SPA SWEEPSTAKES - HILL'S SCIENCE DIET - YOUNGER LONGER

Hill's Science Diet - Younger Longer Sweepstakes
Enter by December 31st
GRAND PRIZE: One winner and a guest will receive a 4 day vacation for 2 to the Canyon Ranch® Spa Resort located in Arizona or Massachusetts (location to be selected by the winner) which includes roundtrip air transportation for two; 4 nights accommodations at the Canyon Ranch® with all services and meals included. Winner and travel guest must travel on the same itinerary. Approximate Retail Value $15,382.00.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Wishing everyone peace, love and joy for today and the rest of your tomorrows.

With love and gratitude for a wonderful year!
Editorial Staff,
Beauty Editor Post
beautyeditorpost@gmail.com

SPA MAGAZINE READER'S CHOICE AWARDS

Best Resort/Hotel Spa, Pacific
Winner: Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, Spa at Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Honorable Mention:
Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa, Manea Spa, Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Le Méridien Bora Bora, Spa at Le Méridien, Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Namale, Namale Fiji Spa & Sanctuary, Vanua Levu, Fiji
St. Regis Bora Bora Resort, Miri Miri Spa, Bora Bora, French Polynesia

SPA MAGAZINE READER'S CHOICE AWARDS

Best Resort/Hotel Spa, Asia
Winner:
The Westin Beijing Financial Street, Heavenly Spa by Westin, Beijing, China

Honorable Mention:
Banyan Tree Phuket, Banyan Tree Spa, Phuket, Thailand
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay, Spa at Four Seasons, Bali Indonesia
The Peninsula Tokyo, The Peninsula Spa by ESPA, Tokyo, Japan
The Ritz-Carlton, Beijing, The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Beijing, China

SPA MAGAZINE READER'S CHOICE AWARDS

BEST RESORT/HOTEL SPA - AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST
Winner: One & Only Cape Town, One & Only Spa Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa

Honorable Mention:
Es Saadi Gardens and Resort, Es Saadi Palace Spa, Marrakech, Morocco
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, Spa and Ayurvedic Retreat, Baa Atoll, Maldives
Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort and Spa, Caracalla Spa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
W Retreat & Spa Maldives, AWAY Spa, North Ari Atoll, Maldives

SPA MAGAZINE READER'S CHOICE AWARDS

BEST RESORT/HOTEL SPA, EUROPE
Winner: The Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt, ESPA at The Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt, County Wicklow, Ireland

Honorable Mention:
Capri Palace Hotel & Spa, Capri Beauty Farm, Capri, Italy
Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris, Spa at Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, France
Hotel Arts Barcelona, The Spa by Six Senses Spas, Barcelona, Spain
Le Sirenuse, The Sirenuse Spa, Positano, Italy

SPA MAGAZINE READER'S CHOICE AWARDS

BEST RESORT/HOTEL SPA, CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA
Winner: Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo, Spa at Four Seasons, Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica

Honorable Mention:
Chaa Creek, Spa at Chaa Creek, San Ignacio, Belize
JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa, JW Marriott Spa, Cancun, Mexico
Le Blanc Spa Resort, Le Blanc Spa, Cancun, Mexico
Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Resort & Spa, Armonia Spa, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

SPA MAGAZINE READER'S CHOICE AWARDS

BEST RESORT/HOTEL SPA, CARIBBEAN & BERMUDA
Winner: Atlantis, Mandara Spa at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas

Honorable Mention:
Half Moon, Fern Tree RockResorts Spa, Rose Hall, Jamacia
Parrot Cay, COMO Shambhala Retreat, Turks & Caicos
The Caves, The Caves Aveda Concept Spa, Negril, Jamaica
The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, Silver Rain, a La Prairie Spa, Grand Cayman

SPA MAGAZINE READER'S CHOICE AWARDS

BEST RESORT/HOTEL SPA - CANADA
Winner: The Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Vida Spa, Whistler, British Columbia

Honorable Mention:
The Couples Resort, Algonquin Spa, Algonquin Park, Ontario
Fairmont Le Château Montebello, Spa Fairmont Le Château Montebello, Montebello, Quebec
The Fairmont Empress, Willow Stream Spa, Victoria, Canada
White Oaks Resort & Spa, Bodisense Spa, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontari

SPA MAGAZINE READER'S CHOICE AWARDS

BEST RESORT/HOTEL SPA - NORTHWEST & THE ROCKIES
Winner: The Broadmoor, Spa at The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, CO

Honorable Mention:
Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole, Spa at Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole, Jackson Hole, WY
Sundance Resort, Spa at Sundance, Sundance, UT
The Lodge at Vail, RockResorts Spa, Vail, CO
The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch, Bachelor Gulch Spa, Avon, CO

SPA MAGAZINE READER'S CHOICE AWARDS

BEST RESORT/HOTEL SPA - SOUTHWEST
Winner: JW Marriott Camelback Inn, The Spa at Camelback Inn, Scottsdale, Arizona

Honorable Mention:
Arizona Biltmore, Arizona Biltmore Spa, Phoenix, Arizona
Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch, Spa Avania, Scottsdale, Arizona
The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa, Golden Door Spa, Scottsdale, Arizona
The Phoenician, The Centre for Well-Being, Scottsdale, Arizona

SPA MAGAZINE READER'S CHOICE AWARDS

BEST RESORT/HOTEL SPA - MIDWEST
Winner: The Lodge of Four Seasons, Spa Shiki, Four Seasons, MO

Honorable Mention:
Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa, Crystal Spa, Thompsonville, MI
Boyne Mountain Resort, Solace Spa, Boyne Falls, MI
Grand Hotel, Grand Hotel Spa, Mackinac Island, MI
Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago, The Spa at Trump, Chicago, IL

SPA MAGAZINE READER'S CHOICE AWARDS

BEST RESORT/HOTEL SPA - NORTHEAST
Winner: The Ritz-Carlton New York Central Park, La Prairie at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, New York City, NY

Honorable Mention:
The Hotel Hershey, The Spa at The Hotel Hershey, Hershey, PA
The Plaza, Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa, New York, NY
Stowe Mountain Lodge, The Spa at Stowe Mountain Lodge, Stowe, VT
The Waldorf=Astoria New York, Guerlain Spa, New York, NY

BEST RESORT/HOTEL SPA, SOUTHEAST & MIDATLANTIC
Winner:
The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans, The Ritz-Carlton Spa New Orleans, New Orleans, LA

Honorable Mention:
The Cloister at Sea Island, The Cloister Spa, Sea Island, GA
The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, The Spa at The Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC
The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation, The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation Spa, Greensboro, GA
Williamsburg Inn, The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, VA

SPA MAGAZINE READER'S CHOICE AWARDS

BEST RESORT/HOTEL SPA, LAS VEGAS
Winner:
Bellagio, Spa Bellagio

Honorable Mention:
Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, The Spa at Encore
Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas, The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas
Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino, Spa Mandalay
The Venetian and The Palazzo, Canyon Ranch SpaClub

SPA MAGAZINE READER'S CHOICE AWARDS

BEST RESORT/HOTEL SPA, FLORIDA
Winner:
The Ritz-Carlton Naples, The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Naples

Honorable Mention:
Hilton Orlando, The Spa at Hilton Orlando, Orlando
The Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach, Eau Spa by Cornelia, Palm Beach
The Breakers Palm Beach, The Spa at The Breakers, Palm Beach
Waldorf Astoria Orlando, The Waldorf Astoria Spa by Guerlain, Orlando

BEST RESORT/HOTEL SPA, SOUTHEAST & MID-ATLANTIC
Winner:
The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans, The Ritz-Carlton Spa New Orleans, New Orleans, LA

Honorable Mention:
The Cloister at Sea Island, The Cloister Spa, Sea Island, GA
The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, The Spa at The Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC
The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation, The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation Spa, Greensboro, GA
Williamsburg Inn, The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, VA

SPA MAGAZINE READER'S CHOICE AWARDS

BEST RESORT/HOTEL SPA, CALIFORNIA

Winner:
La Costa Resort and Spa, Spa at La Costa, Carlsbad, CA

Honorable Mention:
Montage Laguna Beach, Spa Montage, Laguna Beach, CA
La Quinta Resort & Club, Spa La Quinta, La Quinta, CA
The Lodge at Torrey Pines, The Spa at Torrey Pines, La Jolla, CA

SPA MAGAZINE READER'S CHOICE AWARDS

BEST RESORTS/HOTEL - HAWAII
Winner:
Turtle Bay Resort, Spa Luana, Kahuku, Oahu

Honorable Mention:
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Spa at Four Seasons Resort Maui, Wailea, Maui
Grand Wailea, Spa Grande, Wailea, Maui
The St. Regis Princeville Resort, Halele'a Spa, Princeville, Kauai
The Westin Maui Resort & Spa Ka'anapali, Heavenly Spa by Westin, Ka'anapali, Maui

SPA MAGAZINE READER'S CHOICE AWARDS

BEST ACTIVE-ADVENTURE SPA
Winner:
Red Rock Casino Resort Spa, Red Rock Spa, Las Vegas, NV

Honorable Mention:
The BodyHoliday Le Sport, Wellness Centre, St. Lucia
Maruba Resort Jungle Spa, Maruba Spa, Belize
Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa, Miraval Spa, Las Vegas, NV
Rancho La Puerta, Rancho La Puerta Spa, Tecate, Mexico

SPA MAGAZINE READER'S CHOICE AWARDS

BEST WEIGHT LOSS SPA

Winner:
Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge, Ivins, UT

Honorable Mention:
Golden Door, Escondido, CA
The Ranch at Live Oak Malibu, Malibu, CA
The Oaks at Ojai, Ojai, CA
We Care Spa, Dessert Hot Springs, CA

SPA MAGAZINE READER'S CHOICE AWARDS

BEST SPA FOR CUISINE
Winner:
Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, Spa Ojai, Ojai, CA

Honorable Mention:
Bacara Resort & Spa, Spa at Bacara, Santa Barbara, CA
Golden Door, Escondido, CA
Mii amo, Sedona, AZ
The Venetian and The Palazzo, Canyon Ranch SpaClub, Las Vegas, NV

SPA MAGAZINE READER'S CHOICE AWARDS

BEST MEDICAL/WELLNESS SPA
Winner:
La Costa Resort & Spa, Chopra Center for Well-Being, Carlsbad, CA

Honorable Mention:
Canyon Ranch, Lenox, MA and Tucson, AZ
Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, California Health & Longevity Institute, Westlake, CA

SPA MAGAZINE READER'S CHOICE AWARDS

BEST INTERNATIONAL ROMANTIC SPA
Winner:
The Fairmont Banff Springs, Willow Stream Spa, Banff, British Columbia, Canada

Honorable Mention:
Four Seasons Resort Whistler, Spa at Four Seasons Resort Whistler, Whistler, British Colombia, Canada
Likuliku Lagoon Resort, Tatadra Spa, Malolo Island, Fiji
The Caves, The Caves Aveda Concept Spa, Negril, Jamaica
St. Regis Bora Bora Resort, Miri Miri Spa, Bora Bora, French Polynesia

SPA MAGAZINE READER'S CHOICE AWARDS

BEST U.S. ROMANTIC SPA
Winner:
Two Bunch Palms Resort & Spa, The Spa, Desert Hot Springs, CA

Honorable Mention:
Calistoga Ranch, The Spa at Calistoga Ranch, Calistoga, CA
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Ka’upulehu,
Spa at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Hualalai, HI
L’Auberge Del Mar, Spa L’Auberge, Del Mar, CA
St. Regis Princeville Resort, Halele’a Spa, Kauai, HI

SPA MAGAZINE READER'S CHOICE AWARDS

BEST INTERNATIONAL MINERAL SPRINGS SPA
Winner:
The Fairmont Banff Springs, Willow Stream Spa, Banff, Canada

Honorable Mention:
Blue Lagoon Iceland, Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa, Grindavik, Iceland
Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort, Alajuela, Costa Rica
Thermae Bath Spa, Bath, England
Therme Vals, The Therme, Vals, Switzerland

SPA MAGAZINE READER'S CHOICE AWARDS

BEST U.S. MINERAL SPRINGS SPA
Winner:
Glen Ivy Hot Springs & Spa, Corona, CA

Honorable Mention:
Calistoga Spa Hot Springs, Calistoga Spa, Calistoga, CA
Glenwood Hot Springs, Spa of the Rockies, Glenwood Springs, CO
Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa, Ojo Caliente, NM
The Spring Resort & Spa, Spa at the Spring, Desert Hot Springs, CA

SPA MAGAZINE READER'S CHOICE AWARDS

BEST CRUISE LINE SPA
Winner: Carnival Cruise Lines’ Cloud 9 Spa

Honorable Mention: Disney Cruise Line, Senses Spa/ Vista Spa, Norwegian Cruise Line, Mandara Spa, Princess Cruises, Lotus Spa, Royal Caribbean International, Vitality at Sea Spa

SPA MAGAZINE READER'S CHOICE AWARDS

BEST NATIONAL DAY SPA BRAND
Winner:
Aveda

Honorable Mention:
Bliss
Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa
Exhale Mind Body Spa
Massage Envy
Spa Nordstrom

SPA MAGAZINE READER'S CHOICE AWARDS

BEST AFFORDABLE SPA
Winner:
Glen Ivy Hot Springs, Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa, Corona, CA

Honorable Mention:
Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa, Crystal Spa, Thompsonville, MI
Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa, Ojo Caliente Spa, NM
The Lodge of Four Seasons, Spa Shiki, Four Seasons, MO
The Oaks at Ojai, The Oaks at Ojai Spa, Ojai, CA

SPA MAGAZINE READER'S CHOICE AWARDS

BEST RESORT SPA BRAND
WINNER:
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, The Spa at Four Seasons

HONORABLE MENTION:
Hilton Hotels & Resorts, eforea spa
Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, Pure Spa
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co., The Ritz-Carlton Spa
Westin Hotels and Resorts, Heavenly Spa

SPA MAGAZINE READER'S CHOICE AWARDS

BEST INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION SPA
WINNER:
Ste. Anne’s Spa, Ontario, Canada

HONORABLE MENTION:
Clinique La Prairie, Spa Clinique La Prairie, Clarens-Montreaux, Switzerland
Maya Tulum Resort, Maya Tulum Spa, Tulum, Mexico
Monart, Monart Spa, Enniscorthy, Ireland
Rancho La Puerta, Rancho La Puerta Spa, Tecate, Mexico

SPA MAGAZINE READER'S CHOICE AWARDS

Spa magazine has announced the winners of their 2011 Silver Sage Reader's Choice Awards. Here are some of the winners for the BEST SPA.
WINNER:
The Oaks at Ojai, Ojai, CA

HONORABLE MENTION:
Canyon Ranch, Tucson, AZ
Cal-a-Vie, Vista, CA
Golden Door, Escondido, CA
Mii amo, Sedona, AZ

SPA SWEEPSTAKES - WOMAN'S DAY

Wyndham Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico Getaway Giveaway
Enter by November 9th
GRAND PRIZE: One winner and guest will receive a four-day, three-night stay for two at the Wyndham Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. The prize package includes a stay for two in a junior suite; a round of golf; complimentary spa treatment for winner and guest and a $200 dinner credit for two at the resort’s restaurant, Palio. Approximate Retail Value $2,700.00

SPA SWEEPSTAKES -OREGONIAN'S HAWAII GETAWAY

The Oregonian's 2011 Hawaii Getaway Sweepstakes
Enter by November 18th
GRAND PRIZE: One winner and guest will receive an oceanfront Sea Ranch Cottage for four nights at Travaasa Hana and three meals per day, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages at the resort; one 60-minute spa treatment per day per person; all on-property activities as well as certain off-property activities such as a coastal horseback riding, stand up paddling or throw net fishing; a mileage award from Hawaiian Airlines redeemable for two roundtrip coach airfare tickets from PDX to Kahului, Maui; and one $500 gift card, courtesy of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau. Approximate Retail Value $6,212.00

SPA SWEEPSTAKES - ALLURE BEST OF BEAUTY AWARDS

Allure Best of Beauty Awards Sweepstakes
Enter by November 14th
GRAND PRIZE: Winner and guest will receive a seven night trip to the Four Seasons Resort maldives with stays at their Kuda Huraa and Landaa Giraavaru properties and aboard the Four Seasons Explorer, a luxury catamaran. This prize package includes seaplane transfers between resorts; one 60-minute spa treatment per guest at each resort; and breakfast daily for 2. The winner will also receive a Heys suitcase stuffed with over $3,000 worth of makeup, skin care and hair products. The total approximate retail value of the prize package is $34,726. Enter by "Liking" the Allure Facebook page at facebook.com/allure during the Promotion Period and follow the instructions to complete and submit the entry form.

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH: ALCHIMIE FOREVER

Universal Companies, the distributor of Alchimie Forever,
pledges to donate 10% of sales from Kantic Evening Cream to the National Foundation for Cancer Research. This product is an antioxidant formula that nourishes and brightens the skin.

Rich in blueberries, grape seeds and vitamin E, these ingredients work hard together to neutralize free radicals, calm the redness and revive dull skin, and help minimize the signs of stress and fatigue.

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH: DERMELECT

Dermelect Cosmeceuticals is donating $15 from each bottle of special-edition Resurface Stem Cell Reconstructing Serum sold during October to the Young Survival Coalition, a New York based charity that benefits young women battling breast cancer.

This product uses a dual function stem cell technology designed to boost facial skin stem cell activity and help stimulate skin’s protein production. Resurface skin-perfecting serum utilizes extracted stem cells of the Swiss Alpine Rose characterized by it’s resilient and resurgent ability to flourish in the most unfavorable conditions- high oxidative, UV stress and environmental aggressors. The serum absorbs evenly to protect precious skin stem cells by neutralizing the environmental free radicals and stressors that threaten it. By preserving the stem cells, the potential to regenerate new, healthy skin cells will only yield youthful-acting, smoother skin.

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH: SOTHYS

Sothys is contributing 10% of all sales on products in its Beauty Garden collection to "A Prom to Remember", a charity raising funds to give teenage cancer patients a memorable high school prom experience by providing free formal attire and limousine transportation, and facilitating red carpet-style arrivals.

Sothys' Beauty Garden collection bears the ECOCERT certification and includes face and body care products.

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH: EmerginC

EmerginC is donating 20% of the proceeds of the sale of red carpet primer to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Red carpet primer is a naturally tined formulation containing plant-based, hydrating and plumping micro-spheres to fill in wrinkles and fine lines while concealing large pores. This product does its 'red carpet' best to offer a noticeably smooth, even complexion.

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH: TWEEZERMAN

Tweezerman is donating $1.00 from every sale of the Limited Edition Precision in Pink Slant Tweezers to Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the CEW Cancer and Careers organizations, among other charities throughout the United States.

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH: JANE IREDALE

Jane Iredale is contributing 100% of the proceeds from the sales of Roses and Lollipops to the Living Beyond Breast Cancer organization, "which empowers all women affected by breast cancer to live as long as possible with the best quality of life."

The product is a lip duo featuring two new shades of PureMoist Lip Color and PureGloss for Lips housed in a petite and portable key chain locket. These pigment-rich, creamy lipsticks hydrate and sooth the lips with jojoba and grape seed extract and the PureGloss is a petroleum-free gloss made with green read leaf extract.

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH: PEVONIA

Pevonia Botanica is donating a portion of its proceeds from the Esthetbuste Line, including the Restore Neck & Bust Cream and Concentrate, to further breast cancer research and awareness. Said to improve skin elasticity, repair sun damage and smooth uneven texture not the neck, bust and chest. Potent botanicals and anti-aging ingredients work to banish visible signs of aging offering a more youthful tone and texture to the décolleté area.

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH: MURAD

MURAD is donating 10% of the purchase price of the limited edition Hydrate for Hope duo, up to $1,000,000, to the City of HOpe for breast and women's cancers research, treatment and education programs.

"This super-rich cream locks in optimal moisture levels for up to 8 hours and infuses the skin with essential nutrients for firmer, plumper, more youthful looking skin."

SPA SWEEPSTAKES - SPA WEEK $1,000 GIFT CARD

SpaWeek Gift Card Refer My Friend Program
Enter by October 31st
Instructions are found at: http://www.spaweek.com/referMyFriend/
GRAND PRIZE(S) -There will be six winners in total: One (1) Grand Prize winner will receive a $1,000 SPA WEEK® Gift Card (Approximate Retail Value: USD $1,000.00); Five (5) First Prize winners will each receive a $100 SPA WEEK® Gift Card (Approximate Retail Value (each): USD $100.00). The gift cards may only be redeemed at spas/salons participating in SpaWeek's Gift Card Program. To find a complete list of those spas go to http://www.spaweek.com/spa-gift-cards.

SPA SAVINGS

Can I approach the spa I go to and ask for a discount? I am tightening my budget and really don't want to give up my monthly visits because it is the only time where I am doing something just for me.


Everyone is anxious about money. It's difficult to indulge with a clear conscience and without a nervous twitch. While we agree it is a good idea to take a good long look at your personal finances, a trip to your spa is an investment in your overall health. Massages, facials, and other treatments help take the edge off these most stressful times. The good news? Spas are listening to the heartbeat of the economy and many are offering some great deals in a sincere effort to keep your business and patronage.

USA Today reported . . . "You can still go and have a spa experience without spending a ton of money," says Veronica Cole of the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa in Ojai, Calif. "Many spas, like ours, offer use of our facilities with one treatment, so you can come spend hours relaxing." Jaime Huffman of the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in Asheville, N.C., said more 50-minute massages have been made available recently instead of more expensive 80-minute massages. Booking midweek is usually cheaper than weekend trips, and spa owners suggest asking about specials like a mother-daughter discount or a family discount. Most spas have them but don't necessarily talk them up. So, don't be shy. Ask what promotions are currently running since the economy has turned and where you can stretch your dollar.

THE NEW LAW OF NAIL POLISH

As you will read in the previous post, women make over 80% of the purchasing decisions. Until recently, lipstick has been a real tell-tale of the economy. Except that sales of lipstick are on the decline. Why? Apparently, when the sales of lipstick skyrocketed, so did the prices. High prices for a tube of lipstick made a big difference. A negative one. No longer was it a reckless, little indulgence. No, the soaring prices of a good tube of lipstick gave women pause. And pause is never, ever a good thing to the sales of a "disposable" item. The truth is that women began to measure whether they could afford this lovely small luxury during a very tricky economy, or not.

Enter . . . nail polish. Nail polish has become the new, inexpensive indulgence. Nail polish sales are rocketing and have raised by a whopping 60%. It is the new affordable fashion accessory. And, why not? A wardrobe of nail polish is not going to not going to set anyone back, each polish lasts for a long time, and each color dresses up and completes a fashion statement. Inexpensively. And, beautifully. Oh yes, let us not forget . . . non toxic nail polishes are now being made without formaldehyde and the solvent, toluene, that smells like paint thinner. Nail polish has come a long way, baby!

THE LAW OF LIPSTICK

What has a lifetime of experience in the cosmetics industry taught us? When the economy goes down, cosmetic sales go up. Way up. When higher priced items become harder to get, sales of smaller luxuries go through the roof. This is the Law of Lipstick.

Leonard Lauder, Chairman of Estee Lauder, coined a theory called, The Leading Lipstick Indicator, which simply states the economy can be read by the rise and fall of lipstick sales. Some of the darkest moments in the history of the United States, financial and otherwise, are followed by a hefty increase in lipstick sales. That is not to say women throw discretion to the wind. Quite the contrary. Women are smart consumers. They will buy one thing while sacrificing another, . . . it is the perfect order of things. Big value will be switched up for a better value. Feel good purchases will prevail.

Make no mistake, female consumers are a force to be reckoned with. After all, women comprise just over 50% of the population, make over 80% of the purchasing decisions, own 40% of all businesses, employ more people than the Fortune 500 companies worldwide, start 70% of all new businesses for the past decade and control over half the private wealth. That, friends, is what we call the Female Factor.

Hold on to your lipsticks, ladies, while we continue to drive the marketplace forward and meet the expectations of those financial wizards who predict the beauty industry will become the fastest growing retail sector despite the financial downturn. More sales, more money, more employment, more growth. Never underestimate the power of lipstick.

Quote of the Week:
"Not even the threat of a recession comes between a woman and her lipstick." Jen Melocco, Fashion Editor