a girl’s gotta spa - 10/35 - A Girl's Gotta Spa! (sm) Top beauty blog, spa, hair care, makeup, beauty trends, skin care | A Girl's Gotta Spa! (sm) Top beauty blog, spa, hair care, makeup, beauty trends, skin care

DIY Spa Tips From Turnberry Isle Miami

Wishing for a spa getaway? To feel royally pampered in preparation for the summer months, therapists at the legendary Turnberry Isle Miami and its Forbes-rated Four Star Spa & Fitness Center suggest these at-home treatments using natural ingredients for those times when you can't make it into the spa: Mommy-to-Be Read more

NightCare Heel Treatment Kit Review

If you are a gal who tries to extend the life of a pedicure as long as possible, then you probably know the first thing that usually needs attention in between pedicures are your heels. I mean really, who has time to get pedicures weekly or even every Read more

Sun Bum Continuous Spray Sunscreen Review

With May being Skin Cancer/Melanoma Awareness month, now seems like the perfect time if any to talk sunscreen! As you may have read earlier this month, I was diagnosed with Melanoma just a couple of years ago. Life after Melanoma requires a lot more preparation when spending time Read more

Suave Moroccan Argan Styling Oil Review

Moroccan Oil is all the rage for the benefits of argan oil on both skin and hair. Suave's Moroccan Infusion line of hair care products aim to deliver incredible shine, softness and conditioning to your hair. I had the opportunity to try the new Moroccan Argan Styling Oil from Read more

EnvyDerm Lip Volumizing and Conditioning Plumper

As I get older I notice the collagen making a prompt exit from my lips leaving them looking lifeless and thin. The best way to combat thinning lips (or if you have thin lips to begin with) is to keep them hydrated and to use a lip plumper. When Read more

a girl’s gotta spa

Review: ArganMagic Bath and Body Products

There’s nothing that inspires exultation during bath time more than the thought of trying out new bath and body products for the first time.  There’s always so much hope that this will be the product/line of products that will give you your “dream skin.”  At least this was my mind-state right before trying some of ArganMagic‘s bath and body products.  I was even more excited  because the name has the word “magic” in it, needless to say I went in with very high expectations and I was not disappointed.

I started off my in shower spa session with the Zesty Orange Body Scrub.  The scrub ad a mild orange scent that was not at all overpowering and it exfoliated my skin as promised…gently.  After I rinsed off the scrub, my skin felt instantly smoother and softer; not like it had been buffed over with an electric sander.

Next up, the Bloomin Body Wash.  This  product is described as a “gentle soap-free cleanser” and it most definitely is! Once applied to my skin it transformed into a very subtle, but creamy lather, so creamy in fact that I didn’t feel like I need to moisturize after I stepped out of the shower…but I was on  a roll.  I was enjoying the experience so much I decided to put some music on while I moisturized with the Multi-Purpose Treatment Oil, it had “magically…ArganMagically” become a shower/spa party (ok maybe the ArganMagically was a bit much, but I was having fun with the products.)  The Multi-Purpose Treatment Oil was rapidly absorbed by my skin without leaving an oily residue, my skin felt so smooth and soft I chased my boyfriend around the house demanding that he feel my skin…someone had to witness the magnificence and he was the only one around. I’m sure interrupting whatever he was working on was worth feeling pure silk (yes a bold statement but it really did feel that good.)  Read more

Posted on by Gail Lewis in bath and body, beauty, Spa 1 Comment

Review: eco-armour Shaving Foam

If  you’re anything like me, shaving is one of those beauty rituals (chores) that most of the time (every time) you wish you could skip…it’s just not that enjoyable (and doesn’t make much sense) to drag a sharp object across your skin in pursuit of smoother, softer skin.   It is, however, kind of a necessity if you plan on wearing anything shorter than ankle length…or if you’re not in THAT stage of the relationship, when if your someone special runs their hands across your legs and encounters a bit of stubble you’re not embarrassed and they don’t immediately remember that the have an early deadline tomorrow and have to head home to get some sleep (I thought you worked for the government, they have Sunday deadlines…go figure).  Nothing ruins a perfect, romantic Sunday morning faster than stretching seductively in bed and in the process revealing a not so sexy patch of underarm fuzz…and you even woke up with glowing skin, not so bad morning breath and sexy bed head…in which country is it again that women don’t tend to shave their armpits?  Read more
Posted on by Gail Lewis in bath and body, beauty, men's shaving, skin care 3 Comments

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Q & A with Expert Hairstylist Pearson Knight

It’s almost that time of year again! In just a few short weeks Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week will be upon us once again. As we have in the past, A Girl’s Gotta Spa! will be there to recap beauty trends and try to get you as much behind the scenes info. as possible!

I thought it would be fun to let you in on the inner workings of an expert hairstylist working the shows at fashion week, and who better than my friend Pearson Knight who has recapped trends for us the last few seasons? Pearson works with the Aveda team at some pretty rockin shows. So enjoy some of his backstage photos that he shared with me and hear all of the fun and interesting tidbits of the intense and exciting week that is Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week!

Shannon: When assigned to do hair for runway shows at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, how much notice are you given regarding which designers you’ll be working with?
Pearson: Fashion Week is such a crazy venue, week and experience that it doesn’t surprise me everything is done on the fly. I usually get my schedule for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week just a few weeks prior to the shows. The schedule, teams and times are constantly changing as we get closer to go time! There are some staple shows every season which gives a chance to get to know the designers style more intimately to help produce better results creatively. Although, having new designers on the schedule is always exciting and challenging.

Shannon: How far in advance does the lead hairstylist prep you on the hairstyle for a particular runway show?
Pearson: I have been fortunate to have been the Lead Stylist, Assistant to Lead and Team Member. The prepping of the team is done on the first model that shows up for the show as it starts. No pre-knowledge goes beyond the Lead, Assist and Designer until go time!  Read more

Posted on by Shannon Nelson in beauty, beauty interview, Fashion Week Beauty, Hair Care Leave a comment

Video: A Girl’s Gotta Spa! + Proactiv’s 12 Days of Christmas

Did I throw you off with the title? I know! It’s January! But I am participating in Proactiv’s 12 Days of Christmas…and I happen to be the 5th day of Christmas…albiet a little late. (And those who know me IRL know there is no other way!)

In this video I review Proactiv’s Makeup Removing Cloths, something I’ve been meaning to do for a while. For the blogger’s selected, Proactiv is giving $200 to our charity of choice. I chose One Child Too Many, a Brendan Kizer Foundation. This is a charity that is not only local to me here in Northeast PA, but I also knew Brendan Kizer before he had Non-Hodgkin’s Burkitts Lymphoma and eventually Burkitts Lukemia when he eventually passed away at age 16. He was a wonderful kid.

So check out my video, try not to laugh at my voice (I have a bad sinus infection), but you can tell me that you like the blue walls in my bathroom.  Read more

Posted on by Shannon Nelson in acne, beauty, Makeup, makeup remover, skin care Leave a comment

5 Winter Skin Tips by Skin Care Expert & Celebrity Esthetician Renee Rouleau

There is no question that the cold air wreaks havoc on our skin and for many of us, dryness is a huge concern. In anticipation of the cold temperature outside and the dry heat indoors, skin care expert, Renee Rouleau, offers A Girl’s Gotta Spa! readers some precautionary steps to take to prepare your skin for the cold front!

-Reanalyze your current routine:

How do we know when it’s time to change up our daily skin routine? The key is to really listen to your skin. If your skin doesn’t feel comfortable then a product is not working how it’s meant to. It’s time for a change! Ask yourself if your skin feels too tight or maybe you’re discovering excess oil. What product in your routine might be causing these symptoms? Is one of your moisturizers leaving a greasy residue? Or if your skin is flaking then perhaps it’s time to go easy on exfoliating. If you have questions that can’t be answered on your own, take a look at our 9 Skin Types or e-mail Renee Rouleau for suggestions!

Bottom line: If the products aren’t working, your skin will let you know!   Read more

Posted on by Shannon Nelson in acne, anti-aging, beauty, skin care 1 Comment

SpaFinder Names Top 10 Global Spa Trends for 2011

Calling all spa girls! Want to know what’s on trend for 2011 when it comes to spas and their treatments? Susie Ellis, SpaFinder President, author of the SpaFinder blog and column and a contributing editor to NewBeauty magazine, has developed a global trend report that I’m going to republish below. Which of these trends do you think will take off the most? I personally like trend #5.

Additionally, check out the SpaFinder blog for “Hot and Getting Hotter Spa Trends 2011.”

2011 SPA TREND REPORTâ„¢ Read more

Posted on by Shannon Nelson in beauty, Beauty Trends, Spa 1 Comment

Spa Girl on Your Gift List? Give a SpaWeek Gift Card!


Do you have someone on your holiday gift list that loves going to the spa? Maybe you need a last minute gift and don’t want to trek out to the mall (I know I do not envy anyone who braves the malls today or tomorrow!)? Well SpaWeek now has gift cards that can be used anytime of year! Best of all, they are 20% off AND can be emailed and printed right off your computer!

Timesaver+Moneysaver=best gift EVER!

You can find them on www.spaweek.com/giftcards. Happy spa-lidays!

*This offer ended December 31, 2010. You can still purchase SpaWeek gift cards, however not at the discounted rate.

*Disclosure

Posted on by Shannon Nelson in Beauty Discount, holiday, Spa Leave a comment

A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Welcomes Gail Lewis to the Team!

We have a new blogger here at A Girl’s Gotta Spa! (sm). Please help me in welcoming Gail Lewis, who’ll be jumping right in posting reviews here. Here’s a little more about her, in her own words…

Born in Guyana, South America, my family relocated to Minneapolis, MN (in the dead of winter) in my teens…at which point I was assaulted with my first beauty challenge: dry skin, dry scalp, hair that would give out mini volts of electricity, and the list goes on. Like it or not I was forced to start my research into haircare and skincare appropriate for my “new climate” as well as current make-up trends (hoping that if I wore the right make-up, fitting in on a completely different continent would be a breeze.) **Side note, I also just relocated to Florida so have been researching beauty products suitable for my new climate again…so far so good.  Read more

Posted on by Shannon Nelson in beauty 1 Comment

The Spa at Stone House in Little Compton, RI

I am a native Rhode Islander (go West Warwick Wizards!) and I love all things about the ocean and New England. It’s no wonder I had such amazing skin when I was younger since I spent so many days swimming in the ocean (err looking at boys.) I’m planning at some point to make my way to Stone House in Little Compton RI some time in 2011 (it’s on my I really want to go here list) simply because I have heard so many people rave about their spa. What could be more perfect than staying in a historic building in Newport County to take in all that my quaint home state has to offer?

Since it’s the holidays, here are some Peppermint spa treatments that Stone House has on their menu:

Peppermint Pedicure $45
Cooling Peppermint Pedicure completely natural and intensely nourishing and hydrating. This pedicure utilizes natural peppermint essential oil and organic sugar.

Peppermint Massage $75
Fresh, cool, and lively, Peppermint massage is wonderful for the circulation, this sparkling scent invigorates the mind, increases memory and concentration, and relieves fatigue. You will be massaged with super-absorbable exotic oils and peppermint essential oil.  Read more

Posted on by Shannon Nelson in beauty, skin care, Spa 3 Comments

Review: Renee Rouleau Vitamin C & E Treatment

Renée Rouleau Vitamin C & E ComplexDid you experience Melasma when you were pregnant? Did you know that it can last well past pregnancy and that repeated exposure to the sun without wearing SPF only makes it worse? Well I am certainly proof of that (especially considering that my youngest is 3 1/2!) I wear side swept bangs exposing the left side of my forehead. Little by little I began to notice brown spots, but just ignored them and used concealer to hide the problem. Then one day, while on vacation with my boyfriend this summer, he kept staring at that section of my forehead. When I asked if something was on my face, he reached over and tried to rub my forehead telling me my makeup was coming off. I sighed and finally had to face the fact that the age spots were not going away, in fact, it had gotten worse in the summer sun.

I am very blessed to be able to work with celebrity esthetician and skin care expert, Renee Rouleau. Working with her also means I am an avid reader of her skin care blog, which meant I knew what the solution was: Vitamin C works wonders on age spots. Just a few months before she had sent me her Vitamin C & E Treatment, but due to the myriad of skin care products I receive on a regular basis to test and review, it simply sat on my bathroom counter. After talking with Renee, I knew I had to use her Glycolic Serum at night (7 days on 7 days off) and her Vitamin C & E Treatment religiously. I made sure it sat next to my moisturizer (which also happens to be her Daily Protection SPF 30) so that I wouldn’t forget to apply it.   Read more

Posted on by Shannon Nelson in anti-aging, beauty, skin care 5 Comments