"As far as body trends go, 2018 has undoubtedly been the year of the bottom. One can’t go onto Instagram or open up a magazine without seeing a Kardashian-Jenner flaunting their flawless rears in thong bikinis or completely sheer dresses. Even the peach emoji has been tainted, with the fruit now symbolizing a perfect peach-shaped bottom.

While regular exercise might help your booty defy gravity, there’s still one pesky thing that can’t be accounted for. Yes, I’m talking about cellulite. With the 2018 Tatler Ball coming up (and a fitted dress that I had to get in shape for), I needed more than sheer willpower and my personal trainer to help me look party ready. I needed Strip’s Thermal Shape Treatment.

When I was offered this non-invasive treatment, I was more than happy to try it out. But I have to admit, I was a tad bit skeptical about its boast of immediate results. A beauty treatment with instantaneous results that required no downtime and no pain? Could this be too good to be true?

Turns out I had nothing to worry about. The Thermal Shape treatment is broken down into two parts, starting with an ultrasonic cavitation which emulsifies fat, which is then converted into liquid and passed out from the body as sweat and waste. Be prepared to hear a ringing in your ear throughout this part of the treatment though. While there was some discomfort, it was bearable. The second part of the treatment is the thermal O2 which uses a combination of radio frequency, vacuum suction, and heat energy to help lift, tone and firm the skin for a shapelier silhouette.

Once the aesthetician had left the room, I leapt from the bed to check out my rear and was greeted by an instantly lifted bottom. While one session is not enough to get rid of all my cellulite (Strip recommends eight sessions for best results), I was impressed by the rounder, perkier shape that greeted me. Seems like I no longer would be needing my Spanx after all." - CC

"If you need a quick respite from your busy schedule, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore, is a great place to nip away for a leisurely afternoon. 

Designed with utter relaxation in mind, the spa has a tranquil palette of grey and brown to soothe and calm. There are four treatment rooms, two couple suites, a manicure and pedicure area, a communal relaxation room and shower and steam facilities at The Spa. Step in, and you'll be ushered to a semi-private alcove area where you'll have a detailed consultation with your therapist. 

For something a little out of the ordinary, I opted for the newly launched Orchid Dream, a two-hour treatment inspired by Singapore's national flower. I hear it's so popular that the limited edition offering is now making its way into the spa's main menu.

As I'm seated in one of their plush suites, I'm invited to dip my feet into a shallow bowl of warm water and given a welcome foot ritual. Made with rice grains and orchid petals, the creamy scrub worked to gently exfoliate any dirt and impurities.

Once my feet were pampered, I settled in for the full body aromatherapy massage. Using orchid essential oil, the gentle fragrance filled the air as the therapist liberally applied it all over me. If you're the kind who loves a good deep tissue massage, you might find this treatment a bit soft to the touch. But for someone who was craving for rest and relaxation, this was a perfect choice. As the therapist worked her magic, I even drifted off to sleep, until I was gently nudged awake when it was time to flip over.

As a final step to complete the treatment, a scalp massage is done, as a warm and comforting shoulder wrap is applied to help soothe away any remaining stress and tension around the neck. Utterly pampered from top to toe, I sipped on butterfly pea tea (P.S. it's full of awesome antioxidants) and nibbled on dried fruit and biscuits at the end of my session, totally relaxed." - EL

mandarinoriental.com