MY jewelry collection consists of a few pairs of stud earrings and a wristwatch, so the thought of massaging crushed pearls and sapphire-infused creams onto my face seemed, well, a bit indulgent.
But when I heard that Själ Skincare specialist Seril James was in town from L.A. visiting West Vancouver's Kiss & Makeup - which has carried the gem-infused product line for several years - I couldn't resist dropping by the store for a mini-facial.
Själ Skincare is a New York-based company founded in 2001 by mother-daughter duo Karen and Kristin Petrovich. The line combines elements of Chinese, Tibetan, Ayurvedic, homeopathic and vibrational medicine, along with innovations in modern science. Product ingredients - including gemstones and precious nano-minerals - are sourced from five continents.
"Basically our approach is Eastern medicine coupled with Western and biotechnology," says James. "A holistic line is great, but I also think when it's coupled with technology you see results faster and the products last longer."
James begins by applying the Balans Deep Pore Cleanser to my face. It's non-foaming and infused with gold, silver and germanium for their anti-microbal, cellular regeneration and detoxifying properties. There's also pearl extract for brightening.
He follows up with the Pearl Enzyme Exfoliating Mask, which incorporates diamond, sapphire, ruby, citrine and amethyst for microcirculation and clarity, plus two types of pearl.
"The micro-pearl is going to brighten your whole skin and the crushed pearl is going to actually do the physical exfoliating," James says.
Next comes the Kashmir Saphir Perfecting Mask, which promises to lift, tone and firm. Blue copper and sapphire infusion give the mask a pleasantly soft green colour. James applies the mask to my face and there is an instant cooling effect.
Själ makes two moisturizers: the Cela Intuitif (lightweight renewal crème) and the Kura Intuitif (intense hydration crème). Since it's an early spring morning, James selects the lighter-weight product.
"It doesn't weigh down your skin or your pores, it lets your pores breathe," he says.
He finishes off with Orbe Eye Countour Crème, rubbing a pea-sized amount of the stuff between his ring fingers and blending it from my brow bone, around the outside corners of my eyes and beneath my lower lashes. Incorporating silver and gold for tissue and cellular regeneration, this little pot of cream is designed to tackle fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness.
The Själ Skincare line has nine products, including the recently launched Saphir Concentrate Face Oil. At prices ranging from $79 to $275, they don't come cheap, but James assures a little bit goes a long way.
"There's no fillers, no petroleum oil, no mineral oil in any of our products, so you're getting pure product. You need very little of it to actually work on the skin."
By the end of my 30-minute facial, my skin feels fresh and silky, I'm confident enough to head into the world without a lick of makeup, and I'm starting to think I could get used to this whole pampering thing.
. . .
If you don't want to incorporate gems and minerals into your beauty regimen, how about plants?
North Vancouver's Fruition Day Spa recently introduced a 100-per-cent organic line of face, neck, back and body treatments.
Sacred Nature products are formulated using Ecocert certified organic ingredients. Free of mineral oils, silicones, synthetic perfumes, colorants and parabens, the Italian-made products promise to be gentle on even the most sensitive skin types.
Natural active ingredients include buriti oil (harvested from the palm tree), butterfly bush extract, orange water and organic shea butter.
Even the packaging is eco-friendly, featuring recyclable containers and cardboard boxes with water-based inks.
Prices range from $24.50 for a bio-certified lipstick, to $98 for a 250-ml jar of body butter.
Fruition Day Spa's estheticians are also newly trained to offer clients a face and body treatment using the Sacred Nature product line. The treatment includes cleansing, exfoliation, facial massage and mask in combination with a back, scalp and arm massage.
FASHION FILE
Business After Five: West Vancouver's chamber of commerce has partnered with the Jones Group and Hudson's Bay to present a spring fashion evening on Wednesday, May 15, 5-9 p.m. at The Bay store in Park Royal's north mall. Light appetizers, a glass of wine, and a fashion presentation featuring spring collections from Jones New York, Anne Klein, Rachel Rachel Roy and Black Brown menswear. There will be mini-makeup stations from Clinique, Estee Lauder, Shiseido and Clarins. Hudson's Bay will offer guests a 15 per cent discount on purchases to Sunday, May 19. Tickets are $10 for chamber members and $15 for non-members, available at westvanchamber.com.
Fashion File is a weekly column. Priority is given to North Shore events and organizations. If your business or charity is planning an event, send your info as early as possible to [email protected].
