Fast Beauty, a spa/salon promising results-driven treatments at a fraction of the usual time and cost, has just opened in Hong Kong. It targets busy people with high beauty standards to maintain, so we wanted to be the first to try it.
Located in the former nine-year-old Sense of Touch spa on Hollywood Road, and managed by the same team, the place is compact but chic, complete with a sparkly turquoise and white interior, and an iPad at reception.
There's 'beauty real fast', where in 10 minutes one gets brow threading and a quick polish for hands and feet, but I'm recommended the 45-minute 'beauty essentials' combo, consisting of a facial, manicure and pedicure.
An army of therapists descends on me and gets to work. By the time one has determined what type of facial is suited to my skin, another has already removed the polish from my nails and my hands have been put to soak in warm water. Their hands are miraculously gentle and slow as they massage the products in. And having three therapists working on you at once makes you feel like a film star.
The place is a little cramped, and only a bead curtain separates your designer massage chair from reception traffic. But the staff are professional and the end results match those of a regular spa. I leave with glossy nails and a cleansed, hydrated face - all in a lunch hour. Two more locations are due to open this year; expect to have to book ahead.
Beauty essentials: HK$950, HK$750 for members