Getting Some Spa Time

By Reine Gammo
[Beauty]
Want to have a spa experience, but not sure what to do?  Reine Gammo shares some of the things you can look forward to when scheduling some spa time.
With summer officially upon us, it’s time for some official pampering as well.  Where is the best place to get pampered?  A spa, of course!  We work hard all year round, so why not enjoy the fruits of our labour once in a while?  Summer is a season meant for relaxation and enjoyment of the precious few sunny days that we get with the cold Canadian weather.  It is also a season full of celebration and many special occasions.  Whether it is a wedding, a birthday, a convocation ceremony or just for the sake of it, it is always good to feel relaxed and look refreshed.  So here is a little guide of what to look for when you hit the spa for a little R&R.

Face

A facial is a sure way to lift up your spirits as well as making you look refreshed.  With the hot summer sun bearing down on your face all day, there is bound to be some damage.  It is important to keep it protected and, from time to time, pamper it a little to keep the damage minimal.  To know precisely what you should do to protect your face, skin experts at some spas can help you determine where there is most damage and what you need to do to reverse it.  At the recently opened Dove Spa in Toronto, for example, they offer a Personalized Facial by constructing a facial regimen specific to your skin’s needs.  Your skin is examined by a skin expert, who discusses the computerized test results with you and explains the facial that will be most beneficial to your skin.  Then you are led to a relaxing spa room where you can choose your own music and relax on a comfortable bed.  The expert will explain all the products that are being used to give your skin its best appearance and what you should do at home to keep it up.  To top it all off, your Personalized Facial comes with a special treat, which is your choice of a variety of extras like a scalp massage, a hand massage, a foot rub or a nail file and polish, among others.

Body

Obviously, a massage is always something you can get at a spa, and it is always something that can release some built-up tension, but getting a massage isn’t as simple as it sounds.  With so many different massages to choose from, you might need a massage just to release the tension built up from trying to choose one!  Why not try something new?  Like a mud wrap, for instance.  This is not just any mud; it’s Moor Mud.  According to a brochure given out at the Dove Spa, “The name ‘Moor’ means healing earth.  It is rich in botanicals, vitamins, minerals and natural antimicrobial substances that enable a holistic approach to preventing and combating many diseases and ailments, and provides a general feeling of well-being.”  This treatment will activate blood circulation and reduce the “orange peel” appearance of the skin, as well as having a slimming and toning effect.

Of course, if you still want to go for a massage, it is never a bad option.  Try a hot stone massage.  The stones will be bathed in warm water and anointed with fragrant oils so that the heat and the fragrance give you the ultimate relaxation experience.  Or you could try anything from a deep tissue massage to a scalp massage or even a couple’s massage.  Just make sure you actually get one before you drive yourself crazy trying to pick one.  They are all good!
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