Beauty SOS:
Pampering for the changing seasons
Winter is over. Our long, hot, steamy summer months will soon be back with a vengeance. If you’ve been rugged up, it’s time to peel off the layers and indulge in a bit of self-care. We checked in with experts for some advice on how to help your body cope with
Hong Kong’s brutal change of season.
Reboot Your Skin Banish winter dullness with a HIFU treatment.
Did you know that your skin develops at a slower pace during winter? Constant exposure to cold, dry air causes skin to feel dehydrated and chapped. It’s why our appearance may seem a little duller by the time February rolls around.
Rebooting your skin is the perfect way to wake your complexion from its winter slumber. Bio Beauty Spa therapist IVY recommends a High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) treatment to achieve exactly this. “By getting this treatment, you effectively restart the skin regeneration and rejuvenation process,” says Ivy. “It acts as a booster to produce collagen.” Boosting collagen is effective in the rejuvenation process because it’s what helps with the elasticity of our skin to keep us looking young.
So, how does the HIFU process work? It’s a precise facial treatment that applies high-intensity focused energy to lift the face and firm the skin, regenerating skin cells and healing damaged skin tissues. Ivy recommends the treatment for anyone who’d like to “brighten and even out the skin’s complexion, reduce the appearances of wrinkles and fine lines, and reduce pigmentation or blemishes present on the skin.” She adds that it can also improve your jawline by making it look more prominent.
Visit Bio Beauty Spa at 201 Lyndhurst Building, 29 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central. biobeautyspa.com
Free Your Feet! If you’ve been snuggled up on the lounge and covered head to toe since summer ended, it’s time to free your feet. Before you take your toes out on the town, though, they’ll likely need some lovin’!
Devotees of great pedicures will be delighted to hear that the iPedicure is now available in Hong Kong. The procedure originated in Germany and has become popular in Eastern Europe in recent years.
This foot and nail treatment is performed by a trained specialist using a machine that gently files away tough skin to deliver baby-soft feet for up to three months. It’s also a great way to fight off a range of feet-related challenges like cracked heels and athlete’s foot.
Cleanliness enthusiasts will be glad to hear that the team at My Perfect Body – the exclusive distributor and training centre for iPedicure in the city – assures us the treatment is a more hygienic and cleaner process than a regular pedicure.
So, walk yourself down to My Perfect Body and treat your feet to the latest and greatest in pedicures.
3/F, 16 Wyndham Street, Central 2561 7272 | mypb.com.hk
Fresh Facial Banish winter pollution and energise your complexion.
The air quality this winter has been terrible. It’s not just our lungs that suffer, it’s our complexions too. If pollution has robbed you of your natural glow, you might be the perfect candidate for an Anti-Pollution Facial treatment at Emmanuel F.
This targeted treatment has been created specifically for those needing their batteries recharged. Founder EMMANUEL FAIPOUX gives us a glimpse into how it works: “Relax for a moment and abandon yourself to the expert hands of our beautician, then indulge in fresh fragrances, light and creamy textures, and active ingredients such as vegetal oil chlorophyll and algae, which energise the skin and stimulate radiance.”
The team at Emmanuel F also recommends removing dry skin with a body polish treatment in order to smooth the skin and bring back its natural shine. Special deal: In February, book yourself in for any Signature Basic Facial (75 minutes, HK$1,100) and enjoy a free Full Body Organic Salt Scrub (30 minutes, usually $570) on the same day! Advance booking essential.
UG/F, The Pemberton, 22-26 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan 2167 8280 | emmanuelf.com
Saving winter-ravaged skin Winter is the most polluted time of the year in Hong Kong. It’s also drier, which delivers a double-barrelled dehydration challenge to our complexions.
If you’re struggling to put your best face forward, you’re not alone. With summer just around the corner, it’s time to get ready for bare faces and hours in the sun. SIOBAN GUILFOYLE, owner of Glow Spa & Salon, knows all too well the challenges we face coming out of Hong Kong winters. She kindly offers her expert recommendations on how we can salvage dehydrated skin and get in tip-top condition for sun, sea and all things spring.
“The two top tips for good skin are always hydration and cleanliness. This means that drinking plenty of water and keeping your face clean are both paramount,” says Sioban.
This time of year, it’s not uncommon for faces to feel dehydrated with more conspicuous and visible lines. But before you panic and reach for more permanent interventions, there are several highly effective, not to mention relaxing, treatments that can be tried.
Three facials
Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant and one of the most valued ingredients in dermatology, known for stimulating the skin’s metabolism and the formation of collagen. Sioban recommends Glow’s Power C+ Facial. She explains, “It uses a superior concentration of high absorption Vitamin C – the most powerful ever created by Skeyndor – with the technology of negative and positive polarity to open and close the pores to seal in the serum and infuse the cells.” This treatment is not recommended for those with sensitive skin.
For ladies who are 30 or above, Sioban recommends the Eternal Facial, which uses coveted plant-origin stem cells for an anti-ageing effect that lasts. The main purpose is to encourage the production of epidermal stem cells and stimulate the skin to recover lost density and elasticity. This hydrating treatment is suitable for all skin types and yields a noticeable difference after just one session.
If you’re looking to saturate your skin with hydration after a long dry winter, look no further than the Hyaluronic Facial. This will rebalance the skin’s natural hydrodynamics by combining hyaluronic acid with a potent aquaporin activator. Hyaluronic (a natural molecule) is considered a “true sponge” because of its ability to retain a thousand times its weight in water. It’s a hard worker!
Now is the time to get yourself booked in for some skin selfcare before the humidity and heat really hit. For a free consultation, call 2525 5198 or email reception@glowspa.hk. glowspa.hk
“The two top tips for good skin are always hydration and
cleanliness”
Fuzz Free
Time to get beach ready!
Ever noticed how Hong Kong’s change of season sneaks up on us? One day we’re all whining about a lack of central heating and the next we’re firing up our air-conditioners.
Swimsuit season is looming and that means having a little more skin on display. If the thought of swimwear sends you reeling, it might be time to book an appointment with DOLMA, an expert in waxing.
Dolma has over 20 years of experience waxing clients and getting the city’s skin ready for the warmer months. She prides herself on offering a hygienic and (relatively) pain-free wax, with a specialty in Brazilian waxing and eyebrow threading.
We asked Dolma to share two tips for summer-ready hair removal.
1 Timing is everything. “Wax two to three days before a junk trip. Don’t swim in open or chlorinated water, or and don’t expose yourself to the sun for at least 24 to 48 hours after waxing.”
2 Managing the bumps. “Usually, the tiny red bumps that can appear after waxing go away in a few days. Keep the area clean, apply a cool compress, wear loose clothing, and be sure not to pick or squeeze the bumps!” Dolma Waxing Boutique is at 1508 Takshing House, 20 Des Voeux Road, Central.
6348 4452 | brazilianwaxing.com.hk
Pain-free Workouts Cold months aren’t kind to pain sufferers, but getting active can bring relief. JOSEPH HALSTEAD from OptionsPilates Studio shares some advice.
Should I exercise if I’m in pain?
We help a lot of chronic pain sufferers and people with injuries – we’re very used to working with those facing health challenges. Our reformer machines are designed to help people with limited movement. If you’re coming out of an injury or suffering from pain due to a misalignment, the Pilates reformer can aid recovery.
Of course, this doesn’t apply if you’re in pain because of a serious current trauma – you should always consult your doctor first.
I’ve not tried Pilates before; is it difficult?
Modern Pilates adapts to meet your needs, so it’s perfect for beginners and those facing challenges. As your recovery changes or your fitness level increases, your workout will evolve.
What if I’m too embarrassed to come in?
Come and try a private class, and get to know our team and our centre. You can continue with one-on-one classes, or you might decide to join our small group classes. Our centre is very discreet; there are many people suffering from injuries and facing challenges.
OptionsPilates Studio is at 12/F, 16 Wyndham Street, Central.
3188 8112 | optionspilatesstudio.com
MMA Meets DNA Hong Kong’s MMA community is getting stronger by the month, with globally renowned trainers like JON BOND being drawn to the scene, and bringing nextgeneration training technologies. We caught up with Jon at his new facility, Hybrid MMA. How does Hong Kong’s MMA scene compare to other cities?
It’s growing, and an abundance of coaches is helping that growth. I’d say the central area alone has more Brazilian jiujitsu (BJJ) black belt coaches than most big cities. Mainly, practitioners are enjoying the individual components of BJJ, Muay Thai and boxing over MMA as whole. Hong Kong is slowly producing MMA fighters. To grow, we need more local shows.
How is Hybrid MMA supporting the city’s core MMA community?
We want to help grow MMA in Hong Kong. There are a lot of young fighters with a lot of potential; the more we can come together as a community to help these kids grow as competitors, the better. Something Muay Thai does very well is inter-club tournaments, where young fighters can dip their toe into competition in a safe and controlled environment. MMA in Hong Kong would benefit from this approach.
What makes MMA appealing to those who love to train?
There is a saying: “The mats don’t lie”. In a world where it’s easy to be fake, you cannot fake your ability on the mat. Martial arts allow you to grow as a person. I’ve never met a more supportive community than the fight world. I can’t think of another sport where beginners can train alongside pro fighters and be welcomed with no ego. For me, this is the essence of true martial arts.
Is MMA a family-friendly sport?
Very much so. MMA is not just fighting in a cage (or an Octagon). For kids, it’s perfect for building confidence, discipline and respect. BJJ and Judo are great for self-defence – way better than any choreographed self-defence class.
Tell us about Hybrid MMA’s optimisation ecosystem.
It’s impossible to be an expert in everything, so we’ve created an ecosystem of partners who are experts in their own fields. This means our clients have access to physio, meal prep, supplements and DNA-tested body analysis, all on the same premises. We believe those in the fitness industry should be helping each other to offer the best service possible. After all, we share a vision of a healthy, fit and happy physical environment to live in.