Ku'r Salon and Spa's goal is to make sure you're feeling and looking fabulous on the morning of your wedding day. This Doon South Drive spa is a one-stop shop for all of your beauty needs from head to toe. Taline Danaoghlian and Katrina Byrne, Owners of Ku'r, and their team of expert stylists and aestheticians work from the inside out, relaxing you with massages and facials and making you look gorgeous with manis, pedis, make-up and hair design. This is where a bride goes to get what she wants on her day. They offer bridal discounts, trials and customized packages, all designed to suit the needs of each bride and her wedding party.

With senior level stylists, a mission of achieving customer service and satisfaction, and talk of having the "best facial and pedicure in town", it's no wonder brides recommend Ku'r. We sat down with Taline and Katrina in their gorgeous storefront (voted as one of the top five Salon Interiors in all of Canada for 2009 at the Contessa 20 Awards show), browsed through their many samples, and found out more about what Ku'r has to offer; here's what we discovered...

Personally speaking...

Ku'r, pronounced 'cure', opened on April 21, 2008. Taline says "We were waiting for the right location. When we heard about the plaza, we thought, 'great!' There is no full salon and spa anywhere close to us."

Taline and Katrina are the key players in the company. Usually Taline meets with the brides and coordinates the wedding party's needs and either Taline or Katrina is present on the wedding day.

Katrina, the Senior Esthetician, has over nine years of experience in the industry and worked for one of the top salon and spas in Canada. "Her expertise in skin, laser, nails, and make-up was definitely an asset to the community," She trains the staff and works day-to-day with clients as well.

Taline has over ten years of experience and brings her knowledge of business, saying that she knows what is needed to successfully run a salon and spa. Both ladies have their aesthetician, laser hair removal and microdermabrasion degrees. "We are trained in everything you can think of under the spa," says Katrina.

Their knowledge and experience hasn't gone unnoticed in the community, either, as recently Taline and Katrina told us that the Summer of 2009 was one of their best yet with brides not only using Ku'r's hair salon, but their full spa and esthetic services.

The team at Ku'r

Taline and Katrina aren't the only experienced professionals at Ku'r. "Our service providers are very professional, and at the same time, have very pleasant personalities to be around," says Taline. She adds that "They're all simply hardworking people and everyone's main goal is the same: 'Customer service and satisfaction'."

Juanita, the senior stylist at Ku'r, usually works on the bride's hair. "She has worked all over the place and has over twenty-five years of experience," says Taline.

Sara S. who was new to K-W when she was planning her wedding, was having a hard time finding a decent hairdresser for her every day hair, let alone the hair she wanted for her wedding day. She says she booked a haircut with Juanita "and was happy with her." Sara adds that she was very impressed with the salon and ended up booking Ku'r for her wedding after her first haircut.

Catering to brides...

At Ku'r, all of the staff work together on the bridal party's services. "Just seeing everyone's happy face when they leave" is what Taline says makes coming in to work every day worthwhile.

That's one reason why Taline thinks brides choose Ku'r, because they "deliver what we promise... it's all about comforting anyone that walks in through the door, consulting with them, and giving them our honest opinion and feedback."

Sara used Ku'r for her trial and wedding day hair and make-up, pedicure, groom's (reluctant) MANicure and pre-wedding massages and says she would "definitely recommend Ku'r to anyone getting married. The staff is great and personable, and there are just so many services that you can have done, all in one spot. That is very convenient for bridal parties."

Most couples who visit Ku'r are down to earth, excited and eager, but since every bride is different, Ku'r doesn't offer a specific bridal package; each bride can design something that's unique to her.

Katrina adds that Ku'r pays "attention to the make-up as well. We have a specific floor just for make-up because the last touch on the bride is the most important part!"

Elizabeth, who booked Ku'r for her October 2008 wedding, agrees that everyone at Ku'r was "super friendly" and accommodating to her, her six bridesmaids and her mother on the day of her wedding. "We were all able to be pampered at the same time," she says. "All the girls at the salon were busy working away... It was a really great experience."

Services don't just have to be for brides or day of pampering either, as Taline notes "Many brides and bridesmaids are electing to have a pre-wedding event at the spa... women are choosing to have mini-showers or bachelorettes that include spa services."

Recently, Ku'r also added Botox and fillers to their list of services. They have Dr. Michael Boucher and RN Barb Cecilioni who offer these services at the spa one day each month, which they note is ideal for the mother of the bride.

Going above and beyond just simple up-dos, Ku'r also has an extensive line of hair jewellery for brides and bridesmaids. Hair extensions are also available as well from Great Lengths, who use real human hair for a more realistic look. "Anyone can have long hair, or just a long look."

Starting with the right products

Katrina says that Ku'r's most popular product is "Comfort Zone, a facial line product exclusively from Italy because it actually works on the skin. It looks great, feels great and is affordable too. It also caters to all different skin types."

Ku'r is proud of their make-up line, Jane Iredale mineral make-up, which is used on ET Canada and they say is the best around. "Brides love it when they come for a trial because they say they don't even feel like they have any make-up on," says Taline.

Walking you through it...

Taline recommends booking Ku'r three to six months before your wedding (or pre-wedding gathering), but that you should book as soon as you can. They can take two weddings in a day, depending on the size.

To make sure you get what you want, Taline says Ku'r encourages as many trials as it takes to perfect your hair and make-up before the wedding day. "If you're not thrilled with your first trial, book another trial with a different stylist. Make sure you get what you want," she says.

Prices & discounts...

It costs $150 to hold your day for up to four people and $300 for up to eight people. But since each bride's style varies, so too do the prices for individual services and Katrina says that there is no real average, but that they "can accommodate everyone. We have different levels of aestheticians and hair stylists." And, as per their menu, the price structure reflects a level system and their service providers' prices reflect their experience, level of education, and personal growth.

"For example," says Taline, "we can do an updo for a bride at $51 or at $71. We can give a manicure at $27, or $33," depending on the experience level of the person you are booking with (plus appropriate taxes and gratuities at the discretion of the client).

Elizabeth, who would recommend Ku'r Salon & Spa, "not just for weddings, but also for other spa and salon needs" says that "Ku'r's prices were slightly less than everywhere else in the city." She adds that they were within her and her bridesmaids' budgets and "Everyone looked gorgeous so it was definitely worth it."

Ku'r offers tons of gifts and discounts. "Everyone will receive a coupon book at their first appointment full of money saving coupons that can be used on their next visit or for the wedding day," explains Taline.

Coupons include one for the bride to enjoy 20% off any facial service and 20% off the purchase of a salon quality make-up product during her make-up consultation. There's also a coupon for a free Journey Manicure (an organic manicure with a harmonizing soak, affirming scrub masque, deep moisturizing lotion and paraffin treatment that starts at $39) when you book a Journey Pedicure, updo and make-up application. In addition, the mother of the bride can enjoy 10% off any one spa or salon service. All of the coupons are valid for one to two weeks prior to the wedding, have no cash value and must be used on services or products of $20 value or more before taxes.

Whether you're relaxing pre-wedding, primping the day of, or having a party with your bridesmaids, Taline says that Ku'r's philosophy is to offer "Spa services to help you take care of your total inner relaxation, then take care of making sure you look gorgeous on the outside."

Details, details, details

• It's best to book your appointments with Ku'r 3 to 6 months ahead of your wedding date, or earlier if possible.
• It costs $150 to hold your day for up to four people and $300 for up to eight people, but actual styling costs vary.
• A 24 hour cancellation notice is required for a refund.
• Every new client that visits Ku'r receives a coupon book with offers for discounted services.
• Taxes and gratuities are extra.

More Ku'r...

Stop by Ku'r Salon & Spa at 260 Doon South Drive in Kitchener. Or book your appointment at 519-896-2111 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . More details on their services and prices can be found on their website at www.kursalonandspa.com.