Giving

Show your loved one just how much you care by giving them the perfect spa package. By giving a spa package gift certificate you are showing that you care about their mental and physical well-being. It is a selfless gift that your loved one can look forward to enjoying. It's also easy to get last minute or in a crunch for time. You can be a hero with a thoughtful spa treatment that'll make them happy and feel cared for. Spa treatments aren't just for women, you can even get a spa one for men and teens! There is such a variety of treatments out there that are tailored to fit the needs of everyone! Call one of our @-ease spa specialists and find out which package is perfect for your loved one!

The Dangers of DIY Facials

I found a very interesting article on DIY facials. Spring has arrived and we are all looking for ways to spruce up our appearance. But with less disposable income, some are turning to DIY spa treatments. However, this article gives warning to the damage that a DIY facial can cause. "By stripping away layers of skin in this way, not only can you get broken capillaries, you can also end up scarred if you scratch your skin.

Most worrying, though, especially in light of the recent spell of good weather, is the damage that can be caused simply by exposing your skin to the sun after undergoing microdermabrasion.

'Anything that damages the epidermis, as microdermabrasion does, puts the skin at risk of sun damage,' explains Jane. 'All it takes is someone to do a home microdermabrasion during the week, then spend a few hours in the sun at the weekend, and they could easily end up with pigmentation spots that make the skin look even worse than before.'" [source]

The @ease spa can offer you facials and microdermabrasion performed by trained professionals at an affordable price.

The Paraffin Hand Wax.

Whether it's done at home, the salon, or your favorite spa, your hands are left unbelievably smooth and soft. Here's an easy way to pamper your hands without ever leaving the house! You'll need:

1 block of paraffin wax
a double boiler
an ounce of oil
20 drops of essential oil
a casserole dish greased with oil
some plastic sandwich bags

Melt the wax, the oil, and the essential oil in your double boiler. Once it's melted, pour the mixture into the casserole dish and wait for a skin to develop over the top. Test the temperature to make sure it's not too hot, then wash and dry your hands completely.

Next, cover your hands completely in olive oil and dip each of them repeatedly into the wax. Dipping several times creates multiple layers and achieves the best effect.

Finally, have a friend help you put each hand into a plastic bag. Relax for about thirty minutes, then peel away the hardened wax. Enjoy the new smooth delight of your hands!

Men At the Spa

Men can spa too! @ease Spa offers treatments that men can enjoy too. Finding a spa with not only the right decor but services is very important. Something classy, refined. Having a spa that caters to everyone is the best idea. You can still feel pampered in a green room. In fact, it promotes even greater serenity. A growing number of men are going to spas today. They either go with their wives or girlfriends, with their male partner, or on their own. Get this! Men now make up nearly a third of all spagoers, according to the International Spa Association. They're receiving services like manicures, facials, massages, pedicures, and body scrubs. Men need to feel relaxed, refined, and detailed too. Spas have now learned how to create a gender-neutral atmosphere where both men and women feel comfortable. Today, spas have gone so mainstream that they aren't looked at as something strictly for women anymore.

The Shirodora

Having a massage is great. It relaxes you and makes you feel at ease. But don't ignore the very place where your stressful thoughts begin. Don't underestimate the power of a head and face massage. One treatment that people rave about is Shiradora. A warm oil drips slowly onto your forehead while the masseuse slowly massages the essential oils into the face and scalp. The oils leave your skin revived, moisturized, and repaired without leaving behind build-up while relieving stress for days to come.

Find us on Facebook and Twitter!

I would just like to tell you about our new @ease Spa group on Facebook. Find out about promotions, start discussions, read about treatments. You can even become a fan of @ease spa! Check it out HERE.

Join the group, upload photos, tell us your favorite @ease treatment!

Also, follow us on Twitter! Our name is AtEasSpaNJ . See you in cyberspace!

The Glycolic Peel Facial

Need a face refresher but looking for a quicker solution without the chemicals? A Glycolic peel facial (also known as the lunchtime peel) is light and fruit-based. It is a great alternative to heavier and harsher chemical peels. This solution will exfoliate your skin, neutralizing lines, hyper pigmentation and scars. Next, one of our @Ease professionals will apply a potent glycolic peel and add a soothing mask. When the mask is removed, they will next administer a gentle balm which soothes, smooths, heals, and refreshes. On top of all this you will even receive a soft massage. Get the comfortable, gentle treatment of a glycolic facial for a soothing afternoon (or lunchtime).

With Spring Comes an Optimistic Outlook

With spring comes the urge to start anew. The warm air encourages you to get outside and enjoy the sunshine as well as focus more on your health and appearance. The months of staying cooped up inside are over. Get out there and spruce up your outlook with walks in the park and trips to the spa.

An article I found lists and describes so many great ways to get yourself feeling brand new for spring time. Here are some that you can get right at the spa! :

"Exfoliate and moisturize. Most spas offer exfoliation treatments or detoxifying mud massages. This includes slathering the treatment on the skin, rinsing it off and moisturizing afterward. It’s good to get these treatments twice a month, Boore said. Body treatments can cost $50 and up. To try this at home, stop by the store and pick up a bottle of body scrub.

Get a facial. Like the rest of your skin, your face can use a pick-me-up after enduring a cold winter. Be sure to check with your dermatologist to see which treatment is right for your skin.

Pedicures. ’Tis the season to wear open-toe shoes. Unattractive toes just won’t do. Step outside the box and try a fun, new spring-inspired" [source]

I also think that health food picnics in the park are also a great way to celebrate spring!

Saving With Package Deals

Spa packages are definitely the way to go. Rather than paying for individual services you can receive a variety of them for a lower price. @Ease Spa offers packages that give you a complete spa experience, cleansing and relaxing your entire body. Just getting a massage or a facial may not leave you feeling entirely renewed. You might as well go for the package for the complete experience. For example you can get a facial, an eye treatment, massage, and reflexology treatment all for $190! Doing so will not only get you more bang for your buck but will leave you looking AND feeling great at a lower rate.

Spas Today

Spas have grown incredibly in number over the past decade. What used to be exotic and dominated by women, is now offered everywhere and caters to everyone. Spas are basic essentials in hotels, cruise lines, and basically every New York block. So, how will they survive now that the economy has taken a turn for the worst? According to an article in travelwires.com "service excellence, well trained staff, quality products and exceptional ambience. Because the client has a wide pool to choose from, the ultimate decider will be the spa that offers the overall spa experience which engages all five senses. Customised treatments are also popular with clients as opposed to generic treatments. People like the extra personal touch. There is no doubt that demand for spa services will continue as people look for an escape from the daily grind of modern day living." Anti-aging is another trend that will surely continue. I think spas are in good shape as long as they constantly keep their focus on quality products and quality service.

Princess For a Day.

Le Petite is a spa for tots. It offers spa treatments such as manicures and massage for young girls. Does this spoil them too young in life? Or is it a confidence booster that offers a real life fairytale while giving the girls a boost of self -esteem? What say you...

"To fulfill the fairy-tale fantasy, there are frilly vanities for barrette-enhanced hairdos and sparkly makeup applications. Girls put on tiny bathrobes, admire themselves in full-length oval mirrors and climb atop massage tables. A pink shag runway allows clients to show off their spa day results, with camera-clicking parents substituting for paparazzi.

But owner Adriana Cohen says there's more here than meets the eye.

''We opened a spa that's not just about putting on nail polish,'' said Cohen, 34. ``It's also about having nails that are nice and clean. That's a nice little thing for girls to have. We're trying to teach them how to be ladies.'' [Princess for a Day]

I think that for special occasions this is a nice idea.

Destressing the Recession

According to The Economic Times, the best way to beat the recession blues is by taking a trip to the spa. They even include a list of the best treatments and best ingredients to elevate your spirits. Their "Nine Best Spa Treatments" include chocolate and stones! Take a look!:

"If chocolate is your sinful indulgence try chocolate spa which can make your fantasies come true! Known for its beneficial qualities, the essential nutrients and vitamins of chocolate makes it good for the skin too.

While stone may not instantly come to mind as a relaxing therapy, the fact is that stone therapy actually is quite a rejuvenating experience. This therapy uses stones that are heated to offer a relaxing massage. The combination of aromatic essential oils are known to de-stress and balance energy levels. "

@ease Spa offers treatments that include both chocolate and stone massage. Chase away the recession blues at @ease spa at a price you can afford!

Spa Wellness

Going to the spa can change your outlook, rejuvenate your mind and body. "Spas are known to combat aging while fostering health and wellness. The spa treatments are not an invention of the modern era, it is known that the mother of all spas could be traced back to the classical era when the Greek took social bathes, and enjoyed spending time in a leisurely and relaxed environment. This tricky intervention was so successful that the Romans soon followed, they you read the Greek writers writing and followed the instructions meticulously. Spa treatments should not be regarded as just a medical or health treatment. It is much more than that, a spa treatments and can provide that long testing service and can be regarded as a beauty treatment. In fact most people find it surprising that the top 10 spa treatments are not directly linked to any particular health problems or any kind of pathological physical inabilities." According to ezinearticles.com, spa treatments will enhance your overall mental health, allowing for needed relaxation and thus promoting good health.

The Green Spa

Going green in all aspects will not only help save the environment but help save your wallet as well. Supporting organic will set an example and will spread and expand and will drive down the cost of products. We need to raise our standards or what we put in and onto our bodies. Now, more than ever, we're all trying act like a tree and go green. We try to buy better and live better and the same should go for our spas. Many spas are in fact, evolving to be more environmentally friendly. Not only will this help the earth but it will also help their business because now, most everyone prefers the green option. From using environmentally friendly beauty products to serving local produce, spas are catering to those who live the green lifestyle. We all need to ensure that protecting our environment is not just a passing fad by making all of our places of work and play move in the green direction.

Scar Treatment

A woman wrote into the "Ask Susie" column asking if there's a way to reduce the damage of acne scarring to your face. Mauro Romita, M.D from the Ajune medical spa here in New York gave a few answers and a little background on this particular type of scarring.

Apparently, acne scars (especially on the face) tend to only get worse with time. The reason is that as your skin gets slacker, the pits get deeper. It's kind of like when you take a wrinkled piece of paper and pull it taut. When it's taut, the wrinkles don't look so bad, but when you let it go, they look really, really bad.

The solutions that Mauro offers are a little on the expensive side, but if it's really damaging to your self-esteem, the money shouldn't matter. If you've got a fair complexion, laser treatments tend to be pretty successful. If you've got a darker skin tone, the most viable option is a face lift. This does seem a little extreme . . . but at least you'll cut back on wrinkles and the scarring at the same time, right?

Getting the Most Out of Your Spa Experience

I found an article on the UK's Daily Mail that speaks to the unfortunate under training of spa staff and incidences of overpricing and conning. However, they also offer a helpful list of things to ask your spa in order to ensure you get the most out of your spa experience. A trip to the spa should be relaxing and you should be able to trust that your spa knows what they are doing. @ease Spa employs experienced and well-trained staff. We want to ensure a relaxing and rejuvenating experience at an affordable price in a fine establishment. Just ask us. Here are a few tips the article gives:

Always ask how many years' experience your therapist has and what her training involved.

When booking a facial, ask exactly what products and techniques will be used.

What will be used for the eye and neck areas, which are often neglected?

If a mask is involved, what will happen while you wait for it to work?

Will your hands and feet or scalp be massaged, say, or will the therapist simply leave the room to have a gossip?

If your facialist has lined up all the products she recommends for you, don't feel pressured to buy. Say you will pop back for them later.

[Full Article]

Bizarre Puppy Pampering: Continued

A few posts ago I talked about spa treatments for dogs. I thought that it was strange but liked that donations were given to help abandoned pups. Well, I found an article that touches upon very bizarre and luxurious services and vacations for dogs.

"Since the Second World War, human's affection for pets has intensified. A study by Aaron Katcher investigated the various common indicators of affection for pet dogs, with 67% of pet owners having a picture of their pet, 73% of dog owners allow their dog to sleep in their bedroom and 80% believe that their pet is sensitive to the owner's feelings. A study by Victoria Voith found that 97% pet owners talked to their pet at least once a day. So, pets are part of the family and the human -- pet bond is strong."

This is totally understandable, I love my dog. But the article just really starts getting weird towards the end and a little over-the-top. You can read it here.

Spring Cleaning Your Skin

I love this article I found in The Sun. It's about emerging from the gloomy winter with beautiful, glowing skin. The @ease Spa offers a variety of treatments to help you achieve the look you want this spring. Don't let the winter's cold gray spirit linger on your skin. Get a rejuvenating facial and spring clean your skin.

"Months of cold winds, central heating and overindulgence in comfort food treats have left us Brits with cracked and dull complexions.

But help is at hand. Top skin therapist Nicola Brooke gives her top ten tips to de-winter your skin with her expert guide.

Follow her advice and put a spring in your skin's step that'll last all summer long." [The Sun]

Stopped Spa Burglary

I found a news article about a spa in Connecticut that was hit by crime. A spa had been broken into several times but on the most recent attempted burglary, the perpetrators didn't get away.

"The break-in was the third since January, Morra said. But this time $1,900 was recovered from one suspect at the site.

In gratitude, she gave Mari and Muniz, both of New Britain, certificates Tuesday for full spa treatments. Morra said she was surprised that in this day, anybody would get involved who didn’t have to.

'What a nice thing to do,' she said. 'For you to take responsibility. … I’m really grateful.'

Mari and Muniz both work at the Wendy’s restaurant next to the spa...'I hear the window falling to the ground,' he said. Mari told Muniz, the restaurant manager. She had another Wendy’s employee call police, and they arrived in time to make an arrest at the spa." - The Herald

It's a scary story but with a happy ending. I am so glad that the men didn't get away with the spa's revenues and that the heroes were handsomely rewarded with a relaxing spa treatment.