Spas can be intimidating. I know it, you know it, I bet Kim Kardashian knows it even if she wouldn’t admit it. Before working this article, I’d never actually set foot in a full-service spa, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I may or may not have gotten locked out of my locker mid-change.

Luckily, I was able to touch base with Tony Fountain, the director of The Grand Spa at The Grand America Hotel, and he unlocked it for me and gave me the rundown on exactly how to enjoy a day at one of the best spas in SLC!

For a Quick Visit:

If you only have time for a quick stop, the spa has tons of amenities to enjoy: hot tub, dry sauna, refreshment lounges, and 17-head experience shower. Yes, you read that number right.

For a couple-hour experience, Tony Fountain recommends trying at least one treatment. “Luckily, we have such a broad spectrum of services from massage to facials to hair & nails!” An excellent quickie for the dry winter weather, he suggests their Sugar Body Polish (a gentle exfoliation + hydration treatment, as opposed to aggressive salt scrubs) or any of their massages. On my visit, I tried out the brand-new Custom CBD massage, and it was heaven. 

My massage therapist, Cyndi, started by asking about my lifestyle and problem areas, as well as my level of comfort with massage pressure/temperature. After feeding me a passionfruit-flavored CBD detox shot, she prepared the table: more like a bed, with those super soft Grand America sheets and heating pads to keep me toasty. The treatment started with a CBD elixir (an Icy-Hot-like oil) on my most tense areas, which Cyndi followed up with the classic Vasayo CBD oil on my back, limbs and scalp.

I’ve had tense shoulders my whole life. Over a decade of violin lessons plus far too much school anxiety can lead to some serious knots. I’ve only had two massages previously, but neither of those really made a huge difference in the long run. My knots and tension were back within a couple days. But this deep-absorbing treatment, plus Cyndi’s magic hands, was a miracle. I’m writing this almost a week post-massage, and my neck is still knot-free. According to Tony, this is because a) Cyndi is the master and b) the CBD product they use utilizes a liposomal delivery system, with the smallest possible CBD molecules, in order to let the benefits sink as far into your skin and muscles as possible.

For a Spa Day:

If you have a bit more time to kill, the spa has a full-service salon, so after a dip in the pool, gym or a sauna session, you can stop in to fix your hair or get a mani-pedi. As for the rest of the day, the Spa also recently added two new items to the menu: the Sleep Ritual Massage and the HydraFacial, both perfect for hotel guests.

“The Sleep Ritual massage is a full lifestyle-shift,” says Tony. “It’s a combination of music, the actual massage, plus full-size therapy lotions and products for you to take home and utilize alongside before-bed exercises to help get your sleep back on track.” Many of the hotel’s guests are frequent travelers on wild schedules; for them, this treatment is a no brainer!

Hydrafacial sounds a bit scary (and probably looks scary, because it is done with a large, acid-delivering machine), but Tony reassures, it’s very mild. “The HydraFacial is essentially a peel, but comparatively a pretty mild one that requires no downtime. You could get the facial then go to a cocktail party glowing, with no redness or inflammation.” Tony says that arguably the best/worst part is seeing all of the gunk that the HydraFacial machine pulls out of your face. “It’s absolutely disgusting, but also a little rewarding!”

If you’re needing a little Utah-centric r&r, you can browse their spa menu here! They also sell their signature products in the spa shop at The Grand. Go treat yo-self!

See more beauty coverage here. 

I’m not a very glitzy person. Makeup is like a foreign language to me. I still don’t understand what ‘baking’ your face means (sounds a bit Sylvia Plath to me) and aside from the occasional running out the door while putting mascara on, beauty hasn’t been a real priority for me. I grew up watching my sisters get up early to apply layers of foundation, powder and eyeshadow. I swear they went to school everyday looking like Miss America, I on the other hand went to school wearing tie dye dresses and knee-high fringe moccasins with my hair straggling down to my tush. I guess you could say I was sort of the “black sheep” of the family when it came to beauty (which never made sense to my mother, who is basically the spiritual embodiment of Marilyn Monroe). So if you’re anything like me, beauty trends are probably a bit intimidating to you. I mean with words like plucking, tweezing, waxing, sculpting and extending how could you not be intimidated?

With that said, I decided it was time for me to open my mind and try something new. After doing my research to find what beauty trends seemed most appealing (and less invasive), I figured eyelash extensions would be perfect for me. How minimalist, I thought! Eyelash extensions give you the appearance of spending hours applying mascara without having to do any of the hard work. How perfect for a plain Jane like myself. So I reached out to the experts at The Lash Method. They were more than happy to invite me in for my first full set of lash extensions.

The Lash Method made sure I was calm and collected before my procedure. I told them what I was looking for and warned them of my fear of glam. They answered any and all questions I had and helped me feel comfortable. After laying me down in a comfy chair, my technician gently shut my eyes and began carefully applying faux lashes to my natural lashes. Let me tell you, these people are a special breed. There is no way on Earth I would be able to do the job these lash technicians do. You have to be ridiculously patient and steady. Two things I am certainly not.

The process took about 2 hours, so not as minimalistic as I initially thought. But, it was painless, relaxing and honestly I almost fell asleep a few times. My eyelashes looked incredible and natural, they listened to everything I asked for.

While I couldn’t imagine doing this procedure every two weeks as recommended, I can completely understand the appeal. For this plain Jane, it has been a real treat waking up in the morning and running out of the house without a worry of makeup, but I think for now I’ll stick to applying my mascara in the parking lot.

Before and after eyelash extensions

For more information about beautiful lashes at The Lash Method, click here.

For more on lifestyle and beauty, click here.

Cancer. We fight back with research, early detection and treatment. However, dealing with the physical, financial and emotional well-being is also an integral part of coping with the stresses linked to those with cancer, and for those who take care of them, love them and are sometimes left behind.

Namaste, SLC.

A Quality Life Community provides FREE yoga classes to Salt Lake City cancer patients, caregivers, and loved ones.

Give the GIft of Yoga

https://aqualitylife.wixsite.com/aqualitylife/giving-tuesday

“She was determined that she was going to beat it,” explains Bill Held, recalling his wife Bonnie’s response after being diagnosed 11 years ago with inoperable stage four liver cancer. With two children, Christopher (8) and Stephanie (12), Bonnie was given a six-month to one-year prognosis and took the most positive approach she could, embracing all the resources and a variety of treatment options. While receiving chemotherapy, the Held family still took the time for vacations and travel. During the winter months Bonnie, who loved to ski, went against doctor’s orders. As Bill explains, “It was about having a quality of life—to forget for a moment about her illness and have a smile on her face—it was worth it.”

In times like these, we primarily focus on the cancer patient, and we get it, they are battling for their life so it’s all hands on deck. But what we often neglect is the caregiver. And in this story, Bill who was working at the Huntsman Cancer Center noticed that a group was assembling down the hall from his office for yoga classes. After realizing these classes were being offered for cancer patients and their caregivers, Bonnie and Bill started attending together. While Bonnie was only able to attend for a few months it made a huge difference for both of them, and as a couple, brought them closer together. As her health diminished, Bonnie encouraged Bill to continue the practice of yoga, because of how it supported and helped him feel better.

The story for Bonnie ends here. At the age of 49, on October 7, 2009, Bonnie Held died, living a full year beyond the doctor’s original expectations. But her family, especially the children, found support through The Sharing Place, and the positive impact of yoga continued with Bill. With a nudge from Amy Conn, Founder of A Quality of Life Community (QLC), Bill eventually worked toward his teacher certification and now serves as QLC’s Director and as a yoga instructor. QLC offers a variety of free yoga classes (restorative, balance & core) six days a week at several local cancer treatment centers, such as Utah Cancer Specialists, LDS Hospital and Jordan Valley Medical Center. We encourage you to learn more and share with others. Donations, even small ones, will go a long way.

To read more SLmag’s community stories, visit here.