Céla Beauty does more than tick the “shop local” box.
“I am 12th-generation Canadian!” says its founder Celine Tadrissi. “An ancestor, on my mother’s side, was one of the leads on Champlain’s ship which arrived in Canada from France in 1603. My father’s side of the family was here originally as part of the British colony, and my great-grandmother was a native Métis.”
Celine Tadrissi, Founder and Director of Hammam Spa by Céla and Céla Beauty.
It’s not often you meet a 12th-generation Canadian and it’s not often you meet someone like Celine. I first met her about a year ago – I was on assignment to interview her at one of her two jaw-droppingly gorgeous Hammam Spas – and I was immediately charmed. Celine is smart, savvy, kind, funny and (total envious aside) has the most perfect skin I have ever seen in real life – honestly, it’s like glass.
As the Founder and Director of Hammam Spa by Céla and Céla Beauty, Celine’s vision was inspired by other cultures. “I’ve travelled to Turkey, Morocco, Korea and Scandinavia. In these places, the spa and Hammam bath ritual are parts of people’s regular routines. They’re an important aspect of everyday wellbeing and leisure time, as opposed to the North American perspective on spas as a once-a-year indulgence or special treat.”
The Hammam Spa at Bayview Village. This is the steam room comprising thousands of tiny colourful mosaics. It, along with the entire spa, was designed by Celine’s architect/designer husband, Antonio Tadrissi.
Put her stunning Toronto spas (there is one at Bayview Village and one on King St.) on your to-do list for 2021 and, in the meantime, check out her Céla Beauty Collection, either for your own well-being or as a thoughtful holiday gift. Take note: you’ll be in good company as Oprah is a fan and has labelled the line one of her favourite things.
“I am still not 100% sure how Oprah got my products because I had no contact there,” she says. “I had visited Hearst media in New York last year as a Vogue editor was interested in my line. I left a bunch of products with her in the office, so I’m not sure if they moved between media outlets or if it was a coincidence.”
My delicious stash. I shared the Crème Rose with my mum - who never asks for anything - and she almost immediately asked me to order her more.
The line, like many great innovations, was born of frustration. “It was hard finding the right products for the spa in Canada and it was hard importing products, so I started researching raw Canadian ingredients and playing with oils to create creams and scrubs that were thoughtfully formulated and highly effective.”
The Céla Beauty line is the result and it is fantastic. My faves are the best-selling Seed to Skin Scrub, a wicked exfoliator that smells good enough to eat thanks to orange peel, cedarwood and patchouli.
The Black Gold Scrub, another star, is a mix of finely ground, dark-roasted coffee beans blended with coarse raw sugar and, again, the smell is divine: think rich, buttery coffee that’s equally invigorating and decadent. Both got Oprah’s seal of approval.
If you’re looking for a hydrating body cream, the Crème Rose is a must – it’s enriched with Canadian botanicals and redolent of sweet jasmine, peach and rosewater.
Celine is always experimenting with new formulations and her latest addition to the collection is Crème Violette. “It’s my favourite product right now,” she says. “It has a rich, hydrating base like my other creams, but with the addition of essential lavender oil and oatmeal to soothe the skin and relax the mind and body.” It’s also a panacea for Covid-dry hands.
The pandemic has been hard on the spa industry, but Celine is proud of her skincare line’s success and is looking forward to a brighter 2021. “I have seen the positive effects, on myself and on thousands of clients, of taking time to care for yourself and slow down your pace. I am confident that there will never be any app or online alternative to the restorative effects of a caring treatment and the healing power of human touch.”
