April 2016
I’m Agent V!
As far as facials go, they have never been more than a necessity for me, and a painful one at that. Between the uncomfortable feeling of having someone squeezing at your spots, and then the usual hard-sell to buy or upgrade my facial package, let’s just say I’m not a big fan of the entire process.
Queen’s Market is a homely place where Maki-san expounds on the beliefs of the Japanese facial way.
She explains that Japanese facial techniques do not involve extractions. Instead they believe in stimulating the body’s own cells to do the work naturally. Of the three facials she has on offer, her remedy of choice for me was the Lymphatic Massage Facial which combines Japanese massage techniques and cleansing products to detox the skin and body, for a brighter, rejuvenated look. After taking me through the various steps involved in the facial, Maki-san assured me that the process would be calming to my combination yet sensitive skin.
It starts with a quick change into a robe.
Then, Maki-san proceeds to remove my makeup and other impurities with an oil cleanser.
It was probably the most relaxing and gentle makeup removal session I’ve had. What follows is a light as air (no really, it’s like a meringue cloud) foam cleanser. It is important to note that the massage techniques have already commenced at this stage for maximum relaxation.
Next comes the exfoliation process, but it’s not your usual harsh beaded exfoliants. Instead, it is a creamy mask consisting of guava and Elvan clay to rid the skin of impurities.
Having been searching for a non-abrasive exfoliator for a while now, this mask is now a top contender. The fruit enzymes soften the skin while the clay rids the dirt. The mask sits on my face for 10 minutes.
Maki-san returns to gently remove the mask, before applying a toner lotion to balance the skin. She then applies a light moisturiser.
What follows is the best part. She dollops a healthy amount of massage cream onto my face, which is supposed to enhance my blood circulation as she begins the facial massage.
I feel her working into the specific points on my face and while there is a slight soreness, it reliefs tension rather effectively. She proceeds to loosen my shoulders and neck too, and she explains these points must be addressed for lymphatic draining efficacy. This must be the most comfortable sort of therapy. I wished it didn’t have to end. Before I knew it, the massage cream has been absorbed by my skin. Maki-san then layers on one last moisturiser to seal all in the goodness.
Post-facial, I am relaxed. My head is clearly in a happier place and my skin feels bouncy. Another plus point could be that the lack of extraction means no downtime from the redness. So if you’re off to a dinner that evening or perhaps grabbing a lunchtime facial, there’s no concern of spottiness.
Before vs After
What’s more convincing of the powers of lymphatic drainage is the morning after- my skin is supple and bouncy, the pores feel less obvious too. Having the benefits of the facial last longer than a mere day is definitely a good thing in my book. I think I’m a convert.