NEVER underestimate the wonders of a good facial and massage.

It's bliss.

Recently, I had a particularly stressful afternoon.

I was caught in the rain with my beloved YSL leather bag, when I encountered two hopeless taxi drivers and a woman manning a taxi hotline who slammed the phone on me.

I was ready to cry and about to implode.

Luckily, I landed up at Haach@M, because by the time I left the spa, I was smiling and relaxed.

And I've decided that the people there are my new best friends.

I tried the spa's MESO Perfection facial.

In case you've been living under a cosmetic case, you'll know that mesotherapy is a technique to deliver medications and homeopathic substances for medical or cosmetic reasons.

This facial is a variation of it.

There are different types of facials to suit different sort of skin conditions.

WHAT'S YOUR FACE LIKE?

So depending on your state of your skin, you can choose between firming, moisturising, pigmentation and vitaminic anti-age (which is basically a blast of vitamins on your skin).

The therapist recommended the firming treatment for my sagging skin.

This treatment aims to stimulate your cells to increase production of new cells, reactivate deep circulation and increase cellular metabolism.

My facial therapist Jennifer gently kneaded my face with a thick, sweet-smelling paste.

So on, various other pastes made its way onto my face and it ended with a mask.

At the end of the facial, my face did feel tighter, and there was a noticeable brightness to my skin. Till the end of the month, the facial costs $98 for a 75-minute treatment.

The usual price is $210.

If it's total relaxation you want, end your visit with one of the spa's Aromamassages.

There is an hour package ($125) or a 75-minute massage ($150).

This massage is made up of several techniques and uses warm aromatherapy oils.

The result is a deeply relaxing massage that leaves you melting.

You'll end the week relaxed and you'll be partying over the weekend with your skin firm.

And nothing boosts your confidence more than that.

HAACH@M
WHERE: Level 11, M Hotel Singapore 81, Anson Road
Opening hours: 10am to 10pm (daily, including public holiday)
Tel: 6223-5885

This article was first published in The New Paper on 18 Nov 2006