The N Reagan Spa & Beauty Blog

2008 Skin Tip # 4 of 12: Exfoliate for GREAT Skin

2008-03-29T07:54:00.001-04:00

Having great skin means exfoliation! Little babies have great skin because their skin cells are rapidly turning over new cells. The older we get, the slower our cells turn, causing dead skin to cake up (no this is true) on the top layer. This is the dullness you will see with skin.

Looking for smoother and silkier skin? First exfoliate, either chemically or physically, then make sure to rub on some lotion after you exfoliate. Exfoliation takes off the dead layer on skin at the top, which then makes it easier for the lotion to work its magic on your skin.

For beautiful glowing skin, we suggest getting a Seaside Sugar and Tea Scrub (Physical Exfoliation) from nSPA or a Beach Ready Young Body (Chemical Exfoliation.

2008 Pro Yoga Tip #3: Let N. Yoga Help You Unwind

2008-03-24T12:56:00.000-04:00

How to get the most out of N.Yoga??

#1. You should wear loose clothing, (not loose like if you stand on your head, your shirt will fall over your head)- Loose as in not too tight. No shoes or socks, so you must have pretty toes, and no cracked heels.

#2. It is important to breathe. Don't hold your breathe, but breathe in and breathe out with conviction...like you really mean it. It will start to make a difference in how your body responds. With every exhale, you get to stretch just a little further and just a little further. Inhale through the nose and exaggerate your exhale through your mouth.

#3. It helps to have eaten at least 4 hours before a session of yoga, so that you have strength and energy to last the hour or so. You would think that all of that stretching and posing would not require so much energy, but it does...it will wear you out and change how your body looks.

#4. Do you ever hear people say...oh I couldn't go to the gym, because I'm not in great shape. Ha, you will never hear that in yoga. It doesn't matter whether you are 15 or 95, pencil-thin or robustly rotunda, limber like a ballerina or stiff as ladder-backed chair...it just doesn't matter. Anyone can take yoga...I mean anyone.

#5. As the weeks go by, feel your body respond to the movement, the poses...the muscles change..you start to become aware of your breathing, your posture...and for 1 hour...your mind takes a backseat to your body. It's hard to think about something, when you have one leg in the air, one arm in front of you, one shoulder turned to the sky.

Yoga isn't a religion, it was ancient wisdom telling us to take time for us!

nSpa Celebrates the 100th Mother's Day with a Glam Contest!

2008-03-18T17:36:00.002-04:00

Re-tell your favorite story about your mom’s glory.

In honor of the 100th Mother’s Day, nSPA wants you to tell us your favorite story about your mom. The top 10 stories will win an nSPA glam bag worth almost $400. The top mom story will win the Ultimate Spa and Pampering Package for two. Happy writing.

Entries must be in by April 11th.

Alpha Mom Takes Yoga Classes

2008-02-17T06:51:00.000-05:00

Each generation has its own description of the "do-it-all" mom...from Super Woman to "Alpha Mom", the latest in the monikers for the stretched thin, incredibly organized, super MOM. Good Morning America has talked about her, USA Today has written about her, and now I have met her (AKA "Alpha Mom") in person.

It all started when our new yoga studio needed a babysitter for the 8:30 am vinyasa yoga class. In walked two seemingly normal moms--you don't know an alpha mom until you actually see the diaper bag. It is also very organized, just like their life. They transport the little one to other hands, promptly close the door, and they have just adjusted to 1 hour of bliss, sans (without) the little bambino.

Now, one was an alpha mom, latest style of clothing, cutting edge of technology (iphone), hot yoga clothing and the other, well, she was "just a regular mom". Ask alpha mom her plans for the day--well she wakes, gets son ready for school, says goodbye to husband, packs up new baby, off to yoga class, back to house, change, feed baby, meet business friend for lunch, work at 1:00, 5:00 grocery store, dinner at 6:00, homework at 7:00, husband time at 8:00, sleep at 10. I am awed at her amazing ability to get everything done in one day and juggle all of her responsibilities with such apparent ease----I can barely get one person (me) ready, much less juggle 4, a job, yoga classes, house, and do it with such grace and smiles.

After one hour of my yoga class babysitting, my hats off to alpha mom. She is a goddess, we need to worship the ground she walks on....and I learned another important lesson...she takes at least one hour every day just for herself. She loves the yoga because it makes her grounded, stretched and relaxed. Whether it is yoga, or a walk, or a rerun of her favorite sitcom, or a book, she takes one hour every day for the alpha mom that she is.

Take one hour every day just for you! Breathe, stare at the ocean, read a book, have a massage, take a yoga class!

2008 PRO HAIR CARE TIP #2: Hair Care Damage

2008-02-09T06:15:00.001-05:00

We spend hours on our hair, pulling, drying, smoothing, curling, heating, cooling....you have to start with nourishing your body from the inside out. Start with a diet rich in green leafy vegetables, nuts, whole grains and fish. If your diet isn't showing in your hair, try some evening primrose oil for at least 6 weeks and you will start to see your hair shine.

Or if your diet not rich in greens, meet with one of our "Cutting Edge Redken Certified & Trained" Stylists. They know how to make even the frizziest, coarse hair, silky smooth. Some of their tricks include using a semi-permanent color on really damaged hair, or conditioning with a Super Duper Power Serum. Repeat color can wreak havoc on hair...so make sure the color that you use is rich in conditioners. They use the word "Professional" for a reason!

Other tips include home care with Pureology Shining Duo or Hergen Gold Leave-In Conditioner. Marizete, David, & Nicole are constantly letting clients know not to over shampoo their hair, because it dries it out...and yes we are in Florida, so you need to keep your goldi-locks covered or protected.

Lastly, this is going to sound nuts (almonds), but it is really true. They told me to take a Yoga class. When you get stressed, it can cause your hair to fall out....your cortisol levels increase because of the stress, causing your head to shed (no kidding). Try some yoga (you know you need it any way), but if your head is shedding, it is time to take a deep breath and do your child's pose or doggie down.

2008 PRO SKINCARE Tip #1 -Skin Care Exfoliation

2008-01-05T06:43:00.000-05:00

Taking great care of your skin includes exfoliation. Why you ask? As you age, our skin cells start to slow down (yes, just like the rest of our bodies). Your job is to make sure that your skin cells keep moving fast (like exercising for your skin cells). How can you do this?

At the spa, we have this amazing treatment with microdermabrasion and ultrasound--we call it the MEGA-MICRO. Microdermabrasion works like a sanding (pardon- sucking machine to create redness (inflammation and speeding up the skin cells) in the skin. The vacuum pressure in the machine combined with the crystals creates the exfoliation and increased turns of the skin cells. Simple exfoliation is great, but the machine has the vacuum, which in all of the major studies--it is the vacuum that actually does the trick to create younger looking skin. The surface exfoliation is nice, but the vacuum and aspiration speeds up the skin cells, thus creating better looking skin. Step 2 of the MEGA-MICRO is ultrasound to penetrate vitamins into the skin. Using topical vitamins is great, but pushing them into the skin is what creates this wonderful anti-aging treatment. Penetration of the vitamins takes about 2-3 months to see the results ( you need the skin cell cycle to turn every 21-28 days ). We recommend 6 treatments to start and then maintaining your skin with one a month.

And, you need your home care. It is great to have a skin treatment, but you need to maintain at home, in fact, if you have a budget choice between treatment and home care, always choose the home care, because it is daily. Exfoliate at least 3 times a week, to slough the face and body of dead skin cells. When the body is exfoliated, it allows the skin cells below to rise to the top smoother, clearer, brighter, happier skin. You can exfoliate with a scrub or with an acid (like lactic or glycolic acid) or a retinol like Procyte's Retinol 30. We recommend alternating scrub, acid, scrub, acid....then you will never be bored. For your body, you have to try our N. Body pumice scrub...many years in the making, it will keep your body smooth and moisturized, without scratching your skin. It is so smooth, you can actually massage the scrub into your skin for increased skin cell turnover and increased exfoliation.

Happy New Year....2008 will be Great with Super Exfoliated Skin!

Julia's Holiday Expert Makeup Tips- In One Word Experiment

2007-12-02T11:48:00.000-05:00

When it comes to makeup for everyday I like to enhance beauty that is already there by using key colors to bring out your best features. For example, this holiday, the copper eye liner from Jane Iredale is way HOT! I have been combining it with the Cloud Nine eyeshadow trio for a smoky metallic eye for the holiday. You don't need 5 shades to create a smoky look, plus with mineral make up, it will last all night.

Bringing out you best features is part of my job as a makeup expert. Why obsess over trying to change a perceived flaw when you have a great feature to bring out? Focus on the positive!

And get glowing....Allure magazine voted Jane Iredale's Moonglow Bronzer winner of Allure's 2007 Best of Beauty Award for Best Natural Wonder. It's made with 24 karat gold flakes and when I apply it all over, it gives a luminous, luster to holiday makeup. Added benefits are that it does not overshadow a smokey eye or hot red lips.

If you have the itch to experiment with different looks, the Holidays are here and that's a great time to play. Try that smokey eye or an alluring look from the 50's or 60's. Find the perfect shade of red for your lips and rock it! Just remember that you should only play up one feature at a time - either lips or eyes -- but not both at the same time.

Happy Makeup Holidays!
Come by and visit me soon ...don't forget my Holiday Tip...Experiment!
Julia Robinson, Expert Makeup Artist and Spa Concierge

10 Best Holiday Products- 2007 Beauty & All

2007-11-22T22:04:00.000-05:00

Just when you thought 2007 was only half through..blink your eyes and shazamm...the holidays are here. Family, friends, food...it is a total preoccupation, but who cares...it is the most wonderful excuse in the world to send that special Aunt a little thinking about you gift, or the sister you wonder why you have...an off-the wall gift. You don't have to spend a ton of money, but check our Top Ten for all your friends and family, naughty or nice. Some of the all time favorites include the candles from Nouvelle, Primal Jewel candles and the unbelievable home fragrance collection from Anthousa--Italian glass so masterful and elegant, and the fragrances...what a nose to develop the most delicate fragrances in the world.

AND....N. SPa has the incredible $60,000 Spa Package...which includes a 5 day, 4 night stay at the Delray Beach Marriott, plus unlimited spa services, a 24 hr private butler, chef & limo, private yoga, a diamond bracelet, personal training sessions, spa robe and the ultimate private consultation with Rory & Kim the authors of "Skinny Bitch". Wanna get skinny? Listen to these girls with their don't mince words facts...they are truly the masters of tell like it is.

And if you are looking for just stocking stuffers check out the RARE sponges and the Pure Inventions Green tea anti-oxidants. Check out the web site for incredible gifts...not to exclude our spa gift cards. Let the spa-la-la begin.

N. Yoga Hits the Delray Beach Yoga Scene

2007-11-16T07:06:00.000-05:00

When something isn't quite right, well we go back to the drawing board. That is exactly what we did with N. Yoga & our new over the top yoga fitness studio, which is 1/2 block from the Delray Beach Marriott...right between the Residence Inn & the Marriott, next to yumilicious ice cream Ben and Jerry's. The new yoga studio features a beautfiul quiet room of solitude with stepping stone paintings (by our most famous artist Tina Black), chakra yoga poses, and numerous heaters abound. (For those you in a hurry, click here for the schedule of classes)

After much research we found that 2 factors influenced yoga students the most...1. The cleanliness of the studio and 2. the teachers. We took the studio flooring as the #1 factor to cleanliness (after seeing numerous mildew carpeted studios and people lay on it??) and found the new yoga flooring. The flooring is the hottest thing to hit yogi's in a long time--it has better traction than a tennis shoe, it allows the floor to be washed at night so it does not hold bacteria.

N. Yoga Flooring Features are listed below for your safety & health.

Safe, textured slip-resistant surface provides sure footing for our students' optimum safety
Shock absorbing cushion for less stress on the body and less risk of injury
Porous construction allows ventilation to prevent stagnant water buildup
Special waterproof material does not absorb water nor stay wet like carpet, and is specially designed to allow for moisture evaporation, which prevents mildew, fungi and bacteria growth.
Contains Micro-ChekÒ Anti-Microbial, a non-leachable biocide that further guards against the growth of mildew, fungi and bacteria.
Does not release particles, filaments, or harmful outgases like carpet, providing a dust-free, less-toxic, and hypoallergenic environment.

How do you find a great yoga instructor? (Leave it to Todd and Matt)
Leave it to our fitness director and the lead yoga instructor who both searched high and low for the best of the best yoga instructors in South Florida. Background and training are very important to yoga instructors, but motivation to get results and be healthy is more the N.Yoga motto. It is about you the client getting results, but doing it safely. Matt, Paige, Susan, Heidi just to name a few are some of the most talented instructors in South Florida. They offer private and classes and accommodate any level of expertise.

Where is the studio and what to expect?
Come for a visit to the new N.Yoga studio located at 1154 East Atlantic Avenue. There are mats to rent, plus water and towels...even yoga clothing. If you are new to yoga, don't worry, the instructors will work with you on your level...I know...I'm a newbie. Just where loose fitting clothing, but not on top...you're leaning over. I think you will love the space, it has a feeling of serenity and peace. The new yoga studio is very convenient if you live in Ocean Ridge, Manalapan, Gulf Stream, Boynton Beach, Boca Raton, or Highland Beach. The schedule is located on our website ...Click here. As they say in N.Yoga land....peas n' happiness. Just kidding. I know they say Namaste. (Click to Wikipedia's version) I bow to you.

ISPA, Good to Great & Atlantic Avenue Beauty Makeover Challenge

2007-11-13T05:51:00.000-05:00

The ISPA annual conference is here again...I can not believe it is November already. The conference this year is at the Gaylord Palms in Kississimee, with this year over 3,000 attendees. I remember when there were only 1,000 and we thought that was a lot of spa people. Of course, I had to be on the front row for my idol Jim Collins of the dog earred book from "Good to Great" to speak. He is a riveting, thought provoking speaker, with great big ideas about who you want on your bus, and the skills of great leaders, and the value of the hedgehog...slow and methodical...and above all BHAG 30 year goals...oh my, just when I didn't think I would live that long. Between Jim Collins and Dr. Bertice Berry, my day was over the top complete.

Then, the ISPA expo opened with literally 1,000 booths. Just when you think you have everything in place, you start seeing all of the cool, new ideas. Rocks, creams, robes, makeup, skincare...everything under one roof to take great care of our clients. Today will be a challenge to the brain and the feet.

While I have time to write, don't forget to check out our Atlantic Avenue Makeover Beauty Challenge...Tina Dale, Erin Houlihan, Diana Grainger, and Alison Whitsworth. 4 teams, 4 beautiful women. Don't forget to vote...Voting ends November 30th.

Holiday Make-Up Twinkles and Twips 2007

2007-09-05T08:48:00.000-04:00

A burst of energy, it's time to shine, or rather 2007, it's time, to twinkle, to sparkle, and to shimmer. Think winter, holidays, parties, rich shimmers and 2007 a blink of the eye, and the glitter is gold. Think romance, and kissable, think moonglow...one of Jane Iredale's infamous products. This holiday the trends are rich plums, purples, and metallics. ...not just heavy metal...metallics as in sparkle (some prefer to call it copper, others refer to it as gold). I think you should shimmy & glitter.

To get the holiday look, I checked in with master makeup artist, Jill Ann Smith. Of course you are going to start with your concealer...just a dab will do you. Don't forget the canvas on the eyes as a lid primer...The secret ingredient is a new hydrated silica which controls oil so perfectly, you'll never see a creased shadow again. Apply it all over the lid and into the corner because not only is this a primer, it's a highlighter as well. Watch it help to draw out those recessed areas and give life and shimmer to the eye. Apply shadows over it for hours of staying power when the party goes all night.

Next we are ready for the colors of the season...again moonglow works all over as a blush, down the decollete, it shimmers, it shines, it is so perfect for the glitter of the season. Best applied with a dome brush...just circle the brush and apply in a downward sweeping motion to give you color and a glow.

On to the eyes for 2007 is the season of drama and only your eyes will tell it all. Lash extensions are a must...Audra applied mine in 1 1/2 hours. Talk about batting a lash. A super must for the holidays. Add on top of that the must have colors for 2007, Wine & Roses, Glimmer Gold, and Pink Smoke. Sultry, sexy, eyes...glam it up at night with the new gold/copper liquid eyeliner from Jane Iredale...probably one of the best products on the market. Application is a breeze, especially if your eyesight is not perfect. LOL Ever tried to make the perfect line...shorten your strokes and connect the dots.

Now on to the pouty (not the potty) lips-you need lip liner, lipstick and gloss. You simply can not have beautiful lips without all three products...you can try...but it is never the same. Remember that we are going for glimmer gorgeous, so you have to put the lips on. Line with Spice Lipliner, fill in with Susan Lipstick, and put the glam on with Honey gloss. I think the Honey lip gloss ties the whole glimmer look together---or if you want to tone it down use Wild Apple.

You are ready to go. Twips, Twinkles, Glitter & Gold. 2007 Gorgeous.

Fall 2007 Hottest Hair Styles

2007-09-04T07:31:00.000-04:00

Last week I had the extraordinary chance to sit in the chair of our Certified Colorist & Stylist, Marizete . Marizete spinned the Fall 2007 hottest hair styles. On her station were some of the latest fashion mags with Posh (of Spice Girls fame) on almost every cover, including “W”. Marizete just pointed and said “POB”- that is HOT- POSH + BOB = POB. The 60’s mod bob is in with bangs swept across.

Of course, being the master stylist that she is, Marizete filled me in with the history of the BOB…of course, she said, thanks goes to the master Vidal Sassoon for creating the BOB. It is a razor stacked style, without lines and it swings, flows, like the samba. Marizete says that the beauty of the POB is that anyone can wear it, especially thin, or fine hair clients. The only face shape that does not complement the POB is a round face, but of course, Marizete has a solution for this face shape…sweep the bangs.

Another trend, which I love, is that hair is going more “organic” (Zete’s word). What the hey-hey does “organic hair” mean I asked? Well, she said think more granola, beach , enjoy what you have…not so much flat irons, a little more frizz, and more natural beauty.

And COLOR? Well, it is FALL and we need to tone it down. REDKEN is going to darker colors and toned down hair. Platinum Blonde needs to go to Baby Blonde and so forth. The highlights are less noticeable, more natural, not right to the root, not so you can count every foil and not a cazillion colors….cazillion is probably a trillion to a master colorist, you know, color + trillion = cazillion.

Lastly, secrets are spilling…the guys, yes, my spa-MAN SUPER HEROs…they are taking that grey and making it slyly and mysteriously go away. Go Spa MAN.

Nail Tech Heaven or You Guys Rock the Spa

2007-08-21T21:09:00.000-04:00

We have probably the best nail department in the world and of course, I do not have statistics, but our nail department rocks. They are professional, they are happy, fun people and they simply take a simple manicure or pedicure and turn it into an art form. Like all of our departments, they are outstanding. Today we took a little field trip...part field, part training (we trained on Jane Iredale makeup, lips, cheeks, blush, and makeup to match the nail color of hands and feet), then we saw the movie Hairspray. It was really over the top to see smiles and laughs. In the spa biz, people really don't realize the hours and the professionalism it takes to make you beautiful, beautimous, and over the top gorgeous. While we were there we saw our ad on the MUVICO screen. AMAZING! And Hairspray was over the top wonderful..if only people were like this everyday, understanding our differences, seeing life without color of skin and just having fun. I love diversity, different cultures, different points of views...that is our whole spa. What a great day at Muvico www.muvico.com and I almost forgot...Bogart's http://www.bogartsofboca.com/ how could I forget. The food was fabulous...and the service was over the top. Just an incredible day.

Atlantic Avenue Beauty Challenge

2007-08-20T07:20:00.000-04:00

4 Clients, 4 Teams, 4 Weeks to complete the Atlantic Avenue Beauty Challenge. On Tuesday, August 14th, the challenge started with the four teams meeting to decide on their Beauty Program for their client. The 4 teams are Team Tina, Team Alison, Team Erin and Team Diana. The clients and teams will appear in the November issue of Atlantic Avenue magazine, and you will be able to vote for the best makeover.

Each team consists of cast members from each department, hair, skin and makeup, nails, fitness, and massage. The clients have been scheduled for their appointments for the next four weeks. The team leaders are taking notes on the treatments, the results, and the recommendations. On September 18th, the clients will come in for hair and professional makeup and their portraits with the professional photographer.

This is so much fun....

July 4th Fireworks on the Terrace

2007-08-10T07:08:00.000-04:00

Fireworks, N. Spa tattoos, red, white and blue bead braids, red white and blue nails, red and blue hair extensions...it was a complete day of fun, laughter and family. Of course, our fabulous N. Spa team took to the streets to provide the crowd with plenty of N. Spa beauty 2-go. Kids, adults, adults pretending to be kids...we all had a July 4th over the top celebration. The tattoos were a hit (idea provided by our very own Palm Beach Media) and appeared on ankles, legs, arms, heads, hands...they were everywhere. If you missed getting your own tattoo, don't despair, we will be back in production for the next beach holiday.

The rains came, but it didn't dampen our enthusiasm, as the celebration moved inside the hotel. The candid photos were provided by our Nicole (hair stylist) famous Delray dad, who is a fixture at Delray Photo and was kind enough to shoot pictures all day....http://rufusimages.net/. Thanks to James M. Ward.

The fireworks capped off a soon to be annual event. The people who had the most fun were the ones who came to the spa all day for massages, facials, pedicures...sat on the terrace, ate lunch...took a nap...and then watched the fireworks. What a perfect spa day!

(3 of my very favorite people)

Spa La La, Spa Treatment Rooms & the Lounge

2007-08-08T07:17:00.000-04:00

This will be the last in the series of all about the new spa, because we have literally thousands of things to talk about, none the least....our contest the Atlantic Avenue Beauty Makeover Challenge. So, now for the WOW of the spa...you walk past the fitness area. We have fabulous trainers that really put you in shape plus coming September 1st, we will have an over the top much needed Yoga Studio in Delray Beach, with hot Yoga, cold Yoga & room temperature Yoga.

We have a room totally devoted to abs...core, middle, you know the part of the body that we seem to hate. Tight abs, 6-pack abs, belly buttons, anyway, you will get results...it's how we eat too. More on nutrition in Women's Health Month in October.

On to the 2nd floor of the spa....where all of the spa treatments take place. You walk upstairs (or if you are disabled you fly upstairs on the magic red carpet), when you get to the top of the stairs, your first view is magical and you will say WOW, this is beautiful or WOW, this is gorgeous, or WOW, what a view. I love taking people upstairs for the first time, just for the WOW factor. You've never heard so many WOW's. There is a small SUN ROOM (Lisa Jacobs termed it the SUN ROOM and it stuck). The Ocean TERRACE is where you want to be with lounges, sofas, umbrellas...even when it is dog day August hot, there is the ocean breeze on the terrace.

The first time I saw 4 girlfriends eating lunch on the terrace and having a grand time, it was magical...this is what the spa is for...the experience of it all. A spa is fun by yourself, but sometimes you have to share your spa. And it is not just the treatment, it is the whole sha-bang....soup to nuts...it's about feeling wonderful, warm, fuzzy, magical, & special. Okay, I just got lost...now to the treatment rooms...see for yourself, but the ceilings are painted with clouds.

See what I mean....this is Cloud #5...Don't you want to be on a cloud some days...In fact, I've pretty much determined that most days could be best spent on a cloud, or riding the red carpet, or just dreaming away staring at the waves. You know, life is so spectacular, you just have to live it, even if it is on Cloud 9. Aren't we the lucky ones?

All About Hair, Up-Do's Color, Redken

2007-07-30T08:04:00.000-04:00

Talk about creativity...now, in no other place in the spa is there more energy than the hair department. If you could bottle just a quarter you would be a billionaire. Hair designers & stylists are truly artists, at least ours are...from a fabulous up-do (the pins must be the same color as the hair) to zone partial highlights (the hair must swing naturally & the hightlights must be feathered).

Building the hair department required an AC just for them, special sinks with their own hair traps, a central vacuum system, beautiful built in cabinets, and a prep area as clean as a surgical unit. Then be prepared for a mess....color everywhere.

We offer all hair services, including fabulous hair extensions, color, a lot of corrective color, and wedding hair....we are up-do central (brides galore) with hair designs by Martin Parsons. We are a REDKEN salon which has the most incredible support and partners in the whole universe. They truly know how to grow their accounts. The work that we see in our hair department is truly art...the vision to see how to angle just one highlight or to place one curl still fascinates me...it must be why I truly love being in the beauty industry...there is something about making another person look so wonderful. Hair....

Pedicures for Superstars & Sanitation Nuts

2007-07-26T07:47:00.000-04:00

First you have to walk the red carpet with the Paparazzi flashing the cameras to arrive in the pedicure gallery....the wall is textured with modular wall art...2 LCD TV's allow you to watch your favorite show, while your feet are massaged, smoothed, buffed, & de-calloused by the pedicure experts.

On to the pedicure chairs (thrones)...why do they call them thrones? Do you want to talk hi-tech or what! We have 4 chairs designed by the one & only company who understands the issues of sanitation & sterilization in pedicures...that would be Sanijet. The chairs go up, down, massage, heat, color therapy, plus they have removable jets for cleaning between each client. The jets get dropped into the Quad 4 sterilization for one hour, while the footbath gets cleaned with a biodegradable oil solvent which kills all bacteria, germs, ooh-gooh-gah....yuck stuff from O.T.P.F. within 1 minute. We have to say that sterilization and

If you have never had a pedicure, it is one of the most wonderful feelings in the world...to have your feet massaged, rubbed, paraffined with wax...oooh.....

Nailed to Blue Suede

2007-07-10T06:19:00.000-04:00

Whoever wrote leave no stone unturned...definitely was a nail tech. A nail techs job requires every little instrument, file, polish, etc. and it all has to be accessible within a 1 foot range. Imagine having the world at your fingertips...that's the world I wanted for the nail techs. And it had to be soooh sanitary. If anyone thought I was a freak out sanitation, they should meet Alysia, our nail department manager.

It all started with these cabinets that had little drawers... a drawer for everything...a drawer for paraffin, a drawer for files, bottles (Duri, Zoya, Trind (amazing nail products), trash cans, you name it we have a drawer for it..then we have matching silver trays for sanitation. All the instruments are either throw away (we give to client) or we autoclav with hospital quad-4. We use 3 different types of sanitizing (now this is getting interesting...I bet you are on the edge of your seat). Anyway, just want you to know that it is very, very clean. We been to some places, well, we won't go there.

Look at the blue suede seats....doesn't saying blue suede just make you happy or think of Elvis, or both? The chairs are made by a company called Human Scale. The nail techs are super cool with what is called a saddle chair. The naysayers kept going, but we don't have a back...it is amazing these little saddle chairs...it makes your tush sit just so & you actually sit up straight...my mother would be so proud....a chair that makes you sit up straight.

Makeup Stars or Every Star Twinkles

2007-07-03T04:11:00.001-04:00

Makeup for the stars is right here on the red carpet. Don't look far, the spa has two chairs for professional makeup, for everything from a touchup to the over the top glamour gal...and anything in between.

I didn't know there were so many brides or so many types of makeup. There is prom makeup, bridal makeup, special occasion makeup, everyday makeup, springtime makeup, fall makeup, summer makeup, high fashion makeup...literally when we mean a girl's got to look good, we will pull out all the stops. Even lash extensions...yes, you have it right...lash extensions...it is one thing to bat a 100, but to bat a lash...you go girl.

The makeup counter at the spa is very hands on, with everything right there. Of course, we use Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup --literally, the best makeup in the universe. The skin care makeup...your skin literally breathes & it has sunscreen too, which is perfect for the South Florida weather. The training is amazing, our makeup artists are constantly going throught hands on training...August is our next 2 day training with the master artist.

Originally, this was another nail table in the original design. When I started to look at the retail in the reception area...the old hammer hit my head, and bong..where are we going to apply makeup? We have to have an area that is not too far from the reception, but has privacy. There was a huge concrete column in the middle of the makeup area...Jane would laugh if she could have seen us pulling apart this beautful display so that we could "nail-it" to the wall so to speak.

It works...in six months, we have beautified 38 brides and their wedding parties, and over 192 gorgeous gals. Every face is a star...and every star twinkles!

Products, Products, & More Products

2007-06-26T07:17:00.000-04:00

The retail area had to look professional, but easy to shop. Not too commercial. The cabinet maker had a great idea to put florescent lights behind the shelves...we had minor execution (I should say electrocution) problems, but we finally achieved the back lighting of the shelves.

Then for products...all the ones that we know work...Anakiri, Environ, Neova, Jane Iredale, Nouvelle, Redken, Hergen, Hay House, Stephanie Johnson, N. Body (our own yummy line of body care & scrubs)....we have books, robes, sandals, skin care, make up, jewelry, you name it,...we have it...And it is displayed beautifully. We still need a professional merchandizer...she keeps us organized.

Just Chatting New Spa Stuff

2007-06-20T05:48:00.000-04:00

From the moment you walk into the spa, I wanted you to relax...our interior designer, Nilsa McKinney...she is simply brillant. In fact there are six fabulous ladies, girls, gals, business gurus who really helped to make this spa project spectacular.

Nilsa, Interior Designer, "Genius Architect Engineer It will fit"

Lisa, Spa Consultant, "Let's walk through this again, move laundry from where? & how big is that locker room?"

Rita, Ad Agency, "Baby Brand maker on a shoestring budget"

Stephanie, Accountant, "Money from where?"

Karen, Wholesale Sales Rep, "Have I got products for you!"

Denise, Spa Manager, "No...everything is perfect here!"

It seemed like every little obstacle had a solution that was even better than the original idea. So everyone really went with the flow. And over the year, I met some of the nicest people in the world...the spa industry is bursting with amazing people.

I'd like to take you on a little tour to get started. Today we will start in the reception area. Look at those water walls...I was going to a spa show in Miami and walking through the convention center & of course, I was lost. Walking along, was a gentleman. He says hi, I say hi. What do you do...etc. He...I manufacture waterwalls. I make the best in the world. Why I ask? He...Water filtration, bacteria, etc. They make the front entrance..one on each side of the front door. Sometimes when you call the spa, you hear the water in the background....no don't laugh, they are not peeing.

Look at the granite...yummy blue. Can you believe that color? It's real, manufacturered by nature. Everyone always asks the names of the granite, and the colors of the walls, that's how beautiful the spa is...

New Spa and ALL

2007-06-14T06:42:00.000-04:00

Well, if you can just believe it...we are finally almost moved into the new 2 story way over the top blue spa. The spa is receiving the most incredible reviews. I am tickled pink, from the ocean terrace to the over the top cast members. Do you know that we have the most talented staff in the world? And pinch me, we actually moved into the Delray Beach Marriott..

Should I eat before a massage?

2006-05-15T09:45:00.000-04:00

Why is it best not to eat for at least an hour before you get a massage?
After a meal, blood goes to the stomach to assist in the digestive process by irrigating the muscles of the gastric wall. A massage will interrupt the digestion and confuse your system by drawing the blood away from your stomach to the surface of your body.
For the same reason, you shouldn’t eat right after a massage. You need a two-hour break to give your circulation time to return to normal.
And remember; massages and alcohol don’t mix. Because you absorb nutrients faster after a massage, alcohol can hit you harder.

Massage..and I am ticklish!

2006-05-08T17:41:00.000-04:00

I have thought about getting a massage, but I am so ticklish? Why is that? Being ticklish is a sure sign that too many toxins are stored in various organs of my body. The nerve endings wind up in your extremities – feet, fingers, ears, face, and scalp, in particular – you feel the discomfort of your organs when their corresponding nerve endings are stimulated.
You stop being ticklish when you get rid of accumulated toxins through massage and healthier living. Do-it-yourself reflexology can help control your over-sensitiveness and release the toxins buried deep in the center of your body.
Massage your feet with both hands.
· While doing so, visualize the main channels of energy coming to an end in your feet.
· Whenever you stumble on to a painful spot, press on it gently until the pain goes away.
· Imagine that you are massaging the whole of you.