The Miracle Facial at SK-II Boutique Spa

Last month, I was very blessed to be invited to be part of the first ever global blogger workshop by SK-II. It was held in Singapore, and bloggers from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Korea flew in to attend it. A nice surprise was that we were going to enjoy facials at the newly opened SK-II Boutique Spa at Millenia Walk! I'm happy to share with you my experience at the spa, and what you can expect there.. read on!

The newest SK-II Boutique Spa, located conveniently in the heart of the Marina Bay district in Singapore is the biggest SK-II spa in Singapore to date. It offers over 20 different treatments, mostly facials, and also waxing services. 

The entrance of the spa.. showcasing the full range of SK-II products! 

The facial I tried was the Miracle Facial (S$190 for 60 mins). It is an anti-aging facial, which promises to reduce fine lines, wrinkles and dullness, by using lots and lots of.. you guessed it, Pitera. 

Previously one to avoid anti-aging facials because I thought they were too rich for my skin, I decided to go with this because I (or actually, my aesthetician friend from Boston!) noticed crinkles around my eyes. :( 

I had blamed the dry weather in the US for that, but when I came back to Singapore I still felt it didn't get better!

The rooms were cosy and the beds were plush, possibly the softest facial bed I had laid in, with a down mattress and a fluffy comforter thrown over me. (See the photo up there? It's not my boobs perking up the towel, it's the blanket under the towel!) 

Using aromatherapy, my facialist started the treatment, which brought me into a relaxed state. I got to try so many products during the treatment, and here are some of the highlights.  

Cleansing: My face was gently cleansed with the Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil, followed by the Gentle Cleanser. I really liked the Skin Refining Treatment, which helped to deep cleanse and exfoliate the skin, while minimising pores. 

Extractions: She gently did extractions on my skin, nothing more than I could bear! And trust me, my pain threshold for the face is pretty low. 

Massage: Using the Facial Treatment Massage Cream, she massaged my face, neck and shoulders. 

Mask: SK-II Skin Signature 3D Redefining Mask was left on for.. I think 10 minutes - a little short! I did feel that so much of the fluid in it went to waste, I would have squeezed the rest out and applied it to my body if I were using it at home. The 3D Redefining Mask is for anti-aging, where it targets sagging points of the face. 

After the facial, there was a little dressing area we could get ready at. There were SK-II Foundations available for use, and I tried them out. I have to say I was greatly impressed with the smooth application and coverage of their foundation! It lasted me through the special welcome dinner till 10PM without any touch ups (I finished my facial around 4PM). 

I like the SK-II Foundation! At the welcome dinner, chatting with the lovely Velda Tan of  Belluspuera. 

With such a wide range of facials that the SK-II Boutique Spa offers, there is something for every skin type. You can even bring you man along with you for him to enjoy the MEN Vibrant Facial. 

Brides-to-be will enjoy the radiance the facials provide (try the Aura Lucency Facial for that special glow), and if you love aromatherapy, try the Cloud9 Facial which uses organic essential oils.

Can't wait to try? First timers get $50 off their facials if you register here. 

SK-II Boutique Spa 

9, Raffles Boulevard, #02-54/55 

Millenia Walk Shopping Centre, 

Singapore 039596.

Tel: +65 6336 4880

Website: http://www.senzesalus.com/

*CLOSED* Manicure & Pedicure at BLISS Spa, ION Orchard

**Update: Bliss Spa at ION Orchard has CLOSED :(
But for all you jetsetters, you can get your Bliss fix at the W Hotel in Hong Kong
http://www.blissworld.com/spa/spa-411/locations/bliss-hong-kong/




BLISS Spa in Singapore has been pretty quiet since it's opening in late 2009. Although it's part of an international chain of spas which has a line of extremely successful products, it's spa in ION orchard is tucked away in a quiet corner at the back of Sephora.

Last week, I decided to try out the BLISS Hot Cream Manicure & Pedicure (S$90), to see if their premium-priced treatments were worth the buck.

Entering their spa, I was ushered to their comfortable couch to fill in a consultation form. They have a small spread of bite-sized brownies, lemonade and hot teas which were an excellent touch.
The nail polishes from Essie and OPI were displayed on a clear wall which I got to pick from before beginning the manicure.

The manicure was then done over a table facing two large TVs playing Gossip Girl & Desperate Housewives! I hardly watch TV so this was the first time I got to watch Gossip Girl. If you're worried about it being noisy, it's not, as they have comfy headphones at each table.

Her tools were taken out of a specially sealed pack which means the tools were sterilized either with UV or in an Autoclave, then sealed in a special pack. That's great, since there was a big Hep B scare where Hep B was being spread during manicures.

So she started the manicure:
I have to say this again, why do manicurists keep filing the nails in a super fast, zigzag manner?
This webpage explains it in the simplest, best way:
"Nail filing should be reserved for simple shaping once the nails are at the desired length. Using the proper file, take a few gentle strokes from the corner to center in the same direction. Don’t file nails all the way across or from side to side. A few strokes should be all that is needed to get the ideal shape. Take care not to file down the sides of the nail aggressively - this area is essential to nail strength and should be left alone as much as possible."

After the filing she applied a TON of cuticle remover onto my cuticles, I was really suspicious about it since there was no washing of the remover after. Most cuticle removers need to be washed off since they're very alkaline and are drying to your skin. I asked her about it but she said it is done later.

So after the cutting of cuticles, she put a ton of cuticle oil on, followed by the "Hot Cream" part of the manicure.
Basically, it is cream in a plastic bag which is put into the heater, then wrapped around your hands, and then massaged in.

My hands were never washed or soaked. She only ran a hot wet towel over before applying the polish.

I had chosen Escapades from Essie for my fingernails and she also used Essie base and top coat. The paint job was gorgeous and Essie colours dry relatively quickly, I would say much more quickly than OPI & Orly colours.



Essie "Escapades"


The pedicure was done on these HUGE, PLUSH Chairs. That had got to be the most comfortable pedicure seat I was ever on. Or the most comfortable couch ever.
There were also TV screens right ahead and I got to watch GLEE. (My first time watching GLEE, can I get the DVD set for X'Mas? :P )

I briefed her that my large toenail was easily succeptable to becoming ingrown.. well it wasn't ingrown or inflammed but it always hurt on one side. It was really brittle and had taken months to grow out so I had now cut it extremely straight across. Told her not to cut or file it, and she acknowledged it, but when the filing started she immediately did what i told her NOT to do. I only realised what she had done after all the toes were done and when it started to hurt again. (The hurting comes from the pressure the nail plate puts on the nail bed, and cutting your nails straight shifts the pressure away from the side. So once the nail is cut rounded, the pressure gets put back)
Boy, did I give her a piece of my mind! :(
And yes, I explained about cutting the nail straight, but it makes me wonder, where are the manicurists trained?

The rest of the pedicure was pretty standard: The ton of cuticle remover, cuticle oil, scrub (with a wash off scrub and also with a large foot file), massage and then the polish.

I chose Essie's "Ballet Slippers", a pretty pastel pink. I was inspired by this gorgeous caucasian lady I saw at Great World City, with the most flawless pedicure and pretty polish, exactly like this one, wearing jewelled sandals. I had almost stepped up to her and asked her what shade it was, but figured I might come across abit too obsessive :P



Essie "Ballet Slippers"

Overall, the manicure and pedicure were good, I wouldn't classify it as value-for-money, it's more of a "once in a while, have a treat" kind of place. If you love somewhere hip and luxurious, it would be the place for you.
The major difference comes in their little, important touches, like sterile tools, warm towels, warm massage creams and scrubs, a soft comfy blanket when lying on the couch.

It would be perfect as a pre-wedding treat, or for a private hen's night spa party.

Once you're done, don't forget to get a free pictures of yourself at their little photobooth!

Ambience: 5/5
Service: 4/5
Skill: 3.5/5
Location: 5/5 (for those who take public transport)
3/5 (if you drive and have to pay exhorbitant rates for parking in town)
Price: 3/5
Variety of services: 4/5


Prices for nail services:
Hot Cream Manicure 30 min, $35
Bliss Basic Pedicure 60min, $55
Hot milk & almond pedicure 60min, $75
Double choc pedicure 60min, $75
Pedi colada 60min, $75
Foot Patrol 75 min, $85
additioanl French tips $10


BLISS SPA
at Sephora - ION
01- 05/06 ION Orchard
Singapore 238801

10am - 9pm Daily
+65 6509 3511

On their menu:
Waxing - Facials - Massage - Nails - Slimming


note: 5 days later (today) Still no chips in nail polish!!! And I have been pretty rough on my hands! Impressive.