Yon-ka...the cream of the facial crop

My life has been one big bundle of stress lately. In my previous laid-back without a care in the world existence, facials bored me. Not to tears, because that would probably have interrupted the good work the facial lotions and potions were doing, but almost. However, the facial I got recently in Secret Essence on Main Street in Birr was super relaxing and did an excellent job if de-stressing me. I have visited Secret Essence before, and owner Audrey was as welcoming this time as ever. A first floor clinic, Secret Essence has a luxurious and very private feel to it. Not expecting much, I was still glad to have a facial scheduled on Tuesday morning instead of going into the office as usual so I hopped into the treatment chair enthusiastically. Having not exactly done the research on what treatment I was having, the lengthy one hour and fifteen minute Yon-Ka facial was a brilliant surprise. As usual, the treatment started off with a cleansing routine, which no doubt gave Audrey something to frown about as remnants of mascara from the day before was forcibly removed! The usual suspects followed, but this time instead of being just slightly bored with the whole thing I found it hugely relaxing and just what I needed. Not your usual facial, I think the Yon-Ka facial would probably be up there with the cream of the facial crop. Thorough to a fault, my face was cleansed, toned, exfoliated, given a delicious smelling fruit mask. According to the Secret Essence menu, the Alpha-Vital Yon-Ka facial I had uses organically sourced AHA-BHA (Don"t worry, I don"t know what they are either) from natural fruits to slough away dead skin cells and make the skin surface much smoother. A course of four treatments is recommended for real anti-ageing benefits, but to be honest I was so pleased to be whiling away over an hour being pampered I"m not sure I care whether or not I get younger looking skin from it. On a side point, though I remain sceptical of how drastically different a bunch of man-made potions can make your skin look, I was asked for ID in Dublin on that very same day when going for a couple of drinks after a gig in my usual weekend hangout. Instead of giving it freely I first asked the bouncer, out of curiousity, how old I looked to him. He answered that I looked 22, a full five years younger than I actually am, so maybe the anti-ageing line isn"t a lie after all! Back to the facial however, I have to say I really really enjoyed it, and would rate it as a relaxing treatment whether or not I was particularly worried about the state of my face. At €70, the treatment is not that badly priced either, considering it lasts for a full hour and fifteen minutes and the sense of relaxation at least that again. Secret Essence offers all sorts of facials, body and beauty treatments. It is open from 10am until 7pm on Tuesday to Friday, and from 9.30am until 5pm on Saturday. Appointments can be made by calling the clinic on 057 9125679 or 087 9574063.