Thursday 31 January 2013

Review: Ikeda Spa

Ikeda Spa is truly a rare gem in Singapore. It is the first traditional Japanese spa in Singapore with details that allows one to feel like she is in Japan. Its zen-like atmosphere, aromatic scents and excellent service allows one to feel relax and calm.Get new experience of Japanese-style spa right here in Singapore. Ikeda spa is Singapore's first traditional Japanese spa and every little details is filled in to make you feel just like you were in japan. With their imported hot spring essences, get the experience akin to soaking in the relaxing hot spring in Japan.
For a full menu of their services, go to http://www.ikedaspa.com/#/menu/face-care/

Facials (Normally done on Level 2)
For their facials, they use a range of products from Albion and Chidoriya. Albion is one of the leading brands in Japan and has a long history of developing award winning skincare products over 50 years. Established in Kyoto in 1949, Chidoriya focused on making beauty products for geisha girls. Chidoriya products are certified to be 100% organic as they only use natural organic ingredients. Ikeda spa has a variety of facials that are catered to different skin types.

1. Geisha Organic Facial
This is supposedly their signature and highly raved facial which serves to improve skin conditions using nightingales dropping and Chidoriya products coupled with Japanese meridian massage techniques. However, I developed breakouts after the facial which I think it was due to the massage as my face was ultra sensitive. Normally, after a face massage, I would tend to breakout.

2. Exage Corrective Facial
The therapist would whip up a mask that is specially catered to your skin conditions. The mask I had was quite unique. It was in a liquid form when applied and it would solidify to a gel texture when dried.  Skin was instantly brightens up and hydrated after the mask.

3.Exage Whitening Facial
It was quite ok and the mask they used was the signature Albion mask. However, I felt that this facial wasn't very value for money given the fact that I could be able to buy these Albion masks off the shelf from Takashimaya. Apart from the extraction, I think applying a sheet mask should be as easy as ABC and it could be done at home.

Pedicure
Overlooking at their Japanese garden, this is the most relaxing pedicure that I have ever tried. Manicurist was very attentive and a mask was applied to feet after the bluffing of nails.
Feet felt baby smooth and nail colour was gorgeous. However, the range of nail colours were quite limited.

Massage

1. Shiatsu Acupressure
This massage done with oil and I enjoyed it.

2. Foot reflexology
Legs were instantly relieved. However, I felt that it was a little too pricey.

3. Charcoal Acne Control Scrub
Basically, this is just a quite normal scrub and skin did not really feel smooth aftet that.

4. Onsen Bath
Nice atmosphere, Cute wooden Japanese bathtub and pails, Pelican clay shower gel and shampoo. A huge variety of bath salts for you to choose. However, I felt that this is the most not value of money treatment in Ikeda Spa. I was expecting a pool of oranges like what was shown on their website but what greeted me was only a tub of purple-coloured water (I chose lavender) and that's it. I was disappointed.

Ikeda Spa Pros
  • Appointments are extremely easy to book! Normally, you only have to book two days before.  It is a relief for me as my another two packages at FIL and Bella require you to book one month in advance.
  • Service is excellent and every room has its own privacy and it is quite soundproof.
Ikeda Spa Cons
  • Facials done here are quite basic with no machines involved. For the same amount of price given, one could be able to get a more 'Wah' facial done at other places using more advanced technology.
  • Located at 6th Avenue, it is a total nightmare to go to Ikeda Spa after work. Traffic is always terrible there and one would most probably be stuck in the jam for more than 15 minutes.

Cold tea for you? This is what one will expect when they arrived.
Aroma diffusers are placed inside every treatment room and the waiting area.


Tatami waiting area with magazines


Unique lights


Another waiting area.


Treatment rooms with Japanese Shoji doors


Aroma diffuser in the room.


I love the sink!



Treatment room for massage and facial  

Concept store: Cat Socrates at Bras Basah

Happened to pass by bras basah and this shop totally caught my attention. They specializes in Zakka products. From dining ware to furniture to clothes to stationary, you name it and they have it. So attention all Zakka fans, do go to Cat Socrates and take a look!
Official website for Cat Socrates: http://www.catsocrates.com.sg/ 











Tuesday 29 January 2013

New: Benefit fine one-one, brightening cheek and lip colour

Always trust Benefit to come out with quirky names! Fine one-one is their latest addition to their range of lip and cheek colours. It is a fuss-free cream stick which consists of 3 colours, pink champagne, sheer watermelon and soft coral. It slides on easily to give a shimmery natural blush and is compact and portable. However, I'm not really keen on the idea of applying it on both my lips and face as its cream texture traps dust and dirt easily. So if one apply it on the cheek after applying foundation, foundation powder will be quite likely to stick on it and the idea of putting that on my lips just turned me off.
For a detailed video about fine one-one, click http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/product/view/fine-one-one
It retails at $47 at all Sephora stores and Benefit counters.










Review: Each a Cup at Fusionopolis

They have a huge variety of drinks. Yes! It has the quantity but not the quality. We had 2 drinks,rose lychee black tea and grapefruit and orange jazz. They are both extremely terrible. Rose lychee tasted like Bandung with an overdosed of jasmine and grapefruit and orange jazz tasted like air freshener. Avoid these two as much as possible!







Cheap deal: Disney pasta

Happened to chance upon this when I was at Cold Storage (Fusionopolis Branch).
Disney Pasta!! It is so cute, all the pasta are in the shapes of Mickey and his friends. It is going at half price now and there is still a long long time to its expiry date on June 2015.






Review: Mucota Aire 09 for waves

Was recommended to this series of hair products, Mucota, by Ash from Kobayashi Hair Design.
What is Mucota?
MUCOTA is one of the top prestigious hair care products which have been in Japan since 1983, when its first "Perfect Perm" products were released in Japan's hair care market.
For the full range of Mucota products, go to: http://www.primegrp.asia/mucota/mucota-aire.html

I bought the Mucota Aire 09 for $46 at Kobayashi Hair Design located at Far East
Plaza. Mucota items could also be bought on Qoo10 at the same price.


It is also featured on Simply Her Editor's Rave.



It is light-weight and only half a pump is needed for medium length hair.
I loved how it kept my hair nice and smooth for the whole day and it is
not greasy at all. It made my curls look more bouncy and it came with UV
protection too. Apply this to towel-dried hair and let it dry naturally and or
dry with hair dryer.


Monday 28 January 2013

Review: Long Black Cafe at Biopolis

This is possibly the most decent restaurant that one could find in Biopolis. It serves western cuisine at affordable prices and has 3 tables indoors and around 20 tables outdoors. Calling all coffee lovers, this place makes awesome coffee that with their customised Mirage Veloce espresso machine.
They do have a set lunch menu which changes every 2 to 3 weeks. Top up of $3.90 to any main course  will also entitles to coffee/tea/lemon tea and a soup of the day.
Will I go back again? Yes
Ratings
Food: ****
Service: ***, It is difficult to get the attention of waitress when the place is crowded during lunch hour
Value for money: ****

This is the place to go if you need to meet clients, a casual 'bonding' session with colleagues or need a quiet place around Buona Vista. However, do note that they are closed on weekends and after 8pm on weekdays.



Lunch set menu for Jan 2013


Waffle with coffee or tea, only available from 2pm - 6pm


Latte


Lemon Tea that comes with the set meal. Seasonal drink for
set lunch is lychee with basil leaves which is sounds interesting but
personally I don't fancy basil so I didn't take that.  


Menu Page 1


Menu page 2


Menu page 3


Creamy mushroom soup with bits of mushrooms


Fries with cheese. A plus point: Fries are served piping hot


Salmon Cream Pasta
Served in oversized plates with a deep bottom in the middle.
This is simply delicious.


Grilled Dory Au Gratin
Dory fish is fresh and gratin is well cooked.  


Review: Paul at Ngee Ann City


Nestled on level 3 of Ngee Ann City, besides Kinokuniya, Paul is a internationally renowned French bakery that has made its way to Singapore. They do offer both takeways and dine-in. They serve both main courses and desserts and there are vegetarian options too. Do scoll down for the full menu.
Internationally renowned French bakery and patisserie Paul
at Ngee Ann City




Nice deco but I feel that the tables are spaced too closely
to each other.


Chandelier Lights


Sandwiches Menu Part 1


Sandwiches Menu Part 2


All day breakfast menu



Savoury Tarts


Pancakes


Salads


Dishes with potatos


Main courses


Tarts


Fruit Tarts


Pastries


Eclairs


Chocolate Goodness


Macaroons and tea sets


Crepes and Waffles


Bread


Drinks menu part 1


Drinks menu part 2


Red Fruits Tea is quite ordinary. It comes in a cute teapot whereby hot water is refillable.


Tartelette Citron Meringuee
This is awesome! There is a fine balance between the sourness of lemon tart
and the sweetness of Meringuee


Millefeuille Fraises
Caramelized feuilles layered with vanilla cream and juicy strawberries!
A must try! 


This is something that I would definitely not order again.
The crepes is tasteless and the chocolate ice cream is not
chocolatey enough.