What is it?
A facial at the Four Seasons Hotel spa. It uses organic brand Ila, which is new to the spa and to Hong Kong.
What was it like?
It was a gentle, non-invasive and soothing treatment. The spa says it is designed to open up the third eye and throat chakra using marma point massage and 'ancient shamanic light techniques'. The slow pace of the facial massage using the marma technique brought a deep sense of calm and, having entered frazzled and tired, I left relaxed with a brighter complexion. The spa says the marma massage is designed to stimulate the free flow of energy and remove blockages. A marma technique is a process of energy balancing using facial and cranial points. Ancient Vedic texts from India say the chakra system involves seven centres of energy relating to the body's systems.
What else is there?
A mineral-rich clay mask was applied and the therapist gave a brief, light scalp massage, although that treatment focused mostly on the head and not the back, neck and shoulders. A rose and sandalwood oil was applied at the end. The Ila products smell fresh and natural, and come from sustainable sources. If you're looking for extreme anti-ageing results or deep massage, this is not for you. It's a holistic experience and even though it does give skin a deep cleanse and refreshed glow, it's more about relaxation and totally switching off. Whether my chakra was unblocked or not is anyone's guess, but the experience was worth it.