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.

Back in action

Shiatzen Spa is now back in action after moving from Kiulap. It is now temporarily based in Taman Metutia, Jalan Jerudong, Simpang 265-20 Jerudong.

For those of you living around the area, theres little reason for you to drive all the way to Kiulap or Gadong for a massage treatment or facial, just head to Shiatzen Spa Jerudong instead.

Promotions include Body Mask + Body Scrub + Swedish & Shiatsu Massage for just $65!

Do call 8980628 for bookings and further enquiries.

Related posts:

Body Scrub at Shiatzen Spa

Shiatzen Spa: Swedish & Shiatsu Combination Massage $30

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

Green Tea revolution

Hello readers, my apologies for the lack of updates. The law course is especially demanding at this time of the month but I am still spa-ing and making a mental note to myself on the many treatments I have tried at this ever-stressing month of April. Its such an irony, in a work heavy month of April, where normally involves rather frequent visits to the spa – yet I have not found the free time to blog about the spa experience.

 

Japanese art of brewing

 

 

Green Tea: you either hate it or LOVE it! Fortunately I am of the opinion of the latter, my life have turned green-tea-nised if there is such a word for that. Do you see, green tea products appearing in supermarkets and the only beauty store in Brunei, Guardian? I just love how its smells and how very zen and organic to support this green tea revolution! It starts with my addiction and favourite drink right now:

Heaven and Earth Green Tea – all I can say genius!

I am hooked to the drink, WHO KNOWS what chemicals to they put inside the green drink to make you all addicted, I don’t CARE!

I consume an average of 2 cans of this daily! Its better than those high sugary, high cal soft drinks.

 

 

 

Apparently Gywneth and Victoria swears by green tea – it is scientifically proven that consuming 4 cups of green tea daily will boost your fat metabolism and help you lose weight faster! And the antioxidant properties of green tea gives your skin a healthy glow. 

Gywneth Paltrow promoting Estee Lauder's green tea products

The article below was taken from wikipedia:

Green tea has been traced as far back as over 4000 years ago in China. The medicinal properties of green tea have been given serious scientific studies and debates. And studies showed that if you drink four cups of green tea a day, it can reduce the risk of developing stomach and lung cancer as well as heart diseases.

Green tea has high anti oxidant activities as it contains ECGC, a cancer fighting flavonoid. What makes green tea uniques is that it’s proven to fight cancer at all stages, from chemical carcinogens, to inhibit the spread of tumors.

Numerous studies revealed that green tea contains chemical components are 100 times more powerful an anti oxidant than vitamin C, and 25 times more powerful than Vitamin E.

It’s also reported that green tea can even help prevent tooth decay. And green tea also possess the ability to destroy and kill bacteria and prevent food poisoning.Green tea antioxidants have been shown to have cholesterol lowering effects.

Green tea also causes carbohydrates to be released slowly and thus preventing sharp increases in blood-insulin levels, this activity promote burning of fat, and this is the reason why many people are comsuming green tea for the sole purpose of losing weight.

Many scientists believe that the efficacies of green teas can help us restore our health, improve our immune capability and protect us against cancer.

Green tea is also very effective in helping you lose weight, and many green tea user have managed to lose weight within  short period of time, usually within 4 – 6 weeks of consuming.

If you’re not such a big fan of the drink, green tea can also be appreciated in other ways. The ones which I have personally used and try are incredibly organic.

Endorsed by yours truly

Its of great importance for us to be environmentally aware, plus its now a cool thing to be environmentally friendly. Green tea is healthy and the smell is just divine!

Beauty and spa products: Green Tea in Brunei

Citra lasting pur’ity Green Tea Body scrub – $2.85 in Hua Ho department stores

Verdict: I’m so happy to find a really cheap scrub for everyday use! And with the green tea infused with antioxidants and detox moisturising properties – just after application, it makes my skin smooth and glowing! The best part its just $2.85! Bargain!

 

Guardian green tea facial wipes – $1.95 in Guardian stores nationwide

Verdict: What can I say, I’m a big green tea fan and absolutely love the fragrance! Although it only does what it says, my face is cleanse and the detox properties of green tea can work wonders to your skin.

Elizabeth Arden Green Tea scent spray – available in selected Hua Ho department stores

 

Verdict: Although this perfume have been on the shelves for a while now but with the green resurgence, it has regain its popularity. Smells very green tea and perfect for a zen woman.

 

 

 

Citra Beauty moisturising lotion extrak teh hijau – available in Hua Ho department stores

Citra moisturising lotion

 

 

 

Verdict: It goes with the spa range, the body scrub. What can I say, I love the smell. And such a bargain!

 

 

Ambi Pur Total Fresh Green Tea fragrance

Verdict: Spread the green tea fragrance to your home, closet, car, drawer anywhere! I have one put in my car – creating the whole relaxing spa atmosphere while driving.

 

 

Green Tea Iced Frappuchino

 

 

 

I can’t live without: Starbucks Green Tea iced frappuchino RM 15 for a Venti size

 

 

Verdict: Had the first taste of it back during my vacation in Kuala Lumpur, it was just heaven! Went back to try a version of it in Coffee Zone – which was horrible and so do not understand the whole green tea concept. Few days ago, I was over the moon to find Starbucks during my trip in Miri, Malaysia. 

 

 

 

So people, stay green and be aware of your carbon footprint – and try going environmental and be GREEN. Its so in – I heart green tea! Join the revolution today!