Sothys (pronounced S0-TEASE), a ~60-year-old, family-owned skin care company in Paris, France, opened their first signature day spa in the US in April. Three months later, I found myself in New York City. On the top of my list of things to do was to experience Sothys' new spa.

I knew I wanted a facial, but didn't have a clue as to which one would be best for my skin. Among my choices were Signature Facial Treatments such as European Facial with Exfoliation, Professional Correcting Treatment, Flash Beaute - Vitamin C Aromatherapy Treatment, Active Contour Eye Treatment, Professional Peeling Treatment) and Institute Treatments such as Lift Defense 2 Dermo Reconstructing Treatment, Hydroptimale Ultimate Hydration Treatment, Oxyliance Anti-Pollution Treatment, Lamifacial, Lumlift Facial Treatment and Microdermabrasion Treatment. Fortunately, I could make my appointment for a facial and leave it up to my esthetician to decide which would be best.

I arrived in the city early and enjoyed avocado, tomato and cheese in a whole wheat pita at the great health food lunch counter right next to the spa. I didn't realize it then, but the spa has a café where I could have had a light lunch. I then walked over to the spa and checked in at the reception desk. I was escorted past the retail center (which is the only place in the US that carries the entire range of Sothys products) and makeup area to the women's changing room where I was given a locker, slippers, a thick terry wrap and a thick terry robe. I put the wrap under the robe and, feeling rather fluffy, sat in the waiting area under the curving staircase.

At the appointed time, my esthetician, Anna, came for me. She escorted me into one of the three facial treatment rooms on the main level.

Anna got me settled in the very comfortable, adjustable treatment table/chair. She offered to wax and shape my eyebrows, which I happily accepted - a much needed improvement. She then examined my skin and pronounced that it was sensitive, but I had an active T-zone and my skin's texture was uneven. Her plan was to do a glycolic peel followed by a European facial with an eye treatment.

Anna started the facial with a thorough cleansing. She applied toner then a glycolic mask. While the mask was working, she massaged my hands and placed them in heated mitts. After the mask came a gommage to exfoliate. There are no large particles in the gommage. Instead, the product is rubbed off the face taking the dead skin with it. Extractions took place. A high frequency wand was used. An Oxyliance mask and eye mask were applied. While they worked, Anna gave me a neck and shoulder massage, then left me to relax. She returned to remove the masks and apply moisturizer. My skin looked much more even and felt very soft and smooth. It definitely lived up to Sothys' motto - "efficient, safe and pleasant".

Main Level

Waiting Area - Main Level	Retail Area - Main Level
Makeup Station - Main Level	Waiting Area - Main Level

Other services the spa offers include Body Treatments (Sothys Signature Body Massage, Aroma-Sothys Nourishing Body Treatment, Body Bronzing, Illuminating Salt Glow), Thalassothys Treatments (Hydrotherapy Treatment, Remineralizing Treatment, Detoxifying Treatment, Slimming/Body Contouring Treatment, Total Firming Treatment, Revitalizing Leg Treatment), Sothys Signature Makeup Services (Make up Application, Special Occasion Make Up), and Sothys Professional Nail Treatments (Signature Manicure, French Manicure, Manicure, Signature Pedicure, French Pedicure, Pedicure, Treatment, Polish Change- Hands, Polish Change- Feet).

The 5,000-square-foot spa houses 10 treatment rooms over three levels. A sweeping staircase leads the upper floor where there are five treatment rooms - 2 facial rooms, 2 massage rooms, and a hydrotherapy room. The massage rooms connect so they can be used for couples or friends. The hydrotherapy room is the piece de resistance of the spa. Natural sunlight streams in from the skylight above the hydrotherapy tub, bathing the room in natural light. The room also holds a massage table and waterfall.

Upper Level

Staircase to Upper Level	Hydrotherapy Room with Skylight - Upper Level
Bridge to Treatment Rooms - Upper Level	Connecting Massage Treatment Rooms - Upper Level

The lower level holds a small café modeled after a French Bistro where clients can enjoy coffee, tea and a light lunch. A few steps down from the café reveals the nail area with two manicure stations and two pedicure stations. There are also two large facial rooms where the Lumifacials are given. These facials use light energy to improve the skin. According to Spa Director, Trena Ross, different light waves are used to treat different conditions such as dark pigmentation, acne and roseacea.

Lower Level

Cafe Sothys - Lower Level	Manicure Station - Lower Level
Pedicure Station - Lower Level	Facial Treatment Room - Lower Level