We've just celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival, but it's still probably going to be a while before we can start covering up our imperfections under thick, woolly clothes (in this city, at least). Meanwhile, Bliss Spa, on the 72nd floor of the trendy W Hotel, is offering a FatGirlSlim treatment, designed to get you streamlined before slipping into anything remotely revealing.
The treatment includes dry brushing, a firming grapefruit essential oil, a seaweed mask, a heated wrap, and a rubdown with waist-targeting Love Handler followed by FatGirlSlim or FatGirlSleep cellulite cream, depending on the time of day.
Upon arriving at the spa's reception, I see a couple of guests wandering around in bathrobes, asking to be let into the changing rooms (a security card is required). I'm quickly ushered by a somewhat breathless attendant into the ladies' room one floor up. She explains the facilities before rushing back downstairs.
I'm gently informed that I've arrived too late to indulge in the designer water facilities, so I go directly to the relaxation lounge where lemonade and gooey chocolate brownies await. Just as I'm about to take my first bite, the therapist arrives and asks if I'm here for the FatGirlSlim treatment. I drop my brownie, feeling as if I've been caught red-handed on a binge, and follow her somewhat resentfully to the room.
The therapist is friendly and professional though, and talks me through the treatment. The body brushing is gentle, and the grapefruit essential oil has a nice citric scent. A powdered seaweed mask with firming minerals is applied in such a way that involves minimal tossing and turning on the slippery treatment bed.
I'm told the mask needs 25-30 minutes to act, but just as I start to panic about how I'm going survive that long wrapped in plastic on a heated bed, the therapist begins a delicious head massage, and time is swallowed up in a warp.