• Apply bath oils to the bath and apply body oils to the skin while the body is still damp/wet in the shower to help trap moisture in the skin, wait a few seconds and then dry your body.  Soaking in hot baths will dry out the skin more.
• Do not use soap bars.  The majority of over-the-counter soap bars have an alkaline pH, which adds to the dryness and irritation.  Choose to wash your body with a pH balanced wash that has moisturizers in it or is a gel formulation that does not strip the skin.
• Switch facial cleansers.  Sometimes it is better to switch to a cleansing milk in the winter, and reduce usage of scrubs, and AHA based cleansers that may have worked well for you in the summer, but are too strong for the winter.  This also may apply to your toner. 
• For very dry areas or irritated, itchy patches that do not respond to basic moisturizers (face or body), apply  a more occlusive product at night.  For the best results, first apply a hydrating gel (with aloe and other calming ingredients), or serum (preferably with humectants in them, such as hyaluronic acid, panthenol, allantoin).  The neck is a perfect example of an area that may be in need of something heavier at night . Then apply Vaseline (petroleum jelly), Aquaphor, or Shea Butter Balms to essentially "seal in" moisture and reduce transepidermal water loss.
• Should your feet get drier, or more calluses in the winter, look for a urea or lactic acid based foot product to soften and exfoliate the skin.  If the foot problem is very bothersome, you may need a prescription for a higher percentage of these active ingredients and some pedicure tools to help exfoliate, and moisturize your feet.

1. Cleanse with tepid water – not hot water which can dry out the skin even more.
2. (Optional) Apply hydrating toner to add water to the skin, and balance.
3. Apply a serum that delivers botanicals, anti-oxidants, and humectants that draw water.
4. Apply an emollient eye cream
5. Apply day and/or night cream accordingly – and yes there is a difference.

• Hydrant Stabilizer – amazing hydrating aloe vera based gel to calm and soothe. (face/body)
• Cellular Repair Serum – Hyaluronic Acid serum that is light, penetrates easily and super hydrates.
• Ceramide Moisture Dew – Anti-oxidant, silky moisturizer that adds more moisture.
• High Performance Eye & Neck Cream – Peptide based anti-aging formulation.
• Herbal Treatment Balm – Shea Butter/Kukui Nut and essential oil balm that is rich in antioxidants.

• Lactic & Green Tea Cleanser – gentle facial cleanser that hydrates.
• Hyaluronic Toner – Ideal for very dry skin that experience transepidermal water loss.  Cold climates particularly.
• Healing Repair Cream – Arnica based cream to soothe and calm the skin.
• Regenerating Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream – Enriched botanical night cream with rose essential oils.
• Papaya Body Lotion – rich, yet non-greasy enzyme-based body lotion that gentle removes dead skin and moisturizes.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

There are many reasons to wear sun protection.  It is basically a habit that we all have to get into.  The more your clients use it, and understand why they need it year round, the better.  You may want to share with them these few facinating facts:

• British drivers look older on the right side of their face due to the sun exposure from driving on the right side, and American drivers look older from driving on the left side.

• Ultraviolet A (UVA) rays contribute more than Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays to aging the skin because it is a longer wavelength and can even penetrate through automobile window glass.

• UVA contributes more to malignant melanoma than UVB rays.

• Tanning beds emit primarily UVA rays.

• Indoor tanning ages the skin 40 times faster than the sun.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Are you a spa owner frustrated with your staff’s performance? In 2010 growing your salon business may require you to rethink operations and employee morale. One piece of advice I was given some time ago was: Hire Sunny and Fire Gloomy.  

I have always said, “give me the esthetician with the great attitude". I can always train someone how to perform a great facial or answer the telephone well, but I cannot train someone to have a good attitude . If you are the owner, this applies to you too. Your attitude trickles down to the staff and in this competitive marketplace, every team member must be ready to work with a positive attitude.   

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

In a 2008 survey, conducted by P&G Brand - Olay, 1,152 women were interviewed about their purchasing of anti-aging products.  82% reported that they are confused about the effectiveness of cosmeceuticals. Only 12% of the  surveyed said that the scientific claims on the packaging  influenced on their decision to buy an anti-aging product.

• We need to keep it simple when communicating about product benefits, providing detailed data if requested, but not overwhelm consumers.
• We need to help de-mystify ingredient usage and focus on the clients’ skin and their individual needs.
• Clients want results, and are willing to pay for expensive spa or department store brands, but they need to trust the brand, sales person and/or well trained spa employee.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

 Choosing to offer private label beauty products in your spa or salon is a decision that only you can make after considering whether it fits with your business strategy.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

 I’m sure you have noticed that many things have changed in this economy and so have the reasons moms buy. A recent survey including 456 moms, reveals that there are fundamental differences in generational spending with regards to beauty products.

According to a recent survey (www.adweek.com/October 2009) the Boomers (A baby boomer is someone born during the demographic birth boom between 1946 and 1964)  are more willing to completely eliminate things they feel are unnecessary than  the younger generation that follows.   The “cool” and “trendy” factor is now far less important to moms and they report  looking for quality, results, value and durability first.  

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

This information was in The New York Times several weeks ago as part of their "Spotlight on the Home" series!
  
 1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium,  Potassium and Zinc.
  
  2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber.  Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.
 
 3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower?  Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.
 
 4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds?  Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long.  The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.
 
 5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool?  Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite.  Works great on wrinkles too!!!
 
 6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache?  Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free.  Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!
 
 7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge?  Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.
 
 8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don’t have enough time to polish your shoes?  Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.
 
 9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge?  Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!
 
 10. Stressed out and don’t have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa?  Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.
 
 11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don’t have gum or mints?  Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.
 
 12. Looking for a ‘green’ way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel?  Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won’t leave streaks and won’t harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.
 
 13. Using a pen and made a mistake?  Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!! 
 

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

There have been many challenges for spas, salons and skin care companies over the past two years, as the industry adjusts, evolves and adapts to the needs of the consumer.  Meanwhile, many in the beauty business have often struggled to position themselves and create the sizzle that sets them apart from their competition. 

Very often much self-reflection is required.  This year for us has been slow and steady and gratefully we have an amazing, loyal client base.  However, our company would not be where it is today were it not for the outside guidance we’ve sought out.  Much of the entrepreneurial success I see around me stems from committed business owners that refuse to give up, go out and get advice,  are determined  to stay in the game, adjust, reposition, learn, admit mistakes, and keep a good sense of humor.

I think the lesson is to know that you are not alone, and if you feel alone in this process and discouraged, ask for help.  In every community there are a variety of business resources that can help you (at no charge) , mentor you and provide business advice that is priceless.

One fabulous resource is SCORE – www.score.org  If you do nothing else today, go to this web site and find an office near you.  This non-profit organization is doing amazing things nationwide to help business owners succeed.  I have taken advantage of several of their programs and the support we have received has exceeded my expectations. 

I hope this helps you too! 

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!