Do Facials Still Have a Place? Yes they do, and here are Four Faves to try
I often get asked - in a world of injectables, lasers and deep plane facelifts, are facials still relevant? I believe yes, but they need to serve a purpose beyond just fluff and hot towels (although I adore the latter!), and enhance the results of what you’re already doing in the best possible way.
With that in mind, here are the five facial experiences I recommend most, and why they deserve a place in your beauty budget…
The Augustinus Bader Methode Facial at East Day Spa
What it is: Available exclusively in New Zealand at East Day Spa and Spring Spa, the Augustinus Bader Methode Facial uses the doctor-founded brand’s pioneering luxury product line along with customised fascia massage to stimulate cell rejuvenation and bring the glow back to even the most tired of skin.
Why I love it: Firstly, because it’s available at East Day Spa – surely the most luxe of beauty and wellness sanctuaries deep in the heart of Skycity Grand Hotel. From the moment you arrive you treated like an absolute VIP, and as you descend into the treatment room and relaxation areas you immediately feel cared for and cocooned at every touch point.
I love that the treatment is completely customisable, and the act of activating the fascia through external triggers -- such as massage and innovative tools -- enhances the smart-signalling properties of the brand’s TFC8® technology to promote the skin’s innate ability to renew and regenerate. You leave with skin that is radiant, toned, energised, and noticeably more sculpted.
What it is: When I was lucky enough to meet with US-based IMAGE Skincare Global Education Director, Jacquelyn Hill at About Face Ponsonby, she referred to this facial as a “breath of fresh skin”, which I love. Dubbed the “red carpet facial”, it harnesses the qualities of oxygen to bring your skin back to its best – with zero downtime. Oxygen itself offers numerous benefits for a healthy, radiant complexion: It helps bring clarity to troubled skin, purifies clogged pores, supports collagen production and brightens dullness. This luxurious treatment infuses oxygen, plant-derived stem cells, peptides and a high concentration of enzymatic botanicals into the skin leaving it luminous, refreshed and rejuvenated.
Why I love it: Beyond the impressive end results, I love that this facial makes magic without the need to irritate skin in any way. It begins with a gentle cleanse, followed by an enzymatic facial peel that effectively lifts away dull and dead skin cells. This is followed by an oxygenating masque that releases fresh, skin-loving oxygen to the skin cells in the most satisfying way possible (it feels like pop rocks on the skin), before a stem cell enhancer is applied, which contains a blend of stem cells and potent botanicals, to rejuvenate and prevent signs of ageing. The treatment is finalised with a tinted moisturiser that illuminates the skin and provides utmost environmental protection.
What it is: Dubbed a “30-minute facial treatment where relaxation meets results” by Caci, I had this facial at Caci Wynyard where owner Bernadette began with a gentle cleanse to remove any traces of makeup or debris, followed by an enzymatic exfoliation under steam that softly dissolves dead skin cells using the Skinsmiths Enzyme Polishing Powder. Steaming helps to detoxify the skin and boost circulation while the enzymes actively exfoliate, boosting results and leaving skin feeling shiny and new. The B12 Hydrating Face Mask follows, enveloping the skin in deep hydration while a relaxing neck and shoulder massage completes the experience.
Why I love it: Clocking in at around thirty minutes, this facial was such a lovely boost of all that was required plus a little extra relaxation – the dream especially if you’re time poor or just need a little pick me up. A perfect mix of old school, high touch beauty treatment and next gen skin formulas, with the relaxation factor dialled all the way up. The mask itself is like a nourishing blanket for stressed skin, protecting its barrier, locking in moisture and adding powerful antioxidants.
What it is: The iS Clinical brand is renowned for using a fusion of traditional and western medicine to deliver seriously great results in terms of skin health and transformation, and the world-renowned Fire & Ice facial is a favourite with A-list celebrities like Selena Gomez, Julianne Moore, Suki Waterhouse, Victoria Beckham, and Gwyneth Paltrow, who love the workout it gives their skin in the lead up to special events.
In a nutshell, the Fire & Ice Facial is a 60-minute clinically active treatment system designed to rapidly and safely resurface the skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, smoothing, softening, and encouraging cellular renewal, making it the perfect pre-event red carpet-style treatment. Additionally, it includes LED light therapy, which is always a favourite of mine as it brings the glow like no other, while reducing inflammation.
Why I love it: I need no excuse to visit Saint Beauty at the best of times, and this is their facial treatment I recommend most – and have only had glowing feedback in response. My therapist for my first ever Saint Beauty Fire & Ice Facial was Conci, who brings a wealth of knowledge with her – especially of iS Clinical, a brand she knows well.
The fire component consists of a heating glycolic peel, which is immediately cooled down by the ice component, which involves a rejuvenating masque with hyaluronic acid and aloe, massaged with cooling ice globes. The facial has zero downtime so perfect if you’re rushing in on a busy day, and your skin just feels next level good afterwards. Conci’s hands were seriously magical and gently coaxed my skin back to its best self, and the effect lasted for days after.
Why I love it: Firstly, because it’s available at East Day Spa – surely the most luxe of beauty and wellness sanctuaries deep in the heart of Skycity Grand Hotel. From the moment you arrive you treated like an absolute VIP, and as you descend into the treatment room and relaxation areas you immediately feel cared for and cocooned at every touch point.
I love that the treatment is completely customisable, and the act of activating the fascia through external triggers -- such as massage and innovative tools -- enhances the smart-signalling properties of the brand’s TFC8® technology to promote the skin’s innate ability to renew and regenerate. You leave with skin that is radiant, toned, energised, and noticeably more sculpted.
The IMAGE O2 Lift at About Face
Why I love it: Beyond the impressive end results, I love that this facial makes magic without the need to irritate skin in any way. It begins with a gentle cleanse, followed by an enzymatic facial peel that effectively lifts away dull and dead skin cells. This is followed by an oxygenating masque that releases fresh, skin-loving oxygen to the skin cells in the most satisfying way possible (it feels like pop rocks on the skin), before a stem cell enhancer is applied, which contains a blend of stem cells and potent botanicals, to rejuvenate and prevent signs of ageing. The treatment is finalised with a tinted moisturiser that illuminates the skin and provides utmost environmental protection.
The Skinsmiths B12 Hydrating Facial at Caci
Why I love it: Clocking in at around thirty minutes, this facial was such a lovely boost of all that was required plus a little extra relaxation – the dream especially if you’re time poor or just need a little pick me up. A perfect mix of old school, high touch beauty treatment and next gen skin formulas, with the relaxation factor dialled all the way up. The mask itself is like a nourishing blanket for stressed skin, protecting its barrier, locking in moisture and adding powerful antioxidants.
The iS Clinical Fire & Ice Facial at Saint Beauty
In a nutshell, the Fire & Ice Facial is a 60-minute clinically active treatment system designed to rapidly and safely resurface the skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, smoothing, softening, and encouraging cellular renewal, making it the perfect pre-event red carpet-style treatment. Additionally, it includes LED light therapy, which is always a favourite of mine as it brings the glow like no other, while reducing inflammation.
Why I love it: I need no excuse to visit Saint Beauty at the best of times, and this is their facial treatment I recommend most – and have only had glowing feedback in response. My therapist for my first ever Saint Beauty Fire & Ice Facial was Conci, who brings a wealth of knowledge with her – especially of iS Clinical, a brand she knows well.
The fire component consists of a heating glycolic peel, which is immediately cooled down by the ice component, which involves a rejuvenating masque with hyaluronic acid and aloe, massaged with cooling ice globes. The facial has zero downtime so perfect if you’re rushing in on a busy day, and your skin just feels next level good afterwards. Conci’s hands were seriously magical and gently coaxed my skin back to its best self, and the effect lasted for days after.
Main image: See Plus on Unsplash
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