From lasers to caviar, and oxygen to gold, we check out the best facials around Hong Kong to help you get your glow back and combat the heat.
The sweltering heat, high pollution levels, and general life in Hong Kong can wreak havoc on our skin, leaving it dull and in need of some TLC. Lucky then, that we're blessed with a plethora of spas that offer all kinds of fabulous facials to give us back our glow. From lasers to caviar, and oxygen to gold – you name it, we've got it. Here are some of our favourites.
Sublime Lift at Fast Beauty
Perhaps the most massage-focused facial we’ve ever had the pleasure of enjoying, the Facial Sublime at boutique spa Fast Beauty is just as much about relaxing the mind as it is rejuvenating the skin. This gentle treatment uses retinol, hyaluronic acid, and lacto proteins to remove dead skin cells, lift the skin, and reduce visible wrinkles. The best thing about this treatment, aside from the heavenly face, neck, and shoulder massage that comes with it, is the fact that it’s non-invasive, swapping the usual extraction process for lightweight face peels which are gently brushed onto the skin to dissolve dead cells, clear the pores, and leave you feeling silky soft.
The facial uses a range of luxury Comfort Zone products from Italy which are only subtly fragranced and so light that you can barely feel them. Designed for “time-crunched” women who are always on the move, this humble little spa is the perfect go-to spot for a quick dose of the feel good factor.
Lasts 70 minutes and costs $780 Fast Beauty, 83A Hollywood Road, Central, (+852) 2517 0939
Duolift Sequential Facial at Indulgence Spa
Want to have a facelift without going under the knife? Well now you can, because the recently renovated spa at Indulgence offers a range of specialist facial treatments including the revolutionary Duolift Sequential Facial which uses a special machine to transmit radio frequency and ultrasound waves into the skin to tighten and lift the face. The treatment begins with a soft peel to eliminate dead skin, impurities, and pollution, followed by a burst of radio frequency, which reshapes the deep layers of the skin, and then ultrasound waves, which reactivate the metabolic processes to smooth lines and wrinkles.
We gave it a go and can confirm that it feels incredible – and works. The skin feels noticeably tighter, while the jawline and neckline feel more lifted and defined. The gentle massaging movements of the machine over the face are so relaxing that you might even fall asleep during the process!
Lasts 90 minutes and costs $1,800 Indulgence, 22/F Silver Fortune Plaza 1 Wellington Street, Central, (+852) 2815 6600
Oxygen Blast at Spa BPZ
It's time to let your skin breathe - quite literally - with the Detoxifying Facial with Oxygen at Spa BPZ. This signature treatment offers a whole new approach to facials, using a state-of-the-art machine to spray atomised moisturisers over the skin via a stream of pressurised oxygen. It's not only the likes of Madonna who are turning to this technique to get that instant glow and diminish those tiny imperfections – many Hongkongers are feeling the benefits too. According to Spa BPZ owner Nigar Qureshi, oxygen blasts provide the perfect boost and lift to the skin, making it smoother and easier to apply makeup.
Nigar's treatment begins with deep cleansing, using her own organic products to prepare the skin for more deeper penetration, followed by shots of oxygen deep into the cellular layers to revive and refresh the face. A collagen face mask is then applied for around twenty minutes, at which point you get to enjoy a blissfully relaxing head and shoulder massage, before a final dose of moisturiser is added. The cooling, tingling sensation of cold oxygen being blasted onto the skin is incredibly refreshing during those sweltering Hong Kong days - if only we could carry this machine around with us!
Lasts 70 minutes and costs $790 (oxygen blast with essential oils additional $340) Spa BPZ, 12/F Sea Bird House, Wyndham Street, 22-28, Central, (+852) 2524 1272
Laser Magic at Skin Laundry
Going under a laser might not sound like your idea of a relaxing time, but the 15-minute Laser Skin Treatment at Skin Laundry is particularly good at tackling acne, pigmentation, and enlarged pores, which can flare up during those hot summer months in Hong Kong. The facial works by using laser and light therapy to vaporise dirt, debris, pollutants, and toxins deep within the pores to cleanse and tone the skin, and boost collagen. This may sound a little daunting, but a slight pinching sensation and burning smell is as bad as it gets - which is apparently just the smell of dirt being vaporised as the laser clears your pores!
After the laser has worked its magic, a cooling collagen gel is applied to the face and an intense pulsed light (IPL) is used to reduce redness on the top layer. A cool compress is then applied to reduce minor swelling. The clinic recommends two to three sessions a month to dramatically improve the skin’s smoothness, tone, and texture, but at $650 a pop, it might be more economical to buy a reduced bulk package if you want to permanently cure your ailments.
Lasts 15 minutes and costs $650 (bulk packages available) Skin Laundry, locations vary, Central branch (+852) 2704 0166
Juicy Goodness at Sparadise
It's not just the Chocolate Heaven body massage that keeps us coming back to this cosy boutique spa – the selection of facials on offer are equally delicious. Dedicated to using only the very best organic products on the market, Sparadise boasts an extensive menu of treatments, including the Stem Cellular Repair Facial with Green Apple Antioxidant. Using products from US based Organic Skincare brand, Juice Beauty, the facial works to reverse the signs of damage caused by age, stress, and environmental factors with the help of – you guessed it, juice. The clever brand has figured out a way to create an antioxidant rich organic juice base which blends the stem cells of fruits with Vitamin C to create the ultimate food for your skin.
The fruity base, which includes organic shea, jojoba, aloe, grapeseed, and 30 other organic juices, nourishes the skin with powerful antioxidants, nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, leaving you smelling like a delicious fruity cocktail! It also uses the exfoliating power of malic acid from organic green apples to correct uneven skin tone and reduce dark spots. The fact that these products are all organic means that even those with the most sensitive skin can enjoy a tropical makeover too.
Lasts 60 minutes and costs $1,480 Sparadise Hong Kong, 3 & 4/F, 60 Wellington Street, Central, (+852) 2997 2208