Gratiae

unable to identify location of product production, no credible organic certification, pushy sales tactics, questionable packaging. Be wary.

SCAMMMERS!!!
First of all their «organic» collection is NOT ORGANIC!
I know a chemist who read the ingredients and told me that two ingredients mentioned are not considered to be organic.
He also told me that this «brand» tries to be upscale by charging you $$$$$ for something you could easily purchase at Shoppers Drugmart for $ with just about the same ingredients and better results!
My Story,
I walked by and was lured in by a gentleman who was giving me «COMPLIMENTARY» soap samples.
He went on to have me test out the hand scrub and lotion.
From there he started selling me the items that i just tested out while continuously telling me he would give me a great deal, i would buy one and he would throw in a FREE one along with other perks such as a FREE FACIALS, more SOAP BARS etc.
Before i knew it we were at the cash desk and he had rung up the items i had tested out.
I had not even said yes to any of this!
He was really pushy and made it sound like he was doing me a favour and kept on saying that he had extra points he could use to lower the final total price «just for me».
In the end i was suckered into buying their items.
I find it odd that these sales people say they are always «travelling» for this company to different countries where they will no longer be reachable after a certain amount of time.
WASTE OF MONEY!!! save it for a more reputable brand that doesnt have scheme and gimmicks.

In spite of their spa-​like retail space and high-​rent location in Manulife Centre, Gratiae makes use of sales tactics most typically associated with Florida timeshares and used car lots, only with much more attractive salespeople. The principle is simple: hook ‘em in with a seemingly simple proposition, physically draw them into your domain and then – no matter what – do not let them leave until they’ve bought something.
I’ve passed by this shop dozens of times before but – because I’m a guy – had never been intercepted by the perky sales staff who are always out front offering samples to female shoppers. That changed today when a tray of slivered soap samples were thrust in my face by a nice girl who insisted on knowing which was my favourite. I wasn’t shopping for soap (or anything else they sell for that matter), but I gave my answer to be polite. What followed was a relentless, well-​rehearsed sales pitch that set my head spinning. Stupid me, I should’ve realized the soap question was just a lure.
She took me to the back of the shop to «wrap up my soap sample» (which I didn’t even want) and then without missing a beat asked me to volunteer one of my hands and began buffing one of my nails (something I also didn’t especially want). Of course, the buffing block she was demonstrating was bundled with a bunch of other skin care products that my «special lady» was sure to enjoy (not likely, considering my «special lady» is a 190 pound bald dude). I had no interest in the package, but found it interesting that the price kept changing – $ 79…or get the second at half price… or buy one get one free.
Just to escape the place I finally gave up and agreed to buy a couple of the damn nail buffing blocks (because they actually DO work remarkably well and I thought my mom and sister might like them for Christmas). Of course, at the till another very friendly salesperson started a whole new sales pitch and attempted to collect my phone number and email address, which is where I drew the line.
Bad on me for feeling REALLY pressured into making a purchase that I didn’t want or need. Gratiae gets an extra star because even though their customer service feels more like a back alley shakedown, the staff are very sweet while they grab your money.

I was walking pass this location the other day and stopped by the sale lady who started by asking me to try some samples of their organic soaps. She seemed to be very nice and I am a big fan of organic skin care so I did not mind to give them a try. I was in a hurry so did not mean to step inside the store. But she said that she would like to wrap up the samples for me so she led me into the store. Things got a bit interesting from there. She quickly notice that there were some old nail polisher left on my nails and immediately offered to polish them using their «special» buffer and cream. From that moment on, the lady tried very hard to sell a gift package of nail care products to me. Initially, the package was said to be worth 80CAD. But since I was not so interested, she kept lowering the price by offering different discounts. I never like to be put on the spot like that so even she eventually offered a «buy one get one free» option (lol), I just left. Long story short, the retail store has very aggressive sale reps and overpriced products.
How is it overpriced? First of all, although the brand claims to be organic or whatever, neither USDA nor Canada Organic stamp is on its products. I was told that the brand has had a lot of retail stores in both the U. S and Canada, so it is definitely not too new to get its products certified. Secondly, the same pack of products that the sale lady was trying to sell to me is sold for about $ 11 – 13 USD on Amazon or $ 26 CAD on eBay, which is about half or less of the price from the «buy one get one free» deal.
Anyways, if you do like to try out their products, just order them online…

*This store is located at lower concourse level next to ladies washroom of Manulife Centre. Or it is directly across Holt through the pathway.
Slapping ‘organic’ on every label seems to be the craze these days but I’ve seen it all as even skin care products claim to be «organic.» The employee did a wonderful job explaining their brand’s unique characteristics but too bad all I remember is that their products are made from minerals from water and some natural organic oils. She was so knowlegable and professional as she helped me choose products right me at the time.
I bought several items from this store — facial cleansing foam, lotion, toner, passion fruit body scrub, body butter and body cream, all of which are amazing. Easily the best stuff that were ever put on my skin! Facial foam and lotion literally feel like your face was given fresh new baby skin. And when they were applied I had sensation that fragrant breeze was gently brushing past by. Body soap is wondelful too, which makes my skin soft as silk. This was my first time using body butter and I am impressed with its moisturizing ability as I have dry skin in general but it felt too heavy. I could do with normal lotion I guess. But I’m most impressed by toner. It perfectly evens out my skin resulting in smooth soft surface.
Mens skin care products are sold too but they seem to have shaving cream and face cleanser.
One thing that keeps me from giving this place 5 stars is the price. If I got all my stuff at this store I’d be broke in a week. And you will run out of each product in week too. Each container is so small (body cream has less than 5 oz) and they are eye-​wateringly expensive. That small body scrub is over $ 60! It has barely more usable amount than Timmy’s x-​small coffee cup. I used it 4.5 times (ran out on fourth use) and it was gone. It’s possible to buy a couple of stuff here and spend over $ 200.
All in all these are top quality skin products. Sad prices are mind bogglingly high but if you’re worried about paying too much for what you get I can assure these products work like magic.