Step into Erabelle Prestige and you'll feel like you've entered a beautiful ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn.
The face spa claims to be the first in Singapore with a traditional ryokan-like service culture where kimino-clad attendants are dedicated to serving each customer like you were the only guest.
There are two such outlets around town. The newest is a 3,500 sq ft urban sanctuary, which recently opened at Penang Road. The other branch is located at VivoCity shopping centre.
AsiaOne's very own Satoko Nishimura, a Japanese expat living and working in Singapore, visits the VivoCity outlet to try out a Japanese Sake Facial and Rice Bran Scrub. Despite being Japanese, she has never heard of, much less tried having Sake on her face. Let’s see how Erabelle Prestige’s signature treatments go down with her.
A relaxing pre-treatment
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Upon arrival at Erabelle VivoCity, I was asked to change into Yukata (light Kimono worn in summer) and Zori (traditional Japanese sandals). Then, a Nakai-san (service attendant specially dedicated to me), dressed in a Kimono, helped to neaten my hair in preparation for the facial treatment. Subsequently, she ushered me into the Chado, a Japanese Tea ceremony room (right), where I was served a delightful cup of Maccha (green tea) and some Cha-Gashi (tea sweets) before the face and body treatments. The duo treatments would take up to 2 or 2 ½ hours so the snacks were definitely a good idea to delay hunger. There were two VIP suites and four signature facial rooms at the VivoCity branch. I was ushered into the Duchess suite that was so luxuriously designed, I immediately felt at ease to begin the time of skin pampering.
Japanese Sake Facial
First, a quick assessment was carried out to find out my skin condition and the type of treatment needed. I was told I had a combination of dry and oily skin. Before the facial, Nakai-san gave me an aroma massage with a specially-prepared massage oil. The oil used was made up of Jojoba and Pettigrain. Accoding to her, Jojoba is good for dry skin for its moisturising effects and Pettigrain helps to sooth, relax and calm nerves. The firm, yet soothing head to shoulder massage before the facial did a lot for me as I regularly experienced shoulder pains due to the nature of my desk job.
After the aroma massage, it was finally time for the Sake facial, a treatment that Erabelle designed specially for Asian skin. The treatment included the use of Sake, which had the scent of real Japanese Sake - elegant and light. The sake liquid, filtered from a Japanese Sake ingredient, is supposed to be good for elimination of toxins and skin detoxification, lightening of ageing spots and blemishes, soothing of irritated skin and restoration of moisture and skin regeneration.
My aesthetician soaked the Sake in thin paper towels, and placed them on my face, making layers. As she did that, I felt the essence of the Sake penetrating into my skin cells. While the alcohol effect on my skin felt a little too cold for comfort, luckily, Nakai-san provided me with a warm gel to apply over my eyes. That made me so relaxed all the layers of Sake towels piled on my face did not affect my at all for the next 10 minutes where I totally relaxed and enjoyed the facial.
While the experience was “wow” for me, I did not know the immediate effects this had on my face until I reached home and my family commented that my face looked brighter and whiter.
Price: $260 for 90 minutes
Genmai-Bijin Body Scrub
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Do you know that the arms and armpit are key body parts that give others the impression of your body shape? Based on this theory, Erabelle has customized the body scrub, which starts from the back first and focuses on your arms and armpits. A special original oil cream, consisting a blend of rice bran, hydrating treatment water and pettigrain essential oil, will be applied to your whole body. More pressure would be applied at the lymph nodes to improve blood circulation. I felt warmer from the center of my body, as the muscles that I seldom make use of were being stimulated. As the oil seeped into my skin, it was as if dead skin was mercilessly sloughed away with the scrub, leaving me feeling cleansed and refreshed. After the treatment, my skin was seemingly glowed and was baby-soft.
Price: $100 for 45 minutes
A hearty post-treatment supper
After the going through both treatments, I was most certain hungry by the end of it. To my surprise, two pieces of Sushi, edamame, fruits and a specially made original hot dessert was served. And as I was enjoying my meal in the Tea ceremony room, my aesthetician came to explain to me more about the treatments I did. It was really delightful that the staff were humble and friendly, yet professional.
While the service and treatments were amazing, the only thing I thought could be improved was the background music played during treatments. Perhaps tunes of bamboo flutes (Shakuhachi in Japanese) would go perfectly with the scent of Sake during the facial.
As a Japanese, I was really surprised to find such excellent service and ambiance exists outside of Japan. The next time Mum comes to visit, I’d most definitely recommend her to try the Sake Facial and Rice Bran Scrub treatments.
-SATOKO NISHIMURA
Erabelle Prestige Orchard is located at 103 Penang Road, #01-06-11. Erabelle Prestige VivoCity is located at 1 Habourfront Walk#02-01/02.
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 Enjoy a 30% discount of select Erabelle treatments for Diva readers only!
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Erabelle Prestige is offering a 30% discount for EITHER Japanese Sake Facial (U.P $260 for 90 mins) OR Genmai-Bijin Rice Scrub (U.P. $100 for 45 min).
On top of that, if you purchase the Japanese Sake Facial, you'll get a box of Erabelle's Treatment Mask (3 pcs worth $60) for further fairness of skin.
Simply print and cut out this coupon, and present it at time of payment.
TERMS & CONDITIONS:
*Offer is only valid for 1 redemption of each treatment per reader.
*Promotion ends 31 March, 2010.
*Erabelle Prestige reserves the right to amend the offer.
Call Erabelle Prestige Orchard (6836 8388) or Erabelle Prestige VivoCity (6376 8336) to make an appointment.
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