Elite Anti-aging Facial experience at SkinZone

I wrote about my diamond peel experience in my Beauty Enthusiast column in SunStar, but I'm going to expound on the full facial experience here since I have limited space in the column. (I unfortunately can't find the link for it on the SunStar website.)

I went to SkinZone Skincare Salon and Spa at IT Park on a Friday night. I always schedule facial treatments in the evening so that I can go home right after and people don't have to see my raw-looking face in case I get reactions post-facial. I also want to avoid sunlight and pollution after a facial and let my skin rest overnight.

I decided to try out the Elite Anti-aging Facial. With my birthday coming up next month, I've been mildly obsessed reading up on anti-aging. This facial includes topical collagen, liquid vitamins C and E, and a diamond peel.

The therapist asked me to adjust my top so that my neck and decolletage would be included in the treatment, something I found notable since with previous facials I've had at other places, the treatment is really just on the face and the upper part of the neck. Don't forget to care for your neck and chest as well, as these are often neglected in skin care. On a daily basis I don't forget to cleanse and moisturize these areas.

To start the facial, cleanser was applied all over these areas to remove makeup, followed by a mild apricot scrub, gentle scrubbing with a brush, and collagen elastin. Then a steamer was directed on skin to open up pores, followed by pricking. Pricking is not something I get done on a normal basis because I don't enjoy it, but it's been at least six months since the last time, so I decided to have it done again. I looked at the gunk that was pushed out of my pores, and I think pricking (a term I find misleading because it is really just pushing with a small metal tool) is necessary every once in a while for someone like me, who wears makeup on an everyday basis and is exposed to urban pollution. Even if I have an entire skin care routine that includes cleansing, exfoliating, toning and moisturizing, it's hard to get pores really clean without pricking.

Then came the diamond peel, which was the part that I was nervous about because I'd never had it done before. I thought the head would be in the shape of a diamond, but it's actually diamond chips embedded in a round head. It feels like there's a small vacuum working on your face as the peel is ongoing. Here are shots of the tool and how much of my dead skin was removed:


I don't think this is even all of my dead skin as some of it fell while the therapist was removing the gauze. I was kind of shocked to see how much dead skin is sitting on my face even if I exfoliate regularly.


At this point, pores are still open after the steaming, pricking and diamond peel, so to help remove any more dirt, a germicidal laser is used all over the face.


I was pretty amused with this because it kind of looks like an alien tool. Haha :) And then followed by what I think of as the "Phantom of the Opera" look:


I really liked the collagen mask because it's cold and refreshing on the skin and a little massage is included. Collagen is a key inclusion in an anti-aging facial, since as skin ages, it generates less collagen on its own. it's what helps skin look plump and not wrinkly or saggy.

The mask hardens in about 20 minutes, then it's removed and followed by liquid vitamin E. To help the vitamin E penetrate more deeply into the skin, a galvanic iron was used. This was the part I did not like about the facial. I was asked to hold a metal rod to cancel out the static from the galvanic iron, but it didn't seem to work for me.


I asked the therapist to stop after 15 seconds because it really felt like my skin was being electrocuted, and a facial may feel a little uncomfortable but it should never be painful. So she turned off the machine and simply used the tool to massage my face. This part of the facial may not hurt for you because it depends per person, so you may not feel what I did.

The last part of the facial was vitamin C, which helps brighten the skin. Toner and moisturizer ended the treatment.

The whole procedure took about an hour and fifteen minutes. This is another reason I schedule facials at the end of my day, so I don't have to feel rushed about being somewhere else afterwards. Here is what I looked like right after the facial:


I have to admit I was a bit alarmed because my face kind of stung, and the lower half of my face was lobster red. Thank goodness it subsided in half an hour. My face felt super soft, and a bit greasy, which I expected from the rich moisturization my skin had just gotten.

The day after, I just splashed my face with cold water and did not wash my face again until the evening. I decided to wait and see the full effect on my skin before I shared my experience. I had noticeable peeling on my cheeks and nose almost a week after the treatment, so I kept moisturizing. I was diligent about applying sunblock or BB cream with SPF. I usually am diligent but there are days that I skip it. Your skin is extra sensitive to sunlight after a diamond peel or rather intensive facial, so make sure to apply SPF especially the first three days after a similar treatment.

Eight days after the facial, I noticed that my skin looked smoother and younger than it had in a long time. It looked brighter and more-even toned.  I did not notice a difference in my pore size but my nose, which is where I often get whiteheads (gross!) felt much smoother. I could get away with wearing only a touch of concealer under my eyes. Here are some close-ups of me wearing only some Naturactor concealer on undereyes and no other skin makeup, eight days after treatment:


As with the rest of my blog pictures, these photos are unedited and unfiltered, so that I could document what skin really looks like after this treatment. I was really impressed with the effect. There are mixed reviews about getting a diamond peel, especially if you have skin issues, so do make sure to consult with a skin care professional before you try getting a diamond peel. I'm definitely going to have another diamond peel in the future, but it's probably something I'll only do every few months, not on a monthly basis.

The Elite Anti-aging Facial treatment costs P1,050. To try it for yourself or check out their other facials and skin care services, visit SkinZone in IT Park, on the second floor of the i2 building above the Coffee Bean. They are open daily from 9 AM to 9 PM, with phone number (032)238-2795. They also have a branch at Osmena Boulevard, phone number (032)254-1239. Check them out on facebook.com/skinzoneskincare where they post about their services and promos, which they have on a regular basis. Special thanks to SkinZone proprietor, Rizanne Ostrea Tiongko, for inviting me to try out SkinZone and for being very patient with all my questions!

Review and swatch: MAC Proenza Schouler collection - Mangrove lipstick

This post is long overdue, as I was always in a rush when I had enough natural light to take a product shot, or did not have enough sunlight on the days I did have time because it was cloudy. The weather bureau says rainy season is officially here, and while we're getting rain more frequently, it's still hot and sunny on many days.

Anyway, enough with the "How's the weather?" chit-chat. I know this review is about a limited edition product so we may have to wait until MAC repromotes it, but I just have to share that I am so impressed with this lipstick.

Review and swatches: Ever Bilena Matte lipstick in Love That Red and Pink Flame

I'm not a brand snob. Just because something is expensive doesn't mean it's great; just because something is cheap doesn't mean it sucks. I love trying out products from different brands and price ranges.

These matte lipsticks by Ever Bilena might only be P155 (or P165, can't remember exactly how much) but they are probably my favorite lipsticks so far by a local brand.