Organic Facial Bliss at Province Apothecary

I was planning on writing this post right after getting my Province Apothecary facial, but to be honest, my brain wasn’t working very well afterwards. That’s a good thing – I was in a total state of relaxation. Thankfully I had the foresight to write down all of the steps performed by the holistic aesthetician right away.

I booked a first-time “The Custom” Organic Facial on the brand’s website. Your first visit costs a little more than a repeat booking, but includes 15 more minutes of consultation time with the aesthetician before and after the facial. Upon entering PA’s treatment clinic on Dundas Street West (the entrace is off of Sheridan), the first thing I noticed was the amazing smell of essential oils. There is no reception desk, just a bench at the bottom of the stairs for you to take off your boots and slide into a pair of grey felt slippers.

Vanessa, who is tall and gorgeous with a calming presence, greeted me and asked me to fill out a form detailing my skin concerns, medical information and lifestyle habits. The lobby room is small and dimly lit, complete with PA’s full range of products. There are plants in all corners of the room. The overall atmosphere is totally soothing, and being the only client there on a Sunday night was a treat.

After reviewing my concerns (dry, dehydrated skin with some texture) with me, Vanessa let me get settled into the treatment bed. She began by removing my makeup and confirming that the dry patch under my right eye is, in fact, eczema, which is what I had been suspecting. She then moved on to an exfoliation with raw honey, relaxing oil massage, extractions, and then a face mask. The only part of the mask that I didn’t like was the smell, which reminded me a bit of seaweed. While the mask was drying, Vanessa did a totally heavenly shoulder massage. Definitely a favorite part of the experience for me. After all of the treatment steps, she applied serum, balm and moisturizer.

After forcing myself to get re-dressed for the walk home, Vanessa sat with me again in the lobby and explained all of the products that she used throughout the treatment. The best part? I got to take home generous samples of all of them, including a custom blended serum specifically made for me. She went through the order of application step by step, and it really seems like PA’s products are designed to work synergistically – most can be layered and combined for enhanced results. All of the information was a bit overwhelming, but she promised to send a follow-up email with details and even dietary suggestions to keep the positive effects of the treatment going.

While I’m no expert when it comes to receiving facials, this was definitely the best one I’ve had. While the price makes it an indulgence, I feel like I got my money’s worth in terms of the time and attention that I received from Vanessa. Getting to try a bunch of their products is also a plus! So far, the Hydrating Rescue Balm has been a standout hit. She recommend it as a daytime alternative to the Eczema Balm, which as I have previously mentioned, leaves a white cast on the skin. I have also been using it around my nose where I tend to get some dryness and redness.

The experience was definitely one that I would recommend to others who love the brand, or skincare in general, as much as I do. My skin looked amazing for the next few days and I have noticed an improvement in texture on my forehead and chin. I also feel more confident in the products that I’m using, considering an expert vetted them for me! The whole treatment, from the décor and music to the application of products itself was relaxing and warm. The place had really good vibes, which might sound a little hokey, but is very important to me. The email follow up was a great touch, and she invited me to ask any further questions should I have them, which made the experience feel complete.