May 2017 CentralBeat / BeautyEntrepreneurs Page 5
Spa Paradis – a spa for the discerning client
By Marissa Badall
Ten years ago, I had my very first spa treatment. My eldest brother was getting married and after weeks of“ gentle encouragement”( more like pestering) from my mother, I agreed to at least try out a facial. Personally, I did not see the point – I’ d never suffered from bad skin, and attending an all-girls’ school in the nineties instilled a drive to attain clear, healthy, dewy skin.
With some misgivings about pain and redness, and not knowing what to expect, I tried out the most well-known spa in San Fernando at the time … and I was hooked.
Last year, I found out about Spa Paradis, owned and operated by Priscilla Gobin, whom I’ d met a few times through friends. After pursuing studies and training in the field of aesthetics, in 2014 Priscilla began offering spa services at her home in Caroni, operating as Sanus Per Aquam( loosely translated as‘ health through water’). This was appropriate as her spa featured the Repêchage line of products, which are based on natural ingredients from the sea. In 2015, with growing demand and with a reputation for excellence, Priscilla expanded her business and opened a new spa at Plaza de Montrose, Chaguanas Main Road. Spa Paradis was born.
Given that I’ d been experiencing declining service coupled with increasing prices at my usual spa, I agreed to try out Spa Paradis as a friendly gesture … and I have not looked back since!
From my very first impression of Spa Paradis, I was pleased to be in a relaxing,
comfortable and soothing environment, which had none of the usual spa accoutrements – there were no cascading( maddening) waterfalls, no overbearing aromas and no crowded waiting areas.
I was ushered in on time for my appointment and Priscilla began her examination of my skin, explaining what was good or not-so-good about it every step of the way. For the first time, I had an aesthetician who seemed to actually understand what she was seeing and could answer my questions. For instance, for years I’ d been plagued by miniscule white spots on certain parts of my face – they were not whiteheads or possible cholesterol deposits( which was the explanation given by everyone else) but something called milia. Priscilla did not only identify
The mani-pedi stations at Spa Paradis, Rodney Road, Chaguanas.
them and explain what they were instantly, but she also went on to remove them with the use of a specialised tool.
I was dumbfounded and very, very impressed.
For me, this is what stands out about Spa Paradis. Priscilla continues to grow her knowledge in the field by attending training workshops and conferences abroad, in addition to supplementing her skills at classes locally – she is currently learning hair care and hairdressing. As a result, compared to other aestheticians, she does not mindlessly parrot treatment steps while delivering the service; rather, she speaks with the confidence and knowledge of someone who has devoted time to honing their craft and therefore understands skin health. It is no wonder then that she
received the Shining Star Award from the CEO and Founder of Repêchage, Lydia Sarfati in 2015 – a notable achievement for someone who was only 26 at the time.
In addition to skin treatment services, Spa Paradis offers a range of manicures, pedicures, wraps, waxing and massages. Again, you see Priscilla’ s experience when she waxes as she takes the time to examine the direction of hair growth to be as effective as possible while minimising pain. At the same time, she advises on details such as which eyebrow shape is best suited to your facial structure, but she walks the line on advising while fitting in with what her clients want.
My husband went for a massage some months ago and he has been plotting a return ever since. Unbelievably, compared to what I was accustomed to paying for services, the prices at Spa Paradis are extremely competitive, especially when compared to other spas which use the same line of products. I am literally getting twice the results for almost half the costs. This extends to the products which are on sale at affordable prices.
Spa Paradis has been through its share of changes, culminating in a recent move to Rodney Road Plaza, # 4 Rodney Road, Endeavour. This places it squarely out of the Chaguanas Main Road traffic, with accessible parking.
So what’ s next for Spa Paradis? Priscilla is currently working out the details of introducing a hair salon, but her future plan is to branch into medical aesthetics, ultimately transforming Spa Paradis into a one-stop medical spa and salon. I, for one, cannot wait!
Smoother Skin
Stronger Nails
Silkier Hair
A more beautiful you
Feel l nat n t ur rar al, be natut ur rar al, ch hoose s e
Pharmtech( Caribbean) Limited is the sole distributor of Natrol products in T & T. Tele: 86 68-657-1887