Photo: 123rf
The quest for a smoother, plumper and more radiant complexion is a never-ending one. Whether you prefer naturally-derived ingredients or supercharged compounds, many women supplement a rigorous home-care skincare routine with frequent professional help to keep things in check. And with the mind-boggling number of solutions available in the market, selecting the right ones can be confusing.
Here, we tried and tested six facials (which include high-tech solutions and those that pamper your senses) for a rejuvenated mien.
The Phyto-Aromatic Sisleÿa Facial, $280 for 90 minutes, at Sisley Cabin @ Takashimaya Department Store
Photo: Sisley Cabin
Fans of the luxury French brand love its potent botanical ingredients, sumptuous textures and soothing scents. And these are exactly what you can expect from this pampering 90-minute facial. Developed to combat major signs of ageing, the Sisleÿa range used is packed with plant-derived ingredients that are rich in vitamins, trace minerals, peptides and amino acids, all of which are essential for minimising the appearance of wrinkles and improving skin elasticity and brightness.
Beyond conventional facial protocols, there are special touches like relaxation breathing exercises using specially blended salon-use essential oils, light stretching and the alternating use of warm towels and cool massage tools. This blissful experience is all about the therapist’s skilled touch—from the extensive remodelling facial massage to the relaxing shoulders and hand massages, you’ll soon be lulled to sleep.
Though the star of this facial is its premium Sisleÿa range, your therapist will customise a slew of complementary products that are best suited for your skin type so your skin gets exactly what it needs. Expect a revitalised glow and plumper skin as microcirculation is improved and moisture level is replenished.
Efficacy: 4.5/5
Comfort Level: 4.5/5
Ascorbic Action, $150 for 60 minutes or $180 for 75 minutes, at Aesop Facial Appointment at TANGS at TANG Plaza
Photo: Aesop
Those who are familiar with Aesop will know that the brand values sensorial pleasure as much as efficacy when it comes to their products. Needless to say, when the Australian cult brand first ventured into offering facial services, it took virtually everything into consideration. As you enter the Aesop space on Level 4 of TANGS at TANG Plaza, its minimalist decor is sleek and welcoming, almost as if to coax you to leave the complexities of everyday life at the door. The room is faintly scented with one of Aesop’s room sprays, making you feel at ease instantly. Attention to detail is everything here: from the tea you sip on to the consultation process that your therapist takes you through, your every concern is ascertained and your every need is met. All these before your treatment even begins.
As you proceed to the treatment suite, the generous space is nothing short of luxurious—this is after all Singapore’s prime shopping belt, where treatment rooms are usually constrained to tiny spaces. Once you’re relaxed and tucked into the treatment bed (which again, is oversized), your therapist begins to apply concentrated doses of antioxidants, including vitamins C and E to rebalance skin and restore glow. Specially made at a low pH, Aesop’s stabilised vitamin C formula is gentle on the skin and provides a time-release action so your skin is able to reap the benefits continuously.
A series of indulgent facial massage is then performed to boost product penetration into skin. Perfect for dull and congestion-prone complexions.
Efficacy: 4/5
Comfort: 5/5
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Meso Infusion Hydration Facial, $190 for 60 minutes, at 111Skin Facial Cabin @ Robinsons Heeren
Photo: 111Skin
Hailing from London, 111Skin is the brainchild of plastic surgeon, Dr Yannis Alexandrides, and is known for its highly regenerative skincare products that are designed with Dr Alexandrides surgical expertise. Drawing inspiration from his in-clinic procedures, 111Skin facial services combines high-performance ingredients with a spa-like approach for visible results and pampering. If you’re new to the brand, try the Meso Infusion Hydration Facial, which is suitable for almost all skin types to boost moisture level instantly.
Referencing mesotherapy (an in-clinic procedure where multiple injections of vitamins and other active ingredients are administered to deep layers of the skin to bring about cellular rejuvenation), the Meso Infusion Hydration Facial is non-invasive and involves repeatedly infusing the skin with a powerful cocktail of active ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin C to smooth out fine lines.
Efficacy: 4/5
Comfort: 3.5/5
EPION STAR, $550 for 120 minutes, at EPION Clinic
Photo: EPION Clinic
Perfect before a big event, this all-in-one hybrid facial resurfaces, hydrates, smoothes wrinkles, soothes inflammation and even firms skin for an all-round anti-ageing solution. After a short consultation with Dr Melvin Tan, Founder and Medical Director of EPION Clinic, he proceeds to administer infrared pulses deep beyond the dermis layer via the FDA-approved Sciton SkinTyte device.
Expect a warm sensation as heat is delivered to stimulate collagen regeneration to bring about a lifting and firming effect over time. Next, the four-step HydraFacial protocol ensues, which eliminates skin of dirt and grime, sloughs away dead skin cells, gets rid of comedones via a gentle suction and finally replenishes skin with a vitamin cocktail to boost hydration and radiance. Finally, a soothing 24-karat gold face mask is applied to lock in moisture. We noticed a visible improvement in skin clarity and luminosity, while facial contours looked more lifted after a couple of weeks.
Efficacy: 5/5
Comfort: 3.5/5
Biologique Recherche Facial, $288 for 60 minutes (choice of one booster) or $350 for 90 minutes (choice of two boosters), at Freia Aesthetics
Photo: Freia Aesthetics
Highly regarded by beauty editors and industry insiders, Biologique Recherche (BR) has been known for its personalised approach in luxury skincare since it was founded over three decades ago. In addition, all BR products are highly concentrated, with at least 20% in botanical, marine or biological extracts. To protect the stability and integrity of the formulas, all products are made cold and are free of artificial fragrances and additives that could potentially cause sensitive reactions. For maximum benefits, your therapist first performs an in-depth consultation to understand your skin concerns and skin type, as well as to select products that are best suited for you, including cleansers, exfoliators, masks and treatment boosters.
With four different boosters to choose from, you can request for up to two boosters to be used in your facial. We tried the BR Soin Lift CVS Facial booster and the BR Masque Exoliant P50 Visage booster, a powerful combination which balances moisture and sebum levels, improves skin firmness, eliminates dead skin cells and targets hyperpigmentation. A series of effleurage and lymphatic drainage techniques also help alleviate water retention and reduce puffiness for a revitalised mien.
Efficacy: 5/5
Comfort: 4/5
Sugar K Organic Express Peel and Skin Gym Facial, $65 for 20 minutes and $128 for 20 minutes respectively, at Sugar K
Photo: Sugar K
Designed to give sluggish skin a new lease of life, Sugar K’s signature Organic Express Peel is your go-to for a skin overhaul if you’re short on time. Made of organic sugar cane-derived glycolic acid, it dissolves the glue that causes dead skin cells to stick to skin surface, thereby eliminating dullness and revealing clearer, smoother skin in just 2o minutes. After your skin is cleansed, a thin layer of salon-strength glycolic acid is applied, and you can expect to feel a tingling sensation. This also accelerates skin’s turnover process, diminishing the appearance of wrinkles, uneven skin tone, enlarged pores and even acne scars gradually over time.
Next, we also sampled the Skin Gym Facial, where skin is treated to a blend of nutrient-rich serums before a Multi-Polarity Electroporation device is used to boost product penetration. With ten pre-set intensity modes, we recommend starting at strength 3 or 4 to begin before asking your therapist to increase the intensity as you get used to it. As the device is moved around on your face—your therapist will generally focus on areas like the brows, the cheeks and along the jawline—you’ll feel a twitching sensation as your facial muscles are tightened and your facial contours look more sculpted.
Efficacy: 4.5/5
Comfort 3/5
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