Facial

Salon Spy: Bliss Spa Triple Oxygen Facial at Sephora Singapore

Paris B 13 Comments

My initial perception of Bliss Spa was not a good one.

I decided to indulge in a facial while waiting for my shopping buddies in Singapore to get off work and join me in pounding the shopping beat. Bliss Spa at Sephora ION came recommended and after browsing around online, I found out that their Triple Oxygen Treatment Facial comes highly rated – mostly by beauty editors of mags who likely got it gratis 😛 Still… worth a shot I figured.

Bliss Spa at Sephora ION Orchard Singapore

My sister helped me make a booking but when she called back to confirm my appointment the next day, they told her that no one had taken the reservation down! The result was that I lost my preferred time and had to settle for a later time slot. I was about to give it up but since I’d already hyped myself up for it, I went with the later time slot. It would also give me more time to get into the city from the airport.

They did offer a 20% discount for the inconvenience which helped placate me a little. After all, the Triple Oxygen Treatment Facial is S$185 and 20% off saves me good money anyway.

I got there way before my allotted time which gave me time to relax and fill up some registration forms which I’m told is de rigeur. They greeted me by name which was a nice touch and while waiting, you can snack on chocolate brownies and have tea or water or lemonade and magazines at your disposal. Lovely! After quite a while, it was finally into the facial cabin and away with the facial! Am I going to rave about it as the other beauty editors have? You’ll have to read on to find out.

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Salon Spy: Hydroptimale THI3 Intensive Treatment at Sothys 128 Faubourg at Empire Shopping Gallery

Paris B 18 Comments

You all know I’m a facial buff right? I love trying out new facials and my personal belief is that regular facials do help my facial skin. This might not be a view shared by everyone 🙂 This is also the time when I escape for 2 hours into my own little cocoon of relaxation which helps my mental state and keeps me sane 😛

My recent facial experience was at the Sothys 128 Faubourg Salon at the new Empire Shopping Gallery in Subang Jaya. I was there to try the new Hydroptimale THI3 Intensive Treatment – a moisturizing facial.

The Sothys 128 Faubourg Salon

The Sothys salon is relaxing and exudes luxury. The prices of their facials are on the high side but they always have introductory prices for those who are new.

The facial rooms are a little smaller than I’m used to. The salons I go to usually have larger more spacious rooms but in the Sothys one, you get the facial bed dominating the room, and recesses for you to hang your clothes and the like. The room at 128 Faubourg at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur is the same. Its not cramped. Just a little smaller than I’m used to.

You are given a loose tube top which you change into, and a shower cap for your hair and are then requested to sit and soak your feet in some hot water. This is something new for me compared to other salons and its super comforting and relaxing! The therapist will wipe off your feet and when you sit on the facial bed, she gives a nice short neck shoulder and back massage. Ooh luxury!

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Salon Spy: Clarins Facial Institute @ Suria KLCC

Paris B 14 Comments

A while ago, I was introduced to the Clarins Facial Institute where I was offered the Madagascar Hydrating Facial. I rather liked it so in August, when HSBC credit cards ran a promotion where you could get a Buy 1 Free 1 Facial from Clarins Facial Institute at KLCC or 1 Utama, I dropped by Suria KLCC to purchase a facial. Incidentally, Clarins does these Buy 1 Free 1 promotions quite often with selected credit cards so look through the bank brochure before you toss it. The facial I had cost RM198/1 hour but its only really about 45-50 minutes max for the facial itself.

Clarins Facial without extractions or machines

If you dislike facials that leave your face dripping wet after the facial, or where they do painful extractions and use all sorts of swanky looking machines on your face, Clarins is where you should go. They operate strictly on a no machine, no extractions facial policy so they are truly “hands on”.

The facial starts with a visual and tactile analysis by your therapist in the facial room. Then, it follows up with an interesting relaxation technique where you are gently shaken all over while you clench and unclench your muscles. Don’t laugh – it works ok!

Thereafter, the therapist will proceed with the facial, doing facial massages and applying things to your skin using only their hands. There is a lot of patting on your face so products absorb better, they say. Honestly, they do so much work on your face it suddenly doesn’t seem all that expensive 😛 I like how they warm up everything they place on your skin and how warm their hands are and your face feels – its all that blood moving around you see. But its not all paradise as we’ll see below.

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Escentials Urban Retreat @ Starhill Gallery Kuala Lumpur

Paris B 11 Comments

escentials

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.
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