Breast Cancer Awareness Month : Ole Henriksen

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Week, Ole Henriksen is donating 25% of the proceeds from each sale of their award winning, antioxidant rich African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

This cleanser was awarded as the best natural cleanser at the Natural Health Beauty Awards. It is a terrific multi-tasking product that cleans, calms, soothes, moisturizes, purifies and brightens. African Red Tea, Borage Seed Oil, Vitamin C, Grapefruit, Orange and Tangerine Extracts.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month : Eminence Organics

Eminence Organics is a "proud supporter of Breast Cancer research and since 2007 has made an outstanding contribution of nearly $100,000 towards research efforts." During the month of October Eminence has dedicated $5.00 from each purchase of their Sweet Red Rose Whip Moisturizer to the Canadian and American Breast Cancer Foundations.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: The Body Deli Grapefruit Scrub

The Body Deli introduced their Limited Edition Pink Grapefruit Botanical Butter Scrub in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The product is 100% chemical-free and formulated to impart an essence of healing through a true aromatherapy experience. This special scrub will only be sold throughout the month of October, with a portion of the proceeds ($6.00 per product sold) will be donated to Gilda's Club, a Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation dedicated to the memory of comedienne, Gilda Radner.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Pomega5

Pomega5 sources most of their ingredients from biodynamic and organically farmed land and contains no parabens, petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances, or dyes. The products are made to order every week with unmatched purity and active ingredients. During the month of October and November, Pomega will be donating 10 % of all proceeds from the Pomega5 line to the the California based, "To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation," an organization committed to providing grants for support programs, early detection screening, emotional and educational services.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Decleor Aromatherapy Kits

Decleor is honoring Breast Cancer Awareness Month by donating 10% of the net proceeds of their Aromatherapy Aromessence ™ Sets to CEW's Cancer and Careers Program. These four kits feature full size 100% natural Aromessence ™ serums and 3 travel sized bottles of complimentary products tailored to specific skin types and concerns.

The CEW, Cosmetic Executive Women, was founded in 1954 and established their foundation in 1991 to help women better their lives. In 2001, the CEW Foundation developed the Cancer and Careers program, which empowers and educates people with cancer to thrive in their work environment by providing expert advice, interactive tools and educational events.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Pretty in Pink Breast Cancer Campaign

Until the end of the month, PrettyCity.com offers $31 signature spa treatments and beauty treats at a selection of participating "pink" spas across the country. The Pretty in Pink Breast Cancer Campaign raises awareness for BeBrightPink.org, "a national non-profit organization providing education, support and a sense of community to young women at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer." This is a great campaign that donates a portion of the cost of each treatment to a very worthy cause. Kudos!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: The Spa at Mandarin Oriental - Spa For A Year Program

Mandarin Oriental Spas in New York, Boston, Washington D.C., Miami, Las Vegas and Bermuda are relaunching the "Spa for a Year Program" in honor of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The winner of the raffle will receive a two-hour signature treatment every month for an entire year. All of the proceeds will go directly to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

In Honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Pevonia

"Over 1.3 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. With your purchase on shoppevonia.com, proceeds will be distributed directly to early detection education, free mammograms for underprivileged women, and breast cancer research.

Purchase a RS2 Care Cream and be rewarded for your donation with free travel size of RS2 concentrate ($33 value).

In Honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Elemis

"Every two minutes there is a new breast cancer diagnosis in the United States." Timetospa.com has pledged to donate $10 of every Sparkling Beauty Collection kit sold to Living Beyond Breast Cancer with a minimum donation of $10,000.
The Kit consists of:
• Elemis Pro-Collagen Lifting Treatment Neck and Bust in Pink 'Boob Tube'
• Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream
• Elemis Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules
• Elemis Visible Brilliance
• Elemis Eau de Parfum
$161 value for $95

Happy Thanksgiving Canada!

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow. ~Melody Beattie

Spa Week is Back - Book Now and Save!

Is the economy getting you down? Are you cutting back on non-essential services in your personal life? It's unfortunate that during a time of major financial cutbacks, when stress is at an all time high, services that help reduce stress and restore health go straight out the window.

Well, hold onto your heart monitors everyone, we have great news for you. Spa Week is back! Throughout the week of October 11th - October 17, participating spas around the US and Canada will be offering a selection of full length signature services for a deep discounted flat rate of $50. Considering that most spa treatments run between $100 - $200, it's almost financially irresponsible to ignore. So go ahead, book yourself a relaxing, stress-busting massage, or facial, and save big time. In our opinion, Spa week is seven glorious days dedicated to guilt free, affordable luxury. And that, friends, is music to our ears.

Go to Spa Week, click on the region of your choice, select a spa and book your treatment. A word of warning - don't wait too long, appointment books fill up quickly.

New Spa Trends as Reported by ISPA

The International SPA Association (ISPA) recently hosted the 16th annual ISPA Media Event in New York City. The ISPA Media Event works to promote the spa industry, discuss the latest trends and release new ISPA research while the participating spas perform innovative and unique treatments on the media. New treatments were introduced along with several trends at the event including:
• Ancient treatments with a modern twist - Miraval Arizona in Tucson, AZ, took the ancient Chinese treatment of acupuncture and combined it with cranio sacral therapy to introduce the Qi Grounding treatment. The treatment helps clear physical restrictions that hold emotional and energetic imbalances. Rancho La Puerta located in Tecate, Mexico performed a Hydrating Hand Treatment which utilized the pressure point chart of the hand. Releasing pressure points assists in increased circulation and relaxation.
• Bring the outside in - Elements of nature were popular in several treatments featured at the event. Aspira The Spa located in Elkhart Lake, WI, incorporated wild chamomile, an herb indigenous to the area, in a mask used to help relieve tired legs and feet. Lake Austin Spa in Austin, TX, used recycled bamboo trunks crafted especially for their Warm Bamboo Massage.
• Customization - Spas are catering to their guests' every need. The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa located in Asheville, NC, showcased a treatment that allows you to choose from a mountain-, water-, sky- or heaven-themed offering, all designed to help melt muscle tension and reduce stress. The Montage Resort and Spa located in Laguna Beach, CA, introduced a new series of seasonal, organic body wraps for winter, spring, summer and fall. After determining which season is best suited to you a personalized hand treatment helps you relax. The Spa at Trump in New York City tailors every treatment while stimulating each of the five senses with their personal Intention Journey. Clients select everything from the music to the tea service.
• Giving back - The spa industry is known for its healing benefits and generous spirit. Mandarin Oriental Spas in New York, Boston, Washington D.C., Miami, Las Vegas and Bermuda are giving back during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month with the Spa for a Year program. Purchase a raffle token, the proceeds of which go to Evelyn Lauder’s Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and at the end of the month, one person in each city will receive a signature spa treatment every month for a year.
• Insight through dreams - The Lodge at Woodloch in Hawley, PA, introduced a new program focused on dreams. Through Shamanic Dreamwork sessions with a Dream Coach clients are able to gain insight into their life purposes, healing, creativity, relationships and more.
• Soothing soreness - Suffering from stiffness or aching feet is totally uncalled for when the spa can help set you straight. Kohler Waters Spa located in Kohler, WI, provided a Stretch and Flex treatment utilizing Thai massage, orthopedic and myofascial techniques to help alleviate pain, improve flexibility and the health of muscles, tendons and ligaments. Mohonk Mountain House located in New Paltz, NY, helped to bring a spring back into the media’s step with The High Heeler and Man on the Go: Real Relief for Calves and Feet treatment. Using integrated massage techniques the treatment helps refresh your tired legs and feet.
• Take your vitamins - Massage Envy Spas located throughout the United States introduced a Healthy Skin Vitamin C Infusion Facial that utilizes Murad products. The facial helps repair and prevent free radical damage caused by environmental exposure.

Spa Travel Sector . . . Healthy and Well

SpaFinder conducted their fourth annual State of Spa Travel Survey in an effort to understand how the spa travel sector is doing, particularly in light of the sluggish economy. The results show that the spa industry has "performed surprisingly well despite a depressed economy in 2009, and is clocking measurable, if modest, growth for the first half of 2010."

SpaFinder also dubbed 2009 ‘The Year of the Deal' since most resorts and spas invested a great deal of marketing expertise to create lower pricing and special deals for their buying public. Travel agents noted that this significant trend became the #1 change in spa client's buying patterns followed by booking shorter vacations that were perhaps closer to home.

Treatment Trendwatch for the Fall Season

Spa Week announced a list of the top 12 treatment trends for the fall season:
1. Fighting Allergies - sinus massages, breathe-easy facials, and other treatments featuring eucalyptus, humidifiers, and lymphatic drainage techniques.
2. Bikini Glamour Post-brazilian waxing rituals such as vajazzling, vattooing, and airbrush painting.
3. Sleeping and Dreaming - services designed to promote a good night’s sleep, private yoga sessions, and meditation.
4. Lash Extensions - techniques that promote eyelash thickness, length, volume, and color.
5. Instant Inch Loss - colon hydrotherapy, ionothermie, and other treatments that give immediate weigh-loss.
6. Reiki and Energy Work - holistic healing and energy work that deliver health benefits ranging from spiritual growth to injury recovery.
7. Acupuncture - for both the face and the body.
8. Botox-On-The-Go - dramatically reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
9. Hot and Cold Stone Massage - application of cold and hot stones for a massage.
10. Champissage - aka Indian Head Massage.
11. Everything Seaweed - treatments incorporating seaweed and seawater to detoxify the body, eliminate excess fluids, and increase blood circulation.
12. Simply Oxygen - oxygen facials that incorporate this life-sustaining molecule are on the rise in popularity.