When was the last time you had a really memorable spa experience? Many factors – including the therapist’s skills and techniques, the environment as well as service touches – play a part in the overall enjoyment of a spa treatment.
In our quest to determine the most worthy body massages and body contouring treatments, we went round the island to get kneaded and sculpted. Here are the treatments that won Her World Spa & Wellness Awards 2021, ranging from aromatherapy to gua sha and Hawaiian Lomi Lomi. We included a brow treatment that deserves mention, too.
WHERE Damai Spa, Grand Hyatt Singapore, tel: 6416-7156
TREATMENT De-stress Body Ritual, $329.56
WHAT IT IS An ultra-relaxing and pampering head-to-toe experience that combines a personalised body massage and wrap, and scalp massage.
OUR EXPERIENCE “I felt so relaxed afterwards. My neck was less tense and achy for the two weeks that followed – a considerably decent period given my chronically tensed body.”
WHERE Illumia Therapeutics, #05-12B Wheelock Place, tel: 6454-5465
TREATMENT Cooltech 360 Fat Freeze, $700 (excluding GST)
WHAT IT IS A contouring treatment that targets up to four areas at a time for a highly efficient session. The fat cells are frozen to death, and over time will be removed by the body as waste. There is hardly any downtime or discomfort.
OUR EXPERIENCE “There was some numbness at my tummy and love handles for more than 24 hours, but it went away. I could even start exercising the next day, and I was motivated to, since my unwanted fat had been frozen away.”
WHERE Strip, #03-112 Great World, tel: 6733-0069; for full outlet listing, visit www.strip.com.sg/outlets
TREATMENT Thermal Shape, from $250 per session
WHAT IT IS It combines radio frequency, vacuum suction and heat, and ultrasound cavitation therapy to deliver energy into the skin’s fat and dermis layers. This reduces the appearance of cellulite, and reshapes and tones the body.
OUR EXPERIENCE “The treatments need a few sessions to work, but I could see that my skin was definitely already firmer to the touch.”
WHERE The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Level 1, The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, tel: 6434-5203
TREATMENT Signature Massage, $353.10
WHAT IT IS A customised massage that uses relaxing aromatherapy and restorative massage techniques to alleviate tension, while reinvigorating the body and mind.
OUR EXPERIENCE “The massage restored my body to its pre-WFH, less-achy days. And I felt just as relaxed. I’m honestly tempted to go again.”
WHERE Elements Wellness, #02-28 The Centrepoint, tel: 6737-8488; #B1-30 Ion Orchard, tel: 6738-3788; #B2- 50/51 313@Somerset, tel: 6636-8878
TREATMENT Muscle Blading Therapy + Muscle Release Body Massage, $221.10
WHAT IT IS The TCM-inspired treatment uses a heated tool for targeted “blading” (aka gua sha) along your muscles and energy channels. The heat softens tight muscles, which allows the therapist to knead away the more stubborn knots for deeper relaxation.
OUR EXPERIENCE “My tight knots and tense muscles were very much relaxed and soothed, and I slept better than I did in a long time.”
WHERE Lifespa, Level 11 Orchard Gateway @ Emerald, tel: 6737-6766; Carlton Hotel Level 4 Executive Wing, tel: 6337-6339; Carlton Hotel Level 5 Premier Wing, tel: 6339-6966
TREATMENT Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage, $368
WHAT IT IS Practised by native healers and warriors in Hawaii, the massage focuses on relaxing, rebalancing and healing the body’s energy to strengthen it against illness. The therapist uses her forearms to deliver long, flowy strokes to knead away knots and soothe tense muscles.
OUR EXPERIENCE “It helped my body become more relaxed, improved blood circulation, and removed blockages. My shoulders and back didn’t ache as much after, and my skin felt smoother and firmer too.”
WHERE Browhaus, #03-112 Great World, tel: 6733-8908; for full outlet listing, visit www.browhaus.com/outlets
TREATMENT Brow Resurrection, from $1,200
WHAT IT IS Developed by Browhaus, Brow Resurrection delivers natural-looking strokes that create realistic hair strands, so you look like you were born with gorgeous brows. There are four looks – Classic, Full, Soft and Ombre – to help you achieve the brows you want.
OUR EXPERIENCE “Brows looked great! The shape was perfect and the colour, natural. The best part: I don’t have to fiddle with my brows every morning or worry about touch-ups during the day.”
