THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING!
Last Saturday, I shared with you what was probably the worst facial I’ve had to date. I’m glad it’s one of those one-off experiences that I hope never to encounter again (fingers crossed). Today, I thought I’d liven things up a bit and share with you a facial I experienced last month. I wouldn’t say it’s the best I’ve had but it’s certainly the most interesting.
Last month, I had the opportunity to fly to Sydney for a facial courtesy of SK-II. I know. When I first saw the email and opportunity, I was like “HOLY CRAP!” :P. I’ve never had a SK-II facial before so this was a great chance for me to give it a go.
Before the facial, I was given a skin analysis by a beauty therapist using the Magic Ring. Before you think it’s an actual ring that can destroy Middle Earth, it’s a portable light that is held to the side of your face with a bright light attached. The Magic Ring is used to capture a photograph of your skin where it will go through a fancypants program that can tell you all about your skin (Texture Refinement, Firmness Power, Wrinkle Resilience, Radiance Enhancement and Spot Control). I don’t think I’ve even had such an in-depth analysis of my skin before.
As much as I enjoyed the skin analysis, I almost cried when the beauty therapist told me what my skin age is. No thanks to my growing hyperpigmentation, my Spot Control and Texture Refinement scores pulled my average percentage way down (hello Asian competitive gene in me springing into action), which gave me a total skin age of 30. That’s just 3 years lower than my actual age! 🙁
Having said that, at least I know what problematic areas of my skin to concentrate on now. I’m currently on a SK-II skincare regime (again, courtesy of SK-II) and it had better work miracles, I tell ya. 30! *sigh and shake head*
Right, so back to the facial. I had mine done by the lovely Fumi Yamamoto of Zen Facial using SK-II products. She adopts a remedial method to facials and that was what I had. She pressed on my belly, pressed the small of my back and pressed a lot of my face with firm pressure. It was a very interesting facial because I’ve never had anyone press my face that firmly before and in ways that I’m not used to in facials. I don’t exactly know what it was that she did, and I wish I did because when the facial was over, my face was smaller (how the hell did she do that?!) and my skin glowed.
I’ve had glowy skin after facials so it’s something I expected but I never expected this level of glow on my skin. I practically had a halo above my head and could almost hear the Hallelujah chorus when I walked out of the room. See the picture of Fumi and I above? It’s not edited at all, not with filters nor Photoshop. I would usually edit my photographs for brightness and clarity but this, THIS was clear and far brighter than I expected. I sent this picture to my mum when the facial was over and she immediately asked me what it was that the facialist did to give me such incredibly radiant skin. I want to know too, Ma. Trust me, I want to know too.
That was one awesome possum facial I had and when I’m in Sydney again, Fumi, I’ll be sure to have you “do” my face like this again! 😀
Many thanks to SK-II for the fantastic experience and because they love readers of Beautyholics Anonymous too (excuse me, why shouldn’t they?), they’re offering you a chance to experience SK-II for yourselves too. So, for the 3rd birthday giveaway of the month, I have 5 SK-II skincare packs to give away to 5 lucky readers!
Each pack retails at AU$80 and includes:
- 1 x 30ml bottle of SK-II Facial Treatment Essence
- 1 x SK-II Facial Treatment Mask
- 1 x complimentary Facial Treatment Mask when you visit any SK-II counter to get a free skin consultation with the Magic Ring (oh yeah, you get to try THE RING too. Muahahahaha!)
I’ve used the Facial Treatment Masks before for a number of years and they’re really good. Mum likens the results of each mask to be equivalent to an actual facial and I concur. This is a great opportunity for you to try out their bestsellers which is the smelly water (that’s what I’ve called it for years. It contains pitera, which is what gives out the yeasty scent) and the facial sheet mask.
HOW TO ENTER:
Just leave a comment below answering these simple questions: Do you enjoy facials? Which salon/spa would you recommend?
TERMS & CONDITIONS:
1. This contest is open to Australian residents only.
2. The total value of prizes in the contest is approximately AU$400.00.
3. Anyone can enter the competition regardless of whether you’ve won anything here before.
4. Only one comment per contestant will be accepted.
5. Please keep it clean and spam-free.
6. The closing date for this giveaway is 22 June 2013.
7. Five (5) winners will be selected at random and announced on 24 June 2013. An email notification will be sent to each winner.
8. The winners will be required to submit his/her name and contact address to Beautyholics Anonymous. The contact details then will be submitted to Saunders & Co (the PR agency providing the prizes), who will be sending the prizes to the winners (please read Beautyholics Anonymous’ privacy statement for more information).
9. The winner must respond to the notification email to claim the prize within 5 working days.
10. Beautyholics Anonymous and Saunders & Co reserve the right to change the terms of this competition at any time.
Have fun and good luck! 😀
Comments on this entry are closed.
Hi Tine, I can’t say if I enjoy facials or not, because much as I want to, I haven’t had a chance to get one done (or had the guts to given my crazy senstive/acne-prone skin). So I can’t make any recommendations on that front either. I will probably try and line up an SK-II consultation with the Magic Ring though!!
I’ve never tried SK-II products before although my mom loves it. I always associate them with skin whitening and I just want mine to be radiant, not whiter! (considering I have a natural tan skin)
Would be great to get a consultation to see what my skin is actually like right now =D
I liked facials when I got them but after hearing your story the last time I’m a little more wary. the best facial/massage combo I had was in prague, it was utterly divine!
I adore facials and I adore SK-II products. I usually get my facials done at Beauty at the towers and they’re ok. Nothing amazing but it gets the job done and reasonably priced.
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Loooove facials! Have wanted to try SK-II products for a quite a while now but think they’re a bit expensive for me. Best salon & beautician in Perth is Nelly of SkinSense Beauty. Well worth a visit. Take care xo
I have never tried SK-II products before but I have heard a lot of good things about them.
I am unemployed at the moment so I have been experimenting with a lot of natural/home made facials although I was given a voucher for Endota for my birthday and enjoyed the facial there. I don’t know about glowing but after the bush honey and macadamia skin drink I certainly smelt delicious.
I haven’t had facials before and would love to try out one day. I’m also yet to try out SK II products and I’m dying to try the facial treatment essence because I’ve read so many good reviews about this product 🙂
I love facials, the only place I have ever been is to Essential Beauty so I can’t really compare, but anything that allows me to lay back and relax gets the thumbs up!
I love facials, I wish I could experience them a lot more frequently. Generally, I have had good experiences at Ella Bache salons however I do think it really depends on the particular beauty therapist.
Unfortunately, I have never been to a spa/salon 🙁
I’ve never had a facial before but since I’m getting older, it’s crossed my mind I should start to take care of my skin beyond serums and moisturisers.
That is amazing how they can find out your skin’s age. I want to try, but a little scared to find out.
I love facials! I would recommend either Aveda or La Prarie, the skincare suits my skin and the overall experience is always so soothing and relaxing. I didn’t know SKII does facials too!
Wow, the glow is amazing. The best facial I ever had was at Jessma beauty in Armadale using EmerginC products. It was awesome to say the least.
Love love facials and spa treatments! If I can afford them I’d have one every two weeks! And if I won Tattslotto – an in-house beauty/massage therapist! I love facials from high quality brands like Dermalogica and Thalgo.
I enjoy getting facials as I think they do work. I haven’t had much experience with them to be honest though, and have just gone to my local Amoré a few times…
I’m intrigued about what my skin age would be … although a part of me doesn’t want to know!
Bit scary to be told your skins age – you were lucky to be 3 yrs younger – sure I’d be the other way plus some!
Never used SK-II products but would love to try them. When I’m lucky enough to have a facial (usually a gift voucher from family) I love having an organic facial at endota at Gymea Tradies Club – aaaaahhh!
I think the one facial I had was when I had a heavy breakout in my teens from hormonal acne. The extractions led to many tears and thus, a fear of facials. Now that my skin has definitely improved, I am very interested in skincare and would love to try it out! 🙂
Your SK-II facial experience sounds divine, Tine! 🙂 Yes I enjoy facials; my top pick in Adelaide is the Kosmea Day Spa in Eastwood – heaven but a welding style helmet instead of a magic ring lol!
Thanks for such a great giveaway. 🙂
I rarely have a facial but once I am there I drift away into relaxation heaven. With the right beauty therapist it is both a treatment for your skin and for your mind and soul. I feel so recharged , relaxed and rejuvenated after it. The SKII facial sounds amazing!! But the skin analysis would freak me out when I find out how old my skin is!
My last facial was at Ultimate Aesthetics in Subiaco Perth.
O Tine what a glow!
mmm facials…a bit of a hit and miss for me, with easily sensitised, problematic acne-prone skin, but when I am able to find the right combination of treatment and therapist they do make a dramatic difference to my skin condition. In Melbourne I recommend La Face and Miss Fox.
I’ve never had a facial, but I’d love to try one.
Wow, you certainly were treated for your birthday! The whole experience from SKII sounds (and looks!) so heavenly and the results – so glowy!! I’ve never actually had a facial, something I’ve been wanting to do and try for years now.
This is pretty shocking..but I am facial virgin! I’d adore adore to try a wee bit of pampering 🙂
Love love facials but can’t afford them on a regular basis and if i do treat myself, I find an Aveda salon. I have never used the full set of SK-II products but bought a Christmas set for my mom post-Christmas when it was 30% off at Myer, and periodically I treat myself to the SK-II essence which is as good as they say.
I have not had a facial before. Hopefully one day soon I will get the chance!!
I really would like to try the SKII facial treatment essence or ‘miracle water’. Thank you for the giveaway!
I have only had one facial so far – it was at the Aveda Body Mind & Soul spa. I enjoyed the facial massage, but found the peppermint mask a bit tingly on my skin. I would recommend the spa though – I also had a vichy shower there, which was absolutely lovely!
I have only had one facial and it was awful. I asked the lady if the mask was meant to burn and she replied that she didn’t know. I would like to have a proper one, one day.
What a lovely experience! I’m completely fascinated by “The Ring!” 🙂
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Tine, the glow is really a GLOW! May I know where is the facial place and price? I also interested with SK-II Facial Treatment Essence but haven’t try it. When I almost decide to buy it, these things always come out in my mind: what if the result will not so good, what if my skin will not fit with this product. Unfortunately they don’t give sample here in Jakarta, Indonesia 🙁 do you use that Facial Treatment Essence? What do you think about it? Hope you reply my comment. Thx Tine 🙂 ohh almost forget, happy belated birthday to you! Happy growing old, wishing you a long happy life filled with much love and blessing
Hi Lanovia,
This was a complimentary facial for me by SKII and Fumi Yamamoto so I’m afraid I don’t know exactly how much she’d charge for the exact facial. Fumi has her own salon, Zen Facial. Please click on this link to see how much she charges at her own salon: http://www.zenfacial.com/treatments.html.
It’s not cheap but she’s worth it, that I can say. As for the Facial Treatment Essence, I used it years ago. It worked for a while, then it stopped working. I didn’t see any difference anymore so I stopped using. After I had this facial, I tried it again and so far, I’m seeing the difference of softer skin. Here’s hoping it will last and not stop working for me again like before 🙂
Always love a good facial and the best one ever? The Peppers Mineral Springs Spa in Hepburn. While you are there, take full advantage of the flotation bed and spring for a body package. I’ve never quite been the same since…. (in an amazingly good way)
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Oh my.. the Magic Ring. I’m a little scared to find out the truth about my skin age. But I will go forth and get a SKII facial one day!
You have reminded me that I need one. My last one was 6 months ago!
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I do enjoy facials but only get them done whenever I go back to Malaysia. I usually go to Herbaline and have been so for many years.
I do love getting facials done , but have never got one in Australia , so cannot recommend ..thanks for this opportunity
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Tine, thx for replying, really appreciate it 🙂 next time when I go to Sydney, I’d like to give that facial a try.
You make me feel I should fly to Sydney for this facial. I love love love (can I say more?) facials but I have not had one done in the past few years in Australia. I love facials in Singapore and got one done during my recent visit and love how clean my face feels.. I’m hoping your giveaway will drop from the sky to my door so I can say hello to better skin after having my lovely but super active boy.
Wow…. what a treat it would been to experience the SKII facial!
I’ve only had one facial so far and it was with Origin. That was the start of my adult on-set acne.. since then, my face has scarred all over and I havent had the chance to go back 🙁 i miss my acne-free skin…But the Origins facial was awesome! they did extraction as well!
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Wanted to try get a facial for a long time now, but the price here in Aus is quite disheartening… Was on the lookout for coupons until I read your post. I feel really sorry for Bun Bun and thus end my quest for cheap facials.
Well, thanks to work stress my face is back to it’s teenage years… breakouts! Hahaha I wonder if the magic ring will tell me that my face is 13 again?!
Do I like facials? Are you kidding me? I LOVE facials because it’s such a pampering experience that’s great for my complexion and when done well, it’s so relaxing that I can fall asleep on the bed. I have no salon in Sydney to recommend as yet as I’ve just moved over but I certainly need to start having facials here and find that perfect facial therapist for me!