Spa Chair Extravagance - Ooh-la-la!

The Galatea Spa Chair is another over-the-top, luxurious addition to your dream home. The designer, Verenice Macedo, created the chair to offer a perfect blend of massage functions along with an entertainment center built into a visor-shaped laser screen that wraps around the head. The multipurpose screen will act as a voice recognition command unit, or a touch screen that offers capabilities as a TV, E-reader (with a selection of electronic books), computer monitor, music player and audio playback, etc. And, for the moments when hiding out from life is the perfect thing to do, this chair has an adjustable dome that lowers to cover your head. Galatea’s body is created out of bamboo, the dome is made from brushed aluminum material, and the seat and headrest is made from soft, white leather. Apparently, luxury has no limits.

Shoe Shaped Bathtubs - Ooh-la-la!

Remember when you were a child and listened to the nursery rhyme about the old woman who lived in a shoe? Well, Milan's SICIS Art Mosaic Factory has taken the shoe concept and created an unbelievable bathtub. This innovative beauty is not found in a nursery rhyme or a fairy tale book, it is an actual bathtub designed by Massimilliano Della Monaca and is made from tiny glass tiles, less than a tenth of an inch each. Save your pennies ladies, this beauty will set you back between $17,000 to $27,000 depending on your choice of materials. Talk about taking a dip in artistic luxury!

PHYTOMER Unique Anti-Cellulite Cream

This active cellulite cream contains an interesting combination of ingredients to combat cellulite. Caffeine and two mineral rich algaes, Laminara Digitata and Palmaria Palmata, are utilized because of their tremendous action on eliminating fats. The iodine found in the Laminara Digitata triggers metabolism and elimination, and is complemented by mineral ions that help to flush the tissues, prevent fluid retention, and improve circulation.

A brown algae (Halopteris Scoparia) incorporated in this formula has shown to have an interesting influence on cells that have not matured to active fat cells. This influence can inhibit the maturation into active fat cells and help slow down fat storage. These are great ingredients to have in the battle against cellulite. The sweet almond, sunflower, jojoba and soya oils promote penetration of the active ingredients, provide emolliency, and are rich with anti-oxidants to ensure the health of the tissues.

As with all cellulite products, apply daily for at least 6 weeks before you will see results. Use a light massage technique when applying the product until it has penetrated, and then knead the area of concern to promote the circulation that will help break up the constricted fibers and clusters of fat. This process will enhance your results. Weekly exfoliation, drinking more water and adding a little cardio will help speed up your results.

Sothys Total Resculpting Serum

Velvety smooth skin anyone? Loaded with plant extracts to put the fat cells on a diet, this serum promotes elimination from the cells thanks to the caffeine and the polyphenols of Boldo, Prunella and Celosia. These plant polyphenols, along with L-carnitine (an amino acid naturally found in the skin), inhibit the fat cells from storing triglycerides blocking the formation of more cellulite. The complex of Vitamin B3 and Vitamin E improves the microcirculation facilitating the elimination from the fat cells and drainage from the stagnant surrounding tissues.

It is important when treating cellulite to help improve the structure of the connective tissue surrounding the fat cell. This improves circulation, elimination and minimizes (or eliminates) the “dimples” in the skin caused by the challenged fibers. Sothys has used Centella Asiatica, known for its influence on stimulating collagen and elastin, to take care of this task. This product has a light cream/gel texture and is applied like a body lotion. For best results it is recommended to use the serum twice a day on the areas of concern. Like all products designed to attack cellulite, the results are improved with exfoliation, dry brushing and stimulating the circulation giving better absorption of the product.

Babor Body Line Thermal Refining Cellulite Treatment

This light, fresh, cool emulsion (somewhere between a gel and a cream) provides some key actives in the battle against cellulite while facilitating their quick absorption into the skin. Caffeine is one of the key ingredients in this product, which triggers the elimination of fats and the break down of triglycerides in the fat cells to fatty acids so they can be can be discarded.

The plant extract, Centella Asiatica, helps to restructure dermal fibers that have constricted causing the tension and dimples in the skin. The constriction also causes a disruption in the circulation, the fat cells to cluster, fluid retention, and poor elimination. The ingredient Horse Chestnut is a great decongestant that promotes blood vessel health and the elimination of wastes, along with camphor to boost circulation. The algae used to promote the detoxification process also provides essential minerals to improve the health and functioning of the fat cells and the supporting structures. Peptides are incorporated to ensure cellular communication, hyaluronic acid for hydration, and even a little lactic acid (an AHA) to ensure the surface of the skin is exfoliating properly and has an even texture. This is definitely a product that will give you great results if used properly. Use it at least once a day for 6 to 8 weeks, and as with most things in life . . . patience is a virtue. It will be worth it.

Cellulite and Genetics

Cellulite is not directly linked to genetics, but it is affected by things that are influenced by our genetic make-up. Metabolic rates, hormone levels, the amount of adipose (fat) tissue, and where one tends to have thicker layers of fat cells. These things may make a body more prone to cellulite. We know that women are designed to store more fat tissue than men to facilitate the needed energy for reproduction. As a result, cellulite is much more prevalent in women. Lucky us! In fact, very few men experience cellulite. It was designed that way to ensure women have the needed energy for reproduction. Many 'fit' individuals still deal with cellulite in certain areas, but the cardinal rule here is, . . . the healthier you are, the less cellulite you will have.

The Skinny on Cellulite Treatments

Cellulite spa treatments are very effective, but are not a one visit cure. Exfoliation and algae wraps, or treatments using light therapy, infrared, micro currents, and/or kneading the tissues is offered in a series of treatments given one to three times a week for a few weeks. These treatments offer incredible results but come with a hefty price tag, so be sure to change your diet and commit to a little cardio exercise during the treatments. You will get far better results in less time.

Many home care products deserve serious consideration, whether they are used to compliment and enhance a spa treatment, or used on their own. The ingredients found in these products are focused on stimulating the elimination of fats as well as slowing down the formation of fat. They also address drainage to promote elimination of wastes and excess fluids. Many cellulite products will create a heat sensation and may turn the skin quite pink, usually as a result of some form of niacin. Caffeine is another common ingredient in formulations because it penetrates well and stimulates the elimination of excess fats. Most products will recommend application twice a day following some type of stimulation like dry brushing, exfoliation, or even a brisk drying with your towel after a shower, as this stimulates the circulation and will lead to better utilization of the ingredients and better results.

SPA SWEEPSTAKES - SHAPE MAGAZINE

Shape Magazine Cal-a-Vie Health Spa Sweepstakes
Enter by May 20th
Grand Prize: One winner and guest will receive a four night stay at the Cal-a-Vie Health Spa in Vista, California. Prize will include accommodations, three meals per day, nine therapeutic spa treatments, unlimited fitness classes, a nutritional lecture, and a cooking demonstration. The fitness team at Cal-a-Vie designed the entire 2010 Bikini Body Countdown Plan and their trainers are there to work out with the lucky grand prize winner and guest. Approximate Retail Value $10,600.

Adventure Spa Getaways

There are those who cannot lie down and relax for more than a few minutes. You can spot them a mile away. They are the ones who never really get into the groove of their poolside chairs, and spend way too much time laying out their towels and lining up a grand selection of books they are going to conquer in one afternoon. These A-type personalities may find adventure spas to be a much better fit for their energy levels. Adventure spas are perfectly suited to those who need to burn energy throughout the day in order to catch a few well earned z-z-z-z's at night.

Adventure spas offer varying levels of outdoor activities such as all-day hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and horseback riding. Or kayaking, river rafting, water-sports. Or sports packages that include golf, tennis, or baseball. Or high level adventures for those who prefer active volcanos, rainforest jungles, high peak mountains, and conservation parks full of ferocious wild animals. The spa part? Ah, yes . . . the unwinding process. Upon the close of a day's activities, worn out bodies head back to the resort where they are delighted to find an abundance of pampering spa treatments and healthy gourmet food to nourish their bodies. Adventure spas are a great way to replace stress with challenging activities. So . . . who would pay to take a vacation to put their body through the hoops? Apparently, plenty since adventure spas are rapidly rising in popularity. Intriguing.

Mother's Day Spa Wrap Instructions . . .

One of the greatest ideas sent to us this year in honor of Mother's Day is a step-by-step tutorial on how to make this beautiful, cozy, terry cloth Spa Wrap. What a wonderful gift to make for someone you love . . . or for yourself, of course.

A beautiful towel, contrasting fabric, a little lace, a few moments at the sewing machine, and voila . . a perfect spa-at-home accessory. Sew easy! Sew great!

SPA SWEEPSTAKES - SCHWAN'S SPA GETAWAY

Schwan's Spa Getaway Trip for Two to New York City
Enter by June 1st
Grand Prize: One trip to New York City, NY for winner and one guest. Trip includes 3 nights/4 day hotel accommodations at the Waldorf Astoria, three hours of spa treatments for winner and guest at the Guerlain Spa, breakfast daily, one dinner at the hotel, one dinner at Fresco by Scotto Restaurant, $500 cash for winner, and roundtrip coach class air transportation for two from a major airport near winner's residence to New York City, NY and airport/hotel transfers. Approximate Retail Value $7,315
Second Prize: $100 SpaFinder Gift Certificates will be awarded to 30 second prize winners.
Total Approximate Retail Value $10,315

SpaFinder Offers Two Great Opportunities

SpaFinder's "Twitter Mother's Day Contest"
Enter by May 6th
SpaFinder is offering readers a chance to win a $100 SpaFinder Gift Certificate to give your Mom for Mother's Day. Tweet them at www.twitter.com/spafinder and share something wonderful your Mom did for you. Go ahead, boast about her. She's worth it!

SpaFinder's "Reader's Choice Awards Sweepstakes 2010"
Enter by June 1st
Grand Prize: One winner will receive a 4 day/3 night vacation package for two persons to Acqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach in Miami Beach, Florida. Package includes: Ocean Front Suite accommodation; Continental Breakfast daily; a total of four 50 minute ESPA spa treatments (two per person) during the stay. Approximate Retail Value $4,700.