Looking good and feeling great at Crossroads Plaza
by Michelle Minnoch

Above - Chandra at The Spa at Lake Simcoe; Below - Rick at Adam and Eve Tanning. photos by Michelle Minnoch

With the change in the season comes colder weather and cloudier days. Sometimes treating yourself or getting a friend or two together for some "me" time is all that is needed. In Innisfil, two side by side businesses in the Crossroads Plaza, owned by husband and wife Rick and Chandra Ellis, can take the fall and soon to be winter blues away.

Adam and Eve Tanning, owned by Rick Ellis, has seven tanning beds and can accommodate tanners who like to do the job lying down or standing up. With one stand up bed (8000W), one premium bed (9000W), three super beds (4000W) and two regular beds (2800W), Adam and Eve Tanning also accommodates those who like the spray tan.

Rick says when clients go to the tanning salon for the first time, they need to ease into it.

"When you fist start out, you should go for 10 minutes in a regular bed," he said.

To maintain the tan when starting out, Rick said you should come in for the first week, every other day for 10 minutes, move up to 13 minutes the following week, and then the client can go for 16- 17 minutes at a time.

"Only after that can you

move up to a full 20 minutes in a regular bed, or can move to the premium or a super bed.

When tanning at Adam and Eve, Rick said some people going for the first time may not realize that you have to use the lotion sold at the salon, not the kind you can buy at the drugstore.

"There can be no SPF in it."

Also for sale at Adam and Eve is Chico Rica bathing suits.

While Rick said there are a lot of scare tactics out there regarding tanning, he keeps himself busy checking the latest data about tanning - both the positive and the negative. The benefits of tanning, he said, is that it produces endorphins and is a great source of vitamin D.

"If it's done in moderation, it can be good for you," he said.

Rick says one of the biggest mistakes people who are going away on vacation make is that they go in for one tan the week before their flight leaves. He said you should be going for a tan two to three weeks before you start the base tan.

Employing seven local residents, offering opportunities to two co-op students, Adam and Eve Tanning also offers air brush tattoos, which usually lasts one to two weeks. For birthday specials, Rick can go to a house and do tattoos. Another special Rick has on the go is unlimited tanning for students for a month (regular bed) for $29.

The Spa at Lake

Simcoe, next door to Adam and Eve Tanning, is owned by Chandra Ellis. Aqualified esthetician and electrolysist, Chandra has been working in this profession since 1980.

Crossroads Plaza Offering full esthetic services; including facials, waxing, manicures and pedicures and body treatments, Chandra also specializes in

electrolysis and permanent make up.

Working as an esthetician at Suzette's Hair Salon before opening her own business, Chandra's experience and knowledge in her field has made The Spa at Lake Simcoe a popular destination in Alcona. With former clients making appointments from Toronto and Burlington, and another who makes appointments when in from Los Angeles, Chandra's expertise and reputation in the business has cleared the road for success along side her husband Rick.

Left-Adam and Eve Tanning provides a warm and sunny environment before getting a tan. Above- Relaxation is the key at The Spa at Lake Simcoe. photos by Michelle Minnoch

Chandra said facials are great because a person's skin is constantly changing with age.

"You need to adjust to your skins needs," she said. "For your first facial, I will need to know where your skin is at this point in time, and where it's going."

Chandra says discussing nutrition and vitamins with her clients will help them to understand how their skin is changing and what needs to be done to help maintain great feeling and looking skin.

Another one of Chandra's services is permanent eye make up. She said the ink used for permanent eye make up is FDA approved and needles used during the procedure are disposed of right after - nothing is ever reused.

Chandra said the most popular request for the make up is eyeliner and eye brows.

"Most people who get permanent eye brows done are those who over tweezed when they were younger." Selling jewelry and a full

line of Clayton Shagal products, The Spa at Lake Simcoe provides a relaxing and soothing atmosphere.

Adam and Eve Tanning is open Monday to Friday from 9am until 9pm, and Saturdays from 9am to 5pm; call (705) 436-2826 for an appointment.

The Spa at Lake Simcoe is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9am to 5pm, Thursdays from 9am to 5pm; call Chandra at (705) 436-3772 for an appointment.