Review: Sulwhasoo Snowise Brightening treatment

Korean beauty brand Sulwhasoo welcomed 2017 on a celebratory note, with the grand opening of its first Malaysian standalone boutique. Located in the bustling Sunway Pyramid, the store also houses a beauty lounge for guests to experience the brand’s signature treatments.

From facials to body massages, the boutique offers a variety of treatments to choose from, each catering to a specific skin need. Highlights include the Hydro-Aid Moisturising Soothing treatment (to hydrate the skin), Concentrated Ginseng Renewing treatment (which carries anti-ageing properties) and the Snowise Brightening treatment for a glowing complexion.

Much in need of a facial treatment, I jumped at the offer to experience the Snowise Brightening treatment for myself. After 80 minutes and about 10 Snowise Brightening products slathered on and massaged into my skin, here are my personal thoughts on the entire treatment.

The session began with a brief introduction to the five new and improved products in the crowd-pleasing Snowise Brightening range. These are the Snowise Brightening Water, Snowise Brightening Emulsion, Snowise Brightening UV Protector (in two shades) and Snowise Brightening Eye Serum.

The core functions of the Snowise range — also known as the volume brightening series — are to boost the complexion’s translucent inner glow by enhancing skin resilience and suppressing melanin production. In other words, the end goal of using this range is to have brighter and firmer skin.

I opted for the plum blossom scent, a mild, soft and sweet fragrance with notes of plum blossom flower. Other choices included pine, white sandalwood and ‘first peace’. Then, I was brought into a room for the treatment to begin.

My feet were treated to a warm bath in red ginseng water, followed by a scrub using ginseng peels. Besides being an enjoyable, calming exfoliation process, it also put my body completely at ease and stimulated blood circulation. All treatments commence with a foot bath.

It was time for my facial. The therapist used a cleanse and scrub to remove any makeup and impurities, before slathering on the individual Snowise Brightening products — beginning with the Snowise Brightening Water to help with absorption. Each product was gently massaged into my skin in circular motions. Occasionally, she alternated to briefly rub the décolletage while waiting for the face product to be absorbed. The room can get a little chilly, so just ask for more blankets to make yourself comfortable.

After several rounds of gentle face, neck, chest and shoulder massages, I was briefly left to rest so the thick mask applied to my face could set. It was later gently peeled off, sloughing off some dead skin.

Next, two special half moon-shaped white jade applicators were used to delicately rub in the next product. These applicators are specially chosen for the Snowise Brightening treatment to revitalise skin’s natural translucency.

At the end of it all, my complexion looked brighter and more radiant. It was also extremely moisturised and refreshed. Thanks also to the brief but impactful massages on my neck, chest and shoulders, and the red ginseng foot bath, it was a rejuvenating experience I’d be happy to go back for.

The Snowise Brightening treatment is priced at RM288 and will take 80 minutes in the beauty lounge.