1. RX Massage Facial using Shiseido UV White range. Location: Shiseido, Glorietta 4, tel 752-73-07 (also at Power Plant, tel. 898-16-15). Price: Free if you buy Shiseido products amounting to at least P3,600.
For some people, a facial is not complete without some metal or machinery involved. This has the latter. First, the facialist will analyze your skin with a Multi-Micro Sensor, a machine that magnifies the surface of your moon, er, face a million times. Yikes! The sight of huge craters, oil slicks and sun spots will shock you! (If you have a consistent diamond pattern, relax. You’re in good shape – you have "diamond" skin.) The analysis is to determine which facial is best for you. Mine: I have a few freckles and spots due to unprotected sun exposure (to think I never go to the beach, always shield my face with my bag when I cross the street, and slap on SPF 80 anytime I’m outdoors); hence, the UV White range. (There are three other kinds, using Pureness, for young, oily, acne-prone skin; The Skincare, for women in their 20s and 30s; Benefiance, for mature, over-40 skin.)
Give yourself two hours for this facial. The facialist will treat your face like expensive narra-wood floor that needs a little polishing to maintain its luster. They will steam (to open pores), brush (two sizes in a twirling round shape), suck (blackheads and whiteheads), apply a hardening peel-off mask, and zap with a high-frequency thingy for anti-bacteria, to tighten pores and to allow skin to absorb treatment better (this is no-no, though, for pregnant women and those with pacemakers).
2. Clarifying Facial using Naturopathica products. Location: Beauty Bar, Power Plant, tel. 898-20-43. Price: P850.
"A relaxing and cleansing treatment to rejuvenate the skin. Includes exfoliation, facial massage and rehydration," says the little brochure. If you have very sensitive skin and don’t really like the feeling of a stranger touching your face, this is for you. The facialist’s touch is extra-light, you’d swear her fingers were merely gliding just over the tips of your facial hairs. Products used are fruity, yummy-smelling, all-natural and holistic-based like Aloe Cleansing Gel, Orange Blossom Hydrolat and Pumpkin Enzyme Peel. The great thing about this place is that each room has a shower stall, so feel free to get naked and lather up if you decide to get a massage, too. The facial lasts a quick 30 minutes so this is ideal for restless types.
3. Extra Moisture Facial combined with Firming Lift Facial using Clarins products. Location: Institut Clarins, Rustan’s Makati 4/F, tel. 817-84-14. Price: P1,900.
This is by far the best facial in a mall I’ve ever had. Here, they utilize their innovative "Paris Method," which means only the therapist’s hands and Clarins products are used – no steamers, no brushes, no metal thingies. First, a consultation is done to determine your skin’s needs and concerns, and what type of facial you need. Lying flat on your back, the therapist’s hands will gently caress, pinch and push the skin on your face to check for lines, pores, dryness, oiliness, etc. My skin was looking a little dry (perhaps due to cabin pressure and hotel air-conditioning from a recent trip) and saggy (the deadly pull of gravity!). Consultation is about 15 minutes, the facial itself is one hour.
The manual technique is based on specific movements to improve circulation and eliminate toxins. There are no haphazard strokes on the face, each one has a purpose. You might even want to pay attention and use the same strokes on your face when you apply makeup remover, moisturizer, eye cream or mask. Aside from the hands, only damp terrycloths and tissue paper (dabbed, never rubbed) are used.