Nomadic Beauty
Squeezing in a beauty treatment between meetings, weekend activities, or happy hour and dinner is a breeze in NoMad, where every block boasts spas, treatment centers, hair salons, and more. Here’s a look at two of our go-to spots.
Jeanne Reilly Acupuncture
1123 Broadway, Suite 714.
I headed to the seventh floor of 1123 Broadway for my first ever acupuncture experience where Jeanne Reilly greeted me in her bright and calming studio. A classically-trained ballerina, Reilly went back to school and trained in acupuncture after sustaining an ankle injury some years ago that wouldn’t heal. The Eastern medicine practice helped her at the time and inspired her to pursue her current venture.
The practice of placing thin needles into the body at key acupuncture points can be tailored to address pain, stress, sleep or digestive issues, and infertility. The sign of a good clinician? Repeat clientele, something Reilly knows a bit about.
After I shared my past and current health concerns with her, she decided a mixture of bodywork and acupuncture would be the most effective course of action for me. After checking my pulse, Reilly began to manipulate my limbs to “encourage energy flow.” Next up, needles. The experience was painless, and the needles stayed in place — while I quietly relaxed — for about 20 minutes. When my session ended, I immediately felt an elevation of my mood; I felt lighter and more joyful. Reilly also told me not to be surprised if I felt extremely thirsty or hungry that evening (I did!), explaining that it was a normal reaction to treatment.
While there are a number of trendy acupuncture spots popping up across the city, what I most liked about my experience with Jeanne Reilly Acupuncture was the exceptional personalized care. The combination of body work alongside the acupuncture was customized to my specific needs and ultimately led to an overall enhanced experience. Reilly’s services can help clients prepare for a hip replacement, work through an injury, heal digestive or hormone issues, or help ease fertility complications. “Eastern Medicine works to find the root issue and solve that,” Reilly said. “It’s a way of tweaking your health for things that Western medicine would deem not a big enough issue to treat.”
My take: There’s no reason not to. If you want to invest in your health, head over to www. jeannereillyacupuncture.com where you can book your first treatment at a special cost.
Skinney Medspa
125 Fifth Avenue
My intention was to book a microneedling procedure (am I beginning to detect a theme, here?), but you know what they say about the best laid plans. Turns out Skinney MedSpa had other ideas for me. As I stepped off the elevator into a brightly lit, spacious office, I was greeted and handed a few forms to fill out. Excited about the benefits of microneedling, I was hopeful that the minimally invasive procedure would alleviate some fine lines and wrinkles, help with any discoloration, and essentially leave my face looking somewhat clearer, brighter, and yes, maybe even a few years younger.
As the very sweet Cheyenne examined my skin, she informed me that there was a better treatment for my skin concerns. Due to an unfortunate parasite and a round of antibiotics, my skin had broken out for the first time in years, leaving behind unwanted red marks and a few new pimples. Cheyenne suggested we pivot to a VI Peel, a treatment I had never heard of, but she was knowledgeable and confident and I trusted her recommendation. She suggested waiting a month or so to let any breakouts clear before trying microneedling. I appreciated that she was concerned about getting me the best results possible and I also liked that she had personal experience with the treatment she was recommending.
The VI Peel is a three-step chemical peel process designed to enhance the appearance and improve the texture of the skin. The solution, which Cheyenne wiped across my face nice and slow, triggers both exfoliation and rejuvenation. Once the outer layer of skin peels off, the new skin underneath is smoother, less wrinkled, and less blemished. After about 20 minutes, I was holding a fan up to my face and five minutes later I was back in the reception area checking out. The entire experience had me in and out the door in less than 45 minutes.
Immediately after the peel, my skin was discolored — like a bad orange spray tan — and I was instructed to wait four hours before washing and initiating the after care Cheyanne provided. By the morning of the next day, my skin felt dry, but not terribly out of the ordinary. All that changed on day two when my face started to peel like a snake shedding its skin. By day five, I was seeing some exciting results and I began to understand what all the hype is about. My red marks were nearly gone, my skin tone more even than it has been in years, and my active acne was a thing of the past.
My take: From start to finish, I found the Skinney MedSpa to be one of the most personalized, thoughtful spa experiences I’ve had to date. Not only will I be back for microneedling, but I’ll be back for another peel as well.