Having just returned from a summer wedding in France and an eating tour of Barcelona, my skin was a dire reflection of all the cardinal sins I had committed against it. Too much champagne and not enough sleep? Check. Too much cheese and jamon and zero fruit or vegetables? Yep. Hours spent in the Mediterranean with nary a touch of sunblock? Guilty as charged. To make matters worse, I’ve upped my one-coffee-a-week habit to a cup a day to battle the horrendous jetlag.

In short, my skin needed help but because of my long break, work has piled up to the extent that an hour-long lunch seems decadent, let alone a two-hour facial, which was the minimum of what was needed. Or so I thought. I had recently received a press release from the famous Mandarin Salon, touting its 40-minute “Power Facial”, which promised “fabulous younger-looking skin in just under an hour”. How could I resist?

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And so, one sunny Monday afternoon, I show up at the Mandarin Salon to see what magic they could wield. The entire facial uses products from an Australian skincare company, Gaylia Kristensen. Launched in 2010, the brand focuses on anti-ageing products which are strong enough to combat the effects of Australia’s “extreme, unforgiving environment”. Given Hong Kong’s pollution and our general high levels of stress, this seems like a fittingly potent line of products to use in a Power Facial.

To start, all my makeup was wiped off with an orange blossom cleanser. The sweet orange oil not only smells great, but is also believed to assist the lymphatic system and detoxify the skin, as well as support collagen formation. Right off the bat, you get the feeling that this treatment is all about efficient luxury. The therapist’s hands move deftly and confidently, wiping off all traces of the outside world. Then an exfoliant is quickly yet carefully applied. The first of many hot towels are then used to wipe off the scrub, while the damp heat opens up the pores simultaneously.

The Heaven hydrating facial mist is then sprayed on, which contains chamomile extract, known for its anti-inflammatory properties before the most enjoyable part of the treatment: a lymphatic facial massage. The therapist applies a fair bit of pressure starting between the eyebrows, before moving onto the bones around the eye sockets. Not only is this extremely relaxing, but lymphatic facial massages are also believed to improve the appearance of the skin by removing toxins and improving circulation.

After the massage, a collagen mask is applied under the eyes, while the lips are also given a coating to prevent them from drying out. The next ten minutes are devoted to a thorough massage of the neck and shoulders. Depending on how stressed out you are, this could border on the painful. But no pain, no gain; and as I left, I did notice that a persistent crick in my neck seemed to have dissolved.

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A final layer of the Dream anti-ageing cream is then applied, sealing in all the therapist’s hard work. A prompt 45 minutes after my arrival, I find myself peering into the mirror of the Mandarin elevator. Did my skin look refreshed? Dewy? Revitalised? Well, whether it was “molecular polypeptide and protein technologies” of the Gaylia Kristensen product, the skill of my therapist, or the power nap I had during the lymphatic massage, the Power Facial certainly made me confident enough to step out into the sunshine and show my face to the world with nothing more than chapstick and a pair of sunglasses. What more can you ask for in an express facial?

The Mandarin Power Facial is priced at HK$850. For reservations, please call +852 2825 4800.