LIFESTYLE@LXG: Susan pampers herself at Immortelle Atelier

I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl almost five months ago. Motherhood is a completely life changing experience and as a new mother, I barely had any time to take care of myself. As much as I love spending time with my new baby, the sleepless nights have taken a toll on my complexion and hair. 

 That’s why I was ecstatic when I was offered to try out the Cryolift Facial Treament with Guasha Eye Treatment and a hair Cream Bath treatment at Immortelle Atelier in their spanking-new outlet in United Square, which is centrally located near Novena MRT station. 

Immortelle Atelier is a one stop venue for all your facial, make-up, styling and hair treatment needs. 

For busy individuals and mother's who have dropped their kids off at class and have some time to kill, they offer quick 45-minute facial and hair treatments that are a wonderful treat and should definitely be tried.

After a quick assessment of my skin condition, my therapist led me into the cozy treatment room at the back of the salon to change and get ready for my treatment. I loved that their robe was so soft and plush and smelled so nice. For me, its the little extra touches like these that make the experience so special.

She started off with a relaxing lavender aromatherapy massage to help me unwind. She then proceeded to deep cleanse my face using Maria Galland skin care products. I love it that they only use very high-quality skincare products such as Maria Galland and Jyunka – this shows the length that Immortelle Atelier goes to in order to provide the best facial experience to their clients.

After the deep cleansing procedure, Judy proceeded with the Guasha Eye Massage. Guasha is a traditional Chinese medical therapy using a spoon-like bone to massage the skin and the bones to help improve blood circulation and drain toxins. I must say this was my favorite part of the whole treatment session! As a new mother experiencing sleepless nights, I honestly thought that I would permanently have to sport massive eye bags, but after Judy’s skillful guasha massage around my tired eyes, I could immediately feel that my eye bags were less pronounced and I felt much better overall.

As I opted for the Cryolift Facial Treatment, Judy applied the Skin Perfusion Gel and Serum containing more than 12 vitamins, 24 amino acids and various minerals and anti-oxidants onto my skin. She then proceeded to use the state-of-the-art Filorga cryolift probe around my face. The probe helps bring the skin down to -18 degree Celsius, stimulating collagen production under the skin. The treatment works by dramatically improving micro blood flow in the skin, reversing the aging process.

The whole facial treatment took about two hours – complete with skin extraction, eyebrow trimming and a relaxing head and shoulder massage. To finish off, she applied a hydrating mask onto my face and a cocoon mask for my eyes. The cocoon mask is unique in that it helps stimulate skin metabolism to fight the destructive effect of stress on the skin. 

At the end of the session, I could feel that it helped my fatigued skin regain its lost radiance and tautness. The best thing? the products used are safe for breastfeeding mothers and even pregnant women!

 After my relaxing facial, I was treated to a Hair Cream Bath session to help restore the shine back to my dull hair. Hair Cream Bath treatment is a highly popular hair pampering experience in Indonesia, where I grew up, so I am glad to re-discover this treatment here in Singapore at Immortelle Atelier. I have been experiencing severe post-partum hair loss so I opted for the “Cooling” cream bath treatment. The treatment lasted for 45 minutes and started off with a hair wash, followed by the application of the cream of your choice, a relaxing head and shoulder massage, a rinse and a final blow-dry. My hair smelled so good and felt so soft after all the pampering. All in all, two thumbs up for my experience at Immortelle Atelier. I will definitely come back for more! 

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

STYLE@LXG: Katie has her first Medi-facial

It’s been around nine months since my last facial, which to be quite honest is quite good for me. With time taking its toll on my otherwise, pretty decent skin, I have been concerned about the few fine lines that have popped up recently.

It will come to no surprise that I have never been for a medi-facial. I mean, to be quite frank, to find the time for an ordinary facial is hard enough with my work schedule, and until today, I had never even heard of such a thing as a medi-facial.

I was a bit nervous, never having been to an aesthetic clinic before, but the staff were lovely. Very friendly and welcoming and my therapist Winnie was very attentive and guided me through all the steps of the procedure, so that any residue of nervousness was soon a thing of the past.

The facial felt so amazing! It was pampering but most importantly, it used medical grade machinery and products so I knew that the effects would be more long term in comparison to a regular run of the mill facial. I especially loved their own Japan-made skin care range that felt light as water and wasn’t greasy or overly perfumed like most skin care products in the market today. 

After the treatment, my skin was a little flushed but a few hours later, it felt very smooth and much more hydrated. A week after the treatment I kept receiving compliments on my glowing complexion and I noticed that my skin did look smoother and free of blemishes. Although my fine lines are still present, I believe with more treatments they will soon be a thing of the past!

A big thank you to EHA Clinic and Winnie for this wonderful experience and I do recommend you try it, especially if you have an important date, meeting or interview coming up so you look your very best!

For more details and to schedule an appointment for your medi-facial, contact EHA on 6235-3325. The clinic is very conveniently located at Shaw in orchard. Join their facebook page for special promotions and giveaways - www.facebook.com/EHAclinic.sg

LADY@LXG: Jyunka Hyaluvital Cream

Hello everyone and welcome to the start of our Christmas countdown giveaway! 

To kick start the celebrations, we are giving away ONE bottle of Jyunka Hyaluvital Cream worth S$ 175! 

Happy News for Jyunka junkies!

Jyunka Junkies are going to be thrilled to know that not only has Jyunka launched their very first facial moisturizer packed full of caviar and other good stuff, we are also giving away one bottle to one very lucky reader. 

Happy days! I am so thrilled that Jyunka has finally launched their very first facial moisturizer.  When it first came out last month, I heard that while it was extremely hydrating it still managed to be very light-weight and perfect for my suddenly sensitized and congested skin. 

So you can imagine my joy (and yes, I did do a bit of a jig) when I got my first bottle! The cream smells fresh and clean and is more like a water-based lotion in texture than a cream. I use one pump during the day and two pumps during the night and my skin feels so comfortable and hydrated! 

Its fantastic for those who have oily or combination skin (like me) as it does not leave your skin feeling greasy and filmy. This cream goes on light and absorbs immediately.

The Hyaluvital Cream is an intense restructuring, protective, repairing and deeply moisturizing cream that works 24-hours on the epidermal layers of the skin. Thanks to a special combination of pure Caviar extract, Hyaluronic Acid and a hydration complex, the skin has the perfect environment   to rebuild and regenerate. The skin is also provided the necessary moisture for complete comfort.

Skin is immediately softer and more moisturized. 

+11% moisturisation after 10 minutes

+30% moisturisation after 3 hours 

+40% moisturisation after 14 days 

The "intense and immediate hydration" effect is tested after 14 days of twice-a-day application.

Want to try the new Jyunka Moisturizer?

Jyunka has kindly sponsored ONE Hyaluvital Cream worth S$ 175

To take part, all you need to do is:

• Like this post
• Like Jyunka’s FB page
• Tell us why you would like to win this moisturizer  
• Share this post with EVERYONE!

Btw, the more you share, the greater your chances are of winning. Good luck!

LADY@LXG

WELLNESS@LXG: PEELING AWAY THE LAYERS

As a recently converted/evolved caveman, I am still new to the whole skincare regime that many women and metrosexual men take for granted... So when the good people of Jyunka recently gave me a sample of their Peel Kit with instructions to start having a “peel” done every week to keep my skin in optimal condition -  I was initially at a lost to how to go about using it.

Thankfully, having a partner who used to be an editor for a beauty magazine helps. After promising to share my Peel Kit (yes there is always a price to be paid), she explained that unless I exfoliated my skin weekly, it would lead to a build up of dead skin which would leave my face looking dull and congested. Because the peel would treat my superficial epidermal layer and stimulate regenerative cells, it would leave me looking younger and more attractive. When I still looked a bit confused, she summarized it all by saying that unless I used the peel, I would look like something the cat dragged in, and she would have no choice but to leave me for a metrosexual, So with that kindly cleared up, use the peel I will.  

In my first review of Jyunka’s M+ Fluid, which I use religiously together with my usual skin care products, Keefe, the trainer for Jyunka, applied the Jyunka Peel onto my skin after thoroughly and gentle cleansing it. 

Being a typical guy and only recently having learned that exfoliation is necessary or else your partner leaves you, I was quite nervous about using the peel on myself without an expert to guide me. ( I was recently spoiled rotten by a fantastic therapist during my first ever facial treatment). Luckily, the good lady was at hand and quite roughly (I must add), scrubbed my face clean and rubbed in the peel cream. After four minutes (you can leave on for between 1-5 minutes, but must not exceed five minutes) she very roughly cleaned it with cotton pads soaked in the Epidermal Lotion and then sent me off to wash my face.

During the peel, my skin felt a slight biting sensation which was very bearable and far less traumatic than the good lady’s rough facial cleansing (how I yearned for the gentle hands of the therapists at Phoenix La Beaute). After the peel was cleaned away and my skin neutralized, my face immediately looked clearer, lighter and matte but not dry. I was in fact rather pleased. 

The Peel Kit is very simple to use and shows immediate results. I would recommend using it before an important date or meeting, as your skin will look refreshed and brighter. 

If you have PIGMENTED SKIN - Apply the peel on spot locations three times a week. 

If you suffer from congested skin and and have BLACK HEADS - Apply it for three consecutive days on the problem area, after which you can apply it one to two times weekly.

If you have DULL SKIN  - Apply the peel on your whole face weekly (avoiding the eye area and lips).

The Jyunka Epidermal Peel Kit retails at SGD119 and is available at Phoenix La Beaute at Palais Renaissance #B1-07. Tel. 6733 4556.

OF COURSE I DON'T EXPECT YOU TO JUST TAKE MY WORD FOR IT!

Jyunka has kindly sponsored an Epidermal Peel Kit, for one lucky reader worth SGD119.

To take part in this giveaway:

1. 'Like' this post and tell me why you want to try this product
2. 'Like' Jyunka's Facebook page
3. Share, share and share this post. The more shares, the greater your chances of winning!
4. Good luck! 

WELLNESS@LXG: THE FACIAL - THE FINAL FRONTIER

Now let’s get one thing straight – guys don’t talk to each other about the condition of their face and skin – right?

I mean when I was growing up, none of my friends dared start a conversation about the latest face-mask, let alone moisturizer. And if ‘Joe’ ever made the mistake of talking openly about his enlarged pores, his punishment would to forever be branded ‘Joanne’. Yes those were tough years if you were a sensitive guy…

It was just too much risk to our ‘manlihoods’ to talk about such fussy and obviously feminine things. But this is no longer the case. The male human has evolved. I was not informed.

Apparently the days of the male braving the elements, and enduring the scorching Sun, just to bring home the bacon – are long over. Now he wears tinted SPF 30 sun-block and preps himself with cleanser and toner, before he heads out on the hunt.

I was obviously in need of a re-education, so after much prodding and poking, and some not so subtle hints, I recently found myself at the threshold of one massively giant step in my evolution from caveman to charismatic gentleman: The Day of My First Facial…

As I made my way down the sunny byways of Orchard Road, and tentatively stepped through the grand entrance of the Palais Renaissance, my mind raced back to a time when I was a kid, gulping down his fear as he stepped into the Dental Surgery for his first ever filling.

A similar shudder raced down my spine as I stood outside the entrance to Phoenix Le Beaute Salon. It wasn’t the fear of pain however, it was the sheer terror of anyone coming that close to my face – close enough to examine all the little pits and scars and lines. I have spent over half my life working under the Sun, and my skin now carries the evidence to prove it.

I was greeted by therapist Nicole, who led me to a waiting room where I first filled in a questionnaire asking for details about my personal skin treatment regime – which got a very short response – and what I thought were the main problems with my skin – this turned out to be a very long list.

My therapist, Nicole - I was in safe hands...

When Nicole found out this was to be my first ever facial, I think she immediately took sympathy for this sorry, deprived soul, and from my responses she could probably also tell that I was feeling pretty nervous about whole thing.

But she took time to explain the procedure, which was going to be the signature Maria Galland Therapie Cocon  (Cocoon Therapy) – basically an hour-long anti-stress treatment comprising a tailor-made massage ritual to relax facial features and rejuvenate the skin.

Treatment Room at Phoenix Le Beaute

That didn’t sound too bad actually – so with a few more words of reassurance, I changed into a robe and was led to one of the cosy treatment rooms. 

Subtle lighting and quiet instrumental music piped in the background set the mood, and I was soon stretched out on a comfortably padded bed.

After smoothly cleansing my face and applying a mask, Nicole began the facial massage, her fingertips gently yet firmly applying pressure and easing out tension across the face and along the temples and neck muscles. 

She seemed thrilled by the prospect of this being my first ever facial, always checking that I was comfortable and happy with the ongoing process.

I have to tell you – that massage was working wonders. I never anticipated that this would be part of a facial treatment, but apparently a unique aspect of the Maria Galland method is to incorporate the massage ritual as a means of easing tension and draining the lymphatic system. 

Normal facials for guys only restrict the massage to the face, but this version spent equal time on the shoulders, neck and upper back. By this time my concerns had flown of the window. I was completely relaxed and totally at ease.  I could have stopped right there and been totally satisfied.

Range of Maria Galland products, some of which were used in the facial

But this was when the actual ‘cocon’ treatment began. Literally a cocoon of foam is applied to the face and left to work its cleansing and restorative magic for about 20 minutes – actually I’m not too sure for exactly how long, because by now I had no concept of time; I was floating in a cloud of near-meditative bliss. I was really surprised as to how quickly my initial resilience had disappeared!

Finally a moisturizer containing Vitamin A and E was applied to my face, and I was done. My first ever facial was over and thanks to Nicole’s expert treatment, I was mentally already planning when my next one would be…  

So there you go – I highly recommend the Maria Galland Therapie Cocon, especially for newbies like me. I actually found out that’s it no longer a rare thing for guys to have such treatments. Nicole sees young professionals and even couples visiting Phoenix Le Beaute Salon for their regular facials and spa treatments.

I for one am very happy to have finally evolved…

To find out more and try out the Maria Galland Therapie Cocon treatment for yourself, visit:

Phoenix Le Beaute

390 Orchard Road

#B1-07 Palais Renaissance

Singapore 238871

Tel: +65 6733 4556

Courtesy of Phoenix Le Beaute, LXG is giving away one exclusive Maria Galland Therapie Cocon, treatment, valued at S$180 (excluding GST)

 
To take part and stand a chance to win:

"Like" this post
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Tell us why you want to win it and please remember to leave your name behind
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