Monday, November 26, 2012

THE CROWNING TOUCH


ANTHONY CRISTIANO SALON
TRUMP INTERNATIONAL HOTEL & TOWER CHICAGO


Trump International Hotel & Tower opened in Chicago in early 2008.  It had everything ~ residences, hotel rooms, meeting space, ballroom, bars, restaurants and my favorite, its fabulous Spa.  Here is where luxury was the exemplar and defined the legendary Trump Style.  Since it’s opening, I’ve had the privilege of reviewing the Spa a few times.  I’ve experienced extraordinary treatments that epitomize the best of spa, which is to relax, renew and restore.  Here’s a video clip of me querying Mr. Donald Trump at the splashy official opening and media event for Chicago’s finest, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYJS-S8v3v4

When Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago opened, it never had a beauty salon, despite the discriminating guest and local having everything else at their disposal, http://www.trumphotelcollection.com/chicago/.  Clearly, by finally opening a beauty salon at this location, it would secure being a one-stop experience for all-things esthetic and upscale. 

All good things are worth waiting for ~
With typical Trump Style, the Anthony Cristiano Salon http://anthonycristiano.com/salon was launched.  Cristiano brings with him decades of prominence among the celebrity, print and photography set with his impressive talents, and is highly regarded.  I had the pleasure of attending the recent invite-only Grand Opening.  The upscale Salon features some of the industry's finest luxury brands such as Leonor Greyl Paris, Phyto Paris and Caron Paris.  The Salon's minimalist design has a pristine white palette with black and bold chrome accents throughout.  The visuals are stunning and definitely upscale, fresh and trendy.  Guests will also love the massive windows throughout that give them a cityscape view that showcases this beautiful and vibrant city.  The Anthony Cristiano Salon is located on the mezzanine level; as a reference, the Spa is located on the fourteenth floor.

Near Chicago’s tony and iconic Mag Mile, Anthony Cristiano Salon is another reason to experience the finest Chicago has to offer.  The legend is now complete and continues to dazzle ~ in true Trump Style…..

Product Resources ~

That’s it for this edition.  Until the next one, remember to take care of yourself and those you love.

By Terry Herman

Terry Herman is a recognized expert in the industry, and regularly covers issues that include business, management, operations, customer care, treatments, products, and trends. In addition to writing and reviewing, she is also a management consultant and motivational speaker.  She also serves on EXPERIENCE | PREMCHIT Journeys In Retreat To Wellness Advisory Board, which is comprised of ten international experts in various fields of wellness and spa.  She also serves as a Group Manager for the popular LinkedIn group, The Spa Buzz.  You can email her at terrysspabeautywellness@gmail.com.

ALL MATERIALS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED

(Photo credits as represented by the specific brand.)

N.B.  Google’s blog platform is incompatible with my Mac OS X and Firefox browser latest software versions, which is why some web links appear in different colors and why when attempting to have embedded images their sizing is consistent and/or can’t be sized. 

LAKE GENEVA GO-AROUND




In late fall, I had another opportunity for a quick getaway to a favorite Midwestern destination of mine, Lake Geneva, WI.  My overnight stay was at the Abbey Resort & Avani Spa.  I finally had the opportunity to briefly check out the Grand Geneva Resort & WELL Spa; in all the years I’ve been visiting this area, I’ve never had the opportunity to check this resort out or its spa out.  At both spas, I’d also experience a treatment.  The evening brought a surprise dining experience at the fully restored Baker House.  Obviously with such a short amount of time in my schedule, I wasn’t able to fully take advantage of a special gathering of area journalists to explore the variety of activities, accommodations and eateries for singles, couples and families.  Of course, my hosts graciously extended a standing invitation for me to return to experience what I wasn’t able to experience this time around.  For me, the travel time from my home to this popular tourist destination is approximately two and one-half hours.  I’m already thinking about doing a return visit next spring. 

The allure of this destination may vary depending on what has drawn someone to its shores, but one thing is certain, each time a person returns, they discover new things about picturesque Lake Geneva and its beautiful Geneva Lake.  That newfound information always beckons their return!

An Historical Snapshot of The Newport of the West ~
“…The Lake Geneva area is unique for many reasons, including its incredible number of beautiful historic and contemporary mansions. The community began earning is nickname "The Newport of the West", almost from its official inception in 1836. The great Chicago fire brought increasing number of Chicagoans into the Lake Geneva area. Many had lost their homes and businesses in the fire and simply moved to Lake Geneva as a "temporary solution" while their homes and places of business were being rebuilt. Often, they elected to stay, lured by the expansive natural surroundings and solid job market that offered numerous farming and manufacturing opportunities. Others elected to stay, drawn by the new found quality of life they had discovered, and commute via rail to their businesses in Chicago. Over the years, many lovely homes, estates and cottages were built. Today, many of these homes still exist and can be seen along the Geneva Lake shoreline. The Lake Geneva area is unique for many reasons, including its incredible number of beautiful historic and contemporary mansions. The community began earning is nickname "The Newport of the West", almost from its official inception in 1836. The great Chicago fire brought increasing number of Chicagoans into the Lake Geneva area. Many had lost their homes and businesses in the fire and simply moved to Lake Geneva as a "temporary solution" while their homes and places of business were being rebuilt. Often, they elected to stay, lured by the expansive natural surroundings and solid job market that offered numerous farming and manufacturing opportunities. Others elected to stay, drawn by the new found quality of life they had discovered, and commute via rail to their businesses in Chicago. Over the years, many lovely homes, estates and cottages were built. Today, many of these homes still exist and can be seen along the Geneva Lake shoreline…”

My Brief Encounters ~


Abbey Resort & Avani Spa ~ A new addition to the Avani Spa’s impressive treatment menu is the Reflexology Treatment.  My therapist, Amanda, meticulously worked all of the major organ regions that run throughout my body, converging within the hands and feet.  One of the better such treatments I’ve received over the years.  It was both therapeutic and restorative.  My only disappointment was that lunch around the gorgeous Spa Pool was eerily quiet, because my timing was during the federal government mandate for all pool drains to be retrofitted for safety reasons.  http://www.theabbeyresort.com/


Grand Geneva Resort & WELL Spa ~ This resort was the former Playboy Club Mansion, which catered to golf and tennis, and the gawkers of the bunny-tail types.  The WELL Spa is housed in a separate building that also contains tennis, basketball and volleyball courts.  Although the walk from the main resort isn’t that great of a distance, I wouldn’t want to traipse from the lobby outdoor in frigid wintery weather to get from the resort to the WELL Spa.  Because my schedule was limited, I opted for the Signature Pedicure minus the color; Wendy, my technician, did a wonderful job of exfoliating, grooming and buffing; I also enjoyed the foot and leg massage.  http://www.grandgeneva.com


Baker House ~ A restored Victorian manor house that is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Baker House transports its guests to an era of fun and frivolity. Upon entering, period dressed staff greet guests and extend an invitation for them to select a vintage hat, which they’re encouraged to wear for the duration of their visit.  At sunset, all guests go to the picturesque front yard and after the bugler plays a flourish, a toast is made by all on the history of the manor house and the glorious setting sun amidst Geneva Lake as its backdrop.  Following the Sunset Toast, a tasting dinner of delicious cuisine was served on antique china followed by period costumed staff; guests were encouraged to sit in one of the restored rooms that harken to a bygone day where the stresses of life were inconsequential.  The food was as delicious as the visuals were tantalizing and unique experience.   


Before leaving, my group was given tours of the exquisitely decorated guest suites; each room was decorated differently with distinctive details reminiscent of the Victorian era.  http://www.bakerhouse1885.com

Additional accommodation suggestions include Bella Vista Suites http://www.bellavistasuites.com
Harbor Shores on Lake Geneva http://www.lodgingbythelake.com and Lake Lawn Resort http://www.lakelawnresort.com

Lake Geneva is closer than you think and is waiting to be discovered.  The destination offers an abundance of activities for singles, couples or families; it’s an ideal destination for friend’s getaway weekends, class reunions, meetings, etc.  Seasonal and year round activities include ziplining, hiking, boating, skiing, golf, themed lake cruises, antiquing, arts and crafts, wine and cheese tastings, guided historical tours, museums, special attractions and of course, dining to please every palate and pocket-book.  It’s also a preferred wedding destination, with close proximity for fly-in guests from either Chicago O’Hare International Airport, or Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.  To discover more about this wonderful year round destination, visit Lake Geneva ~ It’s always been the place. http://www.lakegenevawi.com

That’s it for this edition.  Until the next one, remember to take care of yourself and those you love.

By Terry Herman
Terry Herman is a recognized expert in the industry, and regularly covers issues that include business, management, operations, customer care, treatments, products, and trends. In addition to writing and reviewing, she is also a management consultant and motivational speaker.  She also serves on EXPERIENCE | PREMCHIT Journeys In Retreat To Wellness Advisory Board, which is comprised of ten international experts in various fields of wellness and spa.  She also serves as a Group Manager for the popular LinkedIn group, The Spa Buzz.  You can email her at terrysspabeautywellness@gmail.com.

ALL MATERIALS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED

(Opening photo credit from The Baker House website; all others as represented by the specific brand.)

N.B.  Google’s blog platform is incompatible with my Mac OS X and Firefox browser latest software versions, which is why some web links appear in different colors and why when attempting to have embedded images their sizing is consistent and/or can’t be sized. 

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

PRODUCT POTPOURRI

~ MORE PRODUCT REVIEWS FROM AN INDUSTRY INSIDER ~
 
It can be a daunting task for consumers and spa professionals to narrow the number of products to consider.  The savvy person always takes the time to perform due diligence, which can take on many forms, including perusing magazines, in-store product testing, sleuthing the product websites and social media pages, or even doing Internet searches to see what the chatter might be on a particular product.  I enjoyed testing this latest grouping of products and also hope you enjoy reading about them. 

Mineral Fusion Mineral Makeup ~ Mineral Fusion offers a range of natural mineral-based makeup products that are healthy for skin, while providing natural coverage that enhances; the company also offers a range of application tools, skin, body and hair care.  Their product line is all natural, not tested on animals, hypoallergenic, gluten-free, and also free of parabens, talc, artificial or synthetic ingredients, phthalates or sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).  Mineral Fusion is an environmentally conscious company that regularly practices manufacturing best practices for sustainability, as well as partnering with and supporting local and global charitable organizations.  I reviewed some of their makeup products, which included Loose Powder Foundation, Concealer Duo, Eye Shadow, Eye Pencil and Lip Gloss.  Both the Concealer Duo and Loose Powder Foundation were easy to apply and provided maximum matte coverage that remained throughout the day, which didn’t require any touch-up; the Eye Pencil went on smoothly and was easily smudged as an accent eyeliner; the Lip Gloss left my lips moist, while adding a subtle blush of color.  Whole Foods carries this line as one of their Premium Compliant personal care product lines.  http://www.mineralfusion.com

Penhaligon’s, London Perfumers since 1870 ~ When I was doing research on aromatherapy and perfume to prepare for a series of presentations on the subject matter, I became familiar with Penhaligon’s, the quintessential London Perfumer.  My first introduction to this company was through one of its celebrated books, “The Language of Flowers”, Penhaligon’s Scented Treasury of Verse and Prose.  I became fascinated with their fragrances, because through my research I learned that their formulations contained the finest and purest of essential oils, extracts and resins; formulas were maintained over the years, so that when a fragrance was re-introduced, its aromatic integrity remained as did the original version.  I had the pleasure of experiencing two of Penhaligon’s most popular fragrances and one of their most recent.  They included Gardenia (1976), Elisabethan Rose (1984) and Peoneve (2012).  Each fragrance remained true to its single-note name.  The dry-down of each note (top/head, middle/heart and bottom/base) remained subtle, without altering the integrity of top/head note.  http://www.penhaligons.com

Raw Skin Care Smoothing Serum ~ I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing other products in this beautiful organic skincare line.  I’ve come to appreciate using face oils for hydration and find them more effective than many creams or lotion.  The Smoothing Serum is an organic virgin cold-pressed Argan Oil from Morocco; it has three prestigious organic certifications, including the USDA, QAI and EU.  This potent serum is naturally rich in anti-oxidants and also contains vitamin E, Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids, squalene and polyphenols.  The consistency is luxurious and silky, applies effortlessly, and is quickly absorbed without leaving any greasy or tacky residue; it’s also non-irritating and hasn’t any aroma.  After using, my skin looked healthy, hydrated and vibrant.  After the first use, I noticed diminished fine lines and wrinkles in age-prone areas like the forehead, crow’s feet, under eye contour, nasal and marionette folds, etc.  Argan Oil has also been found to be beneficial in topically healing sunburn and acneic related. The product is only available at salons and spas that carry this prestigious organic skin care line as part of their treatment menu.  http://www.redcherrygroup.com

Toezies ~ If you’re like me, working out while wearing socks and athletic shoes is uncomfortable and limits flexibility.  Working out in bare feet isn’t always the answer, either, since depending on the surface area you’re using, you can slip, or stub the toes, or lose your balance.  When I first put on the “Sassy Stripe” design, finessing the cutouts over each toe felt awkward, but once they were on, I loved how the gripping heads kept me “sure footed”, allowing for freedom to flex my toes and use them to stabilize my balance.  While wearing them, not only didn't I slip, I also felt grounded.  The Toezies also felt like second-skin.  They were very comfortable to wear and definitely ideal for working out or walking around.  http://www.mytoezies.com

Vichy Laboratories LivActive Serum 10  ~ This anti-aging Serum has garnered international recognition by Marie Claire Magazine for its 2012 Prix d’Excellence Beauty Award, the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval and Allure Magazine Beauty Breakthrough.  High-performing ingredients include rhamnose (a regularly occurring plant sugar that contributes to skin rejuvenation), hyaluronic acid (aids in moisture retention, while improving levels of decreased collagen and elastin) and ceramides (to diminish signs of aging).  The Serum is concentrated and requires only a single dropper of product, applied twice daily.  Its consistency is silky and goes on smoothly, is quickly absorbed and doesn’t leave any greasy or tacky residue; there wasn’t any aroma.  While I used the product for three weeks, my fine lines were visibly softened; however, the texture of my skin felt slightly grainy on those areas prone to dryness.  http://www.vichyusa.com
 
That’s it for this edition.  Until the next one, remember to take care of yourself and those you love.

By Terry Herman

Terry Herman is a recognized expert in the industry, and regularly covers issues that include business, management, operations, customer care, treatments, products, and trends. In addition to writing and reviewing, she is also a management consultant and motivational speaker.  She also serves on EXPERIENCE | PREMCHIT Journeys In Retreat To Wellness Advisory Board, which is comprised of ten international experts in various fields of wellness and spa.  She also serves as a Group Manager for the popular LinkedIn group, The Spa Buzz.  You can email her at terrysspabeautywellness@gmail.com.

ALL MATERIALS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED

(Photo credits as represented by the specific brand.)


N.B.  Google’s blog platform is incompatible with my Mac OS X and Firefox browser latest software versions, which is why some web links appear in different colors and why when attempting to have embedded images their sizing is consistent and/or can’t be sized. 

Thursday, November 1, 2012

A PLACE TO DECOMPRESS AND RECLAIM YOURSELF

 ~ SPA EASTMAN ~

CANADA'S FIRST DESTINATION SPA


I had the pleasure of reviewing the extraordinary destination spa, located in Eastman, Quebec, this past spring and also their day spa, located in Montreal, Quebec. 

I want to share with you a link to that article, which is currently running as the "Spa of Month" feature in the November 2012 print and digital editions of "Les Nouvelles Esthetiques & Spa".



I hope you enjoy reading about this place of restoration, renewal and self-discovery.  Remember to take some time for yourself...after all, you are worth it.

That’s it for this edition.  Until the next one, remember to take care of yourself and those you love.

By Terry Herman

Terry Herman is a recognized expert in the industry, and regularly covers issues that include business, management, operations, customer care, treatments, products, and trends. In addition to writing and reviewing, she is also a management consultant and motivational speaker.  She also serves on EXPERIENCE | PREMCHIT Journeys In Retreat To Wellness Advisory Board, which is comprised of ten international experts in various fields of wellness and spa.  She also serves as a Group Manager for the popular LinkedIn group, The Spa Buzz.  You can email her at terrysspabeautywellness@gmail.com.

ALL MATERIALS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED

(Photo credits as represented by the specific brand.)

N.B.  Google’s blog platform is incompatible with my Mac OS X and Firefox browser latest software versions, which is why some web links appear in different colors and why when attempting to have embedded images their sizing is consistent and/or can’t be sized.