LADY@LXG: Perfect skin with my new awesome Clarisonic's Mia 2

 I have always wanted a Clarisonic face brush. I mean like REALLY, REALLY wanted a Clarisonic  face brush so much, but the retail price is not exactly pocket change, so I just secretly fantasized about it instead. Eventually, I settled on a cheaper alternative, which to be fair did a decent job, but did not extinguish the flame that burned deep within me, for the Clarisonic.

Then one day, out of the blue I met lovely Matilda from Clarisonic. While she demonstrated the benefits of the brush and all the different brush heads (they have the regular type, one for sensitive skin, one to hydrate the skin and one for the delicate eye area), I restrained myself from braining her and running away with her demo model. Instead, as she extolled the brushes' many benefits, that little flame which burned deep within my heart began to grow into an uncontrollable inferno and I found myself falling in love all over again. The Clarisonic was so pretty, so perfectly crafted and so ergonomic in design that it seemed like it was made just for my little hand! 

Christmas came early for me this year when Matilda not only GAVE me a Clarisonic Mia 2 (OMG not just a Clarisonic but the latest model!!) she also let me choose which colour I wanted. After 30 minutes of dithering, I finally picked the "Energy" brush, a fresh, light green hue that is so fresh and cheerful that it makes me smile whenever I see it perched upon my bathroom sink.

 I have had the brush now for over a month and I love it! I mean really! I use it once a day, every day on my face and neck, and my skin has truly cleared up, so much so that I no longer get insulted by my facial therapist. (Score!)

For those of you who follow my frequent rants about the state of my congested skin, I can honestly say that it has improved by leaps and bounds since using the brush just once a day. Its so gentle, I even use it a day after having my face lasered. Yeah, its that gentle. 

I did the tissue test with my old brush which had the sheet of facial tissue spinning around like a windmill, but when I used the Clarisonic on the very same piece of tissue, it didn't even budge. This is because the Clarisonic does not spin, which is why it is gentle enough to be us

If that wasn’t enough, Matilda also gave me the Clarisonic’s Deep Pore Decongesting Solution, a definite “must-have” for those of you with congested skin like myself or those of you who just want an awesomely flawless complexion.

The Clarisonic’s Deep Pore Decongesting Solution combines Clarisonic’s first-ever two-step skin solution with its patented Deep Pore Brush Head and sonic technology to optimize the cleansing experience when it comes to pores. This innovative collection includes the renowned Clarisonic Mia 2 Sonic Skin Cleansing Brush with the Deep Pore Brush Head, Deep Pore Daily Cleanser and Decongesting Clay Mask.  

Tested by leading dermatologists, this set reduces pore appearance by 25% after just one use. Skin is left with a smoother, more radiant and flawless complexion.  

When used twice daily, the powerful combination of the Deep Pore Brush Head and Deep Pore Daily Cleanser flushes pores to remove set-in debris, revealing clearer, smoother skin. The Deep Pore Daily Cleanser is specifically formulated with ingredients designed to help control oil and refine enlarged pores.  

The sulfate-free, paraben-free formula when activated by the Deep Pore Brush Head creates a keratolytic action that loosens pore-clogging dead skin cells. While the Decongesting Clay Mask combines the skin-renewing power of a hydroxy acid blend with the oil-absorbing power of kaolin and bentonite clays. When removed with the Clarisonic Deep Pore Brush Head, this combination helps exfoliate dead skin cells and rid the pores of damaging pore-clogging toxins. 

LIFESTYLE@LXG: Joanne tries the Cocoon Mask facial at Immortelle Atelier!

I’ve always had dehydrated and sensitive skin, and the condition of my skin has gotten a lot worse ever since I came back from Paris (the weather was pretty cold when I was in the City of Light). If you take long flights or visit drier countries, you probably know what I mean. So I was pretty excited when I was given the opportunity to review the Relaxing Eye Treatment and Maria Galland's Cocoon Facial at Immortelle Atelier.

Conveniently located at United Square in Novena, Immortelle Atelier provides professional facial, make up and hair services using only high-quality and premium products. Indeed, some of the products that the salon uses are Maria Galland, a premium skin care line from France and Jyunka from Japan.

I was attended to by my friendly and knowledgeable therapist, who took me through the various facial services that are available at Immortelle Atelier in-depth, and they include:

-          Maria Galland Hot Modelling Facial Treatment (for rejuvenating & lifting effects)

-          Jyunka Vitamin C Facial Treatment (for instant radiance)

-          Jyunka Epidermal Peel Facial Treatment (for skin purification)

-          Jyunka Whitening Facial Treatment (Whitening treatment)

-          Filorga Cryolift Facial Treatment (for firm and intensive radiance)

-          Intensive Dark Circle Eyecare Treatment (for dark eye rings & puffiness)

The treatment that I was scheduled for was the Maria Galland Cocoon Facial Treatment for instant hydrating results. I’ve never tried something like this before, but the professionalism and friendliness of the staff put me at ease.

I was led into a small but cosy room to being the treatment.

We started off with the usual deep facial cleansing procedure, followed by the eye treatment thereafter. This is really interesting as she applied the Gua Sha therapy to my under eye area. If you’re not familiar with Gua Sha (just as I was earlier), this is a traditional Chinese medical treatment that uses a spoon-like tool to scrape your skin. According to my therapist, this helps to stimulate blood circulation and reduces dark eye rings. She even shared that some customers actually commented that they could feel a difference in their vision right after the eye treatment.  I can’t attest to this, but it did feel good.

For the facial treatment, she applied the Maria Galland Masque Froid Hydratant Hydrating Cooling Mask. As it name suggests, the mask was really cooling and I felt good knowing that my (dehydrated) skin could finally get the essential moisture that it needs. She shared that this is one of the star products by Maria Galland, and that she has seen her fair share of brides who diligently used the Cooling Mark for at least a week before their big day, and swear by it.

Both treatments lasted slightly under two hours. Eyebrow trimming, extraction and your usual neck and shoulder massages are provided as well. I could instantly feel a difference right after the facial – my skin was much firmer, supple, radiant and definitely well-moisturized.

Apart from facial services, Immortelle Atelier also provides professional makeup and hair services for both adults and kids. Not surprising, given that United Square is also known as the ultimate kids mall. My therapist shared that they have their fair share of experience styling kids for children’s birthday parties.

The team of lovely ladies and their affordable treatment that uses premium and quality products easily attests why Immortelle Atelier has won several accolades (such as CozyCot.com’s ‘Best Salon Vitamin Infused Skin care' for their Jyunka serum SME of the year 2014 and ‘Singapore’s Outstanding Enterprise’ Award 2013). This may be my first time at the salon, but I know I’ll definitely be back for more!

Immortelle Atelier is located at: United Square Shopping Mall Singapore, 101 Thomson Road #02-08B, Singapore 307591. Tel: 6259 9001/ enquiries@immortelleaterlier.com