blow dry
Mandarin Salon
24/F, Mandarin Oriental
5 Conaught Road
2825 4800
It’s the party of the season and you need to look your absolute best for the cameras. Pop over to the Mandarin Salon for a blissful blow dry and celeb-worthy make-up by former Los Angeles stylist to the stars, Angel Gonzalez.
Mina Dev' Wil Hair Dressing
28 Cochrane Street
Central
2121 0375
Sparkling clean it ain't, but at these prices we're willing to bear it. Focus your attention on a good gossip mag and an hour later your hair will be washed and conditioned (including a full head massage), and then blown dry to perfection for only $48. Yes, you read that correctly. We're thinking of never washing our hair at home again!
foot reflexology
Happy Foot
11/F Jade Centre
98-102Wellington Street
2544 1010
19/F Century Square
1-13 D'Aguilar Street
Central
2522 1151
1/F, 2-4 Tsoi Tak Street
Happy Valley
2573 3438
Happy Foot is our favourite spot for indulging in one of Hong Kong's greatest pleasures– foot reflexology. The technique is ancient but the salons are clean and modern with comfy chairs and all of the latest gossip mags. At under $200 per 50-minute session, this is one pleasure we don't have to feel guilty about. If you are going with a group, book ahead for a private room.
haircut + highlights
Il Colpo Triple Edge
3/F, Century Square
1 D'Aguilar Street
Central
3102 0238
Relax with cappuccino and fashion magazines in the spacious, modern 3rd floor salon overlooking Lan Kwai Fong, while the experts work miracles on your tresses. We love them for haircuts and amazing blowouts before a night out, as well as for gorgeous highlights.
manicure + pedicure
Feel Good Factor
1 Lyndhurst Terrace
Central
2530 0610
And this little piggy...went all the way to Feel Good Factor! Cheery colours and pretty accents as well as a very professional staff make this one of our go to places for the bi-weekly mani and pedi. Prices are not sky high and they always have the latest OPI colors. We have also heard they are adding air brush tanning...while we haven't tried it yet, we will report back and let you know how it goes. Appointments are recommended and seating is arranged so it's a fun place to go with a girlfriend or a group.
Indulgence
33 Lyndhurst Terrace
Central
2815 6600
Essie polishes, comfy velvet chairs, café treats and peaceful surroundings make this a perfect spot to have a relaxing mani-pedi. The process is methodical but the lasting results are worth the wait!
Paua Spa
3/F Centre Stage
1-27 Bridges Street
Central
2522 3054
www.pauaspa.com
Grab your favourite girly girls or well groomed guys and kick back in Paua’s sun drenched mani-pedi space where a 4-seater nail bar, four super-size vibrating massage thrones and a stunning outdoor terrace await your overworked fingers and toes. DVDs of Sex and the City will keep you entertained while ultra-luxe and aromatic Elemis products will leave your hands and feet softer than ever before. This secret spa is modern, gorgeous and in perfect proximity to Soho and Wyndham Street so you and your newly polished posse can party late into the night!
Sense of Touch
LGF, The Ovolo
2 Arbuthnot Road
Central
2869 0939
Great little spa tucked away next to the Centrium Building. For a fun girly afternoon, meet a friend for pizza and salads at Café O next door and then head over to Sense of Touch for pampering.
spas
The Oriental Spa
The Landmark Mandarin Oriental
Queen's Road
Central
2132 0011
Lush woods and serene simplicity envelop in this ultra-lux super spa with amenities such as Zen relaxation areas, amethyst crystal steam rooms, and vitality pools. Treatments using Aromatherapy Associates products in combination with the Mandarin's signature line are excellent, and the two-floor complex offers everything from mani/pedis to yoga and pilates to a bountiful spa boutique. Check the website for seasonal discounts and indulge guilt free. It's actually like saving money...or at least that's what we tell ourselves!
Plateau Spa
11/F Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
1 Harbour Road
Wan Chai
2584 7688
As soon as the elevator doors open at Plateau, a peaceful Zen washes over you and the busy streets of Hong Kong seem worlds away. Whether you are going in for a routine waxing or a full program, you will receive all of the amenities of the Plateau spa experience, which include gorgeous treatment rooms, top-notch aestheticians, exclusive products (including the renowned Carita and June Jacobs lines), and 5-star service. Plateau is Hong Kong’s only destination spa, offering treatments, with the promise of a sleepover in their uniquely appointed spa guest rooms. For a great day out with the girls (or boys!), go for the spa in the morning, have lunch at the Grill and lounge poolside in the afternoon. And for a getaway without leaving the city, we promise this is one time you won’t regret “spending the night”!
The Spa at Four Seasons
Four Seasons Hotel
8 Finance Street
Central
3196 8888
This spacious urban sanctuary redefines the art of luxurious pampering. Spread over 22,000 square-feet with contemporary, elegant décor, the spa offers extensive water areas including indoor vitality pools, Rhassoul chambers and crystal steam rooms as well as a delicious array of treatments. Once you've been polished and pampered, head to the relaxation room and recline on the heated chaises lounges as you're served chilled herbal drinks. Mind, body and spirit are promised to be refreshed and rejuvenated.
waxing
Takin' care of business...Your lady business that is. Whether its eyebrow threading or waxing "Sao Paolo style,"
these matters should be handled by someone you know and trust. Here are a few whom we know (rather intimately
we might say) and love:
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Spa
5 Connaught Road
Central
2825 4800
The Mandarin is classic, old-school Hong Kong style, but its new spa is state of the art. The loyal staff has received months of new training in anticipation of the Mandarin's grand reopening. Many an in-the-know local has frequented this spa for years, and there is a reason why. The team at the Mandarin has some of the best and dare we say slightly less painful techniques. We see them for eyebrow threading and bikini waxing, and you should too.
Plateau Spa
11/F Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
1 Harbour Road
Wan Chai
2584 7688
Request the "hot wax" with expert waxers Gaya, Vivian or Winnie for an almost "ouch-less" bikini wax experience. Paraffin, coconut oil and palm kernels considerably reduce the sensitivity. You can save the tequila shots for after instead of before!
Rozali
14/F, Ho Lee Commercial Bldg.
38 D'Aguilar Street
Central
9835 0284
She's fast. She's funny. She'll roll you on your tummy! Rozali is one of HK's best waxers, aestheticians and storytellers. Arrive feeling bored and bedraggled, and emerge boundless and beautiful!
