FOR most people, sake is for drinking and Royal Jelly is for eating.

But, increasingly, spas are incorporating these foodie treats into beauty treatments such as facials and massages.

Besides innovating in terms of ingredients, some are also bringing in creative techniques popular with celebrities overseas, like the blinged-out Minx manicure favoured by Hollywood A-listers like Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Beyonce.

And there’s no better time to enjoy these unique treatments than during the Great Singapore Sale (GSS), when they can be had with a sweet discount or a few special bonuses.

At face spa Erabelle Prestige, which prides itself on its traditional ryokan-like service culture and Japanese-influenced beauty therapies, there is a Japanese Sake Face Spa promotion.

The rejuvenating 90-minute facial, which also includes a relaxing footbath and floral-tea appreciation prior to the session, costs just $150 during the GSS, compared to its usual price of $260 (before GST).

Said its spokesman: “Your skin will be deeply cleansed and brightened by two masks: A sake compress mask and a customised clay mask with sake. Coupled with three massages – hand or scalp massage, shoulder massage, and face massage – you’ll emerge totally rejuvenated.”

For centuries, the Japanese rice wine has been celebrated for its anti-bacterial,

anti-oxidant and moisturising properties, she said. It contains natural organic acids that brighten, renew and soften the skin.

No wonder geishas have been known to use sake as a natural elixir to keep their skin silky smooth.

Erabelle Prestige – a home-grown company that is decked out with old-world inspired furniture and printed wallpaper – is located at VivoCity and VisionCrest Commercial Building at Dhoby Ghaut.

Now, if it’s a muscle-kneading session you require, head to Qi Mantra at Great World City for a good pounding.

The new Shockwave Puncture Massage ingeniously combines shockwave machine technology with the trained healing handiwork of Qi Mantra therapists for intensive muscle relief.

First, a shockwave machine delivers mechanical pressure pulses that radiate outwards in waves through the body. Repeated shockwaves applied to a targeted spot stimulates neo-vascularisation (new blood flow) in that area of the body.

A therapist will work on problem spots and guide the machine’s applicator down the meridian lines for about 20 minutes till you feel the knots loosening. Then, settle in for a relaxing 60-minute massage for the rest of the treatment.

This treatment, which can initially feel slightly painful for some, aims to blast apart tension knots, relax tight muscle and connective tissues, and improve sluggish blood circulation and detoxify, its spokesman said. The massage is available now for $128 (usual price $198).

Next, let’s talk about nails. The latest mani service to hit town is the Minx manicure, an absolute favourite of hot celebrities like Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas.

Brought in exclusively by Vedure NailSpa at Wheelock Place, Minx is a unique manicure service in which very thin adhesive films with various designs are placed on the nail. It is then set using a heat lamp, so no more waiting around for your nails to dry.

The Minx manicure is available from $80 onward.

The salon also has sake- and Royal Jelly-based treatments for hands and feet.

The Vedure Mediboutique, a sister outlet also located at Wheelock Place, also offers body massages, which come in packages that are going at up to 40 per cent off this GSS.

So, ladies, there’s no better time than now to try out all the new-fangled beauty treatments you’ve been curious about.

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