Tucked away in the quiet neighborhood that surrounds Albuquerque’s famous Nob Hill district lies a charming spa called MaddMethods Skin and Body. Named after the owner’s son, Maddon, MaddMethods specializes in results-based skincare that is customized for each client’s individual needs. With a focus on providing a variety of luxurious treatments that integrate mind and body therapies, MaddMethods is committed to helping clients not just look better on the outside but feel better from within. 

From the moment I walked through the door of MaddMethods Skin and Body, I could tell I was in for a great experience. D’lany Dee, owner of MaddMethods and licensed esthetician, welcomed me inside. Her positive energy radiated almost as much as her glowing skin. We got along immediately, and she welcomed me with open arms before guiding me into a quiet treatment room to prepare for my facial. If laughter is a healing aid, then my soul is mended after spending time with the passionate, empathic, and joyful Dee. 

Prior to becoming a spa owner, esthetician, certified acne specialist, and master Brazilian waxer, Dee helped clients as a dermatology medical assistant. She followed her passion for helping people transform their skin by opening Albuquerque’s first mobile spray tanning business, which gained her a loyal following and awards for her services. Her love for helping clients achieve their skincare goals is evident in the way she speaks about her work. In 2022, Dee expanded MaddMethods into the Nob Hill space, providing more room for clients to enjoy a variety of services offered by the MaddMethods team. 

Dee’s calming energy is reflected throughout the space, where lush foliage, natural light, and soft lines create an inviting, serene environment. It’s as though Dee utilized a psychologist’s guidance to create a soothing atmosphere, one that attracts positive vibes, feelings, and energy. Her self-made artwork accents the space, further adding to the unique and relaxing décor. 

Per Dee’s recommendation, I was treated to the MaddMethods Signature Treatment. Designed by the owner herself, this completely personalized facial combines top of the line skincare treatments with mind and body therapies to create a transformative experience.

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After dropping off my coat and bag in my treatment room, Dee started off by instructing me to use the MaddMethods sugar hand scrub, scented with a delicious variety of soothing essential oils. I don’t know what MaddMethods mixes into their scrub, but when I tell you my usually very dry, chapped hands loved it, I mean it. They literally soaked it up as I indulged in its delicious scent.

Afterwards, I got undressed, put on the provided robe, and I then rather awkwardly lowered myself onto the treatment table. The room was relaxing, with light shining through a screen of artwork made by Dee herself.

She started a warm steam on my face, creating a continuous cloud of mist as she analyzed my skin and asked about my current skincare regimen. The gentle steam, which was combined with a unique blend of essential oils, created a tranquil sensorial experience. A truly delicious aromatic journey, I was immediately able to start relaxing my shoulders and began to melt into the soft sheets that surrounded me. 

We chatted about my skin’s goals and my past facial experiences, all while Dee gently washed my skin with an oil cleanser, followed by a dermal resurfacing treatment. She then proceeded to use a soft-as-butter brush to glide on a hydrating enzyme, which felt immediately soothing and cool on my skin. 

After a warm towel removed excess product, Dee moved on to extractions, which I was overeager to have done. As a self-aware skin picker, I knew this would be a deeply satisfying part of my experience. It was here that Dee showed off her years of experience when she was performing some minor extractions around my chin.

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She asked me if I was using any face products with shea butter due to the color of the, um, material, that emerged. “No,” I said, “Not that I know of.” After my treatment, Dee helped me find the potential culprit: my favorite sunscreen from Trader Joe’s. Am I low key devastated by this possible betrayal from Mr. Joe’s? Yes, I am. But was I even more impressed with the near sixth-sense abilities Dee possesses when it comes to analyzing exactly what’s going on with her client’s skin? Absolutely.

Next, I was treated to a nano-infusion treatment that utilized micro-channeling, which Dee described as being the equivalent of a wheat grass shot for your skin. The microchanneling allowed pharmaceutical-grade Korean serums to be gently infused into my skin, featuring a combination of antioxidants, peptides, growth factors, apple stem cells, hyaluronic acid, and Matrixyl 3000 (a “topical Botox,” according to Dee). With results from this treatment lasting up to 4 weeks, the Korean serum is used in many of MaddMethod’s facials.  

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Dee and I continued to chat about her love for helping people feel their absolute best. She mentioned the pride she takes in being able to merge a great, result-based facial with “feeling like a noodle when you leave.” She strives to make every visit a whole-body experience for her clients, ensuring every moment you spend here is restorative and enjoyable. She chatted with me about her passion for helping clients achieve remarkable results with their skincare routines.

All of Dee’s clients are on a regular home routine, combined with 4, 6-, 8-, 12- and 14-week visits to the spa, depending on lifestyle, budget, and goals. She encourages a minimum of once-a-season visits to help clients achieve their anti-aging and anti-acne goals. Dee explained that she “feels a responsibility to make it more than just a facial. It’s so much more than that.” I can certainly attest that Dee achieves this. 

I next enjoyed a sulfur mask to help ease inflammation and soothe acne spots. But my favorite part was “The Rich Bitch” facial treatment. Who wouldn’t love a treatment with such a fantastic name?! Aptly titled, Dee explained that this treatment features 24 karat gold and helps tighten and lift the skin to accentuate the v-line of the jaw. Sticky but pleasant, this honey-esque pharmaceutical-grade Korean skincare was massaged onto my face, neck, and decolletage. 

Dee then gently draped my eyes with a soft cloth before applying eye protecting glasses for use with the Celluma Pro blue light therapy panel to help combat bacteria and inflammation. After she gently placed the light over my face, she proceeded to dip my hands in jojoba oil-infused paraffin wax, a much-needed treatment for my dry skin.

It was positively divine to have my hands enveloped in warm, soothing wax and wrapped with warm towels. I’ve never been on a red carpet, but I imagine this is what celebrities feel like with top-of-the-line pampering. Like she had throughout the entire treatment process, Dee checked in with me to make sure I was feeling comfortable. When asked how the wax was feeling, I responded “like a dream.” If my insomnia could be cured, this treatment is what I would dream about. 

The next phase felt especially unique and personal. Since the blue light therapy takes time to work, Dee ensures this time is utilized as an opportunity for a guided meditation moment. Adding to the completely customized service, Dee asked if I wanted more of a fall spice scent or citrus-summer vibe to help me relax further. Even the scents are personalized to your liking! My selection of fall spice filled the room with a heavenly blend of cinnamon-scented oils, reminding me of childhood trips to Pier 1 Imports (RIP!). 

After Dee ensured I didn’t struggle with claustrophobia and was comfortable on the table, I was then draped with a weighted blanket. She emphasized the need for her clients to take this time to enjoy stillness, quiet, and an opportunity to focus only on their breath. Dee believes it is of the utmost importance to give her clients the chance to take a reprieve from the stress of daily living and focus exclusively on oneself. Knowing moments like this are a rarity for most of us, she aims to make her facials an all-encompassing relaxation experience.

Dee asked me if I had any discovery words to help her choose a personalized guided meditation. After taking some time to think through my current state of being and evaluate my stress level, I was compelled to select “connection” as my word of choice. Dee then searched through her collection of guided meditations to pick a suitable recording. Confirming my belief that Dee has a supernatural gift for knowing her client’s needs, she selected the perfect meditation for me to listen to. 

She made sure to let me know a baby monitor was near the table in case I needed her, but she emphasized the importance of taking the next ten minutes to fully relax and melt into her treatment table. She instructed me to take this time to myself and appreciate it as “a hug for your soul and your brain.” Further ensuring I knew I was safe, Dee said “from here on out, I’ve got you.” As I laid on her table, I felt the truth behind her words. It’s apparent how much care and healing Dee puts into her treatments. As a true professional, she simultaneously made me feel like I was receiving a top shelf facial while also indulging in a full-body spa experience. 

As the meditation ended and soothing music played over the room’s speakers, Dee walked in and silently removed the blue light mask. She then proceeded to pour hot oil over my scalp, decolletage, shoulders, and arms. Next came the most incredible upper body massage with hot stones being utilized to help rub the therapeutic oil into my skin.

I now understand the phrase “died and went to heaven,” as this is the most accurate way to describe this phase of the treatment. Incredibly healing and personal, Dee’s artistry in her craft was readily apparent. She gently caressed the hot stones along my all-too-tense shoulders and down my arms, artfully removing the paraffin wax gloves along the way. 

Dee shared with me that she had a background in dance, which was readily apparent when she worked on me. Like a ballet, every aspect of the treatment was well coordinated and interconnected. I felt my shoulders become distanced from my ears, a rarity for my body, and I could not have been more relaxed. She then proceeded to perform a scalp and jaw massage, ensuring the tension that contributes to my rather intense TMJ simply melted away. She finished up with a sound bowl treatment that was deeply relaxing to listen to.

After my soul had left my body and then returned, the final stage of the treatment was commenced. DEe applied acne-fighting products and sun protectant from Face Reality skincare, the popular skincare line carried in-shop. With the lights still turned low, Dee gave me space to slowly get off the table and regain my land legs. Feeling high on relaxation, it took me some time to achieve a sense of balance since my body felt like it had melted completely. Noodle status was achieved! 

As I got dressed and took in the sunlight reflecting through the artwork Dee had made for the room’s windows, I took the moment to appreciate the gift that was the MaddMethods Signature Treatment. What I thought would be a simple facial turned out to be a full body, integrative relaxation treatment that left me with more than just glowing skin, but a significant decrease in my stress and anxiety. I felt grounded and more relaxed than I have in, well, a long time. A complimentary cup of cinnamon tea, with a scent like the delicious oils that accented my meditation, was the perfect way to end such a restorative afternoon.

Dee took special care to check in with me repeatedly throughout the treatment, always making sure I wasn’t experiencing discomfort of any kind. I felt safe and well taken care of in her treatment room, with a sense I was in the hands of a true professional. As the days progressed after my facial, my skin continued to glow. It was the smoothest it had been in years, with numerous areas of texture disappearing over the course of 48 hours. 

On my way out, I met Zay, another of MaddMethod’s talented estheticians. If his own glowing skin isn’t enough of an advertisement for MaddMethods Skin and Body, his passion for his clients and love for what he does certainly is. A former client of Dee’s, Zay understands what it’s like to live with acne and how challenging embarking on a skincare journey can be. His clear (no pun intended) dedication to helping others find clarity and peace with their skin is admirable, and his own experience results in an empathic understanding for his client’s needs. Meeting one of Zay’s waxing clients on my way out the door made it obvious he helps everyone he works on feel relaxed and comfortable.

In addition to their exceptional facial treatments, MaddMethods also offers a range of additional services to enhance your spa experience. From organic spray tans to teeth whitening to full-body waxing, you can indulge in a variety of services to pamper yourself from head to toe. 

My experience exemplified Dee and the MaddMethods team’s dedication to building a business focused on what truly matters: keeping clients the priority, focus on quality, and maintaining a commitment to results-driven treatments. From the moment I walked in, I felt welcomed and cared for. The staff went above and beyond to ensure that I had a memorable and enjoyable service. If you're looking for a spa that offers personalized care, a tranquil atmosphere, and exceptional treatments, I highly recommend checking out MaddMethods Skin and Body. You won't be disappointed.

Instagram: @MaddMethodsSkinAndBody

Phone: (505) 715-7476

Address: 129 Jackson St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108

Website: maddmethodsskinandbody.com

Lauren K. Malott is an Albuquerque-based award-winning marketer and a freelance writer with a love for all things beauty and wellness. Outside of work, you’ll find her indulging in New Mexico’s famous green chile, creating art, and playing with her oversized but adorable cat. Follow her on Instagram: @laurenkmalott