Beauty in a Bottle

Fighting those pesky signs of aging with PEI’s newest professional skincare line, Quannessence

Photography and text by Meredith Morrison

I’m lying on Sharon Quann’s comfy aesthetics bed at Mystical Touch Therapeutics in Summerside, my face slathered in chardonnay. Yes, you read that correctly. Only it’s not the kind of chardonnay you’d buy at your local PEILCC. Instead, it’s a facial peel made from real chardonnay grapes. It smells just as delicious as a glass of the good stuff only this chardonnay is working like a thousand little PacMen eating away at dead skin cells to reveal healthy, vibrant skin. It tingles slightly, but Quann tells me that’s how you know it’s working. I’m debating whether or not it would be inappropriate to lick my face. I decide just to lay back and let Quann work her “mystical touch” instead.

Quann has graciously welcomed my lucky plus one, Elizabeth Landrigan, and myself to her underground oasis on Central Street to experience her brand new line of high-end skincare products aptly named Quannessence. The line, which is manufactured on site, currently consists of six potent serums and a complete skincare collection to be launched in the coming months. It’ll be sold exclusively in select salons throughout the Maritimes and eventually throughout Canada and the United States.

“Sharon and I looked at all of the product lines that were out there and they are pretty much focused on symptoms of problems with skin,” says Reid Barnett of BioSpa (Quann) Cosmeceuticals Inc., who co-developed and manufactures Quannessence Skincare with Quann, an established aesthetician, naturotherapist, business owner, and President of BioSpa (Quann) Cosmeceuticals Inc. “While they are addressing that symptom, they’re not addressing the problem. We wanted to look at this line more holistically and therapeutically as opposed to just addressing a bunch of problems.”

The duo recognized three areas of skincare that need to be looked at: the breakdown of the skin barrier, moisture and nutrient loss (replenishment), and degradation of collagen and elastin (remodeling). They named this threefold approach SkinTrilogy and Quannessence products are specifically designed to address each of these factors. “As your skin ages or as it is damaged by the sun and the environment, things happen physiologically to your skin,” Barnett explains. “Of the six serums we have, five of those will address that SkinTrilogy.”

Included in the serum line is a cutting edge Botox alternative that contains three advanced peptide technologies, including a synthetic version of the venom of the Temple Viper. QTox Firming Serum provides an instant effect and is currently a top seller that retails for $110 for a 30 ml bottle (a little goes a long way)…but you’ll have to wait to get your hands on it. “We’re not even officially selling it but we’re out of stock,” laughs Barnett.

And it’s not hard to see why. Quannessence serums, while small in packaging, deliver maximum results. They’re extremely light, fragrance free, and contain no artificial colouring. Packed with vitamins and nutrients, they are easily absorbed and immediately leave your skin feeling smooth and refreshed. “I believe in beauty from the inside out,” says Quann. “It’s not just external; it’s not just topical. You have to work from the inside out in order to get beautiful skin.”

As Elizabeth and I finish getting the full Quannessence experience, Quann treats us to one more luxury facial treatment before sending us back to the office. It’s called The Cosmecanique Lift, or The Natural Face Lift, and Mystical Touch is the first and only spa on PEI to offer this vital tool for total skin fitness.

Oh. My. Word.
Using different attachments that are connected to a very large (and very expensive) machine, Quann applies magnetic pulses that work like a mini vacuum cleaner to stimulate the skin on the face and neck area. There are no injections, no surgery, and absolutely no pain or discomfort, but Quann assures both of us that if she only did one side of the face we would notice a difference (thankfully, she did the full face). The Cosmecanique Lift naturally stimulates the skin’s collagen, elastin, and circulation, making the skin look flatter, firmer, and smoother. And it works. Both Elizabeth and I noticed our skin felt better, looked brighter, and even felt tighter.

The may not be an actual fountain of youth, but Quannessence Skincare definitely comes close. And lucky for us, we don’t have very far to get it.

Quannessence serums are currently available in select spas across PEI. For more information on Quannessence Skincare products, visit biospadistributing.ca.

 

Meredith Morrison/ @Tweet_G

Fighting those pesky signs of aging with PEI’s newest professional skincare line, Quannessence Photography and text by Meredith Morrison I’m lying on Sharon Quann’s comfy aesthetics bed at Mystical Touch Therapeutics in Summerside, my face slathered in chardonnay. Yes, you read that correctly. Only it’s not the kind of chardonnay you’d buy at your local [...]

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Sheer Decadence

Chocoholics beware: What you’re about to read will make your mouth water with delight. From the light and frothy to the rich and creamy (and even a dietician-approved chocolate indulgence!), Zestycook Cory Gallant’s got your next chocolate craving covered with three of the most decadent, divinely inspired chocolate creations guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth.  

 

 

 

Chocolate Mousse
This recipe is like the grown-up version of chocolate pudding. A simple yet elegant dessert, one spoonful of this rich, silky smooth mousse will have Read more »

Chocoholics beware: What you’re about to read will make your mouth water with delight. From the light and frothy to the rich and creamy (and even a dietician-approved chocolate indulgence!), Zestycook Cory Gallant’s got your next chocolate craving covered with three of the most decadent, divinely inspired chocolate creations guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth. [...]

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Shoe Fetish

Sink your feet into any (or all!) of this season’s hottest shoe trends

Photography and Text by Kimberly Rashed

 

It’s that time of year again; time to bring those cooped-up toes out of hibernation. Pack away the boots for another year and let those tootsies breathe! We’re polishing our toes and getting pedi-ready for the best of the best this season in footwear.

Cork Wedge

Au naturel is everywhere this season and not only in tones but also in materials. The cork wedges this season are sky-high so we’re really going to be working those sexy calves out, ladies!

 

Colour Blocked

We have been seeing colour block garments trending for quite some time, but it looks like it’s finally caught on in shoes and bags. From basic black and white, brighter than bright pops of colour and tone on tone, it’s clear we just can’t decide on just one colour combination. We want it all. It’s always nice to add a pop of colour, so why stop at just one?

 

 

Peep Toe Flat

If heels aren’t your thing but you want that perfect dressed-up option, then the peep toe flat should be at the top of your must-have list. Expect to see lots of fun options in this ultra popular style – lots of little embellishments, colours, and prints. Start making room now for your ever-growing shoe collection.

 

Floral

Who doesn’t love a garden party, especially one you can wear? Whether you don a flirty floral print in a pump or the sweetest ballet flats, florals are making their way into our hearts and onto our feet this season.

 

 

Neon

The 80s are back! No, not those hideous Jane Fonda exercise leotards, but rather the colours of the era are back in a big way. And not just a pop of colour – we’re talking a big bang, smash, explosion! Electric blue, hot pink, bold orange – they’re bright but, we’re loving them. A brightly coloured shoe is an easy transition into this season’s colour trends, rather than jumping in head-to-toe.

 

Cuffed Sandal

Whether you choose a flat or prefer a little height, the zip-back added cuff not only adds some sex appeal but is right on trend for shoes that speak for themselves.

 

Tan

The new neutral we’re seeing everywhere this season is the perfect tan leather. In flats and sandals to the sexiest pump, we love a shoe that’s so easy to wear and can go from day to night.

 

 

 

 

Start your look this season from the ground up. The current shoe trends are taking over fashion and making a clear statement: We stand alone. I do, however, recommend that if you’re leaving the house, do throw something on; I can’t be held responsible for a plethora of fabulously footed nudists strutting about town. What you do in the privacy of your own home, well, that’s your business. I won’t tell.

 

Shoes: Uptown Shoes, Confederation Court Mall

Kimberly Rashed/ Blog: Style Becomes Her/ @karashed

Sink your feet into any (or all!) of this season’s hottest shoe trends Photography and Text by Kimberly Rashed   It’s that time of year again; time to bring those cooped-up toes out of hibernation. Pack away the boots for another year and let those tootsies breathe! We’re polishing our toes and getting pedi-ready for [...]

Read more »

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