Top 5 Manicures of the Summer

One of the best qualities of a great nail salon (other than good hygiene of course) is a vast variety of colours to choose from! There is nothing worse than getting to the salon, and you are limited to only 10 colours for a shellac manicure! The nail care industry today is so far advanced that you can get almost any colour imaginable.

However, this can cause a great deal of indecisiveness for us ladies, as we are expected to choose between 10 different shades of light pink.This is why we have compiled a list of the Top 5 Colours of the Summer, so you can stop staring at the endless wall of polishes, and choose one already!

1. Peach

Peach is the perfect touch of femininity and style as it has a little more punch than the classic nude, however remains a very soft and elegant colour.

 

2. Coral

Coral remains a crowd favourite for the summer months as it is bright, girly, and cheerful. Choosing a coral with a tint of orange is a stylish way to stand out from the rest!

 

3. French Tip

A French Manicure is always a classic choice when you are looking for something simple and understated. French tip nails compliment any outfit and provide you with the perfect polished look.

 

4. Plum

Plum is a perfect colour for a summer night, as it is colourful enough to celebrate this vibrant season, yet dark enough to compliment any evening look!

5. White

Perhaps the Kardashians sparked this trend but white manicures are growing in popularity as they are an interesting and different approaching to a classic look. Adding a small design or simple embellishment is also a great way to take this trend and make it your own!

Beauty Shaming

In today’s society, there is a ridiculous level of perceived importance placed on physical beauty  for both men and women. Whether it is the colour of your hair, how many freckles you have, how much you weigh or how tall you are, people have become obsessed with the way they look in fear of not fitting in or being disliked by others.

This obsession has become the root of countless bullying, teasing and judging resulting in low self esteem and distorted body image. Shaming others’ appearances further enforces this irrational perception and continues the vicious cycle that seems to be repeating. Saying that a specific type of body, hair, or face is what’s “best” or “right” is a classic example of Beauty Shaming as it causes many people to be ashamed and embarrassed of their own beauty.

Beauty Shaming isn’t just in schools folks…its everywhere. Its at the salon up the street, your local gym, your favourite clothing store and plastered all over the subway walls. Businesses have the freedom to sell their products and services how they please, using a wide variety of marketing tactics. One of these tactics is the use of discrete (or obvious) Beauty Shaming. Have you noticed the strategic placement of beautiful yet unrealistic women in advertisements? What about the dirty looks you receive from the sales woman at your favourite clothing store? (Remember Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman when she goes into the fancy store in Beverly Hills? #BeautyShaming). That ONE time you cut your own bangs, and you never heard the end of it from your hair stylist. Or when you went to get a facial, and the esthetician made you feel terrible for not exfoliating enough! Businesses have a responsibility to the consumer to be honest and treat their customers equal. If you want someone to feel comfortable at your professional establishment, you need to make them feel good, and that means accepting them for their differences, and not bullying them into buying your product for “perceived” ideas of beauty. Its time that you can walk into a salon and leave feeling happy to be yourself, not happy because you’re one step closer to looking like Angelina Jolie.

Time for those back handed compliments to stop and we celebrate what makes us different and how we can “own it”. If you want to address your wrinkles or your cellulite, do it for yourself, not because you want to please others. Its time beauty professionals start to make their clients proud to be themselves, and help them achieve their beauty goals in their own individual way, on their own terms!

Avoid statements like “You’re skin has a lot of blemishes, I can fix that for you” and start asking questions like, “How do you want to look after leaving here?” “How do you want to feel?” Lets enhance what is already beautiful, and embrace was makes us different!

#BeautyVow

 

Supporting the Cause!

On Monday July 14th, Sleepy Hollow Country Club hosted the 16th Annual Unionville Ladies Golf Tournament in support of Markham Stouffville Hospital’s Breast Cancer Center!

eforea: spa at Hilton was honoured to participate in this wonderful event, as the ladies arrived wearing their very best pink golf outfits, in support of the cause. As the women enjoyed their day at the club, they were provided with a complimentary neck and shoulder massage courtesy of our ‘RMT of the Month’ Emerito Reyes.

There are countless benefits of a sports massage which is exactly why Emerito was the perfect RMT for the day, as he informed the ladies on how to care for their muscles to prevent soreness and stiffness. With his experience in Sports Massage Therapy, Emerito skillfully explained the importance of stretching as well as the benefits of simply applying heat to sore areas. As the ladies relaxed to the healing touch of Emerito, they were able to emerge brighter and continue their fun-filled day of golf, laughter and food!

Special thanks to Madeline Cuadra for coordinating a great event and Sleepy Hollow Country Club for hosting!

 

10 Things to Look for When Choosing a Spa

With such a saturated market, the spa industry is filled with countless Club Spas, Day Spas, Destination Spas, Medical Spas, Mineral Springs Spa and Resort/Hotel Spas. All of these spas can offer different treatments and services, however they all have one common goal and that is to provide guests with a relaxing experience.

With all of the options out there, we are going to help make your decision process easier by giving you the “Top 10 Qualities to Look for in a Spa”.

1. The Massage Therapists are Registered
   There is a big difference between Registered Massage Therapists and other massage practitioners as RMTs have undergone significantly more education, and have a wider range of knowledge on the human body. Not only do they study anatomy, physiology, pathology, physical assessment, neurology, treatments and ethics, they also are required to complete a minimum of 150 clinical hours. So what does this mean for you? It means an RMT will have the proper understanding and experience to benefit the injured, the ill and the stressed –Not to mention the RMT receipt you will get for insurance purposes #ChaChing
2. Cleanliness
   I am sure we have all heard the horror stories, which is why it is crucial for spas to maintain clean and sterile practices on a consistent and thorough basis. If a spa appears clean, there are always ways to find out if they are truly a sterile spa. See how much time they give themselves between each appointment. If they are spaced only 5 minutes apart, chances are they are not thoroughly cleaning the equipment. If the spa is visibly not well kept, messy, and appears to be dirty, you can safely bet that their devices and equipment aren’t clean either! Don’t hesitate to ask a spa about their sterile practices, because if they are following the proper guidelines, they will be happy to share!
3. Knowledgeable and Friendly Staff
   In today’s business, the growing importance of quality customer service is paramount. The concierge at a spa are the first and last people you interact with, and these impressions can make or break your overall experience. It is key for the staff for be friendly and knowledgeable of the spa’s products and services, so they can accurately answer all of your questions and concerns. We live in a very technically advanced economy, and even spa treatments can get a little confusing, which is why it is up to the employees to help simplify the experience and assist you from the moment you walk in to the moment you say goodbye.
4. Prices Reflect Quality
   Spa’s can have a wide range of prices, however for the most part they tend to be more of a splurge. With the amount of money they expect you to pay, they better be offering you quality service to reflect such prices. Consumers are extremely savvy these days, and they know that they are paying for value, which is exactly what they want to see. Look for those special touches like complementary food and beverages, child minding, available parking, level of employee experience, professional customer service and length of services. These are all aspects of an experience that make it easy to justify the price to your budget maker.
5. Flexibility & Adaptability
   Another important aspect of a spa is its ability to adapt to different needs and preferences. Many people look for different experiences at a spa, which is why the staff and services need to be able to accommodate diversity. Whether it is the level of talking during a treatment, how you like to be massaged, or simply how you like your coffee, it is crucial that your needs are recognized and properly addressed.
6. Easy to Understand
   As previously mentioned, spas can appear complex and confusing, which is why menus, websites, and price lists need to be informative, clear and helpful. Uncommon treatments should be explained in detail, allowing you to know exactly what you might be getting yourself into! Information is our friend, and spa’s should be sharing it with open arms! If you are unsure of any services/products, the staff should be more than willing to help clear the air, and enlighten you on their offerings.
7. Options for Men
   According  to a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers, men occupy nearly 50% of today’s spa goers. With this surprising statistic, spas should be adapting to this emerging trend and offer a wide array of services for men. A smart spa should also acknowlege that men have different interests than women, as well as a different level of comfort. Look for spas that have treatments tailor-made for men such as sports massages or sore-muscle relief treatments.
8. Options for Different Budgets
   To reiterate what was stated above, spa’s can get relatively pricey and good spa will have options for those who can’t necessarily afford to splurge. Everyone wants to experience a quality luxurious spa treatment without breaking the bank, which is why is it key to offer choices. Look for menus that offer classic and signature treatments…these will ultimately be the same treatment however at different price points, based on duration and add-ons. A quality spa will acknowledge the various types of consumers and make a point to offer choices, which can empower you to make a decision that is best for you!
9. Amenities
   Look for different perks and features that a spa offers – this is what will set them apart from their competition! Today, spa’s have expanded their horizons to offering a more balanced service of relaxation, beauty, health and wellness. See if they have a fitness center, hair salon, swimming pool, steam room, or even a dining lounge, and chose a spa that best meets your personal interests and the experience you are looking to achieve.
10. The Experience
    Check your stress at the door, because from the moment you walk in to the moment you leave – it should be all about relaxation. No matter what your reason for visiting is, you should receive the experience they promise to offer you, and that is relaxation. The staff should speak softly, the music should be serene and the furniture should be comfortable. It is the little touches that make a spa stand out from the rest and if you take the time to look around, you will really notice everything they do (or don’t do) to make you feel welcome.

So next time you are thinking about a day at the spa, or a quick express treatment, do your research, and make sure you are choosing a venue that will offer you an experience to rave about!

RMT of the Month

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Emerito Reyes

Emerito moved to Canada in 2008 and started his career in health care as a Physiotherapist Assistant in 2010. He graduated with Honours and worked in a multidisciplinary clinic in Scarborough, Ontario where he assisted patients in the rehabilitation process. Emerito decided to pursue his passion in health care and studied Massage Therapy at the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy (CCMH) and became a registered member of the College of Massage Therapist of Ontario (CMTO).

During his Hospital placement at the Acute and Chronic Unit and Continuing Care Complex of the Toronto Rehab, he was exposed to varying conditions and had the opportunity to learn new skills which involved treating symptoms of musculoskeletal and neurologic conditions, brain related injuries, neuro-cognitive impairments and geriatrics. Emerito has also treated various athletes with an array of conditions including spastic muscles and sports related injuries.

As a Massage Therapist, Emerito is well versed with the traditional Swedish Techniques, Fascial Techniques, Deep Tissue Massage, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) Techniques, Hydrotherapy Applications, and Manual Lymphatic Drainage. He works and motivates each client on homecare techniques to complete his therapeutic treatment in hopes to promote a lifestyle of balance and wellness for all.

eforea: spa at Hilton is proud to have Emerito on the team and is thankful for his skill, experience, and dazzling smile!