Helen Boyle is already waiting as I walk up to the entrance of the mall where we agreed to meet. Even layered in nondescript winter gear and her face obscured by sunglasses, she still has an aura about her that makes her stand out, subtly. “Helen?” I ventured, even though I know it’s her. “Yes?” She responds to her name, and I hear the familiar voice I recall from our phone conversation, where I had to assure her that we were not going to spend too much time and effort to transform her into someone she isn’t through this “makeover”.
Before the Makeover
You see, Boyle is not someone who makes time for the pursuits of outer beauty and material things. At least, not for herself. As the founder of the Migrant Children Foundation (MCF), she has worked tirelessly for over a decade as a champion of children on the fringes of society. According to those who know her, she routinely puts the needs of others before her own. This explains why her last facial was over 8 years ago. She also has not been to a hair salon for a hair cut in the last few months, opting instead to cut her own hair at home!
It is her selflessness that inspired jingkids to invite Boyle to indulge a little and spend this morning getting a facial and hair cut at Mobe. Mobe is a huge hairdressing and beauty services brand in Beijing and China, mostly catering to the local Chinese crowd. But to both Boyle and myself, a facial is a facial and no further explanation is needed. Plus, having lived in China since 2008 and continuing to take Mandarin lessons, Boyle is no stranger to the local ways and culture. She surprises the team at Mobe when she replies to their questions in their mother tongue.
Mobe has many outlets throughout the capital, but the one that I have a connection to is inside Carrefour at Shuangjing, close to Hopson One. The manager of the store, 阿其，Master Aqi, is so dedicated to his customers that he has even come to work on his days off, just to suit my ever-changing schedule. His staff share his devotion to service, and many of them know me by name, even if they have never actually provided me with their service. I started at this salon with a cut and color about a year ago, and since then, not a month goes by without my paying a visit, either for a scalp treatment (which are a staple for me, especially in winter), hair cut, or a facial.
The facial service at this Mobe outlet is fairly new, only starting in June last year. They have dedicated VIP rooms for both individuals and couples, separate from the hair cutting section of the store. In here, the lighting is dim, and the room decorated with lush feathers and warm colors. The atmosphere invites you to relax while the therapist works her magic. The facial therapists incorporate TCM practices like jade rollers and lymphatic massage techniques into the facial routine, which work to improve skin from inside out. At the same time, the store is in sync with modern technology and have a robot assistant that analyses your skin, that is equipped with various tools to tackle different skin issues.
Boyle started with the facial, which gave her time to just lie still and do nothing. This in itself was a luxury for her. Too often these days, we forget the power of doing nothing. Or as parents and caregivers, we forget the power of doing something for ourselves. If you truly let go and sink into it, the hour of me-time can really transform your mental and emotional state. Now add in the cleansing of blackheads, a face massage, and perfume-free products that are light and easy on the skin, and you’ve got a physical transformation too.
After the facial treatment, Boyle went on to get a haircut from none other than the Master himself. Master Aqi had specially rushed back from the opening of yet another new Mobe outlet to ensure that his own hands would be the ones wielding the scissors to trim Boyle’s silver locks. Being a woman of no frills, Boyle had been insistent on a simple wash and cut. But even this basic request could be carried out with utmost consideration and care, which Boyle said Master Aqi showed. “He was easygoing and didn’t try to force his opinions on me, which some hair stylists do!” Quipped Boyle.
Boyle seemed much more carefree after the facial and hair cut, even if she didn’t look much different. Her step was lighter, and she smiled more readily for the camera. When asked if she would now do regular facials or return to the salon for hair cuts, she said agreeably, “I’m definitely going to put in more effort to have some Me time.”
Images: Uni You
This article appeared in the jingkids 2021 November-December issue
