"Vancouver based Beauty Through Balance targets skin needing TLC with its Signature Series Hydra Skin Renewal Gel, formulated for sun-damaged, dehydrated, and irriated skin. The soothing moisturizer contains Vitamin C, grapeseed extract and hyaluronic acid to help repair and hydrate face or body. For an added boost of hydration, Glacial Revitalizing Mist, with green tea extract and Vitaminc C , is perfect to cool down.

For more news on Beauty Through Balance visit: http://beautythroughbalance.ca/whats-new/index.htm

If you are in Victoria, BC and in need of a relaxing spa experience, then you must visit Sante Spa Bear Mountain. They carry and utilize the Beauty through Balance products in their treatments. Indigenous spa treatments harness the therapeutic benefits of locally cultivated ingredients, including Pacific seaweed and Canadian glacial clay. Experience the best of the Northwest with Beauty Through Balance at Santa Spa Bear Mountain.

Victoria, BC – September 19, 2007 – Spa Finder, Inc., the global spa resource, has announced Santé Spa Bear Mountain has been named among the top-10 best spas in the world for Best Medical Program in its annual Spa Finder Readers’ Choice Awards. Based on thousands of votes submitted by Spafinder.com visitors and Luxury SpaFinder Magazine, the awards represent the most complete consumer assessment of the global spa market.

“Now in its fifth year, our Readers’ Choice Awards have become the industry’s premier award program – the spa world’s answer to the Academy Awards,” said Spa Finder, Inc. President Susie Ellis. “With a huge surge in international voting and more than twice as many votes overall compared to last year, this represents an especially meaningful validation of the spa experience provided by Santé Spa Bear Mountain”.

“The Santé Spa Bear Mountain team is thrilled to receive international recognition with this prestigious award!”, says Dr. Wendy Smeltzer, owner of Santé Spa. Santé is renowned for its commitment to the highest quality of standards and practices in safety and hygiene and their flagship location in Calgary was the first medical spa in Canada. Their second location, housed at Bear Mountain just outside of Victoria is an extension of the Santé brand offering traditional spa and esthetic treatments along with a range of medical esthetics including injectables like Botox, Juvéderm, Restylane; skin rejuvenating treatments like microdermabrasion, chemical peels, intense pulse light, photofacials and GentleWaves, as well as laser hair removal. Santé Spa Bear Mountain’s medical esthetics are administered by Dr. Carole Williams, Medical Director and Dr. Steven Goodchild.

To help spa consumers identify the best spas for their unique goals, Spa Finder asked its readers and web visitors to name their picks for the best spas in 23 specific categories – from “best accommodations” and “best cuisine,” to “best for men” and “best urban hotel spa.” Spa-goers also selected their favorite spas in more than 20 global regions and their overall favorite spas on six continents. In all, ballots were cast for more than 1,500 different spa properties worldwide. Voters were asked to only cast ballots for stay spas they’ve personally visited within the past three years.

About Spa Finder, Inc.

The world's largest spa marketing and media company, Spa Finder reaches millions of wellness-focused consumers via Spafinder.com, its award-winning website, and Luxury SpaFinder magazine, the trusted authority on the luxury spa lifestyle. Spa Finder, the global spa resource, also publishes the annual Global Spa Finder and operates Spa Finder Europe and Spa Finder Japan. Founded in 1986, the privately held company is headquartered in Manhattan.

Santé Spa Bear Mountain is located at 1999 Country Club Way, Victoria, BC

Visit the spa online at www.santespa.com

Bring the spa experience home with beauty through balance products: beautythroughbalance.ca and for more news: http://beautythroughbalance.ca/whats-new/index.htm

The fabulous website Todays Diva (www.todaysdiva.ca) reviews some of the hottest new products in beauty and did a great profile on the Beauty Through Balance line. Also make sure you stock up on your summer skincare regime items to keep skin happy and healthy when exposed to the sun's harsh rays and if you're traveling, Beauty Through Balance has smaller travel size items to keep you beautiful on the go!

All products created for Beauty Through Balance by Ancient Secrets have been formulated with ingredients renowned for their curative properties. These create products that can be an essential part of helping one achieve vibrant healthy skin. Therapeutic treatments and home care retail products that incorporate unique indigenous ingredients, provide a range of benefits from healing specific skin conditions to addressing issues such as; toxins, fluid retention, inflammation and more.

 Ancient Secrets Inc. products are created in their state-of-the art Government Certified facility located in beautiful Vancouver BC Canada. Ancient Secrets spa products are offered in fine spas and resorts in North America and expansion into other countries is now underway. Read more about Beauty Through Balance news at: http://beautythroughbalance.ca/whats-new/index.htm

Read what Real Style Network had to say about Beauty Through Balance below!

"For our contest , we were introduced to a Canadian beauty and skin care company, Beauty Through Balance. Beauty Through Balance is a Canadian skin care company from natural skin care specialist Sherina Jamal. After making her own products for years, she started this skin care company to sell the products in 1995. Now the company has a range of natural skin care lines including a lavender and seaweed line along with spa treatments.

Real Style Network got to try out a few of the Beauty Through Balance Signature Series products before we gave them away. First we tried out the Seaweed Body Butter, which is in our beauty giveaway. This
is the softest, creamiest body butter we have ever opened. In the summer heat, you should probably even keep it cool because it probably melts easily. It went on just as smooth.

 

We also tried the Glacial Purifying Cleanser, which is their gentle cleanser. This face cleaner is so soft on your skin it doesn’t feel like it’s doing anything. It isn’t until you rinse it off that you see just
how clean your face is. I was shocked to see that something so light could clean a day’s makeup. It leaves your skin feeling soft and fresh.

For a deeper clean we tested the Green Tea Seaweed Salt Glow. This is a serious exfoliator for a deep clean. It is a loose exfoliant, so it looks like salt in the jar. Once you get it a little wet it is easier to use. This is a rough deep clean that you can feel working into your skin. For how tough it is on your skin, it doesn’t dry it out. It does leave a little film that you might want to wash off if you have oily skin.

Natural, sustainable body products bottle the power of indigenous Canadian ingredients for eco-chic beauty

Taking care to know what we put on our bodies is just as important as knowing what we put in our bodies. Vancouver-based Beauty Through Balance is a Canadian company that espouses sustainability in their mission to achieve beauty the natural way while supporting healthy living.

The skincare line comprises an arsenal of spa-quality face and body products that use natural ingredients renowned for their curative properties. Pacific seaweed and glacial clay are just a couple of the local ingredients procured for their balancing and healing abilities.

When collecting ingredients for their products, Beauty Through Balance practices sustainable harvesting. They’re partnered with the Nature Conservancy of Canada as a part of their conservation stewardship and continual pursuit of eco-sustainability.

I tried out three products from the Beauty Through Balance Signature Series: I hydrated, I cleansed and I moisturized—here’s what I thought.

Hydra Skin Renewal Gel For Face and Body

The product lowdown: A soothing gel treatment for all areas of the body, featuring vitamin C and grape seed extracts. If it’s distressed or dehydrated, the renewal gel can help calm the skin and is great for soothing after waxing.

The experience: Herbaceous scent undertones reminded me of being at the spa or getting my hair done at Aveda. The gel is lightweight, slightly sticky (makes for easy application) and feels smooth and refreshing when applied. I covered my face in a thin layer and left it for five minutes before rinsing.

It’s meant to be used as a mask, but it felt like I could rub it in and leave it on. Post-rinse, my skin felt noticeably smoother. This is the kind of product I would use a few times each week to give my skin a hydration boost.

My conclusion: A tall drink of water for dehydrated or sun-drenched summer skin. It’s a great alternative to using a serum under your moisturizer every day, but doesn’t pack enough punch to replace my dried-out-in-the-depths-of-winter skin routine.  

Glacial Purifying Cleanser

The product lowdown: Sulfate-free, natural, gentle and deeply cleansing. With fresh Canadian glacial clay, seaweed and green tea, this cleanser has the power to remove impurities without drying out the skin. It’s suitable for both men and women, can be used from head to toe and for treating acne-prone skin.

The experience: I prefer a light, non-creamy facial cleanser, so this won me over right off the bat. Its scent is more decadent than most, and although the ingredients say seaweed and green tea, I could have sworn I could smell rosemary. It’s intoxicating without being overwhelming and did a thorough job of cleansing while remaining light and smooth.

It didn’t whip into a bubbly mess when I lathered it between my hands but rather frothed into a flat foam that was easy to manage and coated my skin evenly. Post-cleanse my skin felt smooth and squeaky clean, enough so that I skipped my usual toner. I really loved that it rinsed off all of my mascara so that I didn’t have to follow-up with a makeup remover.

My conclusion: An ultra lightweight cleanser that leaves skin soft and residue-free with a distinctly fresh, clean feeling. I’m making the switch.

Seaweed Body Butter

The product lowdown: For use on body, hands and feet, this non-greasy formula nourishes, soothes and revitalizes skin. Fresh Pacific seaweed and green tea target dry skin, uneven texture, circulation issues, overall skin quality and aging.

The experience: After too many Body Shop moisturizers, I’ve been conditioned to expect body butter to be thick, stiff, heavy and greasy. This was quite the opposite; the consistency was like melted butter, the texture was silky and extremely lightweight, much like the first two products I tested.

The way the moisturizer dripped from my fingers made it slightly challenging to apply, but my skin soaked up the lotion quickly and it didn’t leave a greasy residue. It was perfect for my arms and legs and not too heavy for delicate areas like the neck and chest. I feel like the longer I use this product, the more hydrated my skin will become from the inside out.

My conclusion: A non-greasy, light-weight moisturizer that immediately treats dry skin. Excellent for year-round skin hydration.

Read more beauty through balance news here: http://beautythroughbalance.ca/whats-new/index.htm.> // ]]>

As an educator and product developer in the spa industry I always keep a close eye on current consumer and industry trends.  Whether you’re an avid spa goer or spa professional, keeping up-to-date on what’s hot in the industry allows
you to experience the latest and best treatments, ingredients, and spa products. But it’s important to distinguish between trends that are based on fact and those based on marketing gimmicks and misleading hype.

Here’s my take on some hot spa trends for 2010!

The majority of spa trends are now ruled by one factor: the economy. These days, both spa goers and spa business owners want services that enhance well-being, but are  cost-effective. The following spa treatments top the list for hottest trends of 2010 and will appeal to both spa owners and their clients.

The “green” trend: revisited
Consumers and spa pros alike continue to seek out “green” and “eco-friendly” products
that include natural ingredients, organics, recyclable packaging, and more. However,
as budgets tighten, people are becoming increasingly wary as to the authenticity and
value of exactly what they are buying. Many skin care companies continue to use false
marketing gimmicks to sell their products. Do what you can to validate a product’s “natural, green, and eco-friendly” claims to be sure that you are getting your money’s worth. Also, be aware that a more natural product doesn’t always produce better results. For 2010, the focus is on products that are safe for you and the environment, but will also address skin concerns effectively. Savvy buyers will question claims made by skin care companies such as “preservative free” and “100% organic,” and become more educated on what makes a high quality, natural, and authentic product.

 Express services & mini-packages As people continue to cut back on their spending, there is a tendency to reduce regular visits to their local spa. One trend that will keep you coming back is express services. Spas are now
beginning to implement a wider range of express services and mini-packages to provide options for clients on a tighter budget. These services are more affordable than full treatments and provide the spa goer incentive to continue regular visits without compromising quality. So if you are in spa withdrawal because you are watching
your wallet, contact your local spa to see what express services they have to offer that will fit your budget.

Prevention and whole-body healing:  The focus on prevention and whole-body healing became trendy a few years ago, and continues to grow in popularity as the general public embraces age-old philosophies and healing techniques
to fight aging and illness. Recent trends in whole-body healing include “stress corrective” treatments using methods such as light therapy
and energy healing. As stress plays a direct role in triggering many illnesses and imbalances in the body, reduction of stress through mind-body techniques is the gateway to the whole-body healing process.
Those seeking wellness-oriented treatments are also seeking more
education. It’s not unusual for spas to offer guest speakers and consulting
sessions on a range of subjects relating to natural health alternatives.
Part and parcel of a complete wellness program in a spa will be nutrition.
The nutrition trend in spas already exists; however, we will see the introduction
of expanded spa cuisine, not just in resorts but also in day spas.

Education-based services and customization
Better and more detailed consulting services are being offered by spas to
address not only topical care, but also internal care. Providing education to
clients is the key to supporting their wellness goals. Customized programs
that combine treatments, products, and educational sessions will provide
the guidance many clients are looking for.
You will see an increase in spas utilizing naturopathic doctors, nutritionists,
and holistic practitioners either as guest speakers or as an integral
part of the spa’s consulting and treatment services.

The tech-savvy spa
More and more spas are embracing technology as a way to create awareness
and improve service to clients.
Social media will continue to be a great tool for spa owners and also
spa goers looking for discounts and education. Social media tools such as
Facebook can be used to provide special discounts and promotional offers,
and to launch new treatments and products. Clients can even book online
through Facebook. Blogs are another easy tool spas can use to keep clients educated and
inspired. A blog can be used to offer tips and information about the benefits
of specific spa treatments, and encourage clients to post comments or
questions. This interaction and sharing of knowledge is a win-win for both
spa owners and spa goers.

Sherina Jamal is the Founder of Ancient Secrets Inc. and developer of the Beauty
Through Balance spa line. Sherina is an established educator in the spa industry and
has written many articles over the years for popular health, beauty, and spa magazines.
To reach Sherina directly for any questions or advice please email info@ancientsecrets.
ca or visit her web site: www.beautythroughbalance.ca.

But, how do we enjoy all the benefits of the season while still making sure the skin is protected from the enviromental factors which causes rapid aging?

Check out this article:  http://www.beautythroughbalance.ca/whats-new/downloads/spa%20canada%20june%2008.pdf

By Dahlia James

Two things I strive to pay more attention to in my everyday life are being kinder to the earth and taking better care of my skin. Enter the latest in green-conscious skincare, Beauty Through Balance (beautythroughbalance.ca). The line boasts collections featuring açai berry or lavender, while products in the Signature Series contain Canadian glacial clay to absorb toxins or an organic Pacific seaweed that delivers micronutrients and promotes cell regeneration. All of the Vancouver-based brand’s ingredients are harvested in a responsible way–the fast-growing seaweed replenishes in just three days–and a portion of sales goes back to the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

For more news on Beauty Through Balance check out: http://www.beautythroughbalance.ca/whats-new/index.htm and on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/beautythroughbalance