If you've been wandering around Raffles City Shopping Centre, it's hard to miss the stark-white and minimalist presence of Australian skincare brand RATIONALE. The space — very expansive for a store located in the heart of the city — features a store front with products suspended on geometric counters (or lovingly referred to as "pods") with matching mirrors, and their Icon Wall, a key feature in every RATIONALE store, including their space at TANGS at Tang Plaza.
The Consultation
Before the treatment, I was asked to fill in a form detailing my contact information, medical history, and lifestyle habits. Siti, my Skin Specialist, also asked about my stress levels (umm... high?), diet, whether I drink or smoke, before going into detail about my skin concerns and skincare routine in order to form an idea about what my skin needs and what I'm already doing for it.
The first consultation was done at the store front, but Siti did another assessment when we were in the cabin, after my makeup had been removed so that she could have a closer look at my skin.
The Facial Cabins
RATIONALE's facial cabins are huge, one of the biggest I've seen. Even though you spend most of your time during a facial with your eyes closed, the idea that you're not lying in a cramped space can really help your mind fully relax. There's also a notable lack of visual clutter in the cabins, a continuation of the minimalist concept in the store front. A clean space promotes a clear mind, and the therapists fully understand that, with machines tucked away right after use so you never see them.
The rooms are furnished with thick carpets to absorb the noise from wheeling the machines so that you are not knocked you out of relaxation mode. That's not all. They're also soundproofed, so you'd be none the wiser about the hustle and bustle happening outside the cabin. RATIONALE also uses actual pillows and comforters so it feels like you're lying down on a comfortable hotel bed, or a bed of clouds depending on where your mind takes you during this truly relaxing experience.
The Facial
The facial I experienced was the EpiNova Brilliance Facial, a treatment that delivers radiant skin using a tailored selection of professional formulations based on the evaluation by your Skin Specialist. These products are used exclusively for their cabin services, and are curated by the Skin Specialist for the best results. A combination of massage techniques, coupled with LED light therapy and ultrasound technology, helps to enhance the efficacy and absorption of these products. The aim is to achieve radiance and skin smoothness so that it bounces off light for a natural-looking luminosity.
The treatment started with a double cleanse, and the use of the Gommage Balm and signature RATIONALE Massage. The strokes from Siti's hands were intentional and mindful, moving in tandem with the music playing in the treatment rooms, which lulled my mind and body into a state of sheer bliss.
The massage was developed to improve skin circulation. As skin experts would say, it is the basis for providing nutrients to skin cells and improving overall skin health. The action of massage with the Gommage Balm helps the beads melt into the skin, while vitamins and lipids soften and restore the smoothness of the skin, allowing skincare ingredients in the steps that follow to penetrate better.
To further enhance the absorption of active ingredients, Siti used a cocktail of gentle acids, including Pyruvic Acid to gently resurface skin and encourage healthy skin cell turnover. Chemical exfoliant uses acids to "loosen the glue" that holds the superfluous layer of skin, so that it'll fall off naturally to reveal brighter skin.
A hyaluronic acid-based mask was then applied to restore moisture, with an ultrasound device that heated up the skin slightly to stimulate collagen production, aid the penetration of skincare ingredients and deeply infuse moisture back into the skin. Following this, vitamin D infusion was administered to strengthen skin and quell redness, and the inclusion of a red LED light treatment further soothed inflammation while stimulating skin healing and skin cell rejuvenation. While the LED light therapy worked its magic, my hands and arms were treated to a massage, relieving the tension I've held in them from typing and working on the computer all day.
After The Treatment
Immediately after the treatment, my skin felt smooth to the touch, with a marked reduction in the redness that is usually apparent around my nose area. There was also an unmistakable glow that only a divine skincare experience could create. Prior to this facial treatment, I had some bruising from an ultrasound treatment (performed a week prior at an aesthetic clinic) that had bothered me for the last few days. But the action of massaging and the improvement in circulation saw the dissipation of these bruises the very next day.
Siti also included an Essential Six sample kit for me so that I can maintain the post-facial glow at home. To help with the integration of these products with my current skincare routine, she also emailed me a complete plan on how to use them, taking into careful consideration the skincare products that I am already using.
If you want a gentle, luxurious and restorative facial that nurtures both your skin and mind, look to RATIONALE as your self-care oasis. You won't be disappointed.
RATIONALE is available at Level 1 and 4 TANGS at Tang Plaza and #01-19 Raffles City Shopping Centre. For more information, visit their website.