Facial Tips from Christine Chin

Posted Jun 22nd 2009 at 1:15PM by Marissa Gold (Subscribe to Marissa Gold's posts)

Filed under: Beauty

Inside the Manhattan spa. Photo courtesy of Christine Chin.

I've been hearing about esthetician Christine Chin -- and her celebrity followers -- for years. Curious to discover what all the fuss was about, I made the trek down to her Lower East Side Manhattan spa for a facial. (Plot Spoiler: I don't end up getting one).

When the woman who is known as "Mean Christine" walked into the room, I was surprised to see someone friendly and soft-spoken. She said my skin was "one of the best [she's] ever seen," and I told her I credit genetics, not smoking, and vampire-esque shunning of sunlight.

Perhaps it's only clients who break the skin "rules" that see her sassy side.

The next two things that Christine said were somewhat revolutionary:

1. Recession Tip: Choose microdermabrasion over a facial. (Assuming you can't spring for both). Why? A facial is just masks and moisturizers unless you have a need for extractions. If you're a person who, like me, deals more with uneven skin than blackheads, microdermabrasion will do more for you. The result? Even with my super-sensitive skin, microderm on the lightest setting left me even and smooth--no redness.

2. Toner really is important. The first thing I was asked when the magnifying glass switched on: "Do you use toner?" I had always skipped the stuff--it just seemed so unnecessary. But Chin explained that this extra step helps smooth away rough spots and exfoliate skin, so it's worth adding back into my arsenal.

Thanks, Christine!

Tags: christine chin, christine chin spa, ChristineChin, ChristineChinSpa, facial, microdermabrasion, toner

Marina Martin 6-22-2009 @ 2:03PM

Toner seems to be the Republican/Democrat divide of the beauty world. I used it for years, but then read many articles by dermatologists suggesting that toner makes your skin dependent on it and therefore shouldn't be used. So I stopped using toner for years (and my skin has been great). Now I hear to use toner again! I can't win.

Kimberly Clark 7-03-2009 @ 7:52AM

Great Article. Here's another recession proof tip. Drs Katie Rodan & Kathy Fields, creators of ProActiv Solution have done it again with 4 clinically PROVEN regimens to address the top skin care concerns: Soothe, Unblemish, Anti Age, and REVERSE which is clinically proven to REVERSE Sun Damage! Each regimen is designed with MULTI MED THERAPY using the right medicines in the right amounts in the right order to give you the most beautiful GUARENTEED RESULTS! Their Microdermabrasion Paste is out of this world and the Microdermabrsion Body was featured on The Today Show! I have not worn foundation or powder since i found these products. check it out www.appletonclark.myrandf.com

Microdermabrasion 8-03-2009 @ 10:23AM

Very informative article regarding this particular skin treatment. It is important to understand what is required before selecting either a facial or microdermabrasion (see more at http://www.spaaura.com/photo-facial-rejuvenation.php). The procedure is, as mentioned above, very affordable and very effective for people looking for that additional glow in their skin.