I Got a Lymphatic Drainage Massage From Hailey Baldwin's Masseuse and It Cinched My Waistline
Fine, you caught me—I don't drink enough water. Instead, I consume copious amounts of black coffee, salt, and alcohol, then slap a sheet mask on once a week and call it "wellness." It's a great strategy as far as attaining peak fake health goes, but the reality is that I often feel puffy from retaining water (thank you, Lay's Salt & Vinegar chips).
I was feeling particularly bloated when I returned from Christmas vacation to my hometown earlier this year, and I had a trip to Miami coming up with my new boyfriend who, at the time, had only ever seen me in Spanx leggings and oversized sweaters. When I started seeing models/celebrities like Hailey Baldwin, Elsa Hosk, Kelsey Merritt, and Shay Mitchell all posting about the exact same treatment to reduce water weight—a "lymphatic drainage massage" from a woman named Flavia Lanini—I knew I had to track down this woman's magical hands before my vacation.
Since Lanini doesn't have a brick and mortar space in NYC yet, she made a house call to my tiny Brooklyn apartment. After moving my coffee table into the kitchen and informing my roommates that I would be mostly naked in our living room for the next hour, Lanini set up a heated (!!!) massage table complete with fresh terrycloth towels and got right to work on my, well, pudge.
First, she lubed me up with a Brazilian, caffeine-infused lotion (secret recipe), then glided her hands up and down each area of my body using the "L" shapes made by your thumb and index finger. She worked her way up my calves, backs of the knees, backs of the thighs, and even my bare butt—spending about five minutes in each area.
It's not painful, but she does apply a lot of pressure, so in some areas (like my stomach), the process hurt-so-good. I flipped over once she'd made her way to my neck, and then the whole process started over from my feet to my face. One hour later, I was sold on lymphatic drainage massages forever.
My results. It works!
Courtesy
It totally worked. These results—a newfound hourglass shape-of-sorts, more prominent hip bones—were instant, by the way. The next morning, I weighed myself out of curiosity and I had lost three pounds of water weight. My jawline was tighter, my rings fit more loosely on my once-swollen fingers—I was a new woman! So for the sake of ~journalism~ I demanded that Lanini spill on all of the details. Happily, she obliged.
Soo, where on Earth did this miracle method come from?
FLAVIA LANINI: I have developed my method over the past 13 years. I started in Brazil and have continued improving it in the U.S. for the past five years. I applied what I have studied, worked and experienced to create an effective method, so my clients would have a better experience and results. My clients and I call my signature method "The Massage Effect."
How would you describe what the massage actually does?
FL: The Massage Effect and all of my treatments are designed to stimulate areas of the body and face. They are non-invasive. The process acts as natural detoxifications with many health and aesthetic benefits. They are relaxing but most importantly, effective. I use my own unique techniques in every massage, and I combine a number of traditional methods including lymphatic drainage throughout the body and face without any pain or discomfort.
This stimulation will decrease any swelling and will improve cellulite appearance.
What exactly is lymphatic drainage?
FL: Lymphatic Drainage stimulates the lymphatic system to work faster and more effectively. This system is a complex network of nodes and vessels that move lymph fluids throughout the body. It works as a third circulation, in addition to arterial and venous. The function of lymphatic drainage is to remove toxins that accumulate between cells. The drainage occurs naturally after each massage. This stimulation will decrease any swelling and will improve cellulite appearance. Lymphatic drainage also improves circulation, relaxes the body and combats localized fat.
Okay, how much money do I have to shell out?
FL: Most sessions take an hour to an hour and a half, and cost $280.
How can someone book an appointment?
FL: I am opening my first location this summer in New York! Its called Flavia Lanini Studio. It's going to be so awesome, unique and with the latest launches in aesthetics. It will also allow allow my team and I to see more clients and offer a larger variety of treatments.
Since Flavia Lanini Studio isn't open just yet, those interested in getting their hands on Lanini's hands should just slide into her DMs on Instagram. Happy drainage!
Holly Rhue ELLE.com Contributor Holly is a skincare-obsessed contributor at ELLE.com.
