Why The 40-Minute Quickie Facial At Lax Retreat Is Just The Pick-Me-Up My Skin Needs On A Busy Day

Walking into a spa always sparks joy in my life as it’s probably the only time I can completely let go and relax while I leave my body and face in the hands of the pros. However, booking a weekend slot is never easy as most spas are filled with prior appointments and it doesn’t seem sensible for me to take leave on a weekday to get a facial when work is piling up as things are picking up after the MCO. Solution: Why not go for a Quickie at Lax Retreat instead?

Located at The Linc KL, the boutique women-only spa opened its doors in mid-2020, right in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic. Unlike regular facials that usually take more than an hour or two, the basic Quickie facial at Lax Retreat only takes about 40 minutes and includes double cleansing, exfoliation, masking and a neck and shoulder massage. However, like all other spas, you can choose to add on services based on your liking. Ideal on days when you’re looking for a place where you can relax your mind before going for an important meeting or a big date, right after a holiday or even while waiting for your friends, the Quickie facial is designed to give your skin all the hydration it needs as well as that instant glow without having to go through any downtime at all. Here are more reasons why I’m coming back for this treatment in the future:

The Calming Interior

Dressed in a contemporary pastel orange, Lax Retreat is a space that women can walk into anytime and instantly feel relaxed and comfortable in. Inspired by multiple international spas abroad, the interior has been designed around femininity – from curvy partitions to expressive paintings and the aesthetically-pleasing decor that’ll remind women about their strength and beauty. Filled with sheer curtains that can’t be seen through from the outside, Lax Retreat a place where you don’t have to worry about how you look and feel, because as long as you’re a woman, you’re welcome here and you can feel free to relax in your own way without any fear of being judged.

Personalised Features

Upon entering the room and right before the session started, I was amazed by how I was given the choice to decide on which scent and music I wanted throughout the session. This was something that I was very thankful for because there are days when regular relaxing music doesn’t seem to do the trick. Among the options that were available included Lo-Fi, Rain and Waves, and in addition to those, I also had the option of having my own playlist or favourite podcast played throughout the treatment. Then came the scent of the room. Breaking away from the norm, I was given three options – Lavender & Cedarwood, Rose Geranium and Sweet Orange to pick from. I went for Rose Geranium as the smell of roses has a history of helping me calm down and feel good about myself.

40 Minutes Of Pure Bliss

After I got comfortable on the bed, the Lax-pert started the treatment by gently removing my makeup and double cleansing my skin. Fun fact: the two main brands of products used in this salon are Environ and iS Clinical that are both paraben-free. The Lax-pert started the session by applying a layer of Environ’s Pre-Cleansing Oil followed by the Claytech Masque and wrapped up the first step using iS Clinical’s Cleansing Complex. Unlike some cleansers that cause irritation to my skin, these products were really gentle.

Next came exfoliation. The one thing that differentiates the Quickie from many treatments out there is that there’s no extraction involved, so I didn’t have to worry about what would come next. Using the iS Clinical’s Tri-Active Exfoliating Masque – a chemical and physical exfoliant that’s made from botanical enzymes, salicylic acid and eco-friendly micro beads, dead skin cells were quickly removed and my pores became clear! This process lasted for about 10 minutes, and thanks to the aroma of the Brazilian Blood Orange in this exfoliant, I settled in quite quickly. Although I wasn’t in a deep sleep, I was enjoying the zen mode I was in and able to arrange my thoughts carefully – all while the Lax-pert worked on my skin.

To plump my skin up with the hydration it needs, the next step was the application of Environ’s Vita-Enriched Antioxidant Gel and Alignate Masque. While the gel worked its way to heal the effects of free radical damage on my skin through its antioxidant content, the latter helped my skin normalise its pH level, giving me a soothing and refreshed sensation. With 15 minutes more of the treatment to go, it was time for a quick break as the Lax-pert started to give me a neck and shoulder massage. Although it lasted for only five minutes, the heavenly massage slowly awakened my senses and energised me.

Before the 40-minute session ended, the last step was what I’d consider as ‘special’ as the Lax-pert started to work her way in giving me an Ice Globe Face Massage. The iS Clinical HydraCool Serum that’s formulated with superior antioxidants, essential botanicals and bio-nutrients was applied onto my face using the Fraîcheur Ice Globes which were extremely soothing. As the globes helped to depuff my skin, the Lax-pert explained that they also helped to increase blood flow, which would give my skin that extra glow at the end. Shortly after the process ended, she applied a lip mask and sunscreen all over my face before asking me to get changed. In a nutshell, the Quickie facial was exactly what I needed on a warm afternoon to re-energise myself when I was feeling a little drained and keep me going for the rest of the day (and week!).

Watch a preview of the beautiful space here:

The Quickie at Lax Retreat is priced at RM245 (40 minutes). To book your slot, click here.

Featured image: Lax Retreat
Video editing: Tan Guo Xiang