Spascape Day Spa

DIY Spa

 

They are predicting that another big snow storm is on its way and most people are planning on staying in.  Of course it is understandable that hazardous driving conditions might keep you from your facial at Spacape Day Spa so here are a few do-it-yourself spa treatments you can try at home using some basic ingredients found around the house.

 A hydrating, soothing, and smoothing mask - ideal for dry or sensitive skin - is to put a couple tablespoons of full-fat sour cream on your face for 15 - 20 minutes.  Not only is it non-irritating and wonderfully restorative but the lactic acid in it is mildly exfoliating as well.

Even more exfoliating is to freeze some apple juice in your ice cube trays.  Then rub the frozen juice gently over cleansed skin so that the malic acid (a type of alpha-hydroxy acid) can smooth and exfoliate the skin.  Plus the cold cube tightens the skin and feels like a mini face lift.

But the most exfoliating of all is to use that aspirin that is sitting around in your medicine cabinet.  Real aspirin (not Tylenol or Advil!) is made of salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy exfoliator.  So just crush up a few pills, mix with a tiny bit of water until it is a paste and apply to cleansed skin leaving it on anywhere fron five to ten minutes depending on your skin's sensitivity.

For the ultimate in hydration and nourishment, mash up ripe avocado and apply to cleansed skin for a 15 minute mask.  Unless your skin is oily, it is practically guaranteed to love it.  Most skin adores avocado either applied topically or eaten internally as it comes in a close second to the highly recommended Omega 3 fish oils.

For dry chapped lips a simple remedy is to put sone honey on a toothbrush and give your lips a light scrubbing. The honey is both soothing and hydrating, and the brush of course is exfoliating.

And finally, for depuffing swollen eyes, a compress of warm, damp, black-tea bags does the trick every time.  The caffeine in the tea helps to drain the excess fluid and helps stimulate microcirculation to reduce dark circles.  People in the know prefer it even over the cucumber slices trick.

So stay safe, stay cozy and we look forward to seeing you at Spascape another time soon. (781)545-1200

 

large pores

 

You wouldn't believe how many women come into Spascape Day Spa and complain about their large pores when in reality, from my professional perspective, they actually have quite lovely skin.  Of course there are the people who truly do have enlarged pores and not just a case of perfectionism but whatever your situation there are a few things you should know:

The Golden Rule of Pores:  You cannot actually shrink the size of your pores but you can definitely improve their appearance.  You would do this by:

#1 Keep the pores completely clean.  Sebum can collect in the pore, pooling up and stretching the circumference.  If you have large pores I would highly recommend getting one of our Clairsonic cleansing brushes which will clean your skin six times greater than manual cleansing alone.  I promise you will notice a difference!

#2 Exfoliating.  You would want to do this as another measure of keeping the pores clean but also many times people's pores get larger as they age, and regular exfoliation can help speed up the cell turnover rate and thus slow down the aging process.  I would use one of our enzyme exfoliants such as GM Collin's Exfozyme or Intensive Exfoliating Gel because a harsh scrub can actually pull and abuse the pores making them more slack.

#3 Hydrate.  Many people associate large pores with oily skin but that is not always the case.  As I mentioned before merely the aging process can enlarge your pores.  But no matter what your skin type it can become dehydrated and then the pores will look like gaping holes dying for moisture.  And here's the real reason  to hydrate - hydration plumps up the skin, fine lines, wrinkles and pores too.  Moisture will make the walls of your enlarged pore look fat and closed up and smooth.  Yay!  If you have oily skin use a moisturizer designed for oily skin such as our GM Collin Hydramucine Optimal Gel and if you have normal to dry skin the sky's the limit.

#4 Retinol.  Don't let the word scare you - there are many other options besides the often harsh and drying prescription-strength formulas.  Retinol is the ultimate smoother-outer, pore-appearance-shrinker, skin-refiner.  I would definitely recommend using our Environ professional skincare line which contains gentle, user-friendly forms of retinol.  In fact the Environ products come in varying strengths of retinol so you can start out gentle and work your way up to the really high powered stuff.

#5 Use the right makeup.  The right makeup is out there for you.  Experiment with different foundations, some will definitely work better than others, and I would really look into a foundation primer that will fill in the pores and giving you a much smoother foundation application.  At Spascape we have a couple different foundations that tend to work well with large pores.  TheBalm has Time Balm a medium to heavy coverage dreamy-creamy foundation that will smooth things right over.  And for some people, the Jane Iredale mineral powder foundation can make your skin look as flawless and satiny as a pearl.

So you see, large pores are not the end of the world.  We have many solutions for you here at Spascape and together we can minimize the look of your pores.  (781)545-1200

 

Dos and Don'ts

I don't know about you but I always love the section in the magazines that shows the fashion do's and dont's.  There is nothing more entertaining than seeing a picture of a woman wearing purple striped tights and her skirt hiked up to her bikini line, with a big black bar across her face.  "Don't!" the caption screams.  And you can heave a satisfied sigh knowing that, yes you are in agreement and no, you would never be caught dead wearing something like that yourself.

Or perhaps you're not quite the fashion maven that I am, but I think everyone can enjoy a good list of dos and don'ts just in general.  Of course this is a blog for Spascape Day Spa so I would like to present you with a list of dos and don'ts relevant to our spa.  I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them and just remember the spa police are watching ;-)

DO come in early to your appointment to enjoy a few extra moments of relaxation in our magnificent ocean-tiled steam room.  Not only will it melt your tension away but steam rooms have also been proven to boost your immunity, improve your circulation, detoxify your lymphatic system, and even improve your skin.  Plus it's free with any service of one hour or longer!

DON'T hesitate to ask if we have any specials or promotions going on.  Chances are there is at least one great value happening at any given time.

DO shop for cosmetics that have skincare benefits as well as gorgeous wearability.  We carry two makeup lines that fit this bill:  the renowned Jane Iredale mineral makeup and the hip and sassy TheBalm from San Francisco.  I think you would love them both!

DON'T forget to drink a ton of water after your massage.  I know you drink that little cup the therapist gives your right after your massage but do you continue to pound down the H2O for the rest of the day as well?  You really need to eliminate all the toxins that the massage has loosened up and you will reap the benefits of your session all that much more.

DO be religious about applying your eyecream twice a day.  This is usually where the first signs of aging appear and you will need to use cream twice a day to effectively prevent and repair.  For those of you already trying to battle crows feet I can think of nothing better to use than the GM Collin Bota-Peptide Eye Contour.  It actively smoothes wrinkle and expression lines, hydrates, and helps reduce the dark circles and puffiness that comes with aging.

DON'T let the triple digit price tag on the Clairsonic products put you off.  Honestly, it is well worth the investment and is probably overall one of the most potent things you can do to improve your skin.  Sonic technology rocks!

DO keep your body hair trimmed down or grown out to 1/4 inch in length when you come in for waxing.  Not only will it be alot less painful this way but it will make the job go alot quicker as well.  And do take some Advil an hour ahead of time!

 So that is my short list.  I hope it was both educational and  entertaining.  Feel free to call us with any questions and don't forget we now have an impressive new location in Pinehills (781)545-1200

dehydrated skin

 Autumn is officially here and I have been seeing the effects of the weather changes on people's faces - dry, dehydrated, dull.  And it will only get worse when Winter is here with the indoor heating systems too.  But do not despair dear friends - all it takes is a little adjustment in your skincare routine.  Break out that creamy cleanser, be diligent with that night cream, and be sure your moisturizer is pulling it's weight.  Light consistency Summer-time moisturizers rarely give enough hydration during the Fall and Winter seasons.  A sure-fire way to tell if your skin is dehydrated is if it looks dull or crepey in spots, if it feels tight after cleansing, or if your skin shows redness and irritation, or slack and enlarged pores.  The signs of dehydration may not even be that obvious to you but here is a quick test you can give yourself to see if your skin is dehydrated:

Make a fist with one hand, then point out the index and middle fingers, kind of like making a fake gun.  Place these fingers flat under your cheek bone, then gently press inward and upward so that it makes a bulge above the fingers.  If your bulge is crepey, or wrinkly, or has fine ripples then your skin is dehydrated.  If you have a fairly smooth, solid bulge then your skin is sufficiently hydrated.  

Keeping optimally hydrated skin is an inside AND outside job.  Yes, you need to drink plenty of water and eat juicy fruits and vegetables but in addition you need to treat the skin topically.  At Spascape Day Spa we have a variety of solutions for dehydration.  You can make an appointment to get your skin back on track with the ultra-quenching Algo facial or the spectacular Hydralift facial.  You can also purchase hydrating products for your own use at home.  What you do on a daily basis really makes a difference, so I would recommend using the G.M. Collin Hydramucine line.  This line is phenomenal, and they make a hydrating product suitable for every skin type, because even oily or acneic skin can get dehydrated.

Hydramucine products are based on the Nobel Prize-winning concept of aquaporines (water channels) in the skin.  With this concept in mind not only does Hydramucine provide ingredients to feed your skin moisture but it also improves the water circulation of the skin thus improving its natural hydration ability.  This revolutionary approach rebalances, revitalizes, and leaves the skin healthier and plumper (dehydrated skin can age your appearance dramatically).  Needless to say, the Hydramucine line does very well in our retail salon, and has been a favorite of our clients for years. To give you a quick run down, the line consists of:    

Hydramucine Cleansing Milk.  A soothing creamy cleanser that leaves the skin feeling clear, soft and supple.  It gently removes all make-up and contains essential oils for purifying, soothing, and of course hydrating.

Hydramucine Treating Lotion.  This is actually a liquid, kind of like a toner but with even more skin repairing abilities.  It gives immediate comfort and moisture to the skin and does NOT contain any alcohol, fragrance, or color.

Hydramucine Concentrate.  An intensely hydrating serum that reinforces the moisturizing action of the cream that you put on top of it.  This is the line's heavy hitter and its noncomedogenic (non-clogging) formula is appropriate for all skin types.

Hydramucine Optimal Cream.  A daily moisturizer for skin that is naturally in the normal to dry range.  It provides a protective lipid (type of fat) barrier as well as helping the skin produce more of its own lipids in the epidermis. This makes it ideal for skin that is sensitive or gets sensitive when it is dry.   Despite all the lipid action, the formulation increases the skin's water level without ever being thick or greasy.  Above all it has been tested to out perform the competitor creams by up to 88%.  

Hydramucine Optimal Gel.  A light weight, noncomedogenic moisturizer designed for combination or oily skin.  Even oily skin can get dehydrated and I am hear to tell you that proper hydration can plump up those large pores up to appear much less noticeable.  This moisturizer is a real thirst quencher for the skin and has been proven to provide up to 57% more hydration than competitive gels.

We have testers of all the Hydramucine products at the spa, so feel free to come in and try them out and don't hesitate to ask one of our estheticians for help in diagnosing or treating your dehydration.  Also I cannot in good conscience sign off here until I make one more plug for the fantabulous Hydralift facial.  I love love love the Hydralift facial! This facial delivers dramatic results and is a must have before any special event!  (781) 545-1200

multi-tasking products

My little sister just got married in Yosemite National park in California and it was a glorious four day event.  The bride was as resplendent as the majestic scenery there but I had my work cut out for me trying to pack and prepare for everything from the variety of weather conditions of outdoor events to the more formal indoor social events that lasted for hours on end.  Not wanting to pay the extra fees for overweight luggage, I reduced the amount of products I brought by selecting ones that acted as practical multitaskers.  Which in turn inspired me to do a blog posting about all the tips and tricks and in-a-pinch substitutions that you can do with your various cosmetics. You'd be amazed at the gorgeous results you can achieve and of course using quality products helps tremendously - luckily I was fully stocked with items I bought here at Spascape Day Spa.

TheBalm's Bahama Mama bronzer was a must have for photography sessions as I did not want the bright lights to wash me out.  However it also came to my mom's rescue one night when she got a run in her pantyhose.  She had no choice but to take off her stockings and go bare-legged.  Of course she was mortified at her pale legs but I whipped out my makeup bag and gave her legs a good dusting of Bahama Mama until they looked bronzed and healthy.  If you really think about it, bronzer is perfect for anywhere on your face or body.  Needless to say my mom was very happy with the matte finish results, and sheer yet richly pigmented paraben-free color that compliments virtualy every skin tone.  You can see why Bahama Mama happens to be my favorite bronzer of all time.  

TheBalm's Sexy Mama translucent powder was another life-saver.  This invisible powder has oil-absorbing spheres to keep your makeup in place and shine-free for hours on end.  But I also used it as a dry shampoo.  I no longer travel with aerosol dry shampoos because so often the airpressure seems to leak out of them.  Why bother when a decent translucent powder will do the trick.  Armed with a big fluffy brush and my Sexy Mama powder I was able to refresh my hair throughout the day and even skip a shampoo when my alarm failed to go off and wake me up for the big post-wedding brunch.

Farmesthetics all-natural, fast-absorbing Lavender Milk is a fantastic all-purpose silky lotion that can be used on face or body and even lightly applied to dry hair to smooth down fly aways.  Why bother packing several different lotions when there is just one that will work wonders.  The air in Yosemite was super dry so I kept a little travel-size container of it in my purse at all times and boy was I grateful for that!  I have also heard that if you run out of your body lotion you can use your hair conditioner in the shower.  Just slather it all over your body, then rinse off and voila! you are hydrated.   

I love to use the sheer Jane Iredale PureMoist lipsticks to brighten up my entire face.  During the wedding reception I only had room for one small extra item in my little clutch so I brought the Jane Iredale lipstick in "Sabrina" (perfect all-flattering natural-looking color).  Not only is it a long-wearing, luscious, moisturizing lip color but I also touched up my entire makeup by applying it to my cheeks as a blush and my brow bones as an eye brightener.  It kept me looking fresh and glowing all night long.  After all, Jane Iredale's motto is "fool-proof and fabulous!"    P.S. I also heard that the celebrity makeup artists used this lipstick (and even lipgloss) trick on the fashion runways this season. 

And finally, the multi-tasker that I cannot do without is the BC Essentials lip balm.  Love love love this stuff!  The organic, petroleum-free lip balm is made with hydrating butters and soothing essential oils.  Not only does it keep my lips just-in-case kissably soft (the best man was a dreamy Scotsman!) but I also use it as a cuticle cream to prevent hang nails.  This was key because as I said the weather in Yosemite was extremely dry.  And one last trick with the lip balm is to use it to keep your eyebrows looking groomed and in place.  I just rubbed a little balm on a toothbrush and brushed the brows upward and outward.  I did this trick for my mom, my sister the bride, and myself before every event.  You would not believe how much this opens up the eyes and lifts the face. 

So next time you are packing for a trip, or find yourself in a pinch, think of Spascape and all the wonderful multi-taskers we have for sale here. You know what the boy scouts say:  "be prepared"!  (781) 545-1200.

the secret to good skin

The secret to good skin (besides having good genes!) is to pay attention to it.  Get to know your skin intimately - it is as special and unique as you are and has quirks and needs and likes and dislikes, just as you do.  And just like you, your skin will have good days and bad days.  It is the largest organ of your body and a part of your integumentary system, so don't you think it deserves the same TLC that you give your liver or say your lungs?  So pay attention.  Cherish it.  And I promise you that even problematic skin can have a chance to improve.

I myself have very reactive sensitive skin yet no one would ever know because I have learned over time to give it what it likes and avoid what it doesn't like - thus I am always complimented on my skin and people believe me to be alot younger than I am.  True, skincare is my profession, but I'll let you in on a little secret:  it's all about trial and error.  Start off with a good skin analysis from your favorite skincare professional and have them recommend some products to start with and either get free samples first or ask about the return policy if the product does not agree with you.  Remember trial and error is the key.  We here at Spascape Day Spa are more than happy to give you a free skincare analysis, product recommendations, or free skincare samples.   Our estheticians are highly trained, not just in the physiology of skin but in the professional products and ingredients that are out there.

So as I said, get intimate with your skin.  Don't be afraid to really look in the mirror.  Observe what is going on, it can change from day to day, or season to season.  Learn how to look for certain signs and adjust accordingly:

Is there dullness and/or a little puckering around the eyes or mouth?  If so, then your skin is dehydrated and a switch to a more hydrating/richer moisturizer is warranted and trying a creamy cleanser would not be remiss either - you will end up looking years younger. 

Or maybe you will notice some redness on your cheeks, chin, or nose which is an indication of sensitivity so you might want to shop around for very pure, gentle products that say "soothing" , especially ones that will keep you well hydrated.  Again, a more even skin tone can make you look years younger. 

But perhaps you look closely and notice that beneath the slight sheen on your face you see large or clogged pores.  You know your skin needs something but what?  I would recommend using a cleanser, and/or toner with salicylic acid, paired with a good oil-free moisturizer. That's the general rule of thumb but then again, you may be one of those people whose skin just does not like salicylic acid.  Some skin does not respond well to it so maybe your skin would prefer a little retinol.  Once you do find the right product you can have smoother, more refined skin which again, can make you look years younger.

I am a big believer that there is a skincare solution for virtually everyone, it's just a matter of observing your skin and trying things out.  Don't be afraid to turn to a skincare professional for help getting you on the right track - it is our joy to work with you - and don't be afraid to ask for those samples either!  Be a sample queen!  And most importantly, keep the faith and don't give up, your great-looking skin is out there.

Call today to book a consultation, or even better yet one of the fabulous Spascape facials, and be sure to ask all about our outstanding professional skincare products - I just know we will have something that is right for you (781) 545-1200

beauty inside & out

 The ultimate beauty attribute is having confidence and being comfortable in your own skin.  But to get there is much easier said than done.  Acceptance can be a two steps forward - one step back kind of proposition, something that many of us struggle with on a daily basis.  Of course you can learn to love yourself by taking good care of yourself ie. doing your best to eat right, get enough of sleep, and move and stretch your body.  And you may want to pamper yourself from time to time by booking a massage or facial, and yes, even buying that new shade of lipgloss.  But what about your insides? How do you achieve love and beauty from the inside out?

My aunt always taught me that you build self-esteem through doing esteemable acts.  This theory was supported by an article I came across in the May Issue of Allure Magazine.  In the article entitled 22 Ways to Look Better Naked  there is the tip and trick number 18 which states that besides trying to be gentle and loving to your self in order to feel beautiful, you may also want to be kind to other women.  It states, " 'There's nothing positive or attractive about criticizing another woman's appearance,' says self-esteem coach Laure Redmond.  'Even sitting around with your friends talking about how fat a certain celebrity looks...is destructive - and it certainly doesn't make you feel any better about yourself' ".  I thought that was lovely advice.  I try to be as postive as I can (and sometimes it's alot of work!) by surrounding myself with such inspiration as often as possible. 

I'm always perusing magazines, FaceBook, Twitter and other places to find quotes that uplift my spirit.  And in fact I often have to look no further than Spascape Day Spa itself as there are inspirational sayings everywhere in the spa: from a mug in the break room that says "do everything in life once and the fun things twice" to the big plaques in the reception area which quote spa owner Deb Larson's late mother, "let go and relax" and "after me, you come first".  

We at Spascape follow health/wellness and beauty gurus on FaceBook and Twitter as well.  For advice we follow Dr. Oz and noted women's health physician Dr. Christiane Northrup. For beauty we follow Sigma Makeup and Bliss Spa. For inspiration we follow Oprah, the Dalai Lama, and HealYourLife whose quote today was, "I've learned that you shouldn't go thru life with a catcher's mitt on both hands;you need to be able to throw something back."  from poet and feminist Maya Angelou. Pretty cool, isn't it?  And if you wanted to follow Spascape on Twitter or FaceBook (and see everyone we are following) we will give you $10 off any service just for signing up.  We may not be as wise as the Dalai Lama but we will let know of any events, specials, or promotions going on here at the spa.  

So as you can plainly see, for beauty inside and out, Spascape Day Spa is the place to be.  And the perfect time to come in is this Friday May 7,  from 4-8 for our Glam-For-Less event.  We will be offering light refreshments, express services at discounted prices, and 20% off any skincare purchased that evening.  What a great way to treat yourself right and sample several of our services in one visit - the price is right!  Express mani $15, express pedi $30, express facial $40, express massage $40.  Call to book your appointment now, the slots are filling up fast. (781) 545-1200

tips & tricks

 I don't know why but as a little girl I was always fascinated with the Hints From Heloise column in the newspaper.  Although I was too young to have any use for getting stains out of the carpet or mending a run in a stocking I was never-the -less fascinated with these magic tricks on how to get things done.  How to fix things.   And to this day I love the tips and tricks articles in the magazines, blogs and tweets.  There is just so much information out there it's incredible.  So I thought I'd do a posting consolidating some of my favorite beauty tips and tricks that I've learned over the years.  I realize that many of you are savvy beauty mavens in your own right, and perhaps this blog may be more for the beauty neophyte, but I say go ahead and read it anyway, you never know what you might learn.  And please please please if you have any beauty tips or tricks that you want to share leave me a comment - I am always interested to learn more.

For TIRED, PUFFY EYES place a warm damp black tea bag over each eye and let it sit for five or ten minutes.  This is incredibly soothing and the caffeine will drain the puffiness.  I like this trick even better than the cucumber slices on the eye.  And for additional soothing and de-puffing keep your eye cream/eye gel in the fridge.   All you allergy sufferers out there will love this!  It actually works best with an eye treatment that is more of a gel consistency than a creamy one, such as the GM Collin Bota-Peptide Eye Contour.  At Spascape Day Spa we sell this anti-aging eye contour that is fab for firming, dark circles, and puffiness.

And speaking of EYE CREAMS, always dab some of your eye cream above your upper lip as well.  This will go the extra mile in helping to prevent and soften those vertical lines.  As a matter of fact, many skincare lines are now labeling their eye creams "eye and lip"

For RADIANT SKIN be sure to cleanse and moisturize at night - you will really look so much better when you wake up in the morning.  Now I know we all get tired from time to time, that is why I suggest keeping an extra packet of face wipes and container of moisturizer on your bedside table so that you can maintain your skincare routine even when you are half asleep, and too tied to get up from watching tv. I usually spend a little less on my emergency stash than I do on my regular skincare but I do so without skimping on quality.  I buy wipes without a lot of perfumes, and my moisturizer of choice is Farmesthetics Nourishing Herbal Cream which is a reasonably priced, rich, all natural cream that restores elasticity and vibrancy that I buy here at Spascape.  And as with any moisturizer be sure to apply it liberally to your neck and decollete as well.  Do not ignore your NECK and in fact it is best to rub the moisturizer all the way up behind your ears.  Think face lift action.

To SAVE MONEY you could make an aspirin mask to exfoliate your skin.  Aspirin contains a form of salicylic acid which is a beta-hydroxy acid that not only helps to dissolve surface skin cells but cleans out the pore as well.  Just crush up a few aspirins with the back of a spoon and gradually add a little water until it forms a paste.  Apply to face and leave on for five to ten minutes depending on the sensitivity of your skin.  A crushed aspirin is perfect as a spot treatment for pimples too because not only does it exfoliate but reduces inflammation as well.

And another money saver that probably many of you already know about, but that I have to mention just in case, is a way to get the most out of your product using up every little last drop.  When your moisturizer or shampoo or sunscreen etc. no longer squeezes out of the tube but you know there is still product in there, cut your tube in half.  You will then have access to all that product and be able to scoop out all you want.  When you are done just slide the top half back over the bottom half and your product will keep nicely until the next time you go to use it.  

Finally one last tip....to curl those poker-straight, curl resistant EYELASHES, heat up your eyelash curler with your blow dryer immediately before curling.  You know how a hot curling iron makes the hair hold a curl, well it is just the same principle.

Et voila!  There you have it.  Do you think I would make a good Spascape Heloise? (781) 545-1200

sensitive skin

 This blog posting may be a little dry and overly informational but it has to be said, it has to be discussed. The majority of clients that come to me for facials display at least some sort of skin sensitivity. With the harsh climate we have here in the North East it is no wonder, but there can be a number of other factors involved and there are different types of sensitivity as well.  Some people have broken blood vessels or a red tinge to their skin that may get inflamed or irritated.  Some people may not display any overt redness but tend to react adversely to products or other stimuli as if having an allergy or acne breakout.  There's a whole lot more I could add but let me just get to the point here and say that no matter what the causes or symptoms, if you have sensitive skin the first step is you need to take is to stay hydrated.  You need a protective barrier. In fact for some people  the whole cause of their sensitivity is just a matter of not being adequately hydrated.  

 So how do you go about treating sensitive skin? It is different for everyone but there are a few basic guidelines.  If you happen to have a multiple skincare concerns, let's say anti-aging and sensitivity, you will want to address the sensitivity issue first.  Second of all you will want to pay close attention to the ingredient list on your products.  Some people react to fragrances or dies or parabens (preservatives) so an ingredient list that is as clean and minimal as possible may be a good idea.  Going natural is fine but be aware that alot of botanical ingredients or essential oils can make some people react badly. I am one of those such people and it is for this reason that I prefer to use the professional grade skincare products by GM Collin.  They have an entire line just for sensitive skin and an inordinate amount of science and research has gone into testing and developing it. They use the highest quality ingredients that are safe, and there are no parabens whatsoever.  I love love love their Sensiderm Cleansing Milk, it gives me a thorough clean and adds an extra glow to my skin.  GM Collin makes a sensitive skin product for everyone - even a moisturizing product for sensitive oily skin - the Sensiderm Gel (rosacea clients would adore this).  Another great skincare solution to help heal sensitive skin is the product line Environ which I blogged all about in the posting Environ.  Naturally we sell both GM Collin and Environ here at Spascape Day Spa.

If you suspect that you have sensitive skin it is a good idea to book a facial with an experienced esthetician who can analyze your skin, give you a customized facial, and recommend an at-home skincare regimen. As a matter of fact, our Algo Facial is one of my favorite facials to give here because the results are so satisfying.  Not only does it tone and hydrate the skin but it completely soothes and reduces redness and inflammation.

And if there is one last word of advice that I can leave you with it is this: protect your skin.  This means moisturize!  Liberally apply sunblock!  And I know it's no fun but it is a good idea to avoid the steam room or other excessively hot water,spicy foods, and too much caffeine or alcohol.  Also here's a little TIP:  if you are going out jogging or skiing or sailing in windy or rough weather coat your sensitive skin areas with a little Vaseline. 

Feel free to give us a call with any more questions or come in for a free skincare evaluation - we would be more than happy to help.  (781)545-1200

more on Girls Night Out

 
 Just a heads up here -  only a couple days are left to book your appointments for the Spascape Day Spa GIRLS NIGHT OUT Friday April 2nd,  4-8pm.  And the slots are going fast. As a matter of fact all the nail treatments have already been taken, but there are still a few express facials or express massages that are available for only $35 each (which is $15 off the regular price!)  I know pretty much everyone loves a massage (Caleena and Marissa will be on hand that night - I blogged all about them in the posts mellow Marissa and massage with Caleena) but I have to make a plug for facials here.  Facials can be just as relaxing as a massage but you also end up looking refreshed and radiant and possibly come away with a few good at-home skincare tips.

We will have three of our estheticians working the GIRLS NIGHT OUT, each with a wide area of experience.  Brandie will actually be helping out with the nails that night, Linda loves loves loves to do waxing (why not get your brows done while you are here), and Kate has over a dozen years expertise in the cosmetic and skincare industry.  Just to give you a feel for where each esti is coming from I asked them to share what their favorite at-home skincare TIP or TRICK is.  

Brandie recommends cleansing your face two times at night to make sure you really get all the dirt, oil, and makeup off.  You won't believe the difference it makes to your skin!

Linda says apply your moisturizer to damp skin (not dry) because it will absorb much better.  Think of a dry sponge and how it doesn't soak up nearly as readily as a damp sponge does.

Kate's favorite blemish blaster is one drop of tea tree essential oil on a q-tip - dab gently on pimple.  Not only is it anti-microbial but it soothes the redness as well.  If you are pregnant or nursing you will want to ask your doctor about using essential oils though.

So there you have it.  Call us to book an appointment for you and your girl friends. (781)545-1200. It's a great way to spend some quality female bonding time - more fun that a chick flick, and more satisfying than a tub of Ben and Jerry's.  We'll be serving light refreshments in our harbor view lounge and there will be a SeaLore Designs jewelry trunk show going on as well.  I'm sure you'll delight in the exquisite handcrafted jewelry fusing beauty,nature and the sea.  I know we here at Spascape are totally excited about our event!