This face massage, which uses Japanese hot stones, is part of Bliss Spa’s Japanese Healing Stone Therapy treatments, and is the perfect weekend treat
Japanese soapstones—that were formed by volcanic eruptions—have been used in body massages for centuries for their benefits on the body. Commonly known as hot stone massage, it can help improve blood circulation, relieve muscle tension and stimulate the lymphatic system through the heat generated from the stones.
Soapstone face massage, however, is somewhat lesser known, but its healing effects work as well on the face as it does for the body.
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To test this out for ourselves, Tatler recently visited W Hotel’s Bliss Spa to try the Japanese healing soapstone massage for the face, which uses products from Japanese wellness brand Lapidem Tokyo.
After a short wait at the Bliss Spa’s reception, an attendant ushered me to a lounge area, complete with refreshments such as cookies and lemonade. I took a moment to unwind there before the attendant led me to the changing room, where every spa guest is assigned a spacious locker stocked with a bathrobe, towels, slippers, hair bands, a comb and discardable underwear. The dressing tables are similarly well stocked with hand cream, hair dryers, combs, brushes, cotton pads and other essential items, all of which assured me the treatment is going to be a comfortable experience.
This feeling of comfort was heightened as I entered the spa room and took in the gorgeous view of Victoria Harbour from the 72nd floor. After checking that the room temperature was perfect for me and that I was comfortable on the massage bed, my masseur Fanny began the 60-minute treatment by gently cleansing my face with Lapidem Five Elements Moisture Cleanser, and then applying the Lapidem Five Elements Vitamin C Serum.
Then came the face massage. The masseur first applied the Lapidem Five Elements Facial Oil on my face to avoid friction or tugging on the skin, and then began the massage using the stones. I relaxed as the warm soapstones glided smoothly over my face and décolletage. Throughout the massage, soapstones of different sizes and shapes were used to target specific areas of the face. The oil and the warmth of the stones, combined with gentle strokes, circular motions and various pressure techniques, are meant to give the skin a healthy, sculpted look. Fanny checked with me from time to time to see if the pressure was okay and adjusted it according to my preferences. Before too long, the comfortable massage and the scent of yuzu and lime of the oil wafting around me had me in a near-slumber state.
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A pleasant surprise was that the treatment also included a head, hand and shoulder massage. No spa treatment is complete without the whole body feeling relaxed, Fanny said. The face was not neglected while she worked on the other parts of my body though. After the soapstone face massage portion of the treatment had finished, and before moving on to the body massage, she applied the Lapidem Vital Mask on my face, which she said contains natural ingredients such as apricot oil, avocado oil and more that will give my face an instant glow.
Once the 30-minute body massage was over, Fanny cleansed the mask off my face and applied the Lapidem Five Elements Vitamin C Serum and Lapidem Five Elements Power Serum to wrap up the treatment. I checked the mirror and saw that my face indeed looked as hydrated and glowy as it felt, while my shoulders and neck felt relaxed.
