The Sanctuary Spa

Can we talk about eye cream for a second? 👀

The skin around your eyes is up to 10 times thinner than the rest of your face. It has fewer oil glands, less collagen and is constantly moving — every squint, smile and screen session puts it under pressure. Which is exactly why it needs its own dedicated product.

A good eye cream isn’t just moisturiser in a smaller pot. It’s specifically formulated to target the delicate eye area — addressing fine lines, puffiness, dark circles and dehydration with ingredients that are gentle enough for the skin that needs it most.

At Sanctuary Spa we stock Eminence Organics, one of the most trusted names in professional skincare. Their eye cream range is packed with natural, organic ingredients that nourish, firm and brighten the eye area over time, and they are genuinely some of the most loved products we recommend to our clients.

✔️ Targets fine lines and crow’s feet
✔️ Reduces puffiness and dark circles
✔️ Deeply hydrates without irritating
✔️ Natural and organic ingredients
✔️ Suitable for even the most sensitive skin

Your eyes deserve better than your regular moisturizer. Come in and ask our team which Eminence eye cream is right for your skin.

{iowa spa, marion spa, cedar rapids spa, massage}

The age old lash debate 👀

And honestly, there is no one size fits all answer. It completely depends on your lifestyle, your natural lashes and the look you are going for 👇

Lash Extensions
✔️ Add length, volume and drama
✔️ Customisable — from natural to full glam
✔️ Look incredible immediately
✔️ Require infills every 2–3 weeks
✔️ Can cause damage and thinning over time with repeated use
✔️ Need careful maintenance and specific aftercare products
✔️ Higher ongoing cost and time commitment

Lash Lift
✔️ Works with your own natural lashes
✔️ Lifts, curls and opens up your eyes beautifully
✔️ Zero infills — book once every 6–10 weeks and you are done
✔️ No damage — especially with our Korean Lash Lift which conditions as it lifts
✔️ Wake up every morning with effortless lifted lashes ✔️ No special aftercare products needed
✔️ Lower cost and time commitment with stunning results

So which is better? If you love volume and drama and do not mind the upkeep, extensions might be your thing.

But if you want low maintenance, healthy, naturally beautiful lashes that you genuinely wake up with every single day, a lash lift is hard to beat. 🤍

And if you have been wearing extensions for a while and noticed your natural lashes thinning or feeling damaged — a Korean Lash Lift is the perfect way to give your lashes a break while still looking and feeling amazing.

{iowa spa, marion spa, cedar rapids spa, facials, lashes, lash lifts}

When was the last time you had something on the calendar just for you? Not an errand. Not a school pick-up. Not a work deadline. Something that was entirely, unapologetically yours.

We live in a constant state of doing things for everyone else. And somewhere in the middle of that, the appointment you keep meaning to book gets pushed. Again. Your brows. Your skin. Your shoulders. Your nails. These are not small things. They are the things that remind you that you are worth showing up for.

The hour that belongs to no one but you. The small things you keep pushing to next week have a way of adding up. The tension that never quite leaves. The skin you keep meaning to address. The version of yourself you feel like when you actually take care of yourself. That version is not far away. She just needs an appointment.

We are here when you are ready to put something on the calendar that is just for you.

{iowa spa, marion spa, cedar rapids spa, massage}

Collagen is everywhere right now… in your coffee, your smoothie, your skincare. But is it actually doing anything? Let’s break it down 👇

Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body. It is what keeps your skin firm, plump and elastic. The problem? From your mid twenties your body starts producing less of it and that is when you start to notice fine lines, sagging and a loss of that natural bounce in your skin.

So does taking collagen actually help? The short answer. Yes, but with some caveats.

✔️ Hydrolysed collagen peptides are the most effective form — they are broken down small enough for your body to actually absorb

✔️ Marine collagen is considered the most bioavailable — meaning your body uses it most efficiently

✔️ Results take time — most studies show visible improvements after 8–12 weeks of consistent use

✔️ Collagen works best alongside vitamin C — which is essential for your body to actually synthesise it

✔️ No supplement replaces a good skincare routine and regular professional treatments

The truth is collagen supplements can absolutely support your skin from the inside but they work best as part of a bigger picture.

What you put on your skin, how you protect it with SPF and the professional treatments you invest in all work together.

Want to know what treatments support your skin’s collagen production from the outside in? Ask our team at your next appointment at Sanctuary Spa.

Have a question you want us to answer next Friday? Drop it in the comments 👇

{iowa spa, marion spa, cedar rapids spa, facials, skin barrier, collagen}

Exciting news at Sanctuary Spa. 🤭 

The expansion is well underway and the space is starting to become something really special. Every decision we are making in here is being made with you in mind. More room, more availability, more of the experience you already know and trust at The Sanctuary. We are working hard to get it ready.

Thank you for being patient with us while we build something worth the wait.🤍

{iowa spa, marion spa, cedar rapids spa, facials}

Years of trust. One glowing review 🤍

Cassandra has been coming to Sanctuary Spa for years and this is exactly why we do what we do. When a client describes their HydraFacial as simply magical and keeps coming back year after year, that means everything to our team. Smooth. Glowing. Cleansed like no other.

That is the HydraFacial experience at Sanctuary Spa and we genuinely cannot think of a better way to describe it.

The HydraFacial is one of our most loved treatments for a reason. It deeply cleanses, gently extracts and floods your skin with nourishing serums in one powerful treatment — leaving you with that clean, glowing, refreshed feeling that honestly nothing else compares to.

If you have been considering booking a facial, let Cassandra’s words be the sign you needed. We cannot wait to give you your own magical experience.

{iowa spa, marion spa, cedar rapids spa, massage}

Great question and the answer depends on which lash lift you are getting 👇

Regular Lash Lift A traditional lash lift typically lasts anywhere between 6–8 weeks. After that your lashes will gradually return to their natural shape as new lash growth comes through.

Korean Lash Lift A Korean Lash Lift lasts up to 10 weeks. The gentler cysteamine formula conditions your lashes throughout the process which means healthier, stronger lashes that hold their shape for longer.

But how long your lash lift lasts also comes down to how well you look after it 👇

✔️ Avoid getting your lashes wet for the first 24–48 hours after your treatment
✔️ Avoid oil based products around the eye area — they break down the lift faster
✔️ Sleep on your back where possible to avoid crushing your lashes overnight
✔️ Brush your lashes daily with a clean spoolie to keep them looking their best
✔️ Avoid waterproof mascara — it is harsh to remove and can weaken the lift
✔️ Book your next appointment before your lift fully drops to maintain consistent results

The bottom line? With the right aftercare and the right treatment a lash lift is one of the lowest maintenance most impactful things you can do for your everyday look 🤍

Not sure which lash lift is right for you? Our team will help you find your perfect lift at consultation.

{iowa spa, marion spa, cedar rapids spa, facials, lashes, lash lifts}