Engaging the senses has always been key to
the spa experience. This engagement can
mean the difference between remaining stressed-out or achieving relaxation and
restoration. Going to a spa isn’t
hedonism or an indulgence, but rather an investment in self. Unfortunately, far too many spas have overly
emphasized the hedonistic aspects of the experience, rather than the healing or
restorative qualities of the experience.
Historically, relaxation, and restoration
were the driving forces behind traditional health spas and why individuals
sought them out. The often-haphazard
temporary fix so many consumers have sought in going to a spa to “cure” whatever
was ailing them today, undermines and diminishes the real purpose for going to
one. If one rushes into a spa all stressed-out
and then gets a therapeutic body massage, for example, and leaves expecting to
have all of their stress dissipated by that single treatment without fully
understanding why they were stressed out and how to eliminate it, then they’re
missing the purpose of the spa experience.
Many spas are also missing an opportunity of informing and educating
their clients on how to continue any benefits of relaxation or restoration they
experienced from the treatment once they leave the confines of the spa, and
returning back to reality.
Whether we realize it or not, everything we
do each day is impacting our senses.
Sometimes the impact is pleasant, while other times not so
pleasant. Those real life sensory experiences
have a dramatic impact on our memory, since the experiences are imprinted,
which explains why some people prefer certain colors, or aromas, or types of
music, etc. to that of others. Keeping
that in mind, the following products also impact the senses, and in differing
ways. These products are restorative for
the face and body, while also being aromatherapeutic, which does brings about a
sense of calming and relaxation.
Colorlab Custom Lipstick, Sinnissippi Rose ~ This special color of Sinnissippi Rose was customized for a Rockford Park District (IL) Wine
and Roses Gala in 2012; held at the Sinnissippi Rose Gardens, one of 
Rockford’s
Great Gardens, the gala was a benefit for the Rockford Park District's City of Gardens and the Sinnissippi Rose Garden Endowment. The
Sinnissippi Rose Garden boasts of two thousand rose plants from sixty-two
varieties. The custom Lipstick was named
after this garden to represent one of its many rich hued roses. Colorlab lipstick formulations are rich in
Vitamin E, oils of jojoba, macadamia nut and grape seed, green tea extract,
shea butter, and aloe; the hydrating formula drenches the lips with natural
ingredients that protect and nourish.
Photo by Lyndi Toohill. http://colorlabcosmetics.com/ http://www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/index.php/facilities/parks/city-of-gardens
Rockford’s
Great Gardens, the gala was a benefit for the Rockford Park District's City of Gardens and the Sinnissippi Rose Garden Endowment. The
Sinnissippi Rose Garden boasts of two thousand rose plants from sixty-two
varieties. The custom Lipstick was named
after this garden to represent one of its many rich hued roses. Colorlab lipstick formulations are rich in
Vitamin E, oils of jojoba, macadamia nut and grape seed, green tea extract,
shea butter, and aloe; the hydrating formula drenches the lips with natural
ingredients that protect and nourish.
Photo by Lyndi Toohill. http://colorlabcosmetics.com/ http://www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/index.php/facilities/parks/city-of-gardens
Eight Skincare Lavender Body Softening Oil ~ This Lavender Body
Softening Oil comes in a handy spray bottle that’s ideal for travel or
workout. Before showering, I prepped my
skin with a thorough dry brushing, which helps get the circulation going, but
also helps slough off any dead skin cells.
After showering and then spraying the
Softening Oil all over, my skin felt incredibly hydrated. The product was quickly absorbed without
being greasy or tacky. My skin felt silky
and hydrated throughout the day. Key
ingredients include oils from safflower seed, lavender, jojoba seed, apricot
kernel, sunflower seed, sweet almond, avocado, rice bran, wheat germ, gardenia
flower extract, and evening primrose. The
product was also very aromatherapeutic. http://www.eightskincare.com/
Jurlique Rose Shower Gel, Rose Hand Cream,
Rose Body Cream, Rose Moisturising Cleanser, and Rosewater Balancing Mist
Intense-Deluxe Edition ~ I love the aroma of rose
and these products didn’t disappoint. The
Rose Shower Gel is highly
concentrated and very little was required to create a rich cleansing foam that
left my skin feeling hydrated with the delicate aroma of pure rose on my
skin. Both the Hand Cream and Body Cream drenched
my skin with nourishing hydration that was quickly absorbed without leaving any
greasy or tacky residue; both also left a subtle aroma of pure rose on my skin.
The Moisturising Cleanser created a
gentle and hydrating foam that deep cleans the skin without stripping it dry;
it’s also rich in anti-aging antioxidants.
The Balancing Mist also hydrated
the skin, while toning and refreshing the skin; it set the skin perfectly for
my moisturizer; the Balancing Mist
was also ideal used throughout the day to freshen the face; key ingredients
include a proprietary blend of rose varieties that are equal to ten thousand
rose petals per bottle, as well as marshmallow, aloe vera, glycerin, and
grapefruit seed. The rich dense aroma of
pure rose makes all of these products highly aromatherapeutic. Jurlique has been providing natural skincare
for over twenty-five years, using organic and natural ingredients grown and
harvested from their own farms and used in their product formulations. http://www.jurlique.com/discover-jurlique/about/
MIYU Teas & Beauty A Prettea Little
Quartet ~ The pairing of coordinated
skincare with tea is a unique lifestyle approach that’s also forward thinking
and has healing attributes based in Traditional Chinese Medicine, which
involves the sense of beauty originating both inside and out. MIYU’s
approach is to combine a serum with a tea to achieve that balance and involves
a Hydrate and a De-Stress component; the first is for the morning and the second,
the evening. The Hydrate Mi component is a two-step approach involving a
restorative and nurturing spray serum paired with an energizing tea. The Hydrate
Mi Spray Serum is rich in antioxidant botanicals that include wild pansy,
rose, goji berries and mangosteen. The Hydrate Mi Tea is a blend of green
rooibos, goji berries, and rose petals.
Pansy improves circulation and improves hydration; rose is soothing and
softening and also aids in circulation; mangosteen is rich in antioxidants;
green rooibos is rich in flavonoids, which tackle free radials; and, goji is
also rich in antioxidants and collagen-enhancing Vitamin C, which also aids in
maintaining the softness of skin. The De-Stress Mi component pairs a recovery
and restorative spray serum with a calming tea. The De-Stress Mi Spray Serum includes five essential minerals (silicon,
magnesium, copper, iron and zinc) that protect the skin’s barrier and decreases
stress, irritation and inflammation; it also includes dandelion, which also
functions to decrease stress and inflammation; it also contains ginger, a
strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory; another soothing ingredient is
licorice, which contributes to skin brightening; and, honeysuckle sooths and
protects the skin from negative environmental affects. The
De-Stress Tea contains peppermint, rich in Vitamins A and C, which is both
refreshing and calming; it also contains licorice root, another calming and
anti-inflammatory ingredient, and chamomile, which further soothes, calms and
heals.
Each Serum Spray and its corresponding Tea were refreshing. http://www.miyubeauty.com/
Molton Brown Kumudu Volumising Shampoo and
Conditioner ~ I loved using these
products. My short, fine, oily hair was
left in the best condition I’d seen or felt in years. The key ingredients in both products include Brazilian Kumudu Fruit extract for
conditioning and enhancing body volumizing; amino acids help to improve the
luster and shine, and extracts of magnolia, grapefruit and cedar make for an
intense aromatherapeutic quality, which was delightful.
http://www.moltonbrown.com/store/index.jsp
Osmotics Cosmeceuticals Anti-Radical Age
Defense Moisture Complex and Cream Extreme Intensive Repair ~ I’m not a fan of “cosmeceuticals” because many are too
harsh for my finicky skin. That being
said, I was pleasantly surprised at the gentleness and effectiveness of the Anti-Radical Defense Moisture Complex. Geared for normal to dry skin, key anti-aging
ingredients include vegetable squalane, hydrolyzed wheat and soy protein,
Vitamin E, Ubiquinone 50, watermelon fruit extract, and linoleic acid. The
Moisture Complex had a rich consistency that when on smoothly and was
quickly absorbed without leaving any greasy or tacky residue; my skin
maintained its hydration levels throughout the day. The product was non-irritating and
distributed balanced moisture; areas that were normal never became oily, and
areas that were dry, became hydrated and brought to a level of hydration as the
normal areas; the skin had a silky texture; the aroma was neutral. The
Cream Extreme Intensive Repair, which is recommended for dry and sensitive skin,
was too rich for my skin; although my skin has dry patches and is frequently
reactive, the formulation was dense and ointment-like, even after warming it in
my palm before applying it; the aroma seemed medicinal. http://www.osmotics.com/index.aspx
Philip Kingsley Pure Silver Shampoo and
Conditioner ~ My once-upon-a-time
dishwater blonde hair is nearly all gray and defines my age. I enjoyed using these products, which are
formulated with violet hues and optical brighteners to add luster and shine to
dulling gray hair. Both the Shampoo and Conditioner left my hair very soft and easy to manage; they also
left a hint of shine. I also loved the
aroma of lavender essential oil, which is in both products. http://www.philipkingsley.com/
Weleda Arnica Massage Oil ~ I’ve been a huge fan of this line since the 1970s. The Arnica
Massage Oil does double-duty as a massage oil and as an exceptional
moisturizer, which left my skin feeling like I’d just applied a dry oil. The product was quickly absorbed without
leaving any greasy or tacky residue. Key
ingredients include sunflower seed oil, olive oil and Arnica Montana extract, rosemary and lavender. The
Arnica Montana is also very soothing for stiff and sore muscles. This product is definitely aromatherapeutic,
while also being calming, restoring and hydrating. http://www.weleda.com/
Whish Coconut Shave Crave Cream and Deodorant Swipes ~ The Shave Crave Shave Cream is ideal for women’s shaving needs. The formulation includes key ingredients like natural squalene, an Omega-3 fatty acid and organic shea butter; soothing organic green tea and organic coconut oil; and, nourishing and
restorative organic joboba seed oil. These ingredients left my skin incredibly
smooth and also hydrated and helped the razor glide without tugging or nicking.
Whish
suggests a “double shave” to optimize closeness and ingredient benefit ~
once “with” the hair growth, then a second application of product, and then
“against” the growth. While I enjoyed
the product and how my legs and underarms felt after using it, I’m not a fan of
Coconut. Whish
Shave Crave Cream comes in a variety of aroma profiles; I would’ve loved
trying Lemongrass, Lavender or Almond; maybe next time. The
Deodorant Swipes are a dual-purpose
product; first, they inhibit hair growth when used regularly after shaving and
second, they’re supposed to eliminate odor.
While my experience was that the Swipes
were gentle and didn’t irritate the delicate underarm skin, the odor wasn’t
tamed at all. The Deodorant Swipes key ingredients include chaparral extract to
inhibit growth, seaweed extract and organic sea buckthorn fruit extract to
protect and firm, and odor inhibiting ingredients like odenone and saccharomyces
ferment. http://www.whishbody.com/index.php
~ Esthetics Under the Surface ~
I’m not one to want to get an injectable in
my face to make myself appear younger or deal with the natural on-set of aging,
code for sagging and wrinkles; and I certainly don’t begrudge others for
wanting to go that route. Dermal
fillers, or injectables, have improved over the years through extensive
research, development and technology.
Many of these fillers include Collagen, Botox, Restylane, Juvederm,
Captique, etc. However, before pursuing
this journey, a person needs to perform extensive due diligence as to what
products are currently being offered for cosmetic esthetics, making sure
they’re all FDA approved, and which products are safest, including case studies,
before and after imagery, duration of effectiveness, pain or side effects, and
recovery time; and, above all, the individual must do sufficient research as to
the qualifications and experience level of the plastic surgeon or dermatologist
who will be administering the injectable. Take a tour of their facility, ask plenty
of questions, ask for multiple referrals, etc.
Also, make sure to have a conference with your doctor fully exploring
any contraindications you might encounter during and after the procedure.
Normal hormonal changes as the body ages is
also part of appearing old; this includes the body losing its ability to
naturally produce collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, which are the basis of
healthy and firm skin; a normal decrease in estrogen and testosterone also
contribute to the aging process. As
these normal processes change, the skin begins to sag and lose its elasticity
and suppleness, and also contributes to facial wrinkles.
Injectables are an option that puts back what
normal aging has taken away. Those
seeking cosmetic options like this generally do so to diminish their visible
signs of aging. And although aging is a
natural part of life, its effects are further impacted by lifestyle, including
stress, diet, smoking, alcohol, sleep deprivation, etc., assessing these
factors and making appropriate changes should also be part of the course of
action, in addition to seeking any cosmetic procedure. To reiterate, arm yourself with as much
information as possible before you go through with any invasive procedure,
including injectables. Following are a
few options to consider that represent the latest in FDA approved injectables
for cosmetic procedures, which are part of Merz Aesthetics.
Radiesse Volumizing Filler ~ Radiesse
Volumizing Filler has been clinically tested to be the only wrinkle filler
that immediately replenishes lost volume, while stimulating the production of
the patient’s own natural collagen for long-lasting results; it has also been clinically
proven to last a year or more in many patients.
Patients treated with this product were significantly more satisfied
than patients treated with other leading wrinkle fillers based on the efficacy
and longevity of the injection. http://www.radiesse.com/
Belotero Balance Dermal Filler ~ Belotero Balance Dermal Filler is designed to integrate into a patient’s skin and mold it to their distinct facial contours, which softens lines and wrinkles around the nose and mouth for a smooth and natural appearance. The product’s versatility cam handle deep treatment areas like the nasolabial folds as well as more delicates areas such as vertical lines above the lip. Clinical trials supported the effects to last up to six months or more. http://www.belotero.com/
Xeomin ~ Xeomin
is used in facial aesthetics to temporarily improve the appearance of
moderate to severe glabellar frown lines between the eyes (glabellar lines) in
adults. It also contains botulinum toxin
type A. It acts on nerve endings in
muscles to prevent the muscle fibers from contracting; by reducing these
contractions, frown lines on the forehead and between the eyes are temporarily
reduced. Clinical trials supported the
effects to last up to three months or more.
Lastly, remember to take some time for yourself and create a sensory experience that will enable you to de-stress, relax and
restore. You’re definitely 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 the 1990s, she
authored an extensive "Glossary of Spa Terminologies" and holds two
copyright registrations. Consumer and trade publications have also
interviewed her as an expert. She also
conducted an extensive nationally broadcasted interview tour on aspects of
creating an at-home spa, interior design, stress and time management. Her work has been published extensively in
print and online in both consumer and trade publications. In addition to
writing, reviewing and being interviewed as an expert, she is also a management
consultant and motivational speaker. She
currently 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 served as a Group Manager
for the popular LinkedIn group, The Spa Buzz.
You can email her at terrysspabeautywellness@gmail.com.
ALL MATERIALS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED
(Introductory photo, Fall at Anderson Japanese
Gardens. Additional 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
