WHAT: The Kanebo Total Anti-Aging Facial Treatment uses its patented 30-step “Balancing Massage” as an integral part of the beauty procedure; the massage alone takes up 20 to 30 minutes in each session.

Kanebo’s signature facial balancing massage is purported to increase the body’s metabolism and improve skin health.

It's also said to improve blood circulation and help to discharge toxins from the skin with its six massage techniques. Steps include kneading, stroking, rubbing, patting and rhythmically vibrating the skin surface.

The 90 minute facial I tried uses products from Kanebo’s newly revamped Impress Renewal anti-aging beauty range. These skincare products aim to combat the signs of aging with the protective qualities of rose myrtle extract; an ingredient that is said to promote the “repair of DNA damage” caused by exposure to UVB rays.

The Kanebo Total Anti-Aging Facial Treatment is priced at $180 per session. Visit the Kanebo Beauty Centre at 83 Clemenceau Avenue, UE Square, #16-08, Singapore 239920, Tel: 6681 4854. Opening hours: 10am to 8pm.

Review: After a long week of work, a massage or facial treatment session is a great way to unwind. It’s even better when you get the best of both worlds with a massage-centred facial treatment like Kanebo’s, which I found to be a really soothing experience.

The facial treatment began ordinarily enough with a thorough removal of makeup and face cleansing; a brief five minute facial massage follows. The beautician then applied the Kanebo Impress Brightener, which felt pleasantly cool on my face. While it contains exfoliating properties, the lotion was still happily gentle to the skin.

The facial steaming that follows isn’t an uncomfortable affair either. Cool steam is gradually warmed, so that you won’t experience a drastic temperature change that gets you squirming away from the heat. It’s a non-invasive, deep-cleansing procedure that opens up your pores to remove dead skin cells; without putting your skin through the painful experience of pore extraction.

After which, the beautician proceeded to the Kanebo “Balancing Massage”, a thoroughly comfortable and relaxing procedure did put me at ease. I’ll admit that I did catch myself nearly drifting off once or twice during this massage.

Based on your the condition of your skin, one of three Kanebo moisturisers will be used in the next step: the Kanebo whitening WT Essence, LT (lifting) essence or the CT anti-aging essence.

The selected moisturising Kanebo lotion was then applied, with the beautician gently stroking the skin with a warm ionic rod. I was asked to hold one of these ionic rods to conduct the gentle micro current energy to the other rod that the beautician was using. Through friction, this process is said to enable the "active" ions in the facial gel, to help the product penetrate the skin.

Following that, the Impress Concentrate Mask 3D was placed comfortably on my face. The mask was a good fit: I felt no discomfort from leaking watery residue and the mask stays cool and pleasant while on my skin.

After the facial, my skin did feel clean and fresh. I felt alert and the early morning lethargy had slipped away. Since the Kanebo treatment does not practise invasive pore extraction, there’s no ghastly, post-extraction redness.

It’s a soothing procedure that makes your skin glow. Plus, the facial’s revitalising massage will have you feeling, and looking, all prepped to party.

Verdict: 4/5