Wine facial is the latest attraction to enter the city’s beauty scene. Renu Dhole checks out whether it matches the seductive images it throws up

When it’s wine facial you’re treating yourself to, the warm mist of anticipation in your brain is very likely to cloud your judgment of the real benefits of this exotica. So we approached Aura Beauty World for Women on Baner-Balewadi Road with enough self-instructed caution, to not be intoxicated with the idea of such indulgence, to take it through the litmus test of actual experience. The ambiance was soothing and the lighting was moody. The bottle of wine completed the cosiness.

“The facial is a regular one,” Aarti, the director of Aura told us. Except that it’s laced with vintage luxury. “We use homemade red wines. They are natural, so there’s no question of side-effects,” she added. Red wines, we’re told, work very well for all skin types. Since they can be used as solvents for various beauty products, their applicability is versatile. For instance, aloe vera gel mixed with wine lends very well to oily skin, while oil-based massage creams used with a wine base are suitable for dry skin. “One can also use rose wine, which is milder, for sensitive skin and rice wine can be beneficial for dry skin,” Trupti, beauty therapist at Aura, informed us.

Whatever the nature of the wine, whatever the type of your skin, the benefits of a wine facial are for everyone to experience. “Wine is a great cleanser, since it penetrates into the skin very easily. Wine facials are known to increase blood circulation in your facial muscles, they help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, detoxify and rejuvenate dull skin. Wine helps reduce pigmentation and is also good for tanned skin,” Aarti told us.

But ultimately, it’s the unique glow that a wine facial brings to the skin that attracts a lot of women to it. “It can be done before any occasion, but we recommend one every 15 days or so. Gold, diamond, pearl facials are very common now. Women want to go for something different, something more. A wine facial is a wonderful option,” Aarti explained.

Furnished with all the facts, we were ready to go under the supple hands of the beautician. From thorough cleansing, to scrubbing and steaming, to gentle massage and the application of the face pack — the progression was as fluid as the wine that blended with the products. The aroma lulled our senses. Half-way through the facial, we’d forsaken reason, the checklist of the benefits, and dozed off. We don’t know about detoxification. We can’t yet vouch for its claim of being an effective anti-ageing treatment. What we can surely tell you is that it relaxes like none other.

We came out of the place smelling nice, feeling good. Rs 1500 for an hour of absolute pampering didn’t sound as insane as it did when we first asked the price. When you’re stressed out and need a break, you could chuck your weekend outing to the nearby holiday spot and head for a wine treat.