Glow until Labour Day
TheKit test-drives the top facials in the city
For the sci-fi aficionado
The Alpha Beta Lift + Lighten Photo Facial, Gee Beauty, 2 Roxborough St. W. $450 (60 minutes)
The details: Designed by New York dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross (whose patients include Selena Gomez and Olivia Palermo), this facial breaks out the big guns to target tone and texture. After a thorough cleanse, LED goggles are placed over my eyes to stimulate collagen and minimize fine lines. A medicalgrade peel then is applied to smooth and brighten before the photo-rejuvenation portion of the program begins. Intense pulsed light (IPL) emits gentle flashes of light to firm, fade pigmentation and shrink broken blood vessels. It’s relatively painless (imagine rubber bands snapping against your skin) and requires no down time. Once the heavyduty stuff is over, my skin is rewarded with a cooling mask in the form of a clear blue gel packed with hydrating hyaluronic acid.– Post-facial glow factor: 9/10. I fully expected my face to be red from the peel and IPL, but was instead met with a healthy, radiant flush I happily flaunted sans makeup. — Katherine Lalancette, beauty director
For the natural beauty devotee
Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture, Province Apothecary,1518 Dundas St. W. $120 (90 minutes)
The details: This facial is nowhere near as scary as “needles in the face” might sound and applies a truly holistic approach to skin care. My first visit with naturopathic doctor Nastasia Irons kicks off with a consultation about overall health concerns (such as sleeping issues) and skin woes (like eczema). The next phase is the fun — and actually not painful at all — part. After dousing my skin with a refreshing toner, Dr. Irons inserts tiny needles all over my face to stimulate blood flow and help reduce skin concerns such as scarring, rosacea and broken blood vessels. According to Dr. Irons, facial acupuncture also can boost collagen, clear away dead skin cells, brighten the complexion and help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Next, I relax in a toasty warm treatment bed with the lights dimmed, while the faint sound of waves crashing hums from an unseen sound machine. Dr. Irons then painlessly removes the nearly invisible needles, sprays me with another helping of toner and sends me on my way.
Post-facial glow factor: 8.5/10. I left the spa and joyfully tackled my weekend errands without a stitch of makeup, a rarity for me, instead letting nature’s blush do its work. — Jennifer Berry, digital editor
For the next-level luxury seeker
Rose Gold Facial, Four Seasons Toronto, 60 Yorkville Ave. From $305 (75 minutes)
The details: Every step of the most lavish facial on the Four Seasons’ spa menu is meant to create whole-body relaxation. And with nearly15 steps (yes, you read that right), it’s fair to say I reached a whole new level of serenity by the end. After selecting the room’s calming music (the “sleep” playlist, SVP) and settling into a warming treatment bed, I’m led through a double cleanse plus a round of Clarisonic action that leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean. Then the facialist uses a powerful blue-diamond peel to boost collagen and a series of two gold masks that aim to strengthen the skin’s elasticity. As the famed Omorovicza products work their magic, the facialist rotates between my scalp, shoulders and arms and even includes rigorous facial massage, once with her expert hands and a second go-around with icycold rose quartz crystals. Hello, pure bliss. When a chime sounds at the end of my treatment and she insists that I take my time getting up, I do, if only to savour the last few moments of peace.
Post-facial glow factor: 9.5/10. Even in the dimly lit treatment room, a soft Himalayan salt glow lighting my mirror selfie, my skin was unbelievably radiant. — Jillian Vieira, fashion director