Facing up to Nature's Indulgence
Spring is a time for clearing out and cleaning up — and this includes the skin.
While an increased exfoliation and mask routine at home are two failsafe ways to whip post-winter skin into shape, a visit to a skin-care specialist at a spa for a facial treatment can work wonders, too.
In search of radiance and relief of dry skin, we booked into the Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Pacific Rim for their Nature’s Indulgence facial.
The spa categorizes its treatments into three areas to better cater to clients’ skin and body-care needs and objectives: relieve, restore and results. The Nature’s Indulgence treatment is labelled as a results option, which means it is a more “intense” therapy that helps with elements such as detoxification, cleansing and/or anti-aging.
From start to finish, Willow Stream Spa offers a luxurious experience. Guests are welcomed with a cup of tea before being ushered into the changing area where they’re given a plush robe and sandals to slip into before their chosen service.
During the visit, amenities including a steam shower, women’s-only lounge and infrared sauna are made available to guests before they’re whisked away to their private treatment room.
The Nature’s Indulgence treatment is catered toward those eager for hydration and a dose of natural beauty. Using products solely from the all-natural brand Tata Harper, the treatment offers a unique “Quadruple-Masque System” to provide advanced hydration and “correcting effects.”
Our tester was impressed with the sensory experience the different masks provided. From a cooling gel to a smooth and slightly sticky natural honey (all applied with a heavenly brush-on technique), the varying temperatures and textures added to the overall level of relaxation.
While the masques set (each is applied and removed individually), the specialist applied a thermal eye therapy masque featuring tea leaves to reduce the signs of eye fatigue.
In addition to facial massage techniques meant to boost circulation, the treatment also includes a scalp, hand and foot massage that all but guarantee you’ll be sleeping on the massage table at some point during the 90-minute experience.
Post-treatment, skin appeared hydrated, plumped and glowing. And the best part? The aforementioned effects stayed that way for at least a few days.