When I attended the REN Skincare workshop previously, part of the goody bag given was a voucher for a complimentary Decleor back massage at Escentials Urban Retreat at Starhill Gallery Kuala Lumpur. I’d forgotten about it until one day when I rediscovered the voucher while clearing my desk and it was just a couple of days to expiry! So, I booked myself into a slot one day and found myself standing on the Pamper Floor of the luxurious Starhill Gallery in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
I was asked if I wanted to top up money to a longer body massage but I declined. I was happy they did not push it or I might have gotten nasty. I was however feeling really tired so I opted instead for a Decleor facial. It is probably one of the most expensive facials I’d ever gone for – I paid something like RM268 or thereabouts. Question is, was it worth it?
The spa is a lot larger than I originally thought. It stretches all the way in which is nice because its so quiet in the waiting room while you sip your hot tea and wait for them to prepare your room.
In the treatment room, you are directed to the back where there is a shower, and you can change in comfort. The tube top they made me wear was very interesting – it opens at the back so the therapist can massage your shoulders and back without you stripping – good for the modest 🙂
The back and shoulder massage was very nice. You choose the pressure you feel most comfortable with and I opted for medium pressure so it was just right as she worked out the kinks in my shoulders. I did find the place you put your face in a little weird – it was lined with tissue paper for hygiene I guess, but when the massage was over and I lifted my head, the tissue was all stuck to my face 😛
The facial however was a bit of a disappointment – an expensive disappointment, in fact! You get the same therapist as the one who does the massage so I found her touch a bit too firm when doing a facial for which I prefer a lighter touch. Also, I think the products are kept in fixed drawers, not on trolleys, so instead of having all the products next to her, the therapist would roll back and forth on her wheelie chair to get the items she needed.
Imagine wheeling a chair back and forth on a wooden floor and you get the idea why I felt uncomfortable. It was noisy and I’d suggest that Escentials find a way to have the facial products NEXT to the therapist or if not, ban them from freewheeling in their chair.
I haven’t used Decleor products before and I don’t have much comment about it. The facial felt as most other facials do with the usual cleansing, eyebrow trimming, extraction, facial massage, mask and moisturizer.
Its my first time at Escentials Urban Retreat. The ambiance is lovely, the body massage is very good but my facial was spoilt by the noise so I could not fully relax and doze off. It is expensive I won’t deny so I will not go back again all that soon. There was a facial I was quite fascinated with though – some champagne something that promised to leave you glowing. Hmm… not with those wheely chairs I won’t!
Escentials Urban Retreat is located at Lot S32-37, Pamper Floor, Starhill Gallery. Go up to the Pamper Floor and look for the standalone counter that looks like the information counter for a forest reserve. That’s the image I had in my mind. 😛
Have you been to Escentials Urban Retreat?
Stay beautiful,
Paris B
I wish I can afford an expensive facial treatment.
Well I would strongly agree with you that the wheel chair noise will ruin the whole peaceful session!
Hi Phy
Not all expensive treatments are good – this was a case in point 😛 I hope someone reads this! 😛
Hi,
I was thinking to try out Decleor product, heard that it is mostly Aromatherapy stuff, not sure if suitable for my normal/combination skin. Anyone try Decleor before?
🙂 lemon
Hi Lemon
My only experience was at the facial – I wasn’t super impressed but it was only for an hour so I can’t quite say
hi there. I would like to know where do you go for your facials? do you know any nice place to get a good facial? any place where they do a really good job but the price is still reasonable? i always have a feeling that places offering facials are just out to get the customers to empty their pockets. they usually started out inexpensive, then they will recommend that you use their product which cost so much, and then they will tell you how bad your skin look and they will recommend you their products again. They tend to tell you that whatever brand of facial product you use is no good and all. I heard some facials even made the customer’s skin worst. Nowadays everyone and anyone can have their own shop doing facial services. so I’m pretty much worried what will happen if i step into the wrong place and had my face ruin by the ppl there. so pretty please give me some suggestion on which place to go… If possible tell me some that have a good reputation with acne and scars. thank you much much 😀
Hi Germaine
This post about facials in KL and PJ might help you 🙂 I go to the salons of the brands themselves – its a personal preference. Some of the other readers’ suggestions may be helpful too.
i like your honesty. they better do something about the therapists wheeling their chairs. irritating indeed.
Hi Juan
Well, I hope so too! I can’t see myself going back to another noisy wheely facial
hi… try Sothys. they seem expensive.. but the ambience is really nice.. and i only went in for an eye treatment- complimentary! no, and she was not pushy!
Hi CY
I’ve tried 128 Faubourg at Pavilion for the eye treatment. It was ok and I had a decent experience there too but a friend who went with me had a pushy sales person so I guess its hit or miss!
i meant 128 Faubourg at pavillion.