Beauty & Spas in St. Catharines

Style director James brings aesthetic sensibilities honed over 30 years in New York City to his eponymous downtown salon, James & Associates Hair Design. Black-and-white photography accents light blue walls in the studio, where stylists Meredith and Bernadette consult with clients to decide which cut, colour, or mascot head best suits their faces. Waxing and massage services overseen by Carla, an experienced spa director, round out the salon's roster of pampering treatments.

When you step inside Serenity Luxury Spa, a tranquil haven lit only with natural light and flickering candles, it's hard to imagine the sweat and strain workers put into constructing the two-storey building more than a century ago, especially because of a recent renovation, which glossed over any signs of the building's age with luxurious amenities such as sleek hardwood floors and fireplace-warmed lounging areas. Soft blankets keep clients cozy in each of the nine private treatment rooms, including one room dedicated to couples massage, and sounds of the ocean purify brain waves by accompanying them through an onsite Brita filter.

Owner and licensed aesthetician Sharisse Sorman emphasizes the importance of product quality and keeps the spa stocked with elite brands including Vivier Skin, gloProfessional, Shellac, and OPI. It was also Sharisse's idea to fill treatment rooms' fireplaces with candles—a calming alternative to crackling pieces of wood or a fistful of fireflies.

Occupying a 110-year-old three-story house, Salon Sara Lina hatches hair masterpieces within boutique salon and spa confines. An investigative consultation begins with haircut services ($30–$50, prices vary by stylist), followed by a shampoo, conditioning, and scalp massage, leaving hair shiny enough to reflect off the salon's marble fireplace and into the eyes of distracted pet rocks. Sara's salon uses the certified organic Simply Organic line of hair products. Though not included with this Groupon, Salon Sara Lina & Spa proffers additional treatments for colour, thickening, and volume.

Committed to bolstering the well being of their customers as well as that of the planet, Hannah's Euro Spa’s talented staffers maintain a green approach to beauty by performing holistic, eco-friendly services. Eschewing sulfates, parabens, and chemical preservatives, the team rejuvenates bodies using organic and natural soaks, scrubs, and creams whenever possible.

Filled with the delicate smells of essential oils, the serene space bustles with aestheticians revamping hands and feet with mani-pedis or evicting unwanted body hair via gentle sugaring sessions. Within the confines of private treatment rooms, trained-and-certified massage therapists ease bodies aching from long days spent testing out dog doors with massages that range from hot stone to Thai stem. The spa’s facials use advanced European systems along with mineral mud, ylang-ylang, and lavender to restore radiance to complexions. The staff’s commitment to running a green business extends from their treatment rooms to the pollution-free laundry detergent and solutions used in their daily cleaning.

According to Freida Polihronis, "If you cannot eat it you cannot put it on your skin." Polihronis staked this claim in an interview with Bullet News following her appearance on CBC's program Dragon's Den, where she stepped into the den and pitched her signature body butter and anti-aging skincare line—both of which contain only pure, natural ingredients. In fact, she concocts each of her products with only five or six ingredients such as essential oils, Dead Sea salts, and fruit enzymes.

At Zoē Anti-Aging & Wellness Spa, Polihronis steeps skin in these products during services that benefit the face, body, and nails. Having "plastered mounds of lotion, oils, and Dead Sea Salt body polish" on her daughters and pet porpoise, Polihronis believes her products accommodate even the most sensitive skin. She takes care to evaluate each person's skin prior to treating it, whether embarking on a full-body polish, an anti-aging facial, or a sugaring treatment.

Located inside the Best Western Hotel & Conference Centre, Reflexions Real Life Fitness Centre boasts an outdoor courtyard pool as well as an indoor salt-water pool, both of which host aquatic exercise classes. Keeping with the oceanic theme, the centre stocks Atlantis-brand equipment. Instructors utilize these machines and other tools during a wide variety of group classes, from spinning to meditative yoga sessions. Pilates and Core Ball classes tone torsos with focused stretches, whereas boot-camp drills move at a faster, more intense pace. TRX classes, meanwhile, train students to lift their own body weight with the aid of hanging cords.