From the category archives:

Procedures/Services

Being a beauty blogger (or a woman, I should say), it’s almost a given that I love makeup, hair, and all that good stuff.

Self grooming, improving oneself, feeling better about oneself and playing around with different looks is what this world of beauty is all about. However, as much as I like taking these steps to look ‘good’ (or at least try), I am not sure if I am one to cross over to the more “serious” stuff, namely lasers, chemical peels and cosmetic procedures and surgery.

It was only when I went to the Skincentuals A.G.E. Eye complex event and met Dr. Karen Soh, who kindly offered to let me try out a laser treatment to see what it was all about. I was a little hesitant, but agreed.

The laser treatment that I received was Revlite, the best q-switch Nd-yag laser machine in the market (aren’t I spoilt!). It was at the lowest rate possible (since I’m such a chicken) and the laser is the gold standard for improving pigmentation, skin texture, pore size, sebum production. It has also been studied to improve acne, acne scars and fine wrinkles. No doubt I was trying something extra-ordinary!

To be honest, though, whilst going in, I was petrified. The only thing I had ever done to my face was smash it in a glass table and the edge of a swimming pool (I was a clumsy kid) and got it stitched up again, but willingly let tiny laser beams zap my face? Hell no. This was a big deal for me! However, Dr. Soh assured me that you hardly feel anything and that the results were so amazing – not to mention so quick notice – that I would change my mind and see how worth it it was. So, I relunctedly gave it a go.

The prepartion time was a little stressful. I was paranoid and thought my face would fall off, so I quizzed Dr. Soh on the worse side effect that could happen, and she explained that you may break out in zits after, since the lasers help “bring out” what’s deep inside. Since that was it, I relaxed a bit, but still ended up shaking right before it was done. In fact, I was so terrified Dr. Soh told me she would let me try the Revlite laser zaps on my hand first, and if I really couldn’t take it I didn’t have to do it. I felt so embarrassed for being such a baby, but honestly, it was scary. I started relaxing quite a bit after testing two laser snaps on my hand, which didn’t hurt at all, so I went for it.

The first step was to apply numbing cream all over my face, and I believe that for a few minutes I felt what it was like to be completely Botoxed – a really strange feeling, by the way. Dr. Soh started the laser at the right side of my face, down my chin, onto my cheeks, the left side of my face, and then my forehead.

I am glad to report I survived. However, not without a few “OW, OW, OW! OK ENOUGH!” yelps. For some strange reason, it didn’t hurt too much on my cheeks and chin, but the side of my face and forehead? OUCH.

Fortunately, once it was all done, I realized that once again I was being a drama queen, because it really wasn’t that bad at all. The zaps feel like a tiny rubber band snapping on your skin, which isn’t too much. My skin was a tad pinkish after, but it was hardly noticable. After, her assistant Linda applied a serum and sunscreen. (Dr. Soh kindly gave me a vial of the serum and I shall review it soon – it is iS Clinical’s Active Serum, a product heavy raved about in many high-end fashion mags.)

When I came home about half an hour later, I looked in the mirror and was stunned. My skin looked plump, clear and my skin was radiant and glowing. It looked like a young child’s skin; you know – the skin we have before all the crazy hormones start! I showed my mom and she was impressed and said my skin was glowing like no other. The results, to sum up, were nothing short of extraordinary.

[read more…]

{ 11 comments }

_MG_0217 - Copy

It may sound vain to travel an hour to and fro for a mani/pedi, but … well, I got nothing. Maybe it is vain. However, I really wanted to experience a ‘royal retreat’!

Tucked away in a little (but popular) shopping mall, Royale Retreat is like that place you always go to meet your friends – kinda like Friends and Central Perk coffee place! Royale Retreat is owned by a husband and wife team and is a cozy, friendly, inviting place.

Mani and Pedi

I came for a manicure and pedicure that was pure enjoyment, although the surroundings made it much better. Royale Retreat’s owner, Selina is big on aromatherpay, so essential oils filled the hair. Not to mention, the seats are actually massage chairs (you guys know how much I love massages!) so that was just that little extra that made the whole experience enjoyable. I was also watching He’s Just Not That Into You on a big TV screen (which by the way, I think I have issues with that movie, they portray women terribly!) while chatting to the nail therapists. Also, one thing that Royale Retreat is very proud of is the absence of those weird blow drying machines that other nail salons use. It’s not that great for the nails, so at Royale Retreat your mani and pedi will be taken care of with OPI’s Professional Quick-Dry System.

royaleretreat

I also enjoyed a hand massage with pure Shea butter, which I had never seen before (it smells though) and my hands were later wrapped in cling-wrap and put in heated mittens, resulting in them being super soft and smooth after.

After the pampering, I had a chat with Selina, the owner, who is very passionate about her business. I was really impressed at how she wants the best of the best in her store, which also includes a wall of speciality nail products for you to use. The nail polishes are mainly OPI (the best, I hear?) as well as Orly, Missha, Dior and Chanel.

opi-here-today-aragon-tomorrow

The colors used on my were OPI’s Passion for my fingers, and Here Today, Aragon Tomorrow, which is a beautiful black green from their latest Espana collection.

I was the most excited about this the whole day! It’s beautiful. I would’ve taken a photo of it, but my crocked toes might make your lunch pop up again. Instead, this blogger has some great swatches of it! I LOVE it. It looks like black but with a little ‘edge’ – and who would’ve thought that black wasn’t edgy enough?!

And just so you can have an idea; my manicure lasted about 6 days, and my pedicure is still going strong after exactly two weeks.

Not just a nail place

When Royale Retreat say they are a nail spa, they really do mean spa. The place is infused with essential oils and smels wonderful, so that customers feel relaxed and calm – you know, really pampered! I was also very kindly given my very own little aromatherapy experience – Selina kindly gave me a candle holder (what are they called, I’ve never done this before?!) and an uplifting oil to burn. I will be writing about my very first aromatherapy experience soon.

Hygiene is very important at Royale Retreat, and everything is clean and sanitized after each customer with OPI’s Swiss Clean System. Last but not least, like I mentioned earlier – it is also a mini shop! Royale Retreat also sell other nail products, and their very own in-house Royale Retreat spa products.

[read more…]

{ 0 comments }

lc_1

 
The weekend before I left for Europe, I met up with fellow beauty blogger Sophie of Beautynomics at a cozy lttle place called Pink Parlor. It was a chance to catch up and meet, as it will be awhile ’til we are both in the same country!

At Pink Parlour, our treatments are designed with the best results, with you in mind. So that you are pampered from head to toe, and treated like the princess or queen you deserve to be. We tailor mind-body-spirit solutions to your unique needs and expectations. Do ask any of our qualified consultants about customising your experience to meet your specific needs. 

Pink Parlor is like a girl’s dream hangout: Gossip Girl is playing on a big screen in front of us, chocolates and drinks were served, and it really is such a cute, cozy place … I love the pink and black interior, as you can probably tell it’s my favorite color combination. ;-)

[read more…]

{ 1 comment }

Guess where I was (last last) Thursday? Apart from dealing with migraines the whole week, I had a pampering spa day at SkinLab Medical Spa. To be honest, it came at a perfect time – I really needed to relax!

SkinLab Medical Spa is the culmination of the vision, dynamism and expertise of two doctors; Dr Kelvin Chua and Dr Frank Lee who wanted to integrate the pampering, attentive yet unobtrusive service of a world class spa with the most advanced, non-invasive medical techniques to provide effective beauty solution to treat mind, body and soul. 

 The dedicated team of SkinLab always works with the utmost professionalism and the greatest respect for each and every individual, promising a feeling of tranquility, serenity and relaxation. (You can say that again – never felt so relaxed in my life!)

I got a mini tour of the place and it was really impressive. I love that everything was ‘white’ and there were hair salon, a lounge area, jacuzzis, steam room and 27 treatment rooms. There were even specialized couple rooms with jacuzzis and spa baths built in, so couples can have special days as well. ;)

[read more…]

{ 4 comments }

I am officially the luckiest girl ever! Mario Badescu contacted me about trying out a facial using all of their products recently, and I just couldn’t resist – I have read so much about the brand who counts  Jennifer Aniston, Kate Moss, Heidi Klum, and Charlize Theron as fans. I was so excited!

The very first time I got a facial was about 3 years ago, and was not a good experience. I was still a teen and had very acne-prone skin and the facial just aggravated the pimples, leaving me with more breakouts and peeling skin that stung after. I swore never again!

Thankfully, now that I’m 20, my skin has calmed down and my pimple days are over (except for the occasional stressed related ones!). So when I was asked to try out this facial, I wasn’t too worried. I thought that if I do breakout again and have reactions, then it’s final – me and facials do not mix.

However, this facial was a total success.

only_hv

I went with Sophie from Beautynomics to ONLYaesthetics, a beautiful cozy spa which is the sole distributor for Mario Badescu in Singapore.

Sophie and I talked to our beauticians beforehand and got a customized facial with our major skin concerns (me, hydration and deep cleansing), Sophie (acne and cleansing). I talked with the beautician about what kind of products I wanted to avoid (anything too harsh that would cause reactions) so she selected the right products for me. 

I was surprised when the beautician looked at my skin and said I have dry skin. I always just thought that my skin would be combination/sensitive. But I soon realized she was right – after talking, I had all the characteristics of dry skin, I just never noticed it. I mean, with this hot climate, I just thought we’d all have oily/combo skin! I am very glad that I actually discovered what my skin type is – dry and sensitive.

The Facial

The facial took 75 minutes, and it was pure luxury. All I could remember was really enjoying myself, chatting with the beautician and dreaming of the beach. 

Here’s what was used on me:

  • Enzyme Cleansing Gel
  • Seaweed Cleansing Lotion
  • Almond and Honey Face Scrub
  • Silver Powder
  • Whitening Mask
  • Super Collagen Mask
  • Vitamin C Serum
  • Suncare SPF 30 

That list was the in order of what was put on me, with a short extraction (didn’t take more than 2 minutes – I take that as a good sign!) and a wonderful facial and shoulder massage. I’ve never had a proper massage before, and they used all sorts of techniques that was so foreign to me, but it was very good! The soft music and nice cold room just added to experience. 

I am so surprised that my skin could take so many products in a short period of time and it’s almost been a week, and no reactions! I guess my skin type really has changed – definitely for the better, I think. When I looked in the mirror after, my skin looked so dewy and radiant, I literally shouted “WHOA!”. My mom later said that I was glowing and is going to book herself an appointment too.

Standout Products

Standout products for me were the Almond & Honey Scrub, Whitening Mask, Super Collagen Mask, and the Vitamin C serum. I really need to hunt down what made my skin look as radiant as it did and will buy it asap, I have a feeling it’s a mixture of all those products – whatever, I’ll buy them all!

Thank you!

Overall, it was such a great experience and a big thanks to Wendy, Sheena and ONLYaesthetics for this opportunity. I would highly recommend trying out a customized facial yourself, and when you do, tell them I say hello! :) You can read Sophie’s blog post on her experience here.


More info:

  • You can join ONLYaesthetics’ Facebook group to enjoy special privileges. 
  • OnlyAesthetics is located at Holland Village,  25A Lorong Mambong, (opp NYDC)
  • Tel: +65 6314 4434 
  • Website: www.onlyaesthetics.com 

{ 10 comments }