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.)

FALL/WINTER 2017 TRANSITIONING TIPS ~ YOUR BEST BET

(Image from www.downloadwallpaper.net)

As I write this, the weather is finally getting cooler with lower levels of humidity; both are a welcome relief, although last week brought temps typical to July, which was definitely unseasonable.  I’m sure there will be a few more last gasps of summer over the next few weeks, but for now, I’ll revel in this slight seasonal break from the warmer temps and focus on what’s to come.  

My previous editions of "Seasonal Transitioning Tips"have always been based on my my expertise as an industry insider.  These expert tips have also taken the reader from winter to spring/summer, or from summer to fall/winter.  

Whenever a season transitioned into the next, such as summer to fall/winter, I've always emphasized the need to be mindful of the importance of adapting and changing to virtually every aspect of our daily lives that correlates to the new season.  What worked during one season, like summer, generally doesn’t necessarily work in the next one, like fall/winter.  Routines and regimens generally need to be altered and changed, including the types of products utilized in those routines and regimens.  The following transitional tips will hopefully guide you to changing some of the aspects of your day-to-day regimens and routines that might require some seasonal tweaking.

~ TIPS FOR SKIN, HAIR, AND MAKEUP ~

(Image from www.thinkwithgoogle.com)

#1 Climatological changes, including cooler and drier temps both indoor and outdoor, consider changing your skincare regimen to ramp up product efficacy.  What worked well in the warmer and more humid months will probably be inappropriate in the cooler and drier months.  

#2 Lighter weight lotions should give way to creams and butters. 

#3 Colder, drier air will dehydrate the skin.  Skin still requires periodic exfoliation with some type of moisturizing soaps or cleansers.  Skin needs to be moisturized and rehydrated to replenish depleted moisture levels and also to maintain a healthy mantel of skin.  Using serums is a great way to treat and hydrate the skin, and oils provide extraordinary hydration.

#4 Don’t over-exfoliate the skin; when skin is dry and aggressive exfoliation is done, it can harm the delicate tissue and irritate it.  Make sure to use serums and don’t discount the wonders of face oils (e.g. olive, almond, coconut, palm, jojoba, Argan, Marula, shea, cocoa, etc.). 

#5 Continue using an SPF product to protect the skin from the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays.

#6 Adjust your hair care regimen and the products used.  Since the air is dryer and less humid, it’s important to nurture your hair with the proper shampoos, conditioners and restorative masks to avoid damaging and drying out the scalp, hair follicle and hair shaft.  Consider giving yourself a regular hot oil treatment to bathe hair with restorative hydration.

#7 Change your color palette, whether that’s in your makeup colors, or the colors of your wardrobe pieces.  Think warmer, deeper, richer colors and hues.  Speaking of wardrobing changes, lighter weight cotton, linen or gauzy material should be replaced with warmer wool, silk blends and heavier cotton and linen fabrics to keep the body heat in as an insulator from the cold.  Vibrant colors for fabrics to suit the season are always a fashion-must.  

#8 Pale and lighter may have been great for the summer months to deflect the harsh rays of summer sun, however, an earthy color palette of burnished and vibrantly intense colors of fall, are more suitable for this time of year.  Remember that warmer equals lighter, and colder equals darker.

#9 A perennial fashion trend is red lipstick, which adds a vibrant pop of color to the face.  Every skin tone looks good wearing red lipstick, but make sure it’s in the correct family of red to complement your skin tone ~ blue-red or orange-red, with varying hues in each family.

#10 For fragrance, use a more intense scent that isn't cloying, but is warming.  Remember that lighter, greener, crisper, or floral scents work best in spring or summer.  Fall and winter calls for bolder, statement scents.

~ TIPS FOR HEALTHY EATING AND LIFESTYLE ~

(Image from www.superheroyou.com)

#1 Summer dining generally equates to lighter food fare, like salads, seasonal fruits and vegetables, herbal iced teas, iced fruit infused waters, etc.  These were ideal for summer, because they were less taxing on the digestive system, and also kept a person cool. 

#2 The colder months of fall and winter call for heartier foods like hot cereals, stews, soups, casseroles and the like; all are ideal for those colder months.  These foods are nutritious, but also warming.  Consider adding more dried fruits and nuts to your diet and try making your own granola. 

#3 Consider frozen fruits and vegetables, which are quick frozen right after harvesting, preserving more of the nutrient value; they’re a nice reminder of the fresher seasonal produce during the warmer summer months.

#4 Seasonal constants are also synonymous with maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  This includes sufficient amounts of water for hydration, sufficient sleep for rest and recuperation, physical exercise for strength and agility, and proper nutrition to stave off illness. 

~ TIPS FOR WELL BEING ~

(Image from www.wanderlust.com)

#1 Consider gathering up dried twigs, branches, leaves, etc. and try your hand at creating an arrangement for a seasonal tablescape, or place your gatherings in a large basket and display by your entryway.

#2 If the colder weather and shorter days are giving you cabin fever, be sure to keep the spring and summer indoor with live plants and flowers. 

#3 Take outdoor walks to shake the “blues” away and enjoy the beautiful scenery around you; there is beauty in the changing of all-things nature.  Communing with nature (aka forest bathing) is good for the psyche and soul.

#4 Don’t forget to open your windows every so often just to let some fresh air inside.

~ LAST, BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST ~

(Image from www.jonvilma.com)

Consider making lists of warm weather tasks and cold weather tasks.  These can include goals in skincare and body care regimens, meal planning, wardrobe, fitness routines, etc.; review each list and streamline, or adjust accordingly for your next seasonal transitioning.

Every season brings a fresh start and new beginning.  It’s up to each individual to seek what works best for them and what will enhance and enrich their daily lives.  The circle of life is also the circle of seasons.  Embrace the changes and challenges with optimism and joy. 

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”

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.)