BRITISH COLUMBIA: THE FANNY FACIAL AT POET'S COVE
IT’S A FACIAL....BUTT
By Anne Dimon
Bottoms up at the Poet’s Cove Resort & Spa. Literally. Susurrus Spa at the waterfront resort on Pender Island, the most southern of B.C.’s Gulf Islands, has just added the innovative Fanny Facial to their menu of spa services. How cheeky.
Overlooking Bedwell Harbour and Marina, Poet’s Cove is located in a tranquil seaside setting a 25-minute ferry ride away from Vancouver Island. (You can also take a 20 minute float plane excursion from Vancouver Airport or a $20 taxi from Sydney.) The spa has just six treatment rooms but that’s more than enough for this 46 unit property.
Spa director Alana Delcourt, creator of the 45-minute Fanny Facial, has incorporated the fruit and vegetable-based Eminence line of products from Hungary into the treatment. “Think of it as a fruit salad for the fanny,” she says. These are totally organic products with no harsh chemicals to hurt sensitive skin that rarely (for most of us) sees the light of day. She says she wanted something new for her clients. “Skin on the butt needs to be taken care of too.” She explains that clients have been asking about how to deal with breakouts on the butt. “It’s an environment that we pack into tight jeans, thongs or sweaty jogging pants and one that we just sit on for much of the day.” We tone and sculpt with exercise, she says, but we never actually treat the skin of the derriere. The largest muscle of the body, the gluteus maximus (affectionally known as “the glutes”) is often overworked and underappreciated. Until now.
The process begins with the inhalation of the signature scent (an uplifting blend of cedar wood, peppermint, rose geranium and lavender from nearby Salt Spring Island), followed by a dry brushing of the right, then the left cheek. Dry brushing, says Alana is an ancient technique to buff the skin and stimulate the circulation system and it’s especially good for the butt and upper thigh.
Next is an exfoliation using a mix of pear and poppy seeds combined with lime to slough off dry surface skin. This is the microderm polisher to give the skin a natural refinement. “It’s good for folliculitus,” says Alana, “those little rough bumps on back of thighs or upper arms.”
She removes the product with hot towels infused with lavender. The application of heat helps to relax muscles. Now, we turn the other cheek and repeat.
Next step is the Hungarian herbal mud mask. The paprika in the product makes the skin feels tingly (it’s called micro-circulation) and the Hungarian thermal mineral water (also used in the product) is good for detoxifying and rebalancing. While the mud is penetrating, Alana gives me a back massage paying specially attention to the lower back area leading into the glutes. Hot towels remove the mud, a light mist of wild plum has a cooling effect, then a massage of each cheek using hot stones follows. “The application of hot and cold is like gymnastics for the cardio system,” she says. I find the stones noticeably hotter than those used in a full body massage. “The area can take a bit more heat,” explains Alana. Could this be the definitive “hot butt.”
The final touch is the cinnamon and paprika-based lotion to tone and help reduce the look of cellulite. At $60 Cdn. for 45-minutes, the fanny feels fantastic! I highly recommend it to anyone with a butt.
For more information on Poet’s Cove Resort & Spa: www.poetscove.com