I’ve never had a facial before, but that changed when Lake Champlain Yoga & Wellness added Sarah McLean to its team of wellness professionals. Having an esthetician in Essex, New York makes facials easily accessible. Even better–they’re all organic!

In the winter the skin on my face is always dry, but after the facial it was left feeling smooth and hydrated. The experience was thoroughly relaxing.

Since I had never had a facial I was not sure all that it would entail, but I had some expectations and they were blown completely out of the water. You hear facial and think of just what will be done to your face, but with Sarah it’s so much more!

Facial, Massage, and More

My custom facial took place in Sarah’s small, warm room at LCY&W as I lay on a heated table with soothing music playing throughout. The entire facial occurred in the dark with only a bit of light coming through a high window, and the facial necessitated that I close my eyes for most of it as well, which intensified my other senses. I could focus on the music, the pleasant scent of the organic products, and the physical sensations.

Most of the facial products, an olive oil cleanser and a honey almond scrub for example, were applied by Sarah’s hands, but a few times brushes were utilized like to apply the seaweed mask. It was certainly an interesting sensation to have another person touching and applying these products to my face but not an unpleasant one–actually downright wonderful! Sarah is very skilled, and it’s easy to make yourself at ease and enjoy the pampering.

While one stage of the treatment (a pumpkin enzyme) was left on my face for several minutes a pleasant steam blew into my face and each hand and arm was treated to a massage. Throughout the facial my face, neck, upper back, and shoulders were also thoroughly massaged using a wild french lavender and hazelnut oil. This unexpected boon made another first for me because I had never had a professional massage of any kind either. It was amazing!

Toward the end of the treatment Sarah placed a hot towel below my neck and one around each of my feet. This heat helped to further relax the muscles in my neck, and after its removal a final massage of my neck and the surrounding area completely removed any aches there had been.

As the final facial treatment was applied and left to sink into my skin, my scalp was massaged. Then the towels were removed from my feet, and the facial ended with a foot massage. So much massaging! This facial was a more decadent experience than I ever imagined it could be.

I recommend that anyone and everyone should treat themselves to an organic facial with Sarah McLean. Go let yourself get pampered, and your skin and body will thank you! I’m sure that I will be visiting again one day.

Check out the full list of services offered by Sarah on the Lake Champlain Yoga & Wellness website. She also offers waxing.

Michelle Maron opened Lake Champlain Yoga & Wellness in October, 2013 offering Yoga, Yoga Therapy, Acupuncture, Massage & Organic Facials – all in Essex, NY! Take advantage and enjoy!

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