British Columbia Nightlife

Making eyes stand out from a crowd is Vivian Ko Gooch’s business. She and her staff of certified lash-smiths add va-va-voom and fetching contrast with their eyelash extensions. Their work has caught on with local celebrities and roped in a slew of positive press mentions thanks to their expertly bedecked lids, which sport synthetic polyester or silk lashes in a variety of curls, lengths, thicknesses, and colours. Vivian’s aestheticians also tend to the rest of their guests’ faces with exfoliating facials, eyebrow waxes, and makeup applications for special occasions such as weddings, galas, and swim meets.

The highly trained staff at Solaris Spa and Laser utilizes advanced technology and high-quality products to beautify bodies in a tranquil setting. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by the sound of a trickling granite waterfall, a peaceful melody designed to calm the senses and call to mind pleasant memories of a secret crush on a former plumber. Guests slip into oversized robes and cozy slippers before relaxing with a massage in a candlelit treatment room, or head to the far-infrared sauna to incite fat burn and purge the body of toxins. Aestheticians brighten men's and women's complexions during anti-aging facials, using products from the Priori line; mani-pedis are enhanced with fragrant sea salt and peppermint. The spa also specializes in laser hair-removal and skin-correction treatments, which begin with a free consultation with a certified laser technician and often end with speedier trips down playground slides.

The craftsmen at Blueberry Meadows know a solid piece a furniture can be the difference between a house and a home. With that in mind, they've made it their mission to pair people with well-built, designer imports through a hassle-free process that cuts out the middleman and his dreaded scheming. From beds and chests to chairs and coffee tables, furnishings come in several timbers, stains, and paints, so guests can match new additions to the rest of their home decor.

Formaggio Fine Foods owner Jody Sigurdson-Longo, a Red Seal chef and graduate of Dubrulle Culinary Institute, strikes a balance in her cuisine by serving time-tested gourmet recipes alongside dishes that embrace the latest culinary trends. During her cooking classes, groups prepare dishes such as handmade ravioli, stuffed with butternut squash and mascarpone cheese and flavoured with brown butter and sage. For special events, Jody’s typical catered platter might include snacks such as brined olives, shaved prosciutto, and stalks of asparagus with which to gesticulate wildly during conversations. The shop also stocks a wide selection of imported cheeses such as manchego, a sheep milk cheese from the Mancha region of Spain, or Roaring 40's blue cheese from Australia's King Island Dairy. Jody also creates treats for on-the-spot enjoyment, such as panini sandwiches stacked with prosciutto di Parma, frothy cappuccinos, and 49th Parallel coffee.

It's unclear why whales jump and splash on the surface of the ocean. It could be to get attention from potential mates, or a way to lose the parasites on their backs. But it is also possible that the whales are simply having fun. From the vantage point of a 65-foot whale-watching vessel, guests of Jamie's Whaling Station & Adventure Centres can observe grey and humpback whales in their natural environment, while forming their own hypotheses about their mystifying behaviour.

In addition to whale-watching trips, Jamie's leads bear-watching tours, tours to Hot Springs Cove, kayaking adventures, group hikes, and sunset cruises to find out where the sun really goes at night. A portion of proceeds from all tours supports local wildlife research and rescue programs.

Laser Health Centre's certified beam-wielders deploy lasers in rejuvenating cosmetic procedures, drug-free pain relief, and behavioural-modification regimens for substance abuse and smoking cessation. Staff members customize treatments to suit each patient, and in-office laser therapy may be reinforced by take-home nutritional supplements. An exclusive diet plan paired with laser therapy tackles weight-loss goals, and light-based medicine enhances the mind-soothing stress-relief program.