Okay. So manfacial isn’t an official term. We made it up. But we did send our bh man of the moment, Munnsy, down to review the hip and happening one stop shop for men, Style Council. Seriously we’re talking skincare, watches, fragrance, glasses, threads – we could go on – all under the one roof.
Of course, it wasn’t all play and no work; he was really there to spill the beans on the OxyJET STAR facial: the orgasmic Botox for men. His words, not ours. Seriously.
The particulars
What: OxyJET STAR treatment
Where: Style Council – Emporium for Men, 22 Oxford Street, Paddington, NSW
Spend: $185
Treatment time: 90 minutes
The low-down
The shopfront of Style Council is unimposing among the stores that litter Oxford Street in Paddington and I was greeted by very friendly and welcoming staff. The establishment covers two floors, is impeccably presented and you cannot help but be impressed by the wonderful scents of exclusive fragrances that waft over you as you enter.
I was escorted to a waiting room where, sitting on a lovely large leather chair, I filled out the obligatory first-timer’s form. My therapist then took me to a small room, where I was invited to de-robe and snuggle under a warm doona to await the beginnings of what was to be a 105-minute facial marathon.
The “procedure”, as I like to think of it, happens in five stages – all accompanied by the soothing sounds of relaxation music.
The first is deep cleansing to the face and neck. The application of the products feels smooth, light and refreshingly cool. The first indication, however, that I am in for an unusual experience is when I hear the low hum of the OxyJET machine springing to life ready for mechanical action.
The treatment is worked into the skin by a firmly operated rotating sponge head. What’s most interesting is the light, pulsating stream of oxygen that flows through the machine and cools the face during treatment.
The music continues into the second stage when the Beauty-Tox potion (yes, that’s what it’s called) is applied to small sections of the face and neck. The oxygen machine is back too and quite strong bursts of pressurised oxygen inject the potion deep into the skin. This stage takes quite some time and my therapist pays close attention to those areas of my face in most need – the eyes and the forehead.
It’s a mostly comfortable experience, except for the lip area: when the machine reaches the corners of my lips, my cheeks puff up with each pulse.
My skin is beginning to tingle nicely. I was told the treatment works in similar way to Botox but using products that contain elements that are produced naturally in the body. I’m feeling very relaxed now as the procedure is intended to affect the muscles in the face. This next stage is for toning and it feels very much like the first stage in application but this time the product is worked into the skin using a small massage head moved with firm expertise.
Have I heard that music before? Maybe, but the next stage is well worth the wait. What begins as a cool sensation at the base of my neck slowly becomes what I can only describe as one of the most tantalising I have experienced. The OxyFluid is sprayed across my skin in small waves and feels ultra cool and very refreshing. This leads me to now refer to the woman in charge as “my genius therapist” and once she reaches my forehead, I do not want the sensation to stop – it’s close to orgasmic!
The final stage is a collagen mask. This is applied over the whole face and then wet with warm water. It feels like a firm facial glove and the sensation of the warm water adhering the mask to my skin is very pleasant. Finally as the mask does its job, an aromatherapy mask, infused with bergamot, is placed over my mouth and nose which relaxes me completely while the light flow of oxygen makes me feel revitalised.
The verdict
I awake from what can only be described as an experience unlike any other. My face is completely relaxed yet my skin feels tight and very different. I have quite good skin generally, but notice a pronounced difference in the appearance of those annoying forehead lines. Normally with a facial my skin feels full of product, even if many of those used during treatment are removed. With OxyJET STAR, only the very first product is removed yet my skin feels light and tight.
The results are supposed to be better after a couple of days. I can’t wait to look even younger tomorrow!
