Make Up Beauty Tips

So you want in on Spa Week.  Of course you do, you work hard, take care of family, are the one everyone goes to for everything ... you deserve a luxurious treatment without breaking the bank. You've heard about the idea of Spa Week. You believe it's probably something you could take advantage of ... if ONLY you had more information. 

Allow me to introduce you to this fabulous concept and all the scoop you'll need to schedule a much deserved treatment all your own in your area.

Capella Spa, Colorado

Spa Week, created in 2004, is the original, largest and most successful Spa Marketing Event in the history of the spa industry. Nearly 1000 spas across North America concluded their participation in the Fall 2010 Event, and bowing to popular demand, the Spring 2011 Event, presented by the Carefree Brand, will further expand into even more cities. Taking place from April 11th – 17th, the 14th edition of Spa Week will provide consumers across the United States and Canada with the most luxurious and wellness-focused spa treatments available for only $50 each. Day spas, medical spas, resort spas, yoga and Pilates studios, and fitness/weight-loss centers among other beauty and wellness facilities will offer 2-3 of their most exclusive services, originally costing anywhere from $100 all the way up to $500, for a discounted price of $50.

Facial at Twin Palm, Phuket

For seven years now, the signature $50 price point has afforded consumers nationwide the ability to try different treatment types at different spas, putting an end to the old myth that the spa lifestyle can only be afforded by the rich and famous. With millions still keeping a close eye on their wallets and their healthcare options, the bi-annual Spa Week Events have exposed consumers everywhere to the benefits of including spa services into their health regimen. In fact, Spa Week has proven to be so successful that well over one million affordable spa treatments have been booked and enjoyed since its inception. From stress-busting massages and holistic, immune-boosting treatments like Reiki and Acupuncture to the trendiest and glamorous of services like Botox and Eyelash Extensions, spa-goers can always find an array of services on the Spa Week menu suited to their needs. And best of all, the newly re-designed SpaWeek Gift Cards are accepted during the Spa Week Events, as well as all year long, and never expire.



In order to take advantage of Spa Week, consumers should register on SpaWeek.com for exclusive information on participating spas and their $50 treatments. Spas will book up just hours after SpaWeek.com launches on March 14th, so it is recommended that consumers book their appointments immediately.

As always, Spa Week’s goal is to open up the spa industry to the masses by making spa treatments accessible and affordable to all. Aligned with their commitment to reaching the next generation of spa-goers and infusing much-needed new blood into the industry, Spa Week maintains the most popular and active spa page on Facebook, a well-read off-beat spa blog, a Mobile App for iPhone & Android, and introduced the world to an edgy spa video that stirred up some controversy in this otherwise relatively quiet industry. You can even take a quick view of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's).

Never too soon to schedule as these offers book quickly.  Go ahead and do the body good (and the mental state, and the emotional state, and yes, even the soul), and schedule a self-designed spa experience for yourself now. I give you permission! xo

Photo: Beauty Mercantile

Yes!  It's that time of year again when spas reach out to their adoring public in offering half-price spa treatments, $50 massages and much more.  If you're not one to treat yourself regularly (or at all), and you could use a little TLC (and who couldn't?) then do something good for you body, mind and soul and relax in a little luxury when the price is oh so sweet. Give yourself permission to indulge, just a little.  Do it for me if you can't do it for yourself (cuz I really do care... yes, I seriously do); I know you'll thank me later. It all awaits you!

Massages, facials, body scrubs… always want more, more often! But did you know you’re barely scraping the spa surface? New technology, reinvented techniques and pop culture all shape the way we spa today. Spa Week has officially announced the definitive list of the latest in emerging spa treatment trends, from holistic to glamorous.  I have to admit, there are some on this list that I'm a little embarrassed (terrified!) to even share with you - vajazzling ... I blush! Really? Oooooo-kay!





photo: Instanbul Grand Hyatt


Treat yourself to a wellness and beauty adventure this Spa Week®, $50 spa treatments September 13-19 for the West Coast and Chicago, October 11-17 for the rest of the country. The Fall spa directory launches August 16 for the West Coast, September 13 for the rest of the country, when you’ll be able to see which spas are offering which services. Try one, try all— Spa Week is the time to indulge and experiment. All these treatments will be available for just $50!

1) FIGHTING ALLERGIES


Sinus massages, breathe-easy facials and cold & flu bath salts are just a few of the spa services you’ll be seeing this upcoming Spa Week, just in time to soothe your seasonal allergies. Treat your immune system and clear your sinuses in the spa with new treatments using Eucaplyptus, humidifiers and Lymph drainage movements , to name just few of the techniques being used to assist in allergy relief.



2) BIKINI GLAMOUR




Vajazzling made its sparkly splash last Spa Week, when bedazzling your bikini became the hot new standard in girly glamour. Other treatments are quickly emerging in its footsteps to pamper your private parts: Bikini/Bum Facials are being offered to give the same attention down there as a esthetician would to your face: toner, extractions and masks included. Also, post-Brazilian waxing rituals such as Airbrush painting and Vattooing are now the latest in vaginal adornment.


3) SLEEPING AND DREAMING


Insomniac? A good night’s slumber with proper REM cycles can be just as rejuvenating as a spa treatment, so one of the hottest trends emerging in the industry is a dream-worthy mix of the two to promote better sleeping patterns. Scents such as Rosewood, Palmarosa and Vanilla are used to guide you off to never-never land while massage techniques make for a complete relaxation experience.

4) LASH EXTENSIONS

Eyelash length, thickness, volume and darkness have gone way up on the beauty priority lists of women now more than ever. While new drugstore and professional lash volumizers continue to crowd the lash-enhancing market, the Fall Spa Week event is poised to give women more professional lash-extending options than ever before.



5) INSTANT INCH LOSS


Remember that magical, completely safe instant weight-loss pill you always dreamed of? We’re not saying it’s been invented (sorry), but the spa is becoming a go-to place to get instant, (almost) magic-like results in addition to providing long term benefits. Colon Hydrotherapy is becoming more popular as a quick, easy cleanse, and hot new med-spa services like the 7E Treatment and Ionithermie give immediate results by targeting muscles with waveform technology.

6) REIKI AND ENERGY WORK


Turn your trip to the spa into a journey for the soul. Reiki, energy work and holistic healing deliver health benefits ranging from injury recovery to spiritual growth. By engaging the flow of your “life force energy,” practitioners are turning spa-goers into active believers. Look for treatments with an energy component this coming Spa Week, and may the force be with you.

7) ACUPUNCTURE

This ancient holistic healing technique is no newbie to the spa scene, but the granddaddy of healing is suddenly making a resurgence. The World Health Organization advocates the use of acupuncture to treat over 40 conditions, from anxiety and other stress syndromes to musculoskeletal pain and injury, and the Fall Spa Week event will encourage more spa-goers to forget their fears of needles and reap the benefits of this treatment—for their face, body and both.



8) BOTOX ON-THE-GO


Pick up dry cleaning, get Botox, grab lunch… what? Yes, the age-defying treatment has become so mainstream that spas are now offering it hassle-free, and even appointment-free. Add the $50 Spa Week price tag, and suddenly “to-tox-or-not-to tox?” is one of the easiest decisions to make.


9) HOT AND COLD STONE MASSAGES

Spa Week’s favorite sweetheart treatment has always been the Hot Stone Massage, but the newest twist is cooler than past seasons. Instead of using all hot stones, this treatment includes the application of cold stones as well, adding multi-dimensional stimulation. Alternating the hot and cool stones helps every cell in the body receive more oxygen and nutrients and encourages a more effective removal of toxins.



10) Champissage

Also known as Indian head massage, Champissage has been practiced for more than 1000 years in India and has now been interpreted as a custom ritual at many spas. Traditionally, it began as a system of family grooming, with mothers massaging their daughters’ hair with oils to encourage long, lustrous locks. Over time, it began to incorporate massage of the face neck and shoulders, specifically yours this upcoming Spa Week.


11) EVERYTHING SEAWEED

You’d like to be… under the sea? Why? Just go to the spa. Seawater and seaweed have similar mineral contents with approximately the same percentage as the human body. Because of this, seaweed wraps help detoxify the body, eliminate excess fluids, increase blood circulation and regulate hormonal levels. More treatments than ever are incorporating Seaweed this Spa Week. Go for a dive.


12) SIMPLY ... OXYGEN


Human beings’ star life-sustaining molecule is getting more and more play inside the spa. One of the new treatments is Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber Therapy, which dissolves oxygen in the blood plasma and all body cells, tissues and fluids at up to 10 times normal concentration—high enough to sustain life with no blood at all. Oxygenating facials are also increasing in popularity, as oxygen continues to secure its reputation as the #1 skincare essential.



Experiment with these treatments and experience the true spa lifestyle for just $50 a piece during Spa Week. Make sure you’re signed up!

source: SpaWeek

While perusing the latest issue of VIV Magazine, I found this little quiz to be quite helpful in making the most out of your experience and the elements to consider when booking a spa visit. Check it out below and see if it helps you focus on what you want out of your next visit.  It's all in the details!


I. PURPOSE

A. Girlfriend Getaway
If you're planning a bridal toast for your best friend, make sure the spa allows alcohol, advises Angie Day, Spa Director at Canyon Ranch in Tucson, AZ, which has a no-booze policy at some of its resort properties. If you do raise a glass of bubbly, be sure to wash it down with water.  "Massage increases blood flow through your body, which can dehydrate you, so you want to make sure to drink plenty of water 24 hours after a massage," says Day.  You may think to also ask about 2-for-1 treatment specials and ask if common areas like Jacuzzis are big enough to accomodate your group.

B. Rest & Relaxation Solo Pampering
Spas nationwide are starting to offer special nap rooms or services designed to lull you to sleep, according to the International Spa Association.  During a massage, ask for lavender oil to help you doze off, advises spa manager and therapist Ayien Castaneda of The Verandah Resort & Spa in Antigua.  Alternately, for a lively energy boost, request a citrus scented oil.  When you're done, remember that you don't have to beat a hasty retreat as soon as you've slipped your robe one - instead, ask about special rooms or an area where you may rest and extend the moment of you time.

C. Glam Up with a Facial for a Big Event
A great bargain can quickly go bust if you opt to purchase the full line of products used in your treatment.  Ask your esthetician for just one recommendation above all others, and don't be afraid to ask why she/he recommends that one product in particular.  Also, don't feel pressured to buy the product right then and there.  You may do better (read: cheaper) by purchasing the product online at a skincare dominant site like SkincareRx or Dermstore.  When you sense a sales pitch coming on, just say "Thanks, I appreciate you recommending that product, but I'm not going to buy it today."


II. VALUE

A. Trying Something New
"Every spa has a signature treatment, so ask beforehand what the spa is known for," says Joan Southon, Spa Director at The Resort at the Mountain in Welches, OR.  In recent years, more spas have sought out local ingredients to incorporate into their offerings (think coconut oil, winery grapes, pristine sugary-white sand), the International Spa Association reports.  One trend that seems to be here to stay (at least for a while): hammam, an ancient Middle Eastern cleansing ritual that includes steam, massage and exfoliation.

B. Bargain Pricing
The latest way spas advertise deals is through Facebook, Twitter and website like Spa Week (a MUST check site).  Don't see what you like? Speak up when you book, because spas have more wiggle room than you may think.  Says Southon, "Spas always have discounts, and many times they aren't posted."  Also, remember that 30 is the new 60: Many massages and facials are available in "express" versions for half the time - and cost.  Only indulge once a year? Increase your spa savings in April or October during Spa Week, where $50 gets you a full-service treatment at more than 700 participating spas, or check spa-addicts.com, another fab site for spotting deals, perks and everyday deals.

C. Atmosphere
One person's ideal spa experience is another's nightmare.  Waiting in nothing but a robe in a coed setting may be fine for one person, but make someone else feel awkward.  On the flip side, you may have envisioned delicious couple time in the Jacuzzi only to find that the hot tubs are in same-sex-only locker rooms.  Avoid surprises: Ask when you book about anything you know will make - or break - the experience for you.


III. PACING
Want to be in and out or do you intend to linger?

A. Body Primping All at Once
Between massages, manis and makeovers, a relaxing getaway can quickly turn into a hurried to-do list.  "It's tempting to try to take advantage of everything, but sometimes you need to give yourself permission to just hit the pause button," says Day.  Rather than rush from one appointment to another, try combining two, like a body scrub and massage.  While it makes sense to get an exfoliation before a wrap or massage, and a facial before a mani or pedi (the better not to muss your nails while positioning yourself in the chair or on the table), the rules aren't set in stone.  "Going to a spa is about honoring yourself, so the only rule you need to follow in terms of treatment order is doing what makes you happy," says Southon.  Spas are sensitive to that, and want you to enjoy the whole experience.

B. One Treatment for Vanity, and One for Sanity
If you can't decide whether it's better to feel or look marvelous, you're in luck:  Many spas now combine treatments so you can get the most beauty for your buck, either by doing an "add on" to a standard treatment or combining two 30-minute appointments into one. "Remember, spas are flexible, so if you don't see it on their menu, ask," says Southon.

C. I'm a Single Treatment Gal/Guy
We get it - you're busy.  But now that you've taken the time to step away from you iPhone (you DID leave the iPhone in your bag, right?), slip into your spa sandals and enjoy.  "Sometimes we have people stay for five hours and that's great - that's what we're here for!" says Southon.  Taking just an extra 10 minutes to relax in the sauna, steam room or Jacuzzi can make you feel like you've gotten two massages for the price of one.  Or spend a few minutes in the lounge with some herbal tea and your favorite magazine or book (oh alright, or Kindle).  A recent study from the University of Sussex in Brighton, Engalnd, found that reading can reduce stress levels by 68%, with even just six minutes of the activity resulting in slower heart rate and eased muscle tension. Why am I not surprised? x


IV. COMFORT LEVEL
On a scale from 1 to 10, how comfortable are you with receiving a massage or spa treatment?

A. I'm More of a 1 - A Bit Anxious
There are many ways to ease into a massage - if you don't like the idea of flashing your birthday suirt, you can try treatments like shiatsu, Thai massage and reflexology, where you remain clothed.  Also realize that the whole "do I or don't I?" question when it comes to keeping your underwear on is a personal choice.  "Do what feels comfortable for you," says Southon. 

B. I'm around a 5 - I'm OK Naked, but I'm Not Up for Chitchat
Don't feel compelled to have a conversation with your massage therapist; it's perfectly OK to say that you want to zone out. And don't be reluctant to comment about other preferences as well - everything from music choice to room temperature to scented or unscented oils to how light or heavy the massage is can be adjusted to suit you.  "You're doing yourself a disservice if you don't speak up about something during a treatment, as we want you to have the best experience possible," say Southon.  So, tell them how you like it.

C. I'm Pretty Close to a 10
You're a great candidate for bodyscrub, mud or hydrotherapy treatments where you literally hop up on the table without a stitch of clothing (although you should have the option to don disposable undies if available and a preference). If you prefer going completely au naturel in the Jacuzzi, ask beforehand if it's coed so you'll know you need to bring your swimsuit.

source: VIV Magazine (Jul/Aug 2010); Author Megan McMorris

Spa Week’s Best Month Ever

Allure Magazine Giveaway

What: Throughout February, Spa Week and Allure Magazine are giving away Dior’s entire Spring 2009 Makeup Collection. Think pretty pinks, nudes, and taupes. The package retails for more than $500!

How: Visit Spa Week to see how you can win three eye-shadow palettes, eight lip colors, a limited edition face palette (an Allure Editors’ Favorite), nail polishes, and more!

Why: Because it’s cold, dreary and gray outside but that doesn’t mean your gorgeous face has to be!

Now, while you're at the Spa Week website, check out all their fantastic opportunities, giveaways and special spa pricing. It's a grand place to visit often.