Face value

We sent a team of testers to the Toronto’s top glow-getting spots. From targeted treatments to all-out pampering, here are their reviews

BEST FACIAL FOR DECADENT PAMPERING

The spot Guerlain Spa at Hotel X, 111 Princes’ Blvd.

The serviceI tried the Imperial Global Age-Reverse Treatment ($325, 90 minutes), which started with a skin consultation and a lovely moment to close my eyes and select one of four fragrant massage oils. Next came double-cleansing and a fantastically long face massage. Then specific to my needs, a clarifying toner, extractions, a blemish treatment on certain spots and a cooling sheet mask. While the sheet mask worked its magic, I got the best scalp massage with a nongreasy scalp and hair serum. A refreshing quartz stone facial massage finished everything off.

The results Immediately, my skin was glowing and, for days, my blemishes were less noticeable and my skin looked and felt smooth and soft.

BEST FACIAL FOR EXPERT SMOOTHING

The spot Radford Studio, 55 Avenue Rd.

The service I tried the 75-minute custom facial with Victoria Radford herself ($325; $295 with staff): a hit parade of exciting, high-tech skin innovations. After cleansing came a high-vibration wand designed to help an exfoliant and serum penetrate, then a nano needling device to encourage plumping via boosted collagen production. Next, a HydraFacial, which basically power-washes your skin while infusing it with hydrating serum, then sheet masks and red LED light to help regenerate skin. The final touch was a massage with serum and moisturizer. The results Afterwards, my skin was glowing brightly and I kept noticing how smooth and fresh it looked, compounding day after day. I’m convinced doing this on a monthly basis would truly be skin-changing.

BEST FACIAL FOR SCULPTING

The spot Sous La Face, 2 Toronto locations (with an upcoming relocation)

The service Radical Radiance Regime ($229, 60 minutes), a facial involving an intense buccal massage with the esthetician vigorously kneading the inside of my mouth, tugging and contorting my lips and jowls to tone and plump facial muscles, boost circulation, release tension and stimulate lymphatic drainage. It’s chased with a sculpting PureLift microcurrent treatment and serum application. The results My skin felt and looked lifted, de-puffed, brighter and healthier, but this facial workout isn’t meant to be a one-off but the start of a new regimen.

BEST FACIAL FOR AN INSTA-WORTHY GLOW-UP

The spot Formula Fig, 2 Toronto locations

The service I chose the All-In Supers Facial ($185, 30 minutes), which calls on a variety of devices to help hydrate, lift, tone and smooth. After a chat about my skin, my skin therapist did a double-cleanse and then diamond-tip microdermabrasion. I love a teched-out facial, and this one delivered with a round of microcurrent (a low-level current meant to tone the muscles in your face), then ultrasound (delivering high-frequency sound waves to deeper facial muscles) and LED light, all topped off with Dr. Loretta serums and SPF.

The results My face was dewy, smooth to the touch, and did seem slightly lifted to me — enough to have me debating a monthly membership, given that microcurrent and ultrasound do their best work over time.

BEST FACIAL FOR A CONVENIENT BOOST

The spot The Ten Spot, multiple locations

The service All of The Ten Spot’s 60-minute facials ($145) are totally tailored to your skin. Before diving in, my facialist asked me a series of questions to get to know my needs and then got going with a double cleanse using a sonic tool that vibrates 24,000 times per second to dislodge dirt and debris. Next, she expertly rotated through an antioxidant mist, a foaming exfoliation, pore-decongesting gel, retinol, serums for face and eyes and more. My favourite part was the pressure point massage with a fragrant oil containing skin-soothing ingredients. I felt perfectly relaxed while my skin felt totally refreshed.

The results With my hectic schedule, the most wonderful part was the chance to relax and take a break, but I love the bonus of improved texture and a fresh glow.

BEST FACIAL FOR A SENSORY JOURNEY

The spot Aman Spa, 47 Colborne St.

The service The Elemental Facial ($209, 60 minutes). Cleanser is worked over your skin with rotating brushes; serum is massaged in with icy face rollers; cool water is spritzed on by airbrush; a red-light mask soothes irritation and stimulates collagen; then a stimulating face massage and a deeply soothing hand massage. Aman’s founder is an RMT, so the techniques are expert-level.

The results The next day, I was amazed at my skin’s softness and how fresh I looked and it lasted for days.