scrubs, etc. But these are not ordinary products: all are Dr. Hauschka, capturing the pure bio-life essence of plants. Once my skin felt these products, it knew they were for real. No harsh chemicals, no filler...just goodness from the earth, wind, sun, all transported into these bottles smelling heavenly.
The Dr. Hauschka method of cleansing is very, very different from your typical luxury spa. Do not scrub. Do not rub. Instead, Susie rhythmically presses and rolls your skin (see http://bit.ly/78oBXQ), plumping it up, helping the toxins move up. This is a sophisticated manual lymph drainage massage, and it feels HEAVENLY. She uses only the purest organic, Egyptian cotton compress to wipe your skin -- it's never harsh pressure, but just perfectly smoothing. Even her extractions are painless!
"The skin on your face is very delicate, and must be treated as such, " she says.
The rhythm of her treatment -- the lavendar scented water, the masks, the cleansing of impurities, another mask, more massaging of the head, neck and shoulders -- is like being carried on a soft, sweet current. My body literally begins to melt into her bed, and I can feel my bones resting on the metal underneath the padding -- that is how sunken in I become! My mind is completely gone and so are any anxieties, worries about the daily grind. Oh, it tries very hard to keep track of what Susie's administering to my face, but it can't. And you know what? That's when you're in sublime bliss.
An hour and 45 minutes later, I am awoken by my own loud snoring. It happens every single visit. I'm embarassed, but I also know I couldn't help myself. It's just that good and everything: my mental state, my skin -- has been reset by Susie.
When she's finished, I sit up and look in the mirror. And I see a whole different person in there. It's still me, but I look years younger: my skin is naturally plumper, there are rosy undertones, and a soft underglow of light emitting. I don't know how she does it, but I don't care...she's the master.
Finally, Susie teaches you the simple Dr. Hauschka routine for taking care of your face and keeping it clean on a daily basis. I did not know it's best not to apply moisturizer at night, etc.! Now I do, and my skin has never looked better. In fact, just the other night, I got carded (!!) when purchasing alchohol. Friends ask me what my secret is to looking young: I whisper, "Susie...Susie Lung."
p.s. find your own Susie in the Dr. Hauscka website of Certified Estheticians. I promise that once you experience this work combined with its products, you will never feel or look the same. read more
