Penrose Beauty Salon, 1a Penrose Street, Ringsend, is tucked away in the area off South Lotts Road. I was booked in to have a facial with Ying, the owner of the salon and was looking forward to a relaxing hour or two. The salon is nicely decorated with soft tone colours and as Ying is from China there is a subtle Chinese influence in the decor.

Ying dimmed the lights and set about preparing the scented oils for my facial. On her advice I chose the Skintruth Aromatic Facial (€58) concentrating on the nourishing treatment for dry skin. This facial includes a super relaxing face and upper neck and shoulder massage helping you relieve tensions and stress and lasts an hour.

Ying started with a deep cleanse to my face and neck. She then applied a herbal scented exfoliation treatment, breaking through layers of grime to skin that had not had any care in some time.

I could really feel this working and my skin felt tingly and soft. This was left on for 10 to 15 minutes as she inquired if I would like citrus, herb or floral aromatic oil blend for the mask. I chose the citrus. The bouquet of citrus filled the air and my mind alike as it soaked into my skin. She then began the massage, concentrating on the facial pressure points.

During the neck and shoulder massage, I chatted to Ying and learned that she moved from China to Ireland when she was 19. At this stage, she was unsure of exactly what career path she was going to embark on, but always had a love for the beauty world.

She studied full-time at Dun Laoghaire Beauty College for 2 years and worked in beauty salons part-time. Upon completion of her course, she worked full-time in top beauty salons in Dublin. It was during this time she met her Irish husband.

Ying worked on 5 star cruise ships as a beautician and as she unassumingly told me of the experience at sea, I almost felt transported to a luxury liner cruising the world seas.

When I got dressed I looked over the many Penrose Beauty treatments on offer, ranging from manicures, pedicures, body massage treatments and make-up applications. She also sells a lovely range of Chinese make-up with various jewellery items on offer.

The opening hours of Penrose Beauty Salon are very suitable to anybody working full time. It is close to the city and is open on Sunday. I really enjoyed my facial and will definitely book in for more treatments. I am guaranteed to have Ying to do the treatments, since she is the owner and works full-time in the salon. I found Ying very professional, articulate and knowledgeable and wish her all the best in her new venture.