Between bee venom facials and body scrubs using crushed diamonds, a 24 karat gold facial isn't the most expensive beauty treatment you'll find.
The beauty industry is a billion dollar affair and it is no wonder why since everyone, no matter gender or age, wants to look perpetually youthful and beautiful. All sorts of lotions, serums and creams like Lancôme's Renergie French Lift and have been concocted, promising softer skin, more youthful complexions and smoother, wrinkle-free faces.
If you're a firm believer in getting what you pay for, then these beauty treatments which rank among some of the most expensive in the world should fall right in your backyard. Between bee venom facials and body scrubs using crushed diamonds, a 24 karat gold facial isn't the most expensive beauty treatment you'll find.
UMO 24 Karat Gold Facial
Gold has long been revered in jewellery-making and fashion. Now, one of the most treasured element in the world has another use -- hydrating skin and fighting free radicals to help skin maintain its elasticity. It doesn't only slow down collagen depletion and the breakdown of elastin in the skin to prevent unsightly sagging, it stimulates cellular growth to regenerate healthy, firm skin cells that provides a tightening effect to the jowls and jawlines. Administered with UMO's trademark Gamma PGA, the 24 karat gold sheets applied to the skin also counter skin inflammation, consequently reducing melanin secretion, which is the main cause of age spots. The UMO 24 Karat Gold Facial is only available at very few premium aesthetic clinics, namely at Veronica Skin & Body Care in Malibu and The Beauty Clinic in London. It can cost up to $500 USD (RM1,600) a session.
White Caviar Illuminating Facial
La Prairie, one of the most renowned -- not to mention, expensive -- anti-ageing skincare brand has introduced its White Caviar Illumiating Facial at the Ritz-Carlton in New York. The first treatment of its kind, it utilises beady white caviar-like liquid crystals and pearlescents to fight all signs of aging including fine lines, age spots and uneven skintone whilst brightening and smoothening the skin. The key compound here is its Caviar Cream that is very nourishing and provides a plethora of tightening and whitening benefits. One session can set you back by easily $1,000 USD (RM3,300) but you'll be pleased to know the price includes an entire set of the White Caviar Illuminating system products that you can bring home to upkeep your new glowing complexion.
Evian Bath
Even if you have the money for this $5,000 USD (RM16,000) bath of 1,000 litres of Evian water at Hotel Victor in Miami, you're not assured you'll get a chance to try it as it is only available to a select handful. The lucky few include tennis star, Serena Williams and, most recently, Beyonce Knowles and her infant baby, Blue. They were reported to have soaked in the bath that comes complete with orange and pink Gerber flower petals whilst snacking on smoked salmon, foie gras, fine chocolates and a bottle of champagne. A couple more spa treatments also follow the bath that leaves you feeling rejuvenated and your skin in the softest and supplest condition imaginable.
HD Diamond and Ruby Peel
A now famous procedure formulated by Scott-Vincent Borba, a well-knowned aesthetician among Hollywood's A-listers, this expensive treatment that involves scrubbing one's skin with crushed diamonds and rubies is reportedly a favourite of actress, Mila Kunis. She's undergone the $7,000 USD (RM22,400) treatment twice on record -- the first before she attended the Golden Globes awards and the second, right before the premiere of her movie, 'Friends with Benefits'. The treatment which is done by Borba himself, begins with the scrubbing of the skin with the crushed gemstones before a lactic peel is used on the area to stimulate cell turnover and accelerate regeneration.
Bee Venom Mask
A firm favourite of the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, bee venom has been clinically proven to effectively halt the negative effects of menopause on the face. Just a small drop of bee venom is used with a whole jar of manuka honey, shea butter and lavender oil to fool the skin into thinking it has been stung so the body directs blood to the area, stimulating the natural production of collagen in the process. The venom also relaxes muscles so fine lines are clearly reduced and skin returns to its plump and bouncy state. A full facial procedure will set you back by a whopping $55,400 USD (RM176,300) but thankfully, the concoction is also available in small 50ml jars that you can apply at home for $260 USD (RM820) a jar.
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