Le Petit Spa Agrees with Vancouver Sun Article about de-regulation of Cosmetology Industry

Yesterday, April 26th you may have seen an article in the Vancouver Sun outlining that since the Governments de-regulation of the Cosmetology Industry, there has been a dramatic increase in client injury reports and shoddy services experienced by clients throughout the province.

We couldn’t agree more at Le Petit Spa; since opening over three years ago, these are the steps we have taken and continue to take each day to protect our clients health, create a positive and safe spa experience and the main reasons why we have been voted within the top three day spa’s since opening in September 2003:

1. Education - Le Petit Spa hires estheticians that have been to an accredited esthetic or cosmetology school. This ensures that all estheticians we hire are properly trained on how to use esthetic tools and implements, healthy and sanitation standards are met, are highly educated about the human body, and are educated about health contraindications clients may have with particular spa services i.e. (Knowing that clients who are allergic to iodine cannot have spa services like a seaweed wrap).

Le Petit Spa Estheticians have completed at least a years worth of training before being hired at Le Petit Spa. Once hired, they are trained from a Le Petit Spa esthetic supervisor on Le Petit Spa services and are required to pass a probation period before coming in contact with their first client.
The Estheticians on our Le Petit Spa team have graduated from schools such as Blanche McDonald and Dominelli International School of Cosmetology.

Le Petit Spa Estheticians are required to continue their education as an employee to upkeep their knowledge and to stay informed about on going trends in the spa industry.

2. Cosmetology Industry of British Columbia - When you visit Le Petit Spa you will see this emblem on our front door. What used to be the Governing Body of all Spas and Salons in BC; Le Petit Spa still abides by their regulations and safety standards to ensure our clients safety and health.

3. Strict Protocols - Did you read the part of the article about the client who got her eyelid burnt by a waxing service? As a former Esthetician I was absolutely shocked at this. From day one in esthetic school you are taught to test the temperature of wax on the inside of your wrist. One, because this is a sensitive area and if the wax is too hot for you on your wrist, it will definitely be too hot for the client; and two, to ensure that the wax is the perfect consistency to remove hair with. When I started to work at Le Petit Spa, this protocol and step was drilled into my head again, even though it had been drilled into my head day in day out while in school.

I’m not here to judge, but something in this particular case went terribly wrong. Either way, there is no excuse for what happened; if this sort of thing happened at a spa I owned I would immediately fire this particular esthetician.

This is why it is imperative to know how well trained the esthetician is that you’re seeing. This is also a good time to point out how important it is to find an esthetician you like and stay committed to; just think - that one time your particular esthetician isn’t available could turn into a situation like this if you see an esthetician you are unfamiliar with and who is not well trained.

4. Health and Safety Standards - I love the look of those electric pedicure thrones at spas - they look so comfy BUT as an esthetician I would never EVER have a treatment in them. The foot bathes are attached to the chair and are not removable to allow proper disinfection and sanitation practices. They are usually wiped out and sprayed with a less than par “disinfection” spray…nail fungus anyone?

A spa that uses proper disinfection and sanitation techniques will not only keep their clients safe, they will usually use non-electric devices as well so that they can be properly disinfected between each client. As well, implements such as nail files and cuticle sticks will usually be given to each client to take home and must never be used on another client.

Questions from clients - One of the most common questions I used to hear from clients at the spa was “So, did you go to school for this?” (meaning esthetics)

Sorry, but this question drives me up the wall! In any profession that works closely with and on the human body you have to be educated in-depth about it or else you get stories like the one on the front cover of the Vancouver Sun! I’m not saying this particular esthetician was not properly educated, but it doesn’t make a very good case for the rest of us.

When you visit a spa you should feel comfortable and secure that you are in the hands of a well trained professional. When you visit Le Petit Spa, feel fee to ask the staff questions about qualifications, training or anything at all! They are there to make your spa experience the best in Vancouver.

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, special events, new service launches and monthly service promotions….have a beauty question or spa related question? Email me with your questions and look for the answer in a future blog!

Savor the Wine while Saving The Planet at Le Petit Spa

Le Petit Spa’s new wine will allow you to savor the wine, while saving the planet.

“French Rabbit” wine is the first fine French Vintage wine to present itself as an eco friendly alternative.

Presented in Tetra Pack containers, this wine uses less packaging and means more premium wine for the same price, as the tetra packs are 1L of premium wine. In transport, these fine wines take up less space on trucks, are shattered resistant and lightweight.

Less packaging, actually 90% less packaging than a regular bottle of wine is a big leap forward (pardon the pun) in saving the planet and working towards a reduction in fuel and CO2 emissions - for a greener planet.

Shipping regular bottles of wine, it would take 25 trucks to equal just one truck filled with tetra pack containers of “French Rabbit” Wine - just think of the reduction in green house gasses!

With French Rabbit wine, only 4% of what you bring home is packaging, when you bring home a regular bottle of wine it’s usually around 40% of packing you bring home. No glass, no cork, no capsule, no label - what you do get is a recyclable pack that’s good for the planet.

With all of the talk about global warming and taking care of our planet, this is a way for Le Petit Spa to do the right thing and work towards becoming Vancouver’s premier fully eco-friendly spa.

Come into Le Petit Spa and try the Merlot, Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon from French Rabbit Wine…look for more blogs from Le Petit Spa about the many ways that Le Petit Spa is Vancouver’s eco - friendly spa.

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Toes - Day Promotion at Vancouver's Le Petit Spa

April’s Daily Service Promotion at Le Petit Spa will get your feet and toes ready for sandle weather (that’s hopefully right around the corner!)

Toe’s Day at Le Petit Spa features footlogix foot care products as well as Le Petit Spa’s pedicure services.

Come in on a Tuesday for a pedicure and purchase any footlogix product and receive 15% off the total of the two!

Which Le Petit Spa pedicure service will you have?

Classic Pedicure

You’ll be seated in a plush leather recliner and your tootsies will be soaked to soften build up of dead skin. Your cuticles will be pushed back and cleaned up (if necessary) the nails will be filed and shaped followed by buffing on the bottoms of your feet to remove any build up of callous that may be present. Your skin will then be exfoliated with a Lavender Sea Salt Scrub. A deeply soothing relaxation massage will top off your pedicure followed by a professional application of OPI nail color of your choice...Read more.

Le Petit Spa’s Signature Pedicure

Our Signature Pedicure, this service will have your feet looking and feeling absolutely as smooth as silk! Even the most calloused feet! The same classic pedicure as described above, this pedicure features a Lavender paraffin treatment to soften even the driest feet. Applied after your relaxation massage, the paraffin creates a seal around your feet, making the massage treatment cream penetrate into the deepest layers of your feet to deliver optimal hydration. Followed by a professional application of OPI nail color, you won’t find another treatment like this anywhere in Vancouver!..Read more.

Nail Art Pedicure

Le Petit Spa houses some of the best nail artists in Vancouver. Come in for a pedicure with added pizzazz and receive a personalized hand painted nail art on your toes! Whether you want poka-dots, flowers, squiggles or rhinestones, a Le Petit Spa Nail Art Pedicure features everything in our classic pedicure, with added nail art...Read more.

French Pedicure

Oui Oui! The polish and sophistication of a French pedicure is perfect for your wedding day, a day at the beach or grad or prom! Hand painted white French tips gives you the look of gel nails, without the damage. Choose from sheer pinks, peaches or something more natural to give your toes the classiest pedicure around!..Read more.

Natural Pedicure

Wanting the benefits of a professional pedicure service without the polish? We have the answer in Le Petit Spa’s natural pedicure service. All the steps of a classic pedicure including a luxurious soak of the feet, shaping and filing of the nails, buffing of the feet, a sea salt scrub, massage and voila! You’re done!..Read more.

Express Pedicure

For those of you who may not have the luxury of time, try an express pedicure service at Le Petit Spa. This pedicure service will clean your feet up for sandle wearing season, but is only a half hour long with all of the nail work and professional polish application...Read more.

Any of these professional pedicure services are available on a Le Petit Spa gift card for any gift giving occasion such as grad, prom, and Mother’s Day or Wedding day!

Looking for spa packages for Mother’s Day gift giving? Our Signature Spa Package as well as our Vitality and Mommy and Me Spa Packages all contain pedicures!

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about further exclusive in spa promotions, gift with purchases and daily service promotions; have beauty questions? Email me with your beauty questions and look for a response in a future edition of this blog!

Mother's Day Gift Ideas at Le Petit Spa

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

I know my mom would absolutely love a spa package for Mother’s Day. Always on the go and always looking after the rest of the family instead of herself, I believe giving her the gift of relaxation is something she truly would appreciate.

Her perfect day would start off with a Facial, perhaps the Signature Facial, which can be customized for each client’s specific skin care needs. Deeply soothing and relaxing, it includes added benefits such as a mini back massage, facial massage and hand massage during the treatment.

Next, a full body massage for her back. As a dental assistant, her back is in need of some definite TLC, either a Hot Stone Massage, or a Full Body Massage without the soothing heat of warm lava stones, she’ll come out of it with muscles that are relaxed and less strained.

A pedicure would finish off the day to soothe her tired feet, remove any callous build up and give her a set of perfectly painted tootsies!

Although I’ve come up with these suggestions with my mom in mind, Le Petit Spa has Day Spa Packages to suit any mom’s style:

Signature Package

Containing a Le Petit Spa Signature Facial, Signature Manicure and Signature Pedicure; the Signature Spa Package at Le Petit Spa features French Lavender as its choice vice for inducing deeply soothing relaxation benefits...read more.

Vitality Package

For the more “mature” moms, this spa package at Le Petit Spa features their Anti-aging Facial and their Signature Pedicure service. Revitalizing and relaxing at the same time…read more.

Mommy and Me Spa Package

For the new mommy in your life, the “Mommy and Me” spa package at Le Petit Spa was Vancouver’s premier “Mom and Baby” spa package that allows moms to bring their babies into the spa with them for a day of much need relaxation and intimate bonding time. Featuring an Express Pedicure and a Reflexology for Mom and reflexology for baby, both leave feeling pampered and refreshed…read more.

Available on gift cards or gift certificates on line or with printable options right from your computer, nothing is more simple or convenient to give this Mother’s Day than a Le Petit Spa gift card…read more.

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about exclusive further monthly service promotions, new product launches or special events…Have beauty questions or questions about a certain spa service you’d like to know more about? Email me with your questions and I’ll post an answer in a future edition of this blog!

Mother's Day is almost here, let Le Petit Spa help you out!

Gift Certificates for any mom

Looking for a unique gift for your mom? Le Petit Spa offers many different spa packages, facials and day spa services for any budget, and need for any unique mom.

Gift cards are the most convenient gift to give this Mother’s Day. Customize one for your mom this mother’s day with her favourite service, a denomination for her to choose her favourite services or a spa package of her choice.

1. For the “mature” mom - Anti-aging Facial $ 127.20

Le Petit Spa’s anti-aging facial delivers powerful anti-aging properties using highly active marine ingredients. This facial smoothes fine lines, wrinkles and crows feet around the eyes while inducing deep relaxation.

The skin appears more youthful, lifted and more firm…read more

2. For the mom who needs relaxation - Signature Spa Package - $201.40

For the mom who truly needs a day at the spa, Le Petit Spa offers the Signature Spa package. Including our Signature Facial service, Signature Manicure and Signature pedicure, this spa package is based around our French Lavender and is made to deeply soothe the tired soul…read more

2. For the mom who needs invigoration - Vitality Package $238.50

Intensely invigorating, this spa package will have any mom ready to face another day. Including our anti-aging facial and our signature pedicure…read more.

3. For the new mom - Mummy and Me Spa package $95

Give the new mom in your life a day at the spa - with her new addition! The Mummy and Me spa package at Le Petit Spa offers some time to relax and unwind in a private, baby-friendly sanctuary…read more

4. For the mom who loves massage - Hot Stone Massage $132.50

Intense relaxation of muscles and joints is achieved with a Le Petit Spa Hot Stone Massage. Warm lava stones are placed over key areas of the body promoting circulation and release of toxins…read more

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, gift with purchase, monthly service promotions and new product launches or email me with your beauty questions and look for the answer in a future blog!

The Nitty Gritty of the Teen Facial - What are they? How does it work? And what happens?

The nitty gritty of teen facials - what are they? And how do they work?

One of the most relaxing, rewarding spa treatments available for teens today is clouded in questions like what happens and how is it done? And so on and so on…

Things really do not need to be that complicated. This blog demystifies the spa mystery known as “the Teen Facial”…

Arriving at a spa you’ve never been or, or arriving for a treatment that you’ve never had can be a little nerve wracking to say the least; especially when it’s a facial treatment: You’re in a small treatment room for a whole hour with a person you don’t even know! Mix that with not knowing what to expect, and a trip to the spa doesn’t seem so relaxing anymore.

I’ll get to know you, you get to know me!

When you first arrive at Le Petit Spa, you’ll be greeted with a friendly “hello” by the girls at the front desk. They will hand you a simple consultation form with some personal and not-so-personal questions for you to answer.

These are to do with allergies, medication you may be on, your desired results you want to achieve with your treatment, and any medical conditions (like low blood pressure) that may influence your treatment. After filling out the form, it is given to the esthetician who will be performing the treatment on you. These forms are kept completely confidential between you and the esthetician.

Let’s Get Naked!

Ok…before you start running for the door, let me explain. After you have checked in and filled out the form, you will be taken to the women’s (or men’s if you’re a man!) change room to get changed into a comfy, warm terry towel robe and a fuzzy pair of slippers. The change rooms are completely private! So don’t worry!

You will be instructed to remove jewellery, your pants, your shirt and your bra! WHAT? During your facial you will be under a heavy down duvet and if you keep your clothes on, you’ll get too hot! Plus, it allows you to relax a little more when you’re at a comfortable temperature.

Of course, these are only suggestions - do what feels comfortable for you! If you prefer to leave your clothes on, than please do! Just remember - there’s always a chance of product landing somewhere on your clothing - so it’s always better to remove to avoid ruining your favourite shirt!

Relax!

Before changing into your robe and slippers, you’ll be shown the “relaxation lounge”. This is where you can sit and enjoy cookies, chocolate and tea or water before and after your facial service. During your time in here, your esthetician is usually preparing any last minute details for your service and making sure everything is absolutely perfect just for you! So take your time, forget about your worries - you’re in good hands!

Come with me…

After everything is in place for your facial, your esthetician will come and get you from the relaxation lounge. She will introduce herself to you; show you the bathroom (in case you drank too much water in the lounge!) and lead you to your own private sanctuary - your very own private treatment room.

Your Private Sanctuary Awaits!

When you arrive in your treatment room you will see a bed, a sink…a counter…and not much else! She will confirm your service “You are here today for the Teen Facial service, which is about an hour” and she then will instruct you that she will step out of the room, you may hang your gown up on the back of the door (when she is out of the room) and you are to climb into your treatment bed, under the duvet. There will be a heating pad on the bed - if it is too warm let her know! She wants you to be comfortable during your service.

After she leaves the room for you to change, she will re-enter after a few minutes making sure she has given you privacy to un-robe and get under the covers. Remember! It’s only a suggestion that you remove the robe - if you don’t feel comfortable being naked under the covers you may keep the robe on!

During your facial service you will be under the covers the whole time! At no time will your esthetician be able to see more than your collar bone, neck and face (and maybe your arms if you decide to keep them out).

Consultation - The nitty gritty of your skin!

Your esthetician re-enters the room and gets to work right away! She will begin by sitting down and going over any concerns she may have from your consultation form, “I see that you have low blood pressure, do you get dizzy when you lay down for too long?”…

She will also ask you what you’ve been using on your skin at home, what your skin care habits are, and what you want to achieve from having a facial service today.

This is your chance to ask a professional skin care therapist any questions you may have - and you thought only movie stars got this kind of treatment!

After your every question is answered, she will explain all steps of the Teen facial to you in detail from beginning to end - ask her more questions - that’s what she’s there for!

Cool cotton compresses are then gently placed over your eyes to protect them from the magnifying lamp.

Magnifying Lamp? Yikes!

Yep, this can be intimidating for even the most experienced spa princess! A magnifying lamp magnifies (duh!) your skin so that the esthetician can see things in and on your skin that may not be visible to the naked eye (like blackheads, pimples, zits, brown spots).

This also helps her make a decision as to what skin care products are going to work best for your skin needs and concerns. You may feel her poke (gently), prod, and squeeze your face (gently of course!) but she needs to examine your skin on a very close, intimate level - she’s not judging you, this is her job to figure your skin out!

Goodbye for a little while!

Your esthetician will then ask if you have any more questions. If not, she’s outta there! Just kidding! She will leave the room only for a few minutes to go and get the products she has decided to use on your skin.

Return of the …

Skin care therapist! Exciting eh? She has the products for your facial in hand and she’s ready to go! Are you? One last chance for any questions before your facial begins. Of course, you may ask questions at any time, but it’s kinda hard to relax when your mind is racing with questions, so ask now!

So there you have it! That’s what happens before your Teen Facial at Le Petit Spa…but what happens during? Read about the in-depth steps of our teen facial and what happens during, plus some useful tips on keeping your skin clear of pimples at home on our “Count Down to Prom” spa blog…

Want more beauty and skin care tips? Have more questions about what goes on in a day spa? Sign up for our monthly newsletter to find out about monthly service promotions (like the teen facial, on promotion for April) and special events.

Or, email me with your questions and I'll post a reply in a future edition of this blog!

Bridal Spa Manicure Treatments with a Twist at Le Petit Spa!

Having perfectly manicured hands for your wedding day not only makes your hands look gorgeous, they showcase your wedding ring and bouquets!

French Manicures have always been the “crème de la crème” of bridal manicure treatments. But, two days after your wedding, if you’re not careful they start to chip and wear away.

Enter Le Petit Spa’s new spa manicure treatment “Bio Sculpture” gel nails! These revolutionary gel nails are the first of their kind to receive a five star safety rating in Canada because there is no chemical odour, dust or fumes.

Not only are these gel nails extremely gentle on your natural nail beds, they are actually a nail strengthening treatment - allowing your natural nails to grow out strong while under the gels.

This line of gels contains over 65 colors including Clear or French Manicure looks with soft pinks and whites - perfect for bridal looks!

They last for weeks without chipping, wearing off or peeling, making them perfect for your honeymoon and on vacation.

Bio Sculpture gel nails can be applied on the toes and on the hands, without risk of lifting or damaging your natural nails.

Truly the “Healthy Alternative in Gel Nail Care” this gel nail system:

• Strengthening and conditioning treatment
  


• Will not chip or smudge
  


• Will not wear away on finger and toe nails
  


• Quick and easy removal.

This spa manicure treatment is new to Le Petit Spa as of early May and is available 7 days a week, hours of operation.

To receive further exclusive promotional offers such as our monthly service promotion, gift with purchases, special events and new product or service launches sign up for our monthly newsletter “Spa Talk”.

Have beauty questions? Email me with your beauty questions or spa service question and look for your answer in a future edition of this blog!

"Count Down to Prom" As Seen on Paris Hilton, Make Beautiful Eyelashes Yours for Prom!

Eyelash Extensions for Prom

What is all of young, trendy Hollywood batting their eyelashes at? Nothing in particular, but they have all caught on to the hottest trend to come out of the makeup industry in years!

Eyelash Extensions are carefully applied individual lashes that are glued onto your existing, natural eyelashes. They last anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks and come in a range of styles to suit your own unique mood:

Natural - This look adds definition to your eyes and perfectly frames them; but look totally natural.

Dramatic - Think J Lo or Paris Hilton; these two lovely ladies wear them thick, long and with confidence for that “Bambi doe-eyed look”. Perfect for weddings or Prom, or any special occasion.

Extending - For those of us that received the “short end of the stick” literally! These long, feathery eyelashes extend your not-so-long natural eyelashes to give you a look as though you’re wearing mascara - but won’t be!

Eyelashes are the perfect way to enhance your eyes and make them “pop” for your graduation ceremonies and Prom. Applied after your makeup application, eyelash extensions complete your perfect prom look.

Le Petit Spa offers a student discount to clients who receive eyelash extensions or any other spa service for teens at Le Petit Spa.

Have beauty questions? Wonder what a Teen Facial is and does? Email me with your questions and look for your answer in a future edition of this blog! Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about further exclusive promotions at Le Petit Spa.

"Count Down To Prom" The Perfect Accessory for Your Big Night

Manicures and pedicures for prom

Perfectly manicured hands are the perfect accessory for Prom! Nothing will have your hands looking better than a Le Petit Spa manicure treatment.

A sea salt lavender scrub, a relaxing lavender treatment massage and all the grooming to get your hands in perfect shape for your big day.

For a classic manicure look, try a French Manicure. These manicures feature white tips and a sheer color of either pink or a natural nude tone.

Did you know? Brittle, peeling or splitting nails can be a sign of a vitamin or mineral deficiency? At no time in our lives is eating a healthy diet more important that in our teen years. Our bodies change so much in these years that getting the right vitamins and minerals in your diet is a crucial element to developing and growing properly.

New at Le Petit Spa this spring Bio Sculpture gel nails. The safest gel nails system in the world and the first to receive a five star safety rating because of the lack of chemical fumes, odour and dust, and they are a nail strengthening treatment for your natural nails underneath!

These gel nails come in 65 different colors, as well as French Manicure looks. They will not smear, smudge or chip and they can be applied on both hands and feet and last for weeks! For no fuse prom hands and feet, Le Petit Spa’s new gel nail service is the way to go!

Did you know? As we grow older, the sweat glands in our feet start to dry up? This is why, especially in the winter, your feet and skin may feel a little dryer than in the summer. A pedicure service by a professional allows you to keep tabs on your feet and make sure everything is normal.

Teens commonly pick up warts and/ or fungus on their feet and can’t figure out why. Some causes of these foot ailments:

• Walking barefoot at the pool or school gym - warts drop “roots” that can be picked up by feet by simply stepping in the wrong spot.
  


• Nail fungus - these develop by an excess of moisture, getting bacteria trapped under the nail, and too long of toe nails BUT these can also develop by cutting the nail too short. The nail is protection for your toes; cutting them too short leaves the door wide open for bacteria and types of fungi to enter your toe area.

A Le Petit Spa pedicure treatment is a professional way to learn how to properly maintain your toe nails and feet so that you can properly care for them at home.

Pedicures at Le Petit Spa came in an array of unique colors, but if you’re really looking for something different try a Le Petit Spa Nail Art Pedicure. Featuring unique designs specifically for you and your toes, a Nail Art pedicure is the only accessory you need for prom!

Le Petit Spa offers a student discount for all Spa services for Teens at Le Petit Spa.

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about new products, services, special events, in-spa promotions or monthly service promotions. Have beauty questions? Need to know what a Teen Facial exactly is? Email me with your beauty questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

"Count Down to Prom" Body Treatments to prep your skin for Prom.

Body Treatments to get ready for your big day!

Body scrubs are a fun way to get rid of dead skin and bacteria that can cause a flare up of back-ne, (or acne on your back!).

Using either sugar or salt, a body scrub service at a spa will smooth your skin, give you a radiant glow and help clear up acne-fast!

Keeping your skin exfoliated will also help to ward off any future breakouts from happening and is a great way to prep your skin before a self tanning cream application.

Tip: Use a self tanning cream that uses DHA. DHA is a sugar that when in contact with oxygen, turns brown and “tans” your skin a golden brown. Never streaky, orange or too dark for your particular skin tone and color.

Guinot Body Bronzing Treatment

Love the look of your skin when tanned, but know it’s bad for you? A sunless body bronzing treatment will give you the sun kissed glow all girls crave during the Vancouver winter, and is totally safe for your skin; chemicals are not used in this self tanning cream, just DHA, a natural sugar that is safe for your skin and body.

Body Wraps

Body wraps are a great way to introduce nutrients, vitamins and minerals back into your body. They soften skin, moisturize and nourish your skin from the outside in with ingredients such as vitamin E, iodine, iron and magnesium.

A body wrap is the perfect compliment to a body scrub; after removing dead skin cells, a body wrap will hydrate and nourish the new, soft baby skin cells on the surface of your skin.

Seaweed body wraps can remove toxins and impurities in your skin as well; especially good for teens who suffer from body acne. Marine ingredients draw dirt, excess oil and other impurities from your pores, making the clarity of your skin brighter and smoother in appearance.

Le Petit Spa offers a 10% student discount when valid student ID is shown to be used on all of our spa services for teens.

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, special events and new product launches. Have beauty questions? Wonder what happens during a Teen Facial? Email me with your beauty questions and look for the answer in a future “Count Down to Prom” blog.

"Count Down To Prom" Le Petit Spa Makes it Easy!

An easier way for the teens and tweens of Vancouver to enjoy teen spa services, Le Petit Spa offers a student discount of 10% when valid BC student ID is shown.

Le Petit Spa’s “Spa for Teens” offers a variety of treatments for all teens to get ready for prom, a special occasion or just for fun!

Below, the Le Petit Spa “Spa for Teens” list of spa services.

Le Petit Spa Teen Facial

Using products that actually inhibit the growth of bacteria in the skin, this facial will clarify skin, remove impurities such as blackheads and pustules (zits) and leave skin comfortable and balanced.

The Le Petit Spa Teen Facial follows a classic European facial including the following steps:

Cleanse - Removes makeup, excess oil and bacteria

Tone - Completes the cleansing step. Removes residue left by cleanser or water, trace elements left by tap water that build up over time causing skin Ph level to change, and returns skin to a balanced Ph level.

Exfoliate - This is the beginning of the deep cleansing portion. Exfoliating your skin removes the layer of dead skin cells, unblocking pores and allowing any impurities to be easily removed in the next step. Exfoliating oily skin or problem skin on a regular basis will also, overtime, help control oil production and balance secretions.

Extractions - A Le Petit Spa esthetician will carefully and gently put pressure around each pore with a professional implement that is used to extract blackheads and other impurities that get stuck in the skin. This allows breakouts to heal and clear up faster, revealing a more unified complexion.

Masque - The active treatment portion of the facial. A facial masque delivers, on average, 70% active ingredients into the skin to give instant results. Whether it’s to control acne, deliver extra hydration to the skin, a masque gives instant results.

Moisturizer - It’s important to moisturize all skin types, even oily skin. When the skin is lacking in moisture, the skin will pump up oil production to protect itself. A moisturizer will prevent your skin from pumping up oil production and causing any breakouts from excess oil.

The Teen Facial at Le Petit Spa uses a moisturizer that controls oil where needed, but moisturizes skin where lacking in hydration, never too think, creamy or heavy. The light gel texture of these products will leave your skin fresh and clean feeling.

Le Petit Spa Teen Pedicure

A pedicure featuring a sea salt scrub, a relaxing massage and an application of the hottest shades of the season from OPI, this pedicure will leave your toes feeling and looking like “a perfect 10”. A Le Petit Spa esthetician will shape and trim your toe nails, nip any dead skin from the cuticle area and buff the bottoms of your feet to create feet worthy of any spa teen diva.

Want something to really make your toes unique and all about you? Consider a Le Petit Spa Nail Art Pedicure. We’ll give your toes a unique nail art design on top of your polish to make your toes really stand out!

Guinot Body Bronzing

We all know tanning is horrible for your skin, not to mention your health: skin cancer rates of nearly tripled in woman aged 18 to 29 since the 70’s. Why do we do it? Because tanned skin looks absolutely gorgeous! No doubt about it! But there are safe alternatives.

The Guinot Body Bronzing treatment at Le Petit Spa offers a safe alternative to tanning. Using a sugar, DHA, that oxidizes to a brown tan when coming in contact with your skin’s own amino acids, this self tanning cream “tans” your skin to a natural looking, golden goddess tan, never orange, never too dark or streaky!

Teen Hair Removal Spa Treatments

Puberty is a challenging time for young women; there are so many changes that we go through in this time period. And an excess of body hair where previously there may not have been any can be embarrassing and make us all feel a little self conscience at one time or another.

Le Petit Spa offers a wide range of spa waxing services for teens. These include:

• Eyebrow shaping
  


• Underarm Waxing
  


• Arm waxing
  


• Bikini waxing

For a full list of waxing services offered at Le Petit Spa look at our waxing web page.

All of these spa services for teens are offered 7 days a week at Le Petit Spa. Show us your student ID and receive 10% off of your services with us (excluding packages and massage services).

Le Petit Spa offers complimentary skin type analysis to help you decide which type of products are right for you, to book your free skin type analysis, contact Le Petit Spa.

Have questions about skin care? Wonder what a glycolic facial is? We have a licensed esthetician on staff ready to answer your questions in this blog, email her and look for your answer in a future edition of this blog!

Unleash The Power of Pink with Mineral Makeup at Le Petit Spa

New Mineral Makeup for Spring at Vancouver's Le Petit Spa.

New for Spring at Le Petit Spa! Jane Iredale “Power of Pink” spring collection of mineral makeup.

Featuring a tri-color palette of pink eye shadows, a berry shade of pink lipstick inspired after actress Kirsten Dunst, a new shade of pink lip gloss “Cotton Candy” and a “Brush me Bronze” bronzing system, these new products from our favourite Mineral Makeup line will put a fresh spin your Spring look.

“Think Pink” Pure Pressed Triple Eye Shadow Mineral Makeup

Containing a light baby pink, a vivid pink for shading and definition and a deep raspberry accent color, this trio of eye shadows will compliment the pastel dresses of Spring 2007.

These colors can also be used as blush or mixed into your favourite clear lip gloss to add a hint of pink shimmer to your pout.

“Kirsten” Pure Moist Mineral Makeup Lip Color

Like all of Jane Iredale’s Pure Moist Lip Colors, their newest color, “Kirsten”, contains no chemical preservatives or any synthetic dyes. The rich berry pink color comes strictly from iron oxides. “Kirsten” is inspired by the sweet and elegant actress Kirsten Dunst and is complimentary to any skin tone.

“Cotton Candy” Mineral Makeup Pure Gloss

Containing the perfect amount of shimmer for either day or night, this flirty shade of pink is guaranteed to enhance every pair of lips it touches. Containing a base of organic vegetable oils, it contains a light mint flavour and grape see oil to add a hint of minty freshness to breath while moisturizing, protecting and nourishing lips.

“Brush-Me-Bronze” Mineral Makeup

We all know that tanning is the worst possible thing you can do for your skin. Enter Brush-Me-Bronze from Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup.

Containing flecks of gold, “Brush-Me-Bronze” will capture the radiant glow of the sun, without the harmful effects.

Complete with its own self-contained brush, this is the perfect tool for highlighting, contouring or bronzing your features for a sexy, glowing, goddess look. Conveniently comes complete in it’s own case for quick touch ups on the go.

The minerals used in “Brush-Me-Bronze makes blending a synch and always look completely natural; coming in two shades, “Brush-Me-Bronze 1” and “Brush-Me-Bronze 2”.

When booking a facial at Le Petit Spa, you will receive 10% off of the purchase of any Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup product when purchased same day as service, contact Le Petit Spa today!

To receive offers on further exclusive in-spa promotions, special events, new product launches or monthly service promotions sign up for our monthly newsletter. Have beauty questions? Not sure of what a Glycolic Facial is? Email me and receive your answer in my next blog!

A Gift Fit For Any Bridezilla! Le Petit Spa Deliverrs the Gift of Relaxation!

Le Petit Spa Signature Spa Package

Know someone who’s getting married soon and needs some extra TLC?

The Signature Spa Package at Le Petit Spa is a perfect solution for delivering much needed relaxation, as well as being the perfect package to have before the wedding (or grad!) to get beautified.

The Signature Spa Package at Le Petit Spa contains our Signature Facial, our Signature Manicure and Signature Pedicure.

Le Petit Spa Signature Facial

The Le Petit Spa Signature Facial will focus on your specific skin needs and concerns. All clients who have our Signature Facial receive their own customized spa facial.

We start out with a skin analysis to determine which skin type you have and any skin problems/concerns you would like to address during your facial.

We then decide which products would be right for you based on your skin: Oily, dry, dehydrated, a combo thereof - the combinations are endless! You end up with a facial that is totally for you! Your skin is balanced, smooth and glowing!

What makes this facial different than others?

This facial is different from others because it allows freedom to use a combination of products to customize a facial that is perfect for your skin.

Other facials, like the Le Petit Spa Hydrating Facial, targets hydration and only uses hydrating products. It’s a set protocol with little room to customize for each clients unique skin.

The Le Petit Spa Signature Facial is a set protocol in the steps of the facial: Cleanse, tone, exfoliate, extractions, massage, mask and serum and then final treatment cream, but products can be customized for each client: A cleanser for dry skin, but maybe a moisturizer for combination skin. Your Le Petit Spa esthetician will decide which products are right for you.

Le Petit Spa Signature Manicure

This manicure will have your hands looking their absolute best! Featuring a Lavender sea salt scrub, relaxing massage with a French Lavender hand cream and a Lavender paraffin treatment will deeply smooth, hydrate and nourish your skin.

After your nails are perfectly shaped and styled an application of OPI nail color will complete your Signature Manicure.

Did you know? Small changes in your nails such as ridges and splitting or peeling nails are signs that something is happening in your body; could be a deficiency in minerals or vitamins or a lifestyle change.

Your nails are extensions of your skin; your skin will show signs of your health, your nails will too!

Le Petit Spa Signature Pedicure

Toes deserve attention too, especially in the winter! Pedicures bring to light any changes or problems that can develop in the winter months such as dryness, fissures, fungus or missing nails from too many skiing trips!

Featuring a Lavender sea salt scrub and a Lavender paraffin treatment, dry skin runs for the hills after this deeply soothing, nourishing treatment. A professional application of OPI nail color gives you the ultimate “perfect 10”.

Perfect as a spa package to have a few days before her wedding, the Le Petit Spa Signature Spa Package is a perfect way for her to get ready for her big day! Take the stress away from her having to worry about finding the time to book her pre-wedding treatments and give her a Le Petit Spa Signature Package gift card…

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about further exclusive in-spa promotions, special events, monthly service promotions and more…Have beauty questions? Not sure of what a glycolic facial is? Email me with your questions and look for your answer in a future edition of this blog!

"Count Down to Prom!" One Month to Go...

Countdown to Prom!

One Month to go before your big night!

Prom and graduation is a special time in a young girl’s life. And it’s never too early to start thinking about your skin; after all, it is your body’s largest organ.

In your teens, your skin goes through an extreme period of change. New levels of hormones are introduced and this also causes breakouts along the forehead, jaw bone…well, basically anywhere they feel like showing their ugly heads!

You’ve got one month before prom and graduation to get your skin looking its absolute best for your special night!

This blog talks about the how to prevent breakouts and how to achieve clear, beautiful flawless looking skin.

What causes pimples?

Zits and pimples (correct name pustules) are an infection in your pilosebaceous unit (which consists of your pore, hair follicle, and an oil gland). Pustules are formed when dirt and bacteria become trapped in your skin, fester and become what’s known as a zit(infection).

What’s the best way to prevent zits and acne?

Cleansing your skin is the most important thing you can do to prevent future breakouts on your skin. Using a cleansing regime of a Cleanser, Toner and Moisturizer (yes! Even moisturizer on oily skin!) will keep your skin perfectly balanced and clear of imperfections.

Why use a Cleanser, toner and moisturizer?

All three steps are equally important and here’s why:

Cleanser: properly removes makeup, excess oil and bacteria trapped on your skin that is responsible for causing breakouts. When bacteria and dirt get together and have a party on the surface of your skin, guess what happens? Zits are suddenly being given out as party favours!

Toner: There’s a lot of misconception about toners. Rumour has it they dry your skin out and prevent breakouts that way – Not true! In fact, there’s a toner out there for every skin type under the sun.

Toners complete the cleansing process by removing water residue, minerals that can upset your skin’s Ph level, and prepare your skin for the next step – moisturizer.

Moisturizers are important for all skin types - even oily skin! Know why? A moisturizer keeps your skin balanced – hydrated where needed, and balances oil where needed.

Tips for preventing breakouts at home:

1. Change bedding frequently – pillow cases should be changed every three days or so – sleep on one side – flip – sleep on the other – wash!

2. Don’t Touch! Your face, that is! Touching spreads bacteria and transfers more bacteria onto your skin causing pimples and zits to appear.

3. Don’t pick! (your zits and pimples) If you do not extract a pimple correctly, it can become more infected and spread the bacteria around your face, causing more zits to appear.

4. Don’t over wash your skin - Over washing your skin strips your skin of its natural oil barrier which helps protect your skin. When you over wash and strip this barrier off, your skin ups its oil production - causing more acne and problems for you in the long run. Wash only twice a day - morning and night to ensure you keep your skin happy.

What Does a Teen Facial involve?

A teen facial at any day spa will feature a line of products specifically formulated for teen skin.

Le Petit Spa uses Phytomer Oligopur line for oily, combination and problem skin and features this line in their Signature Teen Facial.

Oligopur uses a marine algae that stops the bacteria growth responsible for causing breakouts in the skin. When bacteria does not have a suitable environment to grow in, it cannot fester and stay in the skin to become an infection (zit).

The Le Petit Spa Teen Facial includes these main steps:

Cleanse - to remove excess oil, dirt and makeup

Tone - to complete the cleansing process, return skin to its natural Ph level, and remove residue and minerals that can build up in skin from tap water.

Exfoliate - removes dead skin from blocking pores and allows impurities to be removed from skin in the next step.

Extractions - Using a metal tool called an “extractor”, the esthetician will gently put pressure around the opening of each pore and any impurities or dirt (black heads) will easily come out. This immediately gives your complexion new light and clarity.

Mask - The mask is a treatment that is for immediate results. Masks contain active ingredients to treat the skin of its problem (dryness, oiliness or a combination)

Moisturizer - To hydrate your skin where needed and to absorb oil where needed, a moisturizer will balance your skin’s oil secretions and help keep your skin perfectly balanced.

Considering booking a facial? When you want clear skin for a special occasion the best way to have one is in a series: One month before the occasion, two weeks before the occasion and then, if needed, a day or so before the occasion, here’s why:

One month to go:

Facials stimulate your skin on a deep level. Any bacteria that is trapped in your skin will come to the surface (as a pimple) after about 10 days or so.

When we’re young, our skin renews itself every 28 days; therefore, the full results of the facial will not show on the surface of your skin until the deepest layers of your skin have come to the top layer of skin (28 days after your facial)

Two Weeks Before:

Having a second facial two weeks after your first facial (and no less than 2 weeks before the occasion) will help clear any breakouts that resulted from your first facial. An esthetician will be able to extract any pimples or blackheads that have come to the surface of the skin after your first facial.

One week to 2 days before the occasion:

This facial will help to clear any last minute breakouts that you may be experiencing from your last facial or any that have just decided to show up to say “Hi”. If you’ve followed a series of treatments, your skin should be glowing with clarity and be free of most impurities.

If you’re unsure of which skin type you have, come into Le Petit Spa for a complimentary skin type analysis. A Le Petit Spa esthetician will be able to help you determine which skin type you have, and which products would be right for your skin types and problems.

She will also be able to answer any private questions you may have about your skin and how to take care of it.

Skin analysis’ are done in your own private treatment room and you have as much or as little time with the esthetician as you need to ask her your questions.

To contact Le Petit Spa to book a free skin type analysis, click here. If you have questions about beauty, makeup or skin care, or questions about spa services, email me and I’ll post your answer in a future edition of this blog!

DHA and You! Match Made in Heaven for a Golden Glow Goddess Look - Literally!

Self Tanning Creams have come a long way since their introduction into the cosmetic market.

When they first appeared, self tanning creams would use actual chemicals that would dye your skin! Yuck! And not to mention, they didn’t smell very nice at all! We all can think of what self tanning creams smell like, it’s not pleasant!

Today’s formulations don’t rely on gross, stinky chemicals to give you the “Barbie doll, plastic orange looking tan”. What they rely on is a natural compound, DHA, which is derived from sugar.

The History Behind DHA

DHA was first discovered in a children’s hospital where they were treating children with diabetes (diabetics can tolerate this type of sugar). However; when some of the patients spit up or got sick, brown spots would develop on their skin where the medicine touched it.

Doctors started to experiment with this sugar and noticed its “self tanning” abilities. DHA is a food grade product that is approved for ingestion by the FDA. It also has been linked to burning fat and now can be found in weight loss products.

When used in cosmetic self tanning products, it is completely safe; there are no detrimental effects on the inner body or skin when applied topically.

DHA and Me? How Does DHA Work?

DHA works with the natural amino acids in your body; a chemical reaction then takes place and the amino acids cause the DHA to oxidize and “tan” your skin. This also means that there is no chemical “self tanning” smell when using self tanning products that contain DHA. This truly is a safe, natural tan.

“Fake and Bake” tanning salons are in the spot light more than ever these days, and it’s because of the rise in skin cancer rates.

Self tanning products are a safe, healthy alternative to tanning salons as they do not damage your skin, contain no chemicals and have no cancer causing factors in them.

Most Vancouver day spas will offer a self tanning service, or “body bronzing service” in their spa menus to offer their clients a safe alternative to tanning, let’s face it, tanned skin is absolutely gorgeous! (aside from the cancer risk and wrinkling!)

Le Petit Spa uses Guinot self tanning products in their Body Bronzing Service, and of course, DHA is utilized to give clients a healthy, safe, natural tan. Other ingredients in this line of products include Aloe, to soften and moisturize skin to keep your tan longer, Shea Butter to soothe skin and deeply moisturize and Vitamin E, a powerful anti oxidant to protect your skin against free radicals which cause premature aging…read more about the benefits of the Guinot Body Bronzing Service at Le Petit Spa.

Sign up for our newsletter for further exclusive in-spa promotions, special events, and monthly or daily service promotions. Have beauty questions? Unsure of what a Body Wrap is? Email me with your questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

*information found for this blog at http://www.bodyinvest.com/dhastory.html

The "Tasmanian Devil Made Me Do It" Newest Excuse at Le Petit Spa

OPI has done it again! Launching a full color spectrum of pretty pinks, corals and ruby reds that all resemble the Australian landscape, this line is truly “beauty down under”.

Featuring catchy names like “Red Hot Ayers Rock”, “Fit for a Queensland” and “Tasmanian Devil Made Me Do It”, these colors will have you dreaming of a mid-winter get away to the deep south of Australia.

OPI nail lacquers are some of the best in the spa world; particularly known for their staying power of up to 4 weeks...view the Australian Collection at Le Petit Spa.

Le Petit Spa has two days of the week dedicated to your nail color fantasies.

Mondays feature “Mani-Days” at Le Petit Spa; come into Le Petit Spa on a Monday for a manicure and purchase any OPI product; you will receive 15% off the total of the two.

Benefits of having a manicure:

• Maintenance of hands and nails
  



• Relaxing hand massage; relieves stress that is associated with 80% of human illnesses
  



• Education on how to care for hands and nails
  



• Soft, moisturized skin

On Tuesdays at Le Petit Spa, “Toes-Days” are featured; when you come into Le Petit Spa on a Tuesday for a pedicure and purchase any footlogix foot care product, you will receive 15% off the total of the two.

Benefits of having a pedicure:

• Grooming and maintenance of nails and feet
  



• Relaxing foot massage; relieves stress that is associated with 80% of human illnesses
  



• Education on how to maintain and care for feet
  



• Professional products used to treat specific skin/feet ailments
  



• Perfectly painted toes that will last anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks.

Voted in the top three day spas since their opening three years ago, Le Petit Spa is open 7 days a week and offers a full menu of manicure and pedicure spa services.

Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, daily and monthly service promotions and special events.

Have beauty questions? Wondering what a glycolic facial does and is? Email me with any of your spa related service questions and beauty questions and receive a personalized response from our on line beauty expert.

Why Should I? The Importance of Using Professional Skin Care Products

Why use professional skin care?

Why use professional skin care? Why not just head down to the local drugstore, and pick up something cheap? Why spend money on something that just goes down the drain?

These are common questions that clients ask when they come into a spa for a facial. But, if you’re coming in to a spa for a facial, why aren’t you ready to make a commitment to good skin at home? Why spend money on a facial if you return home and use not-so-great products on your skin?

This blog discusses why using professional products are beneficial to your skin and busts through some myths about professional products.

1. Professional skin care is way more expensive

Not true! Professional skin products are comparable to say, Lancôme or Clinique; and sometimes, even less expensive. Plus, on average, you’re getting 70% more active ingredients in professional products than drugstore and department store brands. See our price comparison chart on one of our professional products, Phytomer, and major department store brands…

2. Department store brands are better known and reputable

Ok, so if your idea of being reputable is spending research dollars on the next glitzy ad campaign containing your favourite celebrity, then department store brands are more reputable. The reason why these brands are so well known is for a number of reasons:

a. Hire expensive celebrities and models to promote their product. This is called “Referent Power” and is a powerful marketing tool. By law, when these spokes models promote these products they have to use them, but only for the duration of the ad campaign or commercial you’re watching.

b. Money that is accumulated from the sales of these products is put into the next ad campaign for the product, not back into the product as research and advancement techniques. Marketing behind these lines has more money spent on it than research and development of the products you’re using on your face.

And let’s face it, if your favourite celebrity shows up on your TV with perfect skin using the said product, why aren’t you going to use it to achieve her skin? These ad campaigns work wonders.

3. Why don’t we hear about professional skin care more often?

Professional skin care companies do not put money into their marketing campaigns like department store brands do. They put the money made from sales of their products into years of research and new technologies. And then, of course they do put some money into marketing; but you will see this when you enter the salon or spa that it is sold in.

4. Why are professional brands like Phytomer and Guinot sold in spa only?

When a brand is sold in a spa or salon, it is guaranteed to be of a professional grade brand, meaning it contains higher quality ingredients and more active ingredients and need professionally trained skin care therapists to use them and educate their clients on them.

Selling professional lines in spa only means that there is a better quality control over the product as well; they are not mass produced like drugstore brands and department store brands are; they are produced in numbers compared to past years and sales trends.

This also means that you will not receive a product that has been sitting in a warehouse for five years, your professional products are fresh and of high quality.

The most important thing you should consider when using products for yourself is how you feel about the product. You should use products that you believe in, are happy with the results and deliver results to you.

When you visit a spa for a facial, listen to your esthetician about the skin care she recommends to you; she’s not just trying to make commission off of selling you something, she’s educating you about which products, from her professional experience and opinion of your skin, are right for you. She should offer you brochures and as much information about the line she is recommending to you as you want or need.

Remember: she’s not trying to force information down your throat and getting you to buy buy buy! She’s trying to help you make the best possible choice in professional skin care for you and your needs.

Come into Le Petit Spa for a complimentary skin consultation to receive education and advice about what type of products would be best for your skin. These complimentary services are available seven days a week; contact Le Petit Spa today…

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about in spa promotions, gift with purchases, special events, and our monthly service promotions. Or email me with your beauty questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Back Facials for Brides - Backless Dress? Consider a Back Facial

Bridal Services – Back Facial

What is it? Why is it important?

Spa menus of today usually contain a “Back Facial”. What is a Back Facial? Why is it important before your wedding day?

A Back Facial is just like a facial for your face: It cleanses, tones, exfoliates, gets rid of impurities in your skin, and moisturizes your skin for a flawless finish.

The reasons why they are so important for your wedding day are:

1. Breakouts on your back? This facial will help to get rid of impurities in your pores that create pimples and uneven skin.

2. Backless dress? This facial will help to rid your back of dead skin build up, breakouts and clogged pores so you can show off your back in all it’s glory!

3. Honeymoon? Keep your back flawless for bikini clad days spent with your new hubby on a tropical beach.

Below, the steps of the Le Petit Spa Back Facial are explained:

1. Cleanse – to rid your back of dirt and other breakout causing impurities.

2. Tone – the finishing part of your cleansing step – would you use a shampoo without conditioner? I don’t’ think so! A toner returns your skin to its natural Ph level after cleansing with water, removes trace elements left from your tap water, and prepares your skin for the next step.

3. Exfoliation – This removes build up of dead skin cells that are dulling your skin and clogging pores. This also helps your masque and moisturizer to better penetrate your skin later on.

4. Extractions – Ok, this is the worst part of the facial – but a necessary one. Extractions (or removal) of impurities that are clogging your pores (black heads and pimples) will help prevent future breakouts and keep your skin looking clear for your wedding day.

5. Massage – The absolute best part of the Back Facial. This step helps to improve circulation, ridding your body of toxins and helping to heal blemishes and breakouts faster. Not to mention, you’ll be left completely relaxed and all your pre-wedding worries will be gone!

6. Masque – Masques contain about 70% active ingredients and deliver visible, immediate results. This is the treatment step of your facial. Your esthetician will pick a masque that will deliver the best active ingredients for your skin condition (oiliness, dryness). This is left on for about 10 minutes to deliver maximum results.

7. Treatment Cream – The final step of your facial. Your esthetician will pick a moisturizer specifically with your skin in mind. This will continue to deliver ingredients and results to your skin hours after you leave the spa. It is important to moisturize your skin to balance your skin and keep it comfortable and happy.

Come in for a complimentary skin care analysis at Le Petit Spa. One of our skin care therapists will help you customize a home care regimen that’s best suited for your particular skin care concerns and needs. Contact Le Petit Spa today…

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, gift-with-purchases, monthly and daily service promotions or email me with your beauty questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Eye Creams - How Important Are They and Why?

Did you know? The eye area is 4 times thinner than the skin on the rest of your face? Your eyes are the first area on your face to show the signs of ageing: puffiness, wrinkles and loss of firmness in this area always show their ugly signs first.

On average your face has about 20 layers of skin cells on the top layers of your skin. The eye area; however, only has about 12.

This means that not only should you use an eye cream that is specific for your eye area, but you should start to use it as soon as you hit 20 years of age!

Still think that eye creams are just another way for cosmetic companies to grab more of your hard earned cash? Think again!

Your eye contour area is the most fragile area on your face. Eye creams are formulated differently for this area as it can not handle heavy creams. Eye creams contain smaller molecules so they can penetrate the fine, delicate skin in this area and not clog pores. This is why, eye creams, on average are a little more expensive, but are definitely worth their weight in gold!

Did you also know? That on average, only one out of three blood vessels in your eye contour area work? Resulting in, you guessed it: Bags under the eye, dark circles and fine lines and wrinkles!

The eye contour area lacks in circulation due to this fact, therefore toxins, excess fluids and poor circulation (dark circles) quickly can develop. Of course, genetics also play a part in dark circles and how well your circulatory system works.

This is why, when you look for an eye cream to purchase, it should stimulate microcirculation to improve the look of dark circles and puffiness; but be weary of any creams that promise to get rid of these as these are mainly genetic.

However, if your dark circles and puffiness are due to not getting your full 8 hours of sleep the night before because you were out partying with the girls, eye creams can help speed up the recovery time of dark circles and puffiness, and if you didn’t experience these before your long night, you can get rid of them.

So, as a recap, eye contour creams are important because:

• The eye contour area does not contain any oil glands; therefore, the skin in your eye area dehydrates very quickly and cannot protect itself.This is why your eyes are always the first to show signs of your age!


• Circulation in your eye area is poor!The eye contour area is more prone to puffiness and dark circles


• The skin in your eye area is 4 times thinner than the rest of your skin! Regular moisturizers contain molecules that are too big for your eye area, hence white heads and blockages are common when using a regular moisturizer in this area.

Listed below are some eye creams that promote micro-circulation, helping to reduce puffiness and dark circles, and promote the youthful look of the eye contour area by reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles as well.:

1. Intense Youth Eye Cream from Phytomer – this advanced eye cream is for mature skin types only.

Ingredients:

o Ciliata (red algae) which provides strong anti-free radical action, protecting your skin from accelerated aging.
o Marine Spring Water: Firms eye area tissues, cohesion of the epidermis is strengthened; the skin is lifted and toned.
o Buckwheat Oil: Anti-puffiness and draining action, reduces the size of bags under the eyes.

Product applied once a day for 28 days to the eye area of 23 women with mature skin (shows visible signs of age, fine lines and wrinkles). Below, their satisfaction after 28 days:

• Eyes regained their sparkle and looked younger: 92%



• Deep wrinkles are diminished: 96%



• The eye contour area is smoothed and firmed: 100%



• Dark circles and puffiness are reduced: 91%

2. Eye Contour Long-Lasting Hydrating cream from Guinot – this ultra-moisturizing eye contour cream provides a protective barrier on the skin’s surface, preventing loss of moisture and dehydration (fine lines and wrinkles).This eye contour cream is for skin types of 20 – 25 years (young skin)

Ingredients:

o Hydro-Liposomes deliver in-depth moisture to the heart of skin cells.
o Horse Chestnut decongests and firms skin
o Vitamin E is a powerful anti-oxidant, slows natural aging process.

The earlier you start to use an eye cream the better: Women start to loose 1% of collagen a year after the age of 20; collagen is the fibre in our skin responsible for keeping our skin wrinkle free and “plump” looking.

Come in for a complimentary skin care analysis to receive a customized skin care program for your unique skin care concerns and needs...contact Le Petit Spa today.

Sign up for Le Petit Spa’s monthly newsletter to be the first to know about these kinds of products when they first arrive and for other exclusive offers and events. Have a beauty question or spa service question? Email me with your question and look for your answer in a future blog!

These products found on our partner website www.spaboutique.ca

The History of the French Manicure

When you think of “French Manicure” do you automatically think of a set of false nails?

Well, the truth is that a French Manicure is actually painted on to your nail. There is no use of false nails that can damage your natural nail bed and no harsh chemicals are used either.

What you get is a set of glamorous looking, clean polished nails that are perfect for your wedding day.

The History behind the French Manicure

Although the term “manicure” has been around for about 5,000 years, the origin of the “French Manicure” is not certain. There are claims that it first appeared in the 1930’s to give French society women a clean yet polished look for their hands. Another idea is that when you add the word “French” to anything, it instantly becomes chic and sophisticated.

Whichever the case, it is truly the ultimate sign of class and sophistication. And there is no better time to have one like on your wedding day.

A Le Petit Spa French Manicure starts of with cuticle work, nail work, a luxurious soak, a Lavender Sea Salt Scrub, a relaxing massage and the polish application...read more on Le Petit Spa Bridal Services


Come in on Mondays at Le Petit Spa for “Mani-Days”, a day in Vancouver to get your fingers looking like a “perfect ten!” …Read more about Mani-days at Le Petit Spa.

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, gift with purchases and special events such as our monthly service promotions. Or email me with your beauty or spa service questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Le Petit Spa - March Service Promotion

March Service Promotion at Le Petit Spa

This month, Le Petit Spa features their Signature Facial as the Monthly Service Promotion.

Featuring the Phytomer line of professional skin care products, this facial allows customization for each client; who doesn’t want their own unique professional facial made just for them?

Your Le Petit Spa Esthetician will first do a skin type analysis to expertly choose which Phytomer products are best suited for you (hydrating, oil balancing, anti-aging).

She will talk closely with you about your skin concerns, problems you may be experiencing or any specific issues you would like to address during your experience at Le Petit Spa.

The facial experience starts off with a relaxation back massage and moves into the initial steps of the facial: Cleansing, toning, exfoliation and steam are all done with products specifically picked out for your unique skin type / concerns.

Extractions are done (if necessary) a facial massage, and then your own personalized mask is applied and left to benefit your skin for up to 10 minutes. During your masqueing, a soothing and deeply relaxing hand massage is performed for you.

Your final treatment cream and eye cream is then applied to conclude your Le Petit Spa facial experience. Home care recommendations are then talked about with you.

Your Esthetician has worked closely with you and your skin for an hour now; she can best prescribe which products would work best for your skin and expertly give directions on how to use each product.

Home care is an important step in facial care; not just so you can say “I use professional products” but because the results from your facial will not last or benefit you if you return home and use products that are wrong for your skin; the money you spent on your facial just went down the drain – literally!

The biggest myth in the spa industry that I have come across is that professional skin care products sold in spas are much more expensive than say, department store brands like Lancôme and Clinique. NOT TRUE!!! Take a look at our past price comparison between our Phytomer skin care line and some major department store brands…

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A day in Vancouver in a French Country atmosphere to acheive hairless bodies!

Wax – Days at Le Petit Spa

A day set out in a French Country atmosphere to help the women (and men) of Vancouver achieve hairless, smooth bodies!

Wax-Days at Le Petit Spa is featured every Wednesday in Vancouver. When you come into Le Petit Spa on a Wednesday and book two or more waxing services (combo’s excluded) you will receive 50% off the lesser of the two.

Two featured professional spa products on wax-days are PFB, a roll-on glycolic preparation that soothes skin after waxing and prevents in-grown hairs, and Le Petit Spa’s Signature Tea Tree Lotion, which soothes the skin after waxing and contains antiseptic properties to prevent irritated hair follicles.

Le Petit Spa offers a wide range of professional spa waxing services at their full service French Country Day Spa. Below are some highlighted services that word-of-mouth has dubbed “the best in Vancouver three years in a row!”

Did you know? The reason why waxing stops hair from growing back is because it ‘damages’ the blood supply to the hair follicle. This does not cause any damage to your skin, but cuts off the blood supply to the individual hairs, stopping them from re-growing.

1. Brazilian – Also known as “the full Monty” this waxing service finds hair to remove in places you probably didn’t know you had hair. Named after the beautiful women of Brazil and their skimpy bikini bottoms, this waxing service preps you for even the most skimpy lingerie and bathing suits.

2. Eye brow Shaping – Nothing helps frame your face and complete your look than a perfectly shaped pair of eyebrows. Never too skimpy and never too thick, a Le Petit Spa esthetician will be able to create a brow that’s perfect for your eyes.

3. Leg Waxing – Whether you go for the “full” leg or half, your legs will be as soft as silk after this waxing treatment and will be hairless for up to 4 weeks depending on your hair re-growth rate. Perfect for new moms who don’t have time to shave everyday.

4. Pour Les Hommes – Waxing services for men; perfect for your honeymoon or other special occasions. Back waxing, chest waxing and stomach’s can be smooth as silk for your sweet heart after one of Le Petit Spa’s waxing services for men.

For more information about Le Petit Spa waxing services visit our web site page on waxing. Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, gift-with-purchases and monthly service promotions. Or email me with your beauty questions or day spa service questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Experience the French Country Side - in a Vancouver Day Spa

Le Petit Spa offers a number of daily promotions to the “spa goers” of Vancouver. Featuring spa facials, pedicures, manicures and treatments for men, all set in a French country inspired theme; Le Petit Spa has certainly become a prominent Vancouver Day Spa.

Signature Sundays leads the way at this Vancouver Day Spa. Incorporating their Signature Facial into a daily promotion has allowed Le Petit Spa to get the word out that they are “Vancouver’s skin care specialists”. When you come into Le Petit Spa on a Sunday for a Signature Facial, you will receive 10% off the purchase of any skin care or makeup purchase, when purchased same day as service…Read more about Signature Sundays.

Nestled in the corner of Kitsilano and the Point Grey neighbourhood lies this escape to the French country side. The smell of French Lavender immediately embraces you as you enter the door to your own private sanctuary of blissful relaxation.

A Signature Le Petit Spa duvet hugs and warms your body as your private esthetician performs what can only be described as a “soul saving” treatment, the Le Petit Spa Signature Facial.

Incorporating a relaxation back massage, facial massage and hand massage into the facial, you leave feeling like you’re about to melt into the French tiled floor.

You’re then led to the relaxation lounge where you’re served Le Petit Spa’s Signature Lavender Rooibos Tea, or lemon or cucumber water – the only choice you’ll be asked to make during your visit at Le Petit Spa.

This day spa experience can be yours seven days a week. For contact information to one of Vancouver’s best day spas, click here.

Sign up for our monthly newsletter. Each month we feature a daily promotion and monthly service promotion at promotional prices, gift with purchases and new product or services launches in our newsletter. Or email me with your beauty questions or day spa questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Star Treatment at Le Petit Spa

The Le Petit Spa Signature Facial Treatment

Looking for the star treatment in Vancouver? It’s found at Le Petit Spa in their Signature Facial treatment.

This facial is different for everybody. Using the professional product line, Phytomer, each product and step is customized specifically for your skin type, needs and concerns. You esthetician will first do a thorough skin analysis to determine which skin conditions (i.e. dryness, acne) you may or may not have. Based on your client consultation form, she will then discuss with you your specific concerns and what you would like to target during your service.

During your facial service, you’ll be tucked into a Le Petit Spa duvet while soft candle light and whispers of French Lavender dance in the air.

The Le Petit Spa Signature Facial Treatment starts off with a relaxation back massage and is followed by cleansing, toning, exfoliation of your skin, extractions (if needed), a facial massage, a treatment masque with hand massage while masqueing and a final treatment cream. Remember – all of these steps feature products that are picked out just for you! Now that’s the star treatment!

What’s different about this facial compared to other Le Petit Spa Facial treatments?

Other Le Petit Spa facial treatments are set protocols, therefore; when you come into Le Petit Spa for, let’s say, our Phytomer Hydrating Facial, we will use hydrating products only on you. The Signature Facial allows room for customization of products for different skin conditions, cheeks a little dry? But your nose and forehead are oily? We can treat both areas with different specialized products in the Signature Facial.

How long will the results last?

As your skin renews itself every 28 days, the full results will not show themselves until 28 days but immediately after your facial you will notice a difference. Your skin will be smoother, clarity is immediately improved, and conditions such as dryness or acne may be less apparent.

How do I keep the results I see from my facial?

Coming in for a facial every 28 days is a great way to care for your skin – but if you go home and wash your face with soap and water, and don’t moisturize, what’s the point? Using a proper home care routine with products specifically prescribed for your skin type is the best way to maintain the results from a facial. And guess what? Professional products are not anymore expensive than, let’s say, Lancôme, Clinique, or any other department/drugstore brand. Plus, they contain about 50 to 90% more active ingredients in them than drugstore brands contain.

Why do we hear more about department store brands than professional brands?

Professional skin care lines are only sold in salons and spas by professionals who have been educated and thoroughly trained in using them. It is a smaller, more targeted market than drugstore and department store brands reach out to. Department stores market their lines with flashy ad campaigns with expensive models and glitzy ads. Professional lines invest the money that they earn from sales of the line on research and development on the line. Department store lines invest the money earned on the next ad campaign.

Do I need to use the whole line to benefit?

Absolutely not! The three most important products you should use is a cleanser to properly rid your skin of dirt, excess oil and makeup, a toner to remove residue from your tap water or left over makeup and to prep the skin for the next manitory step: Moisturizer is crucial to skin health – even for oilier skin types. Moisture is crucial to skin health for a number of reasons:

• Helps retain skin’s moisture levels and prevents premature aging.
  


• Creates a healthy Ph balance
  


• When your skin is balanced it is moisturized where needed and, in combination skin, oil is controlled.

Your Le Petit Spa esthetician will be able to sit down with you and talk about any questions that you may have about your specific skin concerns, needs and problems. Skin consultations are complimentary and are available 7 days a week at Le Petit Spa.

What happens during a skin consultation?

You will be taken into your very own private treatment room where your esthetician will take a look at your skin under a magnifying lamp.

This helps her to see your skin at a very high level. Your pores, pigmentation, skin texture is very highly detailed under this lamp and allows her to make the best choice when it comes to which type of skin products you should be using. This skin consultation is confidential between you and your esthetician, so feel free to express any concerns that you have. Estheticians are there to help you with your skin concerns and help you feel comfortable with the choices that you have made.

To find out how to contact Le Petit Spa, click here. Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about special events, monthly and daily promotions, and new product launches. Or email me with your beauty and/or spa questions and look for the answer in a future blog!

Le Petit Spa - Bridal Services for Her...and Him!

Bridal Services for Her and Him at Vancouver's Day Spa, Le Petit Spa.

Le Petit Spa offers a wide range of day spa services that are perfect for brides.

Back facials, waxing, makeup applications and lessons are all customized specifically for the needs of the brides of Vancouver.

This blog talks about which day spa treatments brides should consider before their big day in the spotlight.

Back Facial

Taking care of your skin shouldn’t end with the face. With today’s low-back or even backless wedding dresses, your back needs to be cleansed, exfoliated and treated properly before your big day to prevent flare ups of breakouts and any other imperfections that may appear.

The Le Petit Spa back facial incorporates steps from our Signature Facial: Cleanse, tone, exfoliation, extractions, back massage, treatment mask and then a finishing body cream.

This treatment ideally takes place one month and two weeks (follow up) prior to your wedding day to take care of any imperfections that can rise to the surface of your skin before you big day...Read more on Le Petit Spa's Back Facial.

Skin Care

Le Petit Spa offers a full day spa treatment menu with advanced and basic facials to fit into any bride’s budget. A professional skin consultation by one of Le Petit Spa highly trained estheticians will be able to pin point your exact skin concerns and which facial treatment at Le Petit Spa is right for your specific skin type. Skin consultations are free of charge at Le Petit Spa and are available 7 days a week.

A proper home care routine with products recommended from your consultation should be followed no less than 28 days prior to your wedding day to maintain the results of your facial...Read more on professional spa facial services at Le Petit Spa.

Sunless Tanning

The perfect solution to having that special “glow” on your big day without the sun damage tanning beds can do. Keep your skin healthy and perfectly moisturized with a Guinot Sunless Body Bronzing treatment at Le Petit Spa. This professional tanning system uses a sugar, when oxidized, works with the amino acids in your skin to give you a color that is truly unique to your skin tone, texture and color. Never orange or streaky, this tanning system is applied by the skilled hands (not sprayed on like other systems) of a Le Petit Spa esthetician...Read more on Sunless Tanning at Le Petit Spa.

Waxing

Maybe you’re jetting off to some tropical paradise the day after your wedding? Or maybe you just want to be smooth as silk for your wedding night, either way, a Le Petit Spa waxing services will give you the smooth, hairless body you desire. Bikini waxing, full body waxing; whatever your preference, a Le Petit Spa esthetician will help you attain the desired results you want...Read more on waxing services at Le Petit Spa.

Don’t forget the Groom!

Le Petit Spa offers a full menu of services for him to look his best as well. Waxing, Men’s Facial services, Massage and Men’s Manicures and Pedicures will have him looking like “Prince Charming” on your wedding day. Or book him in for "Thursdays for Men" at Le Petit Spa...

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Where Medi meets Pedi at Le Petit Spa

New to Le Petit Spa, a new line of foot products made to mimic the skin’s own natural composition. Delivering the most active ingredients possible, with no greasy outer layer left on the skin; the skin retains its ability to transpire normally.

This new line of foot products? Footlogix.

These products help increase the elasticity of the skin on your feet, therefore allowing the skin to become perfectly healthy and be able to perform its true function of Protection.

These products are easily absorbed, do not impede the natural functions of the skin (like oily and greasy creams and salves can) and socks can be worn immediately after application.

Creams or greasy salves create an Occlusive seal, cutting off oxygen to the skin and inhibiting the skin from performing it’s natural functions. The healing rate of fissures or other foot problems is dramatically reduced due to poor compliance with the skin. This also takes place when Vaseline, or petroleum jelly is used as a moisturizer, it does not penetrate into the skin; rather, it stays on the surface and does not allow the skin to perform its functions.

The Footlogix line of professional spa foot products contains cream foams for very dry skin to a sweaty feet formula. The line also features a shoe and foot deodorant.

The Footlogix line of professional foot care products is designed to provide effective care for a variety of skin conditions affecting the foot – from simple dryness to more severe conditions resulting from Diabetes – all products in this range are safe for Diabetic use. Le Petit Spa uses the Footlogix line of professional foot care in all of their day spa pedicure services.

Check out Le Petit Spa’s “Toes Day “promotion. A Tuesday featuring pedicures at one of Vancouver’s Best day spas: Le Petit Spa. When you come into Le Petit Spa for a pedicure on a Tuesday and purchase any Footlogix product, you will receive 15% off the total of the two.

Sign up Le Petit Spa’s newsletter to receive further exclusive offers such as our monthly promotion, new product launches and chances to win! Or email me with your beauty questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Mineral Makeup - The Hype, The Addiction, The Solution found at Le Petit Spa.

The Hype

Consumers are smarter now more than ever when it comes to making purchases while protecting the environment. With global warming becoming a basis for political campaigns and the realization that recycling, renewable fossil fuels and reusable goods should be a staple in today’s global community, consumers are looking for solutions that fit into today’s environmentally friendly lifestyle.

Enter Mineral Makeup, today’s cosmetic solution that is good for the environment as well as your skin – their hypoallergenic formulas are free of petroleum, talc, chemicals and other fillers that are un-natural and cause interruptions in your skin’s natural metabolic processes. Plus, the company that makes these minerals does not test on animals and harvest the minerals while ensuring the planet is left undamaged and at its natural state.

The minerals are from Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics – a pioneer in the natural cosmetics industry. Dubbed as the “Skin Care Makeup” these minerals feature a natural SPF derived from, of course, natural minerals. The creator of these minerals, Jane Iredale, was looking for a solution to cover the redness some clients were experiencing after laser surgery at the doctor’s office she was working at. Today, many plastic surgeons, doctors and spa’s all across the world use Jane Iredale as their choice for professional makeup services.

The Addiction

Once you try Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, it will be hard to use anything else. Not only do they have long lasting staying power, they do not clog pores (I must admit, I’ve even slept with them on, and not one pimple!). They feel so light that you can’t feel them on your skin, but covers everything from dark circles under the eyes, pimples, redness, freckles… I could go on for ever! Plus, your skin glows when you have these minerals on. I’m addicted; these minerals make your skin look so healthy! Of course, the healthiest makeup you can wear is your own skin, but if you’re like most of us out there and perfect skin isn’t always in the cards, Jane Iredale Minerals just might be the answer.

Day Spas use these minerals as “an extension of skin care” and some even apply them after performing facial treatments on their clients to protect their client’s skin from external factors (such as the sun) with their natural SPF.

Another great advantage of using these minerals is that they’re “inert”, meaning they don’t support bacteria growth, making them ideal for clients who have problems with acne (Teens). They also contain anti-inflammatory ingredients, soothing and calming the skin from external aggressors that can cause irritation...Read more about Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup.

The Solution

The perfect solution is found at Le Petit Spa! Book a full makeup application using Jane Iredale Mineral cosmetics or, better yet, a lesson to learn everything you need to know about them, and receive 10% off the purchase of the minerals used on you at the time of service! It’s our way of saying “Thank you”! Click here to contact Le Petit Spa for an appointment today.

You'll be doing something good for your skin, as well as the environment!

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Tanning Beds - The Next "Stop Smoking Campaign"

Tanning Beds are the new "Cancer Stick".

Did you know that after thyroid cancer, melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women ages 20 to 29? Did you also know that skin cancer is probably the easiest form of cancer to prevent by just taking a couple of extra precautions?

On an average day in the US, more than one million people tan in tanning salons; 70% of these people are women between the ages of 16 to 49.

It’s no mystery why we do it: a tan has long been seen as a form of “prosperity” – people that could afford to travel in the early 1900’s would come back with glowing tans; hence, it became a staple to show your status in society. Before that, when noblemen didn’t have to work in the fields and had pale, porcelain skin, a tan identified those who did and therefore were part of the working class. These noblemen were on to something.

Not only has the rate of skin cancer doubled in women under 40 since the 70’s, but the aging effects it has on your skin can start to show as early as 20 years of age!

If that doesn’t scare you, did you know that when you subject yourself to tanning beds, the radiation doesn’t stop at your skin? It travels through your skin, into your blood stream! Yuck! Few studies have been carried out to figure out just how damaging this is…but does it really take a Rocket Scientist to figure it out?

We all know smoking is wrong, we need to get the message out about tanning salons as well; which doesn’t seem to be happening, it’s an estimated 5 billion dollar industry annually a year.

Alternative Methods

Rachelle Green, our favorite “Friends” star sported the Mystic Tanning treatment on an episode of “Friends” and overnight, the spray-on-tanning treatments in the spa industry boomed! Now a days, you’ll find a wide range of tanning services offered at your favorite day spa – all without the harmful effects of the sun.

Le Petit Spa features their Guinot Body Bronzing System for a safe, chemical free, sunless tan to get the glowing skin of “I’m – freshly – back – from – the - tropics” glow.

Chemical Free?

You read it right. This sunless bronzer uses a sugar to give you the golden glow color you desire. When oxidized by oxygen (meaning a build up of gradual color over 8 hours) this sugar reacts with the natural amino acids in your skin to give you a color that is custom to your skin tone, texture and color.

A thorough body exfoliation is incorporated into this service to ensure that your tan develops streak free. The only downside? You can’t shower until the next day as it takes up to 8 hours for your full color to develop.

Which would you rather have? Skin Cancer or not being able to bathe for 24 hours?

Other benefits of Le Petit Spa’s Guinot Body Bronzing:

• No damaging effects from the sun
  


• Safe, natural color
  


• Moisturizing benefits from product
  


• Can be used all year long!
  


• Application by a professional means no streaking and no orange color
  

For more information on Le Petit Spa's Guinot Body Brozning service, click here. Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, gift-with-purchases, new products and services or special events, or email me with your beauty questions and/or service questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Aromatherapy Massage - not just a fancy name!

Aromatherapy Massage is one of the most popular day spa services in Vancouver. It is important to know the benefits of massage and the benefits of aromatherapy in order to appreciate such an experience.

You Le Petit Spa Massage Therapist will discuss with you the experience you are hoping to have during your massage (relaxing, invigorating) and discuss any health concerns that you may have.
Did you know? That Spa Massage Treatments address a variety of health conditions, the most prevalent being stress-related tension, which, experts believe, accounts for 80%-90% of disease. Bodywork offers a drug-free, non-invasive and humanistic approach based on the body’s natural ability to heal itself. A Full Body Massage has many physiological effects, such as:

• Increasing circulation, allowing the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs.
  


• Relaxing and softening injured and overused muscles.
  


• Reducing spasms and cramping.
  


• Reducing recovery time for strenuous workouts and eliminating subsequent pains of the athlete at any level.
  


• Relieving pain for migraine sufferers and decreasing the need for medication.
  

The addition of aromatherapy to a professional massage service adds further benefits to your body, mind and soul by stimulating sensory organs and effecting your mood and feelings. A day spa which has an aromatherapy massage on their menu will usually allow you to choose from a number of scents; all having different mood inspiring effects: Lavender to relax, Citrus to invigorate and Rosemary to stimulate are just some of the choices you may be able to choose from.

Essential oils have been used as an alternative to medicine for centuries because of their powerful effects on the mind. Infact, there is even a science devoted to the psychology of odours and their effects on the human mind: Aromachology.

Le Petit Spa offers Aromatherapy Massage in 60, 75 and 90 minute increments any day of the week. Le Petit Spa Massage Therapists are certified body workers and are highly trained in the most advanced techniques of body work and massage. Read about the Le Petit Spa team...

For more information about Le Petit Spa Massage Services, click here. Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, monthly service promotions and special events or email me with your day spa service questions or beauty questions and look for the answer in a future blog!

Count Down to Graduation begins for Teens of Vancouver

Countdown to Prom!

The countdown to Prom and Graduation has started at the four month mark for teens throughout Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.

Finding the perfect dress, shoes and accessories all top the “to-do” list before the big day, and having the perfect makeup and blemish free skin also goes along with the perfect look.

This blog talks about prom makeup, eyelash extensions and other spa services just for teens to get ready for their big day!

Teen Facial

Did you know? Women start to age around the age of 15 now-a-days because of the decrease in our ozone, pollution and other outside factors? The way you treat your skin today dramatically affects the way your skin will look in your 20’s, 30’s and 40’s.

A teen facial will not only care for your skin now, it will help you achieve balanced, purified, clear skin for graduation and create a smooth base for perfect makeup application. The better hydrated and balanced your skin is, the better your makeup will look and be easier to apply…Read more about Le Petit Spa’s Teen Facial.

Makeup

Smooth, flawless skin can be yours for graduation! All it takes is professional grade makeup with some tips from the pro’s at Le Petit Spa. Using Jane Iredale pure mineral makeup, a Le Petit Spa esthetician will consult and work with you to create a look that compliments your style… Read more about Le Petit Spa’s Makeup services.

Eyelash Extensions

For something a little different and fun, why not try a set of Le Petit Spa eyelash extensions? They last two to four weeks and frame your eyes to give you a “bambi” –like look that all of young Hollywood seems to be sporting; Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton are big fans! …Read more about Le Petit Spa Eyelash Extensions.

Nail Art Pedicure

Feeling flirty? Why not express it on your toes? A Le Petit Spa Nail Art Pedicure for your special day will be sure to give you a “perfect ten”, plus all Nail Art at Le Petit Spa is unique for you, no two designs are exactly alike...Read more about Nail Art Pedicure…Looking for something to do with your closest girlfriends before grad? Le Petit Spa pedicure parties allow you to celebrate the good times with up to 5 of your closest friends…Read more about spa parties.

Have you heard about Le Petit Spa’s Student Discount? Upon showing your student ID, you will receive 10% off your visit with us*

*services such as massage or packages not applicable.

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, daily and monthly service promotions or special events. Have a beauty question or spa service question? Email me with your questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Teens and Tweens at Le Petit Spa receive special rewards...

Student discount at Le Petit Spa for Teens and Tweens of today!

Students are some of the busiest people in today’s world. They need special attention and pampering just like everyone else.

When you show your student ID at Le Petit Spa, you receive 10% off facials, pedicures, manicures or other esthetic services (excluding massage/reflexology services)

Read on to discover the many services at Le Petit Spa to help you look your best while hitting the books:

1. Teen or Signature Facial

Depending on your age, skin type and skin conditions, one of our facial specialists will customize a facial exactly for your specific needs and skin concerns. Using one of our top-of-the-line skin care lines, Phytomer, your skin will be expertly taken care of, signs of breakouts and excess shine will be reduced, and you will receive a complimentary take-home sheet of recommended products that will help you keep the results of your facial at home. Read more…

2. Nail Art Pedicure

Who doesn’t like cute little toes! A Le Petit Spa Nail art pedicure will have your toes looking their absolute best. One of our estheticians will create a design specifically for you, for toes that scream “a perfect ten”. Read more…

3. Eyelash Extensions

For graduation, weddings, the school dance or any special occasion, a set of Le Petit Spa Eyelash Extensions will perfectly frame your eyes, giving them a “pop” that every young starlette is sporting in Hollywood these days. Read more…

For more information about any of these services, contact Le Petit Spa.

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about further exclusive promotions and events, new product launches or gift with purchase offers or email me with your beauty questions or concerns and look for your answer in a future blog!

Come travel through Canada, France and Brazil this spring with Vancouver's Le Petit Spa

As soon as the sun comes out around this time of year I can’t help but start to think about spring cleaning…and I’m not talking about house spring cleaning…I’m talking about:

Waxing!

Pretty soon the sun will be out in full force and it will be bathing suit season! I can hardly wait! Time to do some maintenance on my body that’s been in winter hibernation for about six months.

Brazilian Time! I love this service. It delivers the optimal feeling of cleanliness and confidence…I may not be heading to Rio de Janeiro, but this service will definitely have me feeling like I'm already there. …Read more

Not wanting to go all the way south? Why not go to France? A French bikini wax will almost take you to Brazil, with the exception of a couple of steps. Perfect for those not ready to travel too far from home…Read more.

Canadian eh? - Some of us are still pretty conservative when it comes to our waxing habits, but Le Petit Spa has just the choice for you! A Regular bikini wax will leave you feeling groomed, without venturing out of your safety zone…Read more.

Le Petit Spa offers Vancouver a Wednesday particularly for their waxing needs: Wax-days at Le Petit Spa! Come into Le Petit Spa on a Wednesday for all of your waxing needs and receive a special deal when you book two or more services…Read more.

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, daily and monthly service promotions, special events and more or email me with your beauty questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Daily Promotions revamped at Vancouvers Top Day Spa

Le Petit Spa Daily Service Promotions

Le Petit Spa has revamped their daily promotions. Featuring a different service each day of the week (except Saturdays), each day promises to pamper you in delight while receiving top-of-the-line day spa services in a trendy Vancouver neighbourhood.

Le Petit Spa has positioned themselves as one of the top three day spas in Vancouver three years in a row and consider themselves “Facial Specialists”. Offering high-end treatments, without the high - end prices has firmly positioned them as a reputable neighbourhood day spa for all your beauty needs.

Below, are the daily service promotions available at Le Petit Spa for all of Vancouver:

1. “Mani” Mondays – Come into Le Petit Spa on a Monday for a manicure service and purchase any OPI product to receive 15% off of the total of the two…Read more.

2. “Toes” Tuesdays – Come into Le Petit Spa on a Tuesday for a pedicure and purchase any footlogix product and receive 15% off of the total of the two…Read more.

3. “Wax” Wednesdays – Come into Le Petit Spa on a Wednesday for two or more waxing services and receive 50% off the lesser of the two…Read more.

4. “Thursdays for Men” – Come into Le Petit Spa on a Thursday and receive a special deal to restore your energy and vitality…Read more.

5. “Facial Fridays” – Come into Le Petit Spa on a Friday and book either a Phytomer Hydrating Facial or the Phytomer Youth Enhancing Facial and receive either one for only $95 (regularly $110)…Read more.

6. "Signature Sundays" - Come into Le Petit Spa on a Sunday for Le Petit Spa's Signature Facial and receive 10% off the purchase of any skin care product or Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup purchase...Read more.

Each day is designed to deliver the best value in professional day spa services to Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.

Be the first to know about Le Petit Spa’s monthly service promotions by signing up for our monthly newsletter featuring further exclusive promotions and in-spa promotions or email me with your beauty questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

New Day Spa Services at Vancouver's Top Day Spa - Le Petit Spa

Spring is the time for renewal; new beginnings and fresh starts. March has unveiled a tidal wave of new beginnings at Le Petit Spa.

Body Wraps are the first to make a new beginning at Le Petit Spa. Our new pure Seaweed body wrap service from Phytomer is sure to stimulate and renew your body from the inside out.

Featuring two kinds of pure seaweed: Laminaria Digitata (responsible for remineralizing and drawing toxins from the body) and Fucus (rich marine seaweed that stimulates metabolism) these two seaweeds work together to promote well being, drainage of toxins and excess fluids. An application of Phytomer Hydrating Body Milk gives you skin that screams “touch me”.

During your body wrap at Le Petit Spa, one of our highly trained Estheticians will soothe your tired muscles and joints in your neck, shoulders and scalp with a Le Petit Spa scalp and neck massage.

The benefits of our Phytomer Seaweed Body Wrap:

• Stimulates metabolism and detoxification
  


• Promote overall well being
  


• Skin is left extremely smooth and nourished
  


• Remineralizes your skin and body
  


• Contains essential elements, vitamins and minerals that are essential for healthy body function
  

Not only will you be doing a great thing for your body, you’ll leave Le Petit Spa completely relaxed with a sense of well being.

We’ve also revamped our Body Scrub Services. Featuring our Phytomer Marine Salt Glow, which uses pure marine salt crystals to deliver exceptional exfoliating results, your skin is left smooth, comfortable and more open to receive the benefits of your body moisturizer. Rich plant oils hydrate and nourish your skin, while trace amounts of “Oligomer”; a pure sea water extract remineralizes your skin.

Benefits of our Phytomer Marine Salt Glow:

• Plant oil “Colza” hydrates and nourishes the skin
  


• Marine Salt Crystals refine skin texture and deliver minerals and vitamins to the skin
  


• Contains trace amounts of “Oligomer” a Phytomer source derived from the sea containing anti-aging properties.
  

Interested in finding out about new services at Le Petit Spa as soon as they arrive? Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about new service product launches, special events, in-spa gift-with-purchases or monthly service specials or email me with your beauty questions or spa service questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Spa Services for a Perfect Valentines Day

Ever noticed how when every thing is perfect…your nails, hair, makeup…outfit, it’s a lot easier to get in the mood?

Looking for a way to get everything perfect this Valentines Day? I know I am!

Waxing (particularly Brazilian), eyelash extensions and facials are on my top priority list to get my confident sex-kitten attitude for Valentines Day, and where else would I go except Le Petit Spa…did you know their Brazilian wax service was talked about on Oprah?

Here’s which services I’m having to get in “perfect shape” for my hot date Valentines Day!:

1. Eyelash Extensions: I’m a natural redhead; mascara has been my best friend since my early teens. To accent my eyes, I’m going for the dramatic look, think “Bambi”…I’ll have heads turning.

2. Double Peeling Glycolic Facial: I’m due for a facial, big time! I need exfoliation and to refine my skin texture so my mineral makeup goes on flawlessly. I love the pure Vitamin C masque that is applied during this facial as well, it’s a wakeup call for both my senses and my skin.

3. Detox Seaweed Body Wrap: My boyfriend absolutely loves when I have body wraps. I come home with the silkiest, most smooth skin you’ll ever feel, plus, I’ve just done something great for my body; I feel my most confident when my whole body is perfectly hydrated and seductively smooth.

4. Last but not least…the Brazilian: It’s a well known fact: When you have less- hair-down-there you’re more confident outside and inside the bedroom. Le Petit Spa boasts that they have the best Brazilian in Vancouver, and being voted in the top three day spas three years in a row, I can’t help but agree!

After all is said and done, I’ll feel and look my absolute best to spend a romantic night with my significant other. And for him? I’ve purchased a Gift Card for a Phytomer Men’s facial which I’m sure he’ll appreciate!

Sign up for Le Petit Spa’s monthly newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, monthly service promotions and gift with purchases…or email me with your spa service or beauty questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Hot Stone Massage at Le Petit Spa in Vancouver Choosing a Reputable Day Spa

The benefits of a full body massage are pretty self-explanatory: it promotes relaxation, blood circulation, and release of toxins and reduction of stress, which, according to some studies, has been linked to causing about 80% of disease.

Le Petit Spa introduces a new trend in spa therapy massage: Hot Stone Massage.

What is Hot Stone Massage?

Don’t let the name scare you. The stones are not actually hot, they are warmed before your service; the massage practitioner must be able to handle them with due care, so they are never too hot to handle.

Hot Stone Massage is a full body massage that incorporates warm lava stones into the massage that mirror the shape of particular organs within the body. The warmth from the stones stimulates organ function when placed on appropriate organs, stimulates blood circulation, and encourages the release of toxins from each organ that is stimulated.

Along with the above mentioned benefits, the warmth of the stones helps tight muscles to relax, loosen and be more susceptible to the therapeutic benefits of your massage therapists’ touch.

How are the stones warmed up?

The stones used in Hot Stone Massage treatments are warmed in a specialized heater for these stones. They are warmed up for about an hour before your treatment and allowed to cool slightly before the treatment starts.

Are they applied directly to my skin during the treatment?

The stones are placed on the massage table under blankets that allow the warmth of the stones to come through, but are thick enough to protect your skin from becoming too hot, or even worse, burning.

Your massage therapist may use two to three stones while performing massage to incorporate heat therapy into your treatment; however, these stones are cool enough so that the therapist can handle them for long periods of time, they will never be hot enough to cause injury.

During your massage treatment your massage therapist will be in constant communication with you so that he or she knows how you are feeling, if the stones are warm enough, or in some cases with heat-sensitive clients, too warm.

Read more about Le Petit Spa's Hot Stone Massage...

How well trained are Le Petit Spa Body Practitioners?

All Le Petit Spa Body Practitioners are “Certified Body Workers”. They have been trained and educated at schools which are accredited Body work and Massage schools throughout Canada and continually update their skills with new techniques and education. Read more on Le Petit Spa’s Team of Estheticians and Body Workers…

The importance of strict training protocols in the day spa industry:

A couple of years ago, the BC government took legislation out of the Cosmetology Industry. Now, anyone can open a day spa and serve customers without any formal training in cosmetology or esthetics which is a very serious concern within the day spa community.

A credible day spa should only hire estheticians and body workers that have been through accredited schools and training programs. A spa should openly offer this information to you as a customer, as they should care about educating their clients about making the right choice when it comes to choosing an esthetician or body worker for a life-long relationship.

Proper training and education practices should be available to estheticians so that they may upgrade their skills. Strict protocols at day spas ensure that all clients receive the same service and the margin for error or injury is miniscule.

Why Massage Therapy?

Did you know that stress is believed to cause about 80 to 90 % of disease in the human species? Massage Therapy is a drug free, non-invasive approach to health care that is widely becoming a more popular alternative to pain killers and other forms of drug therapy.

Read more about all massage therapy services available at Le Petit Spa...

Have questions or concerns about day spa treatments? Email me with your beauty or spa service question and look for your answer in a future blog! Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the to know about further exclusive day spa promotions in Vancouver, gift with purchase and monthly service promotions.

Bambi spotted at Le Petit Spa!

We’ve featured Bambi this month as Le Petit Spa new “muse” and followers are receiving a lot of attention!

Doe - eyes are the new trend in makeup – although no makeup is involved. What is involved are delicately placed eyelashes to give you the sex-kitten-doe-eyed look every girl dreams of having at this time of year in hopes of seducing their prey, be it the opposite sex or their significant other.

Whether you’re looking for a more natural look, dramatic or extending, an application of semi-permanent eyelash extensions at Le Petit Spa will give your eyes that “pop” that all of young Hollywood seems to be sporting.

How long do they last?

An application of eyelash extensions at Le Petit Spa will last anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks depending on your lifestyle and your makeup application habits; if you apply and remove makeup every day they will last closer to two weeks…but mascara need not apply! Eyelash extensions require no goopy mascara to look their best; it already looks like you are wearing mascara!

How does it work?

When you arrive for your eyelash extension appointment, your Le Petit Spa Esthetician will talk to you about the look you want: natural, dramatic (Bambi lashes) or extending. She will then apply a set of extensions with gentle eyelash glue to the base of your natural lash line. This glue is safe for sensitive skin and will not damage your existing lashes. An hour later, you’ve got a look that will have all heads turning this Valentines Day!

Will they fall out?

Eyelashes naturally fall out just as the hair on your head does. Your eyelash extensions will naturally fall out along with your natural eyelashes. Any spa that you visit for an eyelash extension service should offer an eyelash “fix” service for a nominal fee.

How can I remove them if I no longer want them?

You may return to Le Petit Spa to have your extensions removed once you are done with them. Your Esthetician will talk to you about maintenance and removal when you visit us for your appointment. Removing them yourself may cause damage to your lashes...so let the professionals take care of this for you.

Visit us at the Kitsilano West 4th Lululemon location on February 14th for “Girls Night In” – a fun filled night for the girls with chocolate, martinis and spa treatments! Read more…

Read more about eyelash extensions at Le Petit Spa or sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about further exclusive offers such as our monthly service promotion, special events and gift with purchase from Phytomer and Guinot.

Email me with your beauty and spa service questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

New word on the street "Minerals" and Le Petit Spa has the answer

The newest trend to hit the makeup industry isn’t makeup…the word on the street is “Minerals”.

And this word is becoming more popular each day. Known in the spa industry as “an extension of professional skin care” and “The Skin Care Makeup” minerals are the best thing to come into the day spa industry since a perfectly painted set of toes!

What are Minerals?

Minerals are pure, crushed minerals taken from the earth. These minerals have natural pigment, that when oxidized by oxygen (iron oxides) they produce color that is used in Mineral cosmetics.

Jane Iredale Mineral “makeup” is Le Petit Spa’s preferred choice when it comes to Mineral “makeup” (“makeup” in quotations because it’s not makeup, these minerals just don’t cover - up your skin like makeup, they make your skin look and feel better while protecting it)

Le Petit Spa prefers Jane Iredale for the following reasons:

• No animal testing



• Contain no chemicals, fillers, talc or parabens like drugstore brands do; therefore, no cancer causing agents.



• Used by plastic surgeons and dermatologists to cover reddened skin after surgery or laser treatments



• Does not clog pores



• Feels so light it feels like wearing nothing at all, but covers heavy enough to cover acne and skin conditions like rosacea.



• Only used in professional spas, Plastic Surgeon offices and Dermatologist; never found in drugstores which allows for higher quality and more active ingredients.

Benefits of using mineral makeup:

• Contains a natural SPF of 20 that protects your skin from sun damage (derived from natural minerals found in the earth that contain natural UV filters.)



• Protection from free radicals that cause premature aging with antioxidants



• Does not clog pores



• Does not contain chemicals, parabens, fillers or talc that can cause irritation on sensitive skin types (these have also been linked to certain forms of cancer)

The most beautiful cosmetic you can wear is a healthy skin; mineral makeup can help keep your skin looking beautiful because it does not cause your skins normal functions from being disturbed from chemicals, dyes or other irritants.

Le Petit Spa will be at the Lululemon Event “Girls Night In” on February 14th, at their West 4th location in Kitsilano for a fun filled night of martinis, chocolates and spa treatments…Read more about Lululemon and Le Petit Spa “Girls Night In”


Come into Le Petit Spa for a complimentary makeup application with Jane Iredale minerals to try them out for yourself! Contact Le Petit Spa today and as a special incentive, when you purchase your Jane Iredale Minerals same day as your appointment, you will receive 10% off your purchase.

Sign up for our monthly newsletter for further exclusive offers and promotions such as our monthly service promotions and gift with purchases from Phytomer and Guinot, or email me with your beauty questions or spa service questions and look for the answer in a future blog!

Le Petit Spa is "Threading the trend"

Threading the trend

What’s been around for centuries but has only been in Vancouver for a short time?

Threading! The perfect alternative to waxing for people who have sensitive skin, threading is a middle eastern technique of hair removal that uses cotton thread to wrap around individual hairs and remove them from the root. There is no use of product that can cause irritation, and it is quick and easy.

Perfect for people who:

• Have sensitive skin
  



• Have allergies to ingredients in hard or soft waxes
  



• Have tried waxing and would like to try another form of hair removal

What are some of the main differences between waxing and threading hair removal techniques?

Threading:

• Does not use any kind of product that may irritate skin
  



• Does not exfoliate
  



• Results last typically 2 to 3 weeks

Read more on our website about threading…

Waxing:

• Uses warm wax gentle for sensitive skin
  



• Exfoliates skin by removing the invisible layer of dead skin cells when removed
  



• Results last typically 2 to 4 weeks
  

Read more on our website about waxing…

Visit us at "Girls Night In" at the Lululemon store on West 4th in Kitsilano on February 14th, read more about "Girls Night In", a fun filled night of spa treatments, chocolates and martinis!

Interested in receiving the latest news to come out of Vancouver’s number one day spa three years in a row? Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about exclusive offers including in-spa promotions, gift with purchase, new product launches or daily and monthly service promotions or email me with your beauty or spa service questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Read about our daily promotion “Wax – Days” the only Wednesday in Vancouver offering Vancouver and the Lower Mainland the best value in professional day spa services.

Le Petit Spa features candles to set the mood this Valentines Day and keep Mother Nature happy!

Le Petit Spa features Soy Candles - to set the mood and keep Mother Nature happy!

The most popular new trend in candles has come to Le Petit Spa! Soy Candles are the new, natural way to create romance in the air this Valentines Day!

Le Petit Spa offers a clean burning solution that is as good for your household environment as it is for Mother Nature.

Benefits of Soy Candles:

• Clean burning – does not pollute the environment


• Will not turn walls black or dirty


• Slow burning – more value for your buck!

These candles are made from 100% Soya wax, derived from natural (genetically unmodified) Soya beans. This innovative alternative to paraffin and beeswax contains 0% lead, emits 0% petrol-carbon soot (contains 0% petroleum-derived by-products), it melts at a lower temperature than other waxes and it is water-soluble and biodegradable.

Featuring French Lavender as the Signature scent of these wonderful candles, they create an ambiance that is relaxing as well as stimulating.

Le Petit Spa has incorporated these brilliant candles into their Signature Body Care line; all products featuring French Lavender to soothe and promote relaxation.

Come into Le Petit Spa today to experience their Signature Body Care line featuring exquisite bathrobes, towels and a full range of bath products; all designed to help this Valentines Day be your most romantic ever!

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, monthly service promotions, daily service promotions and special events or email me with your beauty or service promotion questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Le Petit Spa makes giving the gift of relaxation even easier this Valentines Day

Massage Services for Valentines Day

Vancouver Day spa services in a French Country Inspired theme. Lavender and soft candle lit treatment rooms are your sanctuary this Valentines Day, as your Le Petit Spa massage therapist works and smoothes all of your worries away.

Featuring four different kinds of massage treatments, you’ll be sure to find one at Le Petit Spa that will meet your bodies every whim and desired need.

Le Petit Spa’s Full Body Massage

Using the powerful aromatherapy benefits of Lavender, you will enter a world of deep relaxation as your Le Petit Spa massage therapist concentrates on specific areas of your body while determining any areas that require special attention. Available in 60, 75 or 90 minute increments, this massage will leave you feeling completely satisfied and indulged. Massage Gift Certificates available for Valentines Day…

Check out our Gift Certificate promotion for Valentines Day…

Hot Stone Massage

Incorporating warm lava stones into your full body massage stimulates different organs and circulatory systems through heat therapy. Promoting the same results and benefits as a regular full body massage, this 75 minute treatment will leave you feeling warm, rejuvenated and completely pampered. Massage Gift Certificates available for Valentines Day…

Reflexology

Reflexology is a pressure point massage technique that uses a mirror image map of your body to target specific areas of your body. It is thought that each part of your foot represents a particular part of your body. Reflexology promotes detoxification, blood circulation, improved organ and gland function and reduces stress. A professional Reflexology treatment at Le Petit Spa will leave you feeling grounded and balanced with a new found sense of energy. Gift Certificates available for Valentines Day…

Prenatal Massage

A Prenatal Massage at Le Petit Spa is designed specifically for those who are expecting and are in their second or third trimester. Our highly trained massage therapists are aware of all body parts that need special attention due to the extra strain of carrying a baby; the lower back and legs are all paid attention to. Read more on Prenatal Massage at Le Petit Spa…

Gift Certificates are available at Le Petit Spa for Valentines Day with a special promotion for the month of February: When you purchase your Gift Certificate on-line from Le Petit Spa before the 10th of February, you will receive free shipping! Buy Gift Certificates / cards on - line now...

Check out our daily promotions at Le Petit Spa; all delivering the best value in day spa services in Vancouver.

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about monthly service promotions, daily promotions, new product launches and special events. Or email me with your beauty or spa service questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Le Petit Spa Valentines Day Spa Parties and Pedicures at Vancouver's #1 Day Spa!

Valentines Day Spa Parties!

Cupcakes, Cinnamon hearts and pedicures! Sounds like a fabulous way to spend the day with some of your closest gal pals!

Gather up to 10 of your closest gal pals for a Le Petit Spa Pedicure party; reasons to pick Le Petit Spa for your spa party:

• Privacy – You and your friends have their own private pedicure area and drying lounge to spend quality time together in.

• You are able to bring your own food into the spa, just as long it is non-fragrant!

• Le Petit Spa offers their clients either Red or White Organic French Wine to enjoy while receiving their pedicures.

• The best value in a professional spa pedicure in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland

• A relaxing and pampering atmosphere and one of the best spa experiences you’ll ever have

• Memories that will last for years to come!

Le Petit Spa offers a wide range of professional spa pedicures to suit every mood and style:

• Classic Pedicure – nail work, cuticle work and more, this hour long service will have your toes looking a sure “top ten”…Read more

• Signature Pedicure – this lavish indulgence features all the basics of a classic pedicure with a Lavender paraffin treatment added on…Read more

• Nail Art Pedicure – for the true flirty girls at heart, perfect for a romantic first date or a night out on the town, Le Petit Spa Nail Art Pedicure will deliver surely original tootsies! …Read more

• French Pedicure – Valentines Day wedding or any other formal affair? A Le Petit Spa French Pedicure will give you the clean formal manicured look you desire…Read more

Le Petit Spa offers Vancouver and the Lower Mainland “Toes-days”, the only Tuesday in Vancouver to offer you a special incentive to experience the best spa pedicures available…Read more

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, product launches, special events, monthly and daily service promotions or email me with your beauty questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Le Petit Spa - Vancouver Men's Spa Services and Gift Cards

Spas are not just for women anymore! Le Petit Spa offers many choices for today’s men that allow relaxation and grooming choices for the business - men of today. From facials, waxing and pedicures, the men that visit Le Petit Spa will be well taken care of and leave feeling invigorated and refreshed.

Incorporating all the same steps and procedures as our Signature Facial, this service uses the Phytomer Homme line, customized for the skin of a man.

Deeply relaxing and invigorating, this facial features:

• Phytomer Homme line for men
• Relaxing back massage
• Cleansing
• Toning
• Exfoliation
• Extractions (if needed)
• Customized facial mask
• Final customized facial treatment cream

Gift Certificates are available for the Phytomer Men’s facial as well as other men’s service at Vancouver’s Le Petit Spa including:

• Pour Les Hommes (Le Petit Spa men’s spa package)
• Le Petit Spa Men’s Facial

There are also many other great Gift Certificates available for the women in your life as well, be it you tween or teen sister, your mother, or mother in – law, you’re guaranteed to find the perfect gift to please even the impeccable spa palettes.

For more information on Vancouver’s Le Petit Spa gift cards and gift certificates, available on-line or with a “print-now” option, click here.

Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, daily and monthly service specials, product launches or special events. Or email me with your beauty and spa questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Gift Certificates - the most popular choice at Le Petit Spa

Did you know? The number two most popular gift this holiday season is the Gift Card? In today’s market, people are choosing convenience when doing their holiday shopping instead of unique gifts.

Below are some interesting reasons as to why Gift Cards have become one of the top selling gifts!

1. Convenience – Instead of buying the wrong size of clothing, the wrong CD or something they don’t want, gift certificates are always welcome – its just like cash! And who doesn’t want more of the green stuff!

2. Luxury Items – Walking into a huge department store and trying to decide if he want’s a “fifty inch” or a “fifty-five” inch plasma T.V is a lot harder than picking a monetary denomination and allowing him to pick it out himself!

3. You decide when it’s time – The recipient decides when they use it!

4. Easy to give – Some stores have “print now” options on their website so you can purchase the gift card / certificate on line and have it emailed directly to the recipient, or you can print it off of the website and give directly to the recipient yourself!

5. Clueless? – Have you ever noticed how hard it is to buy for your best friend who has everything? I have! Does her favourite spa have Gift Cards available? Perfect! Problem solved.

Convinced that Gift Cards will make your holiday shopping a breeze? Read on to see how Le Petit Spa makes holiday shopping for your favourite spa diva easy as 1, 2, 3!

Gift cards and gift certificates are available by services or in denominations of $25, $50, $75,$100,$125, $150, $175, $200, $250 and $300.

1. First, select a gift card/certificate below.

2. Tell us how you’d like to receive the gift. Would you like to…

• Have it mailed to you or direct to the recipient? (If you choose this options, be sure to indicate during checkout whether you would prefer regular or express shipping)
• Print off a gift certificate and give it to the recipient yourself? This saves both time and shipping costs.
• Have it sent to the recipient by email?

3. Provide the recipient’s name and any special delivery instructions or message for the recipient.

For more information on Le Petit Spa Gift Cards or Gift Certificates, click here.

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, daily and monthly service promotions, special event and product launches, or email me with your beauty questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup Products at Le Petit Spa

Fall is an exciting time for the cosmetics industry. The light makeup shades of the summer are long gone. The fall brings us richer hues, more dramatic makeup and a new wardrobe of sweaters and beautiful boots and shoes!

Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup, Le Petit Spa’s preferred brand of makeup, has launched some new exciting products this fall. Read on to discover what’s new at Le Petit Spa and Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup:

1. Kabuki Brush

This compact brush comes complete with its own carrying case. Made of all natural goat hair, it provides the perfect amount of coverage when used with Jane Iredale’s amazing base powders. Perfect for traveling or a night out on the town for touch ups, the Kabuki Brush is perfect for the busy gals of today!

2. Liquid Eyeliners

To keep with the quality mineral cosmetics that Jane Iredale mineral makeup is known for, the liquid eyeliners from Jane Iredale are made from pure minerals, no chemicals or parabens (preservatives) are used! Available in black, gold and brown, the specially designed brush is perfect for obtaining perfectly lined eyes, even if you have never used a liquid eyeliner before!

3. New Lip Color – “Joy”

The new lip color from Jane Iredale resembles the shade of red that we women love to wear on our toes! Inspired by Jane Iredales muse “Joy Bryant” this red is sure to compliment all skin tones and personal styles!

4. New Blush Color – “Flushed”

The name says it all! Your cheeks will have the perfect glow after applying this dazzleing shade of color. Containing 24 karat gold flakes, this shade adds a hint of shimmer to cheeks while highlighting and creating perfect cheek bones.

5. Pom Mist

With ingredients such as seaweed extract, white tea extract and pomegranate extract, this light facial mist will protect and quench the thirst of any skin type. The fragrance is so fresh and clean you won’t be able to stop smelling it! Pomegranate extract is a super anti-oxidant, protecting your skin from aging elements in our environment and lifestyles. But research shows it also has anti-cancer properties, protecting your skin from developing skin tumors. **

6. Night Time Eye Shadow Kit

Perfect for a night out on the town with the girls! Containing Jane Iredale colors of “Kiss, Supernova, Khaki, Dusk and Merlot” there isn’t a party in town you won’t be ready for!

So come into Le Petit Spa and check out our new products from Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics.

Le Petit Spa offers all of Vancouver and the Lower Mainland 10% off Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics when purchased same day as receiving a paid Makeup Service at Le Petit Spa, click here to learn more information on Le Petit Spa makeup services…

Le Petit Spa also offers all of Vancouver and the Lower Mainland 10% off the purchase of Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup when purchased same day of receiving a Le Petit Spa facial service, read more about Le Petit Spa facial services…

Check out our daily service promotions, Facial Fridays and Signature Sundays, two days in Vancouver that offer the best value available for facial services in and around Vancouver, BC.

Sign up here for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, daily and monthly service promotions, product launches and special events. Or email me with your beauty questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

**research information at www.janeiredale.com

Perfect Holiday Gifts under $30.00 - found at Le Petit Spa!

The perfect holiday gifts: found at Le Petit Spa!

Looking for the perfect holiday gift for that special girlfriend or co-worker? Le Petit Spa has the answers!

Below, four new popular beauty and cosmetic gifts available at Le Petit Spa:

1. Light up tweezers - $25.00
• Come in three colors: Pink, Blue and Black
• Case comes with a built in mirror
• Illuminating light build in to make perfect at – home eyebrow shaping easy!

2. OPI “Rock”ing stocking stuffers - $20.00
• 4 Bottles of OPI products – Nail Envy (nail strengthener) Chip Skip, Rapid Dry Top Coat, OPI Polish “Red Dazzle”
• Set comes complete with a key chain emery board shaped as an OPI nail color bottle.

3. OPI “Get Glam in a Snap” - $25.00
• Two full size OPI products – Top Coat and “I’m not really a waitress”
• Set comes complete with a mini black photo album.

4. Lipchic by Ella - $ 20.00
• Transparent sealer for lipstick
• Helps lip color stay throughout the day!
• Perfect for that night out or holiday party!

These products make the perfect stocking stuffer for that friend of yours that has everything or for that special someone in your life.

Gift Certificates are also a great way to show you care this holiday season! Never the wrong size and can always be used, a Le Petit Spa gift card or certificate can be purchased in a particular dollar amount or a favourite Le Petit Spa service.

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, daily and monthly service promotions, gift-with-purchases from Phytomer and Guinot or special events.

Read about Le Petit Spa’s weekly and daily spa promotions Facial Fridays and Signature Sundays, giving Vancouverites the best value in spa treatments, for all of Vancouver and the Lower mainland!

Have Beauty questions? Email me and look for your answer in a future blog!

Le Petit Spa - Nationally renowned Glycolic Facial gets facelift

Le Petit Spa’s nationally renowned Glycolic facial has undergone a “face lift” and now comes with even more regenerative power. Incorporating a “peel in/peel out” system with in depth cellular regeneration and skin lightening and depigmentation action, the Le Petit Spa Beauté Neuve Glycolic Facial promises to reveal an inner glow clients may have never known they had.

This $90 dollar advanced facial treatment includes the following steps:

• The “peel in” gel harnesses the power of fruit acids (AHA’s) and separates dead skin cells from living cells.

• The “peel out” foam follows which exfoliates the skin and eradicates the loosened dead cells resulting in new skin cell generation while boosting skins natural radiance.

• The soothing regenerating serum that follows is enriched with 56 cellular nourishing ingredients which nurture, regenerate and protect the top layer of the skin. (Epidermis).

• A brightening, anti-pigmentation mask which uses the power of pure Vitamin C to target skin discolorations and sun damage.

This facial will help to smooth out wrinkles while leaving skin beautifully rejuvenated and hydrated. A trip to Le Petit Spa and 75 minutes of relaxation time is all it takes to start skin off on this path to radiance.

For the month of December clients are invited to try this facial for an introductory cost of $80.00 (regular price $90.00) click here to make an appointment.

Check out our daily facial promotions, Facial Fridays and Signature Sundays, the two days of the week set aside for Vancouverites to recieve the best value in spa facial services in the Lower mainland and Vancouver!

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, daily and monthly service promotions and special events, or email me with your beauty questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Le Petit Spa is located on the corner of Broadway and Alma in the Kitsilano/Point Grey area in Vancouver and is open seven days a week.

Le Petit Spa - Winter Skin Dry and Flaky

Clients have started coming into the spa complaining of dry, flaky skin thanks to our recent snow fall. Have you noticed your skin has changed along with the weather? Follow these tips below on how to prevent the weather from wreaking havoc on your skin:

1. Moisturize! – It’s repetitive, I know, but this is the best thing you could possibly do for your skin, not just in the winter, but throughout the year. Not only will it help prevent dry, flaky patches from developing, but it also maintains the collagen content in your skin, helping with anti-aging. My choice: Guinot Hydrazone: Moisturizing day/night cream for all skin types. Containing advanced ingredients such as hydro-liposomes, this duo – action moisturizing cream protects the outer layer of the skin, helping to lock moisture in and “floods” the skin with moisturizing ingredients.

2. Cleanse – You can’t have perfect skin just by moisturizing. You have to cleanse your skin properly in order to keep it free of blemishes and build up of blemish causing impurities. Applying a moisturizer over skin that has not been cleansed properly will only cause problems and build up of dead skin cells. My favourite winter cleanser is Phytomer Perfect Visage Gentle Cleansing Milk. This gentle milk cleanser leaves your skin velvety soft and hydrated, but is effective enough to remove all makeup.

3. Tone – Toning your skin can help your moisturizer and serum penetrate into your skin better because it helps to remove any residue left over from tap water or your cleanser (or a combination of both). Toners also help to return your skin to a healthy Ph level after cleansing. Phytomer Hydracontinue: Comforting Toning Lotion moisturizes your skin and removes any cleanser residue, perfect for winter months.

4. Exfoliate – Why exfoliate when you have dry, flaky skin? Because it helps to remove the build up of the skin that won’t exfoliate on its own(the flakes you see). These flakes of dry skin that remain on your skin prevent your moisturizer and other skin care products from penetrating to their maximum depth into your skin, causing the dryness to seep deeper and deeper. Phytomer Peeling Vegetal Exfoliant utilizes papaya extract to gently dissolve dead skin cells on the surface of you skin to smooth and refine the texture of your skin.

If you find that after taking all of these steps to ensure that your skin doesn’t dry out due to the change in weather that you're still faced with dry skin, then other, more specialized treatments can be taken:

1. Serums – deliver, on average, about 70% active ingredients to your skin. These can be used day/ night on a daily basis, or as an intensive treatment at times of the year when your skin is faced with specific concerns.

2. Masques – These treatment “powerhouses” deliver optimal results from ingredients to your skin. Found in many different types of formulas, some can be slept with over night, and some remain on the skin for up to 15 minutes to deliver maximum benefits to your skin. These usually are used as an intensive treatment as well, once per week for maintenance of your skin, or up to twice a week if your skin is going through a change due to the weather, or if you are treating a skin condition such as dryness or acne.

My favourite serums: Phytomer Hydracontinue: hydra-nourishing serum, which helps to boost the effectiveness of your other skin care products by 3 xs! and Guinot’s Serum Hydra Beaute: intensive treatment moisturizer concentrate contains Shea butter, Vitamin E, and trace elements which deliver essential minerals and elements vital to healthy skin.

For more information about these products, skin care, or if you would like a complimentary skin care consultation to find out which skin care products are right for your specific skin type, click here.

Check out our daily facial promotions, Facial Fridays and Signature Sundays at Le Petit Spa. These two days give Vancouver the best value for facial services in the Lower mainland and Vancouver!

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, weekly and daily promotions, monthly service promotions and special events. Or email me with your beauty questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Purchase mentioned products at our partner website www.spaboutique.ca

Le Petit Spa - Do I need a toner?

Do I need a toner?

One of the most popular questions in skin care is: Do I need to use a toner? What is the purpose of a toner? For years toners have had a bad rep due to the fact that in previous years their main function was to dry out the skin. Today’s toners are more advanced and specialized for many skin types and concerns.

Why use a toner if I don’t have oily skin?

Toners aren’t just for helping with excess oil. They help return your skin to its natural Ph level after using water or a cleanser to clean your skin. They also help to remove residue left over from makeup, your cleanser or water residue.

Which kind of toner is right for me?

Identify your needs: Do you have oily skin? Dry skin? Combo? Today’s toners are more specialized to combat your specific skin care needs. Not sure of your skin type? Come in to Le Petit Spa for a complementary skin care consultation, click here.

Read the three tips below to determine which toner is right for your skin:

Combo, Oily or Problem Skin:

Choose a toner that uses words such as “clarifying or absorbing”. These toners will help absorb and remove excess oil on the surface of your skin, prevent a build up of pore-clogging dirt and oil and calm breakouts and prevent future flare-ups. These toners will also minimize the appearance of pores. My pick: Phytomer Oligopur Purifying Toning Gel (250ml)

Normal to Dry Skin

Use a toner that contains moisturizing ingredients, and will leave your skin velvety soft and supple. I like Phytomer Hydracontinue: Comforting Toning Lotion (250ml). This toner moisturizes the upper layer of the skin, removing residue that may be left over from makeup or your cleanser, without removing essential moisture from your skin.

Specialized Toners

Specialized toners now are available for people looking for anti-aging effects, or for someone who wants simplified routines; there are toners that can be used as make-up removers and toners in one product.

Phytomer Eau Marine Alcohol-Free Tonic Lotion (50ml) is a toner that can be used as an eye makeup remover to remove water proof mascara and to refresh tone and cleanse the skin. It is recommended for combo and oily skin. This product also makes a great toner for men.

Phytomer Rosee Visage Face Dew (250ml) is a toner for all skin types that also doubles as both an eye makeup remover and refreshing toner for the skin. Its key active ingredient, Sorenia, relaxes the skin, causing other skin care products to work more effectively and penetrate deeper.

An anti-aging toner, such as Phytomer Ogenage: Toning Cleansing Emulsion (250ml) is specifically made for the often fragile mature skin client. This toner is a cleanser/toner and makeup remover in one highly professional product. This product has marine spring water, a highly anti-aging ingredient.

Check out our weekly facial promotions including Facial Fridays and Signature Sundays or our monthly promotions to get the best value for facials in and around Vancouver!

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, gift with purchases, product or service launches and weekly and monthly service promotions. Or email me with your beauty questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Purchase any of the above mentioned products at: www.spaboutique.ca

Le Petit Spa - Introduces its own Signature Body Care Line!

Le Petit Spa now has its own Signature Line of natural products made with ingredients such as sweet almond oil, grape seed oil, Dead Sea salt and essential oil of Lavender.

Why is this line different than any other spa line out there?

The Le Petit Spa Signature Body Care line is all natural based – no chemicals, fillers or man-made perfumes. The scent of the product (all products in this line are Lavender scented) is essential oil based and naturally occurring.

The Le Petit Spa Signature Body Care line features:

• 13 unique products for most of your skin care needs:

o Bath Products
o Moisturizing Products
o Cleansing Products
o Refreshing Products
o Massage Products

• All contain natural carrier oils
o Won’t compete with your favourite fragrance

• High end line of spa quality body products designed to leave your skin supple, relaxed and absolutely pampered.
• Combine a few of your favourite’s to create the perfect gift for someone special in your life.

Come into Le Petit Spa today to see why the Le Petit Spa Signature Hand Cream is our best selling product from this line!

Prices range from $6 to $25, come in and try some today!!

Le Petit Spa - Youth Enhancing Facial

Le Petit Spa’s Youth Enhancing Facial features Phytomer products; a skin care line made in St. Malo, France which utilizes marine extracts and ingredients.

This anti-aging facial is 90 minutes long and features three different masques, all made to hydrate, firm and add youthful vitality to the skin and facial features.

1. Moisture Quench mask – boots moisture in the skin, firming and adding tone to the skin

2. Thermo - active Prestige Mask – self heating marine mud helps moisture quench mask to penetrate further into the skin, relaxing the skin and allowing product to further benefit skin

3. Aqua-lift mask – firms and lifts skin – ingredient of marine spring water adds anti-aging benefits to this mask, re-mineralizes and oxygenates the skin.

A relaxing back massage, facial massage and hand massage add to the relaxing benefits of this facial service.

A special sea mud mask is applied to the back which re-mineralizes and detoxifies your skin, further adding to the anti-aging effects of this specialized facial.

Your skin will look supple, fine lines and wrinkles will be diminished and you will be left with an overall sense of well being and vitality.

Gift Certificates for this specific facial are available, click here to find out more about Le Petit Spa gift certificates or gift cards.

For more information about Le Petit Spa’s facial services, click here. Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about in spa promotions, such as gift with purchase, monthly service promotions, weekly promotions and special events. Or email me with your beauty questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Le Petit Spa - Men Spa Gift Certificates and Services

Spas are not just for women anymore! Spa packages for men, gift certificates and services for men are now a permanent addition to many spa menus in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.

Le Petit Spa offers many different services and gift certificates for the men of Vancouver.

Below, the services and packages available for men at Le Petit Spa are listed:

1. Gift Certificates – Le Petit Spa’s Facial for Men and the Men’s spa package available in – spa or on-line

2. Men’s natural Manicure

3. Men’s natural Pedicure

Le Petit Spa also offers “Thursdays for Men” one of our weekly service promotions available to the men of Vancouver. Available on a day specifically set aside for the men of Vancouver, this daily promotion includes…read more

A Le Petit Spa gift certificate is the perfect gift to give during the holidays, anniversaries, Valentines Day or any other reason to make your significant other swoon! Click here for more information on Le Petit Spa gift certificates and gift cards.

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about monthly service promotions, in spa gift-with-purchases, special events and weekly service promotions. Or email me with your beauty question and look for your answer in a future blog!

Le Petit Spa Gift Cards and Gift Certificates

Did you know? Le Petit Spa offers over 13 different gift certificate choices, all available to order on-line?

On-line shopping is so convenient! In three easy steps, your holiday, valentines or birthday shopping can be complete!

It’s easy as 1, 2, 3!.....

1. First select which gift card/certificate you would like to purchase

2. Tell us how you would like to receive the gift.

Would you prefer….
• Mailed directly to you or the recipient?
• Print off the gift certificate and give to the recipient yourself?
• Have it sent to the recipient by email?

3. Provide the recipient’s name and any special delivery instructions or message for the recipient.

Le Petit Spa offers safe and secure on-line shopping. We use paypal for your security and on-line shopping needs. Your vital information is deleted from our servers and information is never stored on our servers.

We also accept Visa, MasterCard over the phone if you do not wish to purchase on-line.

For more information on paypal and secure on-line shopping, click here.

Sign up for Le Petit Spa’s monthly newsletter to be the first to know about monthly service promotions, in spa gift-with-purchases, weekly service promotions and special events. Or email me with your beauty questions and look for the answer in a future blog!

Le Petit Spa presents Mondays for Mums!

Le Petit Spa's Mondays for Moms!

A day at the spa designated specifically for moms and their little ones? It’s true!

Le Petit Spa introduces Monday’s for Mums, the only day in Vancouver specifically set aside for the Mums of Vancouver!

Monday’s for Mums at Le Petit Spa features:

For Mums:

• Le Petit Spa’s Classic Pedicure
o Includes: Luxurious soaking of the feet, nail and cuticle work, buffing of the feet, Signature Lavender Sea Salt Scrub, massage and final nail application.

For Babies:

• Private change room with all amenities for babies needs
• Soothing, private, baby friendly area
• Breast-feeding friendly surroundings

The day is made complete with a take home goody bag full of Mustela products; Le Petit Spa’s Mummy and Baby skin care line.

Mustela Products for babies include:

• Diaper change needs – i.e. Baby wipes, diaper cream
• Bath needs – i.e. Soap free cleansers, shampoo – all ph level for babies delicate skin


Mustela Products for Mums include:

• Post Partum Products – i.e. Restructuring creams – to return elasticity and form to body post pregnancy
• Stretch Mark Creams – to fade and diminish the appearance of stretch marks.

So come into Le Petit Spa with your baby (10 months and under) for a relaxing day at the spa set aside just for you!

To make an appointment at Le Petit Spa on Mondays for Mums, click here. Or sign up for our monthly e-newsletter to be the first to know about monthly service promotions, in-spa promotions, special events and weekly service promotions. Or email me with your beauty questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Purchase Mustela products at our partner website http://www.spaboutique.ca/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=MUS

Le Petit Spa - Service Promotions

Le Petit Spa is a spa that believes in giving back to the community and its customer’s. Charities, special events and tradeshows are just some of the ways that we, as a business, are involved in the community around us.

Monthly Service Promotions are one way that we can give back to our customer’s. Le Petit Spa also has weekly service promotions; each day of the week is designated for a specific service promotion.

Service promotions usually involve product launches, like our new Guinot Double Peeling Glycolic Facial, or services that are featured on specific days of the week.

December’s service promotion is the New Guinot Double Peeling Glycolic Facial. It features a two-step exfoliation process that removes build up of dead skin cells, refines the texture of the skin and utilizes a pure Vitamin C mask to combat dull complexions and pigmentation. A nourishing massage serum is used to strengthen the skin and deliver nourishing ingredients to the underlying layers of the skin.

Our weekly promotions run through Monday to Sunday and feature specific days set out for mothers, men and facial fanatics!

Learn more about our weekly promotions, click here…

Sign up for our e-newsletter to be the first to know about new product or service launches, special events, monthly service specials or in-spa promotions. Or you can email me with your beauty questions or concerns and look for your answer in a future blog!

Le Petit Spa - Vitamin C and the benefits of Vitamin C in Skin Care

Vitamin C is required in our diets for the synthesis of collagen. It is responsible for retaining the structure in our blood vessels, tendons and ligaments and for retaining the moisture levels in our skin.

Used in skincare, Vitamin C is used to brighten the complexion, lighten pigmentation and is the only anti-oxidant proven to stimulate the production of collagen, making this vitamin powerhouse a given when it comes to anti-aging skin care products. Studies have shown that Vitamin C is effective at minimizing fine lines, wrinkles and scars.

Le Petit Spa has launched a new facial that uses a pure concentrate of Vitamin C in powder form that is mixed into a masque seconds before it is applied to the client’s skin. The Guinot Double Peeling Glycolic Facial is a facial service that has three main objectives in mind:

• Exfoliation – two exfoliation steps are taken to remove build up of dead skin cells and to brighten the complexion of dull skin
• Regeneration – promotes cell turnover for a youthful, radiant appearance of the complexion.
• Clarify – Using pure Vitamin C, the skin is left brighter and more radiant. Because Vitamin C limits the production of Melanin, this treatment also works towards pigmentation on the surface of the skin.

This treatment, along with pure Vitamin C, utilizes ingredients such as malic acid (derived from apples) and tartaric acid (derived from grapes). These ingredients are AHA based and work along with glycolic acid and pure Vitamin C to give clients a treatment that delivers visible results after the first treatment.

For more information on the use of Vitamin C and the Guinot Double Peeling Glycolic Facial, click here…

To book an appointment for a Le Petit Spa facial or to contact us, click here.

Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter to be the first to know about new product or service launches, special events, in-spa promotions and daily service promotions. Or email me with your beauty concerns or questions and look for the answer in a future blog!

Le Petit Spa - Body Bronzing Service - A holiday party must!

Le Petit Spa in Vancouver - Holiday Party Must - Body Bronzing Treatment

Getting ready for the holiday party season? The dress, the shoes, accessories all meticulously picked out, everything is perfect right down to the last detail, but wait! Standing in the mirror looking at yourself you suddenly realize that little black dress makes you look paler than the snow lying on the ground outside!

What is a girl to do?

Head down to Le Petit Spa for a Guinot Body Bronzing treatment! This service leaves your skin glowing from head to toe.

How does it work?

The Guinot Body Bronzing system works with your skin’s natural amino acids to gradually build a color that is perfect for your natural skin tone. Never too dark, orange or streaky!

Depending on your skin’s natural chemistry, the color will develop anywhere from half an hour to three hours, with the final color being fully developed within 8 hours.

How does the treatment work?

A Le Petit Spa esthetician will gently exfoliate your entire body to ensure that the tanning product does not streak. The Guinot Body Bronzing product is then applied to your body.

You will be told to bring loose fitting clothing; preferably black or dark in color to prevent any staining of your clothing.

For the remainder of the day you will not be allowed to shower or apply any products to your body; this may interfere with the way the product will develop color on your skin.

Your tan will last from 4 days to a week depending on your bodies’ natural chemistry and how you maintain it.

Benefits of a self tan treatment:

• No damaging effects from the sun
• Safe, natural color
• Moisturizing benefits from product
• Can be used all year long!

Tips to help your tan last longer:

• Exfoliate only once per week – exfoliating too much will remove your tan much faster
• Moisturize – every day to prevent your skin from shedding too much skin, making your tan slough off much quicker.
• Shower or bathe only once per day – this can cause your tan to go literally down the drain!

Interested in a Guinot Body Bronzing service? Click here to find out how to book your appointment.

Check out our monthly service promotions and weekly promotions page or sign up for our monthly e-newsletter to be the first to know about events, tips, monthly in spa promotions or email me with a beauty question or concern and look for your answer in a future blog!

Winter Skin Care - Moisturizing Benefits of Paraffin

Winter benefits of using Paraffin

What is paraffin?

Paraffin is a colorless, pliable wax that is used in many beauty treatments such as pedicures and manicures. It is usually used in a spa treatment after massage, when a moisturizing cream has been placed on the skin.

How is Paraffin used in Spa services?

Paraffin causes the massage medium or cream to penetrate into the skin deeper and more thoroughly because it creates an air tight seal that does not allow the massage medium to evaporate on the surface of the skin.

Benefits of using Paraffin?

• Moisturizes skin
• Relaxes tight muscles and joints
• Effectively warms cold feet
• Leaves overall feeling of warmth and well being.

Le Petit Spa services that include a luxurious essential oil lavender paraffin treatment include:

• Le Petit Spa’s Signature Manicure
• Le Petit Spa’s Signataure Pedicure

Check out our weekly promotion, Signature Sundays, or our promotions page to find out our monthly service promotions as well as other weekly service promotions.

Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, events, beauty tips and service launches. Or email me with your beauty questions or concerns and look for your answer in a future blog!

Le Petit Spa Signature Spa Services

Signature services at Le Petit Spa

What is the difference between a spa such as Le Petit Spa, and the next one down the street?

The quality of the products and services offered by a spa should be unique and exclusive. Le Petit Spa has created a line of signature services exclusive to Le Petit Spa. These incorporate Le Petit Spa's Signature Body Care line, made with natural products, and other included perks for the customer without the high prices.

Le Petit Spa’s Signature Line of services offers a competitive edge to the next spa within the value included in its services directly provided to the customer. Le Petit Spa prides itself on providing top of the line services without top of the line prices.

The Le Petit Spa Signature Line of services is exclusive to Le Petit Spa.

Listed below are the competitive advantages of the Le Petit Spa Signature Services:

• Use products from the Le Petit Spa Signataure Body Care line that are made with natural ingredients
  
• Signature Manicuare and Pedicure include a Lavender paraffin treatment to moisturize dry skin and soothe and relax tired joints and muscles.
  
• Le Petit Spa Signature Facials include:
  
• Relaxing back massage
• Facial and neck massage
• Hand massage
  
• Le Petit Spa Signataure Body Care Line uses ingredients such as:
  
• Grape Seed Oil as a natural preservative
• Almond Oil and Jojoba oil to moisturize
• Coco butter to nourish skin
• Dead Sea salts to exfoliate

All Le Petit Spa Signature services have the customer in mind. We want to add value to the services, extra little perks that other spas may not have included in their services, without the high prices.

We truly believe in our services and products and hope our customer’s enjoy them as much as we do!

Come in to experience our weekly promotion, Signature Sundays or check out our promotions page to find out our monthly and other weekly service promotions that we are proud to offer.

Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter to be the first to know about our monthly service promotions, weekly promotions, special events, product launches and other tips and services. Or email me with your beauty questions or concerns and look for your answer in a future blog!

Le Petit Spa: West Coast Spa valules meet French Country Day Spa.

Le Petit Spa: West coast Spa values meet French Country Day Spa.

Le Petit Spa is a prime example of French Country ambiance and décor: The smell of French Lavender follows you throughout the spa, French country “antique” furniture, lighting, Petit Fours and Belgian chocolates; if it wasn’t for the rain and cold, it wouldn’t be hard to forget you are actually in Vancouver when you’re visiting Le Petit Spa.

However, we are in Vancouver (sigh!). The west coast of Canada has very much its own set of values: organic foods rule and you can’t walk down Robson Street without stepping onto the door step of a Starbucks everywhere you go.

Yoga, holistic approaches to medicine, and afternoon hiking sessions in our local mountains are an everyday occurrence for the majority of people, especially woman, in Vancouver.

Spas incorporating this healthy “West Coast lifestyle” are very much in the know about how Vancouverites are spending their time and how they are approaching health and wellbeing. Products made without parabens or other preservatives, healthy spa snacks and lunches, and eco-friendly business ethics and practices are becoming important to consumers and spa owners are catching on.

Le Petit Spa is a spa that has incorporated a French Country atmosphere together with West Coast values:

• The Le Petit Spa Signature Body Care line is made from all natural ingredients, using natural preservatives like Grape Seed Oil to keep product quality high.

• Using high quality products like Phytomer and Guinot in their services that are made from ingredients that are natural, beneficial to your skin and are not tested on animals.

• Believing that taking care of yourself is as important on the outside as it is on the inside

• Offering herbal teas with high anti-oxidant qualities and organic French wine.

• Recycling all linens and any other material that can not be used further.

• Encouraging a healthy lifestyle that incorporates physical activity and maintenance of the body through facials and massage as stress relievers.

Le Petit Spa is a community based neighbourhood day spa located in Point Gray, Vancouver.
We are a spa that is involved in the community around us and believe in giving back to the community.

Check out our daily and monthly service promotions and sign up for our monthly e-newsletter to be the first to know about on going events, monthly promotions, in-spa promotions and beauty tips or email me with a beauty question or concern and look for your answer in a future blog!

Le Petit Spa introduces its New! Guinot Double Peeling Glycolic Facial, December’s service promotion of the month, read more…

Winter Skin Care - Hyaluronic Acid

Winter Skin care tips: Hyaluronic Acid

A lot of skin care companies are producing products that contain an ingredient called Hyaluronic Acid.

But what is Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic Acid is a substance found in our connective tissue in our bodies. Its function is to cushion and lubricate body parts such as eyes and joints. Did you know? Hyaluronic Acid can hold 1000x its weight in water? This fact makes its hydrating effects quite eminent.

Hyaluronic Acid has been labelled by the media and press as “the key to the fountain of youth” because of its’ strong link between people who consume large amounts of Hyaluronic Acid in their diets and the length of which they live their lives.

The people studied absorbed high amounts of Hyaluronic Acid from their natural diets containing starchy root vegetables, not using **supplements of any kind.

What skincare products carry products that contain Hyaluronic Acid?

Some skincare companies with Hyaluronic Acid as an ingredient in their skincare products are Guinot, Skeyndor and Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics.

Who doesn’t want a complementary skincare consultation? To find out which products are right for you, or which skin type you have, click here.

To find out more about in spa promotions, events, daily and monthly service promotions, sign up for our monthly e-newsletter, or , email me with your beauty concerns or questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

**this blog is for educational purposes only. When starting suppliments for therapeutic purposes consult your physician or health care provider.

Winter Skin Care tips: Creams vs. Lotions

Creams vs. Lotions

What is the difference between a skincare cream and skin care lotion?

Creams are often thicker, heavier and often feel like velvet like in texture. They offer super concentrated hydrating ingredients and often last longer during the day than lotions do.

Lotions are often quite thin, almost liquid or runny in consistency. They still offer hydrating effects and active ingredients, but they are lighter meaning that they might feel like they disappear half way through your day.

Lotions are usually recommended by Estheticians or Dermatologists in the summer months as they will not leave your skin feeling greasy or sticky. In the winter, you should use a cream as they also offer more protective agents from the wind, snow, and colder temperatures experienced in the winter.

Here are some tips on how to pick a beneficial winter skincare cream:

1. Hydrating Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, which is naturally found in our connective tissues in our skin, has been linked to having strong anti-aging effects. Hyaluronic Acid can also hold 1000x its weight in water, making it’s hydrating effects eminent

2. Thick Consistency: This means that your cream will last longer during the day and won’t evaporate.

3. Dual Action: Use a cream that is for both day and night use. This means that your skin will have a constant moisture supply day and night. This will also save you time and money!

4. Built in SPF: An SPF to protect your skin from the glare of the sun off of snow or wet sidewalks and roads. This will protect your skin from aging effects of the sun and hyper - pigmentation.

Following these tips when choosing a cream should help you protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun and other environmental factors in the winter.

Who doesn’t want a free skincare consultation? Learn what skin type you have and which products are right for you, click here.

Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter to be the first to know about in spa promotions, monthly and daily service promotions, beauty advice and events or for more skin care advice, email me with your beauty concerns or questions and look for the answer in a future blog!

Interested in skincare products, visit www.spaboutique.ca

Nail Fungus: Tips to Prevent Nail, Foot fungus and products to treat

Tucked away in fuzzy warm socks and slippers are those cute little tootsies you doted on during the summer months. So why are you hiding them now?

Don’t forget about your toes in the winter! They need attention and pampering in the winter just as much as they do in the summer. Although feet are generally exposed to more irritants and problem causing agents in the summer; the winter months dry out your feet, expose your feet to constant excess moisture (remember that sloppy slush puddle you so nicely stepped into?) and cause your feet to be susceptible to rapid changes in temperature and climate.

With damp socks, shoes and temperature changes, your feet can become irritated and the skin can become prone to types of fungus i.e.: Athletes foot. But not to worry, these are easily detected and treatable.

Read on for tips and advice to prevent foot or nail fungus:

1. Keep feet well ventilated and dry – breatheable material such as cotton is preferable for socks; if your socks become wet change as soon as possible!

2. Dry your feet – after showering or bathing thoroughly to prevent picking up any fungus causing agents that may be hiding on floors or carpets.

3. Dry shoes – if shoes become wet, make sure they are dry before wearing next.

4. Use a foot powder and put in shoes and socks to absorb any excess moisture. Try Gehwol Med Foot Powder

5. Use an anti-fungal foot cream such as Allpresan 7 Cream Foam or an anti-fungal foot spray such as Allpresan 7 Nail Tincture which is formulated to care for and protect nails that are prone to fungal infections.

Allpresan 7 Nail Tincture contains Clotrimazole (a topical preparation used to treat fungal infections) and Avocado oil, which helps to build and repair damaged nails.

Allpresan products are used by the professional staff at Le Petit Spa in all Le Petit Spa pedicure services.

Benefits of Allpresan Foot Care products:

• Safe to use on diabetics
• Prevents the development of fungus on nails and feet
• Free of perfumes and preservatives
• Dermatologically tested.
• Heals fissures that can develop on heels (deep cracks that heal slowly)

To book a Le Petit Spa pedicure service, click here.

Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, events, weekly promotions and monthly service promotions. Or email me with your beauty concerns or questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Sunscreen and the importance of using an SPF in the Winter

SPF – The importance of sunscreen in the winter.

The use of sunscreen is just as important in the winter months as it is in the summer. The only difference between these two seasons is in the summer, you will probably need to apply more being that you sweat more in the heat; therefore; it might not last as long as it will in the winter.

In the summer, the sun’s rays are reflected off the sand at the beach 17x stronger than if they were to fall directly on your skin.

Snow is highly reflective; the sun’s rays are reflected off the snow 80x stronger then if they were just to fall on your skin directly.

If the sun’s rays are hitting your skin 80x more powerful in the winter, can you imagine all the damage that causes to your skin? Wrinkles, fine lines, brown spots and other forms of pigmentation are all signs of aging and skin damage that the sun causes; however; these can be prevented by using a daily SPF of 15 or higher.

Look for an SPF with both UVA and UVB protection; these are usually labelled “broad spectrum” protection.

What is the difference between UVA and UVB rays?

UVA are the rays that cause aging. Studies show that 90% of wrinkles are caused by the sun’s UVA rays. Even worse, UVA‘s are responsible for malignant melanomas because they reach the underlying tissue in our skin.

UVB’s are the rays that cause our skin to burn. UVB’s only reach the epidermis (the outer most layer of the skin) and do not penetrate far into the skin. UVB rays to not penetrate through glass.

Guinot, Intaglio, and Skyndor are some Professional Spa Skincare lines that carry a wide range of sunscreens.

Jane Iredale Mineral makeup has caught on to the importance of using an SPF everyday and has incorporated a natural non-chemical SPF into their makeup bases and loose powders. Plastic Surgeons and Spas now use this line to protect their clients’ skin after having skin treatments to protect their skin from environmental factors, including the sun.

For a complimentary skin care consultation with a Professional Le Petit Spa Esthetician to find out which skin care products are right for you and to discuss your skin concerns, click here.

Check out our weekly facial promotions including Facial Fridays and Signature Sundays or sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about in spa promotions, beauty tips, events or monthly service promotions.

Have a beauty question? Email me with your questions and look for your answer in an upcoming blog!

Le Petit Spa: Holiday Spa Parties

Spa Parties

We’ve all heard the term “Spa Party”. It’s the new big thing in spa-going. Groups of friends, bridal parties and corporate get-together’s have gone from bar lounge to spa lounge. But what is involved in a “Spa Party”?

Groups of 5 to 15 people are invited into an area of the spa, customized for spa party get-togethers.

Pedicures are the most popular choice for spa parties. The party members are in a room together so that they may visit and enjoy each others company.

A “spa butler” or “spa party coordinator” is made available to offer refreshments and food when available.

After, party goers may lounge and relax while their perfectly painted tootsies dry in an after party lounge.

Spa parties are a perfect opportunity for the annual office holiday party, bridal party or any event that deserves celebration while relaxing and indulging in yourself and your companions.

To find out more information about hosting a Le Petit Spa spa party and the incentives involved, click here

Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter to be the first to know about monthly service promotions, beauty tips, event and promotional offers, click here.

Email me with your beauty questions or concerns and look for your answer in a future blog!

Le Petit Spa Winter Skin Care Tips

Le Petit Spa Winter Skin Care Tips

Knowing how your skin changes from season to season is important because it allows you to take care of it properly and realize when it is going through change.

Dryness, irritation, tightness and flakiness are all common ailments that skin can encounter at any time of year; especially in the winter.

Below are six great steps that are recommended in order to care for your skin during the winter.

1. Exfoliate – This helps to remove unwanted dead, dull and dry flaky skin. Exfoliating and ridding yourself of dry skin allows your moisturizer to penetrate into your skin deeper and better than if you were to put it on a build up of dead skin cells; in turn preventing more dry skin from developing. Exfoliate twice at least twice a week to prevent a build up of dead skin. To prevent the rest of your body from suffering from dry skin try a Le Petit Spa Body Scrub Service.
2. Moisturize – Use a good moisturizer to prevent the cold wind and air from drying out your skin. Still dry? Switch to an oil based formula or a hydrating “cream” instead of a “lotion”. What’s good for your skin in the summer and fall may not be enough for your skin in the winter. Creams will always be thicker and more hydrating formulas than lotions are.
3. Water – Not necessarily the water you drink, the water you bathe in! Hot water has a drying effect on your skin. Yes, it feels wonderful jumping into a hot shower first thing in the morning, so if you must have a hot one, limit them to twice a week; settle for warm showers the rest of the time.
4. Temperature – The temperature outside not only dries out your skin, but it causes your capillaries (tiny superficial blood vessels) to dilate and burst when subjected to quick changes in temperature. This ties in to moisturizing well and avoiding too many hot showers: Using a heavier moisturizer will protect your skin from the cold temperatures outside; while hot shower’s also cause your capillaries to dilate quickly and burst, limit them to twice a week(if you can!)
5. Bundle up! – Protect your skin from cold temperatures outside by wearing layers. This will also prevent irritated skin if your clothing becomes wet; you will be able to change out of them quickly preventing irritation from wet, damp clothing.

Le Petit Spa facials are a great way to care for your skin during the winter months. An Esthetician can look at your skin closely and determine if your skin may need any specialized care.

To book a free skin care consultation or find out more about what spa services can care for your skin during the winter, click here.

Check out our weekly facial promotions Facial Fridays and Signature Sundays

Sign up for our e-newsletter to be the first to know about monthly service promotions, events, tips and advice or email me with your beauty questions or concerns and look for your answer in a future blog!

Winter Skin Care: Anti-oxidants and the benefits to skin

Winter Skin Care: Anti-oxidants and the benefits to skin

How do Antioxidants work?

Antioxidants are powerful chemicals that protect cells by neutralizing external forces such as the sun, pollutants and the weather and internal factors such as hormones and emotions.

Antioxidants are vital to health because they combat free radicals. Free radicals are by-products (waste) that are produced when our bodies use oxygen.

Free radicals are unstable molecules that try to “steal” atoms from our healthy molecules to make themselves stable and repaired; a free radical is essentially a skin or body cell that is damaged. Therefore; the structure of our skin or body cells are damaged when free radicals are present, altering our DNA which results in aging and illness.

Common antioxidants found in skin care are Vitamin A, C, E and Beta Carotene.

Why are companies putting Anti-oxidants in skin care products?

Antioxidants protect collagen, a fibrous tissue in our bodies that is the foundation of all our connective tissue: blood vessels and skin etc.

How can antioxidant tablets help me?

Many companies that produce tablets** or multi-vitamins carry anti-oxidant pills that promise to boost the production of collagen and elastin (two fibrous tissues responsible for keeping our skin youthful looking) while protecting existing collagen and elastin content.

What is the best way to obtain antioxidants: tablet** or skin care?

Let’s face it: Antioxidants are essential to maintaining healthy, youthful skin. They fight off free radicals that cause our DNA to age and be susceptible to illness. Taking them internally via tablet** form is the perfect way to help your body from the inside out, but why not treat your skin with antioxidants from the outside as well to fight external factors?

Look for products that contain Vitamin A, E or C and Beta Carotene. These are all forms of antioxidants found in skin care.

Some forms of Mineral makeup, which are made of pure, crushed minerals contain these ingredients. Mineral makeup is fast becoming known as “skin care” makeup because it contains so many active ingredients made to treat and protect skin while it is being worn. Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup is one company that incorporates antioxidants into their “skin care” makeup.

Skin Care companies such as Intaglio, B. Kamins and Skeyndor all have specific lines to address the growing demand for skin care products that contain Antioxidants.

To book a free skin care consultation at Le Petit Spa, click here.

Check out our weekly spa promotions for facials: Facial Fridays or Signature Sundays.

Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter to be the first to know about in spa promotions, events, beauty tips and monthly service promotions. Email me with your beauty questions or concerns and look for your answer in a future blog!

** Please consult your doctor before starting any multi-vitamin or pill form of therapy. This blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.

Le Petit Spa Body Scrub Services - Benefits of a Body Scrub

Smooth skin can be yours from head to toe! Body Scrubs are an excellent way to rid your body of dead skin and rough dry patches.

Benefits of Body Scrub Services

• Slough off dead skin cells
• Soften and give your skin a healthy glow
• Salt Glows and/or scrubs re-mineralize your skin with essential nutrients and minerals.
• Other active ingredients contained in body scrubs such as seaweed can detoxify and stimulate your circulatory system

Did you know?

Salt contains iodine, iron and magnesium which are some of the vital minerals that are essential to human life.

What should I expect from a Body Scrub?

A salt scrub is the perfect escape on a cold winter’s day: you’re tucked into a warm, inviting room while your skin is smoothed and polished from head to toe!

First, your body will be draped in warm blankets while your back is gently exfoliated. Your esthetician will then move down your legs in a circular motion and back up to your back. You will then be flipped over while the front of your legs, stomach and arms are exfoliated.

Next, a warm shower is taken to remove the salt scrub followed by being wrapped in a luxurious terry robe with a rest in our quiet relaxation lounge softly lit by candlelight while enjoying Le Petit Spa’s Lavender Rooibos tea and Petit Fours.

Le Petit Spa offers a Pacific Organic Seaweed Salt Glow that uses green tea extracts, and natural carrier oils such as grape seed oil and sweet almond oil to detoxify, stimulate and nourish your skin from the outside in.

To find out more information about Le Petit Spa’s Body Scrub Services, click here.

Check out our weekly promotions and sign up for our monthly e-newsletter to be the first to know about monthly service promotions, events, beauty tips and specials. Email me with your beauty questions or concerns and look for your answer in a future blog!

The Value of Le Petit Spa

The Value of Le Petit Spa: Atmosphere and Details

Details: No matter how large or small it’s what makes or breaks your spa visit. The atmosphere, ambiance, different smells and lighting can all affect your mood and the experience you take away from your visit.

The amount of time and money you invest as a client into a spa treatment should be met with the utmost highest standards in customer service excellence.

Le Petit Spa realizes this, and has scrutinized every detail imaginable; from the colors on the walls in the treatment rooms, right down to our Signature Lavender Rooibos Tea, Petit Fours and handmade Chocolates;all in the efforts of making our clients feel well looked after and greatly appreciated.

Below, we have listed nine unique details and features to Le Petit Spa for our client's to enjoy:

1. Lemon and Cucumber Water in hand made Signature Le Petit Spa glassware
2. Chocolates from Daniel
3. Petit Fours from Patisserie Boredeaux
4. Lounge Books such as “Wines of Canada” “Flowers at Home” and “Oceans”
5. Up-to-date magazines: Lou Lou, Flare and Oprah are just some.
6. Terry Robes with customized Le Petit Spa logo
7. French Music, soft jazz and Canadian outdoor sounds.
8. White and Red Wine (french of course!)
9. Perrier water
   

All of these items have been chosen to bring a French theme to our spa so your experience with us is as unique and authentic as it can be without catching the next flight to France!

We hope you enjoy your experience with us as much as we enjoy having you! If you would like a tour of our spa, or to look at our specific spa party room that can accommodate up to 15 pedicure happy gals, click here.

Sign up for our e-newsletter to learn about tips, in-spa promotions and events before anyone else! Or email me with your beauty questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Skin Problems due to lack of Exfoliation

Skin Problems due to lack of Exfoliation

Exfoliation is an important part of maintaining and keeping your skin healthy looking. Exfoliation removes build up of keratinized, dead and dull skin cells from the top layer of skin, the stratum corneum.

The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the skin. Every 28 days your skin renews itself by shedding dead skin cells and pushing new ones up gradually through the dermis and epidermis.

As we age, however; this process of renewing itself slows, resulting in a build up of keratinized, dead skin.

Problems may arise from this build up such as uneven skin tone, texture, clogged pores or skin may take on a whole new look such as “orange peel” texture (hyper – keratinized skin).

Here are four basic tips on how to prevent or treat changes in skin due to lack of exfoliation:

1. Exfoliate once to twice a week (extremely hyper-keratinized skin may need three times per week)

2. Wear an SPF daily to protect your skin from further sun damage (can cause damaged, hyper-keratinized skin)

3. Moisturize your skin daily to promote moisture retention in your skin

4. Consider using a glycolic product, or having a Glycolic Facial once a month until skin texture and clarity improves.

Unsure of how often you should exfoliate? Visit http://www.lepetitspa.ca/ to book a free skin type analysis with one of their professional licensed Estheticians.

Have any beauty questions? Email me and look for the answer in a future blog!

Sugar vs. Salt Exfoliation

Sugar vs. Salt Exfoliation

Day Spas around the world are guaranteed to have either a Salt Body Scrub or Sugar Body Scrub on their service menu. But is there a difference?




Sugar Body Scrubs

Sugar is a useful exfoliant medium. Its coarse texture gently removes build up of unwanted dull skin cells and reveals fresh, glowing skin underneath. As a product, its sweet smell is fun to use and calms even the biggest sweet tooth’s sugar cravings. However, when used as a body scrub, sugar can be messy and sticky, as well, sugar lacks in vitamins and minerals that are useful to the human body.

Salt Body Scrubs

Salt is also an extremely useful exfoliant medium. Salt is extremely coarse, and the salt grains used in spa services are usually larger than sugar grains. Just as sugar does, salt not only removes dead skin cells, but dissolves them as well. Salt contains trace elements, minerals and vitamins that are essential to human life and health. When used in a spa service, salt remineralizes and detoxifies your skin and promotes healthy cell turnover.

For more information on spa services that use salt, click here or visit www.lepetitspa.ca

Pregnancy and Exfoliation

Pregnancy and Exfoliation - What you should know

Exfoliation is a beauty regime that every woman should do throughout their life time, even during pregnancy. However, did you know that not every exfoliation treatment is safe during pregnancy or while you’re breast feeding?

Exfoliation methods include physical forms, such as scrubs , which are safe to use during pregnancy as their ingredients stay on the surface of the skin, and chemical forms of exfoliants, which penetrate into the skin. However, not all chemical exfoliants are safe to use during pregnancy.

A chemical exfoliant penetrates into the skin further than a physical exfoliants does, therefore; absorption of some ingredients or chemicals into the blood stream is possible. An example of a chemical exfoliant that is NOT safe to use during pregnancy includes Retinol A ( or vitamin A) which has been linked to causing birth defects.

However, for expecting moms that prefer the exfoliation effects of chemical exfoliants (like Retinol) there are Glycolic Facial Treatments.

Glycolic Acid is derived from sugar cane, sugar beets or unripe grapes. It is a natural substance that can be ingested. It improves skin texture, may help with acne and also reduces hyperpigmentation (such as pregnancy mask) over time.

For a free skin consultation, or more information about Glycolic Facials, visit www.lepetitspa.ca
For more information on Spa Services for moms, click here.

Types of Exfoliation

Types of Exfoliation

There are two main types of exfoliation: Physical Exfoliation and Chemical. Both methods have many benefits and advantages of using them.



Physical Exfoliation is a method of exfoliation that needs to be manipulated in some way for it to work. This method includes gommage and scrub methods, (the product actually has to be worked with on the surface of the skin for exfoliation to take place).

The ideal candidate for a physcial exfoliation method is a client who prefers to feel the product working, who may have an oilier skin type or one that does not need a deep exfoliation, as chemical exfoliants go deeper into the epidermis than physical exfoliants do.

Chemical Exfoliation goes deeper into the top layer of skin than physical exfoliants do. Chemical Exfoliants can include Glycolic Acids, AHA’s and enzymatic ingredients (such as Papain, or Papaya extract). These Exfoliants lie on the surface of the epidermis (stratum corneum) and “eat” or “dissolve” dead skin cells. They do not need to be manipulated in any way to exfoliate the skin.

The ideal candidate for chemical exfoliants is someone who may have a thick, keratinized outer layer of skin build-up or who has hyper-pigmentation problems, acne or scarring.

Which method is right for you?

Not sure of which exfoliation method is right for your skin type? Have a professional Esthetician determine your skin type and decide which exfoliation methods are right for you, visit www.lepetitspa.ca for more information.

Baby Skin Care

DID YOU KNOW?

Children’s skin has the same Ph level as water (7), which is why their skin is more prone to fungal infections. As fungus does not like acidic conditions, it does not grow as easily on adults who usually have Ph levels between 5 and 6.

The Ph level of your baby’s skin can be easily irritated during the first few years of life by using harsh detergents and skin care that is not formulated for the sensitive skin of a baby.

When choosing skin care for your baby, here are 6 great tips:

• Choose products that are Hypo-allergenic
(formulated not to cause reactions, such as Mustela)
• Dermatologist recommended
• Ph balanced products for baby’s skin ( Ph level of 7)
• High quality ingredients
• Products that treat and protect your baby’s skin
• Manufactured under strict guidelines

If you would like to obtain additional information on baby skin care or spa services for babies, please visit www.lepetitspa.ca .

Information for this article found at: www.mustela.com

Skincare answers for today’s man

Skin ailments do not discriminate between men and women. Acne, aging, oiliness and dryness affect everyone’s skin, leaving most men left to wonder, “What should I use on my skin, what type of skin type do I have and where can I find product specifically for men?”

If you fall into this category, read on to allow us to offer you some suggestions.

Cleansing and at home skin techniques for men:

• Cleanse skin first with cleanser suitable for your skin type (see below for determining skin type)
• Following with exfoliation to allow for a closer shave and help target blackheads.
• Shaving cream followed by shaving with hair growth and then against it if necessary.
• After shave.
• Gel or lotion for moisturizing/ oil control.
• Eye cream.

Some products we suggest:

Skin Focus – Acne
GLOBAL PUR Detoxifying Cleansing Gel

This gel cleanses and purifies the skin. Its ultra-fresh formula gently revives the skin and eliminates impurities. The skin is clean and ready for corresponding product use.
-Leaves a clean, intensely fresh feeling on the skin
-Is soap free so will not irritate or dry out skin
-Is quick and easy to use.

The astringent formula tightens up the pores and is perfectly suitable for oily, shiny skin. After a short night, it’s fresh fragrance peps up sleepy skin.

Skin Focus: Anti Aging
FACIAL PROTECT Active Care for Wrinkles and Fine Lines.

This product prevents and repairs the signs of time. It effectively fights against skin aging, wrinkles, fine lines and external strains.
-Corrects and protects and the same time
-Visibly firms and tones up the facial features.

Important to note: Men get wrinkles later but they are also deeper. A sudden drop in the production of collagen (fibers that make the skin firm and dense) is probably the main cause.

Skin Focus: Dryness
FACIAL PROTECT Comforting Moisturizing Care

Specially formulated for men’s skin, this non-oily, intensely moisturizing skincare product provides all the everyday comfort and softness that skin needs. Enriched with invigorating and oxygenating Marine Oxhylium, it gives a feeling of freshness from the moment it is applied and provides the skin with optimum protection against harsh elements. ( shaving, pollution, climate)
-Moisturizes the skin all day long
-Fresh and non greasy

Skin Focus: Oiliness
FACIAL PROTECT Shine Control Gel

This light textured gel combats shiny skin and helps rebalance oil flow. It penetrates rapidly, and moisturizes the epidermis throughout the day without shine.
-High moisturizing power keeps skin from drying out
-Gel texture instantly penetrates and does not leave an oily film.
-Leaves skin visibly less oily.

Skin Focus: Eye Care
FACIAL PROTECT Smoothing Eye Care

This non greasy cream helps smooth the eye contour, with decongestant properties to reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. Marine Oxhylium, a natural marine ingredient instantly detoxifies and brightens eye area.
-Its action rejuvenates eyes
-Reduction of puffiness around the eyes causes a feeling of well being.
-Fine texture instantly penetrates.


Determining your skin type:

Not certain of your skin type or condition? Book yourself or the man in your life in for a men’s spa facial and have a professional esthetician determine your skin type for you as well as offer you products best suited to your skin.

For more information and to book a men’s facial, please visit www.lepetitspa.ca

For more information on purchasing spa products from the comfort of your home, please visit www.spaboutique.ca

If you would like more information on men’s skin care or on another topic, e-mail me and look for the information in a future blog.

Some information found in this blog can be found on the phytomer website at www.phytomer.com.

Mineral Make-up, What is it? Benefits and Application Tips.

Mineral Make-up, basically is all natural and it's main ingredient is minerals. Mineral makeup has been used by women and men, for centuries. Archeological digs have revealed usage of makeup and cosmetic tools as far back as approximately 10,000 years Cultural civilizations adorned themselves for the Gods in religious ceremonies. Egyptians hieroglyphics show that perhaps the origin of eye makeup was not human vanity. Mineral source colors in several varieties were ground into various particle sizes worn by all Egyptians for the same reasons as today's modern athletes wear black or dark kohl under their eyes, to counteract and absorb glare.

"Mineral makeup" takes its inspiration from minerals and inorganic pigments that exist in nature. Many combinations of these colored minerals, such as mica, titanium dioxide, zinc and iron oxides, and ultramarine pigments, can be created to make every cosmetic from foundation to eyeshadow to shimmer powder for the body.

Benefits of Mineral Make-up

-No harmful ingrediants - Virtually no allergy risk
-Non-comedogenic, will not block pores
-SPF - protects your skin from the sun
-Anti-inflammatory, helps to calm and soothe irritated skin
-Very water resistant - great for humid environments
-Mineral makeup stays on longer - doesn't crease or smear easily.
-Complete coverage for skin conditions like acne, rosacea & redness
-Contains no fillers (i.e.: oil. talc, FD&C Dyes or synthetic preservatives.)
-Composed of inert minerals - cannot support bacteria
-Not tested on animals

Application tips for applying Mineral Base Make-up

-Make sure your moisturizer has been completely absorbed by the skin before applying mineral makeup.
-One of the biggest differences in terms of application, is that you need much less mineral makeup to get the same coverage results as regular makeup.
-New brushes should always be cleansed prior to use. This will remove any chemical residue left behind on the hair from the sanitizing process, and prevent any possible sensitivity

Loose Powders (we recommend Jane Iredale Amazing Base Loose Minerals Powder )

-Use a chisel brush - the minerals should cling to the bristles all the way around the brush and not just on the ends.
-Apply the minerals in thin layers using downward strokes. If you’ve put on too much, use a flocked sponge to remove excess.
-Spot with the sponge if you need additional coverage in areas. You will achieve a smooth, sheer, flawless finish that transfers far less than normal makeup.

Pressed Powders (we recommend Jane Iredale PurePressed )

-We recommend using a special brush for pressed powders made from squirrel and pony for the softest feel and the most even coverage. (like the Handi brush) -Lightly brush over the pressed powders and apply in downward strokes.
-Pressed powders are more matte than the loose, which is especially useful for those with oily skins.

Liquid Minerals (we recommend Jane Iredale Liquid Minerals )

-Liquid Minerals can be worn alone or with our mineral powders on top.
-You will find that Liquid Minerals adapts to individual skin tones.
-Can apply with Fingers, Cosmetic Sponge or Brushes
-Fingers
-When applying it on yourself, use both hands. Let it set and then apply another layer if needed. You will have time before it sets. Once set, you may apply another layer if needed. Brush mineral powders on top for more coverage. You can use Liquid Minerals around the eyes as a concealer. It will also minimize fine lines. Use it on eyelids, too, for the perfect base for eye shadows.
-Cosmetic Sponge or Brush
-Pump mousse onto a spatula or back of hand and pick up with sponge or brush. A dry sponge will give more coverage, a wet one more sheer coverage. Apply it to one area of the face at a time.

Visit www.spaboutique.ca for more Jane Iredale products or www.lepetitspa.ca for a professional make-up application or lesson. If you would like to see information on a particular product or service email me and look for my response in a future blog.

Unique Mothers Day Gift

Bring the spa home for Mom

Mothers Day is one of the best times to let the mom in your life know how much she means to you. A unique gift idea for mom is to give her an at home facial kit so she can spend some quality time pampering herself. If you don't have the time to put this together, look into giving mom a spa facial.

Facials are the process of cleansing, exfoliating and hydrating the face to brighten the complexion and minimize lines and wrinkles.

Shopping List:

Wash Basin or Deep Bowl

Newspaper or sheets of tissue paper.

Linens.
-Face Cloth.
-Hand Towel.
-Towel.
-Head Band.
-To keep moms hair out of her face

-Robe

-Facial Cleanser.

-Eye Makeup remover.

-Cotton Pads.

-Toner.

-Scrub.

-Mask.
-Eye mask.
-Face mask.

-Moisturizer.

-Eye Cream.

- Magazines.

-Tea /Tea Cup

- List of Facial Instructions printed on Pretty Paper.

Compiling your unique Mothers Day Gift:

-Roll the face cloth, towel, hand towel and head band individually and secure with ribbons.

-Line the bottom of the bowl or wash basin with crumpled pieces of tissue or news paper.

-Place the rolled up linens and products strategically throughout the inside of the bowl or basin.
-Biggest items in back, smallest in front.

-Print out the facial at home directions and place in a pretty envelope inside bowl or basin.

-Wrap entire package in cellophane and secure with a big beautiful ribbon and your Mothers Day card.

-Give to Mom and watch her smile.


Facial Instructions:

1. Cleanse the skin

• Wet skin
• Place a dime size amount of cleanser into hands and rub onto wet face in a circular motion.
• Rinse well.

2. Cleanse the eye area

• Take a cotton pad
• Saturate pad with eye cleanser
• Gently remove all eye makeup.

3. Tone skin

• Saturate a cotton pad with toner and rub onto skin to remove any traces of cleanser and prepare skin for next product.

4. Exfoliate Skin
Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells off of the surface of the skin.

• Using your fingers, rub exfoliator in a circular motion all over your face avoiding eye area.
• Concentrate on nose and forehead and any area that in prone to excess oil.
• Rinse face extremely well

5. Tone Skin

• As per above.

6. Steam

• Fill bowl or wash basin with warm, steamy water
• Place bowl on a flat surface and sit directly in front of bowl.
• Place towel over the top of the bowl and carefully place head under towel approximately 8 inches above water.
• Sit comfortably for 3-5 minutes letting the steam permeate your pores and open them up.
  

7. Apply Mask:

• Apply a layer of mask onto the face (avoiding eye area), according to directions on the p roduct.
• Allow mask to penetrate skin, leaving on for recommended time on the product. -Rinse completely with water and face cloth.

8. Tone Skin

• As per above

9. Apply Eye Mask

• As per directions on the product.
• Leave on for recommended time then rinse completely.

10. Moisturize:

• Smooth on moisturizer and eye cream, make a cup of tea and enjoy magazine.

If you would like to see information on a particular product or service email me and look for my response in a future blog.

Click here for more information on spa services and purchasing spa products.

Waxing

Waxing is a great hair removal tool for both men and women; it removes hair at the root and causes it to grow back much slower than shaving. In comparison to the sharp, coarse re-growth caused by shaving, new hair growth after waxing comes in softer and fine and in some cases may never grow back. Waxing exfoliates the upper layer of the skin leaving it soft and silky with results lasting anywhere form 2-4 weeks. Visit www.lepetitspa.ca for more information.

Pedicure Safety

A great way to prepare your bare feet for show is with a pedicure, but poor sanitation at nail salons and spa's can lead to you leaving with more than you paid for. If you're not careful, you could end up leaving the salon with more than beautiful toenails. Poor sanitation can spread fungi, warts and bacteria while overly aggressive trimming and filing can cause injury and infection. Areas to be aware of with pedicures are:

Sanitation- Le Petit Spa uses hospital grade disenfectant on all metal tools and uses brand new orange sticks and files on each client, which are then given to the client to take home.

Callus Filing - Le Petit Spa uses pumice stones for filing down calluses in lieu of the metal counterpart which can lead to extensive skin removal, causing potential skin splitting and injury to the foot.

Keeping your feet out of whirlpools: -Their filters trap dirt and bacteria (outbreaks of painful boils on the lower legs have been traced to these). Le Petit Spa uses a fresh bowl for each pedicure and cleanses them thouroghly with hospital grade disinfectant between uses.

visit www.lepetitspa.ca for more information on pedicures.

some of the information in this article can be found at: http://magazines.ivillage.com/goodhousekeeping/hb/health/articles/0,,284598_648339,00.html

Peace of Mind

Are you feeling less stressed? Here are more ways to help you release your tension and help you feel balanced.

PRACTICE MEDITATION Practicing meditation as little as 10 minutes a day can effect the body on a deeply physical level. It brings on the "relaxation response" by lowering heart rate, blood pressure and anxiety-driven mental chatter. It's considered one of the greatest antistress solutions.

PLAN AHEAD/BE ON TIME Do yourself a favour and be present. It's a losing battle to try keeping up with yourself, and its inconsiderate of others. Whether it's the big or small picture, give yourself enough time for your good intentions to show results. Collect your thoughts, give yourself enough room, and share the benefits of having your entire self being present with yourself and others.

UNPLUGGED This is a big one to do. Every once in a while for a few days do not look at your mail, televison, news, computer and cell phone. It may seem impossible at first, but after you do it a few times, it becomes easier and easier. The change of routine will free your mind to listen to itself, and you won't suffer the tension that comes along with distractions that don't nurture your desires.

We uphold these values and believe that they are the key to success in lowering your stress levels. Visit us to find out how our team can help you with your health and well-being at our Vancouver day spa. Le Petit Spa is located in Kitsilano at Alma and Broadway, www.lepetitspa.ca; come and unwind with a massage or facial spa experience.

Stress Less with Le Petit Spa, Vancouver's Number One Day Spa

In the middle of the hectic holidays take the time to destress. Making time to relax and letting your stress go is especially important during the craziness, but also needs to become part of your regular ritual. Possible long-term effects of a stressful lifestyle include hypertension, hair loss, and digestive disorders. Thinking about that is stressful! But the good news is there are simple ways to let your tension go and maintain a balanced lifestyle.

TAKE TIME OUT Create a quiet time for yourself. The stillness allows your body and mind to catch up with each other and get in sync. Your quiet could be meditation, reading a few pages of a book, soaking in a bath by candlelight, or sipping your favourite herbal tea while watching the world go by.

CREATE CALM SURROUNDINGS Create a tranquil space with peaceful music - avoid heavy beats and lyrics. Mellow vibrations help your heart rate and blood pressure physically drop to a slower pace.

BREATHE FULLY Your breathing will be your tell tale if you're in stress mode or not. 8 to 10 breaths per minute indicates normal, healthy breathing. 15 or more signifies you're in stress mode. To unwind find your breath and continue to breathe as you were. Through your nose inhale and exhale long, complete breaths for 10 to 30 breaths. You'll see the effects as your body relaxes and looses tension.

More destressing tips in tomorrow's posting.

Extend Skin Care Into Your Makeup

Known as "The Skin Care Makeup" Jane Iredale mineral cosmetics are so safe and beneficial to use that her products are recommended by plastic surgeons and dermatologists throughout the world. The cosmetics do not contain talc, which is a common ingredient found in many beauty products that has been linked to health concerns:

- mineral talc is known as a carcinogen (specifically linked in studies to ovarian and breast cancers)
- talc is a chemical similar to asbestos (a known carcinogen).

Jane Iredale won the American Spa’s 2005 Professional’s Choice Awards for Favorite Cosmetics and was the Natural Health Beauty Awards 2005 Winner for Best Makeup Range. Call or visit our day spa in Vancouver at Broadway and Alma for a complimentary makeup consultation, a half hour makeup application ($25), or a one hour makeup lesson ($40). Enjoy a beautifying day in the spa before your holiday party!

Healthy Holidays!

The season of colds and flu is upon us, and we are all about a healthy holiday season at Le Petit Spa. People are getting their nails done for the holidays and we have been asked why we do not offer gel or acrylic nails. In response here are some of the health reasons we do not provide this service:

- we promote healthy, natural beauty
- the nail bed can be damaged when the nail is removed
- the nails need to be filled approximately every 2-3 weeks
- repeated exposure to acrylic and other chemicals can be harmful to the nails’ health
- methyl methacrylate is found in many acrylic nail products
i. can cause fungal infections
ii. prolonged exposure can lead to other health problems (e.g., affects lung health)

We offer a variety of manicure services including Express, Classic, French and our popular Signature Manicure. Make one of these a spa gift for a loved one or for yourself for a healthy holiday season!

Santa’s Little Helpers with Spa Gifts

Do you need help with your Christmas shopping? We’re here to help with spa gift certificates and cards. They’re the perfect gift solution for someone in need of down time and relaxation. The holidays are full of fun festivities and frenzy! Quiet rejuvenation is the perfect way to escape the frantic pace and let the stress slip away.

Gifts of self-care and relaxation can be purchased for loved ones or for yourself in spa or online. Drop them a hint by sending them our link (www.lepetitspa.ca) and click on “Holiday Gift Giving”. The online gift certificates have the Christmas touch and look as if they’re wrapped up already. You can print them at home right now!

The personally addressed spa gift card is beautifully wrapped in cellophane with lavender buds and tied with a bow. It can be purchased by denomination or by that special someone’s favourite service. We can send this gorgeous gift directly to them!

Le Petit Spa is granting spa wishes as a special gift to givers this season. For each spa gift certificate or card purchased in spa or online, an entry with the giver’s name is put in a draw. Three entries will be drawn each Saturday starting December 10th until December 31st. The drawn names will be granted their spa wish courtesy of Nancy Mudford, Owner, Le Petit Spa. Take care of yourself this season and be rewarded for giving the gift of relaxation!

If you have any questions please email us at info@lepetitspa.ca or call us at 604.224.4314. We’ll be happy to provide any answers.

Mineral Makeup

A quality mineral makeup will not contain perfume, chemical dyes and chemical preservatives, the top three ingredients that will create and/or iritate sensitive skin.

To view an entire line of mineral makeup, come visit Le Petit Spa @ the corner of West Broadway & Alma in Vancouver B.C. We carry the entire Jane Iredale line, which is 100% minerals with a built in SPF. For more info, you can visit our onsite display and receive a complimentary makeup consultation with Jane Iredale products from a licensed esthetician @ Le Petit Spa.

www.lepetitspa.ca

“Tube” Your Lashes!

If you are like most women, you have tried many different brands of mascara only to find the same problems within each one. Why do so many of these brands end up disappointing you? The answer lies in the fact that most conventional mascaras take the same approach; they are essentially “paint” for your eyelashes. They simply paint their color on the lashes and have a tendency to run, flake, clump, and smudge. At the end of the day, what is left of the mascara will often times require a make-up remover and considerable effort to come off completely. We have discovered an alternative at le petit spa that has garnered the enthusiasm of both our staff and clients alike- “Kiss Me” mascara. Its unique formulation forms tiny water-resistant tubes around your lashes rather than painting them. The tubes add both volume and length to create a radiant natural look. Once set, Kiss Me mascara binds to the lash, as opposed to painting it, and will not run or smudge even if you rub your eyes, yet it doesn’t require a make-up remover to come off. Lots of warm water and gentle pressure is all it takes for the tubes to slide off the lashes effortlessly. You will actually see the tiny tubes in your hands! Visit ww.lepetitspa.ca for more information, or visit the spa for a complimentary make-up consultation where you can experience the benefits of the mascara, first-hand.

The Hazards of the Sun

Q: What are the differences between UV, UVA and UVB radiation?

A: Ultraviolet light is light that we cannot see as it has a wavelength shorter than the visible light that we can see. It is divided into UVA, UVB and UVC. UVC has the shortest wavelength and cannot get through the ozone layer to reach us. UVA and UVB have both been linked to skin cancer, including malignant and melanoma. Both sunbathing and using sun beds increases your skin's exposure to ultraviolet light and so increases your risk of skin cancer in addition to damaging your skin’s current condition. More specifically, UV radiation results in the following damage to the skin:

UV Radiation:
-reduces the skin’s antioxidant potential
-impairs the skin’s immune system, lowering resistence to skin disease
-can damage and/or destroy cellular membranes and/or DNA

UVA:
-favours the destruction of collagen and elastin
-causes skin wrinkling and sagging
-is present in amounts 100 times greater than UVB

UVB:
-damages and/or destroys epidermal appearance and structure
-causes the skin to burn
-leads to skin cancer
-increases hyperpigmentation

The best defence against the sun is to wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 as well as to limit your time in the sun between the hours of 11am and 3pm when the sun is most powerful. Visit http://www.lepetitspa.ca/ for more information on sun care protection or visit the spa to sample our high-quality sunscreen or our sunless tanning lotion which gives the appearance of a golden tan minus the risks to you skin!

The "Cure-All" Household Lotion

Q: Tea tree oil seems to be everywhere these days! What's the hype about?

A: A once hard-to-find ingredient in North America, tea tree oil has recently enjoyed a surge in popularity due to its highly effective and incredibly soothing properties. Discovered centuries ago by Australian Aborigines, tea tree oil is derived from a tree that is only grown in Australia, the Melaleuca alternifolia. The active ingredient in the oil is terpinen-4-ol, which fights harmful bacteria and fungi and is also effective in preventing and fighting infection in cuts, scrapes, insect bites and stings, as well as soothing sunburns, razor burn and freshly waxed or irritated skin. Tea tree oil blends rapidly and easily with the skin's own oils. In the process, the oil alters the chemical barrier of the skin, making it less hospitable to the growth of fungi and other organisms. In these ways, tea tree oil not only lessens the chance of infection, it also promotes healing and reduces the likelihood of scarring. Clearly the benefits of this multi-purpose ingredient cannot be overstated and have made it a product that is indispensable to households. Visit www.lepetitspa for more information, or better yet, visit the spa to test our very own
'le petit spa Tea Tree Soothing Lotion'!

Online Spa Gift Certificates

Shopping online just got easier with le petit spa's online spa gift certificates. The convenience of shopping online is unparalleled- you can buy a last-minute gift from out-of-town for that special person in Vancouver with the click of a mouse. You also have the option of either printing off the gift certificate and presenting it to the recipient yourself or having us mail the certificate for you. Visit www.lepetitspa.ca for more information on online spa gift certificates.

Prone to Ingrown hairs?

Q: Although I love the results of waxing, I am prone to ingrown hairs. What can I do to prevent them?

A: Ingrown hairs are an unsightly and uncomfortable result of hair removal that can be effectively minimized. Daily exfoliation is of paramount importance to allow for the removal of dead skin cells and to ensure that the new hair is able to grow in the correct direction. You should, however, avoid exfoilating on the same day that you were waxed as the skin is particularly sensitive during this time. Another way to combat ingrown hairs and razor burn/ bumps associated from shaving or waxing is to use a glycolic acid based formula such as PFB Vanish. A unique, roll-on gel, PFB Vanish gently exfoliates skin cells to "lift ingrown hairs" above the skin line reducing swelling and redness due to irritation. Countless le petit spa customers swear by this highly effective product. Visit www.lepetitspa.ca for more information.

The Benefits of Brazilian Bikini Waxes

With summer and swimsuit season finally in full swing, it's no wonder that brazilian bikini waxes are all the rage- from their rapid increase in popularity in spas across North America, to the continual references made by the media to this service, ( including several segements on the Oprah Winfrey show!) brazilian bikini waxes have never been more popular. This waxing service is more than just a passing trend, and is here to stay- for good reason. Waxing is the most hygenic and thorough method of hair removal in this sensitive area. Unlike shaving or the use of depilatories, waxing leaves a smooth, bump-free surface by not allowing any shadow of the hair follicle. The hair grows back dramatically softer and with less irritation or itching. As well, it grows back at a much slower rate, which is usually about three to five weeks. Although women tend to choose waxing for their own benefit (and convenience during bikini season!), their partners are usually quick to voice their approval! There is some discomfort involved in brazilian waxes, however an experienced esthetician who uses high quality professional wax and the proper techniques will greatly minimize pain. The application of a soothing tea tree oil lotion after the service is also very helpful. Regular brazilian bikini waxes are much less painful and result in the regrowth of finer hairs. For most people, the benefits of this service far outweigh the discomfort! Visit www.lepetitspa.ca for more information on brazilian bikini waxes

Experience Le Petit Spa's Prestige Facial

Nico, one of Le Petit Spa's senior estheticians, has been performing our Spa Prestige Facial since late in June when it was introduced. She, as well as her customers have been pleased with the results. Designed for clients prone to tight, dehydrated skin it also offers relief for acne prone skin.
The experience starts with a self-heating mud treatment to induce relaxation and warmth from start to finish. Next is a hand exfoliation and massage to relax tired muscles and rejuvenate the hands. For optimal results this spa facial entails three masks: the first being Phytomer's Moisture Quench Mask, followed by a Thermo-active Prestige Mask and finished by an Enhancing Moisturizing Prestige Mask.

Results, Nico noticed, are an immediate moisturizing effect: 46% increase in moisturizing level one hour after the treatment and comfort, "cocooning" feeling during the treatment. Once the treatment is completed the skin is moisturized, nourished, comfortable and revitalized.

How to Save your Nails

Diet and lifestyle can affect the health of every part of your body, right down to your finger tips. Buliding healthier fingernails can easily be accomplished by using a high quality nail strengthener, such as OPI's Nail Envy.

How does nail strengthener work?

OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener helps build harder, longer & stronger natural nails. With it's high-gloss formula, it contains strengthening protein, calcium and an antioxidant to help broken nails.

You can use it as a base coat when applying coloured polish or separately if you prefer a more natural look.

OPI Nail Strengthener is available at Le Petit Spa in our retail area.

Questions or comments, please email us at : info@lepetitspa.ca and we'll post it on our weblog.Visit our home page http://www.lepetitspa.ca/and sign up for our Newsletter/Promo updates and we'll thank you by entering you into a draw for a massage at Le Petit Spa, Vancouver, BC!

Jane Iredale Hits This Summer

Makeup Looks for Summer: The New York Times calls it the "gloss of innocence." Start with pale velvety skin (one shade lighter than your normal skin tone), add a hint of cream blush on the apples of the cheeks and follow that with a light dusting of luminous powder. Nothing is more perfect for this look than new Moonglow from Jane Iredale. It packed with 24-Karat gold and in four luscious colors, it can be used all over the face: on lids, as a highlighter, on the mouth, on shoulders, the decollete - even on the backs of calves. Use it to get the must-have golden lids, as well. No heavy lining on eyes, just a pale shimmery color (gold, pink, silver or white) rimming the edges. Brush some gloss on the lips, pat with your finger to set and you have the spring and summer look for 2005.

New Product: Jane Iredale's Multi-Colour for Lips is one of those things that works for everybody. Four of their best selling LipColours put into a kit with Cherry Sparkle lip gloss and a lip brush that you can really use. Get creative and mix your signature shade knowing that Jane Iredale has added a brand new edible zinc to their lipsticks and obtained an SPF 18 to keep you protected. All the new colors have the SPF including this spring's Sharon and Renee, and they're in the process of converting all colors to this formula.

Improved Product: Jane Iredale's PurePressed Base- they've made your favorite thing even better by taking out the Vitamin E and adding organic pomegranate extract. This ultra potent antioxidant is good for you inside and out.

Who loves Jane Iredale skin care make up? Answer is Julia Roberts! She was introduced to their powders by Phyllis Cardwell, makeup artist at the Dorchester Hotel in London, when Julia was working there. PurePressed base is featured in the March issue of InStyle Magazine on page 428. They were also honored to have been chosen Best Makeup Range by Natural Health in the UK.

Are you using Jane Iredale make up line? If not, drop by for a complementary make up consultation at Le Petit Spa! We would love to introduce you to this unique make up line that is actually good for your skin!

A natural way to protect your face from the suns harmful SUV rays is to use the mineral make-up from Jane Irdale. The Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide are two of the main ingredients found in the Amazing Base and Purepressed Base that will help block the suns rays.
Titanium Dioxide is listed in the FDA monograph as one of the purest and most effective active ingredients for sun protection.
Zinc Oxide derived from the mineral sphalerite, is believed to encourage healing of skin disorders. It is also insoluble in water, therefor giving you a propection that wont wash away as you swim.
Come in for your free consultation with us.

Questions or comments, please email us at : info@lepetitspa.ca and we'll post it on our weblog.

Visit our home page http://www.lepetitspa.ca/and sign up for our Newsletter/Promo updates and we'll thank you by entering you into a draw for a massage at Le Petit Spa, Vancouver, BC!

Exfoliation Tips from Le Petit Spa's Estheticians

Exfoliation is important for all areas of the body in order to make your skin ready for the summer months:

Face: Exfoliate at least once a week to remove dead skin cells which will help your products (including your sunscreen) penetrate deeper into the epidermis and become more effective
Le Petit Spa staff favourite: Phytomer Peeling Vegetal exfoliant for sensitive skin

Body: Exfoliate prior to applying your self tanner for an even and natural glow
Le Petit Spa staff favourite: Sothys Pre-Tan Exfoliating Care and Satin Self-Tanning Spray

Bikini Area: Exfoliating regularly will help prevent ingrown hairs and promotes smoother skin
Le Petit Spa staff favourite: PFB Vanish roll-on exfoliator and moisturizer

Questions or comments, please email us at : info@lepetitspa.ca and we'll post it on our weblog.

Visit our home page http://www.lepetitspa.ca/and sign up for our Newsletter/Promo updates and we'll thank you by entering you into a draw for a massage at Le Petit Spa, Vancouver, BC!

Redness is the most persuasive issue faced by esthiticians

Redness- Redness is the most persuasive issue faced by estheticians. Fortunately, it can be camouflaged very easily. The most natural looking cover for redness is to use yellow, located on the color wheel adjacent to red's color complement, green. Warmer hues, such as yellows, gold's and apricots, enhance the skin by reflecting light away from texture and color imperfections. Because green is a cooler color, it absorbs light, and can give the skin a pasty or ashy appearance. Try warmer tones first to correct, but if the redness is more purplish in nature, green may be necessary for complete coverage. Once the discoloration is resolved, add warmth to create a believable skin tone.

Estheticians may see redness in their clients skin due to conditions such as rosacea, burns, acne, cuperose, psoriasis, telangiectasia, and rashes. Procedures such as waxing, injectable fillers, extractions, Co2 laser and microdermabrasion can result in redness of differing degrees. All of these can be covered very effectively with mineral makeup and deliberate application techniques. There are instances when a customized salve can be created by mixing loose minerals into the post-treatment cream prescribed for use by a physician. A complex containing oat beta glean mixed with the minerals is extremely effective, as oat beta glucan can assist in diminishing redness by up to 80%. The application of such a custom color cream enhances the coverage provided by minerals alone, especially on skin that is flaking and peeling with an irregular surface.

Questions or comments, please email us at : info@lepetitspa.ca and we'll post it on our weblog.

Visit our home page http://www.lepetitspa.ca/and sign up for our Newsletter/Promo updates and we'll thank you by entering you into a draw for a massage at Le Petit Spa, Vancouver, BC!

For Best Results...

If you want to get more out of your visits to the esthetician, here are my top five tips:

1. Think of your esthetician as a long-term partner. The truth is, neither of you can achieve your skin care goals alone. Only by working together with your esthetician can you achieve and maintain balanced, healthy, younger-looking skin.
2. Be prepared for an ongoing commitment. You just won’t get the results you want by popping into the spa twice a year for an express facial. Is it a commitment in time and money? You bet, but it’s like that commercial – you have to decide whether you, and your skin care goals, are worth it. If you’re short on time or cash, talk to your esthetician. She may be able to recommend a streamlined treatment regimen or a more affordable product line.
3. Be truthful with your esthetician. If she asks how much sleep you get each night, how much water you drink each day, or how much time you spend on skin care, answer honestly. It’s the only way she can accurately assess the condition of your skin and prescribe an effective skin care plan that will yield the results you’re after.
4. Don’t wait until you have a skin problem to see your esthetician. The earlier you begin treatment, the more options are available to you and the better the end results will be. For example, anti-aging treatments should begin in your 20s, before signs of aging are apparent. If wait until your early 40s to see an esthetician, damage has already been done and your options are much more limited.
5. Do what your esthetician tells you. Your esthetician is a trained professional, and she can recommend an effective skin care plan, but you won’t see results if you don’t follow through. It’s that simple.

Questions or comments, please email us at : info@lepetitspa.ca and we'll post it on our weblog.

Visit our home page http://www.lepetitspa.ca/and sign up for our Newsletter/Promo updates and we'll thank you by entering you into a draw for a massage at Le Petit Spa Vancouver, BC!

Finding a Great Esthetician

So, how do you find a quality esthetician? First, look for someone who’s licensed and accredited. You may be surprised to know that in British Columbia, the esthetics industry has been deregulated in recent years. Anyone can hang out a shingle and offer treatments (even electrolysis!) without the appropriate training and experience.

To protect consumers and maintain industry standards, the Cosmetology Industry Association of B.C. (CIABC) offers an accreditation program, which requires estheticians to take and pass a rigorous exam. To be sure you’re dealing with an accredited CIABC esthetician or spa, look for a CIABC sign at the front desk or in the window.

Not every esthetics training program is the same. Generally, esthetics courses cover makeup, waxing, manicures/pedicures, body treatments and facials. Electrolysis and massage are often not included, although they can be taken as electives. Ask your esthetician about her training, and what types of treatments were covered.

Speaking of asking, a good esthetician will ask you a lot of questions. Ideally, you shouldn’t have to volunteer anything. She will know the right questions to ask to assess your skin, identify your objectives for your skin and any problem areas, and prescribe a treatment plan.

A good esthetician also has extensive knowledge about skin care techniques and products. She should be able to recommend a specific treatment regimen and product line for your skin, and explain why she has made these recommendations.

Next time, I’ll explain how to get the greatest benefit out of your esthetic treatments.

Questions or comments, please email us at : info@lepetitspa.ca and we'll post it on our weblog.


Visit our home page http://www.lepetitspa.ca/and sign up for our Newsletter/Promo updates and we'll thank you by entering you into a draw for a massage at Le Petit Spa, Vancouver, BC!

Dermatologist or Esthetician?

Since I’m often asked, I thought I’d begin this blog by explaining the difference between dermatologists and estheticians.

Essentially, dermatologists deal with the medical condition of your skin. They treat specific skin problems such as acne or rosacea, generally with medication in pill or cream form. Estheticians take a less invasive approach, working with the natural functions of the living skin to solve specific skin problems and achieve balance and optimal skin health.

While dermatologists and estheticians both work with clients to solve specific skin conditions, estheticians also focus on prevention. Regular visits to your esthetician can help avoid problems such as acne in the first place.

Although medications can be successful at reducing or eliminating the effects of a skin problem, they can also have adverse reactions or unwanted side effects. You may also find that the benefits continue only as long as you keep taking the medication.

Estheticians are trained to deliver long-lasting results using gentler, less invasive techniques. An experienced esthetician will carefully assess your skin, ask questions to get to the root of the problem and prescribe a treatment plan that will achieve and maintain balance without creating other problems. She’ll also work with you to identify areas of concern (break outs, acne, signs of aging, etc.) and prescribe a preventative treatment plan to address these issues.

Some people still think of estheticians as beauticians. The truth is that esthetics is tough, physically demanding work. An esthetician is a skin care therapist who has received up to a year of intensive, full-time instruction.

Did you know that esthetics students study a lot of the same material as medical students? Only after they have a thorough understanding of basic biology and the body’s main systems do they move on to learning about specific treatments like facials, body treatments and manicures.

Next, time, I’ll give you some tips about what to look for in an esthetician.



Visit our home page http://www.lepetitspa.ca/and sign up for our Newsletter/Promo updates and we'll thank you by entering you into a draw for a massage!