A Sound Investment!

The Pros have a confession to make…we love to spa! Mani/Pedi, Facials, Massages and Treatments are part of our genetic makeup and the more potions and concoctions we can rub on our skin, the better.

It is so important to take care of your body’s largest organ: lots of water, sunscreen every day, and thorough cleansing. And, like our makeup Pro has always stressed, without good skin care, cosmetics can only do so much for you! We like to recommend facials every two to four weeks, but we realize that facials are a luxury treatment and many people (including us) can’t always afford them as often as we would like to.

On a recent visit to one of our favorite spas, the marketing Pro was treated to a wonderful 75 minute facial which included the Clarisonic®, an award-winning sonic skin cleansing system. For those of you who haven’t heard of the Clarisonic (um, do you live in a cave?), here is some background information on one of the latest cleansing tools for both face and body.

Clarisonic was developed by the same creators of the Sonicare® toothbrush. The waterproof, handheld unit has a soft, gentle brush which oscillates back and forth more than 300 times per second.

Clarisonic is proven to remove 6 times more makeup and 2 times more dirt and oil than manual cleansing. Cleansing this well allows the skin to better absorb skin care products, thus using less and seeing greater results from all those age-defying, youth-enhancing, line-eliminating potions we buy by the gallon.

Dermatologists, Spas and Aestheticians are making the Clarisonic part of their treatments and highly recommend the purchase of a home unit for both face care and now, body care. It effectively cleans without abrasion or harsh chemicals and is gentle for all skin types. Various brush heads are available.

So…. back to my facial:

As quiet Asian-inspired music played, flames from the aromatherapy candles burned and fountains trickled delicately, I relaxed on the luxurious facial table. My aesthetician, Sharone, asked me about my skin type and sensitivity to aromatics and plants and I grimaced to think that my brows probably needed a “tune-up” and “how many extractions is she going to do?”

Sharone gave me the Purifying and Cleansing Facial. This was the recommendation from the spa director, whom I met at a gala. At the event, we began talking the “biz”, beauty that is and she asked if I had the opportunity to use the Clarisonic yet. Since I had not, she immediately handed me her card and said “call me!” Barbara Echols is extremely proud of her staff and service at Avia Spa in Santa Barbara. And I couldn’t agree more!! www.aviaspa.com

This particular facial was 75 minutes and included the following products, as well as a Clarisonic treatment to both my face and décolleté. Sharone is particularly fond of Sundari skincare. Sundari embodies the principles of Ayurveda by containing the purest botanicals and advocating a methodology that seeks to establish ones holistic balance. Sundari focuses on the three skin types, and the products are formulated to address each specific type: Vata is for dry skin, Kapha is for oily skin, and Pitta is for combination skin. www.sundari.com

Products used in my facial were:

Cleanser: Gentle Gel, Neem & Burdock

Exfoliant: Honey Enzyme

Toner: Neem & Aloe Vera

Mask: Neem & Green Tea

Serum/Booster: Essential oil for Normal/Combination

Moisturizer: Neem & Avocado

Eye Cream: Neem & Chamomile Eye Oil

Lip Balm: Omega3 & Mandarine

Body Moisturizer: Gotu Kola & Lotus

My skin felt revitalized and smooth. My sensitive skin left Avia feeling refreshed. I am very pleased with the Sundari line and have started to use the Chamomile Eye Oil regularly. As for the Clarisonic: well, let's just say I couldn't have whipped out my credit card fast enough! The Clarisonic Plus Kit includes:

Cordless Clarisonic PLUS

Universal Charging Cradle (100v-240v AC; 50/60 Hz)

Sensitive Brush Head

Spot Therapy Brush Head

1 oz. trial sizes of Refreshing Gel Cleanser, Gentle Hydro Cleanser and Nourishing Care Cleanser

2 oz. trial size Refining Skin Polish

The Plus Kit runs a little over $200 depending on where you purchase (it is available at many retailers, including QVC and Clarisonic’s own website.) This is a great tool for home use and in these times of tightening our budgets, IMPO Pros think the Clarisonic is a sound investment!

We also highly recommend this product for teens; this patented technology gently removes stubborn dirt and oil on a teens’ skin and is convenient to use. One charge will last 30 uses. The unit is waterproof and may be stored and used in the shower. The handheld unit also guides the user with a beep to indicate movement to the next quadrant of the face.

I guess you could say IMPO is in love...again!

PRO TIPS AND TRICKS:

Let's do a little math shall we...

Jane gets a facial twice a month (cause the Pro said so and she doesn't tell Dick) which costs her anywhere from $75 to $200 per month. Jane recently lost her job. Now, boys and girls how much does Jane spend a year on treatment? IMPO by no means thinks that using a Clarisonic will replace the luxury and self-indulgence of an aesthetician’s touch. However, perhaps you (and Jane) can’t go as often as you used to for whatever reason (be it job loss or grumpy husband who has found your credit card statement) so at least your skin won’t suffer the consequences of the credit crunch!

STAY TUNED:

Up next on IMPO: Are you...special? Of course you are because you read IMPO! Our Pros tell you all about speciality products that are fun, fabulous and fantastic! What exactly is a speciality product? Guess you will have to tune in next time to find out...(insert dramatic music here)!

Center Stage!

What do Tyra Banks, Debra Messing, Teri Hatcher, Paula Abdul, Haylie Duff, Tori Spelling, Kristen Bell, Rebecca Gayheart and Virgina Madsen have in common? They are lovers of the luxurious bath and beauty brand Jaqua!

Jaqua products stimulate your 5 senses in such a way that your brain isn’t sure if it is eating dessert or being pampered at an extravagant spa! To quote The Daily Obsession, “Jaqua’s Raspberry Buttercream Frosting collection is a sinfully sweet and delicious treat for your body, but without the calories!” Yummy!

Recently, In My Professional Opinion was showered with a goodie bag jammed packed full of the most incredible body, bath and beauty products we have ever had the pleasure of testing and we were given strict advice by the Jaqua team to remember that, “Jaqua products smell good enough to eat, but please don’t!”

Jennifer Jaqua, President and Founder of the brand that bears her name, grew up in with her sisters in Santa Barbara, California. The Jaqua sisters have always had a passion for beauty products, but realized there was a gap in the industry for high quality and reasonably priced indulgent products. The sisters decided to start their own line and bring highly-effective bath and beauty products to consumers that were so visually appealing everyone would want to see, touch, smell, apply and own their incredible potions! Jennifer Jaqua says, “our products are beautiful inside and out: that’s the magic of Jaqua!”



In My Professional Opinion was more than thankful to the Jaqua team for their generosity and here is a list of our must haves:

Lip Glosses: these amazing glosses are so high quality that your lips will automatically embrace this product at the first application. Pink Champagne Glimmer Gloss, Raspberry Buttercream Frosting Lip Whip, Cocoa Buttercream Lip Whip and Peach Parfait are our favorites! Hydrating formula with vitamin E and beeswax with great “stay put” power! $14.00.



Body Butter: we absolutely fell in love with Jaqua’s packaging and the body butter product comes in cute pink/brown boxes with a ribbon bow on top, which we immediately thought would make great gifts for our girlfriends! When we discovered that Christina Aguilera requested this product and that it was featured in the May 2007 issue of Pregnancy Magazine, we knew that this had to be one incredible crème! Our favorite is the Buttercream Frosting and it reminded us of indulging in a cupcake from the Magnolia Bakery a la Carrie Bradshaw! This product is ultra-hydrating and infused with Shea Butter, which will absorb into your skin and make you feel baby soft. Melissa Rivers says, “Buttercream will be a staple in my bathroom!" $22.00.



Lotion: your hands (and feet) will thank you when you treat them to this moisturizing crème formulated with meadowfoam seed oil, grape seed extract and vitamins A and E! This product saved our winter cracked and painful hands this season and made them soft and healthy all day long! We love Pink Champagne, Pink Buttercream and Raspberry Buttercream! The tube is purse size and easy to take when you travel. Get one for your cosmetic bag, desk drawer and car! $8.00 in tube/$14.00 in bottle.



Shea Body Butter: your skin will celebrate this product, which combines shea-based body butter with jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, vitamin E and extracts of ginger root and pineapple! We slather on this butter right after shaving our legs and our skin drinks in every ounce of this amazing creme! $22.00.



Lip Gloss Ring: the Jaqua sisters know how to spoil the girl inside all women by developing one of the cutest products this Pro has ever seen…these lip gloss rings come in Peach Parfait, Mint Chocolate, Pink Champagne, Buttercream Frosting and Pina Colada. Incredibly flattering shimmer that compliments any outfit and gives you “sweet glamour” at your fingertips! Emily Proctor of Jaqua Beauty says, “I never leave home without my Lip Gloss Ring and can travel through security and customs without having my lip gloss confiscated!” So cute for party favors and perfect for Sweet 16 or Bat Mitzvah goodie bags! $8.00.



If you are in the Santa Barbara, California area make sure to pop in on the ladies of Jaqua or call ahead to book a Spa Party! They have one for every occasion and in every flavor – Girls Night In, Guiltless Birthday Hand and Foot Treatment, Mother Daughter Peaches and Buttercream Treatment, Tween Queen Delectable Buttercream Frosting Treatment and Baby Shower Bellini Hand and Foot Treatment. Jaqua even has a Hostess Program to really get the party started!



Visit www.jaquabeauty.com to purchase products! Your 5 senses will thank you for it!

TIPS AND TRIX:
Line your lips with a neutral lip pencil that is close to the same color as your natural lip, fill in lips with pencil and smooth with lip brush, then apply Jaqua Lip Gloss in Cocoa Buttercream and add Pink Champagne just in the center of your bottom lip. Your lips will look kissable all day and all nightlong!

STAY TUNED:
Up next on In My Professional Opinion: “The Balm” – lip balm that is – everything you need to know about lip balms, from high-end to on the cheap!

Green Room!

Giving good “face” is not just about makeup. The number one problem I have as a professional makeup artist is “sins of the skin” and boy, have I seen some major issues in my career.

Skincare is a very personal choice – oily, dry, combination and then we have to deal with crow’s feet, fine lines, Rosacea and breakouts. If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then our faces are the window treatments and there is nothing like bad Levelors to taint the view!

Good skincare helps cosmetics work and look their best. My sister has pretty sensitive skin, still gets the occasional pimple at 35, is starting to get a few small wrinkles and of course, being a California girl; she has skin that has seen its fair share of sun.

Recently, I noticed that my sister’s skin is looking amazing and I had to know what she was using on her face. She told me she discovered a great skincare line so naturally I asked her to write a review about it for the blog and here is what she said...

At one of my favorite local spas, I discovered the Jurlique skincare line from Australia. Since 1985, Jurlique has been a biodynamic skincare company. They grow all their ingredients and base formulas on the natural properties found in many plants. Their vision: beauty is defined by sustainable connections – to oneself, to the community, and to the earth. Jurlique farms are dedicated to biodynamic and organic farming which observes the natural cycles in the earth and growth of plants, harvesting during times of maximum living energy and efficacy. And I believe you can feel this “living energy” in the products, from the moment they touch your skin and throughout the day.

My first experience was with the Rosewater Balancing Mist. Sprayed on my face at the end of a massage, the mist has an invigorating scent and the mixture of rose and marshmallow calmed my skin.

My esthetician recommended a complete regimen: cleanser, toner and lotion. The three products complement and complete each other providing a balance and healthiness to my complexion.

I begin with the Balancing Foaming Cleanser ($45). The primary ingredients are calendula, daisy and peppermint. This cleanser is gentle but unlike many other “natural” products, my skin truly feels clean, impurities removed. Essential oils from grapefruit, lemon, lemon myrtle, and peppermint hydrate your skin without leaving it feeling greasy.



A spritz of the Rosewater Balancing Mist ($23) is my next step. While my face is still slightly damp, I apply a very small amount of the Sun Lotion SPF 30+ ($69). The combination of toner and lotion smoothes over the skin, hydrating the skin and leaving it protected and ready for primer. Sunscreen is an absolute must and I insist on it in my moisturizer as well as my foundation. Sunscreen not only prevents skin cancer but also minimizes the occurrence of skin damage and discoloration.




Jurlique’s product line is extensive and includes a variety of cleansers, exfoliators, masks, toning mists, moisturizers, age-preventers, body, sun protection, hair, specialty products and a line of skincare for the baby.

According to their site, Jurlique is one of the first and only companies with products containing natural preservative systems, and are working towards development of a natural emulsifying system. Chemical preservatives and emulsifiers can be harsh on individuals who have sensitive skin.

Their biodynamic products do not contain Parabens, Mineral Oils, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Synthetic Emulsifiers, Artificial Colors or Fragrances. Jurlique is available online at http://www.jurlique.com.au and in fine spas nationwide.

TIPS AND TRIX:

Good skincare doesn't have to be expensive! There are many great drugstore brands out there like Oil of Olay ProX, Avene and you can always stick with the tried and true, Cetaphil Cleanser and Eucerin Face Lotion!

STAY TUNED:

Up next on In My Professional Opinion...we Love Lucy!!!! Lucy B. that is and if you haven't had the pleasure of trying this product line, you will want to run to QVC, Planet Blue, Anthropologie or Fred Segal to check it out!