Heading into the holidays

How to prepare for the year’s busiest season

The holiday season is approaching and soon the stress of balancing gift-buying, parties and family get-togethers will overwhelm even the most dedicated spa-goer. Services, packages and products that relieve tension and rejuvenate winter skin will get clients in a festive spirit.

Combining services is a simple way to bring something new to your spa’s repertoire. For example, during last year’s season, The Spa at the Hotel Casino in New Brunswick bundled together a 60-minute hot stone massage and a 60 minute hot stone “pure bliss” facial to create the “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” package, and will likely bring it back this year, says Julie Bernatchez, spa supervisor.

Another idea is to trim down the length of popular services, such as manicures, pedicures and massages. Since the holidays are hectic, express services and packages are ideal for those pressed for time. The stressed shopper will appreciate an escape for a quick massage, or combine a manicure, makeup application and hair style to create the perfect package for those hurrying from work to a party. Remember to display cosmetics in rich shades, which can be purchased as gifts or for touchs-ups at a party.

To keep skin radiant and smooth in winter, exfoliation and hydration is essential. Scrubs and lotions that blend the benefits and decadent aromas of natural substances such as cranberry, cinnamon, or eucalyptus will keep skin soft and supple. Eucalyptus and rosemary essential oils are not only relaxing, “they are great for congestion and sore achy muscles,” says Sara deRuiter, spa director at Body Blitz Spa, in Toronto.

Clear skin is a year-round concern, and clients want to ensure their skin is holiday-ready. “The best present to give and receive is the gift of healthy skin,” says dermatologist Dr. Lisa Kellett, creator of the Kellett Clear Skincare System.

Skin Care

The Kellett Clear Skincare System is designed to treat adult acne and signs of aging. The antioxidant-rich line includes a Polishing Gel Cleanser, Clarifying All-Over Acne Treatment, Moisturizing Gel and Protecting SPF30.
Website:kellettskincare.com

The Claro is a handheld device that treats blemishes by delivering blue and red light and infra-red energy to stimulate oxygen production, soothe inflammation and kill acne bacteria.
Website:clrstechnology.com

The Cranberry Pomegranate Sugar Scrub by Éminence Organic Skin Care is a vitamin-rich body scrub for all skin types. Cranberry and pomegranate enrich skin with nutrition and leave it soft and radiant.
Website:eminenceorganics.com

Makeup

The A Night in Paris collection by Piret & Tamara features deep violet, berry and rouge shades in silky textures that are perfect for holiday parties. The collection includes two new shades of their signature eye silks—Violet and La Vie en Rose.
Website:piretandtamara.com

Spice Up Your Services

Enliven your treatments with the stimulating scents and healing properties of wintery herbs and spices. Ginger, rosemary and mint are known for their fatigue-fighting abilities, and mint and rosemary are excellent memory boosters. Body Blitz Spa fuses sugar, ginger, cardamom and sweet orange in their Sweet Ginger and Milk body glow treatment. Get creative and blend different herbs and spices together, such as mint and chocolate or cinnamon and ginger for a unique holiday scent.