Most people know me as someone who is extremely girly. I adore spas, treatments, getting my hair and nails done, and spending time getting pampered! It's a guilty pleasure that I happily succumb to. When the opportunity came about to experience some pampering at the Shangri-La Spa in Cambridge, I happily jumped at the chance! I checked out the website, and loved what I saw in the pictures. Little did I know how much I would truly enjoy my afternoon at the spa!
From the moment I walked through the doors, I knew I found my new happy place! The spa is gorgeous, decorated in beautiful colours, and offers a peaceful atmosphere to clients. On the main level is the area where the hair magic takes place. With its sassy red chairs and amazing wall treatments, I was stunned to discover that one of the owners selected the furniture (I have to mention that he's male, and has fabulous taste!). I wanted to take one of the chairs home, they were that amazing! The other side of the main floor is a lounge/waiting area with a small kitchen, fireplace and couches, and reception area. The back of the main level is the area for manicures and pedicures. You will want to take the massage chair home! I can already sense that I will be spending tons of time in that area in the future. It's beautiful, comfortable and very peaceful.
The upper level of the spa is for massages, facials, and waxing. There is also a great lounge area for clients, as well as a makeup station where the ladies can get glamified for a special occasion. There is also a fabulous bathroom used for body wraps and scrubs, with a huge glass shower and soaker tub complete with several jets. I would honestly move into this building, and never leave! I know I won't be the only person to say this once they visit Shangri-La.
For my first visit, I had an anti-aging facial, highlights and a haircut. Nayiri was the lovely aesthetician who gave me my blissful facial. I am super picky when I book facials, as I have sensitive skin, and my face has been prone to reactions to products containing fragrance. When I found out Nayiri was using Dermalogica and Aquafolia products, I was incredibly excited! Both of these brands are amazing, and wonderful on all skin types.
I explained to Nayiri the type of skin I have, and she was incredible in explaining the products she was using throughout the treatment. The Ultracalming cleanser was perfect for reducing the redness in my skin, and the Aquafolia Step 1&2 Exfoliant was incredibly gentle on my face! The Multiactive Toner was incredibly soothing on my skin, and the lavender and mint smelled heavenly! The Revitalising complex was perfect for smoothing my skin's texture, and helps to prevent and correct the signs of aging. What woman doesn't want to look eternally younger!? This is one of my new favourite products!
Nayiri continued with my facial by applying a Multivitamin Power recover Masque. I loved this product for a number of different reasons. First, it helps to rescue stressed, aging skin. I'm not in my 20's anymore, and know with all of my travel, events and love for the sun that I put my skin through the ringer! You only have one face, and you need to take exceptional care of it. Second, this product really helps to hydrate dull, dry, dehydrated, photodamaged skin! Think about what we have put our skin through during this past winter. The crazy, cold weather, combined with being indoors with the heat cranked up can't be great for the skin or our bodies! Throw in a trip to the tropics for those who were lucky enough to escape, and there's all kinds of madness for our skin! I could hear my skin thanking me as I was lying on the bed, enjoying my facial in semi-consciousness. Your skin will also thank you if you try this facial!
Nayiri continued with my facial by applying a Multivitamin Power recover Masque. I loved this product for a number of different reasons. First, it helps to rescue stressed, aging skin. I'm not in my 20's anymore, and know with all of my travel, events and love for the sun that I put my skin through the ringer! You only have one face, and you need to take exceptional care of it. Second, this product really helps to hydrate dull, dry, dehydrated, photodamaged skin! Think about what we have put our skin through during this past winter. The crazy, cold weather, combined with being indoors with the heat cranked up can't be great for the skin or our bodies! Throw in a trip to the tropics for those who were lucky enough to escape, and there's all kinds of madness for our skin! I could hear my skin thanking me as I was lying on the bed, enjoying my facial in semi-consciousness. Your skin will also thank you if you try this facial!
After Nayiri removed the masque, she finished with an Ultracalming Serum Concentrate and a wonderful massage of my face, neck and chest. The serum is great, as it helps to sooth, calm, and restore sensitive skin like mine. She added the Ultrasensitive Tint on my face, and my skin was glowing! It was actually the first time I wanted to post a picture online of my face without makeup (and I did!). The results were truly amazing. Thank you, Nayiri! My skin felt amazing, revitalized, and hydrated. Just what the doctor ordered! You can see my makeup-free picture below, which will also feature my fabulous new hair!
Following my facial, I headed downstairs to meet Amanda, the stylist who would be cutting and highlighting my hair. I am also incredibly picky when it comes to choosing my hair stylist. I feel this is a very intimate relationship that needs to be nurtured over time, so both parties can get to know each other, and decide what is best for hair/colour changes. Amanda is warm and personable, and has amazing hair! I told her I wanted to warm up my hair with brighter shades of blonde for spring, but would trust her judgement, and we were off to the races!
Like Nayiri, Amanda was amazing at explaining each step as she went through the process of adding highlights to my hair. I knew my hair was dry and needed some TLC after a harsh winter. Amanda let me know that my hair had also lost some of its elasticity, and applied a treatment to add it back to my hair. I was trying to picture my hair feeling like an elastic, getting its bounce back, but just went with Amanda's expertise and once again trusted that she knows best.
One of the things I instantly liked about Amanda was how passionate and excited she gets when talking about her work. It's obvious she loves what she does! I'm very excited to see what she does to my hair during future visits! I think that this could be the start of a beautiful relationship. :)
One of the things I instantly liked about Amanda was how passionate and excited she gets when talking about her work. It's obvious she loves what she does! I'm very excited to see what she does to my hair during future visits! I think that this could be the start of a beautiful relationship. :)
Once the highlights were ready, Amanda went to work on my 'cut'. I use quotes, as I told her I didn't want more than a small trim! I am on a mission to grow my hair this year, and was happy to see that she was cool with that. I appreciated how candid she was with her suggestions on how I should grow out my hair in the front. I want my look to evolve over time, and this was a great start!
I already knew that I would love my hair, but after all the styling was complete, I was thrilled with the end result! Amanda truly is an amazing stylist, and I see many trips back to see her in my future. I can't give my hair a proper curl to save my life, and the curls Amanda gave me lasted for several days, even after a run and long workout!
Once my hair transformation was complete, Nayiri provided me with a tour of the spa, and allowed me to take time to check out the various treatment rooms and areas. I had an incredible experience, and am happy to share the love with everyone, not only in Waterloo Region, but all across Ontario! Cambridge is a short drive down the 401, and think of the relaxation you will feel after a road trip to serenity! I hope you visit Shangri-La, and have as much fun as I did! The staff is warm, professional, and fun, the products are incredible, and your skin and hair will thank you profusely!
For anyone who is interested, Shangri-La is offering an incredible promotion for 2015! You can get a cut and highlights for only $99.00! As a person who spends tons of money getting her hair done at the salon, this is a HUGE deal! The best part is, it's being offered for the entire year! As an added bonus, if you use my promo code 'Sassy', you will receive an additional 10% off this package, as well as 10% off all products you purchase! That's a VERY sweet deal!
I strongly recommend booking an appointment at Shangri-La. You'll be pampered and treated like royalty, and look picture perfect when you're done! Make sure to give them some love on social media, by following the spa on Twitter (@Shangrilacam), and liking their page on Facebook. They offer great tips, sale information and promotion details! Let them know that Sandy sent you, and please share your visit experiences with me! I hope you love it as much as I did. :)
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post, but the opinions expressed are entirely my own!
