Despite it being late-May, spring
has finally arrived in my area. While spring often tends to take its time
arriving each year, it seemed to take longer than usual this time around. During the winter to spring transition, I
continued testing new products to add to my skincare regimens, which is what
this article is about. I’m also sharing
my recent experiences at two outstanding regional trade industry events.
~
Industry Happenings ~
America’s Beauty Show has
been owned and produced for ninety years by Cosmetologists
Chicago and remains the nation’s largest industry show of its type, with
over 60,000 attendees, which includes 6,000 licensed professionals and students
from the area. http://www.americasbeautyshow.com/
The Face & Body Spa Conference & Expo Midwest is presented by
one of the leading industry publications, “Skin
Inc. Magazine”. This show continues
to grow in size each year with more and more industry product leaders,
exhibitors, and attendees; these facts alone are a testament to the need and
demand for such a vitally important industry show for this area. http://www.faceandbody.com/midwest/
Both America’s Beauty Show (ABS) and Face
& Body Spa Conference & Expo, co-located at Chicago’s McCormick
Place West, attract thousands of industry professionals, who flock to these
annual events to take advantage of extensive opportunities in continuing education
workshops, or hear from major industry presenters on current topics and state
of the industry, or observe numerous product and treatment demos, while learning
about trends and the latest techniques; they’re also able to peruse countless
aisles of exhibitors and check out the latest in product offerings and make
purchases of products for their businesses; the best part of these shows is also
being able to network and reconnect with peers and first time “meet and greets”. The ABS
has the added dynamic of glitzy and glamorous runway shows and spirited
contests involving seasoned veterans and students.
Both shows represent the best and
brightest in our industry. The
Chicago-area sometimes can feel like the industry stepchild, given the volume
of other similar events held regionally in NY, FL, NV and CA; these two shows
are the only major ones of their type in the Chicago-area, which somewhat
defies the fact that there are thousands of businesses and licensed professionals
here; attendance at both shows is always packed, so it’s not an issue of disinterest…but,
I digress.
~
Products to Discover ~
Amarté Daily ExfoliPowder ~ I avoid harsh exfoliants because of potential damage it
does to my sensitive skin and delicate facial tissue; I also only exfoliate a
few times a month. This product,
however, is gentle enough to be used daily without causing any irritation; it left
my skin silky and polished; the appearance and texture were refined after
regular use; the powder turns into a low-foaming cleansing polish that is
easily liquefied once a few drops of water are added into the palm of the hand;
the applicator gives out a measured pour, so no waste occurs; rinses well
without leaving any residue; I also enjoyed its beautiful aroma. Key ingredients include extracts of pine,
licorice, pearl powder, rice bran, wheat bran, and willow bark. http://www.amarteskincare.com
Jane Iredale Limited Edition Golden Shimmer
Face and Body Lotion ~ This beautiful
product, from the eponymous brand that has led the industry for twenty-years,
unveils its latest just in time for summer.
While I tend not to use an all-over face product like the Golden Shimmer, I absolutely loved how
bright and luminous this product was on my cheekbones and even on my eyelids
and under eyebrow area. Product can also
be applied to areas that naturally are sun kissed, like temples, bridge of
nose, shoulders, legs, and even décolleté.
It’s an all-around ideal natural color that enhances whatever area it’s
used on. Key ingredients include diamond
dust, sunflower seed oil, jojoba, aloe leaf juice, and extracts of apple fruit,
elderflower, blackberry, green tea, white tea, grapefruit, and
honeysuckle. Worn alone, Golden
Shimmer is
just as beautiful as if worn under foundation or powder. http://www.janeiredale.com
Probelle Touch N’ Grow ~ Nail Hardener and
Plus Nail Hardener with Garlic & Lime ~ If you’ve ever struggled with thin, brittle, peeling or chipping nails,
you can appreciate how difficult it can be to repair and restore them to a
healthy state. The health condition of
the nail is often an indication of other factors that include hormonal changes
or imbalances, illness, medication, and even poor nutrition; all these factors dramatically
impact the health of the nail and can manifest itself in thinning, brittleness,
chipping and peeling. These two products
are unique in that they not only form a protection barrier on the nail, but
they encourage growth and stability for a healthier nail. The Plus
formulation also inhibits fungus and over time, will brighten the nail to a natural
healthy color. http://www.pro-belle.com
Rituals Laughing Buddha Collection ~ Fortune Scrub
and Touch of Happiness Rich, Nourishing Body Cream in Sweet Orange & Cedar ~ Its name makes it a real treat to use these products in
the shower and beyond. The Scrub was
gentle, non-irritating and left the texture of the skin improved and
hydrated. Key ingredients include
glycerin, sweet orange peel extract, juniper oil extract, and silica. The Body
Cream was the perfect accompaniment to the Scrub. The Body Cream is whipped, but also dense,
so a little goes a long way; it’s quickly absorbed without leaving any tacky or
greasy residue and hydration levels remain throughout the day. Key ingredients include Vitamin E, glycerin,
sunflower seed oil, Gotu Cola extract, sweet orange peel extract, and juniper
oil extract. The aromas for both
products were subtle, fresh, and uplifting.
http://us.rituals.com/en-us/home http://www.barneys.com
TIGI Cosmetics ~ Crème Concealer, High
Density Quad Eyeshadow, Glow Blush, and Decadent Lipstick ~ Taking color to a new level of function, TIGI, a leader in hair care, remains a
strong presence in salon-dominated color makeup. Product colors and performance are
transformative and go from subtle to glam with colors that are vibrant,
authentic and effortless. I enjoyed how
my winter-weary pallor was brightened and enhanced with beautiful spring
colors. The Concealer was perfect for minimizing and also functioned well as a
base; the Quad Eyeshadow gave a
multitude of neutral color combinations that brought out the features of my
green eyes; the Blush added a healthy
brightness to my cheeks; and, the Lipstick
set off a stunning overall appearance of my new spring face. To transform your day into an evening look,
intensifying the application of color. www.tigi-cosmetics.com
Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream ~ I have very dry and cracked cuticles, and have tried
many products over the years to combat this problem. Skin
Cream was one of the only products that helped heal and hydrate my
cuticles; it absorbed quickly, was non-greasy, and created a water resistant
barrier; for fifty-seven years it has been delivering results of healing,
soothing, and hydrating. Key ingredients
include glycerin, camphor, Vitamins B2 and E and sodium hyaluronate; the
pleasant camphor aroma dissipates quickly.
http://www.yu-be.com
~
Lastly ~
Take the time to discover more
about each brand by visiting their websites, or search for them on various
social media platforms. Don’t forget to treat yourself occasionally and
patronize a local salon or day spa; not only are you contributing to that business
remaining open, you’re also helping out a small merchant and your local
economy. (N.B. Due to technical and
compatibility issues no product images could be embedded; to view individual
products, click on the active website links.)
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, music, stress and time
management. Her work has been published
extensively in print and digital 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 also served on the International Advisory
Board for the former EXPERIENCE | PREMCHIT Journeys In Retreat To Wellness; the
Advisory Board was 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. Her social
media outreach includes Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Cision Seek or Shout, Plaxo,
Red Room, Pinterest, and Tripatini. Be sure to read her food, wine and culinary
digital magazine, TERRY’S SECOND HELPINGS. 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.
