A Facial! To have or not to have!?
How do I feel at my age?
There are many aspects of being older that I love. One positive is that I feel I have gained wisdom. Another is having time to do new things with new choices I’ve been provided with at this age.
Sometimes I even prefer the way I look now, albeit an older me. It’s a more “appropriate” look after life’s rich experiences.
And yet that’s coupled with nostalgia for the younger self, a self that was more physically attractive.
So among other things, I go to a hairdresser, I have massages and I go to visit a ‘beautician’. They are all therapists in their own right.
They all make me feel better, and the way I feel is more important to me now than the way I look. But for now, I also think that if I also look younger, I am more “relatable” with younger people. Yes, we can all demand respect from younger people irrespective of an aging appearance, but let’s be a little forgiving and meet them halfway.
Will I have a facial?
I don’t spend a lot on the treatments, but regular visits keep me “maintained”. And it’s all “within reason”. For example, I always thought that a “facial” was out of bounds for me. Too expensive, too indulgent, too vague in its benefits.
But then I decided to have a facial! What prompted it was a new offering from Gee of Daylily Beauty in Camberwell. I knew that all my other routine visits there had been relaxing too, an added benefit in my life. So perhaps I’d get relaxation out of it.
It would be a new experience. And new experiences feature highly on my wish list these days. Was it just going to be relaxation? Or would it have other benefits?
I did my external research. I read that a facial could rejuvenate my skin and make it glow! It would make it worthwhile to regularly moisturise my skin, because it would be preparatory and clean out the pores. Will it really do that, I wondered!?
The facial itself
I was amazed at how complex the process was. The whole thing took an hour before I sat peacefully with a herbal tea in my hand. It was much more than just a skin treatment.
The facial did not just deal with my face and my skin. It started with me making myself comfortable under warm blankets on a transformed massage table, in a tranquil room. There was gentle music, there was a faint floral aroma, and a lovely climbing plant provided a backdrop. Though my eyes stayed closed for the entire hour.
It started with some gentle pressure on some acupoints on my temple and chest. It was followed by the use of a cleansing cream from an Australian organic skin care company called Bare Roots. All the while, the movement of fingertips on my face was calming and pleasing.
It was followed by an exfoliating cream, called a “Bamboo Enzyme Peel”. The idea of a “peel” of my skin sounds horrifying! But this was not frightening and its intended effect of removing dead skin cells apparently takes place almost invisibly.
Then I heard a steam machine! It gently cleaned my face even more, but from a distance. It was light and warm, not hot. Again, it was soothing.
And what followed was a face massage which lulled me into even more contentment.
I think my senses were all sharpened by this stage! I then discerned the next gentle sound of something being mixed in a bowl. This was the fun bit. My first ever facial mask!
A white film was painted on to my face, and it soon set to a highly peelable form. I just enjoyed lying there and shutting out the world, turning my focus to the quiet pleasure of being cared for. Or should I say, a little “self-care”.
And while I was lying there, masked up, my neck, shoulders and pectoral muscles were being massaged!
My conclusion
A facial at Daylily Beauty is much more than a skin treatment for your face. It is a relaxing experience that helps you take a pause, to reset.
I’d compare that part to having a full body massage, meditating or “forest bathing.”
But yes, it was so good for my skin! My skin is accepting moisturizers more thirstily than ever before and it’s looking so much better. Yes, as the Christmas Carol says, “you could even say it glows!”
Tips before booking a facial
Facials at a day spa can vary widely depending on the treatment and how long it runs. As a guide, expect anywhere from around $130 for a shorter treatment (40–45 minutes) up to $200 plus for a longer, more involved session (90 minutes), often with tiered options in between depending on what’s included — cleansing, exfoliation, steam, mask and massage are the usual building blocks.
A few things worth knowing before your first visit:
Ask what’s included when you book, as “facial” can mean anything from a straightforward cleanse-and-moisturise to the fuller, multi-step treatment Marjie describes. If you have sensitive skin or any known allergies, mention this when booking so the salon can choose suitable products. Most facials are entirely comfortable, but let your therapist know if steam, pressure or a particular product doesn’t agree with you. Your skin may look a little flushed or feel tender straight after, so it’s worth avoiding sun exposure or makeup for a few hours if you can. Regular visits (every four to six weeks is common) tend to make more of a difference than a single one-off treatment.
Good to know
Marjie had the Organic Signature facial, a 60-minute treatment using Bare Roots’ certified organic range, priced at $160. Daylily Beauty also offers a shorter Organic Express (45 minutes, $130) and a longer Organic Indulgence (90 minutes, $215) for those wanting less or more time on the table.
Shop 2, 796 Burke Road, Camberwell VIC 3124
Bookings via the Daylily Beauty website — no phone bookings listed.
More articles by Marjie can be found at www.ozimage.com.au
Marjiie was hosted by Daylily Beauty.
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