I Tried the Age-Defying Facial at Massage Envy—Here’s My Honest Review

I’d say one of the most important things I consider when booking any facial treatment: Can the service be tailored specifically for me? The Age-Defying Facial offers exactly that, and during my recent visit to the Midtown West franchised location of Massage Envy in NYC, I was especially impressed by the conversations I had with my aesthetician before my treatment began in order to best meet my needs.

At Massage Envy, your experience begins with a digital questionnaire you complete in the waiting room that covers the nitty-gritty (details about your skin regimen, any allergies or health issues, the works). But once I was in-room and ready to start my service, my aesthetician went more in-depth on the problem areas I was hoping to address. (“Tired eyes, dull skin, age spots,” I informed him.) Even better, he went over the exact products he intended to use from Marini SkinSolutions® and talked me through the ingredients and why they made sense for my skincare goals. (For example, how to smoothly incorporate Bioclear Face Lotion into my routine with glycolic, salicylic, and azelaic acids to gently brighten the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines.)

I appreciated the transparency, but also the conversational approach to addressing my needs.

For anyone who’s gotten a facial, you know the drill. I gleefully relaxed while my aesthetician cleansed, brightened and applied a series of delicious-smelling masks. (The Retinol Plus Mask was something he discussed with me in detail before applying and explained that it would really make a difference when it came to sun damage and soothing my skin.) But there were a couple of other details that made this service feel unique. For one thing, while the first mask did its job, my aesthetician multi-tasked, providing an upper body massage that extended the relaxation and aided my overall glow. He also talked through his technique (and the Massage Envy tech) when it comes to extractions. Instead of digging deep into my pores, which can be uncomfortable, he relied on an ultra-sonic skin scrubber to gently loosen dirt and debris on wet skin. (When he showed me what he was able to remove, I was impressed!)

As I mentioned above, the Antioxidant Daily Face Protectant SPF 33 was an immediate fave. Beyond the delicate kiwi-infused scent, my aesthetician let me know that it is an essential for anyone looking for broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection, but one that also provides advanced hydration and oil control. The Transformation Face Cream is another standout. My complexion trends toward the drier side. This midweight moisturizer, which is chock-full of anti-aging peptides and hyaluronic acid, left my skin feeling ultra-nourished and bright. Finally, the Hyla3D HA Lip Complex was a lip treatment applied at the end of my service and had an immediate effect when it came to boosting hydration and leaving my lips feeling soft and smooth.

Why I Can’t Wait to Go Back

The comprehensive service combined with the quality of the skincare products made my Massage Envy facial feel like a much-needed retreat. But it was also the conversation and care that went into making sure I understood every element of my treatment. My skin was glowing when I left and feels visibly brighter and well-cared for, too.