Tracie Martyn in her chic and tranquil New York City salon. Photo: Peter Lueders
She even passes Madge's famously persnickety standards. Meet Tracie Martyn, the skincare guru/facialist with a client roster that reads like the reservation list at The Ivy.
So, what is it about Martyn that makes her such a hot ticket among the A-list? The petite and charming blonde knows how to give the face a lift sans needles, knives or lasers.
Inside her jewel box Greenwich Village, NYC salon, she's concocted the "Resculpting Facial," a nearly $600 treatment ($300 if given by one of her associates) that uses a combo of deep cleansing and exfoliation along with a machine that emits mild currents to stimulate, tighten and contour the skin.
The results have converted some stars into virtual Martyn addicts. After receiving a series of her lifting treatments while starring on Broadway, Rupert Everett had the press accusing him of plastic surgery.
StyleList got a chance to talk to Tracie Martyn right after she performed a pre-fashion week facial on Diane von Furstenberg. (DVF has a standing weekly appointment with Martyn.)
Also stopping in for treatments before their shows were Narciso Rodriguez and Francisco Costa of Calvin Klein, respectively. In fact, the Resculpting Facial is such a fashion favorite that John Galliano once referred to it as the "Haute Couture of all Treatments," a term Martyn subsequently trademarked.
Tracie Martyn: I always remind them to drink water, eat healthy meals that contain protein to preserve collagen and elastin, sleep face up on the back and to protect their skin from the sun with sunscreen, hats and antioxidants both inside and out.
SL: Which of your famous clients has beautiful skin without any makeup?
TM: Kate Winslet and Cyndi Lauper come to mind right away.
SL: What is Madonna like as a client?
TM: Madonna is always on time for her appointment and has a great sense of humor.
SL: What is your skincare line all about?
TM: First and foremost, quality and care. I specialize in delivering results minus the side effects and irritation associated with some dermatological strength products. Yet I feel that a lot of the natural and organic products on the market under-perform. So I came up with the concept: Absolute Purity Visible Results.
That means that my products combine natural, active cosmeceuticals like vitamin C, amino acids, antioxidants and enzymes in a base of natural and organic botanicals and essential oils. My clients want it all -- anti-aging results, luxury, spa-like sensory effects, ingredient purity and eco-awareness -- and that's what my skincare line is about. You no longer have to compromise safety for results or vice versa.
SL: Tell us about your treatment that has become so popular among Hollywood and fashion's elite.
TM: My trademarked Resculpting Facial lifts, firms, contours and improves elasticity. Our bodies, including our skin cells, tend to slow down with the aging process. Specific to skin, this means slower metabolism, less collagen and elastic production, less circulation, less cellular energy.
To improve the appearance of the skin, I developed the Resculptor, which uses mild currents to stimulate the skin and help bring things back to a more youthful pace. Diane von Furstenberg, who is known for looking amazing, naturally, has been coming to me for over 10 years and calls the Resculpting Facial a way to "defy gravity."
Tracie Martyn's at-home facial:
- Start with the Amla Purifying Cleanser. Create in your hands a soft foam by mixing this fragrant and potent cleansing concentrate with water and rubbing your hands together. Massage all over your face and rinse off with water.
- Next apply the Enzyme Exfoliant, a resurfacing mask that you can also use as an at home microdermabrasion by gently massaging it onto your skin. For sensitive skin just leave on as a mask as the enzymes will provide enough exfoliation without moving the fine grains around. Either way leave it on for 15 minutes so that the ingredients have time to do their brightening magic. You can take the mask to the crow's feet area under the eyes but do not get the product into your eye.
- Wash the Enzyme Exfoliant off and splash on some LotuSculpt Activator. Use this to activate the eye pads and relax with these on (or go about your activities) for another 15 minutes. Remove eyepads and marvel at the smoothing, brightening results.
- Put some Firming Serum on your fingertips and massage it in upwards strokes onto your face. Use gentle circular movements around your eyes. If you do not have oily skin and want that extra boost of elasticity around your jawline, apply my Resculpting Body Cream on the neck and jawline. Have a look at your radiant glow in the mirror!
Tracie Martyn is offering a special to StyleList readers. Get her LotuSculpt Eye Treatment product pair for $70 (regularly $95) or her Amla Purifying Cleanser and Enzyme Exfoliant for $195 (regularly $250). Call 1-866-TMARTYN and mention StyleList for the discount. Or shop her full selection of products here.