I love it when fundraisers are actually fun – and there’s an event tonight [April 9] hosted by Honey Dew Day Spa that looks like good times indeed. A number of staff at the spa have had family or friends affected by cancer in the last year, so they decided to launch a fundraiser for skin cancer research and show their solidarity. Anonymously donating cash to a charity of your choice is all well and good, but I am a firm believer in trying to create a positive experience out of tough situations. This is a great way to show your support and have some fun while doing it!
Swing by the New Bohemian [3162 W. Broadway] tonight from 6pm-2am and enjoy appys (6-7pm), raffle prizes, goodie bags, hand massages (by donation) and adult beverages. Tickets are $20.
Blo, Canada’s only blow dry bar, just opened a second location in South Granville following the unabated success of their flagship Yaletown studio. This is where you go when you want fabulous tresses but don’t need to fuss about with cuts or colour (and Blo wisely assures their clients that no, getting a blo does not mean you’re cheating on your stylist!). This 650 sq. foot location is a bit roomier than the Yaletown shop, and when I visited for my very first Blo on Friday there was a steady stream of drop-in clients – surprising for a salon just a week old.
Clients choose from a hair-menu of 8 different styles, and I was seriously torn between the “LA Confidential” (pin-curl waves) and the “Holly Would” (sexy, bouncy curls). But Chris, my hair cadet, was extremely open and willing to tailor the style menu to my specific requests. I wanted curly but not too big – and he was a whiz with those flat-iron curls. Just over 30 minutes for a wash and blow, and all for under $30. Absolutely brilliant, and I will certainly be back for more blos – I want to try out all the styles on the menu: European Chic pony, Bardot updo, and Sex, Hugs & Rock’n'Roll rocker chic are a few tempting options.
Plans for a third location in the downtown core are currently underway, so stay tuned for that. In the meantime, visit one of Blo’s two locations at 1529 W.14th or 1150 Hamilton.
While the basic clothing hues within Evan & Dean’s Fall 2008 collection were earthy and subdued, the makeup added incredible dimension with a romantic grey smoky eye, sharply defined brows, and hot coral pink cheeks which were the focal point of the face. Here’s what you’ll need to achieve a ready-to-wear look inspired by the show we saw at BC Fashion Week…
Continue reading ‘Evan & Dean Runway Style: How-to Guide’
Ladies love their facials, and I am certainly one to be included in that group. But after a while it starts to feel so routine…relaxing and great for your skin, but routine nonetheless. Clean, exfoliate, steam, extract, tone, mask, lotion, massage. Repeat as necessary.
So I was certainly intrigued last time I visited Nefer Spa and learned about the lymphatic drainage massage from Tata Badri, their aesthetician, as she encouraged me to come back to her for a facial on my way out the door. I happily obliged.
Tata began with a cleanser, then exfoliated for a full 5 minutes, her fingers not missing an inch of my face. She was committed to extracting all blockages, and followed up by zapping me with her high-frequency machine. Then came the 30 minute lymphatic massage, hitting all the major points on my head, neck and upper chest. A soothing combination of long, soft movements with lightning-fast taps which hit like crashing waves. It seemed appropriate that classical music was playing, because it felt like a ballet was being played out across my upper body. Graceful, yet powerful and moving. An algae mask and lotion massage followed, and I left the spa feeling and looking like a million bucks.
I highly recommend you treat yourself…shelve those winter blues and prime your drab skin for the spring season with a glow that resonates from within.
Nefer Spa, 571 Cardero in Coal Harbour
Good buddy finally got his act together and brought it online. Mr. Cairns is very talented and always spewing with crazy, brilliant ideas.
Check here for a recent collabo we did together, hopefully more to come on that end!
Nestled within Coal Harbour is an ancient beauty secret that is unprecedented in North America: Vinoterapia, brought to you by Nefér Spa. This magical antioxidant bathing tonic – comprised mainly of rich red wine, moisturizers, and essential oils from the rose and blue lotus flowers – fills a hand cut Egyptian marble tub which rests beneath a ‘starlight’ ceiling in the Vinoterapia room. Pure decadence.
Nefér Spa recently opened in December 2007 and is the brainchild of owner and President Nina Gart, a Reiki master and registered stone therapy massage practitioner who is also proficient in numerous other alternative therapies, including reflexology and crystal healing. When Gart began learning about stone therapy, she immediately saw opportunities for improvement and developed her own distinct treatment method which she teaches at the Stone Therapy School. Her specialized stone therapy technique uses both hot basalt and cool marble, and incorporates Reiki energy work, Shiatsu meridian principles and reflexology points with relaxing Swedish massage. These united properties of the Nefér Spa stone massage are both impressive and unique, and any stone treatment you receive will leave you cleansed and relaxed.
Continue reading ‘Nefer Egyptian Beauty Spa’
