BeautyNewsNYC.com
February 15, 2007

Retreat From Fashion Week: A Facial to Write Home About from Andrea DeSimone

By Gillian Weeks

There are two phrases that should never be joined in a single sentence: “stagnant fluids” and “your face.” Andrea DeSimone of Suite Retreat uttered that unholy coupling while I was lying face-up on her massage table, her fingers goopy with some complexion-saving salve. I imagined a network of sludge deposits just beneath the surface of my skin and tried my best not to run for the nearest chemical peel. DeSimone, a former protégé of Jo Malone, explained that these stagnant fluids are to blame for my less-than-perfect skin, but that a little lymphatic drainage massage could get those liquids flowing like the Hudson – though hopefully minus the industrial pollutants.

DeSimone developed this technique after years of experimenting with her own skin. As a teenager, she struggled with cystic acne, and later developed eczema and allergies. The solution was not dermatologists and pharmaceuticals, but facials and lifestyle changes. Acne-free and even-toned, she now preaches her gospel to anyone looking for a facial upgrade, or at least a soothing touch.

Like any critical spa-goer, I’m a skeptical customer. I don’t buy into any floral-scented balm that crosses my path, nor any witch doctor wielding a mud masque. DeSimone, however, is the real thing. A week after my lymphatic massage, I’ve seen a remarkable improvement in my skin. Call it coincidence, call it placebo; all I know is that that I’ve laid off the concealer and claimed a little radiance. Stop by Suite Retreat to break the ice on your own stagnant fluids.

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Brides
February/March 2007

Masked Marvels - Will it be hydrating or oxygenating? New York aesthetician Andrea de Simone gives us the rub on face-saving facials.

basic (or European)

This classic treatment is the foundation for all other facials. During the hour-long session, your face is cleansed, massaged, and exfoliated with a scrub, while steam is used to open pores. Next: extractions of blackheads and pimples. Finally, you'll get a toner and a soothing mask.

WORKS BEST FOR: Any sky type (oily, dry or normal).

BEAUTY BENEFIT: Removes impurities, leaving you with more radiant skin.

KEEP IN MIND: This os a good overall cleansing, but if you have specific skin issues a specialized treatment is a better choice.

glycolic peel

Your best bet for deep exfoliation, this soothing 30-minute treatment starts with cleansing and toning.Next glycolic serum (nonirritating alpha hydroxy acids) is applied to your face, followed by a hydrating mask.

WORKS BEST FOR: Brides battling acne or who have hyperpigmentation problems (do it monthly).

BEAUTY BENEFIT: Improved texture and coloring, and a reduction of fine lines.

KEEP IN MIND: After a peel, your skin will be supersensitive to sunlight, so slather on high SPF sunscreen.

deep cleansing

The focus of this facial is extractions - and these alone can take up to 30 minutes. Afterward, an astringent is applied, followed by a face massage and a mask to reduce inflammation.

WORKS BEST FOR: Those with large pores or oily skin.

BEAUTY BENEFIT: Helps prevent pimples for a smoother complextion.

KEEP IN MIND: Extractionscan leave your skin blotchy for up to 48 hours, so factor in healing time when booking this facial.

oxygenating

H2O and vitamin serums are sprayed onto the skin during this gentle treatment that takes an hour or more. The goal? To increase your skins ability to absorb more oxygen (which hydrates) and eliminate toxins. A face massage and an exfoliating mask are included in this session.

WORKS BEST FOR: Every kind of skin type.

BEAUTY BENEFIT: The payoff - a superdewy complexion and temporarily firmer skin - is immediate.

KEEP IN MIND: The results last only about 48 hours.

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Time Out New York
November 16-22 2006

Esthetician Andrea DeSimone garnered a loyal - and high-profile - following during her stints at Jo Malone, Susan Ciminelli and the Plaza Spa. Now she's gone independent with her famously gentle touch (some claim her waxing is pain-free), joining a massage therapist and an acupuncturist at the private spa space Suite Retreat (124 E 40th Street between Park and Lexington Aves. 201-315-1327). Fans will be happy to know DeSimone's repertoire will include brow-grooming and biini-coiffing services, along withnew treatments such as the anti-stress Glacial Facial.

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Les Nouvelle & SPA
Sept/Oct 2006

"I believe everyone has sensitive skin, especially people who live in big cities. My facials are extremely detailed & tailored to the client's needs - there is not standard facial. Sometimes the pores need to be extracted but all skin I treat benefits from the stimulation of lymphatic drainage of the face, neck and shoulders. It increases circulation, exercises muscles, reduces inflammation & redness. It is an excellent aid in detoxification & leaves that healthy glow." Andrea DeSimone, aesthetician.

Andrea DeSimone

Background

My skin has experienced many conditions. I grew up with cystic acne and had a bazillion blackheads and scarred my skin by picking it. Later in life I develoed eczema and allergies and struggled with proper treatment. Dermatologists were not the fix for my skin, eythromycin, tetracycline, topical drying agents, retinols, accutane - too strong too imbalancing. With age my skin has improved due to hormone balance, peels, great products, and a healthy diet and life style. It was my own skin issue that lead me to become an aesthetician. I worked for almost a year and a half receiving facials, and making many changes in my diet, including testing many different products for my sensitive skin, and continue to work on improving my complexion.

Philosophy

I believe everyone has sensitive skin especially those that live in metropolitan areas. Contributing factors are stress, pollution and lifestyle. This typically shows up as sallow, dehydrated, tired sensitive skin. I specialize in lymphatic drainage massage, stimulating the fluids in the face and neck andshoulders to drain and help to regenerate the skin. I believe in truly customizing the facial for exactly what your skin needs through conversation, feedback, proper analyzation and a good regimen.

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New York Magazine
September 2006

Less is more at Suite Retreat, a mini-spa offering a pared-down menu of facials, Shiatsu, colonics, and waxing from its eighth-floor space in an office building near Grand Central. A devoted clientele swears by the intimate spa’s two down-to-earth practitioners, esthetician Andrea DeSimone and Shiatsu/colonics therapist Rose Siano, who met during stints at the Plaza Spa. Formerly Jo Malone’s top skincare expert, DeSimone conducts facials in a pale green room with wainscoting that feels more like a beach cottage than a renovated office. Here, she incorporates special lymphatic drainage techniques into all-natural skin treatments, including a stress-releasing facial she developed for Skyn Iceland. In the mellow middle room, Siano performs both traditional Shiatsu and the gentler Ohashiatsu on a Japanese-style mat, intuitively zeroing in on what type of stroke and level of pressure each tense muscle needs. There’s often a month-long wait for her deep-cleansing colonics (performed in the more clinical third room), which she calls “taking out the garbage” for your body; a Foundation Cleaner package of six is recommended for best results. The spa stocks Skyn Iceland’s skincare line as well as products by Stephen, developed by a former Kiehl’s chemist. DeSimone often makes recommendations for herbal supplements and effective drugstore finds. — Chrissy Persico

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Elle.com
June 2006

DIY SPA TREATMENT
When we heard about cult beauty company skynICELAND's first foray into spa treatments - a stress-evaporating facial developed in partnership with star aesthetician Andrea DeSimone which utilizes color, aromatherapy, and toxin-busting massage to achieve maximum relaxation - we knew we couldn't wait until the nationwide fall launch. Instead, like any good instant-gratification junkie, we rounded up our favorite products (swapping extractions for a salicylic-acid peel that declogs, as well as a calming detox mask), threw in some sensory enhancements of our own (choose between candles or scent sticks), and called it a -very gratifying - day.

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Vogue
September 2003 Issue

Andrea De Simone, a soft-spoken New Yorker with a gentle manner and soothing touch, will assume the mantle of protégée this month when she takes her place in the softly lit treatment room in Malone's Flatiron Store. "I knew in 30 seconds that she was the one," says Malone. "Touch is like playing an instrument or trying to teach someone to sing or to paint. Either you have the natural talent or you don't. It can't be taught."

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Allure
October 2005

Andrea DiSimone paints on a moisturizing mask at Jo Malone in New York City.

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Town and Country
May 2004

Before Jo Malone became on of London's reigning noses in fine fragrances, she was a sought-after facialist who'd learned her craft the old-fashioned way -- from her mother. So when her first stateside boutique opened, in Manhattan, she made an extensive search for an heir apparent and found Andrea De Simone, a native New Yorker with magical hands. After nine years in the business and seven weeks under Malone's tutelage in London, De Simone was ready to take the helm. The facial (which is machineless) is identical to Malone's, down to the whole-milk-yogurt mask and an intricate massage (to drain lymphatic fluids, increase circulation and tone facial muscles.) There's one small exception: extractions. "Jo doesn't believe in squeezing skin, but American women are adamant, so I comply, though it's a small part of the overall service," says De Simone.

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Allure
September 2004

We were so eager to see DiSimone that we mistakenly arrived two days early. Hand picked by Jo Malone to serve as the sole facialist for her New York City outpost, DiSimone graciously fit us in. Rather than exfoliate with a granular scrub, she slathered on whole-milk yogurt. "The latic acid dissolves dead cells without upsetting sensitive skin," she explained. As it sunk in, DiSimone kneaded our shoulders, arms, and hands. Noding off, we barely realized she had rinsed the yogurt, applied a mask, and dabbed on tinted oil-free moisturizer. We never wanted the pampering to stop, but like our arrival, the end came too soon.

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Gotham
September 2003 Issue

This month, the Jo Malone Flatiron US flagship store adds skincare services to its offerings, but only after Jo personally selected Andrea De Simone for an intense six weeks from more than 100 aestheticians. (On of Malone's crucial tests during selection involved the placement of the facial bed in her hotel suite.)

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Fashion
October 2003 Issue

New Yorker Andrea De Simone was chosen out of more than 24 applicants who endured the daunting interview task of performing a facial on Malone. Carrying the weighty title of Jo Malone facialist, North America, De Simone trained in London with Malone for six weeks before returning to Manhattan. She has also been touring the States bring the buzz about facials to various Jo Malone outlets. De Simone will be at HoltRenfrew in Toronto in the fall and will return later in the year. So be sure to get on the list now, while you can.

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US
April 19, 2004

To Calm Redness, Irritation

Facialist Andrea DeSimone at Jo Malone New York suggests a facial using enzyme exfoliant. Skip steam and harsh scrubs.

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