Claiming to treat ‘not only the skin but the well-being of [the] soul, mind and body’, this new treatment (1,280RMB) from the Pudong Shangri-La’s in-house spa gives the conventional facial a hippy-trippy spin by fusing it with crystal healing therapy. Currently they’re offering a choice of two crystals: rose quartz, which purportedly heals negative emotions of the heart and helps with emotional release; and clear quartz, an energizer capable of unblocking and balancing the chakras (centres of prana or ‘life force’ energy).

The 90-minute treatment kicks off with a half-hour back and shoulder massage, using your choice of six ‘elements’ oils (wood, metal, water, air, earth and fire)； we opt for the invigorating-smelling ‘metal’ which blends tea tree oil and eucalyptus.

The facial itself uses Futuresse products (the anti-aging line from top German skincare brand Biodroga) which are applied to thoroughly cleansed skin in a methodical cleanse-tone-exfoliate cycle. A moisturising mask is then ‘sealed’ in with two hot towels draped over your face, leaving only your nostrils uncovered – something claustrophobes may find a bit unsettling, though it doesn’t last more than 30 seconds.

Next, the therapist uses a pair of crystal ‘wands’ to work the mask into our skin, concentrating on specific acupressure points such as the temples and either side of the nose. The sensation of the initially ice-cold crystal slowly warming up as it takes on the skin’s heat is pleasant and the repetitive motions are soothing, but beyond this we don’t experience any out-of-the-ordinary burst of energy.

To finish, an energising mist is sprayed into the air and we leave under strict instructions not to drink alcohol, smoke or shower until the next day. Despite disobeying these strictures, though, our skin remains dewy, fresh and glowing. Whether that’s down to Dyno-Rod-ing our chakras is anyone’s guess; we’ll give them the benefit of the doubt.