The Alpha Sphere

The Alpha Sphere is a multi-sensory relaxation chair created by a Viennese artist and perception researcher, Sha. This unique relaxation chair encases its client in rich images, rhythms, color, lighting sound, warmth and vibrations while working on stress reduction, increased creativity and a deep state of relaxation.  The chair assists in harmonizing breathing, loosening tight muscles, resolving body tension, stimulates circulation, and lowers high blood pressure. Extensive tests conducted at the University of Vienna confirmed that this therapeutic chair offers a "clear pattern of deep relaxation" offering a feeling of timelessness and serenity.

Facial Recognition Skin Care App

As if we aren't paranoid enough about aging . . . now you can now track your signs of aging using a new phone ap. My Own Ap, developed by innovative skin health company Own Products, uses facial recognition technology and clinical research to track, measure and analyze fine lines, deep wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.

Once a photo of the face is uploaded, this technology will evaluate the overall needs of your skin . . . and in five to fifteen minutes . . .  you will be notified of the number of fine lines and wrinkles, deep set wrinkles, crow's feet, percentage of total face coverage of age spots/hyperpigmentation, as well as a comparison of your face with other women within your peer group to see how well you are aging.  You will also receive a side-by-side comparison of what you could look like after following a recommended skin care and wellness routine.

Aveda - Mister Chakra

Aveda has launched an interesting interactive website called, Mister Chakra, outlining a sensory journey of all seven chakras and how they are connected to a healthy body, mind and spirit.  Mister Chakra offers wellness rituals which include guided meditations, mantras, breathing techniques, and proper nutrition. Aveda's rituals are created to offer a heightened awareness necessary to heal each sensory center and create a "grounded" healthy balance.  Aveda's Body Balancing Mists and corresponding Aveda spa treatments are recommended to continue to work to remedy the situation.

SPA SWEEPSTAKES - LUCKY MAGAZINE AND ST. LUCIA

Lucky Magazine's Score a Trip to St. Lucia

Enter by June 24th

Grand Prize: One winner and a guest will receive four nights for two in the Blu, St. Lucia Junior Suite, four daily breakfasts for two at The Blue Jazz Bar and Grill, one dinner for two at The Blue Jazz Bar and Grill, one Alaia spa credit, two round-trip coach tickets to St. Lucia, one airport/hotel transfers in St. Lucia, one Steamline Luggage, the Editor Series Carry-On Suitcase, one Calypso St. Barth Bellini eau de toilette, one Calypso St. Barth Bellini bougie parfum, one Trish McEvoy Power of Makeup Effortless Beauty Planner Collection, one Trish McEvoy Tapered Blending brush, one Trish McEvoy Cream Blending brush, one Trish McEvoy Precise Eye Lining, one Trish McEvoy Soft Smudge brush, two Scents and Feel Fouta Bayadere and Fouta Solid with Strips in Yellow.  

SPA SWEEPSTAKES - CRYSTAL LIGHT

Crystal Light Sweepstakes
Enter by June 24th  
Grand Prize: One winner and a guest will receive three (3) nights at the Eden Roc Renaissance, in Miami, FL (one room, double occupancy), round-trip coach airfare for two to and from Miami Airport (MIA), and one spa treatment for winner and guest at the ELLE SPA with the specific treatments selected by ELLE. 

SPA SWEEPSTAKES - COSMOPOLITAN MAGAZINE

Cosmo's Luxe Fitness Trip For Two Sweepstakes:
Enter by June 4th 
Grand Prize: One winner and a guest will receive  Luxe Fitness trip to the Fairmount Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica. Prize package includes a two (2) day, one (1) night stay at the Fairmount Miramar Hotel (standard accommodations, single room, double occupancy) in Santa Monica, California; a sports massage for two at Exhale; yoga class for two at Exhale; one Nike+fuelBand; welcome amenity socks and running maps of Santa Monica; a healthy breakfast for two at Fig; and round-trip coach airfare for two from a major airport nearest winner’s residence. 

Guniot - Hydraclean Facial

Guinot's 30-minute Hydraclean Facial uses the patented Thermoclean Electrode designed to deliver noticeable, long lasting results in less than half the time of a standard facial.  This mini treatment offers up maximum benefits leaving the skin clean and radiant.  Instead of using steam to soften the pores, the Thermoclean Electrode "triggers hyper-secretion of the sweat and sebaceous glands to clean the pores and rid the skin of oil and toxins while individually prescribed gel is massaged into the face to deeply penetrate and treat the skin."

The two gels that were specifically created for this treatment are the Universal Cleansing Gel for all skin types and the Purifying Cleansing gel for oily skin.  Clean, radiant skin without a minute to spare.

Eminence - Forests for the Future

Eminence announces a new environmental initiative and a commitment to plant one tree for every active organic or Biodynamic product sold. Their new partnership with award-winning global tree planting organizations like Trees for the Future focuses attention on protecting the planet through forward thinking green practices.

The Power of a Single Tree . . . produces approximately 260 lbs. of oxygen per year, absorbs as much carbon in a year as a car produces driving 26,000 miles, helps lower air temperature and helps to prevent climate change, stabilizes the soil and prevents wind and soil erosion through its roots, contributes to the fertility of land through nitrogen fixation and increasing water penetration.

Jane Iredale's Partnership with Rancho La Puerta

Rancho La Puerta announced a new and exciting partnership with Jane Iredale. The mineral makeup line consisting of more than 400 products will be the resort's exclusive cosmetic brand and will be available for purchase at Rancho La Puerta's Health Centers. Each guest will receive a complimentary consultation upon their arrival at the resort following any spa treatments.

The brand's partnership was a natural fit based on mutual passion for health and wellness and a dedicated commitment to enhance and uplift the lives of others while maintaining sustainable and responsible business practices. Jane Iredale products offer a distinct skin care benefit, designed to enhance the health and well-being of the user.

Dermalogica's Dynamic Skin Recovery

Dermalogica has just improved upon one of its top-selling moisturizers . . . AGE smart Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50.  The medium-wight daily moisturizer has a new formula with a higher SPF factor (formerly 30) which comes thanks to advanced Oleosome technology.  Oleosomes are naturally occurring spheres of emollient oils and Vitamin E found in safflower seeds.  They deliver active ingredients directly to the skin's surface and prevent unwanted oiliness or chalkiness in the product.

Dynamic Skin Recovery aims to reduce hyperpigmentation and contains a patented polypeptide which encourages collagen synthesis. The antioxidant white tea polyphenols work to regulate collagen degradation, a licorice root extract acts as a calming agent, and hyaluronic acid and algae extracts help combat fine lines and stimulate natural exfoliation for smoother skin.

Jurlique's Herbal Recovery Advanced Serum

Jurlique launched the new Herbal Recovery Advanced Serum based on the 20 year old cult favorite, Herbal Recovery Gel.  The new formula aims to revitalize, recover and protect the skin for a radiant, smooth and healthy look.  The Serum contains a blend of fortifying herbal extracts such as Persian Silk Tree and Peach Leaf, as well as a new complex Naturadiance PB18+.

Clinically proven effective, 91% of consumers noticed healthier looking skin after using the Herbal Recovery Advanced Serum every day for four weeks. Participants also saw a noticeable improvement in fine lines, skin smoothness, improved radiance, texture and moisturization.  The formula is free from sodium lauryl sulfate, paragons, PEGs, artificial colors and artificial fragrances.

"As our skin ages, its daily ability to regenerate and renew from the effects of environmental attacks starts to slow down," says Richard Pietz, Global Director of Product Development at Jurlique.  "Our new Herbal Recovery Advanced Serum aids in optimizing this biological to help combat the first signs of aging and promote healthy, radiant skin."

Knesko Skin Launch

Thousand Oaks-based Knesko Skin announced their official launch along with a collection of luxury holistic skin care products. With the philosophy that beauty starts from within, Knesko Skin has reportedly developed a line of beauty products that promote wellness on all levels harnessing the healing powers of gemstones, along with Knesko's line of collagen gel based face masks and eye pads.

"Understanding that we all want to rein our youthful look, my goal is to create a skin care line that is not only effective in revitalizing skin's youthful appearance, but also helps center our inner balance and well-being," said Lejla Cas, President of Knesko Skin.  "Knesko Skin's line of holistic luxury products, allows consumers to look and feel radiant both on the outside and from within."

Knesko Skin's products are designed to combat the signs of aging by balancing skin tone, reducing inflammation, increasing hydration and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and are formulated with jojoba oil, marine collage, hyaluronic acid and ubiquinone.

SpaFinder Last Minute Deals

SpaFinder Wellness recently introduced a brand new service that takes into account our busy schedules. "Last Minute" is a same-day and next-day spa appointment service that offers generous discounts at more than 20,000 spas that are registered with the SpaFinder Wellness’s network.

This type of service is a win-win situation.  Most spas have reported they often experience an average of 30% to 60% of appointment slots left unfilled and this new Last Minute SpaFinder service fill those gaps while helping consumers save big money on professional services.

Last Minute is currently available in New York City, Miami, and Chicago.  In June, Last Minutes services will find themselves through spas located in Los Angeles and Dallas . . . and by early fall, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Boston, Toronto, Houston will join the ranks.  Smart business all the way around!

Update: Lipstick and Lead

Mother Jones reported the FDA conducted two follow-up studies (2009 and 2012) which resulted in finding "much more lead, up to 7.19 parts per million, in the lipstick samples tested. The image shown here show the top 20 lead-containing lipstick from the FDA's 2012 review of 400 lipstick shades.  Many were shocked to discover that the line of Burt's Bees, who brands themselves as a "natural" product is now owned by Clorox . . . yes, as in Clorox Bleach.

Below you will note statistics from an post written and published a few years ago clearly showing that some of these cosmetic companies have actually increased the amount of lead in lipsticks over the years instead of finding ways to lessen the hazardous ingredients in their brands of lipsticks.

Truth or Consequences: Lipsticks and Lead

The following is an update on the lipstick/lead controversy. One study found that, "more than half of the 33 brand name lipsticks tested (61%) contained detectable levels of lead - ranging from 0.03 - 0.65 parts per million (ppm)." One third of the tested lipsticks exceeded the US FDA's 0.1 ppm (parts per million) limit for lead in candy. Many say comparing the ingestion of candy with lipstick is not a fair comparison but according to a fact reported by Glamour Magazine (2002), women inadvertently eat about 4 lbs of lipstick in a lifetime.

Although the FDA has not set a lead-limit on lipstick, the following is a list of top brand lipsticks that tested the highest for lead content (2008):
• L’Oreal Colour Riche “True Red” – 0.65 ppm
• L’Oreal Colour Riche “Classic Wine” – 0.58 ppm
• Cover Girl Incredifull Lipcolor “Maximum Red” – 0.56 ppm
• Christian Dior Addict “Positive Red” – 0.21 ppm
Note: Most samples tested were red lipsticks which addresses an important question, . . . is there lead in the red dyes?

Lead is unnecessary as an ingredient in lipstick and entirely avoidable. Case in point . . . 39% of lipsticks tested had no detectable levels of lead. The study showed the most expensive lipsticks not boding well. Dior Addict was one of the most contaminated samples, selling for $24.50 tube while Revlon lipstick contained no detectable lead levels and retailing for $7.49. It is important to note, the Cosmetics, Toiletry and Fragrance Association report, "the average amount of lead a woman would be exposed to when using cosmetics is 1,000 times less than the amount she would get from eating, breathing and drinking." Who do you believe? The best advice is to err on the side of caution and make sure the lipstick you wear is, "legally produced and sold in the U.S. and is not an unauthorized import or a counterfeit cosmetic."