A new path

Last year I left two separate jobs.  I then spent sometime reeducating myself in the skin care profession...apparently that has paid off (YEEEEE!).  

This week I had two interviews and am moving forward with the hiring process next week in a spa.  I'm so happy that I will finally be putting my Esthetician's license to use.  I hope that I have actually found my path.  

Today during my second interview I was asked what made me choose the skin care profession.  I suppose a love of products is part of it, but thinking back I've been interested in skin and body care for a long time, I love the atmosphere that you get to work in and helping others to feel good inside and out is a great feeling.  Right out of high school I took a course in massage therapy, but at the time I didn't have very supportive friends.  I had people that chuckled about my chosen profession.  I considered going into skin care then, but put it off thinking that no one would take me seriously.  

Years later I made the choice to get my Esthetician's license.  I researched some schools and found one that fit my personality, completed my courses in six months, and passed the state board exam on the first try.  I know that you're not supposed to live your life with regrets but putting off pursuing this profession has been mine.  I worried to much about people's opinions (no worries though, these people are no longer a part of my life).

If you are ever at a point in your life where you want to change direction, trust yourself.  The true hearts in your life will support you.  

Product review: Aubrey Complexion Mist

Found a product that falls into my "nice enough to buy it twice" category.  I found it while browsing the skin care section at the Vitamin Shoppe one day.  It was rather summery at the time and I liked the idea of a quick spritz to refresh myself.  Fast forward to now where it's cool outside and heater-warm inside...and my skin has just been feeling dry and voila~instant hydration.

Aubrey's Sparkling Glacier Complexion Mist has a light refreshing scent.  In the morning I like to apply it right after I wash my face (and right before my moisturizer) and later in the day I enjoy a little mist to freshen up my day.  This product is not tested in animals and also boasts being vegan and even gluten free (if you need to avoid spraying gluten on your face).  The super bonus today at the Vitamin Shoppe was that it was $3 off (it retails there for $6.99), so it's affordable to begin with but who turns their back on almost half off?  

As far as facial sprays go, I've also purchased from Urban Decay...and while I do like their All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray that is going to set me back between $14-$30 (travel-full size) and right now I just don't have the disposable income for that.  

Do yourself and your skin a favor a little mist after you wash your face will add a few seconds to your routine...but your skin may thank you for it.  

Winter...even in southern Calfornia

Ok, I get that compared to other parts of the world I shouldn't really be complaining about the weather and I'm not really. My complaint is with my skin...somehow despite my best efforts to take care of it I've ended up with an obnoxious little red irritated patch of dry skin in the center of my face!  

Not sure if it's the combo of cooler air outside and warm dry air inside, if I'm not staying hydrated enough or if one of my little samples was just not right for me.  The hardest part of skin care has to be patience when something goes wrong.

I alternated between using Dermalogica's Barrier Repair and good old Aloe Vera.  Still took a few days to clear up, and when I felt a tiny bit more confident (and when it was getting a little flaky) I added an exfoliant to the mix (Dermalogica's Microfoliant).  At night I'd use a layer of Eminence Organic's Linden Calendula Treatment for dry/dehydrated skin and make sure my humidifier was on.  I've tried to up my tea intake as it's been too chilly for my usual large glass of iced water.  

brushing up...a quick guide to dry body brushing

Brush your hair, brush your teeth, brush your skin.  Yeah, add another brushing to your to-do list. I picked up a brush off of Amazon for around five dollars a while back.  Even though I keep it in the bath room I consistently forget to use it.  When I do though, I totally notice the difference.  If I kept it up on a regular basis I would probably see even more benefits.  Mostly I notice the circulation and exfoliation.  Better to do the dry brushing before a morning shower as it really seems to wake you up and leave you a little tingly. 

Equipment needed: Just a body brush, stiff but still flexible. 
The basics: Starting at your feet brush upward in circular strokes (toward the heart).  Then hop in your shower.  See, it's just a quick little addition to your morning routine.  After your shower make sure to moisturize, it's ideal to do when your skin is damp and pores are open.  

Interested in learning a little more?  Here you go:

• Benefits of Dry Body Brushing

• Why you should start dry body brushing

• How to Detox you Skin

Cheers my friends and don't forget your SPF even though it's December! 

Thai Massage round two

Took myself for a massage as a post birthday treat.  Went back to Sukho Thai Healing Center in Glendora.  I really enjoy calling ahead to be at a place and having them say "see you in 10 minutes."  Hooray for semi-instant gratification! 

Lois was my therapist for this session and she twisted me up like a little pretzel.  I heard my back crack from positions I would not have thought possible, which is not something I would generally go for but I was okay with it.  Don't get me wrong I'm all for the the gentle ease of a Swedish style massage...but there is something about leaving from a Thai massage where your muscles and knots feel all wrung out of you.  It's relaxing, but also energizing....if those can be simultaneous.  


Based of this little guide to benefits, I would have to agree.  This is not a regular massage with a lot of soothing strokes, you'll get some of that but there is a lot of twisting and pulling which is what I think is really helping with relieving tension.  It's almost like assisted Yoga in some positions, like a way to get deeper into the stretches.

I went for a Thai massage once before, see post  Oh my Thai for that experience. I liked my second visit a little more, maybe because I knew what I was getting myself into...but also because I really felt like my whole self more relaxed. 

ULTA Spa Day

We get our ULTA catalogs every month.  Every month they have their specials for their salon and spa.  This month I decided to give it a go.

The one I went to didn't have a treatment room, just a small sectioned off space on the main floor.  No worries for me though if I can relax in a class full of people I can relax just about anywhere.  My skin therapist was super nice, we chatted for a bit about schools and such.  She had a very nice touch, gentle and relaxing.  

As far as Dermalogica goes, she used some items from their Ultra Calming line and some from their Age Smart line.  My skin is a little sensitive (it gets red very easily) and I tend to be more dry.  She gave me my face chart to show me her analysis of my skin which is awesome because it tells you exactly which product were used. My favorite product of this skin care session was the Age Smart MultiVitamin Power Firm for my eye area (and a little on the lip area). 

If you haven't checked out your local ULTA for their spa services it's worth looking into.  I think that finding a good skin therapist is a lot like finding the right hair stylist and manicurist.  You've got to try out a few (or a lot) to find the right one for you.  Overall, it was a really good experience.  

Trader Joe's for your fingers and toes

You just never know what you'll find at Trader Joe's.  Actually right now if you go you'll find pumpkin spiced everything...but that's not what I'm here to tell you about.  

My amazing find happened in their skin care section.  For a while now I've been trying to get my cuticles in to shape (I have a bad habit of picking at them...which just makes them look worse).  I would also like to continue wearing flip flops as long as our weather in southern California will let me (so yeah, pretty much year round).  Enter: Trader Joe's Head to Toe Moisturizing Balm. I've been using it every night for my hands and feet and in the last week there is a noticeable (to me) difference in how much softer my heels are and how much better my cuticles appear to be.  If you need a little more moisture anywhere else it's also supposes to be good for chapped lips, dry elbows and flyaway hairs.  About $4 for a 2 ounce tin and No Animal Testing.  Yay!

Another little bonus from Trader Joe's you can use in your nail routine...Coconut Oil Spray.  I painted my nails and when they were mostly dry (right about the time you touch something and make a mess of your manicure) I sprayed a light mist of the coconut oil on them and they are smudge free.  

21 Days of Beauty...and my best buy

I love when ULTA has their 21 Days of Beauty...I've been trying to watch my budget lately so I didn't indulge myself too much. However, when they had Clarisonic brush heads for buy one get one free...well I could not pass that up.  (Total $27 for two!)

My Clarisonic Mia was probably one of my best purchases when I was a Macy's (employee discount woot woot).  It's been a few years now and I still love it.  Plug in to charge it every once in a while and change out the brush head every few months. Done. I've never tried the other brushes on the market because I've never needed to.  

You can use any type of cleanser you'd like with this brush, lately I've been using it with Murad's Essential-C Cleanser and Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant.  Exfoliating with the brush is really nice, it leaves your skin so soft and smooth.  Bonus being that when you give your skin a nice exfoliation your follow up (serums and moisturizers) will go on more smoothly and penetrate deeper into your skin.   

What has been your best beauty purchase?  

Long Beach Trade Show

Boldijarre Koronczay (he's from Hungary) President
of Eminence Organics

How do I love a trade show? Let me count the ways...
1. Shopping and samples
2. Classes and demos

Yeah, technically it's not a lot list wise but multiply it into a convention center and you've really got something there.  Bonus: I won a raffle in one of the classes (a book, a shirt, and a box of detox tea), additional bonus: I got to test drive a treatment with The Contour Light (a magical machine that breaks down your fat cells and helps you to lose inches...a $100 value).

I watched some awesome demos of which I would love to continue my education in a little further down the road.  The first of which is a bamboo facial massage using warm bamboo.  The woman doing this demo had a lovely french accent and was so relaxing that I almost fell asleep watching the massage (in a nice way).  Today I watched a demo using Kansa wand as part of a facial massage and I sat there thinking "Man, I want to do this too!!".

Example of a Kansa Wand
 from Diamond Way Ayurveda

Which leads into the shopping...I gave myself a very small budget, but I splurged and bought some Eminence products anyway.  They just smell so lovely and work so hard to make their booth amazing.  They have demos at their booth all day and they give so much info.  I also picked up some brushes...you can't beat wholesale (I'm guessing) prices.

After visiting this year I was realizing that somewhere down the line I would like to teach Esthetics. I love taking classes and learning more and more about the skin care industry.  There is always something new, unfortunately in school the focus is mainly state board.  Don't get me wrong students need the state board stuff but there is so much more that I wish that I had been exposed to.




Links from the stuff I liked in Long Beach:
Diamond Way Ayurveda (Kansa Wand Face Massage)
Eminence Organics (Official Website)
Ageless Health / Dr. Rhonda Donahue (Healthy Living/Supplements/Contour Light)
M'lis (Detoxing and Body Wraps...I'll have a certification class in October)

why you need an acupressure facial

This week I took a Chinese Acupressure class at the International Dermal Institute...while it was only a two day look into a massive subject it was AWESOME.  We learned a technique that focuses on 21 points of the face and neck area and I am hooked.

I've always had the basic European massage in facials before (it's the standard that most of us learn for state board testing).  It's all fine and dandy, I mean it feels nice and relaxes you but sometimes you want something a little different...enter acupressure.

It is also very relaxing, which I wasn't sure it would be at first (being so used to the European style).  Turns out that it is relaxing but somehow in a different way.  Maybe because the focus is on breathing and overall wellness so the relaxation comes secondary.  Based off of this class I'm super excited to attend the IDI Reflexology course and the Chinese Diagnosis: Face and Body Reading.

If you have the option of trying it, I would highly recommend it! 

Fab find: Drops of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask

I like samples...no, make that love.  I love getting samples of little things to try.  Sometimes the actual product is so far out of my price range that it's laughable, but I enjoy my sample nonetheless.

Lucky for me the other night I was looking for a night cream sample and I found The Body Shop's Drops of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask in my lovely sample collection.  I put a little on and instantly my skin felt so soft and hydrated.  I can not remember the last time my skin felt so wonderful so quickly.  In the morning, my skin still felt great.

As far as price point goes, I consider it completely affordable at $30.00 for 3.1 ounces.  For a night time mask, that you maybe use once or twice a week (more if you have more dehydrated skin).

So glad I found this sample, looking forward to trying more from this line as well!

Why Spa and when?

I am still working to get my post graduated certificate from International Dermal Institute.  I am also trying to work out what kind of Esthetician I would like to be.  I think that I would really like to focus in on skin care and body treatments, and not so much on waxing.  Waxing has just never been my thing (maybe because I too feel the pain that we have to suffer walking around letting our hairs grow out prior to a session).

Personally, I'd rather go the shave and laser route...to me it's just easier (especially if you consider how many deals are to be had on things like Groupon and Living Social).

Bunny applauds going cruelty free

 Here's what I do know, I want to provide a cruelty free experience (bunnies of the world rejoice!).   I would also like to focus on facials and things like body wraps and such.  These are the treatments that I enjoy, and I'd like to think others do too...I could be wrong.  I know I don't go as much as I'd like, do you?

Starting over, all over again

                                                                      Here I am at the starting line once again.  Feels like it's happened a lot in the last few years.  Luckily, I'm at the excited for a new beginning part.

I've been taking some continuing education classes over at the Dermal Institute.  I took the 3 Day Skin Care Technique class and met a great group of fellow Estheticians. I really enjoy taking classes there, the teachers are all great and a bonus is that we use Dermalogica (which is cruelty free).  Up next is a "skin series" class and a class in gaining and retaining clients...which will be pretty important as I currently have a whopping ZERO clients in my roster.

After these classes, I'll be hopping to the application process.  I'm not even really sure where to begin...but I'll figure it out.  Just need to get organized, be focused, and keep up my skills.

Unfortunately my workouts took a backseat when I was in class last week (2+ hours in traffic sure takes a lot out of you!)...but I will get started again, no wagon falling off for me!

A trip to Eden...(A Day Spa)

I love the idea of "detoxing".  Clearing out the bad so there is room for good.  The other day I tried a M'lis Detox Wrap at Luxe in Glendora.  Generally I go there for my cut and color needs (with Lisamarie).

The more I visit this salon, the more I like it.  This was my first trip to the Eden Day Spa side and I have to say that I was kind of amazed.  Past the hustle and bustle of the busy salon area there is a door in the back that leads to another door and into a quiet room.  A comfy couch and dim lighting it is a perfect spot to relax a little before you are led upstairs to one of three treatment rooms.

On with the show though.  My skin therapist today was Michelle, who was nice as could be.  We started with a quick scrub, a quick application of the M'lis Contour Body Cream and then I was all wrapped up with plastic.  I got real cozy for about 40 minutes and even dozed off for a few minutes.  The wrap was removed and I was on my way.  I don't know if I lost any inches, but I was for sure relaxed and smelling faintly of cinnamon. Overall it was a very positive experience and I would for sure visit again for other treatments! For a M'lis location near you click here.

Back to school...the education continues

This week I'm going back to school (International Dermal Institute style).  Taking the 3-day Technique course.  I'm at a strange point of my life where I'm still struggling with the whole "What should I be when I grow up?" 

Part of me totally wants to pursue being an Esthetician, but I know that that goes hand in hand with sales.  I just have never been confident in my salesperson skills.  I guess for me, I'm a look around shopper myself and don't particularly like having a sales associate checking in on me. 

The other part of me really enjoyed working in an elementary school.  I love working with kids...you will always have a good story to tell when kids get involved.  Add to that the fact that I don't have any kids of my own (and having them in my future is looking a bit bleak for the time being) I kind of miss the school environment.  Weekends and holidays off? Yes please.  

For now, while I'm in the gray area I'm taking a couple of classes at the Dermal Institute to brush up on some facial giving skills.  Also, I get to go to the student store and pick up some products...yay! (For info on Dermalogica/Dermal Institute/Continuing Education click here).

Product splurge: Vine Vera Cabernet Peel

I took a trip to the mall the other day, just to purchase a gift for a friend.  I was not shopping for myself.  Ok, maybe one small thing...a bracelet or t-shirt...but just one thing.  

I was lured into the Vine Vera store because of a free sample...and Zoie.  She sat me down to her chair to show me how their product worked.  The peel seemed awesome, very gentle and when she removed it with a cotton ball I was amazed at what I saw...(and a little grossed out, I mean come on I had showered that morning and here were all these little dead skin cells sitting on a cotton ball!)

Then came the price pitch...I can't even remember what the original price she said based on their website let's say $300.00.  I about fell out of the chair, I'm sure my jaw was on the floor.  And I said NO.  I was honest and told her: I'm out of work, I'm only here to purchase a gift for a friend.  We went back and forth for a bit, she wanted to make the sale work...and I really was impressed with how the product worked.  I held strong--this is not in my price range, and I am not one to haggle.  However, when she came down to $80.00...I caved.  I'll save money in another area of my life.

Resveratol Cabernet High Potency Cellular Peel

I've used the peel once so far, it is recommended to use once a week.  I will take some before/after pics after I've used it for a little while.  After one use, I could not stop touching my face--it was so soft!  

This product line does appear to be questionable in regards to their pricing.  If you are interested in trying them out do some research first...and if you are a good haggler--go for it. If using the internet--shop around to get a good price.  

Per their website Vine Vera does not test on animals. You can visit their website here to check them out.

How is your sales resistance? Can you walk on by or do you go for the sample?

Cheers! 

How to get hot...or the time I got a heat wrap

Last Saturday I visited a little place in San Dimas, Infrared Body Wraps.  What a delightful experience!

It goes a little something like this:

1. Drink a lot of water before you go in, and wear long pants, long sleeves and socks
2. Hop on to the massage style bed into what looks like a giant sleeping bag
3. Pop your headphones on and catch up on some TV (Jaime got me started on Scandal)
4. Feel all warm and cozy for while (you start to sweat a bit toward the end)
5. Leave a little sweaty but so very relaxed!

I signed up for a set of 10 sessions...can't wait to go again this Saturday.  

While I don't know about all the claims...I'd like to think I left detoxified, burnt 1400 calories, and lost some inches...maybe that comes more with time.  Nine more sessions go though, we'll see.

Cheers all!

Check out the reviews on Yelp here.

quickie review: Vaadi Herbals Cold Cream

I've been using Pond's cold cream for years.  I can rub some on, wipe it off and go to bed.  It's gentle enough to remove my eye make up too.  It's something I've stocked up on in the past, but now as it's come time to replenish I've had to look for something new.

Enter: Vaadi Herbal Cold Cream.  I found it on Amazon, it was a reasonable price so I've been using it a little over the last week or so.  It's active ingredients are Saffron, Aloe Vera extract, Almond oil and Jojoba oil.  Upon first usage, I felt it was a bit more fragrant than I like.  I also felt like I broke out the very next morning after I used it...to be fair though that blemish may have already been on it's way.

Overall, with continued use I've adjusted to it pretty well.  It feels like a decent value (comes as a two pack 3.18 ounces each for $10.99).  Not completely sold just yet...still looking for a simple, natural face cleaner for those nights I really just want to go to bed.

Any other faithful cold cream users out there?  What's your go to night routine when you're trying to keep it simple?

Cheers all!

of mountains and molehills

For the last few days my face has been growing a blemish the size of volcano on the region of my chin.  I have been trying to remain strong and patient.  I'm trying my best not to anger it.  I went to Google on behalf of my chin and the underground nightmare that has yet to unleash it's full fury.

Special thanks to Bella Sugar for some tips:

• Tea bag: I rinsed a tea bag with water and heated it in the microwave for a few seconds before placing on the affected area. The tannins are supposed to reduce redness and swelling....this technique did not do much for me at this time. I wouldn't completely rule it out though.
• Hydrocortisone cream: I'll say that I did absolutely no research on this...I had some cream handy and I dabbed it on my face with looking at no other sources (and without looking for any possible consequences) but it seemed to help.  It brought it up some.

Special thanks to Top 10 home remedies for this tip (and plenty more):

• Warm compress: Wring out a wet washcloth (again I heated mine in the microwave) and place on face (hot, but not like burning your face off) the heat is supposed to stimulate circulation and bring the blemish up to a head.  (They also recommend tea bags).  

The hydrocortisone and washcloth combo is working, slowly.  Luckily it's still semi-coverable with concealer.  

As far as actual treatments I'm using Dermalogica's Overnight Clearing Gel...this works to a point, but I've never found an amazing spot treatment that I could swear by.  

Anyone out there struggling with the occasional breakout that feels like it's taking over your face...and your life?  Please share tips and products that you use.

Cheers all!

spa day (July edition)

After a very long work week I went for some relaxation at Wild Earth Spa in La Verne, CA it wasn't quite what I expected but ended up okay. I've always had a good experience in the past, but based on this trip I don't know that I'll go back.

I opted for one of their spa packages with a wrap and massage...apparently it's available on their website but is no longer on their in store menu.  The guy up front kept asking me if I was a new client...which was weird as I kept telling him "No".  The therapist who worked with me didn't seem to know what I was there for (maybe no one at the spa checks their website).

She walked me out to the sauna...and was about to leave when I asked how long she recommended I stay in there.  "About 30 minutes?...Um, or however long you want." I did 20 minutes.

We moved on to the wrap...she rubbed some tingly gel/cream on my upper arms, upper legs, and stomach.  I asked about the ingredients that make it tingle, she didn't know.  At this point I figured she must be new...nope, she said she'd been there for two years!

I will say the massage went alright, not stellar.  Very relaxing in spots...and I'm not one to complain about going over time on a massage, but the treatment was supposed to be 2 hours and altogether I was there for almost 3...partly because we started late.  It just wasn't that much fun and only semi relaxing.

Oh well, in plus news we're going out to Palm Springs in August with work and get 10% off spa services at our hotel.  Here's to trying again!!

Cheers!

Update: I contacted the Wild Earth regarding my service.  Management did not reply until I reposted my e-mail to their website (for all to see).  At that point the manager let me know all the personal details of her life as reasons why she didn't respond before.  She didn't address any of the issues I had with the service, but she did offer to let me come back for a free service.  She came across as super unprofessional, and I let her know as much...and that I was no longer comfortable coming back to her spa.