The treatment: Miraj Hammam Spa by Caudalie Grand Facial (Anti-Oxidant, 60 min)

I never thought I was a facial person. I’m great at giving them, but… well, my skin is pretty perky to begin with. Up until I had my first treatment at the Miraj Hammam Spa by Caudalie, I didn’t think I needed–or even wanted–them.

And then I realized that I’ll go for essentially any treatment at the Miraj, because they are all. That. Good. Especially the facials. The Caudalie spa is the epitome of a place that you go to for the experience rather than the results. I’ve been going religiously for the past three years, and their team has never disappointed me.

I checked back into the Miraj this month to try out their Grand Facial. They’re relatively fresh off of their big renovations from last year, and the updated spa is deliciously sumptuous. The changing rooms are a little more spacious now, with two changing stalls, three showers, and a private rest area. One of the things that really stands out to me about this spa is its accessibility: two of the stall showers are step-in through frosted glass doors, while the third is flush to the ground to allow wheelchair access through a curtain. All of the treatment rooms are spacious and easily accessible, with attendants to help open the solid wood doors.

The new Alhambra lounge is dimly lit with a beautiful new lighting feature. Heavy curtains keep the room dark, and a sliding glass door allows access to a brand new patio – perfect for enjoying a little spa time outdoors in the summer. The post-treatment snack remains the same: the most delicious piece of baklava that you will ever have, soaked in water-light honey and nuts.

The Miraj Hammam Spa Grand Facial

The Miraj Hammam Spa does many things, but their facials are my favourite. The gommage is effective but not relaxing; their massages are brisk but just don’t stay. (Their hammam is divine, but can’t be booked alone.)

But the facials… oh. The facials.

The Caudalie spa’s facials are otherworldly. They stretch on for longer than they should; each 60 minute respite feels like hours. They’re indulgent from start to finish, with obscenely comfortable, heated facial beds and heavy blankets. The rooms are always quiet, with noise-dampening wood doors that must be three inches thick. If I could sleep on a mattress as comfortable as their facial beds are, I would never wake up tired.

It’s hard for me to convince others to check out the Caudalie spa sometimes, because the facials are far more expensive than at a chain – but the difference is palpable. A Miraj Hammam Spa Grand Facial starts with makeup removal and cleansing with products that are spread confidently onto your face, neck, and décolletage. They’re then removed not with cotton pads, but with hot towels that sweep away any remaining impurities.

Your facialist will mist with–you guessed it–Caudalie Beauty Elixir as a steamer keeps your pores relaxed and your skin hydrated throughout. From there, the treatment moves onto a mask: we used the Caudalie Purifying Mask, as my pores have been a little clogged and breakout-prone this summer.

How to pick a spa for your facial

Here’s a beauty writer secret: when you go for a facial, you can usually tell what the treatment will be like based on the price point. Under $130, you’ll get a facial, plus maybe a scalp or foot massage. Over $130, and you’ll be in heaven. Your hands, arms, legs, and feet will be steamed, buttered, and massaged until they’re soft as dough, and your facialist will work out every kink in your neck and shoulders as your mask sits and your serum sinks in.

The extractions, masking, and even-pressured facial massage are all parts of any good facial – but the Caudalie spa always goes beyond. My facials there are always ‘cone-free, and their steamer is probably my favourite in the industry. The Caudalie Grand Facial can be customized to all skin types, and your facialist is guaranteed to choose different products and techniques for you based on your skin and preferences.

My general advice for getting a facial treatment? Go to your favourite spa if your glow just needs a bit of a pick-me-up. But for a really luxurious way to treat yourself… it has to be the Miraj Hammam Spa.

Pricing: The Caudalie Grand Facial is $180 CAD for 60 minutes during the week, and $190 on weekends and holidays.