Review: Riad Spa

Spa: Riad Spa, a Moroccan inspired Med spa!

 Address: 193 College St. #200 Toronto, Ontario M5T 1P9

Website: http://www.riadspa.ca
E-mail: info@riadspa.ca
Phone Number: (647) 350-7423

Parking:  The spa is located downtown Toronto near the University of Toronto. There is a lot of street parking, but be warned – most meters only allow you to park for 3 hours at a time. For those TTC-ers, Riad spa is right near Queen’s Park subway station!

Service Received:
T’s Service:

-       Designed For You Facial

-       Assila Seaweed Lava Shells Manicure with a White & Clear French polish application

C’s Service:

-       Marrakech Eucalyptus Black Soap Scrub

-       Brazilian Pedicure

Price of Service: Sponsored (Click here for our Sponsorship/Advertising policy!). However, if you were to get our services, here is the breakdown:

T’s Service:

-       Facial: $100.00

-       Manicure: $142.50

C’s Service:

-      Body Scrub: $100.00

-      Pedicure: $35

Cleanliness: Extra clean, and beautifully decorated!  

Fun and Free Extras:

·      Water (upon entrance)

·      Wonderful Moroccan Tea (tastes much like Chamomile with honey)

·      Moroccan Biscuits

For a little more LOL:
Cheap university bars just around the corner:

·      Pour Girl Pub

·      O’Grady’s

Review:

Riad Spa is a small loft space located in the busy University of Toronto area. Upon entering you are immediately transported to Morocco (or at least what we imagine Morocco would look like, if we went). The colours are bright, the pillows are plush, and the lights sparkle around the room. Both Mouna and her assistant greeted us with warm smiles and excitement.

After taking a seat we were asked to fill out a very extensive survey about our health. Though we both thought this was a little tedious, Mouna explained it was only to ensure that all the treatments we were about to receive were tailored to us. Very quickly, we realized that Mouna is an individual who is EXTREMELY passionate about providing her clients with an experience that is specifically for them, which is not often the case at ‘big box’ spa’s. She has designed her very own Moroccan-inspired skin care line, and is delighted to share information about various skin conditions and products. In terms of the ‘med spa’ part of her business, you can clearly see when talking to her that she absolutely loves what she does. After a lengthy discussion of what would benefit our skin and body we were taken into a double room where our services would be performed.

T’s Review:

As mentioned, I received a facial designed to suit my skin – combination skin that is prone to adult acne. Mouna used all of her own products in the facial (Price range is around $30-$60.00 per jar for Mouna’s line). I was cleaned, steamed, masked…etc J. I would describe Mouna’s touch during the facial as ‘invigorating’; it really felt like she was trying to get blood or lymph flow going. I have to say, my favourite special touch was that she gave me a stress ball to squeeze during the extractions! It’s a minor thing, but actually made a big difference while getting through that part! Afterwards, my skin felt fantastic – clean, healthy, and some of the redness I usually have in my cheeks had gone down already! As a side note, if you dislike the smell of algae/seaweed, you might want to request a different type of product, as they have a fairly strong smell (I personally didn’t mind it).

Verdict? Worth the $100.00 price tag. I would absolutely recommend going to Mouna for a facial, and most especially if you have any skin concerns!

Next, I was treated to a seaweed and lava shells manicure by Mouna’s assistant. The seaweed was placed on my hands and forearms, wrapped in plastic wrap and left to sit for about 10 minutes, at which point she washed it off. The lava shell part of the manicure included some clamshell shaped shells that had been warmed and were used to massage my forearms. Mouna then completed the polish job, giving me a white & clear French polish.

Overall, I wasn’t as impressed with the manicure as I was with the facial. The lava shell arm massage was nice, and they did a great job with my cuticles – they don’t actually cut cuticles, just soften them and push them back. The seaweed wrap was okay, but I found that my hands smelled funny for several hours later! I ended up having to wash my hands and forearms once I was home. The polish used for the French manicure was old and thin, and I would say that the application was only average, with leftover polish on my skin when it was done. Worth the $142.50 price tag? Unfortunately, I don’t think so.

T’s take on Riad spa: If you’re looking for a fast & convenient mani/pedi, or just a quick, nice looking polish job, this might not be the place for you. But if you have any skin concerns with your face or body, I would highly recommend Mouna as she is extremely knowledgeable and highly qualified! She has multiple diplomas up on her wall showcasing just how many courses all across Canada she has taken to be able to treat so many skin conditions.

C’s Review:

I could not have been more excited to get the Marrakech Eucalyptus Black Soap Scrub. To be honest, I get excited for just about anything that is anywhere near a massage (T feels the same!). Not only was this soap scrub meant to exfoliate and soften my skin, but it is coupled with an Argan oil massage. In short, it was HEAVEN.

I was pleasantly surprised that the spa provided me with disposable underwear and a tube bra. I know this may seem small, but it really allowed me to feel confident and comfortable throughout the entire service.

After changing into my skimpies, I was asked to lay on a massage bed where Vitamin E was applied to my skin (I was told that the Vitamin E deeply cleans the pores and prepares the skin for a thorough exfoliation). Mouna’s assistant was so sweet and continuously checked in to ensure that I was okay. Which I was...however, the only downside to having oil applied while in your skimpies....its freaking cold! Though, I did quickly realize why I was so cold - they were about to mummy wrap me in three layers (plastic, a towel, and a warming blanket) so the Vitamin E oil could set into my skin. I must note, I am a little claustrophobic and was concerned about how I would deal with the whole “mummy wrap” business - but it didn’t affect me as much as I thought it would. Instead, I was relaxed by the Moroccan music being played and, surprisingly, the warmth provided by the mummy wrap.  I’m also fairly sure that I sweat a few pounds off while waiting for the Vitamin E to soak in (I’m not even mad...that’s not a bad addition, if I do say so myself!).  

After the blanket was removed, my skin was scrubbed down with the Riad Assiha Wal Jamal black Moroccan Soap Scrub with a Kessa Glove. I must admit, it was a little weird having someone else scrub my body for me...but that’s just something I needed to get over and I acknowledge...I’m a bit of a control freak. By the end of the scrub my entire body felt just as Mouna promised, like a new baby! The Orange flower blossom Essential oil that is massaged into your skin at the end only adds to the “new baby-ness” of your skin. O. M. G. It was fantastic.

This service costs $100.00. Would I do it again? Yes, yes, yes....oh did I mention Yes?

After I had completely relaxed from the mummy wrap, scrub down, and massage, I was taken into her main room for a pedicure. The pedicure was basic, her tools were clean, and she provided me with biscuits and tea during the service. The only downside to the pedicure was the polish, most colours were outdated and old, and they were certainly not brandname like at other spa’s. To be able to recommend the $35 price tag to our fellow LOLs, I would hope to be able to choose from updated polishes.

Overall, Mouna is extremely personable, and loved to chat about her experiences both in Toronto and back home in Morocco. This was probably my favourite part of the pedicure, getting to know her and what she is trying to accomplish with her take on the spa experience.    

C’s take on Riad spa: For a mani/pedi in a pinch...maybe...if you don’t get a polish. But as a Med Spa - I would go back again and again. I loved her knowledge about her products and the products we use daily. I also loved her care and concern for tailoring the service to the customers very specific needs. Mouna’s passion for skin care is noted from the moment you walk into Riad Spa, and this makes me happy. 

Because of the division in the services we received, we felt that we had to divide our ratings accordingly to accurately rate Riad Spa!
Rating:
2.5/4 – Mani/Pedi


4/4 – Med Spa


Enjoy your day everyone!

Your Ladies of Leisure,