When walking into a facial service, especially in Pakistan, you’re happy to walk out with cleansed skin and if you’re really lucky, a sense of relaxation. Rarely, if ever, will you actually see considerable difference in before-and-after skin; that has been my experience, at least. So you can imagine the pleasure, when, after 90 minutes of pure luxury I also found the skin on my face to be more supple, smoother and radiant than it was before. Living in Karachi tends to deposit a dull lifelessness on the surface of the skin; uneven texture, pigmentation and untimely break outs are some of the results of day-to-day life that not even the most aggressive of exfoliants can save the skin from. The Carol Joy premium facial at the state of the art Toni&Guy salon in Clifton, Karachi, managed to turn that myth around. This turned out to be a service that delivered results, on the spot.

The Preparation: I was put in the experienced and capable custody of Saeeda Mandviwalla, CEO and Creative Artistic Director at Toni&Guy Karachi. While the girls at the salon are trained enough, there’s always extra reassurance when you have someone credible conducting your facial. I was asked for my skin’s medical history and whether I had any implants, fillers etc. Such a valid question, it made we wonder why no one at any salon had ever asked it before. Preparation included a quick detox drink and a brief run-through the 90-minute procedure. The facial began with some deep breathing and inhalation to select a fragrance that would serve as my essential oil. Between mandarin and rose I chose the latter.

The Procedure: I tried counting the steps, which were well over a dozen, but between the quiet coolness of the room, the aromatic candles and the downy cover that covered my feet to ensure I didn’t catch a chill, I slid into blissful oblivion too soon. I do know- as I had requested to be talked through it - that there was some deep-skin cleansing and gentle exfoliation. Two distinct masks included an algae and caviar mask and then the collagen, which came with a relaxing body massage as it permeated the pores. The gentlest of steam clouds was created over my face; I was told it would assist the product into the skin. The Oxyjet machine made some spluttering noises but the purity of the oxygen it administered into the skin made up for the disturbance. My skin did not require the Diamond Microdermabrasion (that is part of the facial, when needed) but the acupressure and myofascial therapy was perhaps the most unique segment; it aims to eliminate fine lines by boosting circulation manually. This specific facial is, after all, an anti-ageing process.

The Price: Carol Joy facials and services do not come cheap but then not all of them hover over PKR18,000, as this one did. The Collagen Eye Mask is the quickest service and can even be applied during a wash and blow dry to revive tired and baggy eyes. It costs PKR 3500 and is instant. Like any credible process, Carol Joy facials will also be customized from person to person, so there is no commercial formula. I can guarantee that your skin will look a lot younger than it did when you walk in.

The Verdict: The facial was extremely scientific but organic at the same time. It was an explosion of the senses. While most facial services trigger cool sensations enhanced by menthol and mint-oriented products, this one alternated between warm and cold, making it more tactile and tingly. Many women swear by facials that use fresh and natural products, like cucumbers, yoghurt, milk, honey and fruits but to be honest, I’d hate to walk out of a service smelling like a fruit salad. Products used in the Carol Joy facial smelt of luxury. Delight is in the details because when the facial ended, leaving a lot of product in my hair (the head massage was divine), I was packed off for a wash and dry. When you walk into luxury, you need to walk out feeling like luxury too.