Natural Skin Care – The Bellanina Facelift Massage Treatment

With New Year’s just around the corner, most of us have made a few goals or resolutions that we want to achieve. Could be something like losing weight, getting a raise or perhaps doing something about improving your overall appearance. And while the staff at Inspireworks closely with a local cosmetic surgeon whenever a client wants to pursue treatments such as Botox, Juvederm, Radiesse or cosmetic surgery, we are also big proponents of taking care of your skin naturally both in the spa and at home.

One of the treatments we really like is the Bellanina Facelift Treatment.This facial focuses on two things really – clean skin and facial massage. Through specific facial massage techniques like pressure point and lymphatic drainage, this service helps to lift and tone the muscles in the face and neck for a more vital and youthful appearance. Combined with good at home practices…and even some of those cosmetic procedures…you’ll be looking your best in 2009.

Click here to watch an interview with Nina Howard, president of the Bellanina Institute, and learn more about the Belanina Facelift!

Read Forever Young – an article by Nina Howard about the Bellanina Facelift

Old Hollywood Style and Using False Eyelashes

Though I am really a minimalist with makeup for the most part and ususally opt for a natural look, I absolutely love the looks that this makeup diva uses. Check out her video on Hollywood Style (think 1940’s) Makeup.  Her tips on false eyelashes are definitely helpful and have me daydreaming about an event when I will be able to try them!

How I Did It – Business Advice from a Seasoned Female Entrepreneur

I want to invite all readers, business owners, spa professionals or aspiring entrepreneurs to attend this event where I will talk about how I grew and built my last spa and what I’m doing now to build another successful business. It is in Greensboro, NC so if you are not near here then it will be hard to get to. However, I am hoping they will let me tape the event and if so I will post a video or audio clip later on.

 Here is the link for the event. Please share it with others in the Greensboro, North Carolina area that you think would be interested.

How I Did It – January 27, 2009 – The Nussbaum Center

Click here to register

Baking Soda Isn’t Just For Baking Anymore

Most of us think of baking soda as having about three uses: baking, absorbing odors, and making really icky flavored toothpaste. But did you know it can be used as a beauty product?

One way that I already use it is in a Revitalizing Bath.  I’ve been using this since I first became a massage therapist in 1994. I was seeing a ton of clients and was feeling extremely drained. A fellow therapist suggested that I take a hot bath using these ingredients at least once a week (or whenever I was feeling low energy) followed by a quick cool water rinse. It really helped me then and I still use it from time to time when I need a little boost. Here is the recipe:

Revitalizing Bath
1 cup Epsom Salts (or Sea Salt)
1 cup Baking Soda
1 Cup White Vinegar

Add all ingredients to hot bath for an effervescent and invigorating bath. Soak for at least 20 minutes and then rinse off with cool water.

Want some other ideas on how to use baking soda? Click here to read a list of ways to incorporate this common household item into your beauty regime.

Easy Smokey Eyes

Thank goodness for YouTube.com. As much as I can appreciate the various articles and ebooks on makeup, there is just nothing as good as a video for me (or having someone else do my makeup!)

Here is a fantastic video on how to use makeup to get great looking smokey eyes. 

Spa Person of the Year? Inspire Owner Felicia Brown is in the Running!

                                                     
 Back in June of this year, while I was teaching at a conference in Poland, I got word that I had been awarded Spa Person of the Month by the Day Spa Association. I was shocked beyond belief, but obviously thrilled to be given such an amazing honor.

Well now the time has come for the Spa Person of the Year to be selected from those of us who received the “Of the Month” award in 2008. I would greatly appreciate any support I can get and hope that our blog readers and clients will cast their votes for me. Please click here to visit the online ballot and select your choice for Spa Person of the Year! The award will be presented in Las Vegas in March 2009 at the Day Spa Expo. It is an incredible honor to be given by the industry’s clients, professionals and mentors. Past recipients include a number of people I look up to and respect including Douglas Preston, Skip WIlliams and Katie Armitage.  Here’s hoping that lady luck (and a lot of votes) are on my side:-)

The Benefits of Getting Facials

I am a lucky girl. Every day I come to work and get to do what I love – that is to make a difference and INSPIRE others through providing massage therapy services myself and/or by providing an atmosphere where they can experience other types of body and skin care with one of our fablulous massage therapists or skin care experts. And every once in a while – usually at least twice a month – I get to experience the healing talents of my staff as well.

Now admittedly, I am a massage junkie and could easily get a massage every day of my life. But to the surprise of some, I actually think I relax just as much – and sometimes more – when I get a facial. Maybe it is becuase that is NOT what I do at work so I pay less attention to the steps and techniques and just lie back instead.

Never had a facial? Then you may be thinking “what’s the big deal?” or “How can a facial really do anything to improve me skin?” Well then… just read this column I found online about the Benefits of Getting a Facial. And in addition to the things mentioned in the article, facials can help maintain your skin after “work” you’ve had done such as facelifts or Botox so that you can look your absolute best.

Do you have questions about facials or other skin care issues? Feel free to post them here or to email me at Felicia@InspireSkinAndBody.com so one of our Skin Care Experts can get you the answers you need and post them online for other readers to learn from.

Bright Eyes Even When You Are Tired

I admit that I am a late bloomer when it comes to makeup. Although I remember playing with different looks and styles when I was a teenager, somehow I stopped experimenting with makeup until the last few years. Recently I’ve learned a lot about the different looks and tricks you can pull off with mineral makeup, good brushes and the right concealer.

I think this video from www.TotalBeauty.com really gives some great advice about how to combat red/dark, stressed eyes to make your whole face look great. This video works with concealer, shadow and liner to brighten up event the most tired eyes.  Enjoy!

Click here to watch the video

Felicia’s Recipe for Warming Sweet and Spicy Honey Body Scrub

This is the recipe I shared on FOX8 Morning News on December 10th. Enjoy!
1/2 cups honey
1/4 cup grapeseed oil
1/2 teaspoon powdered ginger
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon cloves
1/2 cup kosher salt

Warming Sweet & Spicy Honey Body Scrub

Mix all ingredients in a bowl adjusting salt and oil amount if needed to make the scrub thicker or thinner. Take finished mixture into shower and use all over legs and arms for a warming, exfoliation. To increase the detoxifying effects of the ginger, do a complete dry brushing on your body before you take a shower. Your skin will feel smoother and you will feel the warming effects throughout the day.

Minimizing Fine Lines With Concealer

If you are like me, you want to look your best whenever possible. And part of that as we get “more mature” is dealing with some of those fine lines that creep up around our eyes and mouth. Aside from having chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or any number of other spa treatments to treat your fine lines and other skin issues, you can also lessen the appearance of wrinkles and discolorations with concelaer.

Click here to watch this quick video on using concealer. The silicone base she mentions is like the Camera Ready product we use at Inspire. Please let us know if we can answer any other questions you have about using concealer or any of the techniques shown in the video!