Beauty: Essential Self Care

AFTER A two-and-a-half month wait, Phase 2 came into effect and all beauty businesses were allowed to resume operations.

According to Guillaume Nagy, Clarins Executive Vice President of South East Asia & Asia Pacific, all appointments for the next two weeks are already full. "Our customers are keen to return, confident with the safety measures that we have implemented," he explains.

Step into the swanky new spa at ION Orchard, and the ritual is all too familiar - Safe Entry check-in, temperature taking and travel declaration. The one-metre social distance between two people is in place. The spa manager emphasises that they have lengthened the intervals between appointments and treatments to avoid overcrowding.

Besides mandatory face masks, facial therapists must also put on face shields. Comforters are replaced with fresh disinfected towels and there is a disposable linen sheet to cover every bed. During the facial session, the customer takes off their masks and for a good 60 to 90 minutes, this feeling of freedom which was once taken for granted, is very much appreciated.

Post facial, there is a beauty room with the whole range of Clarins makeup for the customer to enjoy but due to hygiene purposes it's been removed. Customers are still able to use the room but you will need to bring your own makeup.

For customers who wish to try the wide array of Clarins skin or beauty products, the beauty advisors will guide them through a "No-Touch Demo". The serum you want to sample will be swiped on a cotton bud and you won't be able to sample a foundation on your skin. But you will be given testers to try if you're keen.

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QR Codes for each product category allow you to scan and see the information and demonstration videos about each product.

The downside is that in-store on-the-spot product sales may be affected.

Soon, customers can try the new digital tool on their website called "Try it on Virtually" for customers to 'try' the brand's make up, which will be launched in retail stores soon.

Regardless of the precautions, facials still go against standard health advice to avoid close physical contact, especially without masks for the client - which are inevitable in the beauty business. But as businesses need to reopen, the options for the undecided are: either stay in isolation or re-assimilate into society. Like dining out (where no one is masked during a meal) and everything else, the choice has to be a personal one.

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