Trying Out Spruce Body Lab's Be Smooth Body Scrub

Beauty treatments make you feel 110% more relaxed and pampered when you let someone else do the hard work for you. Or at least this was what I was thinking when I accepted an invitation to try the Be Smooth Body Scrub at Spruce Body Lab, a Yaletown spa located on Richards and Helmcken amidst a row of unassuming storefronts. Until my visit last week, my only body scrub experience had been DIY in-shower exfoliation. So imagine what a treat it was to be in the expert hands of Spruce's general manager/creative director and skin therapist, Kathryn Sawers.

Inside, the welcoming green-and-white decor was fresh, modern and soothing. Artwork and inspiring quotes filled the walls. On the far side of the space, skincare products lined the shelves. Open since 2005, Spruce Body Lab was previously featured in publications such as Flare, Fashion, Elle Canada and the New York Times.

After changing into the fluffy robe and flip flops provided by the spa, my treatment began in one of the private hydrotherapy rooms. Kathryn rubbed Spruce's in-house body scrub into my skin with medium-firm pressure to slough off dull, deadened cells. The scrub itself is composed entirely of natural ingredients: sugar; sunflower, sweet almond, rice bran and avocado oils; and blood orange, lavender, vanilla, geranium and sweet marjoram essential oils for a sweet fragrance.

As a spa newbie, I thought I would be quite self-conscious undergoing a treatment that I had to strip down for. But Kathryn was a true pro. She expertly flipped and folded towels to protect my privacy and only expose whatever body part she was exfoliating, and she made me feel completely at ease with her friendly and professional demeanour. When the scrub was done, Kathryn left the hydrotherapy room so I could rinse off the sugar particles in the luxurious shower stall. Picture a Kohler rain shower head above and the massage-like effect of the water coming from the water tiles all around you, and you'll understand why I wanted to stay in there much longer than was necessary. It was heavenly. The treatment then continued with body lotion application (again, Spruce's in-house formula), followed by a mini hand and foot massage, and finally a facial using Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant and other products.

The products that Kathryn used on my face (left to right): Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Firm and Active Moist, Colorescience Line Tamer primer, SPF mineral powder and Setting Mist

I emerged from Spruce relaxed and glowing; my skin had never felt so soft and smooth, and my face was radiant thanks to the facial and colorescience SPF products. I'm definitely returning to Spruce in the future. If their body scrubs are this good, just think what their RMT massages and other services are like.

Thanks to Kathryn and Spruce Body Lab for the chance to experience the Be Smooth Body Scrub. For more information or to book an appointment, check out the spa's website.