Reviews

TEST-DRIVE Liv checks out the newest workouts and wellness trends

TREATMENT WORKOUT

Gel Manicure at Tinted. The Buzz: With distinctive designs and a superfresh colour range, we’ve been dying to try Tinted. (full stop included), a newish nail salon located in Causeway Bay. We test drive their Signature Gel Manicure in pursuit of some Insta-worthy nails. The Treatment: Inspired by art-forward nail bars in cities like Tokyo and Toronto, walking into Tinted. feels like entering a London hipster haunt. Soft pink walls, immaculate marble workspaces and an abundance of natural light make this space a cut above most others. We peruse the shades (mostly Japanese brands, as well as vegan-friendly Californian label NCLA) and opt for one of the seasonal specials, a tie-dye inspired ombre that feels cute for spring. Our manicurist Viyan tends to our dry AF cuticles (thanks, hand sanitiser), and buffs our nails out with great care. Shaping and building both the colour and gel up gradually, the treatment is thorough, meticulous and efficient. Afterwards, we’re treated to a hand massage and some homemade cuticle oil to forestall any future unsightly hangnails. The Verdict: Good enough for the ‘gram? And then some! This is one of the best manicures we’ve ever had, from a gentle touch on sensitive cuticles to Viyan’s masterful nail artistry. The two-hour long treatment might run long for some (a one-hour option is also available) but every minute is used wisely, and we’re left with an eye-catching mani that will last for weeks. The only downside is waiting that long to try out a new design… Cost: Gel Signature Manicure costs $580, reservations required. 5/F, 18-20 Pak Sha Rd., Causeway Bay, 6012-6444, hello@tintedhk.com.

SWEAT Fitness App The Buzz: As one of the OG fitness influencers, Kayla Itsines has over 12 million followers on Instagram alone. Her SWEAT app is one of the world’s most popular online fitness platforms, with a variety of workouts taught by a roster of internationally recognised female trainers. We try one of the newly added at-home programmes to see if we can work up a gym-like sweat from the comfort of our very own living room. The Class: We opt for the “FIERCE” programme from trainer Chontel Duncan, which consists of four full-body sessions each week. Each workout lasts no longer than 45 minutes, relying on quality of effort over quantity. The four days are split into four different styles of workout: strength, AMRAP (trainer lingo for “as many rounds as possible”), Tabata, and speed circuits. The entire programme lasts for sixteen weeks, with workouts gradually increasing in frequency, difficulty and intensity every week. The Verdict: At first glance, the workouts appear simple: four rounds of lunges, broad jumps and mountain climbers for the AMRAP session, for example. In reality? It’s an all-out sweat sesh which is deceptively challenging! Even those who consider themselves fairly fit should feel the burn after 45 minutes. Using body weight (and the odd kettlebell or skipping rope if you’ve got it), it’s actually possible to feel like you’ve just sweat it out at your fave fitness class - a must-try for anyone steering clear of sweaty gyms for the time being! Cost: US$20 per month, US$55 for three months, US$120 for one year. sweat.com

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