From quickie lunchtime facials to luxury body treatments, here is where to go to preen and groom yourself for Valentine’s Day
Mizu Aesthetic Clinic | #05-01 ION Orchard Tel: 6634 4033
If you are looking for quick-fix facials, injectable fillers or minimally-invasive aesthetic treatments to tone and sculpt your body, book a session at Mizu Aesthetic Clinic — a one-stop destination for premier medical aesthetics treatments. Founded and led by aesthetic practitioner Dr Tan Ying Zhou, Mizu (Japanese for “water”) is a little oasis of calm and serenity in the heart of Orchard Rd (accessible from Ion’s car park on level five) where one may enjoy everything from pigment-erasing lasers, skin tightening Thermage, and body sculpting technologies.
Mizu has also expanded its clinic to include Aeras by Mizu, a medi-spa that offers medically-backed, bespoke facials delivered by doctor-trained facial therapists. One of the most popular among its male clients is the HydraFacial, using a medical-grade hydra dermabrasion device that carries out a patented three-part regimen — cleansing, exfoliating, and then infusing skin with intensive serums — all done in under an hour.
The handheld device with exchangeable HydroPeel Tips is hooked up to a proprietary machine with patented “vortex technology”. The vacuum suction sucks out debris that simultaneously pushes in a clog-purging solution or antioxidant-rich actives to moisturise, brighten, plump, and protect. A gentle chemical peel is applied to the skin after the cleanse, which may sting some sensitive skin. Aside from that, this is a very relaxing treatment with little downtime. The glow is immediate, and the skin feels dewy and plump. I recommend this for those with acne, blackheads, light pigmentation and dull and dehydrated skin. Supposedly, a HydraFacial is performed every 15 seconds around the world!
See also: Beauty bootcamp at The SkinLab by Augustinus Bader in London
Chez Vous: Private Space | #08-01 Ngee Ann City Tower B Tel: 6235 0345
A hairstyling institution for the last 27 years, Chez Vous, is known for two things — short and sassy symmetrical haircuts and creating exclusive spaces for one to enjoy private pampering sessions away from prying eyes. A leading hair salon which has been a long-time resident of Ngee Ann City, it also runs concept salons Chez Vous: HideAway and Chez Vous: Private Space (both located in the office towers of Ngee Ann City) to offer customers elevated services.
See also: Kering backs away from beauty with US$4.7 bil L’Oreal deal
The latter, which opened last November, was conceived during the pandemic, borne out of its customers’ desires for privacy, exclusivity and personalised self-care. Helmed by Chez Vous’ stable of award-winning directors, the 2,900 sq ft Private Space is a first-of-its-kind, personal-pods-only salon with ten private cabins in different themes and eight “business class” semi-enclosed pods for a pair. HEPA filters installed throughout the space ensure clean, clear air for all.
Coming here is like exiting everyday life and entering a transformative, surreal dreamscape. Inspired by their travels, the staff of Chez Vous are the people behind the interior concept for the salon. Before entering the space, your sensory journey begins with a walk through a cave-like corridor and spa-like reception covered in raw, exposed stone. In your private cabins, all your senses become engaged through ambient sound and lighting, aromatherapy, and heavily textured surfaces and materials.
It has everything one could ask for remote working from a pull-out laptop desk to high-speed Wi-Fi, power points, stationeries and printing services. Alternatively, you can listen to your favourite playlist on provided Marshall speakers, catch up on some Netflix or request the Quiet Chair Service to avoid unsolicited chit-chat. To heighten the pampering, you can also ask for complimentary devices like a DIY facial mask, colouring kit, a neuro anti-stress machine, or an infrared foot warmer to elevate the pampering. And if you are feeling peckish, there is a complimentary menu of Instagrammable teas, high tea bites, and even instant porridge or noodles.
Before any hair treatment, visitors enjoy a complimentary Head Spa performed on a fully reclined shampoo unit from Korea, only available in private cabins. This five-step ritual uses natural botanical ingredients, in combination with traditional therapeutic scalp massage, jade roller, rain rod and eye moxibustion device, to alleviate brain fog, relieve stress and promote deep sleep. After that, a complimentary haircut commences, followed by a treatment of your choice (we chose the Keratin anti-frizz treatment).
Prices range between $385 and $474, with a minimum spend of $450 for a private cabin. The charges are similar to (if not lower than) many other top-tiered premium salons in town. Not forgetting all the extras you enjoy, this place is a must for frequent visits.
Dior Prestige La Suite | B2-48 Ion Orchard Tel: 6634 6686
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For a luxurious beauty escape in bustling Orchard Road, head to Dior’s first standalone facial suite in Asia. Dior Prestige La Suit, located in Ion Orchard, is a luminous and refined space decked in creamy shades with gold accents. Once inside the quiet cocoon-like treatment room, you forget you are inside a busy shopping mall.
Faithful to Christian Dior’s promise, Dior Prestige La Suite offers clients a unique sensory experience unifying the ultimate performance and pleasure. The treatments follow sophisticated protocols exclusive to Dior, offering a unique alliance between skincare and massage techniques.
As a prelude to each treatment, the Dior skincare experts identify the client’s needs and expectations by examining the skin. This follows a sensorial massage to soothe, relax and open the skin to receive the benefits of Dior’s products.
Depending on your needs, a whole suite of facial services features various key products under the Dior Prestige line. The signature Dior Prestige Grand Facial Treatment harnesses the regenerating and perfecting power of Rose de Granville to nourish and replenish the skin intensely. The transformative L’Or De Vie, The Miracle Treatment, reveals the incredible life force of the Yquem sap to intensely smooth out wrinkles and redefine facial contours. Others include the Youth and Density Treatment featuring products from the Capture Totale line; a Brightening and Radiance-Activating Treatment using Diorsnow; and Cleansing and Balancing Treatment using a high-frequency machine coupled with Hydralife products. For men, the Dior Homme Treatment offers targeted cleansing and purifying with the Dior Homme Dermo System.
A trip to Dior Prestige La Suite is an unforgettable escape from the humdrum of cookie-cutter salons — focussed on product excellence, stellar performance and total well-being — and one worth the splurge!
Raffles Spa | #01-31 Raffles Arcade Tel: 6412 1377
A hidden sanctuary amid the tranquil gardens of Raffles Hotel Singapore, Raffles Spa offers exceptional facial and body treatments using Biologique Recherche products from France. Founded in 1978, the Biologique Recherche Methodology has a clinical approach to beauty care using botanical ingredients and innovative and meticulous protocols and procedures. All treatments are tailored and personalised to each guest’s skin analysis and delivered meticulously by adept therapists through targeted hands-on techniques to enhance a youthful complexion and deeply nourish your skin.
Here, the beauticians are trained to administer treatments using Biologique Recherche’s proprietary techniques and massage protocols with little help from machines. Even before your session commences, you sit through a thorough skin analysis, in which a computerised system will pull up recommended products for your needs. After that, just leave the rest to the healing hands of your therapist and enjoy the luxurious pampering. I guarantee you will fall asleep and wake up to a new you!
Popular face treatments include Soin Lissant, a unique sculpting facial massage to leave skin looking supple, lifted and luminous; Soin Lift C.V.S is designed to exfoliate and lift; Soin MCI 10 to energise lacklustre skin using a unique Parisian vibratory hand massage technique; and Soin P50 Visage which contains gentle fruit acids to renew and purify the skin deeply.
The perfect body treatment to give your skin softness and glow is the Biologique Recherche P50 Gommage. It starts with a full body scrub using a stimulating body glove, followed by a full body massage using Lotion P50 to stimulate cellular renewal and restore hydration.
