Happy to be home

Sit back and relax. The Louis Phillip Kee Salon at The Fort is the latest L’Espace Kérastase,

boasting the most comfortable backwash designer chairs from Italy.

I HAD never thought I would get homesick as much as I did in the past year. So imagine the relief I felt upon getting my travel documents together (many thanks to Ms Ellen Maningat and her team at the Philippine Consulate in New York by the way) and finally flying out for a much-needed break from all things American.

When one is far away, one becomes more aware of what is truly indispensable and precious. On the beauty front, these were the places I had made sure to visit upon my arrival for my month-long stay:

1. The Louis Phillip Kee Salon
G/F, One McKinley Place, The Fort, Taguig; 8564848

In the past, I’d gone straight to Louis’ salon chair upon arrival. At first I thought I just had a personal bias, since my former boss had her hair done with him for years, and recommended his tress expertise. But after I left Cosmo, I would see pictures of friends online and marvel at their hairdos, only to find out later it was Kee who had cut and styled them.

2. Ki by Neo Day Spa
35 Wilson St. cor. Washington St., Greenhills, San Juan; 5846789, 0927-7801118

It doesn’t matter if you go to Neo at The Fort (8158233) or its Ki counterpart in Greenhills, for as long as you have either the Lymphatic Drainage massage and/or the Hawaiian Lomi Lomi treatment (it’s two hours long!). Feel the stress and tension melt away with every soothing stroke and expert handling of your tired body. Also try the latest Pearl Tranquility Ritual, which makes use of real crushed pearls.

3. Zencia 24-hour Home Service Spa
4358584, 0922-8936242, 0908-3668740

If you don’t feel like braving the traffic, this updated Pinoy staple of home-service massage rises to the occasion with professional massage beds brought to your home, and therapists kneading your every aching muscle. The best part? You can call on a whim—they’re available 24/7.



4. Dermalogica facial, Urban Spa
5/L, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong City; 687-6195-96, 0919-2037517; Dermalogica at Rustan’s Makati, 8133739

I honestly think this brand is underrated. It has one of the most amazing, soothing bath and body products. They are citrusy, light and rich in all the right ways. It makes the shower smell like the spa. And to me, the ultimate indulgence is the pore-clearing, deep-cleansing Dermalogica facial at the Urban Spa in Shangri-La Mall, or a visit (and a splurge) at the station in Rustan’s Makati.

5. Nail Spa
5/L, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong City; 6877011, 6874991

Or any top nail salon for that matter. A long and languid manicure and pedicure session disarms even the nastiest bout of jetlag. Imagine sinking into plush white sofas surrounded by throw pillows, and waking up to perfectly groomed hands and feet. Welcome home indeed!

Mariel Chua is the former beauty editor of Cosmopolitan, Seventeen, and Ok! Magazine Philippines. Visit NyMinuteNow.com.

Images courtesy of Louis Phillip Kee (salon) and Neo Day Spa (Ki). Original Inquirer article link here.)