Nicolle Hodges | [email protected]
What is it about the spa that makes us feel so good?
The pampering, the facials, and the soaking are part of it, but the real magic is the joy of slowing down. Self-care is not self-indulgent, it鈥檚 self-preservation.
As a spa practitioner and massage therapist, Sherrie Houghton created a line of products to be used at spas, as well as at home. The ethos being, when you leave the spa, why not take the feeling with you?
Emerald Earth Organic Spa provides luxury skincare products which are 100 per cent natural and use only organic ingredients, including vitamins, botanicals, and antioxidants for radiant, refreshed and rebalanced skin.聽
What you put on your skin is what soaks in, which is why she is vehemently against the use of harsh chemicals, artificial ingredients, parabens, sulfates, and aluminium.
Instead, you鈥檒l find a combination of rose and pomegranate to combat signs of aging, apricot and citrus to leave skin glowing, or cocoa and vanilla for deep, full-body hydration.聽
After moving from Australia to Canada a decade ago, and currently living in Valemount (also, recently engaged) she understands the effects that both extreme heat (sun damage) and cold (dryness) can have on the skin.
A quick glance in the mirror in the morning is telling; often, self-assessment is among our first thoughts of the day. She wanted that moment to be one of self-love.
Emerald Earth offers every skincare product you need to complete your beauty routine throughout the day, from facial and body care to natural deodorants and bath treats.
Houghton, whose skin looks naturally fresh and dewy, spent a year figuring out the perfect blend of ingredients. Needless to say, her friends and family, all of whom were supplied ample samples throughout her experimentations, also have fantastic skin.
鈥淚 wanted to create products that people could take home and feel like they were having the ultimate spa experience,鈥� she said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 that nurturing feeling when you know you鈥檙e taking care of yourself.鈥�
For many years, Houghton was a world traveler and couch surfer. 鈥淚 was here, there, and everywhere,鈥� she explained.
鈥淵ou forget to take care of your own body. Taking the time to slow down and bring the spa home is going to make you feel a lot happier in the long run.鈥�
Now, she spends her days toiling away making skin potions in her up-cycled, refurbished workshop - an old CMH Heli-Skiing rescue shack.
When Houghton formulates, creates, manufactures and packages all Emerald Earth鈥檚 products by hand in small batches, that鈥檚 where it鈥檚 happening.
Houghton is officially one month into business and selling exclusively through her website with the hopes of soon seeing her products in spas and stores throughout Canada.
As a small local business trying to create a sustainable future in the rural village of Valemount, she is excited to spread the message far and wide that skincare doesn't have to be a once-off luxury experience.
鈥淵ou can practice great skincare rituals every day at home and see the benefits of a healthy, glowing, radiant complexion,鈥� she said.
Yes, it feels good to be cared for every now and then - and even better to care for yourself daily.
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