MORE SPA AND BEAUTY DISCOVERIES

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.