Spa and Online Business Planning for 2009

Well, I hit the road running literally this year and now i'm sick...figures I ran into a wall! Anyways, happy to say that most of my business planning is done for 2009.

Having a plan/roadmap/sales forecast, whatever you want to call it, will help you stay focused and will be a cause for celebration when you hit your targets.

So for Le Petit Spa, we hit our 2008 target and were actually 1% over target for the year. December was a nightmare due to the SNOW more so than other factors. Staff and customers could not get to the spa or did not want to venture out into a dangerous situation (and rightly so!). We asked our customers to rebook to avoid a penalty which seemed to be a win-win on both sides. Thankfully, we have an online store at www.lepetitspa.ca for purchasing online spa gift certificates as we rely on an overwhelming amount of sales at this time of year. I am happy to say that we were only 10% under target so not bad. I was not able to drive my car for 3 and a half weeks!

For Spa Boutique, we finished 8% over target. Meeting your targets helps you to make sure you are setting the "right" goal to make enough money to pay all of your expenses. I find the hardest part is to STAY ON TRACK. It's so easy to forget about the plan, get excited about something new, come up with "new and exciting" marketing ideas...you get the picture. As an entrepreneur, it's our weakness - we love creativity and feel stifled with numbers.

Business is all about the numbers. You need to know your numbers and understand your cash flow at all times. I review my numbers monthly with my manager and quarterly with my staff at the spa.

The online business, www.spaboutique.ca, is small and we can review the plan weekly which is really important so that everyone is aware of the goal and there focus is on how to generate sales and keep customers happy. I really believe in profit sharing. Brian Scudamore, from 1-800-GOT JUNK, recommended The Game of Business book which really helped me to explain to my employees how the business works and how important the numbers are. I heard Brian speak at a SOHO event and was able to visit his business a few years ago so I understand now why he is successful.

Some tips to help you:

• To set numbers for this year, review the past few years
• Do a SWOT analysis - what are your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats?
• Be realistic - it's going to be a challenging year; we set Le Petit Spa at 5% under 2008 sales and we feel very positive about this goal and for Spa Boutique, we set the goal much higher as we are opening a retail store in 2009
• If you are looking at expansion, then make sure you have done your research and you know there is a need out there
• At some point you have to make a decision on your numbers and bite the bullet
• Next step is to create a marketing plan - how are you going to promote your business? What marketing messages are going to be important for you? Social media is key to many businesses - FACEBOOK, TWITTER, BLOGGING, WEBSITE content
• Final step is to communicate to your staff and commit to the plan

It really is not that difficult but I think it's a bit scarey - did I set the right goals? Will we reach them? Make sure the goal feels right to you. If you have done your research and you are currently in business, then you are on the right track. If you are new to business, you will have to "take the plunge" at some point. Use experts, organizations like Women's Enterprise Centre that have business analysts, or take courses to increase your comfort level.

It does get easier each year. You need to put aside time to do the strategic work (which sometimes is the hardest part) and then "Just do it!" Enough of the excuses. Get on with it.

Here's to a GREAT year!

Nancy

Media Opportunities for Le Petit Spa

Last week, we were asked at the last minute to be on Breakfast TV with CITYTV. I thought to myself - "Yes, of course!" It turned out well but I did not have any control over the segment and had to wait two hours so I was not as quick on my feet as I normally am. I was told it was very good but felt a bit deflated about it. Now I feel guilty typing this admission but when you get free publicity, that is the case. You do not have control over what happens and you need to roll with it. Our televised episode is on Youtube under http://www.youtube.com/user/petitspamarketing

Then there is print media opportunities which often you can contribute commentary and provide photos (most of the time). It all depends on who it is, what the article is about and if you are being featured, critiqued or evaluated. It can be terrifying but usually we know if media are coming in. We have discovered after the fact and it has worked out for us because consistency is so important to us. Blind visits become more common as you become more popular.

Winning awards is another way to get media exposure especially when you win FIRST PLACE! I am very competitive by nature so I like a good competition. You need to understand what awards are available for your industry. We have annual customer voting competitions by the Vancouver Courier, The Georgia Straight and The Westender for Best Day Spa category as well as Best Bikini Wax, Best Facial and Best Massage. Best bikini wax is next on my list to win; we do an enormous amount of waxing and we do it well so watch out Linda's for 2009!

We win every year in Best Day Spa as one of the top 3 Day Spa's in Vancouver. Sometimes I don't think I toot my horn enough as people are always surprised when I mention it. Like I said, unless you win #1, then it means less. We have won #1 once...it drives me crazy. It's very difficult to sustain momentum over the year and I am constantly doing marketing to ensure brand awareness but ultimately you need enough customers who come to our spa, have an extremely positive experience and vote for us in the end. So what I'm saying is that now the pressure is on to keep winning. It's getting harder every year now because we are no longer "the new spa in town" that people stumble upon and we can easily impress; instead we are "one of the top 3 day spa's in Vancouver" and we had better do it right and consistently every visit.

Basically, my point is that I am grateful for any media opportunities and the awards keep us on our toes.

Thank you Vancouver media for giving my business exposure,

Nancy

Is it all gloom and doom or is it a lesson?

Small business is in a good position right now because we must always manage our cash flow closely and look for inefficiencies. When we don't, the doors close. The stats show that 50% of small business fail the first year, and then another 50% of the remaining fail as well. Ultimately, those entrepreneurs that become good business people are the ones that survive. It's quite simple but difficult to do because it's not very interesting and we get distracted easily.

Revenues - expenses = profit (don't spend more than you make)

That is the lesson today for many consumers and businesses who have overextended themselves. It is going to be a hard lesson for many and there will be lots of painful experiences until we turn it around.

We need to remain positive as consumers and small business entrepreneurs. Make sure that you have a buffer and be careful with your spending. As I write this, I am seeing the ultimate irony. My customers are going to be watching their disposable income. Ultimately, a day spa experience in Vancouver may win over the annual vacation that might not be affordable anymore.

I truly believe in self-fulfilling prophecies. We need to talk about how to learn from this economic downturn and figure out how to make it right. We need to see the opportunities and put our creative hats on. We need to collaborate and work together. Work smarter and be aware of all of your expenses. Look for value.

Small business will have to step up to better customer service, high value for services/products offered, and creative marketing promotions to offer opportunities to our customers.

I see it as a lesson and one that will be well learned by many.

Talk positively and see the opportunities.

Nancy

Training - How important is it?

As busy entrepreneurs, it's sometimes difficult to slow down and make sure that our employees truly understand our vision and how to do their jobs. Over the years, I have had to finetune and work diligently at making sure my team understands how to run my business. The coaching, mentoring and monitoring do not stop ever.

From a financial standpoint, if you do not take the time to train and do a great first day introduction to your business (no matter how small) and make them feel special instead of just another employee, the level of commitment will be determined from that point forward. If they feel welcomed, supported and are slowly introduced into their jobs, then you will see them take initiative and become a committed employee. If you throw them into the job, they will not often remain in the position and will be a negative influence to your team. In other words, there is a high cost to turnover and destabilizing your team.

An employee handbook is very important to ensure fairness and equality in your workplace. It sets standards and puts all of your rules and policies in place and if there are questions in the future, then you bring them back to the handbook. This handbook should grow with your business and every year, you will need to review. Listen to your team, to the issues and make sure that the handbook reflects the changes and the feedback. Our handbook at Le Petit Spa is currently 35 pages long and covers issues from job descriptions of all positions to uniform standards, employee perks, etc.

All training time needs an agenda/list so that you are prepared and organized to deliver and know how to use the time properly. We pay less for training time than regular time as well. You will have to make those decisions beforehand so that you understand the cost of training and are prepared to deliver. We sometimes bring in others to do the training as well to make it more exciting and bring in the actual expert who can answer questions.

With long term employees, you will need to put training perks in place so that they keep learning a nd feel motivated to keep contributing to your business' success. This month was a special month for us at Le Petit Spa as three employees from my team travelled with me to St. Malo, France for Phytomer Advanced training. We shared the cost of the entire trip and we now have a very special memory. My dream is for the rest of the team to travel to France every year for this training so that they see the labs where our product is made. This type of training is possible as a business matures and has positive cash flow. The trick is to budget accordingly.

Do not take this area for granted. Find help if you have no experience. Take time and think about the experience of a new employee and make sure that you are focused on them when they walk in the door. Care for your employees and you will get a great return on investment (ROI).

Some books to read would be:

• Michael Gerber, The E-myth Revisted or The E-myth Mastery
• Jack Stack, The Great Game of Business

I attended a SOHO confererence many years ago here in Vancouver, BC, and Michael Gerber was a guestspeaker with Brian Scudamore from 1-800-GOTJUNK. These books were his key to success and then he got to be on stage with his mentor! It does not get much better...

You must pay attention and understand every piece of work that will be done in your business so that in the future you can work ON your business rather than IN your business. It does work, I promise.

Good luck,

Nancy

Nancy's First Blog

I have been thinking of blogging for the last year and then it took me about 6 months to figure out what to say and how to do it. Little did I know that it would be so simple! Technology can seem intimidating yet today it is developed intuitively and usually straightforward to use. I have been guilty of thinking that perhaps my age (now 40) was perhaps why I have been having so many delays.

Blogging for me is going to be a way to have a voice in the spa industry and as an entrepreneur. Le Petit Spa is celebrating five years in September! It has been a wild ride. There has been so much learning as it is my first business and I was fresh and naive about spa business. Today I feel a lot of gratitude and pride in who we are as a spa team and how we built a solid spa business. It has been a lot of hard work but could I have expected anything less?

Thank you to my family and friends, to my spa team and to my customers for supporting me in becoming an entrepreneur and growing our business over the last five years.

Live your dream,

Nancy

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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"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.

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

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…

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

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!

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!

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!

Day Spa Packages at Vancouver's Le Petit Spa

Day Spa Packages perfect for giving the special someone in your life the “Gift of Relaxation”

This time of year, in my opinion, is the hardest: the weather in Vancouver is usually grey and rainy, and the next long weekend is no where in sight!

Enter Le Petit Spa and their answer for escaping a dreadful, grey day and being surrounded by warmth in candle lit rooms, luxurious down duvets and forgetting about the world outside.

Day Spa Packages at Le Petit Spa; the perfect escape from today’s busy west coast lifestyle.

1. Signature Package – This exclusive spa package at Le Petit Spa features Le Petit Spa’s signature French lavender products with premium day spa services. A Le Petit Spa Signature Facial, Signature Manicure and Signature Pedicure will induce a deep sense of relaxation, while refocusing your mind…Read more.

2. Vitality Package – This spa package at Le Petit Spa is here to add “vitality” to even the most overworked, overstressed, devitalized individuals in Vancouver. Featuring an invigorating anti-aging facial and Le Petit Spa Signature Pedicure, any client leaving Le Petit Spa after this package is sure to have a new vibrancy towards life…Read more.

3. Pour Les Hommes – Is the person in your life a Vancouver man? Le Petit Spa has a wide range of services incorporated into Le Petit Spa’s “Pour Les Hommes” day spa package for men…Read more.

4. Mummy and Me – Some quality time with baby in a baby friendly sanctuary for both mom and baby requires attention to detail and an understanding of how special this time is for Mum. Enter “Mummy and Me” spa package…Read more.

Any of these can be purchased as a gift certificate at Le Petit Spa. For more information on our one-of-a-kind gift cards and certificates, click here.

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, new product launches, special events and daily or monthly service promotions, or email me with your 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.

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 announces the Launch of their French Country Inspired Body Care Line

Products inspired by French Countryside

Le Petit Spa, voted within the top three day spas in Vancouver three years running, is thrilled to now offer clients their newly launched signature line of bath and body care products aptly named the “Le Petit Spa Signature Line”. Encompassing 11 all natural bath and body care products and one bubble bath to dream of, this line promises to wrap client’s skin in the purest essence of the French countryside, Lavender.

The Le Petit Spa Signature Line houses the following products; harnessing the soothing, calming and antiseptic properties of pure lavender:

• Signature Salt Scrub – gently exfoliates skin before the bath or shower
  


• Signature Bath Salts – eases sore muscles
  


• Signature Milk Bath – softens skin
  


• Signature Bubbles – creates a bubbly bath worthy of a soap opera
  


• Signature Shower Gel –cleanses skin
  


• Signature Hand Cream – moisturizes hands
  


• Signature Body Lotion – moisturizes body
  


• Signature Bath and Massage Oil –when used in bath leaves skin remarkably soft, soothes sore muscles in massage.
  


• Signature Skin Refresher – Refreshes tired skin
  


• Signature Room Refresher – Lightly infuses the air with Le Petit Spa’s Signature Scent.
  


• Signature Roll on Scent – Condensed Signature Scent in a roll on

Products are available at Le Petit Spa, open seven days a week and located in Kitsilano on the corner of Broadway and Alma, or in Le Petit Spa’s online store, Spa Boutique at www.spaboutique.ca.

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

Le Petit Spa invites the Busy Men of Vancouver in for Relaxation!

Le Petit Spa offers the men of Vancouver some much needed relaxation time to unwind and relax while receiving the best bang for their buck at one of Vancouver's top Day Spas!

Offering natural manicures, pedicures, facials and waxing, all customized for the needs of men, Le Petit Spa has designed an inviting and warm (but not stuffy!) place for all to enjoy.

Featuring "Thursdays for Men" and the Phytomer Homme skin care line, Le Petit Spa even has a day specifically for the men of Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.

Read on to discover what Le Petit Spa has to offer specifically for their male clientele:

• Natural Manicures and Pedicures: Your hands and feet will look professional and groomed thanks to the professional estheticians at Le Petit Spa. Nails are shaped, cuticles groomed and moisturized; a sea salt scrub and relaxation massage and a finishing buff to polish your nails to a shine leaves you with a "perfect 10".


• Phytomer Men's Facial: Your skin will be purified, balanced and left feeling clean after this invigorating facial at Le Petit Spa. Featuring the Homme skin care line for Men, this facial will help your complexion be free of impurities that can cause that "grey" look that some men deal with. Check out the special incentive package including this facial on "Thursdays for Men"


• Waxing: Le Petit Spa offers a variety of waxing services for the Men of Vancouver. Back, chest and more; you'll be ready and groomed for anything!..Read more

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Le Petit Spa offers a solution for the busy people of todays lifestyle: Express Spa Services

Le Petit Spa Express Spa Services

Did you know? Le Petit Spa offers express services for the busy people of today’s lifestyle?

Express spa services are ideal for a number of reasons:

• Time saver for people who cannot spend long amount of time in a spa

• Perfect for maintenance in between full – length services ( i.e. manicures)

Highlighted below are the Le Petit Spa Express Spa services:

1. Express Manicure – Nail and cuticle work will keep your fingers in tip – top – shape while preventing hang nails and broken nails before your full length manicure. Top it off with an application of OPI Nail Color and you’ve got yourself a “perfect ten!”

2. Express Pedicure – Free of callous build up on your feet? Lucky girl! For those of you with already well groomed feet, an express pedicure might be your treatment of choice. Nail and cuticle work with a final application of OPI nail color.

3. Express Facial – Purely thirty minutes of bliss! Maybe you’ve never had a facial before and want to try one for the first time? Or you’re a regular facial client who wants a quick “pick – me – up” in between full length facial treatments, this facial delivers exceptional results in a minimal amount of time. Features:

• Cleanse

• Tone

• Exfoliate

• Mask

• Final Treatment Cream

Express spa services have made their way into mainstream spa menus and are now available at most spas.

Other spa services available under 30 minutes or less:

• Le Petit Spa waxing services…Read more.

• Reflexology services…Read more.

• Makeup Application services…Read more.

• Eyelash and eyebrow tinting…Read more.

Check out our promotions page for the best daily and monthly service promotions in Vancouver!

Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, special events, new product or service launches and our exclusive daily and monthly service promotions, available only at Le Petit Spa and offers Vancouver and all of the Lower Mainland the best value in professional spa services, 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

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: 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…

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!

Hydration Skin Care tips - collagen and the skin

After the age of 20, the amount of collagen in our skin depletes by 1% every year. Collagen is a fibrous tissue in our skin that is responsible for retaining moisture and keeping skin plump and youthful looking. When collagen starts to “dry up” wrinkles and fine lines appear.

To prevent collagen loss in your skin, moisturizing and taking proper home care steps are crucial to your skin’s health.


Below are four tips to prevent and slow the aging process and loss of collagen:

1. Moisturize – Use moisturizers that prevent loss of moisture and protect your skin. Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, which holds 1000x it’s weight in water, will actually grab moisture from the air therefore; helping your skin gain moisture content. Guinot Hydrazone Moisturizing Day and Night cream contains a range of ingredients to prevent moisture loss in skin.

2. Use a Sunscreen – The sun’s rays (yes even in winter!) damage the skin’s fibrous tissues, breaking them down from a structural level and causing loss in tone (elastin fibres are responsible for keeping your skin tight and toned) and collagen.

i. Did you know? In the winter, the sun’s rays rebound off the snow 80 x more powerful than if they were just to fall on your skin directly?

ii. In the summer, the suns rays bounce off the sand at the beach 17x stronger then if they were just to hit the surface of your skin directly. No matter which season, an SPF will protect your skin from damage caused by the sun.

3. 8 glasses of water a day – will prevent dry flaky skin and keep the aging away! Water helps to hydrate your skin from the inside out; it’s a well known fact now that the way we treat our bodies from the inside out is a major player of how we look on the outside. Your body uses water to hydrate your cells, plump them up and keep them from drying out. If you work out on a regular basis, you need even more water on a daily basis.

4. Caffeine – Limit caffeinated beverages to a minimum (such as coffee and soda). Caffeine (the #1 used addictive substance in the world) can absorb the water in your body; studies have suggested that caffeine leads to dehydration. The added sugar in these drinks can also wreak havoc on your skin’s appearance as well.

Want more information on skin care and facials? Book a complementary skin care consultation with a Le Petit Spa Esthetician who will be more than happy to help you meet your specific skin care concerns and needs.

Check out our Facial Fridays Promotion and our Signature Sundays Promotion to get the best deal in town on facial services in Vancouver!

Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter to be the first to know about in-spa promotions, events and monthly service specials. Email me with your skin care concerns or questions 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!

Prenatal Massage

What is Prenatal Massage?

Prenatal Massage is for women in their second and third trimester of pregnancy. A Prenatal Massage does everything that a regular massage would do: relax tense muscles, improve circulation and mobility and bring a sense of overall well-being.

A Prenatal Massage is tailored to the needs of pregnant women and their changing bodies. The Therapists who are trained in Prenatal Massage adjust their techniques to meet the needs of their pregnant clients accordingly.


How can Prenatal Massage help me?

When pregnant, carrying a baby changes your center of gravity, causing stress in your muscles, joints, shoulders and particularly in your lower back. Pregnancy also relaxes your ligaments, causing your pelvic joints to be less stable, changing your posture and pulling your pelvis forward. The extra weight of your baby, along with an unstable pelvis, and you’ve got yourself an aching lower back.


A trained Body Worker will know where an expecting client’s pain and sore spots are likely to appear and may be able to provide some relief. But don't forget to communicate with your Therapist to let them know where you need attention.


Le Petit Spa was recently featured on www.sherelaxes.com for their Prenatal Massage Service.

Click here to see the article on Le Petit Spa’s Prenatal Massage Service.

For more information on Prenatal Massage, please visit Le Petit Spa’s website.

Some Information for this article was found at www.babycenter.ca

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

Pedicure Information, Tools and at Home Tips

Did you know that people take on average 10,000 steps in a day, adding up to 115,000 miles in a lifetime, enough to circle the planet four times? How are your feet feeling? With the average woman walking 10 miles per day and average man treading 7, a pedicure is the perfect thank you to your feet their continuous support.

A pedicure is a way to improve the appearance of the feet, and their nails. It basically is a manicure for the feet. The word pedicure comes form the Latin words pes, which means foot, and cura, which means care. It also means the care of the feet and toenails. A pedicure can be helpful because it can prevent nail diseases and nail disorders.

Whether you opt for a spa pedicure or would like to try one at home, a pedicure will leave your feet looking beautiful and feeling fresh and rejuvenated.

Materials and Tips for a home pedicure:

Pumice stone or foot file , Toe separators or cotton balls/roll, Emery board, Cuticle remover, Cuticle oil, Orangewood stick, Color nail polish, Base coat, Top coat, Nail polish remover, Quick dry spray, Nail clippers, Dish pan, Cotton balls, Towels, Cuticle nippers, Lotion , Nail buffer, Thongs, if desired.

1. Thoroughly saturate a cotton ball with nail polish remover and use it to remove any old polish you may have on your toenails from you last pedicure.
   
2. Fill the dishpan with enough warm soapy water to cover your feet. Soak for at least five minutes.
   i. Note: Whenever you are working on one foot, the other foot should be soaking in the warm water.
   
3. Dry your foot and apply the cuticle remover at the base of each nail. Wait one minute for the remover to soften the cuticle. Use the wedged end of the orangewood stick to push the cuticle back. If desired, carefully snip off the excess cuticle. Repeat this procedure on the other foot.
   
4. Using the nail clippers, cut off any nails that are too long. Length is a personal preference, but make sure the nail is shorter than the toe. Be careful not to cut the nails too short as this can cause ingrown toenails and can be quite painful. With the emery board, file the nail into a square shape.
   
5. Use the nail buffer to smooth any roughness or ridges on the surface of the nails.
   
6. Wet the pumice stone or foot file in the dishpan. Rub any areas of dry or flaking skin gently. Rinse the foot and dry.
   i. Note: Do not ever use a filing tool with a blade that cuts your skin or allow one to be used on your feet. Not only is it unsanitary, but you may cut too deeply, causing pain or even drawing blood. It is important to have a bit of callus on the bottom of the foot as well, to prevent splitting.
   
7. Apply a generous amount of lotion to the foot, massaging it in and taking care to cover all the foot, especially the dry and flaky parts. Massage the lotion up your legs to your knees. Close your eyes and relax for 10 minutes, allowing your skin to soak in the soothing lotion. You could also wrap your feet with saran wrap after slathering on your lotion, and put on a pair of warm socks out of the dryer for intensive moisturization.
   
8. Rinse feet in warm water and dry off with towel.
   
9. Saturate a cotton ball with nail polish remover and go back over your toenails, making sure that all lotion residues are removed. This is important, since the polish will not stick to any surface that still has lotion residue on it.
   
10. Press the toe separators or cotton between the toes, so that each toe is not rubbing on the next.
    i. Note: If doing a group pedicure, make sure that each person has their own pair of toe separators, for the sake of hygiene. If toe separators are not available, use cotton balls or a roll of cotton. Be very careful to keep the cotton away from the nails themselves, as cotton fibers will ruin the look of the polish.
    
11. Brush 1 coat of the base coat over each nail. Allow it to dry for one minute.
    
12. Apply 2 coats of the nail color. Allow it to dry for 5 minutes.
    
13. Apply the top coat. Allow it to dry for 1 minute, and then spray your nails with the quick dry spray.
    

Your pedicure should be completely dry after 30-45 minutes. Be sure and wear open toed shoes to allow for additional drying time. Your pedicure should last about two weeks.

If you would like to obtain additional information on any beauty techniques or spa services, visit www.lepetitspa.caor www.spaboutique.ca.

You can also e-mail me with your questions and watch for my reply in a future blog.

Skin and Body Exfoliation

Exfoliation is a technique where the layer of mostly dead epidermal cells on the outer surface of the skin is removed to expose fresher mostly living cells. It takes at least a few days for a sizeable amount of dead cells to accumulate. For most people who decide to exfoliate, once or twice a week is sufficient. Popular exfoliation methods include alpha and beta hydroxy acids, enzyme peels, microdermabrasion and other products like scrubs, loofahs, creams, cleansers and masks .

Benefits of Exfoliation:

• Removes dead skin cells.
• Makes your skin softer and smoother, fresher and brighter
• Boosts your circulation and helps unclog pores.
• Accelerates the growth of new cells.
• Results in a more even tan
• New cells are better at absorbing moisture applied to the surface

Body Exfoliation Tips & Techniques:

1. Brush dry skin before showering. Use either a loofah, Plastic Exfoliating
   Gloves or a body exfoliating brush. Start at the soles of the feet and working up.
2. Get into the bath or shower and wet your entire body.
3. Apply exfoliant cleanser to your loofah or exfoliating brush or gloves.
   Choose exfoliating cleansers that contain ingredients such as oatmeal, ground almonds or even sea salt. The grainy texture exfoliates the skin- we recommend Ancient Secrets Body Scrub/ Salts
4. Scrub your body with it, using gentle, circular motions.
5. You can make your own exfoliating cleanser, if you prefer. Mix sea salt,
   olive oil and lemon juice together, or mix ground almonds and powdered milk.
6. Use a washcloth for mild exfoliation.
7. Rub rough spots, such as heels, with a pumice stone or stick.
8. Be sure to use body moisturizers at least once every day. We recommend
   Ancient Secrets Body Lotions.
9. For a bit of pampering, try a Spa Body Scrub or Body Wrap service

Note: Some products are more abrasive than others. If your skin is sensitive, use as little friction as possible and stick to the least abrasive products.

Face Exfoliation: Keep in mind that the facial area is more sensitive than your body, do no use body scrubs on your face. Try Phytomer Gommage or MD Formulations products which host glycolic compounds for intensive exfoliation. For professional face exfoliation try a Spa Glycolic Facial.

Exfoliation and Self Tanning: Exfoliation is very important especially if you are going to apply self tanner. Be sure to exfoliate every bit of dead skin or you will notice streaks that are darker than others. Areas of concentration: Knees, elbows, feet and knuckles. For professional tanning results, try a Spa Guinot Body Bronzing service.

Foot Exfoliation: Get rid of dry cracked peeling feet and ragged, dry nails with a Spa Pedicure. After one visit, your dry skin will be gone and your feet will be ready to soak up the Spring and Summer weather.

For more information on the products and spa services in Vancouver, please visit www.lepetitspa.ca or www.spaboutique.ca. For more tips and special promotions, sign up for our newsletter on our home page.

If you have any additional beauty or skin care questions e-mail us and look for your answer in a future blog.

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.

Santa Spa Spotted Saturday

Santa Spa was seen again last Saturday drawing names out of his big red sack and granting spa wishes! Three lucky winners were drawn and were awarded their spa wishes of a facial, Signature Manicure, and a 60 minute aromatherapy massage. Come in or purchase your spa gift card online (www.lepetitspa.ca) and be entered into our two remaining draws and you could win your spa wish!

We're collecting food donations for the Food Bank until December 23rd!
If you're in the neighbourhood close to our Kitslano day spa at Alma & Broadway, please stop in with your non-perishable food donation. Thank you!

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!

Before and After You Shave

Speaking to men now, the rules and steps for cleansing and every other aspect of your skin care regime are exactly the same as they are for a woman; the only difference is the shaving foam, cream, or gel used. As is true for every skin care step, gentle is the supreme rule. A gentle shave product is one that contains no skin irritants of any kind; preferably does not contain any menthol, peppermint, alcohol, lime, lemon, orange, grapefruit, eucalyptus, camphor, or mint. Your skin will feel and look better once you keep away from ingredients that can hurt and damage your skin.

Along with a gentle shaving foam, cream, or gel, it's equally essential to use a gentle aftershave. At the point when you're finished shaving, it's even more important to avoid the same ingredients listed above. Now that the skin has been abraded with a razor it is critical to not cause further irritation. The entire concept of razor burn is actually a misnomer, the burn does not come from the razor, but rather from the skin care routine most men use on a daily basis.

After you are done shaving it is best to follow the general guidelines for the skin care routine for your skin type. However, as a basic routine, regardless of skin type, everyone needs a gentle, water-soluble cleanser, a gentle shave product (foam, cream, or gel), followed by a gentle, non-irritating aftershave or shaving lotion (which for all intents and purposes is a gentle toner). Then, during the day, use a well-formulated sunscreen with an SPF 15 or greater that contains the UVA-protecting ingredients of avobenzone, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide, and at night use a lightweight moisturizer wherever you have dry skin.

We'll be happy to help you put together a skin care regimen. Please give us a call at 604.224.4314 with any questions or come by and visit our day spa in Vancouver at 3701 West Broadway (& Alma).

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.

Invitation Still Open to Oprah to Come to Vancouver for a Brazilian Waxing

Oprah was talking about Brazilian waxing again this past Tuesday, December 6th. Le Petit Spa sent an email to Oprah in December 2004 (http://www.lepetitspa.ca/news.htm) inviting her to try the best Brazilian waxing in Vancouver at Le Petit Spa. We're waiting and will be speechless when she comes through our door. Somebody will have to get focused to give her the Brazilian.

Oprah was talking Brazilian again since one of her viewers asked if she, as a mother of three, was too old to have one. She had never had a Brazilian before and was curious. O Magazine beauty director Valerie Monroe was on the show and said you’re never too old to do anything that will “enhance the pleasure you take out of being alive” and we strongly agree. Getting a Brazilian may make you feel good for a variety of reasons – try something new if you’ve never had one, you feel sexy, free, cleaner, smoother. You may do it for yourself (more women wax for their own benefit than to please their partners) or for your mate or both, and as long as it enhances your life, it’s a benefit!

Here is information on Brazilian waxing if you don’t click on the link above to the earlier email we sent to Oprah:

- it is a cleaner, more hygienic, method of hair removal
- waxing leaves a smooth, bump-free, surface by not leaving any shadow
of the hair follicle
- hair grows back softer with less irritation or itching
- hair takes longer to grow back – between 3-5 weeks

If you have any questions please send us an email at info@lepetitspa.ca or call us 604.224.4314 and we will be happy to provide any answers.

Slowing down the Aging Process

Factors of dehydration and dryness of the skin are divided into
-Environmental factors: pollution, harsh weather conditions, extreme cold, air conditioning and harsh detergents.
-Internal factors: cellular aging, hormone imbalances, stress and hereditary factors.

Characteristics of dehydrated skin: rough, flakiness, tightness, and fine line. When dehydrated the skin is 75% more vulnerable and its aging mechanism is likely to accelerate.

However, it is possible to reduce or slow down this process, with regular facials, even ‘at home’ facials are helpful.

For more information about Le Petit Spa’s Hydrating Facial or for a free skin care consultation, please do not hesitate to come see us in Kits, at the corner of West Broadway & Alma.
We carry a variety of products from Vie to MD Formulations; that can help with your ‘at home’ facial!
Looking forward to seeing you at Le Petit Spa in Kits!!

The Many Benefits of French Lavender

Aromatherapy is the science and art of using pure essential oils to soothe and heal the mind, body and soul through inhalation and by its absorption through the pores of the skin and into the bloodstream. Essential oils are non-oily liquid extracts from plants that carry therapeutic properties based on their molecular structure. Although there are many ways to extract essential oils from plants, the most commonly used method is steam distillation- a slow process of adding plant material to a vat of heated water, allowing the steam to pick up the essential oil from the plant and carry it up through a cooling system and finally into another vat where the essential oil is found floating on top of the by-product water. Lavender has become somewhat of our theme at le petit spa. Lavender products, the image of lavender and the its pale purple hue can be found throughout the spa. The many benefits of this essential oil include its ability to calm the mind, steady emotions, aid insomnia, fight infections, ease headaches and migranes and relieve muscular pains. It is also effective in treating cuts, scrapes, bites, bee stings, burns and bruises as well as relieving pain, inflammation, infection, burning and itching. Visit http://www.lepetitspa.ca/ for more information or visit the spa to try our lavender tea, lavender oil or various lavender treatments.

Hyperpigmentation

Pigmentation refers to the synthesis and distribution of melanin for the absorption of free radicals and protection from UV radiation. The amount of melanin that reaches the skin's surface gives the skin its colour. Hyperpigmentation is a pigmentation disorder caused by the local increase and/or uneven distribution of melanin. The causes of hyperpigmentation include sun exposure, acne, friction and hormonal imbalances caused by contraception, pregnancy and stress. Excessive colour is mostly an accumulation of pigment in the stratum coneum. Pigmentation usually improves and/or is eliminated through surface exfoliation, which then allows the use of glycolic acid to lighten and even eliminate dark spots by removing superficial excessive pigmentation. Bleaching agents also accelerate the depigmenting process. It is important to note that although exfoliation effectively treats hyperpigmentation in the epidermis, it does not if the discolouration is in the dermis. Only pigment that is located in the epidermis moves towards the surface and can be exfoliated. Dermal pigmentation can only be treated with deep peals and laser resurfacing. Visit www.lepetitspa.ca for more information or visit the spa for a complimentary skin care consultation or to book a glycolic facial.

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!

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!