Spa - 4/5 - 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

Sun Bum SPF Lip Balm Review

One of the most under-protected parts of your body when it comes to sun exposure, is your lips. I'm definitely guilty of applying lip gloss regularly, most without SPF, which is like a big UV magnet. Anyone willing to admit the same? Amanda raved over Sun Bum's Continuous Spray Sunscreen, Read more

Top 10 Beauty Products to Get Your Glow On

Sun bathing is so 1980. Achieving a summer glow without the damaging rays is the way to go. Here are the top 10 beauty products to get your glow on: 1. Gabriel Cosmetics Zuzu Luxe Bronzer 2. L’Occitane En Provence Pivoine Flora Shimmering Oil 3. CoverGirl Champagne Enhancer as a highlighter 4. Laura Mercier Foundation Read more

LATHER Go Coconuts Body Scrub and Body Whip Review

  There is nothing I love more in the summer (or for a mid-winter wake up) than the scent of coconuts. The fragrance makes me nostalgic of my childhood spent on the beaches of Rhode Island--from Prudence Island to Narraganset and Portsmouth, the scent of coconut-scented sunscreen filled the air. Read more

The Body Shop New Lip Gloss Collection Review

I’m a sucker for good lip gloss. You can never have too many and you’re never too old for a juicy, fruity, super shiny gloss. The Body Shop’s new Lip Gloss Collection is packed with juicy flavors, mouth watering shine, and moisturizing glazes of color. With 11 super-glossy shades Read more

Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Lotion Sunscreen Review

Life after Melanoma for me has been an interesting balance of educating myself and others about the dangers of the sun and skin cancer awareness ... and finding ways to enjoy my time in the sun without being totally paranoid. Part of that mission has included trying every sunscreen Read more

Spa

Tips For Planning a Spa Vacation on a Budget from Travel Expert Nicole Hockin

I could seriously take a spa vacation right about now. But having never planned one myself…least alone with my budget in mind, Hotels.com‘s travel expert Nicole Hockin of their Travel Smart Blog, offered up some great money saving tips along with her picks of a few spa resorts nationwide:

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With the increasing popularity of spas, resorts are competing with each other to offer the most luxurious and exotic treatments for both men and women. In fact, even teen spas are popping up in resorts around the country offering hip treatments for the coolest teens. For example, Hawks Cay Resort in the Florida Keys is a 60 acre island resort in that features a Teen Spa, which caters to the teen traveler offering really great treatments and experiences for kids 12-18.

Your first spa visit can still be somewhat overwhelming. The many activity choices can make you feel like a kid on your first day at summer camp. Remember, you can’t do everything. Pick a focus based on what you need such as: pampering and pleasure; health and wellness; spiritual journey, or fitness – and let that guide your choice of activities.

Destination spas can also vary a great deal in price. If you want to take a spa vacation but wonder how to get the best deals or how to make it more affordable, consider these options: Read more

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Four-Handed Massage at The Woodhouse Day Spa in Kingston, PA

vichy showerWhether you are a local in Northeast PA or just visiting on a seasonal basis, there are some great spas in the area worth checking out. While tweeting with fellow NEPA’ers on Twitter a few months ago, I asked which spa was the best in the area. The Woodhouse Day Spa in Kingston was mentioned a few times. Seeing that A Girl’s Gotta Spa! (sm), I knew I had to make the hour-long trip from where I am in the Poconos over to Kingston to experience what they call the “four-handed massage.”

The Woodhouse Day Spa can be found on the very bustling Wyoming Avenue just off Rt. 309. But don’t be fooled by the busy road as the spa, set in a Tudor-style house, has no sights or sounds of the road once inside. Once you walk through the over-sized doors, you are welcomed with the aroma of lavender in a dimly lit retreat full of soothing sounds. I could honestly feel the difference from the stress of the outside world to a more relaxed state once inside the spa.  Read more

Posted on by Shannon Nelson in beauty, Pocono Spas & Salons, skin care, Spa 2 Comments

Review: Spa Pedicure at The French Manor Inn & Spa

Tucked away in the Pocono Mountains is a small slice of heaven at The French Manor Inn & Spa. Following a twisting and turning road up the mountainside reveals gorgeous stone buildings and a glorious view of the valley. My mouth fell open upon seeing it as I mouthed, “Wow.” There are 3 buildings on the property with Le Spa Foret found below the Spa Suites. Upon entering the spa, you are greeted with the relaxing scents of Danielle & Co.   Read more

Posted on by Shannon Nelson in beauty, Pocono Spas & Salons, Spa, Travel Beauty Leave a comment

SpaFinder’s Deal Days: Le Spa Foret

French Manor Inn and spaIt’s that time of year again, SpaFinder is holding their Deal Days March 8th-14th where you can receive select spa treatments for $50. Living out in the beautiful Pocono Mountains, I wanted to spotlight a local spa that is participating and lucky for me Le Spa Foret at The French Manor (only 25 minutes from me) is one such spa.

Le Spa Foret is offering the following two 50-minute treatments for $50 each:  Read more

Posted on by Shannon Nelson in beauty, Beauty Discount, Pocono Spas & Salons, Spa Leave a comment

Bagtrends Arm Candy Party @ Phyto Universe

My friend Pamela Pekerman passed on an invite to an event she is holding for Bagtrends…and while I don’t talk fashion here, I’m sure you will agree the event being held at Phyto is worthy of a blog post (because A Girl’s Gotta Spa!)

Sidenote: You should go just for the sake of meeting Pam, because yes I have had the opportunity to hang out with her and she is quite awesome.)

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Posted on by Shannon Nelson in beauty, Spa 1 Comment

Darphin Paris Spa Retreat Sweepstakes

paris-eiffel_towerDarphin is holding a sweepstakes for a trip to Paris! To enter, simply visit Darphin.com and fill out the required form. When you sign up for the giveaway, you can refer a friend to enter and for each friend that enters it will entitle YOU to another entry (so you can enter up to 6 times).

The trip includes:

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Posted on by Shannon Nelson in beauty, giveaway, Spa 1 Comment

Exhale Spa Offers an Amazing Spa Membership

exhale_spa_beautyI wish I lived in one of the cities where there is an exhale spa because right now they are offering a pretty fabulous spa membership. For $150/month, with a 1 year commitment, exhale spa is offering this spa membership, which includes one free treatment per month (from a select list of services valued up to $150) plus additional benefits and perks! This new spa package allows its members to treat themselves to multiple services including manicures, therapy treatments, mind-body classes, and many other discounts.

Here’s what you get:

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Posted on by Shannon Nelson in beauty, Spa 2 Comments

Review: Scandle Body Massage Candle

I have long been a fan of soy candles and also love the moisturizing properties of soy for my skin. The Scandle makes a great body massage candle that has the clean burn of soy while also including essential oils for a hydrating, yet relaxing massage.

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Posted on by Shannon Nelson in bath and body, beauty, skin care, Spa 2 Comments

@ease Spa’s Holiday-Inspired Spa Treatments

If you are looking to start getting into the holiday spirit, why not do it with a spa treatment? @ease Spa in New Jersey has some sinfully delicious holiday themed spa treatments that are relaxing and magnificently aromatic.

The Eggnog Body Wrap is a relaxing way to enjoy the sent and comfort of the holiday season. The aroma of eggnog is mixed into a mud wrap that hydrates the skin leaving it brighter and tighter. Its high amount of amino acids and proteins are essential for skin nourishment and will relieve the appearance of cellulite and improve circulation.

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Posted on by Shannon Nelson in beauty, holiday, skin care, Spa 2 Comments

Need a 401K facial: 5 Alabama Spas Launching Economic Inspired Spa Treatments

Known for great golf at a real value, the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama has added world-class resorts and spas. With the recent opening of the Spa at the Battle House Hotel in Mobile, the RTJ Golf Trail’s Resort Collection now has five spas and eight hotels. With these locations, Alabama currently ranks fourth in the country for the number of spas recommended by BestSpas USA. These spas are adding new treatments that may be just what your financial analyst ordered.

In response to the current economic conditions and increasing stresses, the Spas in the RTJ Golf Trail Resort Collection have come up with a series of new special treatments. This week, the five spas will begin offering: 401(k) Facials, an Economic Freefall Refresher and the Banker and Broker Escape.

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Posted on by Shannon Nelson in beauty, skin care, Spa 4 Comments