Dermalogica Facial

Time flies so fast, and now its the fasting month and in another three weeks is Hari Raya celebration! Well in an attempt to look good for Hari Raya and hopefully have a glowing complexion! Especially the large amount of pictures that you will be taking during Hari Raya, obviously you would want to look your best. This is it, a reputable and revolutionary and perhaps to only place in Brunei where you could have a good facial. Get this: using a brand which actually does works, Dermalogica!

I have to admit, I have only found out about the goodness of the brand when I travel to London during the summer holidays last July! Holiday sale shopping in London is heavenly for a shopaholic like me and especially when you’re also a beauty junkie! I actually saw Dermalogica products sold over the counter at John Lewis, one of the premier department stores in Oxford Street, London. The prices for the products falls under the high end, but seeing that each will probably last you 4-5 months, I’d say its a pretty good investment when you know that the products you apply makes your face achieve that healthy glow.

Anyway, I was ecstatic to find out here in Brunei where someone would hardly find high end beauty products (unless ofcourse you consider products above $10 is high end) that Dermaline, Kiulap sells Dermalogica products. Plus the opportunity to experience a number of facial choices made available to you.

Anyway, I was greeted by a trained facialist where I voiced out my skin concerns and which problem areas needed to be fixed. She determined that I have a normal-combination skin, which is quite normal for anyone who lives in hot countries. The skin releases sebum as a result from the hot and humid Brunei environment, and if not properly washed, it will allow skin bacteria to thrive and multiply, and you’ll end up getting skin blemishes and worse skin acne.

She recommended the Skin Balancing facial, the basic facial offered in Dermaline to revitalise and freshen up tired and fatigued skin. I am led to a treatment room which reminded me a dental clinic. My concerns gradually gone when the classical music was on and the light was dimmed. It really felt just like being in a spa!

The facial steam coming off infused and open the facial pores to allow deep cleansing and absorbed the wonderful Dermalogica products effectively. I find the facial such a delight, the pre-cleanse gel contains scents of eucalyptus, chamomile and hobs essential oil. I can also feel the a mild mint essential oil. It really does makes a terrific job of calming my skin. The facialist skilled fingers using facial lymphatic massages enables the flushing of toxins and ease the tense of facial muscles. It was such a delightful feeling.

I am told that the products used during facials are more effective because the ingredients are much more concentrated and potent. This is true, because I can definitely notice the effects on my skin straight after the facial. Afterwards, the facialist recommended take home products that I can use to prolonged the glowy effects. Dermaline Kiulap really paves the way to allow more high end beauty products sold here in Brunei. The next time when I have a bad skin day, I know just the place to go.

Verdict: 8/10

Dermaline skin balancing facial costs around $50. It’s located on the first floor, and shares the same building with Chong Hock Kiulap. Do tell Dermaline that I recommended!

Happy fasting everyone

Related posts:

Alpha H facial at the Mall

Cheapest reflexology in town: $10 spa

Just when I thought I have found the cheapest one hour reflexology treatment last month (see Haniesah Spa Kiulap $15) a friend of mine showed me one spa which only costs a mere sum of $10! Of course, I can’t wait to try the cheapest reflexology treatment in town.

I just discovered the mini spa joints and outlets in Batu Besurat – and there is even one building that accommodates four spas! Talk about stiff competition! Hence some spas follow the I have the cheapest treatment to attract people to come and try out the treatments on offer. The cheapest reflexology treatment at the time of writing is at Treatmine Health Care, Batu Besurat.

Here is my review of Treatmine Health Care:

First Impressions:

Well just by looking at the price, I didn’t expect much from the spa except for the foot treatment itself. It is actually a bit difficult to locate the spa in Batu Besurat and the roads can be quite confusing especially to go and about. Finally, I was to locate the spa on the first floor of the building complex, the stairs leading up to the spa aren’t really flattering. It was dark and poorly lit and the door was not welcoming. It didn’t exude the sense of stepping into another world, that escape from the real world that you yearn for every time you enter a spa.

How did they welcome you?

Not much – I was not greeted at all with the empty reception. It left me wandering around for two minutes before being one of the employees asking what treatment I would like. He then showed me a list of treatments available such as a list of $10 treatments which includes ear candling, neck & shoulder massage, the signature foot reflexology and other treatments. All you have to do is to avail yourself around 10am until 4pm to get the off peak prices. I chose the foot reflexology from a friend’s recommendation.

As you can see from the blurry picture above, the spa area is pretty basic, it involves a cushy-sofa bed and where you lay your legs on when you experience the foot reflexology treatment. The therapist did not speak any word of English or Malay. My futile attempts to communicate with the therapist which included adjusting the pressure of the massage was unsuccessful. I finally had to just try to enjoy the foot reflexology treatment however in my mind was restless thinking critically whether paying cheap means I have to get a much less enjoyable spa time.

There’s also the problem with the ergonomics of the chair itself, the place where you rest your head and neck is way too low for my neck to rest, this led to a mild sprain on my neck afterwards! It does spoils the reason why you would go to a spa in the first place.

Verdict: 3/10 since cheap price I’ll give an extra point so 4/10

Treatmine Health Care

Lot 7753 Unit 8 Block A

1st floor, Jln Batu Besurat

Call in 245-0316

Alpha-H Facial at Spa Zone, The Mall

There are so many facials available in the market that it can be hard to work out which one you should try. Determining whether the facial is going to be suitable for your skin is going to be difficult unless you know that the brand used really suits you. Some of us go for a facial because its such an indulgent and necessary thing to do.

Obviously we want something that we can’t get by doing at home – European brands that’s totally unavailable over the counter or at supermarket. Tell me about it – Isn’t it difficult to get a good skin care product here in Brunei. I can only get hold of my La Mer and Chanel during trips abroad, I usually stock quite a few! All facials should make your skin feel clean, fresh, soft and most importantly clear from problems such as blemishes. Whichever facial you choose, you can expect all facials to include cleansing, toning and moisturising.

 

 

Upon arrival to Spa Zone, 2nd floor of the Mall you immediately enter the reception/nail bar/waiting lounge. Spa Zone does have limited space – it felt more like a salon than a spa – so this really is a place where you normally just drop in for that emergency manicure or express lunch time facial rather than a full day of indulgence. The receptionist also my facialist immediately asked for my name and what treatment I would like to have. I told her I was interested with their Alpha-H facial and it had been quite a while since I had a facial treatment. Alpha-H skin care are Australian based products & I have heard amazing reviews from satisfied customers how their face looking exceptionally radiant afterwards.

 

 

She recommended the Deep Cleansing facial to thoroughly cleanse the face with double cleansing techniques and the deep cleansing mask to extract any dirt from the closed pores and of course the blackhead-extraction (less relaxing!). The Alpha-H treatment room is quite a small-sized room due to the limited space available. To be perfectly honest, the environment did felt more like a salon rather than a relaxing & indulgent spa atmosphere. I wasn’t that bothered. For an Alpha-H at this price, it is a steal! My therapist left me alone for a couple of minutes, allowing the time to get comfortable with the reclining facial/massage bed. On return, the therapist did a quick assessment of my complexion before starting the treatment.

 

 

The Alpha-H facial was alright, it lived up to my standard expectations of what a facial suppose to be. The double cleansing involves applying steam from a noisy facial steamer to open up my pores. And then the deep cleansing mask was applied twice with 10-15 minutes for each mask which then the therapist would leave the room. I was hoping during the time period, the therapist could perhaps give a mini head or shoulder massage – it would have dramatically improve my facial experience. Also its quite a shame that there is no background spa music too.

 

 

The facial left my face looking exceptionally radiant for days afterwards especially now, my face is free from unwanted acne and blemishes, although I have to admit the day after the facial my face experienced a mini-breakout at where the therapist did the painful extractions! For the price of $38 upon showing your HSBC card (normal price $40), I’m not complaining – where else could you get an Alpha-H facial at such a price?

Before leaving, the therapist gave me privilege card where points can be accumulated for every $20 purchased, there’s plenty of redemptions which include a foot spa and paraffin wax hand treatment. You don’t need to spent quite a lot to enjoy the benefits.

Verdict: 6/10

Unit 2.21 Level 2 The Mall Gadong Call 244 8491 for enquiries and bookings. Opens daily 10am – 10pm

Was it worth it? Yes, with the affordable pricing and comprehensive facial. The spa atmosphere could use a more spa “feel” by adding background music, a few improvements here and there with the layout and spa ambience, this spa could have top marks.

Zen spa escapades

I know I have told myself that I will not be coming to Zen Spa after the horrid experience of the Touch of Zen massage, their signature treatment but I felt that my review was not an accurate representation of the spa. On my return to the spa, they were very apologetic about my experience and they have noted that the therapist was transferred to another branch.

What I like about Zen Spa is the design of their interiors and the shower and steam room facilities available to the customers. This shows that Zen Spa is serious and after all they are the pioneers that paved the way towards the explosion of spas we see today.

 

Foot Scrub and Masque treatment $25

This was my first treatment after the Touch of Zen massage I tried last year, I kept telling myself perhaps if I choose a different therapist the experience would be different. I often hear rave reviews from my friends who tried Zen Spa, maybe I was just unlucky on that day.

I was offered a selection of fruit juices and herbal teas prior to the treatment, I chose the juice option. I was shocked to find that there were ants on my juice! Not good – I was not impressed even before the treatment starts! I mean in spa like Zen Spa, this little things cannot be overlooked. Anyway, the Foot Scrub and Masque treatment starts off with getting my feet soaked in soapy water to get rid of the germs and dirt and also to soften the soles of the feet. Then the therapist applied the clay masque liberally to my feet and was left on for 15 minutes, during this time the therapist gave a complimentary head, shoulder and back massage. I am beginning to relax and forget the fruit juice fiasco earlier.

Then the foot scrub: where my foot was filed and I start to see the hard skin shed off by the vigorous filing and scrubbing leaving my both of feet soft and smooth. Not bad, although you could actually do this on your own at home. Body Shop offers DIY foot filer, pumice and nail buffer at a fraction of the cost of the above treatment.

Verdict: 6/10

 

Aromatherapy Swedish Massage $35

I haven’t try the Swedish Massage in Zen Spa before, with a different therapist this time – I expected it to be better this time around. Swedish Massage involves long, continuous strokes of the whole body and was invented with lymphatic drainage in mind. The toxins accumulated in body are swept along the lymphatic nodes thus creating flow and balance.

At the end of the massage treatment, the muscles are relaxed and your well being improved. The question is whether the Swedish Massage is better than the Swedish offerings in other spas. With the $35 price, it is more expensive than Shiatzen Spa which offered the Swedish massage and the Swedish/Shiatsu combination massage.

The masseuse starts working on light strokes on my back and shoulders to reduce the tension of the muscles. And then the legs and arms. The music ambience was relaxing but it tend to be repetitive, the music played at the time of the treatment until just a day ago. It was still the same one played several months ago!

As usual, I felt relaxed as ever. The massage was way, way better than before, the therapist knew what he was doing. I guess, to answer the question whether this one is better its down to your personal preference. The room is no doubt bigger and the interiors was well spent, there is a shower in each treatment room. It changed my original prejudice of the spa, but it is not yet in the same level as Thann Sanctuary Spa due to the inconsistencies and little mistakes.

Verdict: 7/10

 

 

Herbal Foot Soak Reflexology, Standard Bucket $20

Firstly, was the healing herbal foot soak to soften heels and invigorate my tired feet. I love the vintage, traditional look of the bucket. This plus a complimentary head, back and shoulder massage! I’m not even sure if I would call it as complimentary! It was another massage on it own right. Soft towels infused with aromatic oils served to cover the head and eye area for total relaxation. I swear with the addition of the eye cover – I was pretty much asleep afterwards! The spa certainly have gone further to make sure their customers were happy and relaxed that they might come back for more.

Then the foot reflexology – one word Nirvana.

I highly recommend this as your first treatment in Zen Spa, do ask for Kaye. I personally request Kaye every time I’m at Zen Spa.

Verdict: 10/10

See also:

Thann Sanctuary Spa review - avant garde boutique style spa in Brunei

 

Haniesah Spa Kiulap 60 min Foot Reflexology $15

May – I have dreaded this month and cannot wait for this month to be over. I tell you why: after countless of procrastination and constantly delaying the promised revisions, spas that have yet to be reviewed – finally May comes and tells me, the time is now to act and spend the limited time left to revise for my law examinations.

Winston Churchill once said:

“The era of procrastination, of half measures, of soothing, and baffling expedience of delay is coming to its close. In its place we are entering a period of consequences.”

This is “the” month for me, the month that determines I sink or I swim towards the bright future that I have dreamt about. I know it will be tough, and the finishing point is still far off but the measure of success comes down to this, hard work. 

Anyway – I have the chance to visit a recently opened spa in Kiulap called Haniesah Spa Kiulap. Poor choice in the spa name, could use a name that exudes a sense of sanctuary. With that name alone, in my opinion it wouldn’t attract a lot of people compared to a spa called Zen or Mandara nearby.

With the spa explosion especially in the Gadong area is welcoming and exciting for spa-goers like me. Offering a whole lot more variety on the many spa treatments available – I’m afraid the market for spas is getting saturated. There are those who will be very successful and those who don’t. So – prices for the spa treatments hopefully will become increasingly competitive and people will become more demanding and choosy with the many options available.

Now that I have experienced the spas in this country, I like to know that what I paid is worth when experiencing the treatment. So when it comes to trying out new spas, I tend to choose the cheapest offering before forking out for other more expensive treatments. The foot reflexology offered here is the cheapest so far in Brunei at a price of $15.

The foot reflexology treatment begins with the foot soak in warm, soapy water. Other spas normally offer a herbal foot soak with nicer, bigger buckets. I have to constantly remind myself that the treatment is the cheaper compared to the others. The massage was technical and robotic, it was not very fluid to say the least. Unfortunately, the foot reflexology treatment just didn’t work for me. I was very annoyed with the fact that the therapist was also the receptionist – there were three occasions where my session was interrupted because she had to answer the phone from the customers. She didn’t seem to be apologetic with the situation.

I get the feeling that she kept looking on the time and waiting for the session to end. Being that most therapist in the spas here in Brunei are paid by commission, the more people they serve the more they get. At the end of the day, I felt that it was more of a chore and a job for her then actually enjoying giving the massage to customers.

 

This spa is at best mediocre. There are plenty of better spas around in Kiulap.

Verdict: 3/10