“Hello, Cecilia Westberry”, said a clipped English accent. I pulled the telephone away from my ear momentarily and double checked what country code I had entered. Yes, +65. Welcome to the beauty establishment that used to occupy the third floor of Palais Renaissance, but sick of paying an extortionate Orchard rental, moved out to two HDB flats just behind Holland Village.

This place has halved my monthly beauty routine time and offers an excellent service. It helps enormously that the lady whose name is above the door, Cecilia, runs the business very well, has incredibly high standards and works here herself, every single day.

She and her team work quickly and efficiently; doors open at 830am and they offer a mass of relevant treatments. I often feel like a broken down car when I arrive, but after an almost simultaneous wax, mani pedi, facial and blow dry (read full tyre change and oil top up), I am up and running again.

Don’t come to Cecilia’s gaff expecting to pay HDB prices though. No. They offer too good a service for that. It is an excellent salon that just so happens to be in an HDB. You get an Orchard Road service at a much reduced Orchard Road price.

Cecilia has become a friend (I’ve been going here for over a year now) and I love her for her honest feedback on what will and won’t work; she has great judgement: “Frog, no way to that colour for eyebrow embroidery!” I LOVE this and consider it a massive plus to have someone who knows what suits you and what doesn’t. And tells you.

Here’s my hit list of what I consider to be her stellar treatments that I book in for once a month:

Tendon Facial – if I don’t do this once a month, I really do miss it. It’s a cross between lymphatic drainage and a facial. I obviously have a mass of toxins in my neck and face, as it hurts like hell when it’s being done, but leaves you feeling un-puffy and looking about 3 years younger. That’s definitely worth a bit of pain. (Some people apparently doze off and sleep during the process but I am not one of them.)

Waxing – needs no explanation!

Eyelash perm – ask for Isabelle

Eyebrow embroidery – again, Isabelle’s speciality and a faction of what it costs elsewhere (read Browhaus). She is also a very safe pair of hands when it comes to shape and colour matching. Pay less, get more.

Her website can be viewed here.

Tel: (+65) 6774 0449 or WhatsApp her for an appointment: (+65) 9271 9422

Cecilia Westberry, Block 6 Holland Close #01-20, Holland Village (parking is available right behind the salon).

Cecilia Westberry was introduced to me by both Jaime Yong, over at ilovebonbons, and Sara-Ann Krishnamoorthy