128 Faubourg by Sothy's @Empire Gallery, Subang Jaya

The Ambience
While some beauty salons look like a clinic, this place resembles a hotel - cosy and intimate. Once you are in the treatment room, you're shut off from the outside. The changing and vanity area are en suite. The door only opens when your beautician enters and exits the room. No irrelevant persons walking in and out the treatment room.


Warm lighting is used to enhance the bronze curtains and add to the cosiness of the room. The wrap you change into and the towels that line the treatment bed are softer, and the blanket is heavier...like in a hotel.




Consultation
While we prefer salons that are less pushy, the beautician I consulted with doesn't push at all. A more structured consultation providing volunteered information would have been better instead of me needing to ask for it. 


Nonetheless, I like that she didn't exclaim how bad my skin was or pulled out 'high-tech' equipment to illustrate to me, the person who knows my own skin best, how badly I needed their treatment. Instead, her approach was to address any concern I had about my skin, whether lacking hydration, wrinkles, congestion and so forth.


We finally decided that I should try the Hydroptimale Intensive Treatment, to infuse my dehydrated skin with much need moisture.


Treatment
The Hydroptimale Treatment is suppose to be the first step to 'soften' my skin allowing for easier subsequent extraction of pore plugs (read: future facials)


Step 1
After changing into the wrap, there is a brief soaking in a warm foot bath.


Step 2

Inhaling of essential oil aroma which the beautician then uses for a preliminary face massage.

Cleanse and exfoliate


Step 3
Steam for 1-2 minutes (only).


Step 4 
Extraction. 


This beautician was exceptionally good at extracting without much pain. She focused on removing the plugs that were most deep and apparently 'been there for a long time'.


Followed by antiseptic lotion.


Step 5
Eyebrow trimming (I felt mine was overtrimmed. Must remember next time to inform them that I like thicker brows).


Step 6
Shoulder and face massage. This lasted for about 15 minutes. Ah, bliss! Their massage is suppose to be their signature methodolgy, merging Eastern and Western philosophies.


Step 7
A layer of mask, gauze and more mask.


Step 8
Marinate for about 10 minutes, during which I dozed off because the room was so quiet.


Before the beautician leaves the room, I can hear her cleaning up the room.


Step 9
Quick massage of the feet (perhaps to wake up sleeping clients). Removal of mask and followed by application of more serum/cream.


A quick thumping of the shoulders with a warm towel draped across.


I was pleased to 'wake up to' a clean and tidy treatment room. Overall, the treatment was shorter and simpler than other facials I've experienced.




Package, Product, Price


Their services and products are generally more expensive that other places, ranging from RM220-450. My treatment was RM390 (first trial:RM280). 


They use Sothy's products which is a French brand. 


There are several packages:


RM1280 redeemable in service, and includes RM800 worth of products. That would allow for about 3-5 facials, depending on which treatment is required for the skin condition. On your birthday, you would get an additional RM200 credit for service.


Buy any 3 facials worth RM390 and above and get free eye and neck treatment.


RM580 for basic skincare products set (milk cleanser+foaming cleanser+toner+moisturiser) and two facial vouchers worth RM200 each, redeemable for facials worth RM260 and above, topping up the excess each time with cash.


I bought the skincare product package, because I didn't want to commit yet but I was on the lookout for new products to try. The original price for the products would have been about RM660. If I redeem facials worth about RM260-290, making up for the difference, I would 'save' about 40% from the total original price of the services and products. Yes, I'm very 'auntie' and meticulous about how much money I can save when buying things.


Verdict
I love the exclusiveness and privacy of 128 Faubourg. Overall, the treatment seems very simple for the price paid, however, the effect is good (my skin is much better, minus the usual red marks post-facial), which is most important.


The products and steps for problem skin are relatively simpler compared to Dermalogica's recommendation.


The most obvious drawback is...the price, of course. But beauty and luxury are...priceless?