REVIEW: Where to go for facials in Singapore

IMAGE: Easy Production/cultura/Corbis

Singapore isn’t the most calming city. Our hectic lifestyles and packed island make it terrible for our skin. Accumulated pollutants get stuck in our pores, plus dust and grime can cause the skin to look dull. For regular maintenance or an occasional pick-me-up, facials work wonders in restoring radiance.

The one gripe I have about facials, though - is how certain spas “hard-sell” their services to a point that you just wish you didn’t go in the first place. From packages to “free” treatments and products, you feel forced to sign up for a thousand dollar package even when you don’t need it. if that isn’t bad enough, certain therapists may just not be skilled, making it a terrible experience.

To make our lives easier, I review some of the top facial outfits in Singapore.

DrGL loves DrSpa

Accompanying her DrGL line of products, DrSpa by Dr Georgia Lee is a relaxing haven of simplicity. Located in a quiet corner of Holland Village, the spa offers different treatments for hair, face, and body - with a dedicated room tailored for each treatment.

I went for Cleanse, a hydrating facial which involved machine-assisted exfoliation. The first thing I notice is that unlike most facial outfits which are tiny, DrSpa’s facial room is extremely spacious and minimalist. When performing the facial for me, the therapist was also very discreet, only speaking to explain each procedure before it was done. There were no questions about my life or whether or not I wanted to pay extra for certain facial masks. I could simply relax and be pampered for what I came here to do.

A small makeup corner (albeit a bit exposed) was also available for customers.

RECOMMENDED FOR: A quiet escape from the city. The relaxing atmosphere, therapist’s skill (extractions were not painful), and lack of hardsell makes this facial very decent.

STRIP

Famous for its hair removal treatments, Strip is now taking advantage of its IPL machines. If you didn’t already know, the IPL machines at Strip are custom-made for the brand. Tapping on the exclusivity, the brand replaced the applicator heads and readjusted its IPL settings: Creating the GG2 facial.

But, what exactly can an IPL machine do for your face? Strip says that the machine transmits light to the deeper layers of your skin: Brightening your complexion, lifting up your visage, while also boosting your skin’s collagen levels. In under 30 minutes, you can expect to see near-instantaneous results.

RECOMMENDED FOR: Fast and immediate results, with no pompous frills.. The GG2 facial is complete in under 30 minutes, making it one of the fastest facials ever. An instant pick-me-up? Definitely.

Skin Inc

Synonymous with bespoke, Skin Inc has a pretty neat facial bar. Located in the heart of Ion Orchard, Skin Inc uses technology to give you a cutting edge facial. The brand’s facials are unique in the sense that they advocate a different form of extraction: Using a unique jet applicator that “washes” impurities away. I have a low threshold for pain, so my heart leapt for joy when I heard no squeezing would be involved.

I experienced the brand’s signature Oxy Miracle Infusion treatment; A two-step facial that uses oxygen to unclog pores, then filling it with Skin Inc’s signature serums and Japanese thermal water. In an hour, my pores were cleaned and infused with oxygenating goodness.

RECOMMENDED FOR: People who do not like painful extractions. Although I doubt that every single blackhead was removed, my skin was cleaner and more radiant after the facial.

Dermalogica

The brand is so famous that neighbourhood salons have started adopting its philosophy and products. From simple products that work to its luxuriously long facials, Dermalogica has developed quite a cult following. Unlike normal facials that address a specific skin problem, the brand uses a Face Mapping system to divide your face into 14 different sections, addressing skin concerns by individual areas. I underwent the Dermalogica facial in Beauty Esthetic, a salon located in the heartlands.

After giving me a lowdown on the brand’s products and my skin type, the therapist was very candid in telling me what was wrong with my skin, and how I should go about treating it. When I told her that I’m not fond of extractions, she was surprised as that is what most of her customers look forward to. The facial was very relaxing and lasted a really long time, giving me ample time to recharge and rest.

RECOMMENDED FOR: If you like thorough extractions, this salon delivers. The therapist spent a long time making sure my pores were clean, before showering my skin in Dermalogica goodness.
 

Dermalogica facials are available at AsterSpring Centres and Dermalogica-authorized skin treatment Centres. To make an appointment, call the respective salons or 6271 4733. For more information, visit www.dermalogica.com.sg and follow the brand on Facebook.

DrGL loves DrSpa is located at 27 Lorong Liput Singapore 277738. To make an appointment, call 6465 8880. For more information, visit www.drspa.com.

Skin Inc Supplement Bars are located at Ion Orchard and Marina Bay Link Mall. To make an appointment, call 6222 7428 (Ion) or 6536 6789 (Marina Bay Link Mall). For more information, visit www.iloveskininc.com and follow the brand on Facebook.

STRIP facials are available at all STRIP outlets. To make an appointment, call respective STRIP salons. For more information, visit www.strip.com.sg and follow the brand on Facebook.