SPA AND BEAUTY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

(Image from www.wallpaperstock.net)

This is the time of year when thoughts of gifting someone special becomes a preoccupation, and often a stressful one at that.  Over the years, I’ve assembled these Holiday Gift Guides as a way to help you minimize any concerns you might have deciding on a gifting solution, by featuring suggestions on some of the season’s best and brightest gift ideas that I’ve personally used in my day-to-day routine.  Whether your holiday gifting is for Hanukkah, Christmas, housewarming, work, place of worship, Secret Santa, etc., the following gift ideas will inspire you to find that perfect gift that indulges the spirit with little to no effort.  Enjoy!

~ Products for Brightening the Season ~

Bright Endeavors ~ Light a Candle, Transform a Life, Hand Poured Soy Candles ~ Holiday Citrus, Whitebark Pine, Almond Berry Galette, and Chicago

These lovely hand-poured soy candles use pure essential oils to give each candle their distinctive and long-lasting aromas.  These candle scents are the perfect accent for the holidays and a way to safely add fragrance to a room without any toxic chemicals. The beautiful aromas burn evenly and remain to the end of the candle burn; even when the candle isn’t burning, the natural aromas are diffused into the air.  Bright Endeavors is a non-profit organization that aids moms transitioning from poverty or homelessness to self-sufficiency and work, by employing them in a job-training program while teaching them various job skills, including how to make these beautiful candles.  During the holidays, especially, the need for aiding various charitable organizations is always acute, and every purchase goes to aid the good work this wonderful agency is doing to make a difference in the lives of others.  By making a purchase of one of these lovely candles, you’re contributing to the cause and making a difference…this is a definite win-win!  For more information, visit http://brightendeavors.org

Clarisonic MIA 1 Skin Cleansing System

This is the ideal gift for all skin types.  The high-powered rotating brush head (300 revolutions per second) helps to stimulate circulation, while gently exfoliating and smoothing skintone; it’s also great for cleansing pores, and ridding skin of acne and blemishes, dullness and uneven skin texture.  This great facial must-have for your skincare regimen leaves skin scrupulously clean and texture refined.  For more information, visit https://www.sephora.com/product/mia-1-skin-cleansing-system-P285163?skuId=1886704&icid2=clarisonic_bestsellers_carousel_us:p285163

Crabtree & Evelyn

It wouldn’t be Christmas without giving, or receiving a thoughtful gift from Crabtree & Evelyn.  This year’s pick is their restorative Soothe & Condition Gardeners Hand Duo; the Duo contains their popular Gardeners Hand Soap and Gardeners Hand Therapy.  Power-packed healing and restorative ingredients include Aloe, Green Clover, Lavender, Sage, Rosemary, Thyme, Cucumber, Shea Butter, Macadamia Seed Oil, and Vitamin E; these products are also aromatherapeutic.  Whether you’re an avid gardener, the outdoors-y type, or someone who just wants a rich and therapeutic hand wash and hand lotion to keep your fragile skin supple and hydrated, this Duo is for you.  This beautiful set also comes with its own metal stand.  For more information, visit http://www.crabtree-evelyn.com

Guerlain Météorites Pearls

Météorites Pearls has been illuminating and brightening faces since 1987.  The magical multi-colored pearls blend matte, rose, blue, and white pearls with corrective pearls of yellow, pink, and mauve; the colors blend to tone down redness, renew freshness, and refract light.  The result is a subtle and healthy glow of brightness and illumination to the face; use over foundation or powder, or wear alone for a beautiful natural result.  Guerlain includes this exceptional product in their Blanc de Perle product range for brightening and illuminating; at the heart of this product is the “Stardust Technology”, which catches light and transforms it to the naked eye with non-stop illumination.  Another plus to this exceptional product is its subtle aroma of delicate violet.  For more information, visit https://www.guerlain.com/us/en-us/makeup/guerlain-make-icons/meteorites/meteorites-light-revealing-pearls-powder

Jane Iredale Holiday Makeup Collection, Dream Luminizer and Flourish Refillable Compact

Both of these must-have holiday indulgences are Limited Editions, and a unique gift for you or someone special on your gift list.  The Dream Luminizer is a sleek multi-level compact in a shiny burnished rose-gold that includes a mirror, and three gorgeous light diffusing skin illuminating powders that can be used alone or mixed together to create your own stunning brightening effects. This multi-function product can be used on face, lips, cheeks, eyes, collarbone, or décolleté.  The design of the compact is based on Jane Iredale’s clever “Steppes”, a design concept of multi-level makeup containers, joined by a hinge that swivels for ease of application. The beautiful luminescent powders include subtle iridescent colors of oyster, gold, and copper; these colors are perfect for any skintone.  Ingredients include Pearl Powder, Mica, Pine Bark Extract and Pomegranate Extract.  The Flourish Refillable Compact is a rose gold-mirrored compact that will hold any Jane Iredale PurePressed Base, Bronzer, PureMatte or Beyond Matte powders.  The compact’s sleek design is beautifully embellished with a Japanese orchid on the outside cover; convenient take-with for on-the-go touch-ups.  For more information, visit https://janeiredale.com

L’Occitane en Provence Deluxe Divine Gift Set and Relaxing Lavender Collection

The Deluxe Divine Gift Set is the ultimate skincare indulgence for anyone serious about maintaining their skin with effective and high performance anti-aging products. This beautiful collection includes Immortelle Divine Cream, Divine Eyes, Divine Youth Oil, Divine Extract, Divine Lotion, and Make-Up Remover.  Healing and restorative product ingredients include Immortelle Extract, Camelina Sativa Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Rosemary, Sunflower Seed Oil, Vitamin E, Myrtle Essential Oil, Borage Seed Oil, Cabbage Rosewater, and Shea Butter.  The Relaxing Lavender Collection is the ultimate body care indulgence and must-have for those who want an exhilarating aromatherapeutic experience that is relaxing, calming, soothing, and restorative.  These beautiful products improve the skintone, while gently hydrating it.  Ingredients include Lavender Essential Oil, Shea Butter, Sunflower Seed Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Vitamin E, and Coconut Oil. This beautiful kit includes Lavender Foaming Bath, Lavender Scented Candle, and Lavender Hand Cream.  For more information, visit https://usa.loccitane.com

Vera Wang EDT Fragrances, Embrace Green Tea and Pear Blossom, Embrace Periwinkle and Iris, and Embrace Rosebuds and Vanilla

The Vera Wang Embrace trio of exquisite fragrances is the perfect bouquet of sophisticated and under-stated florals that radiate subtle style; individually, each is perfect, but having all three at your fingertips will create a complete fragrance wardrobe for any discerning sophisticate to take them through the entire year.  Embrace Green Tea and Pear Blossom: top notes of Sweet Pear and Green Tea; middle notes of Freesia, Peony, and Orange Blossom; and, base notes of Skin Musk and Sandalwood, to anchor the beautiful and complex dry down.  Embrace Periwinkle and Iris: top notes of Bergamot and Violet; middle notes of Periwinkle, Iris, and Blue Jasmine; and, base notes of Benzoin and Whipped Sugar, to anchor the subtly citrusy-floral and sweet dry down.  Embrace Rosebuds and Vanilla: top notes of Rosebuds and Vanilla; middle notes of Sweet Magnolia and Cyclamen; and base notes of Vanilla and Sandalwood, to anchor the sweet and complex dry down.  For more information, visit https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-2164538/vera-wang-embrace-rose-vanilla-eau-de-toilette-spray-womens.jsp

~ Worth Mentioning ~

(Image from www.wooinfo.com)

Don’t forget gift certificates as the ideal gift to a spa; this is a great time of the year to take advantage of special gift offers from spas that bundle multiple treatments at a reduced rate.  You can also curate your own spa gift basket and include things like gift certificates, scented candles, indulgent oils, indulgent body lotions, Loofah, bath mitts, bath brushes, soaps, relaxing music CDs, etc.

~ In Closing ~

(Image from www.unityofomaha.org)

While this festive season may have our thoughts focused on finding the right gift for someone, let’s not forget the best gift to give, which doesn’t cost any money, and that’s the gift of our time with those we love and care about…family and friends.  Lastly, don’t forget those in need…find a local or national charity and contribute what you can…that might even include volunteering for special projects, or sponsoring a food or clothing drive in your neighborhood, place of worship, or at your work place.  To you and yours, I wish you peace, joy, and love!

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

By Terry Herman

 Recipient of the 2017 Feedspot “Top 40 Spa Blogs and Websites By Spa Professionals”   https://blog.feedspot.com/spa_blogs/

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 on her authored work.  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 each of the Five Pillars Task Force groups for the Asia Pacific Spa & Wellness Council (APSWC).  She has been a Group Manager for the popular LinkedIn group, The Spa Buzz, and is currently an Administrator for three Facebook Groups, Wild Food Society, Spa College, and North Shore Opera Hour.  Awards have included Feedspot’s 2017 "Top 40 Spa Blogs and Websites By Spa Professionals", and first prize for Rockford CVB Travel Media Showcase article, “Sensory Connect”.  In addition to her blogs, her social media outreach includes Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Pinterest.  Be sure to read her food, wine and culinary digital magazine, TERRY’S SECOND HELPINGS.  Don’t forget to “Like” her Facebook Page, Terry’s Second Helpings.  Please note that the “Comment Section” has been disabled.  For additional information, email her at terrysspabeautywellness@gmail.com.

ALL MATERIALS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED

(Photo credits as indicated, or as represented by the specific brand.)

FALL TO WINTER PRODUCT SOLUTIONS ~ PART TWO

(Image from www.rege.info)

In a blink of the eye, Summer has faded, and Fall has begun to take hold.  Although Fall arrived during a spate of Summer’s last gasp of unseasonably hot temps, the chill and bite of northerly winds finally kicked in, much to my delight.  Morning blankets of frost cover the ground and rooftops, while crystal clear blue skies, the crunch of falling leaves, frequent rain, and the once lush green of ground and trees going dormant, makes for this time of year magical.  All signs of Fall…..

As we continue transitioning from one season to the next, finding new product discoveries to make that transition all the more enjoyable is what this edition is all about.  My latest product finds are sure to please, and be perfect for the new seasonal transitioning.  This edition’s round up includes products from Graydon Skincare, Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup & Natural Skincare, La Roche-Posay Laboratoire Dermatologique, and L’Occitane en Provence. These products are perfect for transitioning into Fall, and beyond.  I’ve also included my random “Spa Stuff” summary that provides helpful information on all-things “spa”.  Enjoy!

~ Product Reviews ~

Graydon Skincare All Over Face+Body Lotion

This beautiful dual purpose Lotion is ideal for those looking to simplify their skincare regimen.  I loved the duality of the product, and found it equally effective whether used on my face, neck, hands, or body. The overall hydration was wonderful and lasted throughout the day.  The product went on silky, was quickly absorbed, non-irritating, and didn’t leave any greasy or tacky residue.  I especially loved the fact that I could safely use it as an under eye cream without being concerned with sensitivity or irritation.  Additionally, its aroma is scrumptious and great for the olfactory.  Key ingredients include Sunflower Oil, Jojoba Oil, Shea Butter, Olive Oil, Lavender Oil, Rosemary Oil, and Blood Orange Oil.  For more information, visit https://petalandpost.com/collections/graydon

Jane Iredale Fall Makeup Collection Naturally Glam Eye Shadow Kit

This beautiful kit comes in a shiny rose gold-mirrored compact, complete with dual-tip sponge applicator, four eyeshadows and one base shade.  The colors evoke soft, luxurious fabrics like Feather (champagne), Lace (warm brown), Chenille (taupe), Satin (pink), and Velvet (dark brown). These beautiful colors can be worn alone, layered, or blended to create a customized color effect; each color also has a hint of glimmer, which adds a subtle richness that accentuates and brightens the eyes.  Dermatologist tested, hypoallergenic, and non-irritating; formulated with Minerals, Botanical Extracts, and Silica; suited for all skintones; crease-free and long lasting.  Be sure to check out the Jane Iredale Naturally Glam Makeup Tutorials https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNlBz-bRF1CApG9JW1aCZgb7tAVrtKtu9  For more information, visit https://janeiredale.com

La Roche-Posay Redermic C Eyes

The ideal anti-aging eye cream that delivers protective antioxidant Vitamin C and hydrating Mannose, a sugar that reinforces the moisture barrier in skin, which in turn helps prevent water loss while maintaining plumper and firmer skin.  Product was non-irritating and quickly absorbed without leaving any greasy or tacky residue.  Key ingredients include Mannose (hydrates), Hyaluronic Acid, and Vitamin C.  For more information, visit https://www.laroche-posay.us

L’Occitane Immortelle Precious Cleansing Foam

This beautiful Cleansing Foam is delivered with one measured pump from its container, and provides a velvety and billowy froth that is gentle, while thoroughly removing all traces of makeup and leaving the skin scrupulously clean; rinses well without leaving any residue, leaving skin silky to the touch; its subtle fragrance adds a bit of aromatherapy to the skincare regimen. Key ingredients include Immortelle Extract, Chamomile Extract, Yellow Gentian Extract, Raspberry Extract, Strawberry Extract, Citrus Peel Extract, Parsley Extract, Grapefruit Extract, Castor Oil, Glycerin, and Vitamin E.  For more information, visit http://usa.loccitane.com

~ Spa Stuff ~

(Spas of America Founder, Craig Oliver)

Spas of America

Since 2005, Spas of America has been a trusted source in all-things spa for spa enthusiasts and curiosity seekers.  It’s considered to be the number one spa and wellness travel website, and provides the most comprehensive information on 750 of the most prominent spa and wellness facilities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and select facilities in Europe, South America, Asia, and Australia.  Consumers can select from an extensive menu of facility locations, current specials, or experience aspects such as Beach, Casino, City, Country, Desert, Health, Lake, Mineral Hot Springs, Mountain, Ocean and Wine.  The Spas of America website also offers exceptional photography for each facility, current information on facility offerings and contact information, plus accurate maps (thanks to a partnership with Google).

According to founder Craig Oliver, “Spas of America took inspiration from the industry’s best print publications to create an exciting and dynamic online resource for spa consumers as well as deliver a very targeted audience to our spa partners.”  His goal resulted in the Spas of America website not only benefitting consumers, but also benefitting spa businesses, by helping to build partner brands and increase the positioning of these spa partners by driving traffic, generating bookings and growing revenue. The Spas of America team works with its spa partners on an integrated marketing partnership that includes content marketing, editorial, social media and lead generation. Spas of America can also help create customized spa marketing and media partnership solutions for every partner.  

In the end, these partnerships merely strengthen what ultimately is offered to the consumer, thus making Spas of America a win-win for both consumers and businesses.

The spa industry continues to grow and expand exponentially as more and more consumers appreciate the benefits of a spa experience as it relates to aspects of their health and wellbeing.  According to Lynee McNees, President of the International Spa Association, “Total industry revenue has reached over $16 billion, and both the number of spa locations and full-time employees in the United States has increased, making a significant contribution to the overall economy.”  This growth and expansion aren’t just limited to the U.S. spa industry.  According to Susie Ellis, Chairman and CEO of Global Wellness Institute, “The global wellness industry was a $3.7 trillion market in 2015.”  

That’s a lot of money…money that’s well spent when it comes to health and wellness!  For more information, visit http://www.spasofamerica.com

~ In Closing ~

(Image from www.boxmagazine.be)

Seasonal transitioning requires assessing the efficacy of all of your treatment products.  Products that worked well during the Spring and Summer may not necessarily perform as well in the Fall.  Make sure to change your regimens and products to conform to changes brought about by seasonal transitioning and change. 

Be sure to read my annual missive on “Fall/Winter Transitioning Tips ~ Your Best Bet”, which will be out shortly.  In this seasonal gem, I’ll share with you as an industry insider all of my expert tips, recommendations, and insights.  I cover everything…skin and body care, makeup, fragrance, wellness, health, and lifestyle.  This article is a potpourri of the best in seasonal lifestyle transitioning, and is also relevant for transitioning from Spring/Summer to Fall/Winter.

Take the time to notice the changes in nature as the seasons change, and enjoy them.  Celebrate and embrace those changes, because they’re a part of the cycle of life.

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

By Terry Herman

Recipient of the 2017 Feedspot’s “Top 40 Spa Blogs and Websites By Spa Professionals”
https://blog.feedspot.com/spa_blogs/

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 on her authored work.  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 each of the Five Pillars Task Force groups for the Asia Pacific Spa & Wellness Council (APSWC).  She has been a Group Manager for the popular LinkedIn group, The Spa Buzz, and is currently an Administrator for three Facebook Groups, Wild Food Society, Spa College, and North Shore Opera Hour.  Awards have included Feedspot’s 2017 "Top 40 Spa Blogs and Websites By Spa Professionals", and first prize for Rockford CVB Travel Media Showcase article, “Sensory Connect”.  In addition to her blogs, her social media outreach includes Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Pinterest.  Be sure to read her food, wine and culinary digital magazine, TERRY’S SECOND HELPINGS.  Don’t forget to “Like” her Facebook Page, Terry’s Second Helpings.  Please note that the “Comment Section” has been disabled.  For additional information, email her at terrysspabeautywellness@gmail.com.

ALL MATERIALS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED

(Photo credits as indicated, or as represented by the specific brand.)