Beauty Review: Mineral Gold and Caviar Facial at Sense of Touch Spa

The chilly winter weather, not to mention the high pollution levels in Hong Kong, can wreak havoc on our skin which might be crying out for some love and care. Luckily, we’ve discovered the perfect remedy with the 75-minute Séla Mineral Gold and Caviar Facial with Eye Treatment at award-winning spa Sense of Touch.

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The Venue

If you fancy escaping the hustle and bustle of the city, and enjoying a luxury facial in secluded bliss, then Sense of Touch in the beautiful Repulse Bay Arcade is the ideal retreat. Walk through the doors of this tranquil spa, tucked away on the first floor of the luscious courtyard adorned with tropical plants and cascading waterfalls, and you'll instantly feel relaxed as the friendly staff greet you with a beaming smile and a mug of hot ginger and honey tea to enjoy under the soft, golden glow of Moroccan lanterns. [caption id="attachment_111641" align="aligncenter" width="618"] Inside the Tamarind room[/caption] Decorated with colonial wooden furniture, hanging mosaic lights and mirrors, and a canopy ceiling of draped silk, you could easily forget you are in Asia — let alone Hong Kong. This particular branch of the popular spa boasts six luxurious treatment rooms each named after spices, a designated pedicure area looking out onto an idyllic private garden with gazebo and Bali loungers, and some of the best treatments you are likely to find in the city. That's a big statement, I know, but just wait until you try the Séla Mineral Gold and Caviar Facial.

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The Treatment

Laid out comfortably on the heated massage table in the Tamarind room, I let out a long, relaxed exhale as my therapist Sirjana began to work her magic using a selection of Séla products from France to bring vitality back into my tired complexion. Keen to "keep wrinkles from forming" and "turn back the clock to keep the skin firm, youthful, and gorgeous", this particular facial seemed like the obvious choice, especially as it comes with a soothing eye treatment which was highly appealing, given the dark circles slowly forming under my eyes. The fact that all Séla products are free of nasty parabens, synthetic fragrances, and aren't tested on animals was also extremely reassuring, having read numerous articles on the health implications surrounding these chemicals, plus the obvious cruelty factor. So how does it work? Well, the facial uses caviar, which is rich in natural omega-3 fatty acids and amino acids and brings natural shine and luminosity to the skin, and gold which is known to remove toxins and fight sun damage to leave the skin feeling softer and more supple. Hey, if it worked for Cleopatra, it works for me. My treatment began with a little consultation where my therapist asked me to outline any particular concerns I had regarding my complexion, to which she explained the underlying influences. After she gently removed my make up and pollutants with a Radiant Hydrating Cleanser infused with rice water and mother of pearl, she cleansed my face with an Advanced Cell Renewal Cleanser, blended with 24 cart gold and grape leaf extract, to refresh and nourish my tired skin, leaving it feeling luminous and radiant. [caption id="attachment_111650" align="aligncenter" width="600"] The magic ingredients from Séla[/caption] At this stage I was already feeling extremely relaxed, as my muscles began to release tension against the heat of the massage table and I basked in the soft glow of the Moroccan lanterns, listening to the soothing music playing in the background. Next up came the Radiant Gentle Exfoliator treatment where Sirjana gently removed the outermost layers of dry, dull skin and dead cells to reveal the younger, healthier layer that instantly felt firmer. A quick application of Advanced Cell Rebalancing Lotion helped to neutralize the moisture balance before she reached for the star of the show — the Cell Revival Face & Neck Serum infused with caviar essence, particles of gold, and hyaluronic acid. Gold is often hailed for its healing properties and this powerful repairing serum works by delaying the ageing of skin cells within the deeper layer, while firming and increasing the skin's elasticity. The final stage of the treatment involved a face mask — now suffering from claustrophobia always makes this a bit of an issue, so I was very relieved when Sirjana offered to leave my eyes uncovered before she applied the cooling blend of rice bran oil and beeswax to my skin, which she left to harden for ten minutes before seamlessly peeling off. At this point, my skin felt utterly refreshed and alive, softened and fully hydrated after soaking up all the lovely nutrients from the lotion and serum. The finishing touches were the Caviar Cell Regenerating Eye Contour Cream, which Sirjana delicately applied to the fragile skin beneath my eyes to repair it and give it an instant uplifting effect, and a Caviar Cell Revival Day Cream SPF 15, used to restore the skin's youth and give it a luminous complexion.

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The Verdict

Finding a decent facial in Hong Kong, carried out in a quiet and clean environment, and using top-quality products free of nasty chemicals - without breaking the bank - can feel like a mission to say the least. But it's safe to say that a visit to Sense of Touch will never leave you feeling cheated.

Aside from the gorgeous decor of this secluded spa, the wonderful products which have traveled all the way from France, and the amazing heated beds (!), this Repulse Bay retreat boasts an excellent team of therapists who are expertly trained to deliver top-quality treatments with healing hands and a gentle touch.

Upon leaving the Tamarind room, and catching a glimpse of my face in the gorgeous Moroccan mirror, it was evident there was magic at work. Now while a puffy, pink face is not the most attractive look for any woman, the overwhelming sensation of lightness and radiance I felt was absolutely incredible — thanks to Sirjana, my glow was finally restored. My skin not only felt incredibly soft to touch, but also silky smooth across the surface, due to the presence of newer skin following the gentle exfoliation. This feeling lasted an entire week and encouraged me to exfoliate at home more often.

So the next time you feel a little tired and run down, and you suspect you've lost your sparkle, you can be sure to find it again at this heavenly pamper spot. You might even find yourself falling asleep on the snuggly warm table!

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Book Yourself a Facial

The 75-minute Séla Mineral Gold and Caviar Facial with Eye Treatment costs $1,480. Special Offers

• Enjoy 20% off your first booking until the end of March
• Purchase six treatments and receive two for free
• Purchase twelve treatments and receive five for free which can be share with one friend

Call now to book yourself a treatment. Sense of Touch, G211, 1/F, The Repulse Bay Arcade, 109 Repulse Bay Road, (+852) 2592 9559

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