What is zodiac facial?

The idea is to imbue you with the power of your sun sign, and to help you feel better physically and mentally.

idiva.com - We Tried A Zodiac Facial And Here Is What Happened - iDiva

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As someone who oscillates between being an ardent believer of astrology, and an astro-agnostic of sorts, I am very intrigued by all things zodiac. While this doesn’t include wearing birthstones or meeting palmists, it does include believing in behavioural guides based on astrology. That is why trying a zodiac facial was interesting for me. All set to experiment with my colleague Debiparna, we set out to explore this new trend in town. To make sure the results were fair, we both got the facial, as people born under different signs. Here’s the lowdown on how that went.

What is it?

VLCC’s zodiac facial is tailored for your birthstone. So, there are entire facial kits for each sun sign, with products allegedly containing the “bhasm” (ash) obtained from the birthstones of that sign. So, it is a standard facial, but with stone-specific kits. The facial claims to channel the power of these stones through skin to re-energise your system. Not only that, it claims to improve your overall well-being for days after the facial. The idea is to imbue you with the power of your sun sign, and to help you feel better physically and mentally.

What products do they use?

Each kit contains a cleanser, scrub, pack, massage cream, and serum. However, there are 12 different kits in all, as each sign is assigned a stone. Unlike VLCC’s diamond, pearl, and gold facial kits in the market, these packages are different. According to the brand’s claims, these gemstones have different properties that have different functions. The list below details the skincare functions of each stone, as per their claims. Diamond (Aries) – Diamonds help remove toxins, which in turn purifies the skin. It boosts the metabolic functions of the skin and promotes regeneration of cellular life. So, in this process, it controls the effects of age on the skin. Emerald (Taurus) – Emerald ash formulation makes the skin appear toned and revitalized. Pearl (Gemini) – Pearls act as a potent antioxidant, boosting the body's own enzymes. They contain polysaccharides, 17 amino acids, minerals and proteins, which help replenish and rebuild the skin’s natural collagen. It can make skin smooth, fine, elastic and naturally beautiful. Ruby (Cancer) – Crushed or powdered ruby can boost the moisture content and hydration abilities of skincare products. Finely ground rubies diffuse light and add a rosy glow to the complexion. Peridot (Leo) – Peridot has a tonic effect. It heals and regenerates tissues and strengthens the skin. Sapphire (Virgo) – It cures eczema and sunstroke, improves tissue and cellular regeneration.

Opal (Libra) – Opal provides nourishment to the skin.

Topaz (Scorpio) – It regenerates cellular structure.

Turquoise (Sagittarius) – It removes toxins from the body and helps in skin purification.

Garnet (Capricorn) – It cures blemishes and stimulates blood circulation.

Amethyst (Aquarius) – It corrects cellular disorders and helps the circulatory system.

Aquamarine (Pisces) – It reverses the signs of ageing and reduces fluid retention.

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However, what is confusing is the fact that the ingredients list of the two facials we got, Turquoise and Pearl, read more or less the same, with only a few differences. Moreover, there is no mention of these stones in the ingredients list specifically. How are these stones turned to ash? How can they be in these products? All this can be quite confusing for consumers.

Where can you get one?

This facial is only available at certain VLCC centres. The kits used are not available for purchase separately in the market. You can avail the service for Rs 1,099 at a VLCC day spa.

How they choose stones.

Before the facial, we were asked for our birth details, including time. Now, while the stone for Scorpio is topaz according to the brand, I was given a turquoise facial. Perhaps, this is because Sagittarius is one of the dominant signs in my birth chart, and hence turquoise might suit me more. Debiparna, though, was given a pearl facial, as her sun sign recommends. Now, the selection of stones for each sign is also a complex thing. Birthstones for each sign vary according to different astrologers. Pearl is usually the stone for Cancer, and ruby the stone for Aries. Garnet is the stone for Scorpio, and diamonds are reserved for Capricorn. So, the system of stone association here was different from what you might otherwise have heard of.

The actual experience.

Stuti: Scorpio

At the time of the facial, I was experiencing terrible acne. Normally, facials aggravate this problem for me or dehydrate my skin, which is what I was expecting. However, the soothing massage technique and calming ambience worked wonders for me. The facial began with a chakra-cleanse of sorts, targeting my ears, chest, and shoulders instead of just the usual face massage. This was quite soothing. The clear gel cleanser was refreshing, but contained SLS and dimethicone, which aren’t the most healthy ingredients. The mild scrub, too, wasn’t very abrasive, perhaps because it contained glycerine. Steaming and blackhead extraction followed, and to my surprise, the latter was one of the least painful blackhead removals I have ever had. Following that, there was a long massage with the massage cream containing olive oil, sunflower oil, almond oil, glycerine, and other ingredients. The face pack followed. An aggressive list of ingredients were a part of this product, ranging from common skincare heroes like bentonite and glycolic acid, to the more iffy ones, like titanium dioxide, alcohol, talc, silica, and propylene glycol. The serum was the final step, and contained more skincare-absorbing propylene glycol and triethylene glycol, oat kernel extract, urea, and other chemicals.

Debiparna: Gemini

Before going in for the facial, Debiparna had rather dry skin. Not only that, a patch of redness had appeared beside her nose. But, since the facial didn’t claim to cure any of this, we weren’t expecting much. The experience for both of us, in terms of the facial, was the same in terms of the order of products, and massage technique. However, while the pearl facial kit had calcium carbonate in many products, the turquoise kit didn’t. So, the differences in ingredients were minor yet present. Whether these products had any effect on the skin, or simply changed the way products look, is the real question.

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After-effects.

Depending on your skin type, facials can leave your skin quite aggravated and flushed. So, it is wise to wait a few hours and then see the results. In Debiparna’s case, the immediate after-effect of the facial was an evident glow. At first glance, Debiparna’s post-facial skin was visibly hydrated. Not only that, her itchy red patch was gone for a few hours after the treatment. Immediately after the facial, at first glance, my skin looked smoother and more supple than before, mainly as my pores didn’t seem as large. However, the real effects were tangible and visible the next day. I woke up with baby soft, smooth-to-touch skin. Despite being someone who frequently gets facials, I can safely say that this specific facial did wonders for my skin’s texture. The bumps, unevenness, build-up, were all smoothened and gone, and my skin felt like silk. My acne was still there, but my skin was a lot smoother.

The verdict.

The zodiac facial wasn’t quite the life-changing experience it was made out to be. This is because most facials are not meant to have such effects, no matter what brands claim about the power of their topical ingredients. However, purely from a skincare standpoint, it was something that worked for my skin. I did not feel the benefits for days after, but the effects did last for a day or two in my case – which is more than I can say for the other facials I have got. In Debiparna’s case, flakiness and dehydration came back. But, to the credit of the aesthetician who did her facial, the procedure did not aggravate her skin irritation, but temporarily treated it. Not only that, the massage was soothing instead of heavy-handed. Now, if the facial does indeed affect your overall wellbeing, we didn’t feel so. Since the website recommends getting the facial every 15 days, perhaps the fact that we only got it once is the reason why there wasn’t a drastic difference. That being said, getting a facial for over a thousand rupees every fifteen days is not the most practical thing. For now, therefore, this zodiac facial felt like any other good-quality facial. Read iDiva for the latest in Bollywood, fashion looks, beauty and lifestyle news.

idiva.com - We Tried A Zodiac Facial And Here Is What Happened - iDiva

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