Bostonist Skin Pretty Adventure Day Fun Happiness

We just adore English translations on the many packages of Asian products. Since our fair city sorely lacks stores that carry such sincere messaging, Bostonist decided to take what we could get locally and indulge in a little epidermal action at Skin Care Adventure in Chinatown.

Although the services menu offers mundane norms like mani/pedi and waxing, and the more extreme sounding "LPG Cellu M6" body sculpting treatment, the real jewels in Skin Care Adventure's crown are the facials, which range in price from $40-$120. Ever frugal, Bostonist went for the basic Deep Pore Cleansing Facial, which promised to "flush out imbedded [sic] debris and impurities from the pores" and included a "finishing mask treatment and moisturizing protection."

Nearly two hours later we emerged, skin glowing and wallet only $50 lighter. Take that, Newbury Street franchises! Make no mistake, though, the S.C.A. estheticians are wholely concerned with clean pores…frou frou pampering, not so much. The facilities are basic and sterile, but the treatment rooms adjoin the reception area so there is background noise. No new age tunes or cucumber-flavored water in tiny Dixie cups here.

The treatment basically goes like this: cleansing, steaming, extraction (ouch! Why did we not keep up our "exfoliation resolution" from 2005?), more cleansing, and a tingly cold mask that hardens and is peeled off at the end. Those with sensitive skin should try the gentler Germen Herbal Refresher Facial. In between, the esthetician cleans the face with warm towels and massages the hands and arms, shoulders, and scalp. Although Bostonist must forewarn about the scalp massage finale: we thought Annie was tapping our head with some sort of soft mallet until we realized that the feeling – and hollow rapping noise – was our skull and her bare hands!

Still, who knew some slight masochism would give that perfect rosy color to the apples of our cheeks?
Skin Care Adverture: 617.338.9222 for appointments (no web site)
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Photo courtesy of flickr.com / user:Hi! I'm Owen