Spa - 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

Need for Speed: New Quick Drying Nail Polishes

Today's modern polishes promise to dry faster than a speeding bullet, but which ones actually save the day? Top manicurists have known about pro top coats for years - those specially formulated clear coats that left lacquer intact for an extended wear manicure. Compatible with nearly every brand, topcoats like Read more

Verb Detangle+Defrizz Conditioning Leave-In Mist Review

To be completely up front about things, I hate washing my hair because it's a nightmare to comb afterwards.  It’s much like that of a 6 year old little girl. It tangles like nobody’s business and is a nightmare to comb after washing. It’s so bad that my hairdresser Read more

Delfin Spa Cellulite Reduction Apparel and Anti-Cellulite Lotion Review

Everyone deals with cellulite. And no one is a fan of it. We've written about coffee ground products like Gail's DIY Coffee Scrub or isola Jamaican Coffee & Sugar Scrub, that are said to help minimize the appearance of cellulite due to the caffeine. Now there is another product system Read more

Mom: Get Glamorous Twitter Party

This year we're mixing things up with our Mom: Get Glamorous contest! We're adding a Twitter party, where some of the great brands participating in the contest are also giving away products during our party. Come join us on May 15, 2013 from 1pm-2pm EST and tweet with @TheMakeupGirl @ClumpsofMascara Read more

5th Annual Mom: Get Glamorous Contest

// // Are you ready for our 5th annual Mom: Get Glamorous contest? This year I am partnering with Lianne of The Makeup Girl, Brittany from Clumps of Mascara, Christine from 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic and Bryce from The Luxury Spot to find the most deserving mom to award Read more

Spa

Red Carpet Spa Treatment: Iron Mask Facial

I’m always on the look out for new types of facials, especially ones that not only remove impurities and deeply cleanse, but that also lift and tone (like the NuFace Lifting and Toning Facial that I had at Woodhouse Day Spa.)

As I’m getting older, I’m definitely beginning to see a loss of elasticity in my skin. I recently came across Susan MacPherson, founder of Beaute Therapies Medical Spa in West Palm Beach, Florida who brought back a unique facial that she learned about in Italy: Maschera Al Ferro aka the Iron Mask Facial.

Used by celebrities to get that “red carpet look”, the exclusive facial is offered at Beaute Therapies Medical Spa – the Iron Mask Facial uses advanced magnet technology and magnetic fibers to deep cleanse, lift and firm skin. I asked Ms. MacPherson some questions to get a better understanding about this facial.   Read more

Posted on by Shannon Nelson in anti-aging, beauty, skin care, Spa Leave a comment

Lavanila The Healthy Candle In Vanilla Lavender

Need a great holiday hostess gift, spa companion and fragrant candle for your home during the holidays?

You can have all three with Lavanila’s The Healthy Candle in Vanilla Lavender.  The Vanilla Lavender Healthy Candle contains notes of Spanish Lavender, Violet Leaf and warm Madagascar vanilla for a calming fragrance that is never overpowering or unbearable.  The candle is 100% natural and burns clean without releasing harmful pollutants, toxins, or soot into the air.  It is  also free of paraffin, dyes and harsh chemicals and is a  beeswax blend that is infused with pure essential oils.  I absolutely adore the design on the tin and was really happy when I found out that when the candle burns down you can just clean the inside of the tin and reuse it!  Read more

Posted on by Gail Lewis in beauty, Spa Leave a comment

Holiday Inspired Spa Treatments in Las Vegas

I love Las Vegas. Not for the casinos (I don’t gamble) and the 24-hour party atmosphere (exhausting), but for the little known part of Las Vegas known for relaxation–the spas!

From facials to massages, these luxurious experiences will calm the mind and have skin looking radiant for any holiday gathering!

Spiced Pear Fig Refining Facial, Spa & Salon Vdara, $140 for 50 minutes or $190 for 80 minutes

Cinnamon, spice and everything nice – this facial is perfect for skin feeling dry or irritated from the harsh winter months. The invigorating treatment begins with a polishing pear enzyme that hydrates the face, then finishes with a calming Cinnamon Spice Mask that leaves skin looking refined and clear.  Read more

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

Seasonal Spa Treatments

I love this time of year and I especially love when spa treatments are customized to the scents of the season!

New York City

The Guerlain Spa at the landmark Waldorf Astoria New York is offering luxurious ways to celebrate the holiday season. For ladies and gentlemen, a Guerlain Spa holiday package will impress every time.  Signature seasonal offers include:

Peppermint Delight Pedicure ($80)

Heals and invigorates tired feet, starting with a warm foot soak of peppermint essential oils followed by a soothing scrub and moisturizing massage, leaving skin soft and sore feet rejuvenated.  Read more

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

Review: Thymes Lemon Geranium Candle

No matter the time of year, I am always a sucker for scented candles.  In the summer I do like to go a bit lighter with the scents and try to avoid anything that reminds me too much of baked goods…not the case in fall and winter.  So far this summer, my scented candle of choice has been Thymes Lemon Geranium Candle.

The candle is made with high-quality food-grade paraffin and burns for approximately 40 fragrant hours.  The light, fresh, lemony/herbal scent is perfect for summer and is never too overpowering, even during the summer months.  Another awesome plus is that the candle jar features a very pretty decorative design and really adds that extra something to any space. This candle would also make a great hostess gift as it comes in a cute cloth bag (that I have been using to store my jewelry).  Read more

Posted on by Gail Lewis in beauty Leave a comment

Westlake Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery

westlake-logoWestlake Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery is a leading provider of skin care with 5 locations in Austin and Central Texas, specializing in all treatments related to skin care and body contouring such as a full range of medical treatments, plastic surgery, lasers, and injectables, as well as allergy and immunology treatments. (They have a 6th location opening at the Four Seasons Residences Tower in Austin this July.)

Westlake Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery is the team behind the popular beauty store, iderma.com where you can shop for brand name skin care, hair care and makeup products from companies like HydroPeptide (who I’ve reviewed before), Jan Marini, Obagi and more.   Read more

Posted on by Shannon Nelson in anti-aging, beauty, skin care Leave a comment

Spa Review: Canyon Ranch Spa Miami Beach

Receiving an invitation to visit the largest spa in South Florida (70,000 sq ft to be exact), was definitely one of the highlights of my year in Miami and it just happened to materialize when a visit to the spa was very much needed…at the tail end of the moving process when I was sore, running low on energy,  and anxious about fitting a studio apartment’s worth of stuff into a minivan to go across the U.S.  So the invitation to visit The Spa at Canyon Ranch Miami Beach was a very welcome diversion from the moving process.  As soon as I checked, in the staff was very welcoming and friendly…something that was rare during my year in Miami.  The Canyon Ranch Miami Beach property is impressive and absolutely breathtaking to say the least.  The service I received from the spa is called Yatra.  Yatra, as explained to me by my service provider, is a Sanskrit word that means journey.  The treatment  is a journey through the senses and is intended to unwind every sense, relax every nerve and melt every muscle.  Read more
Posted on by Gail Lewis in beauty, skin care, Spa Leave a comment

Spa Review: Blue Harmony Spa, Orlando FL

What’s the best way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon (or any afternoon for that matter) in Orlando, FL? At the spa of course! And that is exactly where I found myself on such an afternoon, at the amazingly beautiful and tranquil Blue Harmony Spa at the Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort.
Upon checking into the spa, I was immediately offered a beverage and opted for a glass of water mixed with PURE Inventions Blueberry Antioxidant Fruit Extract (which is also available for purchase at the spa).  I was then taken on a brief tour of the facility which includes indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, Relaxation Lounge, outdoor spa garden, outdoor hot tub, full-amenity locker rooms, men’s and women’s steam rooms and chromotherapy experience showers, Couple’s suite with side by side soak tubs, and a state-of-the-art fitness center.

I also learned that each Blue Harmony experience reminds guests of the nourishment provided by the great blues of the world, water and skies.  After the tour I could’ve honestly just hung out in the serene relaxation lounge for the rest of the day indulging in healthy snacks, sampling the other flavors of the PURE Inventions Antioxidant Fruit Extracts while curled up with a magazine.  I was then taken to the women’s locker room where I slipped into my super soft spa robe in preparation for my massage.  Read more

Posted on by Gail Lewis in beauty, Spa 2 Comments

Review: Repechage Thalasso Spa Bath

I have always wanted to pay a visit to a Thalassotherapy Spa.  After all, Thalassotherapy seems to be a great remedy for any number of ailments from weight loss and cellulite reduction, to back problems, water retention, improved circulation and even joint pain…not to mention the relaxing and rejuvenating benefits it provides.  I still have not had the pleasure of visiting a Thalasso Spa, but I have gotten to indulge in Thalassotherapy from the comfort of my own home, thanks to Repechage’s Thalasso Spa Bath.

The Thalasso Spa Bath is a seaweed bath that harvests seaweed  from the clean sea-waters off the coast of France (which makes sense since Thalassotherapy is very popular in the Mediterranean.)  The seaweed extract is rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids and trace elements that are intended to relieve stress, improve circulation, and revitalize the body while also providing the body with all of the nutritive benefits from the sea.  Read more

Posted on by Gail Lewis in bath and body, beauty, skin care Leave a comment

Spa Review: Sphatika

As a beauty lover, I’ve been to a good amount of spas. There are the boujis, “better than you” spas, the super-busy “get your facial and get out” spas, and your standard but efficient salon/spa combination. Once in awhile, however, a girl is lucky enough to come across a spa or treatment that is a true standout, one that makes her feel special, relaxed, at peace. For me, that spa was Sphatika in NYC.

A tranquil oasis conveniently tucked behind a Starbucks in Columbus Circle, Sphatika is a truly a hidden gem.

Sphatika takes a holistic, sensory approach to the entire spa experience. All spas are meant to make you feel beautiful, but Sphatika places a very special emphasis on treating the whole you “mind, body, and soul.” Their welcoming staff encourages you to create an intention for your visit, one that you have a chance to reflect upon during your personal sauna that kicks off your treatment session.   Read more

Posted on by Amanda Huggins in anti-aging, beauty, skin care, Spa Leave a comment