Spa's Close to Home

Ever wonder where to go and get a great facial? Here is a list of local Pennsylvania Spas and Resorts to check out in your travels

1. The Spa at The Hotel Hershey


Hershey Spa

Hydrotherapy

Body Treatments (scrubs, followed by wraps)

Massages

Facials

Hands & Feet

Salon Services

They offer a vast variety of services with the most unique product! Chocolate! Who wouldn't love being lathered up in some chocolate?

2. Nemacolin Woodlands Spa

 Nemacolin Services

1. Spa Packages

 (Most including Massages, Facials, Body Scrubs, and Manicure or Pedicure)

2. Facials (Up to 18 different facials options)

3. Body Waxing

4. Massages

5. Energy Services

6. Body Therapy Wraps

7. Hydrotherapy Treatments

8. Nail Services

9. Holistic Healing Center

10. Fitness

11. Bridal Services


Springs Eternal Spa


Springs Eternal Spa





1.Facials ( 9 different options)
2. Massages
3. Body Treatments
4. Nail Care
5. Hair Services
6. Make-up
7. Waxing


Esspa


Esspa





1. Facials
2. Massages
3. Manicure and Pedicures
4. Hair Removal
5. Body wraps and scrubs
6. Wedding Packages

Razor Bumps get lost!

Here's a great website of ways to get rid of those unsightly bumps we all get! Whether its Razor bumps or Keratosis Pilaris (chicken skin, which also comes from eating Gluten) get rid of them with these natural remedies!

 

Natural Remedies to Cure Skin Bumps

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You need to fill in your brows!

I can't say it enough! Filling in your brows is like the icing on the cake! You wouldn't serve a cake without icing so why would you show your face without filling in your brows?!

 

Here's a video tutorial of a girl who knows what's up when it comes to filling in your brows

Eyebrow Tutorial

Yes, girls really do say these things...

Humor is key!

 

Why I never care to get ready for class

#therearenowords

...but yes

 

 

 

Where do they go?

But seriously! I know I find bobby pins in the craziest places, I really find them when I'm running the vacuum and the vacuum finds them first that's always a pleasant sound. Now when all of my hair ties go missing first to blame is a little black fluffy friend of mine named Binx! He's quite a fan of my hair ties and finds it fun to hoard them in the strangest places.

Kitty Steals Hair Ties

Pimple? Yikes!

The fearful zit has just showed up right on your cheek, nose, or chin. Preferably and usually right before your planning on going to an event and will have your photo taken right?!

 

If your any girly girl you've read almost everything and have done almost everything to get rid of that zit by tomorrow haven't you? Pulling out your honey, baking soda, toothpaste, tea tree oil, ice, and lemons.

 

As a 24 year old still getting the occasional pimple I swear by one product! It is Intraceuticals Clarity Wand. Now I've never found a product that does what this does! Simply amazing! You're going to pay a little more for it, but I can't live without it. Along with a good cleanser, moisturizer and this Clarity Wand bye bye pimple and hello photographer!

 

 

Intraceuticals Wand

 

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Polish Colors for Winter 2014-2015

Through research and my own desires I've come to find that the top hits for this fall/winter nail polish colors seem to be staying true to form with some bit of a twist. Dark and I mean black, Red, Sparkles are hot, and nudes and light pinks still hold the top spot from this year!

 

 

 

Whats Hot?

 

Winter Picks

 

 

My Winter picks are:

 

First Place- OPI Lincoln Park After Dark

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Second Place- MAC Pinkly Fresh

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Third Place- OPI You don't know Jacque

 

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Halloween is around the corner!

Whether your going to be a zombie, a leopard, or ice princess you'll probably want some tips for how to achieve these makeup applications, since Halloween has become this huge ordeal over the years there's no way you can just throw on a hippie costume and call it a night! Here's some fun possibly extensive ways to create the right look on Halloween!

 

 

 

 

http://bzzn.net/18bdKvI

Here is a link to creating a skull face, celebrity, and freaky clown!

Halloween Makeup

 

Very Detailed Makeup Applications

 

Creative Halloween Makeup-- Level Expert

 

 

You Know You've Worked in a Salon When...

 

 

1. While shopping at you see professional products on a shelf and you want to cut every person you see buying those products

 

2. You have no shame in coloring your black pants with a sharpie to cover up all the bleach and color stains your clothes have been ruined by

 

3. You cut your partners hair relatively short so you don't have to do hair at home for another month and a half

 

4. Just when you think you might have a new friend their invite over to their house ends with "Could you bring your scissors too?"

 

5. You can say things like I did 5 guys today and 4 women and nobody blinks an eye at the dinner table

 

6. Hair splinters are a bitch...

 

7. Your mom has a lifetime supply of your business cards in every bag she carries

 

8. You've come to understand that you'll probably never have a real lunch break and are okay with eating half your meal cold

 

9. Finding hairs in your food at a restaurant doesn't even bother you

#LifeOfACosmetologist

When people say they "pluck" their eyebrows. You pluck a turkey, you tweeze your eyebrows people!

 

 

 

Oh... Can you swing by my house and cut and color my hair quick before you go on vacation...bitch no I won't.

 

 

 

Because, we have all secretly thought this when a client says this...

 

 

Who needs gloves and a smock?

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Ready Makeup

Photo friendly makeup applications are helpful to know especially during the summer time when you're attending everyone and their mother's wedding, and that fabulous photographer gets some unexpected snaps of you when you're not looking.

 

 

The one time I will say NO to SPF

Foundations that contain SPF tend to make you look washed out. Choose a foundation without SPF and has an HD factor, avoid your moisturizer with SPF on this day too.

 

Powder Pow!

Last thing you want is a shiny face, so apply your powder! Apply loose powders and carry blotting papers with you during the day to cut down on oil spots.

 

Bold not black

When having photos taken you can usually get away with using a bit of a heavier application. Let me say this better, a more pigmented color. So your blush can be a bit brighter than normal, but please don't go around looking like a clown. Your smokey eye can be a bit smokier.

 

Matching Foundation

Be sure that on this day your makeup is dead on exact match. So head to Macy's and ask a professional to help to match your skin tone to a foundation. Spend the extra money it's worth it!

 

Minimal Shimmer  

When it comes to photos be sure to use more matte colors, the occasional splash of glitter in your lip gloss or shadow is okay. This is not the day to look like you're off to your dance recital with the Dance Moms.

 

Fill In Those Brows

Brows frame the shape of your eyes so filling them in helps open up your eye area. Don't draw on new ones just follow the natural brow and fill in sparse areas lightly!

 

Eye Crease Contour

Using a matte color on the eye crease helps your eyes from getting lost on your face in a photo. An alternating color is usually desired.

 

 

 

 

Is that haircut right for you?

Deciding on whether to chop your locks or hold on to them is a big deciding factor for many women, for some it's not a big decision and I bet your not even reading a beauty blog looking for tips and advice before you go in for the big cut. Before you cut consider a few things:

 

 

Your Face Shape

If you've been blessed by the heavens above and have an oval face shape then you lucky bitch you can have practically any haircut and continue to look fabulous. If your like the rest of us normal folk and have a round face you probably want to choose a cut that is going to slim the look of your face.

 

 

Your Hair Type

Even if your a lucky oval face you should consider whether your hair can cooperate with the type of cut you want. Having thick massive hair isn't going to be fun every morning trying to fight with a round brush and flat iron

Time

Depending on the lifestyle you have it can commonly effect the type of haircut you can have. If you're chasing the Gosselin's or Duggar's out to the bus every morning forget your 20 minute hairstyle. Go with something that gives you an extra 20 minutes in the morning and not taking it away.

Can You Style It?

One too many times have I heard my mother complain that I've given her a hairstyle she cannot repeat in the morning... If you've got a stacked bob that needs a flat iron and round brush attention to lay just the right way, be sure to ask your hairdresser for advice or maybe tweek the cut to fit you and your limited styling know how. Having the right tools is also important, so if your hairdresser tells you that you're going to need this round brush... don't be a cheap ass buy the brush.

 

Trends...Are you in or out?

I'm typically the person critiquing your haircut in the grocery store line saying "omg who cut yo hair hunny?"  Ready to hand her the most popular hair salon in the town business card. People please... do your research on this!

 

Does this haircut reflect who you are?

Okay ladies... If your going to shave half your head or rock a pixie cut, Mohawk or the Kate Gosselin 2009 haircut. Remember this is the first thing the person interviewing you next week is going to see. Is it really okay to be a Pediatrician with half your head shaved? Consider what you will be looked at as with such haircuts...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crazy Cool Beauty Tips!

Crazy Beauty Tips to get you through life!

 

 

 







Tip #1- Dip your freshly painted nails in cold water to make them dry faster.

 

Tip #2- Rinsing your hair with apple cider vinegar will help to increase shine and remove scalp build up

 

Tip #3-Mix on tablespoon of baking soda with three drops of Hydrogen Peroxide for your own at home teeth whitening

 

Tip #4- Apply olive oil to your hair 10 minutes before showering to help with breakage and encourage hair growth

 

Tip #5- Use baby oil instead of shaving cream when shaving for a closer, smoother shave

 

Tip #6- Use a clean eye shadow sponge to create ombre nails

 

Tip #7- After shaving apply deodorant to bikini area to prevent bumps and pimples



The In's and Out's of Getting a Facial

Male or Female you've probably wondered what a facial entails. Not any specialty one in particular, but more the in's and out's of what a facial entails, to encourage you to go get one or do your own at home!

 

 

Always communicate- When getting a facial at a Spa you'll typically be asked about your at home facial regime. (If not run for the door!) It's important that you let your esthetician know your health history and a list of medications you might be using (oral and topical). This way the esthetician knows what products to use and what treatments to avoid.

 

Cleansing- You will first receive a gentle cleansing treatment, this starts by removing and excess oils or makeup that might be left on your skin. Your esthetician might perform this step twice.

 

Facial Scrub- Depending on your skin type, skin needs, and contraindications your esthetician will use a gentle facial scrub, it will feel like bits of sand or beads rubbing against your skin gently. Occasionally a warm steamer is used too.

 

Mask- Based upon your skins needs an esthetician will chose an appropriate mask for you. Some will harden and be removed with steam and hot towels, some will more of a gel texture.

 

Toners- Once again depending on your special needs your esthetician will apply a toner to either normalize or reduce pore size.

 

Moisturizing and Hydration- Everyone needs this! Typically a serum, moisturizer, and SPF.

 

My favorite products I have personally used are Murad's, and Priori. Murad can be found in Ulta beauty store. Priori is typically sold by a salon or Spa.



Mistakes You've Been Making with your Mascara

Mascara is my go to. When I have no time to get ready, Mascara is the one thing I find a minute for. So there's nothing worse than a mascara that clumps and makes your eyes feel heavy. So, preventing clumping is essential. Here's some tips to keep the clumps away!



Tip #1

Apply mascara to the bottom lashes first! Then apply the top mascara from the inside corner out!

Tip #2

Apply mascara vertically and then horizontally

Tip #3

Looking down into a mirror will prevent you from getting mascara onto your eyelids

Tip #4

Start from the root of your lash line then wiggle the mascara wand up to the ends of your eyelashes this will allow the brush to get a firm grip into your eyelashes

Tip #5

Bending your mascara wand will allow you to guide along your eye better than a straight wand will.

Tip #6

Wipe of excess mascara product from the brush to prevent clumps from happening

Tip #7

Dust baby powder over you eyelashes to prevent clumping

Formal Messy Bun

Creating a formal messy bun can be beneficial if your on the run after work for a last minute date or want a more relaxed up do style for a beach or laid back wedding.

Click here for a quick video!

Easy Steps to Follow for Creating Your Messy Bun

How To Clean Makeup Brushes

Buying good makeup brushes can be somewhat of an investment. So taking care of these brushes is key.

Washing your makeup brushes after you buy them is important as well as cleaning them on a regular basis. It's important to wash makeup brushes to remove;

1. Bacteria (that causes acne and black heads)

2. Dirt

3. Old makeup

4. Body oils

5. Dead skin cells

Cleaning Your Makeup Brushes

Many makeup companies are making their own makeup brush cleaners now. If your looking for a quick wash these might be for you. But, if you have the time to let the brushes soak and dry try these tips.

Rinse with warm water

*Tip* Wash the brushes facing downward so the water isn't running directly into the metal part of your brushes. This can cause the glue that holds the brush together to come off and cause the brush to fall apart.

Rinse the brushes with a mild antibacterial hand soap under warm water. You also can swirl them in a glass with alcohol in it for a few seconds. Pat dry with a paper towel and leave the brushes lying on their side over your sink to dry.

*Tip* DON"T let the brushes stand upward, this will cause the water to leak down into the metal area of the brush causing the glue and bristles to come apart.

Sanitizing Your Makeup

Wiping down your makeup is important if your a makeup artist, you don't want to be sharing and bacteria between clients. You should be wiping down your own makeup supplies too, now not everyday, but maybe at least 2x a month.

Soak a cotton ball in alcohol. Then gently wisp over the tops of your makeup pallets and wipe the inside and outside of the containers.







Hair Memes

Some days you just need a good laugh. Honest and funny is important.

#1 Pocahontas the realization of your hair not being this fabulous when you grew up.  

#2 Your hairdresser says "A dime size of conditioner" Girl, that is not going to even cover a dime size of my hair!

#3 The struggle! if only we used that "dime size"

#4 Monday mornings be like...

#5 Don't hesitate...

#6 Well then Mr.Cooper

#7 Is it hurting anyone?...NO!

#8 But Seriously...

#9 Finding bobby pins in random places daily...

#10 We have all been scared of going back to that one hairstylist...

#11 Curly hair scares...

Start Using Paraben, Sulfate and Gluten Free Shampoo NOW!

Shampoo's are the biggest selling cosmetic product. You use it almost daily, but what is really in that lovely smelling Dove, L'Oreal, and Matrix product? There are certain chemicals in your shampoo that are hurting more than just your head and scalp.

Paraben

Paraben is widely used in almost all cosmetic products, even your makeup and lotions. It acts as a preservative in many products. Paraben has been linked to increased estrogen which can cause breast cancers. Paraben has been known to contribute to the early on set of puberty, and can enlarge breasts and testicles in young men. It also destroys your hair and scalp, by causing deterioration to the scalp and hair as well as making the hair dull and brittle.





Sulfate

Sulfate's purpose is to break down dirt on the hair and scalp. Sounds harmless but, In a study sulfates in cosmetics caused certain damages to the body such as eye damage, that can lead to blindness in small children. It has also been found to be toxic and a cause cancer. It also can cause hair loss, thinning and deteriorates the hair follicles, as well as slowing the growth of hair. So if  your looking to grow your hair out STOP using products that contain these terrible ingredients. Sulfate is named SODIUM LAURYL ETHER SULFATE on products.

Gluten

As someone who has just recently become Gluten free. I cannot believe how many food and products contain gluten, I became suspicious of my beauty regime when I started feeling better in my gut, but still felt like my skin was alive! On a regular basis I have had incredibly itchy skin with no rash present, dry scalp flaking away, itchy armpits after shaving and applying deodorant, a strange rash that never has gone away on the back of my arms since I was a kid which is known now as Keratosis Pilaris better known as chicken skin.  So what is gluten? Gluten is found in grains such as wheat, barley, rye, and triticale. People with eczema have also found that switching to Gluten free shampoo has made their condition better. Gluten is found also in hairspray, mousse, and other products. Here is a list of commonly used ingredients in cosmetics that contain gluten.


• Triticum vulgare (wheat)
• Hordeum vulgare (barley)
• Secale cereale (rye)
• Avena sativa (oats)
• Wheat germ oil
• Hydrolyzed wheat protein
• Stearyl dimonium hydroxypropy (hydrolyzed wheat protein)
• Laurdimonium hydroxypropyl (hydrolyzed wheat protein)
• Colloidal oatmeal
• Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (may contain wheat)
• Dextrin palmitate (starch, possibly gluten-based)
• Vitamin E (frequently derived from wheat)
• Malt extract (usually barley)
• Beta glucan (frequently derived from wheat)
• Vegetable protein (may contain wheat, barley, rye and/or oats)

This is my current professional product of choice that I'm using.







Grow Your Hair Longer

Maybe your wanting to grow out a bad short hair cut quickly, or just want those beautiful long locks. Here are some tips to help you get long flowing hair fast.



Coconut Oil

I'm a big fan of coconut oil. This is one of the best treatments for your hair and scalp. As you know a healthy scalp means healthy hair. Since, that's where the growth comes from. I use extra virgin coconut oil as my oil treatments and let it sit as long as you have time to, the longer the better!

Trim Your Ends

As awful as it sounds, you need to trim those ends. Your hair splits at the ends and then continues to split up the strands of your hair causing nasty frizzy ends. I recommend snipping your ends once every 2-3 months for the best growth.

Drink Water

Drink your water! Not only should you already be doing this for all the other added health benefits, but it does help your hair grow. It flushes toxins out of your body and hydrates you. Hydrated hair is happy hair.

Gentle Brushing

Be nice to your hair...Brushing your hair with a big soft brush from your scalp to your ends helps promote circulation to the scalp feeding the roots of your hair with healthy blood flow. NEVER brush your hair wet. If you have to use a large tooth comb and gently untangle your knots.

Avoid The Heat

It maybe hard to do, but when you can avoid the hairdryer, flat iron, and curling iron DO IT. Saving your hair the pain and damage of heat will help it grow by preventing the damages from heat.

Your Hair Is What You Eat

The more protein rich foods you eat the healthier the hair you will have. Eat more fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, and healthy meat choices.



Why Aren't You Getting Massages Regularly?

Massages are outstanding. Not only do you feel amazing after one, they come with a lot of positive health benefits that can benefit almost everyone! My reasons why you should be getting massages more often than just your birthday.
 

1. You feel relaxed, relaxed as in you feel like you just took the best nap of your life and are energized to conquer the world.
 

2. AMAZING health benefits to people with circulatory problems, insomnia, skin conditions, fatigue muscles, arthritis, and even cancer.
 

3. It requires you to turn your phone off and be at peace for an hour, or however long you decide you need a massage. May I recommend my favorite the 1.5 hour massage.
 

4. Don't think about it as a luxury anymore, its a health benefit!
 

5. Everyone needs you time. You deserve the massage, you deserve to feel good, you deserve the benefits that massage can provide you.
 

6. There are a ton of different types and ways to get massage, if your not comfortable laying down, or getting undressed their are ways you can still get a relaxing and beneficial massage!

 

 

Still not convinced? Check out this chart I found on Pinterest.com

 

Curious as to what a massage looks like? Check out this video!

Relaxing Massage

 

I hope these ideas and some facts help you to decide on making massage a part of your routine.

Why you should be using coconut oil everyday

The health benefits of coconut oil are endless. Coconut oil helps with hair care, skin care, stress relief, cholesterol levels, weight loss, boosted immune system, digestion aid, and regulated metabolism. It also has been known to help with kidney problems, heart disease, diabetes, HIV, cancer, dental health, and bone strength.

Coconut Oil for Hair Care

Coconut oil aids in the production of healthy hair growth. It also helps in reducing protein loss that can cause unhealthy qualities in your hair. Coconut oil can be applied on the hair everyday after showering. It is an excellent conditioner and helps re-growth process of damaged hair. Massaging your scalp with coconut oil, can keep your scalp free of dandruff, even if your scalp is chronically dry. It will also keep your hair and scalp free of lice and lice eggs.

Skin Care

Coconut oil is an excellent massage oil for the skin too. It is a effective moisturizer for all skin types including dry and flaking skin. It also can delay the appearance of wrinkles and sagging. Coconut Oil also helps treat skin conditions such as: psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema, and other skin infections.

Weight Loss

Coconut oil is useful for weight loss, because it contains short/medium chain fatty acids that help in losing excessive weight. Coconut oil is easy to digest and it helps in healthy functioning of thyroid and endocrine system. It also increases the body's metabolic rate by removing stress on pancreas.

Immunity

Coconut oil is also good for the immune system. It helps strengthen your immune system due to its properties. The human body converts the coconut oil properties into monolaurin which research has supported as an effective way to deal with viruses and bacteria.

Buying Coconut Oil

When you decide your going to add coconut oil into your diet now you need to know where to buy, what brand to buy, and how much to pay.

Where to buy

Virgin coconut oil, organic coconut oil, pure coconut oil are easily found in most grocery stores. In non tropical countries you may need to travel to a bigger grocery store or holistic health store to find a larger variety of coconut oil.

Which brand to buy

Unless your buying coconut oil in its native countries you should just buy the reliable and reputable brands. Read the ingredients and check the expiration date.

How much to pay

If you can purchase coconut oil in a grocery store you will save much more instead of buying it over the phone or internet. However, you may not have as much of a variety in a local grocery store than you would over the internet.

How much to buy

Rule of thumb is to buy only as much as you need for a few months. Coconut oil doesn't expire fast but keeping a lot in storage just might not be the best idea since coconut oil is the most effective when its fresh.


Coconut Oil information source

Applying Coconut Oil to your hair

Easy Quick Smokey Eye

If you're just trying to get use to the look of a smokey eye by slowly introducing it or just want a mild version of it for a day look follow these steps to create the prettiest quick smokey eye.

 

The products I recommend to use to create this look are: Urban Decay Naked 2 palette, Urban Decay Primer Potion, and Maybelline Colossal black mascara.  

Step #1 Cover your eyelid up to the brow bone with Urban Decay Primer Potion.

Step#2 Start by applying "Bootycall" to the upper brow bone right under the eyebrows.

Step #3 Apply a mix of "Foxy and Bootycall" in the inner corner of your eye.

Step #4 Apply "Tease" to the mid crease of your eye from the inner corner to the outer corner above your crease.

Step #5 Apply "Busted" to the outer corner of your eye in a "V" shape from the bottom of your eye lid up to the crease

Step #6 Brush the access eye shadow in the middle of the "V" shape you just created by filling in the "V"

Step #7 Take a blending eye shadow brush and buff out any hard lines to create a soft look

Step #8 Curl lashes

Step #9 Apply mascara to top and bottom lashes

Video below will help you to better know your eye shadow placement, And a link directly to Urban Decay.

Easy Smokey Eye Tutorial

Urban Decay