Facialist to the stars Sonya Dakar has it in for me. How else could you explain the three hour-plus skin workout she put me through recently? While I lay helpless on her table, she buffed, extracted, massaged, peeled and pummeled my skin into submission, focusing on my rosacea, dermatitis and irritation, and explaining that skin like mine required a complex combination: “Kiss, punch…kiss, punch,” she said in her throaty European accent, fussing over every inch of my face.
It was the most painful facial of my life.
My complexion has never looked better.
After the Facial Fitness Treatment, Sonya’s regime included a Diamond Peel, Oxygen Facial and series of light treatments, followed by strict instructions to avoid gluten and dairy, use only mineral makeup (phew, I’m way ahead of her!) and focus on my problem areas with samples of her famed skincare products. While I was at Lucky magazine, I was addicted to Sonya’s goodies, so I eagerly accepted mini-samples of her Omega-3 Repair Complex, Hydrasoft Lotion and Soya Wash (all excellent for super-sensitive, problem skin like mine), and also have been using the Green Tea Mask, Enzyme Peeling Cream and Drying Potion. I left the office slathered in Calamine-esque Drying Potion, looking like the most glamorous refugee you’ve ever seen, but was assured that, when super-fabulous clients like Drew Barrymore or Fergie leave after their facials, they’re similarly worse for the wear.
It was completely worth it–genuinely, I cannot recommend her products more highly–but sadly, the goods don’t come cheap. However! I’m super excited to announce that Sonya has agreed to come on board with ol’ Jolie as a skincare guru, answering your most pressing skincare questions. Sonya is one of those no-nonsense personalities that you either love or hate. Jolie being a little bit of an acquired taste herself, naturally, I adored her! Leave me your questions below, and I’ll do my best to have her answer them for you!
I have cystic acne. Does she have any suggestions on ways to control it or should I finally give up and take Accutane?
I have a lot of post-acne scars and discoloration from hyper-pigmentation because of acne. Does she have any tips on how to get rid of those, or at the very least, diminish the appearance of them?
In The Skin Type Solution, I read that my skin type (oily t-zone, sensitive, pigmented, tight) should avoid facials, but I loved facials, especially getting extractions on the clogged pores on my nose.
Do you agree? Of not, what skin treatments would you recommend for someone with my skin type?
Also, I can’t use chemical sunscreens on my face. Any recommendations for sunblocks that won’t make me pasty white (I have light olive skin)?
What does Ms. Daykar think about Vitamin C and Vitamin A? what does her line carry with those vitamins?
Thanks!
Any tips for the best way to combat acne scars?
I fell in love with Sonya’s Clarifying line this year. I finally realized what all the fuss was about. Until I realized that pregnant gals shouldn’t be using salacylic acid (big ingredient in the Clarifying line). Any tips on products for hormonal skin that are safe during pregnancy?
Thanks! H.
Jolie:
I just checked out Sonya on yelp.com. There is a consistently low rating that she receives for her service. Do you have any comments. Of course, she probably treated you like royalty knowing you would give her good press.
What gives?
Jolie:
I just checked out Sonya on yelp.com. There is a consistently low rating that she receives for her service. Do you have any comments. Of course, she probably treated you like royalty knowing you would give her good press.
What gives?
Does she have any tips on getting rid of acne that is under the skin that absolutely refuses to come up?
Thanks
Ashley
Does she have any tips on getting rid of acne that is under the skin that absolutely refuses to come up?
Thanks
Ashley
Should write great post. Can’t wait to reading your next post!
Does she have any tips for getting rid of deep acne scars and lingering acne redness? Basically any tips of how to get rid of scars and/or acne?
Thanks
Katherine
I’m passing all the questions along, as well as some I’ve been emailed!
By the way, Antigone, Sonya definitely did *not* treat me like royalty! She’s known for being VERY brusque, all-business, no nonsense, and no fuss. Hers is not a relaxing facial, and many women are taken aback by her sensibilities, seeing it as rudeness. For me, I love the fact that she’s the same with absolutely everybody, doesn’t kiss ass, and really just focuses on her work: that is to say, making skin look good!
For a relaxing facial, go elsewhere. I was literally crying and shrinking away on the table. But, the proof is in the pudding – my skin is looking bomb!
I feel like my skin looks dull and perhaps there is a texture issue. However I have read that exfoliating can cause more acne to form, and I am definitely acne prone in the chin area. Since I am dark I try to avoid anything that will break me out and leave post-acne marks. How can I gently improve the texture of my skin?
Wow, a 3 hour facial sounds kind of extreme. Im not sure I could sit still long enough for that.
She told you to avoid gluten and dairy for your skin, does that go for everyone? Are there certain things she would recommend eating more of?
Hi Jolie,
No disrespect intended, but I think the Achilles heel here is that you (Jolie) can’t really objectively review a product like a facial. Perhaps I’m mistaken, but my guess is that Sonya and her staff knew in advance who you were and that you would be chronicling your experience for the world to see afterward. If you went in undercover and received such great service, please let us all know.
To back up antigone, I recommend that you check out the yelp reviews for yourself. They seem to acknowledge that yes, Sonya is brusque, but that doesn’t seem to be the reason for the consistently low score. Apparently their facials take 3 hours because Sonya and her staff are late leave them sitting in their treatment rooms unattended for lengthy amounts of time while product crusts up on their face. According to them, Sonya answers phone calls and has a rep for disappearing in the middle of treatment, and if the yelpers are to be believed then her services do not ordinarily come with lots of free product — instead there is a huge aggressive sales pitch that involves yelling. Compared to that, I would agree that it sounds like you were treated much better than her non-blogging clientele.
I gotta say that yelp is usually spot on because it is compiled of reviews submitted by regular people. I would recommend that anyone who is considering paying top dollar for a facial service be sure to do their homework thoroughly, and check out sources like yelp and Citysearch in addition to blogs like this. Jolie’s reviews are awesome, but the way a beauty expert gets treated may be vastly different to how the rest of the world will experience the same service.
This is my first day on your blog…I love it! Real people, real questions, real (sometimes brutal) answers. My kind of blog.
Sun damage on the face. Jolie you sould let your fellow bloggers post their sun damaged pictures to help the next generation save their skin. Mine would put yours to shame. I was (think baby oil days) and am ashamed to admit still a sun worshipper. I use sun screen now with hopes to control further damage. What to ask? So many questions. I too have 3 “pimples” on the side of my nose below the skin that refuse to leave. Also toting those brown spots and need advice on what ingrediants to look for in a product on an “extreme madeover” budget. Single middle aged mom with her son in college seeking help.
I couldn’t agree more with Judi M. I have had a facial with Sonya a few months before my wedding for starters, she left me waiting for 90 minutes with a mask on my face and then at the end of the facial, she showed me a bunch of products. When I told her that I only wanted to buy one product, she said “if you’re not going to buy the whole line, then you shouldn’t bother coming back here again.” Then she said “your future husband wants to see his bride with nice skin and if you don’t get the products, you won’t have nice skin.” And my skin is actually very nice. I hardly ever get break outs, but I felt that this was her way of making me feel bad about myself and was a sales tactic to manipulate me. I don’t think that is very professional. She does have a bad reputation (yes, look at Yelp), so be careful who you associate your name with. And plus, she got arrested last summer for biting a state inspector and had to go to court. Google it and you’ll see the article in the LA Times.
Thank you for your sharing.I have tried,it really works great.