Spa Inc. Winter 2021-22

WINTER 2021-22

CANADA’S SPA CONNECTION

Sparkle and shine: SPA AWARDS RETURN TO HONOUR INDUSTRY LUMINARIES

A GOLD MEDAL MASSAGE STEEPED IN LIGHT AND ANCIENT WISDOMS

Eye-popping

NAIL TRENDS FOR 2022 SpaInc.ca Publications Mail NO. 40026342

$6

TIP TO TOE

treating the extremities

Kalahari Lumi-C Face Oil Refine radiance with our new fast-absorbing, Vitamin C-intensive Facial Oil that illuminates skin while delivering a balanced, silky finish. Infused with Organic Kalahari Melon Seed Oil and plant derived Lumiskin™, this intensive and superbly nourishing skin booster offers Vitamins A, C and E in a hydrating complex of Kukui, Argan, Almond and Sunflower Oil for a brilliant skin glow. All Yüm products are formulated in accordance with our “Philosophy of Purity”, a preference for naturally-derived, organic-source ingredients procured from ethical suppliers.

contents

spa news

in the know

6

24

features

science of the spa

7

26

New spas and global recovery on the horizon

Treating the extremities at L Spa

7

A gold medal massage steeped in light and ancient wisdoms

fresh & new Canadian Spa &

Products that keep your clients glowing this winter

Wellness Awards

28

Spa awards return to honour industry luminaries

spa star

10 Thank you to our sponsors:

24

Eye-popping nail trends for 2022

Lane Edwards, founder of Pura Botanicals

30

28

30 S pa I nc .c a

3

between us WINTER 2021-22

Transcending the ages, Canadian spas are here to stay

T

his past summer archeologists in England, unearthed a 2000-year-old pot of cream at the site of a Roman temple they think may have been used as part of a ritual or personal beauty regiment. The rare find included an ointment that the researchers described as “creamy.” It even had finger marks from the last person who used it two millennia ago. Beyond its archeological implications, the tiny jar serves as a poignant reminder of how timeless the aesthetics industry actually is.

Here in Canada, over the last twenty years spas have come into their own. The country currently has some 2,300 establishments, a far cry from the 150,000 spas dotted around the world. But despite their small numbers, Canadian spas and their partners are shining brightly, receiving top billing from global influencers like Relais et Chateaux, the World Spa Awards, Conde Nast and the Canadian Spa & Wellness Awards. Spa Inc. is proud to showcase the 2021 winners in this issue (page 10).

This winter, we delve into the extremities: the hands, feet, arms and legs and head. It’s something at which the experts at The L Spa and Wellness Centre (page 7) excel — judging by the popularity of their reflexology, advanced treatments for hands and feet and Indian head massage. At Spa Phiane in Quebec, we introduce you to a truly unique gold medal treatment that meshes ancient eastern knowledge with traditional massage. It heals through energy, augmented by a signature oil that is inspired by Buddhist monks from Laos (page 26).

In our spring issue, we look at the power of synchronicity – treatments and technologies that complement each other to deliver outstanding client results. And as always, we showcase the Canadian spa industry and the remarkable individuals that contribute to it.

Industry leaders like these infuse creativity, innovation and care into everything they do. From products to treatments, collectively they advance the industry on a global level. And, who knows, perhaps two thousand years Jana Manolakos from now someone will find another jar of cream, this time marked “Canada.”

MANAGING EDITOR

Check us out online @SpaIncMag

4 S p a Inc. | Winte r 2 02 1-2 2

Award Winner ISSN 1710 -1727 Volume 18, Number 4 Publisher Susan A. Browne sbrowne@dvtail.com Managing Editor Jana Manolakos Copy Editor Brooke Smith Contributors Abigail Cukier Colleen Nunes Senior Account Edith Dhillon Executive edith@SpaInc.ca 905.707.3525 Director Stephanie Wilson of Marketing swilson@dvtail.com Production Crystal Himes Manager chimes@dvtail.com Designer Wendy Schroder

Published four times a year by: Dovetail Communications Inc. President: Susan A. Browne Tel: 905.886.6640 Fax: 905.886.6615 Email: general@dvtail.com SUBSCRIPTIONS AND RETURNS 30 East Beaver Creek Rd, Suite 202 Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 1J2 PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40026342 Legal Deposit – National Library of Canada. All rights reserved.

No portion of this publication may be reproduced, in all or in part, without the written permission of the publisher. Dovetail Communications Inc. cannot be held responsible for any losses or other damages incurred by readers in reliance on information appearing in Spa Inc. Spa Inc. and Dovetail Communications Inc. do not assume any responsibility for the contents of any advertisement and any and all representations or warranties made in such advertising.

Spa Inc. will review unsolicited submissions (hard copy or digital texts, photos or illustrations) for editorial consideration but does not guarantee their publication. The submitted material may be used without consent or payment.

One-year subscription: Canada $25, U.S. $39. Single copies: $6.

Please add GST/HST where applicable. PRINTED IN CANADA Funded by the Government of Canada

Printed on paper with 10% post-consumer waste. This magazine is recyclable. Please recycle where facilities exist.

Mindfully made.

Naturally clean.

OUR CLEAN RANGE It’s hand and body care that’s naturally clean from the inside-out. clean by endota™ is packed with Australian native extracts, organic ingredients and free from toxins. Wrapped in 100% recycled and recyclable packaging, it’s skincare that’s not only kind to your skin, but the environment too.

Available in an endota spa near you and on www.endota.ca.

For wholesale inquiries please contact us at www.purestembeauty.com.

purestembeauty.com

spa news GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT After some delays, Groupe Nordik plans to open one of Canada’s largest spa and wellness properties, Thermëa Spa Village Whitby, in 2022. Originally slated for 2019, the project fell victim to pandemic-related slowdowns.

“With the price of materials skyrocketing and growing rarer by the day — along with our efforts to constantly ensure the health and safety of our crew — it’s hard to estimate the exact date the spa village will open,” explained company founder and president Martin Paquette in an update.

At this stage, the main building exterior is complete and an underground flotation pool, Källa, is set to be filled. The interiors of four saunas are complete, including an event sauna that can

hold up to 90 guests. Menus for the spa’s three restaurants have been set.

“We have started up some of our mechanical equipment, and our pools will be receiving their last touches in the coming weeks before winter sets in,” adds Paquette.

“We could have rushed to meet deadlines, but we decided to take the route of quality — a longer road but such a satisfying destination. As soon as a clear window is confirmed, we’ll share the good news.”

He says Thermëa Spa Village will go live with an online booking platform five weeks before the facility opens. Guests who purchased gift certificates expecting the spa to open sooner are eligible for reimbursement.

EXCITING NEW SPA SET TO OPEN IN ATLANTIC CANADA Owned by Murphy Investments, Mysa Nordic Spa and Resort is on its way to opening next spring, if all goes to plan. Located amid 18 acres along the picturesque shores of St. Peters Bay, P.E.I., the destination property will include a range of spa and relaxation services, says owner Isaac Murphy. “[The spa will offer] massage therapy in three treatment rooms set in our 6,500-sq.-ft. lodge, which includes a lobby, café, relaxation spaces, brick fireplaces, and change rooms,” explains Murphy.

Seventeen water-view cottages, each with its own fireplace, will offer year-round accommodations for guests who will also be able to enjoy top-tier food and beverage services.

The Canadian government is contributing $500,000 in repayable funds to the project to help renovate and expand the existing inn and add wellness services such as Scandinavian hot baths and pool with a waterfall, Finnish sauna, steam rooms, cold-water plunges, outdoor fireplaces, meditation, and massage therapy sessions. For the more adventurous water enthusiasts, there will be a cold dunk area in St. Peters Bay. Multiple outdoor relaxation areas highlight the serene coastal views.

Murphy says the company plans to add 11 more cottages and more hot baths and relaxation areas in the next five to 10 years.

The project is expected to bring 30 new jobs to the area and boost the local tourist economy. Murphy Investments owns a number of restaurants in Atlantic Canada, two boutique hotels in Charlottetown, and the Prince Edward Island Brewing Company.

6 S p a Inc. | Winte r 2 02 1-2 2

Global spa industry shows signs of recovery There may be a little good news on the horizon for the global spa industry as spas begin to stabilize from earlier pandemic waves, according to a study conducted by Mordor Intelligence. After revenues dropped sharply in 2020 — brought on by travel restrictions and lockdowns — the market research consultant expects industry revenues to grow by 4% between now and 2026, led by revenue leaps in markets in Asia-Pacific, which is home to the world’s largest number of spas.

A driver for this growth is consumer interest in health and wellness. Moreover, growing mental health problems — such as depression, anxiety, and stress — are driving the demand for spa services such as facials, body scrubs, steam baths, waxing, nail care, and massage.

Massage has grown in popularity for its ability to improve well-being at an affordable price. Body and foot reflexology and head and back massages have also proven to relieve pain or stress from a specific body part, and promote healthy outcomes. Tiredness being a factor, people prefer to have services that help them rejuvenate and relax so they can continue to remain fit and healthy.

feature

TREATING THE EXTREMITIES AT L SPA

BY COLLEEN NUNES

B

eautiful stained-glass doors welcome you to one of Northern Alberta’s premier spas and wellness centres.

Since opening its doors in Grande Prairie in the winter of 2007, The L Spa and Wellness Centre has grown from year to year, becoming one of Canada’s top-ranking spas with numerous awards and accolades.

Each detail of L Spa was carefully designed to encourage energy flow by incorporating the elements of fire, water, air, and earth. Elegant winding hallways lead spa guests to a tranquil setting where a sense-stimulating journey awaits. The beautiful design, paired with an exceptional team, has made this one of the region’s most sought-after escape havens.

In 2009, L Spa was the first to introduce a membership program to Grande Prairie. The response was overwhelming, and since its initial launch, the spa has built on the success of this program.

Always striving to exceed guest expectations, L Spa rejected the cookie-cutter spa concept and broke the mould by offering innovative therapies. This approach is what has offered success during turbulent times and continues to show L Spa’s passion, resilience, and commitment to the wellness industry to this day.

The spa was one of the first to become a member of Leading Spas of Canada, and to participate in its Quality Assurance Assessment program. The spa successfully completed the rigorous assessment and S p a I nc .c a

7

feature

From day one, L Spa has aligned itself with like-minded anchor suppliers that do not test products on animals, and that are committed to reducing their carbon footprint in packaging and shipping.

8 S p a Inc. | Winte r 2 02 1-2 2

has since been in good standing with this organization, offering patrons peace of mind that this is a company that exceeds industry standards to deliver exceptional service. The spa prides itself on having a qualified team of professionals, adding only new staff members who have received the training and qualifications required to uphold the high level of service and excellence L Spa has come to be known for.

The driving force behind their continued business success is a team of passionate professionals who support the vision and mission. The centre strives to inspire spa junkies of all ages to devote time to relaxation, rejuvenation, holistic healing, and a healthier lifestyle. Staff feel strongly about their community, women, youth, and education, and the spa supports numerous organizations locally and internationally on an ongoing basis.

High-quality skincare lines — Luzern Laboratories, Comfort Zone, Jane Iredale, Aromatherapy Associates, Eminence Organic Skin Care, and more — carried by the spa offer a multitude of corrective solutions. L Spa

team members regularly receive training on each of the aforementioned lines to serve guests to the best of their abilities. The staff ’s knowledge and continuing education distinguishes them from local competitors and instills confidence in their guests.

From day one, L Spa has aligned itself with like-minded anchor suppliers that do not test products on animals, and that are committed to reducing their carbon footprint in packaging and shipping. L Spa is a qualified Eminence Green Spa, showing its commitment to environmental sustainability.

As a full-service day spa — in conjunction with a range of spa packages — guests can indulge in beautiful body rituals, tranquil massage therapies, tailored facials, infrared sauna sessions, facial and body contouring, and hand and foot therapies.

All spa guests are encouraged to come early and stay late by unwinding in L Spa’s Tranquility Lounge. Here they can relax, recline, and allow the ambient setting to provide soul-nurturing restoration. Raindrop shower sessions, paired with steam, allow spa guests to settle into their comfort zones and may be enjoyed, complimentary, pre- or post-therapy.

The spa provides clients with “Hush Pins,” which, when pinned to a robe, make spa patrons and therapists aware that the spa guest would like to enjoy a silent experience.

Colleen Nunes is an internationally qualified ITEC & CIDESCO Aesthetician and Spa Therapist, and the Manager of The L Spa and Wellness Centre in Grande Prairie, Alta. Passionate about her career, Colleen has trained extensively in complementary therapies ranging from Spa Therapies, Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Indian Head Massage, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Hot Stone Massage, and more. www.lspa.ca

feature

One western spa shares its top 10 treatments for hand, head and foot AT L SPA in northern Alberta, which sees 5500 clients in an average year, they know a thing or two about treating the furthest points of the human body. Services and programs that care for the extremities — hands, arms, legs, and head — are among the more popular ones at the spa.

Urban Man Sports Hand Treatment Take a Break Package

Designed to help clients unwind and find their centre, this service relieves stress from the body as infrared rays gently warm tense muscles and release an abundance of mood-enhancing hormones.

Clients can enjoy a refreshing steam shower before wrapping themselves in a plush robe, followed by quiet relaxation in one of the spa’s state-of-the-art pedicure massage chairs while therapists treat tired, achy feet and hydrate hands.

Go Toe-Gether Pedicure

Building on a market segment of women visiting spas with friends, the Go ToeGether Pedicure encourages togetherness.

While in the company of each other, clients and their friends can ground themselves by immersing feet in the spa’s whirlpool foot soaker tubs and restore their tired feet as their soles are pampered.

RF Hand Treatment

TriPollar Radio Frequency Therapies offered at the spa help reverse and delay the signs of aging. Clinically proven to tighten, leaving skin looking firmer and younger, this non-invasive procedure offers immediate visible results from the very first session. By tightening collagen fibres and naturally stimulating fibroblast production, hands will appear smoother and denser after a series of treatments.

Designed to enhance the appearance and feel of the urban man’s hands, this treatment revitalizes dry, rough hands with a hydrating hand cleanse, nourishing nail and cuticle care, deep exfoliation, and an intensive hand envelopment.

Urban Man Sports Foot Treatment

Male clients can revitalize their rough, dry feet with a soak in the spa’s jetted foot bath. Cuticles are cared for and nails shaped and buffed before a deep exfoliation renews the feet. A lower leg and foot massage induces relaxation followed with a moisturizing foot envelopment.

The Advanced Foot Therapy

In this treatment, “medi” meets “pedi” with a master pedicurist trained by the North American School of Podology in tending to nail and skin disorders of the feet. This therapy is ideal for diabetics and those with geriatric feet or with specific concerns such as plantar fasciitis, corns, and athlete’s foot.

Myofascial Cupping

Clients benefit from this advanced therapy that targets the musculoskeletal system, including the feet, through the placement of plastic cups and the incorporation of vacuum suction. Circulation is increased, fluid accumulation is reduced, localized swelling is reduced, and congestion is broken up and expelled. This therapy is ideal for sports injuries, muscle strains, sprains, and plantar fasciitis.

Reflexology Reflexology

uses the feet as a map of the whole body, head to toe. Body balance is achieved by manipulating and applying pressure to various zones on the feet. Reflexology helps the body, systems, and organs work more efficiently, thus speeding up the natural healing process.

Indian Head Massage

A holistic tradition from the East, Indian Head Massage calms the mind and relaxes the body. This unique scalp massage has numerous benefits, including relaxation, headache and stress relief, and the promotion of hair strength and growth.

Find your centre, realign your energy, and achieve optimal balance.

Targeted Wellness Massage

The spa offers customized stress reduction massages. Clients tell therapists where they’re experiencing stress, strain, tightness, or pain, and therapists provide targeted relief.

S p a I nc .c a

9

Canadian Spa & Wellness Awards

Sparkle SHINE

10 S pa Inc. | Winte r 2 02 1-2 2

Canadian Spa & Wellness Awards

SPA AWARDS RETURN TO HONOUR INDUSTRY LUMINARIES

T

he return this year of the prestigious Canadian Spa & Wellness Awards program — and its newest category, the Pillar of the Community Award — was a sure sign that Canada’s aesthetics industry is bouncing back, stronger and better than ever.

Showing resiliency despite crippling shutdowns in 2020, the industry saw a record number of spas and related businesses enter the competition, making the job of deciding a winner that much harder for judges. To pick out the brightest sparklers in a field of glittering participants meant judges had to carefully sift through applications, seeking those that truly stood out. And, looking at the list of this year’s winners, the judges got it right.

S p a I nc .c a

11

Canadian Spa & Wellness Awards

Winners that wowed!

TOP DESTINATION SPA

STE. ANNE’S SPA

Ste. Anne’s Spa

GRAFTON, ONT. www.steannes.com

E

mbodying the essence of the perfect destination for rejuvenation and relaxation, Ste. Anne’s Spa in Northumberland County evokes a dreamlike feeling in its clients. Romantic gardens surround the fieldstone buildings, set in a bucolic landscape. Locally sourced foods, sumptuously appointed overnight accommodations, and a range of luxury treatments and services create the perfect trifecta for an unparalleled luxury escape.

What wowed the judges:

“Ste. Anne’s Spa ticks all the boxes of what a destination spa should be: a comprehensive wellness experience. With a full range of spa treatments and wellness classes, farm-to-table cuisine, outdoor activities from hiking to snowshoeing, retail product offerings to take home, and accommodation from cottage to inn style, you never need to leave the resort.”

TOP NEW SPA

GUERLAIN SPA AT HOTEL X TORONTO TORONTO, ONT. www.guerlainspatoronto.com

O

pening its doors just before the pandemic, Guerlain Spa at Hotel X Toronto offers a new kind of luxury, an urban oasis featuring bespoke treatments and customized aromas for clients to enjoy. As Canada’s first Guerlain spa, it features signature products for facials, massages, and body treatments provided by highly trained and knowledgeable staff. The spa has 10 treatment rooms with gorgeous pre- and post-stay relaxation rooms and spectacular views overlooking Lake Ontario.

What wowed the judges:

“Attentive service and personalized spa experience highlight this spa’s best attributes. It utilizes the specialized Guerlain spa treatment techniques that have won raves around the world.

The boutique upscale spa exemplifies customer service.”

Guerlain Spa at Hotel X Toronto

12 S pa Inc. | Winte r 2 02 1-2 2

Canadian Spa & Wellness Awards

TOP MEDI-SPA

VICTORIA PARK MEDISPA MONTREAL, QUE. www.vicpark.com

T

here are three brand promises Victoria Park Medispa lives by: the expertise of its staff, its wide selection of treatments, and its promise of a five-star experience for all its guests. From skin rejuvenation and body contouring, to skin pigmentation and acne remedies, treatments are carefully supervised by a team of board-certified cosmetic surgeons and aesthetic dermatologists.

What wowed the judges:

“Victoria Park Medispa is known for its leading-edge skincare, muscle toning, and fat-burning treatments. It encourages its clients to be informed of the latest developments and has its own YouTube channels educating consumers on treatments and different ways to combat aging, weight issues, and other body and skincare issues.”

Victoria Park Medispa

TOP DAY SPA

SCANDINAVE SPA BLUE MOUNTAIN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS, ONT. www.scandinave.com/en/bluemountain

T

wo hours from Toronto, Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain — embraced by the tree-lined shores of Georgian Bay — evokes serenity through nature. It’s a unique outdoor Scandinavian hydrotherapy circuit complemented by massage services for sublime relaxation. Guests can awaken their senses through guided forest bathing along one of only two certified trails in Canada.

What wowed the judges:

Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain

“Combines forest bathing, thermal pools, eucalyptus steam room, and saunas in its extensive indoor/outdoor complex where visitors can enjoy a full day of relaxation and therapeutic treatments. Silence is golden here.”

S pa I nc .c a

15

T H E G O L D S TA N D A R D I N M I C R O N E E D L I N G

CALMING CELL ACTIVATION & RENEWAL

Distributed in Canada by DermaSpark Products Inc. | 1-866-237-0849 | www.DermaSpark.com

Canadian Spafeature & Wellness Awards

TOP HYDRO SPA

PACIFIC MIST HYDROPATH AT THE KINGFISHER OCEANSIDE RESORT & SPA COURTENAY, B.C. www.kingfisherspa.com/spa-hydropath

P

acific Mist Spa’s Hydropath is an experience unlike any other. With massage pools, waterfalls, and a river walk to soak in, the benefits of the hydropath include remineralization, detoxification, and relaxation. The experience is complemented by an outdoor heated pool, hot tub, infrared sauna, and steam cave.

What wowed the judges: “The star attraction at Pacific Mist Spa Pacific Mist Hydropath at the Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa

is the innovative and restorative hydropath. Clients journey along eight areas featuring the healing power of water. Waterfalls, caves, river walk, and other water elements make this a most extraordinary wellness experience.”

TOP HOTEL SPA

TOP HOTEL SPA

CHI, THE SPA AT SHANGRI-LA

PACIFIC MIST HYDROPATH AT THE KINGFISHER OCEANSIDE RESORT & SPA

VANCOUVER, B.C. www.shangri-la.com/vancouver/ shangrila/health-leisure/chi-the-spa

COURTENAY, B.C. www.kingfisherspa.com/spa-hydropath

S

ometimes it’s hard to pick a clear winner. That was the case with these two properties: CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La and Pacific Mist Spa at the Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa — both exemplary spas that simply shine. As the name implies, CHI is a locus for life force and energy, a source of luxury treatments that begin with a signature foot bath and tea service for each guest.

At Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa, the Pacific Mist Spa & Hydropath has carved out a unique niche along the coastal landscape where guests follow a path of hydrotherapy rejuvenation.

What wowed the judges:

“Enjoy the luxury of your own spa treatment suite each with its own fireplace at CHI. It sets the stage for a truly blissful spa experience without leaving your suite. At Pacific Mist, a hydrotherapy voyage winds through Mother Nature’s most precious resource — water — as you navigate sandstone caves, waterfalls, and river walks.”

CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La

18 S pa Inc. | Winte r 2 02 1-2 2

NUTRIDERMOLOGIE®: a science created in 1936 by Madame Baché, which studies natural nutrients and their beneficial effects on beauty.

With the premium superfoods of NUTRIDERMOLOGIE®, you naturally take care of yourself.

NUTRIDERMOLOGIE® Everyday Face & Body skincare products

NUTRIDERMOLOGIE® LAB Magistral Face & Body solutions for persistent skin concerns

EllaBacheCanada

EllaBacheCanada

All the details on our studies and evaluations are available on the page of each product on www.ellabache.ca

1-

EllaBache.ca

1 800 523-1728

Canadian Spa & Wellness Awards

EDUCATION AWARD

EDUCATION AWARD

DERMAL SYSTEMS INC.

BY RENÉ SERBON

EUROPEAN INSTITUTE OF ESTHETICS

PENTICTON, B.C. www.dermalsystems.com

EDMONTON, ALTA. www.eietrainingcentre.ca

R

ené Serbon, who serves on the Education Commission for the Board of the International Association for Applied Corneotherapy, is an international skin expert with education in business, aesthetics, and electrolysis. She also has post-graduate training in Laser, IPL, and the Pastiche Method of Advanced Skin Analysis.

Dermal Systems Inc. by René Serbon

European Institute of Esthetics

Meanwhile, the European Institute of Esthetics Training Centre in Alberta, cultivates exceptional customer service for its students. Its educators are dedicated to upgrading themselves with the latest knowledge and hands-on experiences.

What wowed the judges: “Passion and a desire to learn and discover the latest advances in skincare analysis

defines René Serbon and why she is sought by spas and skincare companies around the world. The European Institute of Esthetics provides exceptional theoretical and practical training in skincare.”

Beauty Through Balance

by Ancient Secrets Inc.

TOP SPA PARTNER

BEAUTY THROUGH BALANCE

BY ANCIENT SECRETS INC. VANCOUVER, B.C. www.beautythroughbalance.ca

F

rom the depths of the Pacific Ocean to the rainforest of the Amazon, Beauty Through Balance harvests precious ingredients in a way that protects the environment where they’re found. These ingredients are hand selected for their holistic healing and skincare benefits, and many have been used for centuries for their remarkable restorative abilities.

The company then transforms the raw ingredients into a form that maintains the nutritional value of the ingredient and works with other actives in the formula and with the skin’s biochemistry for best results.

What wowed the judges: “Ancient Secrets isn’t just about producing a skincare

product line but embracing both sound environmental harvesting techniques and supporting the local Indigenous communities and other non-profit organizations.”

S pa I nc .c a

21

Canadian Spa & Wellness Awards

CONSUMER’S CHOICE AWARD

VICTORIA PARK MEDISPA MONTREAL, QUE. www.vicpark.com

V

ictoria Park Medispa offers a wide range of treatments for skin rejuvenation, acne reduction, skin perfection, and body contouring, as well as extensive aesthetic injectable treatments performed by medical specialists. With over 20 years of services, Victoria Park Medispa is recognized as a trailblazer in medical aesthetics, being the first to use Cellfina technology, Cool Sculpting technology, LumiCleanse, Exilis Ultra, and PicoWay tattoo removal with three specialized wavelengths.

What wowed the judges: “[We think the consumers were on point with their choice.] Victoria Park has been a go-to medical spa for its commitment to employ highly trained professionals in its clinic and feature safe and sound medical spa practices to deliver effective treatments to its clients.”

Victoria Park Medispa

NEW! PILLAR OF THE COMMUNITY AWARD

SKINPROVEMENT MEDI SPA & LASER CLINIC VAUGHAN, ONT. www.skinprovement.ca

S

kinprovement Medi Spa & Laser Clinic in Vaughan, Ont., believes in giving back to the community. That’s why clinic founder Ashley Perri pledged $150,000 to the newly constructed Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital. She also introduced and fully funds the “Brows for the Brave” Program, which gives free microbladed eyebrows to those suffering from cancer and other illnesses. During the initial pandemic shutdown, she began a social media fundraising campaign for the hospital and its COVID relief fund, donating $5 to everyone who posted a selfie with a skincare face mask to her site. Among many other charitable initiatives is a virtual spa fundraiser she launched for Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter.

Skinprovement Medi Spa & Laser Clinic

What wowed the judges: “Skinprovement — despite its own financial and business struggles during the pandemic — contributed materials, labour, marketing support, and financial donations to many individuals, companies, and organizations in its community.

Skinprovement embodies the best values of how a company can make a valuable contribution to the community where everyone wins.”

Honourable Mentions LE MONASTÈRE DES AUGUSTINES QUEBEC CITY, QUE. www.monastere.ca

22 S p a Inc. | Winte r 2 02 1-2 2

TEN SPA

THE BEAUTY BARN SPA

WINNIPEG, MAN. www.tenspa.ca

BRANTFORD, ONT. https://thebeautybarnspa.com

Canadian Spa & Wellness Awards

Top 25 Spas In Canada ACHIEVE WELLNESS SPA

MIRAJ HAMMAM SPA

FORT MCMURRARY, AB www.achievewellnessspa.com

TORONTO, ONT. www.mirajhammamtoronto.com

ANCIENT CEDARS SPA

PACIFIC MIST SPA AT THE KINGFISHER OCEANSIDE RESORT & SPA

TOFINO, B.C. www.wickinn.com/ancient-cedars-spa

BALNEA SPA + RÉSERVE THERMALE

COURTENAY, B.C. www.kingfisherspa.com/spa-hydropath

BROMONT, QUÉ. www.balnea.ca/en

SCANDINAVE SPA BLUE MOUNTAIN

BODY BLITZ SPA - EAST

THE BLUE MOUNTAINS, ONT. www.scandinave.com/en/bluemountain

TORONTO, ONT. https://bodyblitzspa.com/bbs

BOTA BOTA, SPA-SUR-L’EAU

SPA EASTMAN EASTMAN, QUÉ. www.spa-eastman.com/en

MONTREAL, QUÉ. www.botabota.ca/en

SPA MY BLEND BY CLARINS AT THE RITZ-CARLTON, TORONTO

CHI, THE SPA AT SHANGRI-LA

TORONTO, ONT. www.spamyblendtoronto.com

VANCOUVER, B.C. www.shangri-la.com/vancouver/ shangrila/health-leisure/chi-the-spa

SPA WILLIAM GRAY MONTREAL, QUÉ.

DOL-ÀS SPA

STE. ANNE’S SPA

FOX HARBOUR, N.S. https://www.foxharbr.com/spa

ELMWOOD SPA TORONTO, ONT. www.elmwoodspa.com

GLOW MEDI SPA TORONTO, ONT. www.glowmedispa.ca

GUERLAIN SPA AT HOTEL X TORONTO TORONTO, ONT. www.guerlainspatoronto.com

HAMMAM SPA BY CÉLA TORONTO, ONT. www.hammamspa.ca

IWA SPA THE BLUE MOUNTAINS, ONT. www.iwaspa.ca

LA SOURCE BAINS NORDIQUES RAWDON, QUÉ. www.lasourcespa.com

www.spawilliamgray.com GRAFTON, ONT. www.steannes.com

THE ELORA MILL SPA ELORA, ONT. https://eloramill.ca/explore-our-spa/ spa-treatments

THE GROTTO SPA AT TIGH-NA-MARA PARKSVILLE, B.C. www.tigh-na-mara.com/grotto-spa

THE SPA AT LANGDON HALL CAMBRIDGE, ONT. www.langdonhall.ca/spa-services

THE SPA AT NITA LAKE LODGE WHISTLER, B.C. www.nitalakelodge.com/spa

WILLOW STREAM SPA AT THE FAIRMONT BANFF SPRINGS BANFF, ALTA. www.fairmont.com/banff-springs/ willow-stream

S pa I nc .c a

23

in the know

EYE-POPPING

NAIL TRENDS for 2022

BY JANA MANOLAKOS

F

rom the runways of New York Fashion Week to spa mani-pedi stations across Canada, fingertips and tippy toes are reaching statement-piece status.

While protecting important nerve endings in the body, these cuticular canvases have reached new heights in artistic expression, inspiring global competitions for nail artists where hyper-creativity transcends haute couture to deliver avant-garde creations — and it’s breathing new life into traditional nail trends.

Let’s start with colour. The Pantone Colour Institute — a foremost authority on all things colour in fashion and design — suggests that popular hues for 2022 will reflect consumer responses to the pandemic with shades that are calm, comforting, free-spirited, and optimistic. According to its 2022 colour report, colour choices for next spring and summer will “express a sense of duality with apparent opposites coming together in solid and tonal statements as well as more radical color contrasts.”

Blues and greens, warming terracotta shades, dynamic reds, and sunny yellows are top contenders in 2022, along with more classic pastels and neutrals. Among these, blue sits at the head of the pack: deep sea marines for winter and sky blue and bright peacock teal for spring and summer.

Meanwhile, the classics aren’t going away, according to Nadine Martyniuk, marketing director of Aevi Spa Salons in Winnipeg. Soft pinks and naturals and muted French manicures are still in demand. But there’s a twist.

Colour technicians at the spa are seeing more requests for metallic French manicures in all sorts of colour combinations, including black. “The French mani, in all combos, will be big — whether it’s traditional, abstract, super thin, or chunky. We’ll see the French with a neutral base, but all colour combos and a hint of sparkle at the tips,” explains Martyniuk.

From a single delicate gold line to full-throttle chain designs and chrome tips, embellishments have ramped up nail design to the level of jewellery. Gold foil flakes and transfers, sparkly crystals, rhinestones, and silver and gold metallic graphics that run along the base and tip create eye-popping designs.

Mismatched nails continue from 2021, with endless options and combinations. Martyniuk says Aevi’s nail technicians expect to see more demand for multi-coloured, mismatched nails with a neutral base coat and different colours, designs, or patterns on each nail, including swirls, dots, swooshes, and fine lines. They expect that top nail shapes in 2022 will include long ovals, modified coffins, short squovals (square ovals), medium-length almond shapes, and dramatically pointy nails.

24 S p a Inc. | Winte r 2 02 1-2 2

FRENCH MANICURES WITH A TWIST

in the know

WARMING TERRACOTTA SHADES

MULTICOLOURED WITH ENDLESS OPTIONS

CALM AND COMFORTING

SUNNY YELLOWS & DYNAMIC REDS

DELICATE GOLD LINES

DEEP SEA MARINES

science of the spa

A gold medal massage steeped in light and ancient wisdoms

BY JANA MANOLAKOS

Y

ou would never expect that a humble home located on a quiet residential street, just outside of Montréal, houses a powerful energy vortex where ancient eastern and modern western wellness practices converge for the treatment of spa clients. But that is exactly what Spa Phiane is all about.

Since emerging 20 years ago as one of the first spas in the Montréal area, the clinic’s ethereal way of treating clients has earned it a reputation among Québec’s elite as a place to relax, re-energize, and rejuvenate through a unique series of treatments created by founder Phiane Duquet. It’s an innovative technique that won her gold at the 2021 International Massage Association massage championships.

Duquet and her family fled war-torn Laos in 1977 when she was just ten years old, moving first to Thailand and then to France. It was part of a massive wave of refugees who embarked under treacherous conditions to escape the communist

26 S pa Inc. | Win te r 2 02 1-2 2

regime. “When you are young, it’s like an adventure,” she recalls, adding that her grandmother made it seem like a game. “It wasn’t until later that I understood that it was terrible. Today, all my work is based on her wisdom and ancestral care.”

Duquet studied a range of massage and aesthetic techniques from around the world, taking courses in France, Germany, Thailand, the U.S., Canada, and Switzerland.

“But, at the end, if there’s no soul in your treatments, it’s empty,” she explains.

IT’S AN ART FORM, AN ANCIENT DANCE

For her, that “soul” comes in the form of a unique massage blended with traditional dance and meditation. “The human being is a most precious work of art, made of body and soul, which is the essence of a person’s inner light and beauty. The massage heals that essence, not only the appearance and symptoms.” She trademarked her unique brand of massage l’œuvre de beauté (the beauty work of art).

To watch Duquet at work is akin to watching exotic temple dancers gracefully move through veils of energy.

There is a tremendous elegance, rhythm, and flow to her body as she massages, with an emphasis on gently turning her arms, wrists, and fingers in a way that allows energy to flow between her and her client.

“It’s really an art. It’s a dance.” Her rhythmic gestures elicit a meditative state for both the practitioner and the client, which — together with massage — eliminate negative energies and prepare the body for lymphatic drainage. “It’s like a detox. You take care of the body, the skin, everything, and also you help them rise spiritually.” She says her gestures infuse the skin with chi, or vital energy.

She personalizes treatments that respond to how the client is feeling. In all cases, the treatment begins with education and meditation to clear the mind and open it up to receiving the therapy.

science of the spa

TRADITIONAL EASTERN ENERGY HEALING METHODS

Duquet’s treatments incorporate Taoist healing and Kintsugi energy methods.

Taoist healing originated in China and emphasizes living in harmony with a universal energy source. In Japan, Kintsugi is a philosophy that celebrates imperfection. “It sublimates beauty by emphasizing flaws and breakages with gold or light. There’s a spiritual character in this art,” she explains.

“I went to Switzerland to take a course with Master Mantak Chia, the founder of the Universal Healing Tao System.”

Through a series of ancient Chinese meditative and internal energy exercises, she learned to increase physical energy, release tension, improve health, and gain the ability to heal.

As Canada’s only recognized instructor in Japanese traditional Kobido massage, Duquet is one of five around the world.

Kobido is a non-invasive facial lifting and contouring technique that raises cheekbones and drains excess liquid, leaving a more youthful appearance. It includes the use of semi-precious stones.

“The techniques were made for the Empress of Japan, using gold and gems like amethyst. Each stone has a signature

vibration for different purposes, depending on the client’s needs.”

Principles of yin and yang factor prominently in her techniques. For example, Duquet says that to reduce inflammation — which, according to eastern practices, is a sign of excessive heat in a part of the body — practitioners apply yin-based techniques that spread and push out the inflammation.

Alternatively, when there’s a lack of energy, yang-based techniques help to reignite it.

All treatments are amplified by the spa’s signature sacred oil — a secret blend of frankincense, myrrh, and benzoin — inspired by an ancient formula from Laotian Buddhist monks. The blend took Duquet three years to perfect.

Much of her inspiration comes from her grandfather, a Kung Fu master, who taught her the principles of acupuncture and reflexology, including anatomy, the meridians, and points on the soles of the feet that release energy flows throughout the body. “He encouraged me to explore different forms, to find unicity. That’s why I learned 16 techniques, all of which have helped me to develop my art.”

Among 200 loyal clients who regularly seek out Duquet’s treatment is Québec’s

“The techniques were made for the Empress of Japan, using gold and gems like amethyst.”

Minister of Health. Early on during the COVID pandemic, massage therapists were forced to close their doors because Québec did not consider them an essential service.

Unfazed, Duquet approached the minister and proposed that if she won in the world massage championships, the government should include therapists on the list of essential services.

She spent a year honing her skills before entering the competition this past January.

“My grandmother used to teach us the Laotian dance. It’s really a form of meditation, using yin-yang energy. So, I put these movements and gestures into my massage, and I won the gold medal with that,” she recalls.

Early in 2021, the Québec government announced that massage therapists, including those who work in a spa, can continue their professional activities, in spite of stricter measures aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19.

When it comes to embracing Chinese traditional medicine, Duquet believes Canadians are lagging. She explains that in France, acupuncture is already part of a physician’s practice and is taught in universities. “The big challenge is to get people ready to embrace this knowledge.

That’s why I became a World Wellness Weekend ambassador, to bring people together.”

For now, she plans to compete in next year’s world massage championships and is working on a new technique that uses chopsticks.

“What I want to do is show that ordinary tools can offer extraordinary results.”

She is busy planning the first Canadian massage championship in Montréal next year, to showcase massage therapy worldwide.

S pa I nc .c a

27

fresh & new

ZORAH BIOCOSMÉTIQUES

Thermal protection winter cream

Yepa protects and nourishes skin during outdoor activities. In addition to shielding against harsh winter conditions, this cream also prevents dehydration, chapped skin, and burns caused by cold.

Rich in argan oil and unsaturated fatty acids, Yepa was formulated to help sensitive skin face Canadian winters.

BELLA SCHNEIDER BEAUTY

BSB CULMINÉ Beauty Globes + De-Puff Smoothing Eye Serum

This serum dramatically reduces the appearance of dark circles, puffy eyes, and wrinkles. It combats inflammation and boosts collagen, and potent hexapeptides relax expression lines and restore elasticity. It’s formulated from licorice root, seaweed, and hyaluronic acid.

DECLÉOR

White Magnolia Mature Skin Hand & Nail Cream

TUNEOUT

Warming Mineral Eye Rescue

TuneOut Warming Mineral Eye Rescue is an eye mask that helps relieve digital screen time stress. New to Canada and made from an ancient Japanese mineral recipe — including iron, activated carbon, and minerals — each individually sealed mask produces up to 15 minutes of heat and moisture to ease, hydrate, and soothe tired eyes.

28 S p a Inc. | Winte r 2 02 1-2 2

JK GROUP

Wellsystem Spa Complete

JK Group has introduced a new touchless holistic relaxation bed to stimulate the senses. Warm water jets hit the underside of the soft natural rubber surface in even movements, massaging the body from head to toe while the client floats, almost weightlessly, on the dry water surface.

Simultaneously, the hood introduces colours, aromatic scents, and relaxing sounds.

The Mature Skin Hand & Nail Cream from Decléor is enriched with magnolia essential oil and shea butter to nourish, repair, and protect the whole hand, including nails. The non-sticky, non-greasy creamy texture quickly absorbs into the skin leaving hands more luminous and skin nourished and smooth.

fresh & new

GRAYDON NAYELLE

Fall-Winter 5 Step Skin Kit

In cold, dry, and harsh weather, the 5 Step Skin Kit nourishes and protects skin. The kit comes with Glow Face Oil, with five luxury oils; Rejuvenate AntiAging Night Cream, with probiotics; Revitalizing Probiotic Serum, with 5% anti-wrinkle niacinamide and sea kelp; TripleHydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum; and Cleanse Face Wash.

Bamboo Charcoal Sponge

A konjac sponge for sensitive skin offered by Graydon is gentle yet effective in providing the perfect texture to remove dirt and grime from your face. It also doubles as a “beauty blender.” Made with 100% biodegradable konjac plant fibre and bamboo charcoal, this sponge detoxifies pores, smooths skin, and thoroughly cleanses the face.

ENDOTA

Deep Hydration Moisturiser

This bestselling Australian-made face moisturiser, now available in Canada, is enriched with a super-hydrating blend of clean, organic oils. With a formula that’s free from anything but the purest ingredients, it comes in a clean, green package of recycled resin with an airless pump that keeps the product fresh for a longer shelf life.

ACADÉMIE SCIENTIFIQUE DE BEAUTÉ

3D Lip Perfector

With its concentration in hyaluronic acid microspheres, the contour redefining Lip 3D Perfector visibly plumps up lips and keeps them smooth and nourished. It can be applied directly through the nozzle tube or with fingertips any time of day — alone or under lipstick.

It can also be used to enhance nail contours.

S WÁLWEN BOTANICALS

Ceremony Series Seaweed + Mint Bath Soak

To Indigenous coastal peoples, giving the gift of seaweed during a ceremony is a way to show respect. In this rejuvenating bath soak by S wálwen Botanicals, wild mint pairs with seaweed to cool, brighten, and refresh the skin. Himalayan, Epsom, and Dead Sea salts combine to relax your body and soothe your spirit. Best of all, 10% of sales support the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre in Vancouver.

S pa I nc .c a

29

spa star

Lane Edwards FOUNDER OF PURA BOTANICALS

BY ABIGAIL CUKIER

L

ane Edwards remembers kissing her mom goodnight as a child, feeling her dewy moisturizer on her face and seeing the glow of her mom’s skin.

Those moments contributed to Edwards’ love of beauty and skincare. Later, when she was pregnant with her first child, Edwards became sensitive to the conventional skincare products she normally used. She began to research the science of skincare and sought out natural products. Edwards went on to create Pura Botanicals, a clean beauty skincare company and natural perfumery that manufactures its crueltyfree, eco-friendly products in its Edmonton in-house lab.

What was the inspiration behind PURA Botanicals?

My mom valued self-care. She loved makeup and fine fragrances. She would get into the bathtub at night and fill it with beautiful bubbles. I remember sitting on the edge, dipping my feet in, and being inspired by the way she looked after herself.

When I got older, I worked for Lululemon Athletica in Sydney, Australia and taught yoga. I was into wellness and holistic health, and, in Australia I discovered natural brands and flower essences.

When I was pregnant with my first baby, my husband and I moved back to Canada in 2009. During pregnancy, I became sensitive to all of my conventional beauty products and turned to skincare that was more plant based. I started learning about the science of skincare and we opened up our lab in 2015.

What sets your lab apart from most others?

Everything is made in our lab. We have full control over everything, and our products 30 S pa Inc. | Winte r 2 02 1-2 2

don’t sit on warehouse shelves. They’re constantly being made in small batches, and they’re 100% natural with a stable plantbased preservative. We’re not only skincare; we’re also body care, natural fragrance, and baby care. Everything in our lab is 100% plant based, so we have a whole library of oils, essences, and extracts that we use in all of our formulas that are biocompatible. We spent many years of research in that area.

We now have a collection of 35 products.

How does your team come up with new products?

We think about what’s missing in our ritual, something people would love to use.

Sometimes, an individual ingredient will inspire us and we’ll build from there.

Sometimes, we have to search for ingredients that are going to deliver certain results and then build around there to find what’s going to complement the star ingredient. Every product is different. Sometimes, the products go from start to finish in eight months, while others take longer.

Each bottle of Hyaluronic Ruby Serum has a sustainably sourced ruby inside. How was that inspired?

I have a degree in communications, and I’m a bit of a storyteller. I love a product not only to be about what it’s going to do with my skin, but I want it to have a whole energy, a whole background story. The serum was inspired by my love of The Wizard of Oz and Dorothy and her ruby slippers, and how the entire time she always had the power to go home. The ruby symbolizes protection; it symbolizes self-empowerment. Then the

sustainability of being able to take the ruby out of the bottle and get it custom designed into jewellery for yourself, it’s about making it special. It’s like a ritual.

Why is supporting other entrepreneurs important to you?

I love our community and want to elevate our city. It’s fun to collaborate with others.

It keeps me engaged and inspired. I’ve been fortunate to get to know other entrepreneurs in the city who have built their brands, and I really believe in the attitude of collaboration over competition. The more you’re able to work with brands that complement your own values, the more it opens you up to a new client base — and also for innovation and creativity.

How do you want women to feel when they use PURA Botanicals products?

There are a million beauty companies, yet women don’t feel beautiful. We’re always chasing youth and beauty. I don’t want to be a skincare company that makes women feel shame in aging. In our marketing and branding, we don’t refer to it as “antiaging.” It’s a privilege to age. I want women to feel like they can age with power.

presented by:

INTRODUCING

the Winners TOP 25 SPAS IN CANADA Achieve Wellness Spa Ancient Cedars Spa BALNEA spa + réserve thermale Body Blitz Spa – East Bota Bota, spa-sur-l’eau CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La Dol-ás Spa Elmwood Spa Glow Medi Spa Guerlain Spa at Hotel X Toronto Hammam Spa by Céla iwa Spa La Source Bains Nordiques Miraj Hammam Spa

TOP DESTINATION SPA Ste. Anne’s Spa

TOP NEW SPA Guerlain Spa at Hotel X Toronto TOP DAY SPA Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain TOP MEDI-SPA Victoria Park Medispa TOP HYDRO SPA Pacific Mist Hydropath at the Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa TOP HOTEL SPA CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La Pacific Mist Spa at the Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa

Pacific Mist Spa at the Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa

EDUCATION AWARD Dermal Systems Inc. by René Serbon

Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain

European Institute of Esthetics

Spa Eastman Spa My Blend by Clarins at the Ritz-Carlton, Toronto Spa William Gray Ste. Anne’s Spa The Elora Mill Spa The Grotto Spa at Tigh-Na-Mara The Spa at Langdon Hall The Spa at Nita Lake Lodge Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Banff Springs

TOP SPA PARTNER Beauty Through Balance by Ancient Secrets Inc.

THANK YOU TO OUR ESTEEMED JUDGING PANEL Amy McDonald Chris Ryall Kathryn Gallagher

With the assistance of Kareena Thornhill, Seneca College Student

Vivienne O’Keefe Wanda Love THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS P L AT I N U M :

PILLAR OF THE COMMUNITY AWARD Skinprovement Medi Spa & Laser Clinic HONOURABLE MENTIONS Le Monastère des Augustines Ten Spa

GOLD:

The Beauty Barn Spa

CONGRATULATIONS, AND THANK YOU FOR EXEMPLIFYING THE BEST OF CANADA’S SPA AND WELLNESS INDUSTRY.

S I LV E R :