Tis' the Season for Red

      It seems though when the holidays are upon us, every woman pulls out the red lip stick, red nail polish, and red outfits for the occasion. When I think of winter and the holidays, I think GLAM! Nothing screams glamour more so than beautiful red lips and perfectly manicured nails dipped in red polish.

      Red Carpet by Dior, Dior Addict, is a beautiful example of a great red lipstick. Not only does it provide long lasting colour, it also moisturizes the lips preventing it from drying or cracking. Shanghai Express by Nars is also an excellent choice. Keep in mind that especially when using such a vibrant colour, ALWAYS apply a lip liner first to prevent any "bleeding" that may occur especially common with red lipsticks. I found that Cruella or Dragon Girl by Nars Velvet Matte Lip Liner worked great! All these products can be found at your local Sephora.

 

        As for nails, I always look for quality in a product over the cost of it because a colour like red due to its deep pigments can leave a stain on the nails. Spirit Child by Sparitual is from their latest collection "Wilde". I always love the quality of their nail lacquers. Carmen by Zoya is another great colour and has always been one of Zoya's top sellers. Both product lines maintain longevity and also do not contain any harsh ingredients that may harm the body which surprisingly most others do. Remember, before you apply, give your nails a little buff and file before you polish. Always apply a base coat, 2 layers of colour, and a final top coat to lock in the colour and provide a smoother and more crisp polish. Nothing looks worse than applying a colour like red onto non-manicured nails. Finish off with a little cuticle oil to add hydration and shine to your nails.

   Now that you are already to go, enjoy the holiday festivities!

My Favorite Beauty Product Right now!

Fresh did it right again! On my recent trip to New York, I picked up Fresh`s new Tinted Lipcare Product.  It offers SPF coverage,  it nourishes, repairs, and protects the lips.

I tried the Sugar Honey Tinted Lip Treatment which has a wonderful smell. It applies easy and doesn`t have a sticky feeling to it.  I am not one to wear lip gloss or lipstick a lot, but I find myself reapplying it all the time as it is not heavy or overpowering.

It has a nude tone to it and it looks very natural, as it provides a very soft color and shine to your lips. The color is so versatile that it would look good on anyone.

Fresh`s site offers the following information.

 

`` Sugar, a natural humectant, ensures long-lasting moisture, while hydrating meadowfoam and black currant seed oils condition the lips. It is further enriched with antioxidant-rich vitamins to defend against wrinkle-causing free radicals and provides year-round protection from damaging UVA/ UVB rays. The versatile formula also allows for buildable coverage to customize a sheer or rich honey hue and is the perfect partner to the best-selling Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15.
I love this product so much that I am asking for the three Fresh Mini Sugar Kissing Trio, (an exclusive from Sephora), for Christmas so I can try all of the tints....stay tuned!!!!

(The set retails for approx $32 in Canada or $28 and the lipcare full version retails for approx. $30)

Laser... Worth Trying!

     I can honestly say, I used to wax my entire body at least once a month and most of the time, it hurt so much and could get messy! I think I can speak for most women out there that I hate any kind of body hair!

     For the longest while, I kept hearing about laser air removal and being an esthetician, I was always skeptical about the idea of laser and it's potential harm on the body. I always wondered how any kind of technology could get rid of unwanted hair permanently without causing any damaging to the body but being as curious as I was, I had to try it out. After doing years of procrastinating, researching the best locations through testimonials and credibility, I decided to go to Evropa Laser Clinic.

    When I went in for the treatment, I must admit, I was scared and nervous about how painful this might be but I found the receptionist and technician to be EXTREMELY knowledgeable and made me feel very comfortable. I needed this considering the location I had to decide was quite intimate. As for the pain, I'm not going to lie and say it wasn't painful but there were definitely areas that were a little more sensitive than others. It feels like a bunch of tiny pin pricks. Mind you, there were a lot of areas where I couldn't feel a thing! All I can say though is that all the discomfort of the actual procedure was worth the results!

    After one treatment, the hair fell out and hardly any even grew back! The hair that did grow back after one treat was extremely thin and sparse. Apparently, the amount of treatments you need to permanently get rid of the hair is between 6-8 treatments depending on the type of hair and your skin type. I am at 4 treatments and can say NOTHING has grown back yet. I definitely recommend laser to ANYONE that waxes regularly and is looking for long term results. It's a little pricey but in the end, it saves you a lot of time, pain and money. My only recommendation is, do your research before you actually do it! Evropa is a great clinic and I would love to refer anyone interested. The pricing there is very reasonable as well.

Time for Vitamin D????

Getting the winterblues? I hate the cold, wind, and the darkness that winter brings!

What I hate most about it is how pale and white and dry my skin gets. In my younger days I used to tan both indoors and outdoors a lot, but I am unfortunately starting to see the effects of this on my skin.

While I am not a anti-tanner, I do believe in tanning in moderation and topping up your color with a self tanner such as Sephora-branded Tinted Self-Tanning Body Mist.  It is easy to apply and provides all over coverage that you can see while you are applying it. It also doesn`t have that sticky feeling that most self-tanners have.  And unlike most products sold at Sephora it is relatively cheap @ $14.00!

Need something to help lock in the moisture and prevent dry skin?

Try Bliss Lemon and Sage Body Butter. This product provides maximum moisture and prevents cracked skin. You should definetly use this at least once a day after you shower or bathe!

Skip the Chip!

   As a professional manicurist and nail lacquer junkie, there is nothing I absolutely hate more than CHIPPED NAIL POLISH! I think I can surely speak for every woman out there that we would love to have a manicure and polish that lasts longer than a couple of hours!

   Ladies, there is a solution! Either skip the polish and just go with the "natural and clear" look which let's be honest, we won't, resort to gel overlays and acrylics which I and many others have found to be extremely harsh on our nails OR, explore the many wonders of the new technology of gel lacquers.

   Gel lacquers use the same U.V technology where it has to be cured in order to set however, it applies just like any regular nail polish, it isn't thick (depending on the manicurist), it does not require over excessive buffing of the nail bed which in turn thins out your nails exponentially, and most important of all, IT LASTS! All of my clients have said their applications usually lasts 2-4 weeks without any chips. Just regrowth. I've been applying my own since the beginning of 2011 and cannot go back to regular polish. This technology is doing so well that there are more exciting colours coming out all the time! My favourite at the moment would have to be CND Shellac's "Hotski to Tchotchke" and "Purple Purple". It's quick to apply, and the hottest product to hit the spa industry. OPI Axxium "The Colour to Watch" is also one of my favourites. As far is which soak off gel lacquer brand is the best? I saw between, Axxium, Nubar's Gelicure, Nail Harmony's Gelish and the most well known of them all, Shellac, I really think it depends on the manicurist's application. All brands have great qualities and variety of colours.

Tip: Always make sure to refresh your manicure with cuticle oil daily. Cuticle oil keeps your polish looking fresh and your nails and cuticles hydrated. It is absolutely essential to maintain your manicure and costs just cents a day! One of my favourites would be CND Solar Oil  or SpaRitual's Cuti-Cocktail. Both can be found at high end salons and spas.

Try it! You won't regret it!

Smooth Flawless Complexion without Streaks!

Sick of the thickness and heaviness of foundation but love the coverage?
Try Dior`s Airflash foundation. This product has been on the market for awhile and has become extremely popular.  I first tried it while getting my make-up done at a Dior make-up counter because I was looking for something new and haven`t switched since.

It goes on as a spray and provides all over coverage. It works best using a big round brush.  First spray the foundation on the brush and then spread all over your face in circular motions. It creates a very good light coverage for during the day.  If you want to have full coverage, then simply sweep the brush over a second time. It also has something in it that makes your skin`s finish look glowing and flawless without the heavy feeling that foundation often brings.
The product can be found at your local Sephora counter or at any deparment store that carries Dior products. Although it is a little on the pricey side ($60), it is a must have for beauty junkies!

Luscious Lips Worth Plumping For!

     From Angelina Jolie's lips to Scarlet Johansson's luscious puckers, it seems as though every woman is in the market for fuller and plumper lips. I thought I would take it to the spas and cosmetic stores to see what worked the best!





     I noticed that a lot of spas and salons were offering "lip enhancing" treatments where they would exfoliate your lips, apply a mask, and finish with a lip plumping serum. This is a great treatment for rejuvenating your lips and softening those lines. As we all know, exfoliating helps to stimulate your blood flow and gets rid of all those dead cells and build up. It provides a smoother and softer base for your lip sticks and gloss. I found a great one at Sephora from Fresh called Brown Sugar Lip Polish ($22.50). It uses a blend of essential oils, shea butter, and brown sugar crystals to buff away dead cells as well as hydrating your lips.



    As for serums that actually plump your lips, I tried a great one from Too Faced called Lip Injection ($27.00). After one application on my lips, I noticed a great tingling sensation on my lips and they appeared fuller instantly. Used in conjunction with an exfoliant, the results were phenomenal! If you are looking for a lip enhancer that is non surgical and offers instant results, I definitely recommend both products or take a trip to the spa and get the full treatment! You probably won't get Angelina or Scarlet's pout, but will still reap the benefits of a great lip treatment from home or the spa and get excellent results!

 

   

Iceland-Blue Lagoon

One of my best vacations ever!!!
A couple of years ago, I visited Iceland. I was at first very skeptical as I had not heard much about it.  However, I can honestly say that Iceland is one of the top destinations to vacation to.
It is a place where they do not give into commercialism. I was a little upset that there was not a Starbucks in sight, but I quickly got over it. Its a country that is very chic and modern and home to one of the best natural spas, the Blue Lagoon bluelagoon.com which is a thermal heated natural spa that is open all year round.
On their site it best  describes it;
"The Blue Lagoon’s ecosystem is unique in the world, in fact one of Mother Nature’s laboratories, connecting us with the forces of nature. Through nature and science, Blue Lagoon spa treatments and massages provide you with the energy of the geothermal seawater and its active ingredients: minerals, silica and algae."
I took full advantage of the experience and tried a massage in the lagoon and ate at the lava restaurant. You can literally take the mud from the bottom of the warm lagoon and put it on your face. It is a white and has a natural exfoliant in it. I came out refreshed and relaxed.
I also took the opportunity to go on some nature tours.  It is amazing (but a little scary) that you can go right up a waterfalls edge and see the beauty of it all.
Truly a very relaxing get away that I recommend to everyone especially spa lovers.

Sweat it Out!

       Have you ever been told that the more you sweat the more weight you will lose? There may be some truth behind it.

       Everywhere I go lately, I've been hearing more and more about hot yoga and infrared saunas in the spa and wellness industry. I was a little doubtful when I heard that saunas can help burn calories as well as hot yoga so I thought it would be a great idea to test them out!

       When I walked into my first hot yoga class, the temperature was sitting at 37C. Since I was new to the whole yoga idea, I will admit that I was a little intimidated when I first started. During the class, I found that the instructor was extremely helpful with the various positions and poses. After an hour of class and buckets of sweat, I walked out and had never felt so refreshed! I even had the best night sleep of my life!
 I had read an article posted online at Hot Yoga Benefits, and I couldn't believe all the great benefits that were associated with it. Not only does your body detox from all the sweating, yoga itself assists in metabolism, core strength and flexibility, burning calories, boosts your immune system and really does help relax you and your state of mind. For the next couple of days after class, my body and muscles were beyond sore as if I had worked out for hours the day before.

       Another great alternative or even used in conjunction with hot yoga would be infrared saunas. Unlike yoga, in a sauna, you just sit there, relax, and sweat it out. The wonderful thing about infrared saunas is that it uses a dry heat which is fantastic for someone like me who hates the stuffiness that is normally associated with very warm temperatures. Dr. Oz appeared on Oprah discussing infrared saunas. He explained the benefits as boosting your metabolism, increasing blood circulation, and burning TONS of calories in short time. I also found that after one session in the sauna, my skin looked fantastic and was glowing!

     In conclusion, both methods of detox are absolutely amazing and when used together, the benefits are even better. Yoga and saunas aid in weight loss especially when done with a proper diet. There are many great studios out there that offer hot yoga and sauna sessions. In my opinion, if I had the space at home for an infrared sauna, I would definitely take one home! My only advice with both, make sure you drink lots of water!








 

Eyelash Enhancers- the Latest Gimmick?

      Caught up with the latest craze to get perfect full, long, and thick lashes? Well I certainly have! I tried a full year of eyelash extensions at multiple locations at varying price ranges. While the first few applications looked great, I found that over time my eyelashes, like anything else, needed time to breath and rejuvenate. It was a hard transition to go from perfect eyelashes to little "stubs" so I ventured out into the world of eyelash enhancers. I was skeptical at first as I didn't really believe that a serum could achieve the eyelashes I desired. However, I was proven wrong.

      One of my favourites is B Kamins Chemist Eyelash Fortifier ($99.00) found at your local Sephora store. It was extremely easy to use and you only needed a small dab per eyelash. I applied it once a day before bed and experienced no irritation. My eyelashes are naturally thin and short but over a three week period, they grew in length and volume. In order to keep my eyelashes growing during the day, I also purchased Peter Thomas Roth's Mascara from the "Lashes to Die for Collection" ($25.00) found at Sephora as well. It worked really well during the day to keep my eyelashes growing and volumized.

What are your thoughts Julie?

     Jen, I completely agree with you. I too didn't believe such products ever existed or if they did, would in no way actually help your eyelashes grow longer until I actually tried it! Like Jenn, I also have short, fine, and sparse lashes. Being of Asian ethnicity, many of us face the challenges of trying to "enhance" our short little lashes with eyelash extension services and wearing temporary falsies which I still love.

     I heard about a product called Stimulash by Fusion Beauty ($99.00) which can be purchased at Sephora. A girl I knew posted a picture on Facebook of her lashes before and after using this product and the results were UNREAL! Just like many other women would, I sought out reviews for the product to see what others who have used it thought and it sounded promising so I thought I'd give it a try. I applied it every night consistently before I went to bed and a few weeks later, I noticed a drastic difference in not only the length but my lashes looked fuller and curled naturally. It definitely was money well spent and I love that a little bottle lasts a long way. I always top off my lash look with my most FAVOURITE mascara ever, BADGal by Benefit Cosmetics ($19.00). It gives me the extra length and volume I need without the clumping and flaking!

     An alternative to eyelash growth stimulators, though I've had both and think they're both great, really depends on what your needs are. If you're looking for that quick fix or just the evening or weekend, I would highly recommend semi permanent eyelash extensions which can be done at most salons and spas. The service takes about an hour and is applied by a trained technician. Each lash bundle is applied with an adhesive which will eventually wear off after awhile. I found that depending on how aggressive you are with your eye care routine or how much eye make up you actually wear, it doesn't last as long as you'd like. If you're someone seeking long term permanent results like I was, I would definitely recommend eyelash growth serums such as the ones we've used because we know it works!

Behind the Blog

Something Spa was created by a couple of beauty experts from Toronto for professionals as well the spa and beauty enthusiasts to shed light on current trends within the beauty and wellness industry. We aim to give our followers the latest and greatest news from not only the top spas and salons but beauty overall.

Julie- I stepped into the industry at a very young age and there is no other place I would rather be.  As well as being a beauty and spa junkie myself, I have also dabbled in every job aspect of the beauty and wellness trade from beauty advisor, spa technician, spa management to beauty educator/ trainer. During my spa days, I met a girl named Jenn who was just as much of a beauty product and spa junkie as I was! My passion is anything spa and beauty related especially trying new products and services so much so that I had to share my experiences and expertise with everyone. 

Jenn- I love the beauty and spa industry! Although I currently work in the corporate world, I have also worked in spas over the years...which is where I met Julie! I love the spa environment and the calmness it brings to my hectic life. I have a severe addiction to beauty products, trying out spas and spa services world- wide, and fashion.  I am always looking for the latest product or service to try out and thought this blog would be a fabulous way to share my great finds.