Posts Tagged ‘glowing skin’

Behind Beauty: How To Get Glowing Skin in 5 Easy Steps!

One look that never goes out of style? Glowing Skin! After a long, drying winter, it can be a struggle to restore your natural glow. With these 5 Skincare Secrets from our esthetics team, you’ll soon have healthy glowing skin. Discover the best things to eat for your skin. As well as how to exfoliate, moisturize and nurture yourself. Plus, the best ways to add a touch of tan and our biggest secret to staying a glow…

What To Eat for Glowing Skin?

Carrots, with their abundance of beta carotene (the nutrient that gives them that yellow orange colour) are fantastic for giving your skin a healthy glow. While eating bags can cause your skin to turn orange due to a beta carotene overdoes, adding a handful to your lunch will help to brighten your overall skin tone.  Also rich in Vitamin A, Carrots work to protect against sun damage. They help to keep skin and hair strong and hydrated.

Cold Water Fish, especially Wild Salmon. Filled with Omega-3 fatty acids that work deep within to strengthen your cells. By improving your overall cellular structure, Omega-3s help prevent wrinkles, acne and lock in moisture. They’re also thought to help decrease the risks of disease, help fight inflammation and even increase lifespan. While the science may not be in on all of these claims, swapping grilled wild fish, such as trout, salmon, sardines, herring, or mackerel is a delicious way to shake up your week.

Berries, Green Tea, and anti-oxidant rich foods work to counter the cellular stress from Free Radicals. Adding anti-oxidants to your diet helps to keep your skin, body, and mind healthy.   For more information, check out our post on antioxidants here.

Make Sure To Exfoliate!

Another great way to rejuvenate your skin is to opt for an exfoliating masque. A slightly more intensive treatment, a masque offers additional benefits, such as deep cleansing, improved skin tone, and tighter skin. It’s key to follow the directions laid out as different masques require different lengths of time. Try applying a masque during a long bath once a week. The warmth of the water helps to open the pores allowing for better absorption. I love  choosing a masque with an exfoliating element as it accomplishes 2 things at once!

Exfoliation is very important, especially in the Spring. Winter, dries out your skin, causing an increase of dead skin cells on the surface. By actively removing them, you bring the younger, fresher skin to the surface. An accumulation of dead skin cells can also lead to break outs. Depending on your skin type and sensitivity, you should be exfoliating between 2-3 times a week. Opt for a deep cleansing scrub for oily skin types and a lighter, sugar based one for sensitive types.

When it comes to facial exfoliation, a Clarisonic Mia can revolutionize your routine. With its gentle brushes, it easily removes makeup and leaves skin feeling refreshed.

Celazome Clinical Skin Care Enzyme Exfoliating Masque
Eminence Rosehip & Maize Exfoliating Masque
SpaRitual Look Inside Organic Scrub Masque
Pangea Organics Japanese Matcha Tea with Acai & Goji Berry Mask

Moisturize & Nurture Your Skin

Canadian winters have been known to last through till June. Those spring snows and cold winds can dry out your skin just as badly in April as in December. Make sure to use a moisturizer that suited to the weather in your region. To keep your beauty routine from falling into a rut, choose a body butter with a light spring fragrance instead of the heavy winter spices. A shift in fragrance can help you feel like spring has sprung, even under 3 feet of snow. Skin feeling tired and dull after being cooped up all winter? Add a nutrient rich serum into your routine. Choose a serum that is rich in vitamin C, A, or E.  Serums work deep within the skin to improve the health of growing and newly formed skin cells. It takes around 28 days for a new skin cell to reach the surface. By treating those cells early, when they arrive on the surface they will be brighter and smoother. A skin cell will remain on the surface for about 12 days before sloughing off. This means a skin cell has a life of approximately 40 days. While turnover rate can slow as you age, if you continue to treat your skin through it’s entire life cycle, you can help delay the signs of aging.

VivierSkin C+E Repairing Antioxidant Serum with L-Ascorbic Acid USP & Vitamin E
Laboratoire Dr Renaud Omega-3 Lipid Replenishing Serum – Sérum relipidant Omega-3
Vivescence Nutri-Energy Revitalizing Vitamin Complex Yonka Hydralia – Hydrating Concentrate

Add A Touch of Tan

Spending most of winter indoors can leave yous skin rather pale making it such a challenge to resist that first sunny day… Sun damage is the number one cause of premature aging. Recent research has found that tanning beds can be just as dangerous as direct exposure. The darkening of your skin occurs when your cells are stressed by UVA and UVB rays. In order to keep from getting burned, your cells attempt to darken your skin tone by producing melanin. However, the chemical process involved in producing Melanin damages the cells and creates free radicals. This can accelerate the growth of moles, freckles, and skin cancers. Instead, opt for a touch of glow by adding a self tanner to your routine.

There are a variety of products available to slightly darken skin tone over time without the cellular damage. Looking for less of a commitment? Try the St. Tropez “Wash Off” line. These products are more of a “Body Makeup” then a true self tanner. Perfect for adding just a hint of colour to refresh winter weary skin.

Claim Your JOY!

Ever notice how much a Bride seems to Glow? There’s something magical about being happy.  It transforms wallflower into prom queen and Plain Jane into Princess Grace. Take some time this Spring to recapture your JOY by spring cleaning your life.

Between work, family, and housekeeping- it often feels like there’s no time for YOU. And it’s true. Take a moment to list the priorities in your life. Where do YOU fit? Did you make it ahead of cleaning the oven or fall somewhere below making sure you have ice cubes? Over time, you’re own hobbies tend to take a back seat to getting the kids to soccer practice or the pile of dirty dishes on the counter and YOU keep falling lower and lower on the to-do list. Women especially tend to choose the activities that will “better the household” over those that better themselves. By neglecting to nurture ourselves, we end up struggling to nurture others.

If your kids are active in lessons and classes, try booking something for yourself at the same time. Most community centers offer classes for adults as well as kids. Or, find a nearby coffee shop and dive into a good book or take 20 minutes to journal. High school students looking for a few dollars are eager to pick up an hour or two of after school babysitting, even on a weeknight. Give yourself a permission to hit the mall, gym, museum, or even an early movie with the girls. Try adding a “Me” stop to your errands.  Feel like you never get to that certain store? Plan it into your running around. It may seem like an indulgence to make a special trip to the bookstore, but if it happens to be between the dentist and groceries? Treat yourself a quick peek. Leave the office and have lunch out once in a while. Sometimes, even the smallest break from your routine can lift your spirits.

Almost as important as maximizing what makes you happy, is identifying things that are making you miserable. Is there something that is bringing you down? Be proactive about improving or changing your situation. Can’t stand the chair at work? Ask HR for a new one or buy one yourself. Feel like you haven’t had an adventure in a while? Start planning your next vacation. Sure, it might be 6 months before you can go… but there’s a lot of fun to be had in the dreaming. Hate being single? Ask a friend to set you up on a blind date or try out a new dating service. By seeking solutions, you’ll start to find yourself seeing the situation in a more positive light.

As always, just for being a follower of our blog, enter coupon code BLOG10 for 10% off your next purchase! Also, remember to follow us @spaboutique on Twitter, like our Facebook  page, and check out our boards on Pinterest! You could be the lucky winner of one of our many contests!

Best Exfoliants for your Skin Type Part II

Exfoliation: A Refresher Course

Last week, we took a look at the best body scrubs for your skin type. Today, we’re examining Facial Exfoliants.

What is a Facial Exfoliant?

A facial exfoliant or scrub is a gently coarse or acid wash or masque used to remove dry or dead skin cells and brighten the skin. Many masques also contain exfoliating agents.

Mechanical: Like body scrubs, the coarse part of the exfoliant is made from either salt or sugar, although there are a variety of other materials that can be used. Unlike body scrubs, the granules in a facial scrub should feel like rice flour, soft and grainy, instead of a beach. Since you’ll be applying this scrub directly to your soft facial skin, you want to ensure it’s not going to cut or tear. Avoid using body scrubs on your face as the strong formulations can hurt delicate facial skin.

Chemical: This is the second kind of facial exfoliant. Usually consisting of Alpha or Beta Hydroxy Acid (AHA or BHA) these exfoliants  aim to dissolve dead skin cells instead of scrubbing them away. The added benefits of these exfoliants is they also dissolve oil and sebum, great on oily skin. Depending on their concentration, chemical exfoliant can be used by all skin types.

What is the BEST Method for applying a Facial Exfoliant?

First, Read the instructions. Many facial exfoliants contain active acids or other ingredients in addition to a physical exfoliant. Some need to be left on for a few minutes and others are washed off right away. Some are activated only when combined with water. The key is to thoroughly read the instructions that accompany the product before using it. How often depends on your skin type. The average is 1-2 a week. However, if you have oily skin, aim for 3 times a week. If you notice your skin developing red patches, decrease the number of times you exfoliate a week.

BEST Facial Exfoliant For Sensitive Skin:

Exfoliating is probably my favourite part of my beauty routine. I’m partial to Laboratoire Dr Renaud Satinage Gentle Scrub and Vivescence Perfect Glow Express Exfoliant The jojoba removes dead cells and stimulates the skin. I love the tingly feeling you get from active and physical exfoliants. Lauren, one of our Estheticians, also picks Vivescence Perfect Glow Express as her personal favourite.

BEST Facial Exfoliant For Oily Skin:

Our team picks Phytomer Gommage Marin: Purifying Gommage Exfoliant. If you’re looking for an acid exfoliant instead of a mechanical, make sure to pick one such as Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel that has BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) as it dissolves oil.

BEST Facial Exfoliant For Normal Skin:

With normal skin, you have the most options (Lucky!). Our most popular exfoliant is Eminence Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant with Lactic Acid A mild, organic exfoliant, it’s gentle enough for daily use, while still offering effective cleansing. Looking for something a little stonger? Opt for B.Kamins Glycolic – 10 (50ml) 

 

BEST Exfoliating Masque:

For the ultimate treat in exfoliation, opt for an exfoliating masque. Two of our favourite Masques are the Eminence Rosehip & Maize Exfoliating Masque (2 oz)  and Beauty Through Balance by Ancient Secrets: Acai Facial Exfoliating Mask (60 ml/2 oz.). A masque treatment is one of the quickest ways to see results and refresh your skin!

BEST Cleansing / Exfoliating Tool:

If you’re serious about skincare, the conversation always turns to the Clarisonic Mia 2 Sonic Skin Cleansing System. It’s one of the most innovative tools for cleansing and exfoliating. Primarily a cleansing tool, you can also use a gentle exfoliant (avoid manual scrubs especially ones with large grains) to achieve deep exfoliation. As the Clarisonic Mia amplifies the effect of the exfoliant, it’s best not to over exfoliate, and you’ll want to limit the number of times you use the combination to twice a week or less depending on your skin type.

 

As always, just for being a follower of our blog, enter coupon code BLOG10 for 10% off your next purchase! Also, remember to follow us @spaboutique on Twitter, like our Facebook  page, and check out our boards on Pinterest! You could be the lucky winner of one of our many contests!

 

BEHIND BEAUTY: Jane Iredale Spring 2013 Makeup Trends

Monday night, our team hopped a cab to the  Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup Spring Launch!

This fantastic training session gave us a sneak peek into the hot new colours and trends for Spring 2013. The big, exciting, AMAZING thing for Spring? New PureGloss Lip Gloss! With 11 new shades and 7 Fab Favs, they’ve reformulated to make the Glosses soothing and hydrating. With a variety of colours ranging from Snowberry to Black Cherry, as Jane says, “I challenge you to just pick one of the 18 shades – you’ll want to try them all!”

Ruben, the  Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup National Trainer and Makeup Artist, is in utter love with “Bellini” for nude or natural lips. We had a chance to test out these new formulations and they are glossy, creamy and delicious! They’ve redesigned the wand and it hugs the lip just perfectly. I had the chance to test out the Tangerine, a sheer orangey coral, and the lusciously dark purple Black Cherry. The Tangerine is much sheerer than it looks in the bottle which came as a bit of a surprise but it’s very wearable and will be finding a permanent place in my bag! The other big colour hit? Our team just adored the Crab Apple, a bold brick red that is just perfect for creating a statement lip!

Statement lips are the hottest trend for spring. We’re seeing of ethereal, glowing faces with minimal eye makeup and powerful pouts! I adore this trend. Especially, because it’s so easy! Some of the models are barely even wearing eyeliner! They’ve switched from heavy black to soft neutrals or even just a touch of white to give them little hot spots. The trend excites Ruben because, “If you can dream it- Do it! It’s so easy! No more fussing with your eyes in the morning, just pop on your lip plumper, gloss and go!”

Exclusive to Canada, we’re excited to be carrying the “Jane Iredale Fresh Delight Grab & Go Kit”. These special 7 piece makeup sets contain all the basics of their makeup line. Available in “Cool” or “Warm”, each set contains an Eye Gloss, Eye Shadow, Eye Highlighter Pencil, Blush, Lip Pencil, PureGloss Lip Gloss, and a stylish Travel Bag! Personally, I’m really excited for these kits. I really like being able to complete a whole look with a starter kit, and this set really achieves that goal. I do wish they’d been a touch more daring with the lip colours but the kit is extremely wearable, and you can always pick up a playful lipgloss!

These new colours are Especially sensational when paired with dewy, radiant, glowing skin. While Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup is perfect for creating that ethereal glow on your face, this spring we’re seeing the skin glowing everywhere!

Want the look? Ruben recommends pairing your  Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup with ST. Tropez Wash Off Instant Glow Body Lotion. A noncommittal self-tanning product, it acts more like as a body makeup than a true self-tanner. Creating a gentle glow on arms, legs and décolletage only takes a few minutes and drastically elevates your look. Especially when you add one of their ST. Tropez Skin Illuminators! For darker complexions, pick up the Gold or theRose (depending on your tan level). Want to celebrate your porcelain skin? The Violet Illuminator gave even my almost-see-though wintery skin a romantic brilliance.  Have a special even coming up and really want to shimmer? Try the St. Tropez Get The Look Instant Tan Kit (3pc). The Wash off products won’t stain and are designed for minimal transfer- they’re a bridal favourite.

Not to  cram even more news into this blog- but I’m going to cram even more news into this Blog! The Jane Iredale Longest Lash Mascara Wand has also had a major overhaul! With better bristles it opens the eye and helps to nourish your lashes. As we move into spring, we’re seeing a lot less on the eye- minimal liner and shadow. Because of this, we’re going to see a lot more emphasis on mascara.

My Spring 2013 Makeup Checklist:

• Vibrant Lips –  Jane Iredale Just Kissed Lip Plumper in NYC with  Jane Iredale PureGloss Lip Gloss in Crab Apple
• Soft Eye Shadow - Jane Iredale PurePressed Eye Shadow in Hush or Peach Sherbet & Jane Iredale Eye Gloss in Peach
• Bold Lashes (Minimal Liner) - Jane Iredale Longest Lash Mascara & Jane Iredale Double Ended Eye Highlighter Pencil
• Glowy Skin - St. Tropez Get The Look Instant Tan Kit (3pc)

As always, just for being a follower of our blog, enter coupon code BLOG10 for 10% off your next purchase! Also, remember to follow us @spaboutique on Twitter, like our Facebook  page, and check out our boards on Pinterest! You could be the lucky winner of one of our many contests!

 

Introducing Laboratoire Dr Renaud

Rigorous Standards. Guaranteed Quality.

A Canadian Company, Laboratoire Dr Renaud has been a leader in ethical standards for the last 60 years. They give preference to ingredients that are organic, fair-trade and support biodiversity awareness. This means no parabens, no synthetic perfumes or colorants, no mineral oils, no alcohol, no formalin, and no animal testing. Using as many natural plant and marine extracts as possible, Laboratoire Dr Renaud is dedicated to producing products that safe for your skin.

With their production laboratories certified as a pharmaceutical environment by Health Canada, they have extremely strict quality controls in place. They have an extensive team of scientists and researchers working to develop their product line. More importantly, all of the results are tested by independent labs.

Our clients are over the moon about the Laboratoire Dr Renaud SeboBalance 24H Anti-Ageing Fluid – Fluide anti-âge 24H SeboBalance (50 ml). Ultra-lightweight, this cream smooths fine lines, matifies, hydrates, seboregulates, and prevents new signs of aging.  Plus, it provides a fantastic base for make-up. Laboratoire Dr Renaud has an entire line, SeboBalance, dedicated to anti-aging sebum regulation. This line focuses on regulating oil, tightening pores, reducing shine and refining skin texture.

This winter, we’ve also seen the Laboratoire Dr Renaud Protecting Balm for Lips SPF 15 – Baume à lèvres protecteur FPS 15 (3.8 g) fly off our shelves! A fantastic balm to maintain soft, supple lips all year long, fragrance free, good for men and women- this balm does it all! The 15 SPF will protect from both UVA and UVB rays.

For the past few years, Laboratoire Dr Renaud has been heavily involved with the Academy Awards, featured at a gift suite in the Beverly Hilton. For 3 days before the academy awards, celebrities are invited to experience the lavish luxury of a Dr. Renaud facial as well as whole bunch of other goodies! They recruit estheticians from all over Canada to run this mini spa and all of their clients leave Camera Ready.

One of our estheticians, Rebekah, is currently trying out Laboratoire Dr Renaud and loving it. Her top two picks are:

Laboratoire Dr Renaud Énergie Vitale Energizing, Multivitamin Cream
Rebekah found this cream “great for a dry, devitalized skin” especially “for this time of year.” Plus, the anti-aging elements help to leave your skin feeling refreshed and glowing.

Laboratoire Dr Renaud Pure Kronoxyl-⑨ Complete Anti-Ageing Skin Care (face)

After several years in esthetics, Rebekah thought there was very little that could surprise her. However, this set is a “Wow!” Instantly correcting 3 types of wrinkles, superficial, deep, and expression lines, it serves as an alternative to more invasive procedures.

Part of the Laboratoire Dr Renaud philosophy is that “Your skin is unique, Just as you are.” A comprehensive line, we’ve only been able to highlight a handful of their products. Our esthetics team is able to provide a consultation and recommend products based on your individual needs.  Call 1-877-224-4315, chat on our website (http://www.spaboutique.ca/), or email us at info@spaboutique.ca.

As always, just for being a follower of our blog, enter coupon code BLOG10 for 10% off your next purchase! Also, remember to follow us @spaboutique on Twitter, like our Facebook  page, and check out our boards on Pinterest! You could be the lucky winner of one of our many contests!

Perfect Match, Bubble Bath!

There is some serious L-U-V in the air. Of course, it’s between me and chocolate, but is there any truer love? I am a complete Chocoholic. This love doesn’t stop with my Non-Fat White Chocolate Latte… We’re talking everything is chocolate scented, felt pens, air fresheners, mints, lotions, scrubs, massage oils… you name it, I’ve got it. For a chocolate lover like me, Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to whip out all of my chocolate treats!

First, there’s the bubble bath. A Long, Luxurious, Chocolate Bubble Bath. With a crazy weekend behind me and another coming up- Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse! Start by running a hot bath with a touch of the Spa Binge Organics Natural Vanilla Cocoa Bath and Body Oil (50ml). I want as chocolaty a bath as possible, so I’ll add a bubbly treat like the bath milk from the Booty Parlor Bath Kitten Escape Kit. This white chocolate bubbling bath milk is so completely soft on the skin. It’s one of those products that leaves you feeling all kinds of Goddess Goodness!

A bath is the perfect time to apply a masque… especially a chocolate one like the Eminence Chocolate Mousse Hydration Masque (2.0oz). A great, hydrating masque, its anti-oxidant rich formula works to decrease the appearance of wrinkles and enriches the health of the skin.  Plus, by taking the time to pamper your skin, the water gets a chance to cool. Extremely hot baths can dry out your skin and it’s really important to ensure your bath water is warm and not damaging.  Need a fantastic scrub for those tired legs, elbows and feet? I indulge with the Pangea Organics Brazilian Brown Sugar with Cocoa Butter Body Polish. It’s a fantastic exfoliant that leaves your skin feeling refreshed and kissable.

Once I’ve transformed the bath into my own Chocolate Spa Heaven, it’s time to blast the guilty pleasure playlist (which of course is packed with WAY too mach Madonna who FYI is also in love with Eminence Organics Skin Care totally making her my girl!) and settle in with a book. I love books, almost as much as chocolate, but with this whole “Responsible Adult” thing there’s no time… So, just as my mother did, I’ve started reading in the bath. I love it. Toes on the hot water tap, I’ve been known to spend hours lost in a book. There are 2 rules to bath time reading, only books that you’d embarrassed to read on the bus (here’s looking at you 50 Shades) and no library or borrowed books.

Wrap up the evening with a fantastic, all over, chocolate lover’s dream of a moisturizer like my favourite, Spa Binge Organics Natural Vanilla Cocoa Body Shea Rich Cream (180ml) and toss on “Cougar Town”!

Valentine’s Day is a great time to treat yourself at Spaboutique.ca. Today, spend $125 and CHOOSE Your Gift with one of our promo codes! An Eminence Cinnamon Kiss Lip Plumper (code: GIFT1) or a Jane Iredale Makeup Set (code: GIFT2) or A Yonka Crème (code: GIFT3)  Sale ends at Midnight PST!

 

As always, just for being a follower of our blog, enter coupon code BLOG10 for 10% off your next purchase! Also, remember to follow us @spaboutique on Twitter, like our Facebook  page, and check out our boards on Pinterest! You could be the lucky winner of one of our many contests!