Beauty fix: The 168 (Yi Liu Ba) treatment
Heta Shah
Taking in the lavish decor at Wynn Macau, I make my way to its Spa at Encore, whose recently revamped menu includes the appropriately extravagant Yi Liu Ba treatment.
The spa sits in the Encore Tower, an all-suites boutique sister tower. Each suite is a private haven - upon entering, you find yourself in a large oval-shaped chamber, adorned with leather furniture, mother of pearl inlaid wooden doors, and golden curtains. The next area houses your own sauna room, a steam-shower booth and an aroma hydrotherapy bath. After slipping into a bathrobe, I'm given half an hour to unwind, while my therapist waits behind closed curtains. I'm then led to the third, candle-lit room, to begin my treatment.
The 168 (Yi Liu Ba) treatment, includes 168 minutes of massaging, kneading and pampering by three therapists (or six hands). It starts with a full-body Himalayan Salt Scrub, carried out by two therapists using Ila Body Scrub for Energising and Detoxifying. A shower and a refreshing aromatherapy steam experience follow.
The second phase of the treatment is a 90-minute, four-hands massage — a blissful treat performed in perfect synchronisation by two therapists. Starting at the ankles, they deftly work their way to the various pressure points, kneading and massaging with Aromatherapy Associates' Enrich Massage and Body Oil. It's seldom that a therapist can completely loosen my knotted shoulders, this duo working in sync were able to tend to my shoulders and back simultaneously, slowly easing away all the tension and lulling me into a relaxed stupor.
The last leg of the seemingly never-ending treatment is triple-tiered: a mini facial, foot reflexology and hand paraffin treatment. With three therapists at work, the next 60 minutes is an overdose of pampering. A face massage preludes the facial using delicious products by the organic skincare range, Eminence. While I wait for the Pink Grapefruit Vitality Masque to dry I'm given an incredible head massage. Once the masque is washed off, my skin is slathered with Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum, Herbal Eye Contour Cream and Tropical Vanilla Sun Cream SPF 32. The mix of aromas is a treat.
My relaxed feet are further pampered with a reflexology massage. Using her fingers, thumb and a small wooden stick, the therapist presses, twists and bends my feet. The third therapist massages my arms, before slipping my hands into gloves filled with hot paraffin wax.
Three hours later, I'm scrubbed, spruced and polished. I leave the spa with a lingering feeling of total decadence.
The 168 (Yi Liu Ba) treatment costs 3,600 patacas. Spa at Encore, Wynn Macau, Rua Cidade de Sintra, NAPE, Macau. wynnmacau.com