NVE Institute

I am by no means a spa-​girl. I love to get my nails done but other than that, I can only be found at a salon about once per year and my beauty regimen is… nonexistant? I was confused when I was gifted a $ 100 gift card for this place because… since when do I go to a spa?
It took me about 7 months to finally book something and use it. When I was checking out their website, all I saw were high prices and luxury treatments– something I’d always associated with the wealthy (something that I am not).
I booked the «Stress Me? Not!» relaxation package, because if I was going to have a spa day, I might as well go all out. It included a facial, a full body aloe exfoliation, and a relaxation massage. The website also mentioned a ‘light vegan snack’ but there were no snacks in sight. I just had a water before I got started.
I probably could have done without the exfoliation and relaxation massage. My skin felt about the same as after I shower with an exfoliant, and the massage was just okay. I had imagined leaving feeling like a whole new person but it didn’t really do much for me. Towards the end of it I was just ready to go because it was so long! The service itself was luxurious and the esthetician was professional and nice.
I would definitely go back for the facial though, it really made a difference on my skin. They gave me a week’s worth of sample products to take home and I really liked them all. I would go back for a facial and probably buy some of their skincare line which is clearly very high quality. I was glowing for a week. I’d be interested in trying the other spa packages because I wonder if the relaxation massage/​exfoliant was just not the right pick for myself.

Spoke to Gary while looking for a wax. He was exceptional in his service and knowledge.

If you’re looking for a «run of the mill» massage or other personal service, this isn’t it.
Everything about NVE Institute from the knowledge of the incredible people that own it (Gary and Natalie) to the exceptional products and services offered by their staff are truly top notch.
Be prepared to experience a new level of comfort that far exceeds what most of us have ever experienced in a massage clinic. THIS is an oasis of relaxation!

So it has been a full 2 years since I have been coming to NVE Institute. I’ve had facials, massages and other body treatments, my nails and make-​up done, and so on. Their products are top of the line and 100 percent healthy for your body and mind. Each time I have left this place, I have felt absolutely spectacular.
I can’t begin to express how absolutely amazing each staff member treats you, in particular Gary and Natalie. I have dropped in more than once, without having had an appointment, to ask about a product or make an appointment, and each time, I have been graciously welcomed and made to feel just as important and valued as a current paying client.
The atmosphere is one of absolute calm and relaxation. I recall once arriving flustered due to wretched snow weather, and Gary actually made me sit down and have a cup of tea BEFORE my treatment started. It is clear he wants each person walking through his door to feel good and at ease. He is the kind of person that goes above and beyond all of the time. He is the epitome of customer service, and he is knowledgeable without being preachy or sales pushy.
On a bit of a side note, I was quite dismayed and disheartened to see such a negative review from a fellow Unilocaler about such a wonderful place with such kind-​hearted and giving people in charge. I see efforts were made to appease but seems they were rejected. I’d just say peeps should give this place an opportunity. I’d bet a hot cup of tea that you won’t be disappointed!
Cheers!

I’ve been going to NVE regularly every month since my first Groupon and they only hire the most caring of staff! The customer service they provide is amazing and I am always made to feel special and important whenever I visit, in an environment that is very conducive to relaxation, so much so I almost always fall asleep during my facials!
Their products are made specially for NVE by a lab in Montréal and they are the only facial products I use now. I’ve tried many other commercially available facial cleansers and moisturizers from places like Sephora — both at price points lower or higher than those available at NVE, but often after using those products for more than a few weeks, I find the commercial products leave my skin dry, itchy and patchy.
I’ve been using the NVE facial cleanser and moisturizers daily for over a year now and have not had any problems the products. Not only that, but I find that my skin always feels and looks moisturized, even during the winter — which is amazing as it used to look and feel dry and flaky before I began using their products.
I would highly recommend anyone looking for a place for a facial give NVE a whirl as they are not like chain spas that are just trying to push as many people through as possible. Instead, they genuinely care about all their clients and give them all the care and attention they need, whether it be through their services or products.

Great service– luxurious experience– products are strong in floral essential oils not suitable for sensitive skin or those allergic to flowers.
**********After leaving this review and 3 stars and also emailing to cancel my next appointment, I received page plus long response from the client services, stating many things including: «FYI Delores, there are only a few products which have trace amounts of lavender and eucalyptus that are used in here at NVEI and as there are many types of both in the market and in our opinion it would be unfair to say that these two ingredients on the whole are not for all those with sensitive skins when it fact they can be and are used around the world in many products without incident for many skin conditions including burn victims and healing many sensitivities of the skin. The definition of skin sensitivity is vast and what may just not have agreed with your skin condition does not mean it’s bad for all.»
There was for just over half of the response in this box– and the box can contain 5000 letters to give you an idea of the response length. If the entirety of the response would have fit– I would have liked to post the entire response.
Dear NVE Institute:
The definition of sensitive is:
sen·si·tive
sensdiv/​
adjective
1.
quick to detect or respond to slight changes, signals, or influences
Perhaps this is not the most technical term to describe my skin in the review– it was the one I chose and I feel is an appropriate describing term and is accurate to my situation.
If I have physical reactions to a product the advice that is best is to go to a doctor of medicine and not a derma-​hygenist or whatever. I had stated on my intake form that I do have psoriasis, though not on my face or upper body and your website does make the claim that the products are appropriate for all skin types, however this has not been my experience. I have learned the hard way many times that just because a company claims to be natural that does not always equate to safe for sensitive skin or allergen free.
Unilocal is a great tool to tell others of your experience –I do not appreciate you telling me what I should or should not post on the internet. I study immune systems and know fully well that even in small doses flowers are a common allergen and produce histamines in many people and don’t think that this was a far fetched or unusual thing to report.
I chose not to contact you right away as I did not get the feeling that I was dealing with professionals and simply got back to you when I felt I had time to invest in responding to you.
Again– as much as I appreciated the service– the intensity of client services response was entirely unsettling and unappreciated and I hope to not be in contact ever again.

My first spa experience was amazing & realizing it was long overdue. My daughter chose it as a gift ;-), based on the reviews. I will be encouraging everyone I know to gave NVI a try. Even the nail polisb is organic! AMAZING!

With my boyfriend out of town, I decided to treat myself to a spa weekend. I went to NVE institute for a 3-​hour spa package. After my spa treatment, I realized why my spa package was called «Celebration of Femininity.» This is my first Unilocal review I hesitated writing — because I LOVED this place and I want to keep this place for myself!
Gary (the owner, I believe) was super friendly and attentive. I learned so much about clean, organic living. And my aesthetician, Natalie, was fantastic. I loved her. I loved her so much.
I loved all the products they used — they’re all natural. I have sensitive skin and eczema and my skin is still glowing, 3 days later. I was so surprised, after all the products I got to use and sample, they never push them on me. In fact, I had to ASK how much they were! I truly appreciated how Gary didn’t force any products on me. I did love all the products though — I’ll be going back to purchase them.
I don’t think I can go back to any other spas in town. NVE institute is how a true spa should be. Gary and Natalie — thank you!

Love the staff, they teach you about there products and yet don’t force I on you. They only want to educate you an give you an amazing spa experience!
only thing is parking was an issue

If you want to go to a fabulous day spa that caters to you individaully — go to NVE Institute. I spent 3 ½ hours at this fabulous little spa the other day and enjoyed every second of it! There is a Groupon going on right now too. NVE is located in Highstreet in Edmonton. The staff are wonderful — so friendly and knowledgeable. The botantials they use are out of this world — all natural. The smell of the botantials are so heavenly. The products felt so luxurious and delicious… you just leave all stress and worries behind when you experience this spa. I received a few different services, all most enjoyable but I really have to comment on the facial. My esthetician Simone was a lovely lady from Brasil and she explained what every botantial did for me. Gary manages the salon and the owner is Natatlie — I believe she has discovered the fountain of youth! I swear when I left the salon, I looked 10 years younger! I went to a function that evening and people were asking what did I do — I looked fabo! Wow — who doesn’t like a compliment like that! Even three days later, my skin still feels so moisturized and the wrinkles took a vacay too! I really suggest to give yourself a half day of pampering — you will not regret it! It was like a mini-​vacay! The priceline was great, atmosphere wonderful, the staff is so accommodating and super pleasant & the smell of the botantials — devine! They even bring you a vegan snack with some lovely tea. It’s a must do!

I adore this spa. I really really do.
Ladies…even men… the chocolate melt therapy… you’re whole body gets scrubed, then delicately painted with warm, delicious smelling chocolate… it’s fantastic! So gentle, so nice… I wanted to grab the bowl and lick it clean, sure… but then my skin wouldn’t have felt as sensational after or smelled like cookies! And to top it off, in addition to some Bernard Callebaut chocolates, they got me a delicious Starbucks hotchocolate! YUM!
As an added treat, I also decided to get the micro-​dermabrasion they have, that is mechanical-free…which means Nathalie does it all by hand… fantastic! no pain, just the sweet delicious smell of Nathalie’s natural recipe’s for beautiful skin. Her technique is so gentle, so undisturbing… its unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I honestly looked radiant afterwards… face and body.
These people are determined (in a nice way) to make your experience one of peace and relaxation, and also to make you glow with happiness and natural beauty! It’s just so different from any other spa!
Thank you Nathalie and Gary for an exceptional, delicious experience!
I will see you soon… definitely!