SITTING in a comfortable lounge chair, I slowly sipped a yellow drink (which was suspiciously neon) as a tube draped around my neck sent bursts of cool air onto my face.

This was part of Bonafides Prestige spa's signature oxygen treatment.

The flourescent concoction was a slightly odd-tasting, citrus-flavoured oxygenated cocktail, while the tube sent out jets of pure oxygen.

While the spa offers a wide variety of services, including facials, massages, waxing, slimming and hair styling/treatment, it specialises in oxygen and radio-frequency (RF) treatments.

The RF treatment is said to help stimulate new collagen growth, boost metabolism and act as a youth-enhancer.

Other than the curious treatments on offer (which made me goggle and giggle), Bonafides is also laudable in its personal approach to its customers.

The minute I stepped in, I was steered into a room where a skin analyst sat at a desk, a daunting machine by her side.

This was a skin analysis machine that magnifies the skin 120 times.

Shiny oil pockets and glaring imperfections made me squirm as she crisply explained what my (apparently numerous) skin problems were.

After that wake-up call, I was whisked into a dimly-lit room where an inviting bed awaited.

Undergoing the H2O facial - another signature Bonafides treatment - was a long and slightly tedious process, during which a plethora of cleansers, creams and masks were slathered onto my face.

But the bed was warm and luxurious, and once I awoke from a delicious nap, I found my face sparkling clean and baby soft.

My personal favourite, however, was the heavenly ginger and lemongrass massage.

Doused in generous amounts of scented oil, I was in a state of relaxed bliss as the tightness in my body was relieved by the masseuse's magic fingers.

With its friendly staff, cosy ambience and excellent range of products and services, the spa offers a restful haven in the middle of a bustling city.

The experience was slightly bizarre, but undeniably sublime - a day at the spa has never been quite so enjoyable.

>FYI

WHAT: BONAFIDES PRESTIGE
WHERE: #03-26/7, Centrepoint
WHEN: 11am-9pm (Monday to Saturday); 11am-8pm (Sunday). Ring 6737 2828 for details

This article was first published in The New Paper on 25 Nov 2006