September 2008 BeautyNewsNYC.com

Shizuka New York Spa’s Geisha Facial® with Nightingale droppings was featured in the September 2008 issues of BeautyNewsNYC.com and BeautyNewsLA.com.

The Geisha Facial®: The Excrement Testament from one of New York’s Finest Spas

By Anne Jones

At some point I’ve become the Anthony Bourdain of beauty treatments. My editors know that I’m a willing body that’s been waxed, cut, stripped and ripped, all in the name of what’s hot in treatments. So when I was told that I’d been scheduled to try the Geisha Facial® at Shizuka New York Spa where the signature was a mixture of nightingale droppings, I didn’t exactly ‘poopoo’ the idea, I embraced it.

Nightingale droppings have been used since the 18th century when Geisha and kabuki actors used it to rid their face of the heavy makeup that was so difficult to remove. It was later learned that the guanine in the excrement is rich in amino acids and works to cleanse, brighten and retexturize the skin to make for a porcelain appearance. Shizuka Bernstein, the owner of the salon, wanted to bring the beneficial aspects of this concept to her clients here in Manhattan.

After changing in to my robe and slippers, Shizuka explained the process and how she developed this rather unique facial and the results that this technique creates. Shizuka’s mother used this as a means to beautiful skin, as well. What intrigued me most was when Shizuka chatted about one of her college age kids. I mention this only because this woman has positively radiant skin that looked not a day over 40 and if bird poo is the reason behind it then I’ll be spending free time parked under the nearest nightingale nest.

The facial itself was like most I’ve experienced; only I found it to be extra enjoyable because it was heavy on the facial massage and I’m partial to that aspect of the treatment. The uguisu no fun (shop talk for poo powder that’s been sterilized by ultraviolet light) is mixed with Japanese Rice Bran to be used as a gentle exfoliate that really had no smell. The droppings are followed by skin cleansing and a light extraction using the all-natural SHIZUKA New York Skincare System. The skin care treatment is completed with a hydrating camellia (a type of Japanese flower) oil massage and an antioxidant Green Tea Collagen Mask. The hands are massaged and set in heated gloves to soften during the rest of the treatment that ends with a fabulous shoulder rub.

After my facial, I was left to relax with Japanese tea and cookies in the Tranquility Lounge and contemplated hanging out for the remainder of the day since I’d felt so unrushed and well…tranquil. Not to mention when I was in the grooming area, my skin was glowing and not red and blotchy, like it usually is after a facial. Maybe at Shizuka New York Spa, the facials are full of sh*t, but only in the nicest possible way.

Shizuka New York Spa
7 West 51 Street, Sixth Floor
New York, NY 10019
(212) 644-7400
shizukany.com/development

 

Other Shizuka New York Day Spa 2008 Press Releases
Geisha Goes to the Primetime Emmy’s – The Geisha Facial® will be featured as an eco-friendly “green” beauty treatment during the E! Channel’s Red Carpet special “Countdown to the Emmy’s” on Sunday, September 21st, 2008.
Shizuka is a Finalist in FGI’s Rising Star Awards – Shizuka Bernstein of the Shizuka New York Day Spa in NYC was honored for the second time as the creator of the Shizuka New York Skincare System in the sold-out ceremony
First Look New York (WNBC/LXTV) – Cecille Raubenheimer goes to the experts, including Shizuka Bernstein of Shizuka NY Day Spa in Manhattan to indulge her beauty needs in “Spoil Me Beautiful.”
Anne About Town on FOX WNYW – Anne is about town this morning. She’s at the SHIZUKA new york Day Spa in Midtown and she’s about to get…well…I’m not going to say it, but there’s an unspeakable substance involved.
The Geisha Facial® on Fox News – The Geisha Facial® given at Shizuka New York, a day spa in midtown Manhattan, doesnât contain just any run of the mill pigeon poo. Itâs made from dried nightingale droppings imported from Japan and mixed with rice bran.
New York Post – Enough with “normal” beauty routines such as placenta and kitty litter – New Yorkers can now add nightingale No. 2 to their beauty regimens.
Good Day Sacramento – Shizuka’s colleague and friend Stacy Cox, a television personality and beauty expert, presented the Geisha “Bird Poop” Facial on the Sacramento CW11’s Good Day Sacramento on Monday, November 17, 2008.
Squelching Sweating with the Underarm Overhaul – It’s going to be a long, hot summer. Not good news for those who hate to sweat. It’s disastrous news ÷ one could even say the pits ÷ for those who suffer from excessive sweating…
All Shizuka NY 2008 Press Releases