Party Season Pampering: Our Top-To-Toe Guide

Because a girl’s gotta be prepared for all the festivities coming our way!

Now we’re into November, we can officially say that Christmas is next month (eek!). We’re already noticing our diaries are filling up faster than usual with work parties, festive pub crawls, mulled wine gatherings and the like. Of course, it’s natural to want to look your best this festive season (especially if you’re flying home and want to prove to family in friends that life in the 852 agrees with you!), so we’ve rounded up our pick of party season pampering to help get you started. Whether you’re after a fresh hair cut or a festive mani, these places will get the job done. Just remember to book in advance – you wont be the only one looking for an appointment!

Read more: Beauty Advent Calendars: Our Top Picks This Year

Laser Hair Removal

Lavar Lavar has long been a Sassy favourite for all things hair removal and its new Stanley Street location has already impressed. It manages to combine stylish interiors with a cosy atmosphere that immediately puts us at our ease. Okay, laser hair removal may not be the sexiest of pampering treatments this festive season but, for many of us, it’s often top of the priority list! When you book in at Lavar, the highly-effective GentleMAX Pro laser is used. It’s a dual wavelength system that’s fast and efficient (and most of all safe!), promising quality results. The first trial on your bikini line or underarm costs just $480. We should mention that Lavar also offers skin tightening treatments, so you can also book in for a first trial of its laser facial for just $880. At prices like that, we’ll definitely be giving it a go!

Lavar, 22/F, Stanley 11, 11 Stanley Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2915 0918, WhatsApp: 5598 9128, booking@lavar.com.hk, www.lavar.com.hk

Read more: Top Hair Removal Salons In Hong Kong: Where To Get Waxing, IPL And More

Eyelashes

Nude Waxing BeautiqueElleebana products

Sassy Perk: From Sunday, 1 December until Tuesday, 31 December* if you mention SASSYPARTY when booking any waxing service you can get a lash lift and tint for the special price of $400 (instead of $840) OR if you’re getting two or more areas waxed, you will be treated to complimentary eyebrow shaping.

*Please note this promotion can’t be used in conjunction with any other offers or discounts and is valid for one-time use only. All treatments must be completed within one appointment.

Nude Waxing Beautique, 14/F, M88 Wellington Place, 2-8 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong, m88@nudewaxing.com.hk

Nude Waxing Beautique, 2/F, 18 Pak Sha Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, cwb@nudewaxing.com.hk

Nude Waxing Beautique, 17/F, Canton Plaza, 82-84 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, 2868 9100, tst@nudewaxing.com.hk, www.nudewaxing.com.hk

Read more: The Best Eyelash Extension Services In Hong Kong

Manicures

My Perfect Body We always invest in a gel manicure before the festive season so that it sees us through several weeks of partying. And My Perfect Body’s iMANICURE (or Innovative Manicure) takes things to the next level. It uses an electronic file to gently remove excess skin and perfectly trim and smooth your nails. This prevents your cuticles from growing back in the same way, so you can expect a clean, finished look for longer. It’s a great way to make sure your hands and nails not only look great, but are also in top health. Your manicure will be finished off with a slick of Shellac gel polish, so you’ll be party ready in no time (we’ll be choosing a festive red!). As an added bonus, you can even use the handy online booking form to secure your appointment, without having to pick up the phone!

Sassy Perk: Mention Sassy 2019 when calling to book an iMANICURE Soft Gel ($410) and you’ll receive a free upgrade to the iMANICURE SPA Soft Gel (which usually costs $560). Or if you’re booking online simply select iMANICURE SPA and leave a note on the online booking form, quoting Sassy 2019.

My Perfect Body, 3/F, 16 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2561 7272, info@mypb.com.hk, www.mypb.com.hk

Pedicures

If you’re going to have your toes on display in strappy sandals or peep-toe heels, we suggest you make sure they’re ready for public scrutiny by having a pedicure. It’s also a great way to get some down time and relax for an hour or so (or take the opportunity to do some online Christmas shopping)! The Feel Good Factor has long been a favourite of ours for its friendly staff and comfy chairs. You’ll feel properly pampered as you soak your feet in its gold basins, and enjoy the massage after your toes have been primped and polished. Or head to the tried, tested and trusted Blossom Nail & Beauty (which is also very reasonably priced) if you want to add on some nail decor.

The Feel Good Factor, 2/F, Winsome House, 73 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2530 0610, info@feelgoodfactor.com.hk, www.feelgoodfactor.com.hk

Blossom Nail & Beauty, Room 1401, 14/F, Keybond Commercial Centre, 38 Ferry Street, Jordan, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2959 3805, contact@blossomnailhk.com, www.blossomnailhk.com

Read more: The Best Nail Salons On Hong Kong Island And In Kowloon

Tanning

You’re much more likely to find skin whitening products on the shelves here, than fake tanning ones. Tell us we aren’t the only ones who go mad when we hit Boots on trips back home? Rimmel Sun Shimmer here we come! So, when in Hong Kong, sometimes it’s easier (and less messy) to book in for a professional spray tan. The Skin Gym uses OzTan products for its tanning services. You can choose between two shades Golden Honey (light) or Bondi Bronze (medium), which begin to develop in just two hours. The best part is the anti-oxidant formula is packed full of plant extracts and essential oils and contains no synthetic fragrance (so expect less of that weird fake tan smell wafting around you). While Glow Spa & Salon uses ECO Tan from Australia, which works with your own skintone to develop a natural looking colour and gets darker the longer you leave it on.

The Skin Gym, 21/F, Room 6, The Centrium, 60 Wyndham Street, Hong Kong, 2810 8088, theSkinGymHK@gmail.com, www.theskingym.com.hk

Glow Spa & Salon, 8/F, Silver Fortune Plaza, 1 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2525 5198, reception@glowspa.hk, www.glowspa.hk

Eyebrow Threading

Just remember, don’t neglect those brows this Christmas time! We always opt for threading over waxing in this area, and most of the Sassy office frequent Freedas to get the job done quickly. It may be no frills, but it’s a bargain when it comes to price and we always leave satisfied. Of course, if you’d prefer to spend a bit more, Browhaus is a good bet. You can opt for classic threading, modern tweezing or a combo of threading and tweezing.

Freedas, various locations across Hong Kong, www.freedashk.com

Browhaus, 7/F, 8 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hong Kong, 3950 3950, www.browhaus.com.hk

Facials

Our skin puts up with a lot of abuse throughout the year, so we need to treat it with some TLC. Especially before the party season, when we may be applying more makeup than usual or not properly cleansing our faces after getting home from nights out (but that’s what facial wipes are for right?). So, if you have some spare pennies treat yourself to a relaxing facial. We promise your skin (and mind) will thank you for it. We plan on booking ourselves in for an appointment at Aesop. Its therapists will choose the products best suited to your skin type and you can determine the duration of your treatment (there’s a choice of 35-minute, 60-minute or 75-minute facials), meaning there’s no excuse not to indulge. Or you can’t go wrong with Caudalie. We love its grape-based products and recommend its 50-minute Beauty Elixir treatment, which (as the name suggests) is based around its cult Beauty Elixir products. Trust us, you won’t regret it!

Aesop, 2 Gough Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2673 3468, goughstreet@aesop.com

Aesop, Room 1415, World Commerce Centre, Harbour City, 7-11 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, 2110 5099, harbourcity.facial@aesop.com, www.aesop.com/hk

Caudalie, 3 Gough Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2319 1006, gough@caudalie.com, www. hk-en.caudalie.com

Massages

A good massage is another non-negotiable when it comes to party season pampering in our book. It helps to rejuvenate and relax, meaning we feel ready to tackle whatever the world throws at us this December (whether that’s rushing round the shops last minute on Christmas Eve or fitting in three different social engagements in one night!). The award-winning Sense of Touch is an old faithful when it comes to kneading out our knots and releasing tension. We recommend its 60-minute Deep Relax Massage, especially if you go in the evening and then head straight home for a blissful night’s sleep. Or Chuan Spa is another safe bet, offering massages that deliver! Its holistic treatments are all designed to balance your Yin and Yang. Go for the Chuan Stone Therapy and thank us later. Or, if you’re in a rush, its 30-minute Neck, Back and Shoulder massage will do the trick.

Sense of Touch, various locations across Hong Kong, www.senseoftouch.com.hk

Chuan Spa, 41/F, Cordis, 555 Shanghai Street, Mong Kok, Hong Kong, 3552 3510, cdhkg.info@chuanspa.com, www.chuanspa.com.hk

Read more: The Best Spas In Hong Kong

Blow Dries and Hair Styling

You may find you have an event or two over the party season that requires a bit more effort than just running the straighteners over your mane. For these occasions, we like to call in the pros and treat ourselves to a bouncy blow dry. One of our favourites is Love Hair (which was voted Best Salon in our Sassy Best of Hong Kong Reader Awards 2019). Its expert stylists will have you looking red-carpet ready in no time! Just make sure you book an appointment in advance. Or give Anaitha Nair a call. This former Bollywood actress knows all about the glam factor, whether you’re after some loose waves or a funky up do. Again, you’ll need to book in advance.

Love Hair, 1/F, 99F Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2458 0190, info@lovehairhk.com, www.lovehairhk.com

Hair By Anaitha, Coronation, 1 Yau Cheng Road, South Kowloon, Hong Kong, hairbyanaitha@gmail.com, www.anaithanair.com

Read more: Hair Salons In Hong Kong: Where To Get Your Hair Cut And Styled

Makeup

Last but by no means least, it’s makeup! If (like most of us) you find your idea of mixing things up is to add a bold lip, sometimes it’s nice to hand over the responsibility of doing your makeup to someone else. For special events, we’ve been known to enlist the help of the sponge girls. You choose your style from the online lookbook (we’ll be going for the influencer.), pick a timeslot and wait for them to come to you. Or give Jaime Smith of Smudge Make-up Artistry a call. She’s well-known and respected on the Hong Kong beauty scene and can also help get you ready for any occasion from the comfort of your own flat!

sponge., hello@gosponge.com, www.gosponge.com

Smudge Make-up Artistry, 6907 8773, jaime@smudgemakeupartistry.com, www.smudgemakeupartistry.com

Read more: What Products Live In Team Sassy’s Makeup Bags?

Featured image courtesy of Getty Images, image 1 courtesy of Lavar, image 2 courtesy of Nude Waxing Beautique, image 3 courtesy of My Perfect Body, image 4 courtesy of The Skin Gym via Facebook, image 5 courtesy of Aesop, image 6 courtesy of Love Hair via Instagram.