Time Check: It’s now-or-never when it comes to the best beauty treatments for the festive season

When I was six, a Christmas miracle involved me ripping open a Spiceworld Tour VCD I wished for and forcing my pitiable parents to snap a photo of me holding it while doing a Posh Spice pose. When I was 21, said miracle was my attempt to manifest a dramatic Yuletide romance like in ‘Love Actually’, but that is another story entirely (TLDR: it became ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’ instead).

And now, at 32, all I wish for is for someone at a party to tell me I look “fabulously well rested” as if all I’ve been doing is hibernating like a marsupial. I would look them in the eye, consider the proximity of our relationship, and then let them know that it’s just the festive beauty treatments I’ve been doing. 

To get ready for the festive period, you can continue using products of caviar dreams and champagne wishes, but beauty treatments can be considered the easiest, most effortless way to let you spend time outside instead of labouring in front of a mirror. So take the advice from these four places: these are the most popular beauty treatments over the festive period with relatively low maintenance.

In short, it gives you time to do the more important stuff like organising a group watch of ‘The Merry Gentleman’ (for those uninformed, Chad Michael Murray plays a stripper) or starting a panel on what bizarre decorations Kim Kardashian is planning (we love a sustainability queen). 

1. For the perfect “just woke up like this” blowout: Chez Vous’s Supreme Liquid Hair Treatment

The Most Wanted: According to Director Readen Chia — curly hair maestro, hair smoothing wunderkind, and #1 in repeat customer visits (good luck booking him; Chia is booked out 90% of the time) — the treatment which launched in 2024 and is exclusive to Chez Vous imbues your hair with a glass-like radiance that suggests you’re sophisticated and demure. 

Compared to other gloss treatments of the early noughts, the treatment does not use keratin but instead uses clean beauty technology that makes it safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women and children. Chia adds too that it outperforms Keratin Treatments and Brazilian Blowouts in terms of shine and smoothing results as “its high-tech, nano-sized, oil-based bond-repairing nutrient smooths the hair without causing damage, offering superior frizz control and glossy results for up to six months.”

The Happiness Index: “Clients are often pleasantly surprised by the intense glossiness of their hair post-treatment. The Supreme Liquid Hair Treatment has also proven to last significantly longer than other options on the market,” says Chia, though he notes that it’s common for hair to appear slightly flatter and a little heavier for the first two weeks as the treatment involves sealing it with a reparative glossy seal. 

The Maintenance: Chia recommends clients get the treatment two weeks before major events or the holiday season to achieve their desired look at the perfect time. As for maintenance, twice a year is sufficient for most, according to him, but “they can opt for monthly maintenance treatments at the salon, focusing on hydration and nourishment to further enhance the effects of the Supreme Liquid Hair Treatment.”

The Added Benefits: “Unlike Keratin Treatments, the Supreme Liquid Hair Treatment allows customers to perm or rebond their hair just three months after the initial service—without any risk of damage or compromising the hair’s condition”, says Chia.

The Cost: Prices start at S$395 for short hair (S$295 for first-trial), S$595 for medium-long lengths (S$495 for first-trial), and S$695 for long hair (S$595 for first-trial). A complimentary haircut worth S$125 is also extended.

2. For crystal clear skin with minimal downtime: Mizu Aesthetic Clinic’s Mizu Multifractional Laser

The Most Wanted: Skin brightening treatments, especially lasers, are always the most popular beauty treatments during the festive period, according to Founder & Medical Director Dr YZ Tan as “people are looking for that radiant glow during the festive season, whether for Christmas, New Year’s, or the upcoming Chinese New Year.” Pointing towards this one — two laser wavelengths used, unlike regular treatments that emit only one wavelength at a time —which was launched this year, he notes that such treatments often offer a lasting radiance, which makes them ideal for any who want to have a constant glow throughout an extended holiday period. 

Having offered fractional laser treatments at the clinic since its opening nearly a decade ago, Tan adds that its popularity has increased because not only has the recovery process shortened considerably (in short, better results and less inconvenience), but laser treatments now address everything from enlarged pores and dullness, to uneven skin tone, fine lines, wrinkles, and poor texture.

The Happiness Index: “The response for Mizu Multifractional Laser has been positive. Our patients have commented about how smooth and rejuvenated their skin feels after the treatment”, notes Tan, once again mentioning that the benefits — longer-lasting and more obvious results — combined with minimal downtime makes it a favourite of many. 

The Maintenance: Tan recommends patients come in once every three months to keep the glow going, but for those looking to dial it up, it can be repeated every eight weeks. “This flexibility allows us to cater to individual skincare goals and needs”.

The Added Benefits: “One of the most interesting hidden benefits of the Mizu Multifractional Laser is its ability to reverse skin ageing”, says Tan, regarding how it also targets and removes old cells that naturally shed during the skin’s renewal. The process slows down as we age, leading to “a tired, aged appearance and promoting inflammation that can worsen skin health”, which the treatment takes care of. “It’s not just about glowing skin—it’s about truly rejuvenated, healthier skin.”

The Cost: The trial price for the Mizu Multifractional Laser is S$545. 

3. For those looking to keep it tight: BMF The Aesthetics People’s CFU Ultima by Elife For Face & ONDA Smart Body Intelligent

The Most Wanted: To keep things tight from head to toe and where they should be, Louisa Leow, the brand’s Senior Strategic Manager, recommends CFU Ultima by Elife For Face (or CFU for short) and ONDA Smart Body Intelligent (or ONDA for short). The former uses advanced ultrasound technology to go deep into the skin and boost collagen production to firm the skin and lift it, which results in a youthful, glowing complexion. It is one of the best beauty treatments, according to her, for any “looking for a quick fix during the festive season, especially when their faces feel rounder from eating and drinking.”

As for the latter, it is a popular choice because “you can often see results in just one session” as it flushes out toxins, improves blood circulation, and promotes lymphatic drainage after overindulging in food and alcohol. Both treatments were introduced around two to three years ago, and CFU is reported to have rare side effects like burns, whereas ONDA has none, as the staff are continuously trained in both to eliminate them. 

The Happiness Index: “Clients appreciate the noticeable lifting effects of CFU, and while some experience redness immediately after the treatment, it typically fades within half a day. As for ONDA, clients describe a cooling-hot sensation during the treatment, with slight discomfort similar to briefly placing ice on the skin. However, they consistently remark on the remarkable results, particularly its effectiveness in improving skin laxity,” notes Leow. 

The Maintenance: Leow recommends undergoing CFU every four weeks and every three weeks for ONDA.  

The Added Benefits: If you notice yourself looking younger, that’s just one of the hidden benefits of CFU, as the process of collagen growth stimulation continues to develop for up to a month after treatment. AS for ONDA, expect a more sprightly sense of self as it “highly encourages blood circulation and lymphatic drainage”, according to Leow, who adds that it’s good for eliminating toxins and general wellness. 

The Cost: The trial price for either CFU or ONDA is S$128. Packages are also available for either treatment. 

4. For an anti-frizz treatment that will tame the unruliest of hairs: Suchehwa by Ted’s Korean Miracle Treatment (Cinderella Keratin Treatment)

The Most Wanted: The anti-frizz treatment which tames the unruliest of hair is “perfect for anyone looking to cut down their styling time at home”, says Managing Director Ted Kim and as for another reason why it’s one of the most wanted beauty treatments in the list, notes that “frizz becomes more difficult to manage as we approach the festive season which has the added humidity of the rainy months.”

Having offered it since the salon’s opening almost two years ago, the treatment preserves the natural texture of one’s hair, which makes it ideal for those with permed or naturally wavy hair which has volume. “Over the years, we’ve seen a growing demand from customers who prefer to keep their hair’s natural body. Hence, we have customised the treatments to cater to individual needs, carefully mixing the right proportions to achieve the perfect balance between smoothness and volume,” adds Kim. 

The Happiness Index: Besides the joy of a low-maintenance wash-dry-and-go style, Kim notes that customers are also happy that this treatment allows them the freedom to undergo other chemical services such as perming, which typical keratin treatments usually don’t permit as they aren’t as gentle on the hair. The treatment is also personalised according to one’s hair texture and condition, individual needs and daily lifestyle. 

The Maintenance: “The longevity of our Korean Miracle Treatment depends on how well customers care for their hair, typically lasting around one to three months, but it can extend even longer based on individual routines”, says Kim, adding that he also recommends rotating it with other inner cuticle-targeting treatments for optimal hair health as it primarily focuses on the outer cuticle. 

The Added Benefits: A hidden benefit to this treatment is that it can reduce breakage owing to its strength-imbuing properties while maintaining the vibrancy of colours. 

The Cost: The price ranges from S$250 for short hair lengths done with an Assistant Director to S$490 for extra long lengths done with Kim. The salon is also offering their Instagram followers a 20% discount for bookings made before 30th November.

5. For the perfect festive glow-up: Epion Clinic’s Forever Young Broadband Light (Anti-Ageing)

The Most Wanted: Commenting that patients would come in about a month before the festive or holiday seasons, Dr Melvin Tan, the clinic’s Medical Director and Founder, adds that they’d usually notice prominent results like the reduction of the appearance of pigmentation, along with the softening of lines “on the upper part of the face, namely the forehead, frown and crow feet areas.” In some cases, the jawline has a slimmer look or the neck, which looks lifted. 

The treatment, according to Tan, is tailored specifically to the patient’s requirements, expectations, age, and even ethnic group. “A good treatment outcome smoothens the skin of the treated area while achieving a lifting effect to that part of the face”, he adds. 

The Happiness Index: “It’s a treatment with a very high satisfaction rate”, notes Tan who also adds that the number of treatments required is dependent on each patient’s goals.

The Maintenance: While the number of treatments is dependent on what a patient wants, it can also be combined with other treatments for longer-lasting and more prominent results like Skinyte ($545 with GST included) which deeply stimulates collagen tissue for a firmer and more lifted appearance. 

The Added Benefits: If one starts the treatment earlier before expression lines start appearing, Tan says that one can unlock its preventive rejuvenation benefits, which is“a more proactive approach focusing on prevention rather than correction.”

The Cost: Forever Young Broadband Light (Anti-Ageing) is priced at $490.50 with GST included.