~~Time to Celebrate Your Body!~~

How to Walk the Walk

Skin Talk Diagnostic
“The best part of beauty is that which no picture can express.” ^Anonymous

I quickly found that the most essential ingredient to the perfect day at the spa is when the moisturizing and exfoliating products used were designed for your skin type; which is not necessarily the same products designed for the Angelina Jolies and Penelope Cruzs. Our skin types are different, that should be a no-brainer; but have you found the right ingredient composition for yourself?

Up until this point, I would have said I have “combination skin,” though it was always hard to express exactly what all of my difficult areas were in a way that anyone selling cleansers and moisturizers could understand.

First, I had started out with what Mom used for ages, but quickly found that it wasn’t for me; so that had left me searching for the next “best thing.” And believe it or not, it’s really difficult to determine merely by the sparkly translucent labeling if the regular unscented day cream for $50 will work better for you than the sensitive combination variety at half the price.

That is, until you read the label; but even then, if you like what you see and try it, you’re not guaranteed to enjoy the result.

I’ve also found that drug store estheticians aren’t always helpful either. They may be great individuals, thoroughly dedicated in helping you find that super product that will fulfill all your hopes and dreams of day creams, but they’re not psychic (or at least, 99 times out of 100 they’ll most likely not profess to be clairvoyant) and without this sixth sense, eyeballing your skin type will not conclusively help you find your specific daily protection and enhancement requirements.

It also gets a little tricky because our skin types change over time due to several factors; your “simple”, ever-changing hormones can play havoc with your skin. Remember that first time you wound up with ridiculous cravings and hormonal imbalances that left your loved ones guessing and even occasionally hiding? And whether you smoke, drink and/or exercise can be detrimental to the health of your skin.

While these internal factors may be something to be concerned over, there are also the external factors too; such as whether you apply an SPF cream on a daily basis to combat harmful UV rays, or the type of atmospheric contaminants you’re constantly breathing in.

So, you’re stuck with certain internal and external conditions that would invariably mean that what’s working for you now, might not work just as well three months later!

Luckily for those in or around the GTA, Dove Spa has made great strides in taking out the guess work for us, by implementing four diagnostic gadgets that measure the oil, water, elasticity and pigmentation levels in your skin.

So despite all of these harrowing factors, Dove manages to provide a complimentary Skin Talk Diagnostic as a baseline for where to start your better treatment of your skin. With this quick and painless seasonal assessment, you can map out and keep track of your skin’s development towards an even healthier looking you.

Remember that the summer sun kissed oily you is not the same you that we’re all gifted with during the dry winter season, (and we wouldn’t have it any other way!) Which means that this analysis is something I would try to take advantage of four times a year (once per season) to get a better understanding of the skin you live with and love.

It’s also good to remember that with this information in hand, the Dove Spa skin care specialists will determine what would be the best products to use on your skin specifically on that day for your facial! With the guess work gone, you’re on a better path to healthier skin.

After the quick assessment, Rachael (my skin care specialist and goddess of foot care – more on that later!) was able to pick out the best products to use for my upcoming facial… keep an eye out, for this post is coming soon!

Where to find Dove Spa online:
Find Dove Spa on Facebook and Tweet with them on Twitter!

No Longer Just Your Mom’s Bar of Soap

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. . . and it may be necessary from time to time to give a stupid or misinformed beholder a black eye.” ^{Miss Piggy}

As a now six-months-to-thirty year old, I’ve been idly watching Dove make progress over the years in their refreshing attempt of enhancing self-esteem in girls of all ages.

I was just starting out at college the first time I noticed the Dove campaign; the local drugstore had pamphlets near their soap products for free t-shirts with purchase. If I remember correctly, I had sent away the store receipt with proof of purchase for two different products and soon received a plain white and really soft cotton tee in the mail, stating “EveryBODY has a best feature”. It became my well loved comfort-shirt for several years.

I believe that was the infancy of what is now the Doves Self-Esteem Fund: Campaign for Real Beauty; a fund that is striving to reach out to 5 million girls by 2010 to convince them that they’re already beautiful naturally.

Last month, I had written a short article of Dove Spa’s grand opening in Toronto, something that I had long anticipated when I had first heard about their North American expansion to Oakville (the first Dove Spa in North America after opening 40 locations around the UK). I had a really great experience and I knew I’d go there again soon.

Turns out, I didn’t have to wait very long at all for that next time! Soon after publishing my article online, I was contacted by Dove Spa and asked if I wanted to try something more. I answered, “Yes!” of course, and a few weeks later I found myself at their Oakville location, enjoying a four hour treatment experience that I’m going to share with you now.

When I had arrived, I was introduced to Oakville’s Spa Director Silvana who showed me where to change from my street clothes into a plush-white robe and slippers. Their locker system is fairly easy to use, with no key to worry about holding onto while you walk around the spa. I was left to dump my clothes, shoes and purse into the locker (and locked it by creating my own 4-digit pin number on the key pad), then I travelled the short distance of five feet to the lounge while I waited for the personal skin care expert to find me…

Stay tuned so that I can tell you all about it!

In the meantime, if you want to find out more about Dove Spa for your own *exciting* experience:
Find Dove Spa on Facebook
or Tweet with them on Twitter!

Dove Spa opened their doors on April 29th in Toronto, their second location in North America with 40 additional locations across the UK. A spa for “Real Women”, their mandate is to help every woman feel good about themselves; and they just might have found the key to do so!

I dropped in for the Grand Opening first thing that morning, and was not disappointed with what I saw. Nearly every surface was a calming pure white (I don’t want to imagine what the cleaning crew has to do to upkeep this look!), with lush white leather seating and stainless steel, you’re easily encouraged to drop all that mental baggage and to-do lists at the door and head straight for their jasmine green tea made with a real blooming flower.

And the spa specialists have the room to work! We were introduced to room after room of ways in which women (and men!) can register to better themselves, from teeth whitening and spray tanning, eye treatments and hair removal techniques, to facial and body treatments and Holistic Therapy; you could even bring your guy-friend with you for a Gentlemen’s Hand and Nail Treatments and/or Couples Facials. Their list is extensive, and honestly the hardest thing for me right now is to decide what to try next, because everything is priced right for the everyday woman.

So with goodie bag in hand (you should know by now, I *love* goodie bags), I had signed up for the free half hour personalized spa facial for the next day.

It had all the right chemistry…

When I got there for my facial, it turned out the appointment wasn’t scheduled for until the day after; but since I was assured of the date and time at the open house, the manager did all she could to “squeeze me in”.

I was shown the change room with free lockers, plush robes and slippers, and after changing I met up with Kayla, who was the tour guide from the day before. One difference to other spas, Dove Spa does a complimentary seasonal skin diagnostic with interesting high-tech equipment to figure out what exactly is up with your skin. Kayla was able to map out how much oil and hydration was being produced (or lacking) at different areas of my face. With this info in hand, she selected products that were specific for my skin type and stressed that I should be using UV protection with at least SPF 40 everyday since my skin pigmentation is pretty light (I checked at home immediately after, I’ve got a 45! Whew!)

Once the diagnostic was over, I was brought to a very soothing room: darkened, yellow lighting, favourite music choice playing, and heated reclining bed, where I was invited and left to get comfortable, and boy did I! It had all the right chemistry to help you forget your daily planner even if just for a little while.

With moisturizers, toner and mask in hand, Kayla produced a wonderful 30 minute relaxing facial treatment, I nearly fell asleep when she threw in a head massage.

At the end of the session, I was treated to a really comfortable leather chair and cranberry water while Kayla discussed what products she used and which ones she’d recommend I’d take home to use on a more daily basis. I forgot my 15% off coupon for first purchase at home, so I’ll have to go back soon to pick up the Polish Off satisfying wash & scrub for $30 and *maybe* stick around for an eyebrow shape and tint!

Current Deals That You Should Take Advantage Of

• Register on their site today, and get your own free 30 minute personalised treatment. It is so *worth it*! If you’re asked if you want to upgrade with $20 for the 1 hour treatment, do it; I promise you won’t be disappointed.
• Purchase a $75 giftcard (which you know you’ll eventually use if not gift), and get a free 1 hour personalized facial treat. Again, *worth it*!
• Mom & Me Facials – buy one for your mom and get your’s free!
• $20 Spray Tan Promo (regularly priced at $50) Hmmm, never done a spray tan before, but I might just try this.