Spa Blah Blah Blog

Bikinis and Barbecues $49 Spa Specials

Tue, 13 May 2008 13:59:49 GMT

We're having a hard time accepting the fact that summer is almost here. It's not so much the 100-degree-plus temps or the endless sunny days. It's the fact that our heels are as scratchy as sandpaper, we're pale as ghosts and we haven't had a decent facial in ages. So in honor of tank tops, flip-flops, bikinis and the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, we went in search of deals that would prepare us all for the hot days ahead. The following get-ready-for-summer specials are ALL just $49 and are available Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, May 21-23 by appointment only. Book your spot early before they fill up!

Summer Flip Flop Heel Peel at All About You MedSpa, Tempe. Flaunt your feet all summer-long with this 60-minute ultra cleansing and exfoliating total tootsie peel! Feet are treated to a rubdown followed by a chemical treatment that instantly peels away dry, dead skin (reg. $75).

Bikini & Bronze at Mozaik Skin & Body Studio, Scottsdale. Don't be afraid to bare it all in your bikini at this summer's barbecues and pool parties. Prep beforehand with an expert bikini wax followed by a one-of-a-kind perfectly bronzing and professionally applied airbrush tan that will leave you looking flawless at every backyard event (reg. $75).

Custom Facial Cool Off at Salon Surreal, Phoenix. Get your summer glow on with a 60-minute custom facial that will leave you looking and feeling rejuvenated. This face-forward treatment includes exfoliation, extraction, treatment serum, mask and a facial and shoulder massage for the perfect pick-me-up after a hot summer day (reg. $70).

Smooth Escape at Sibonne Day Spa, Glendale. Get ready for swim season with a professional bikini wax followed by a calming 30-minute aromatherapy massage that uses pure essential oils of your choice to melt away any pre-pool party jitters (reg. $80).

BikiniBARE at Aletris Center of Integrative Medicine, Scottsdale. Go completely bare (down there) with the power of sugar. This sugaring treatment removes all bikini-area hair and includes high frequency and a soothing mud masque (reg. $75).

Hot Summer Cool Down at Zethina Cosmetics & Skin Care, Glendale. Dip into a cool Tropical Pineapple Papaya Facial that includes cleansing, toning, a pineapple papaya enzyme mask, steam and moisture treatment. Next, get those feet soft with a Pineapple Papaya Foot Treatment that scrubs, massages and moisturizes tired tootsies. Top off this 50-minute escape with a yummy virgin Pina Colada (reg. $90).

These beautiful deals are ALL specially priced at $49 and are available three days only by appointment.

Neat Feet: Get Tootsies on the Road to Summer Ready

Sat, 10 May 2008 10:56:33 GMT

It's not even officially summer and temperatures are already hovering slightly below 100 degrees. Wow, it's gonna be a hot one. Before you pack away your flats and pull out your flips, make sure that your feet are open-toe worthy by revamping your pedicure routine with our top-five product picks for the perfect pedicure. Start your tootsie makeover with a good soak to clean feet and soften skin. Cleanse your tired, pre-pedicure toes with Bidwell Botanical's Cooling Foot Soak infused with peppermint and soothing mineral salts ($12, www.bidwellbotanicals.com). After your soak, it's time to get rid of rough, unsightly calluses and dry skin. Remove the rough with Tweezerman's 3 in 1 Pedicure Tool, which looks like a shaving razor, but has three interchangeable callous-busting tools including a callus shaver and two rasps to buff away dead skin ($15, www.tweezerman.com). Preserve your newly callous-free heels with Beauty Feet moisturizer, an easy to use roll-on moisturizing solution. This cream stimulates cell renewal and protects skin from dryness and cracking and leaves feet silky smooth ($16, www.microbalanced.com). Next, slip on Pedisaver toeless socks before you polish to lock in moisture and separate your tootsies for a smudge-free polish. These new-age toe separators come in a variety of different colors and styles and are much more comfortable and fun you're your old foam toe separators ($16, www.pedisavers.com). The final step for sweet summer feet is a coat of OPI's new I'm India Mood for Love (pictured) on each newly-treated toe. This brand new color is a burst of summery bright pink and is sure to attract some attention to your newly-treated toes (about $8.50, www.opi.com). By the way, have you seen the new summer wedges and flats from Crocs (yes, those ugly clog-like things)? They've insanely cute for a comfort shoe and have little circulation nubbiess to stimulate blood flow. Check them out at www.crocs.com. Heaven help me I just ordered three. Here's to a great summer!

Product Review: Corioliss Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron

Sat, 03 May 2008 10:07:57 GMT

Frizzy, fried and breakage with every brush stroke -- welcome to my hair. I was unfortunately blessed with tresses that are not quite straight and not quite curly but wavy. Wash and go? Nope, never. Without plenty of shine serum, a blow dryer and, of course, a beloved flat iron, my hair looks like a complete disaster zone. However, after years of coloring, bleaching, teasing and straightening, I sometimes wonder how I even have hair on my head. So how am I supposed to have healthy hair without looking like a frizzy poodle? The secret is in the flat iron. I have tried and tested a wide variety of hair straightening irons and my current main squeeze is the Corioliss Tourmaline Ceramic Wet to Dry Flat Iron ($149). The Corioliss has everything you could every want in a flat iron: it heats up instantly (6 seconds), glides through hair without pulling or breaking, it's lightweight and most importantly, straightens hair in a flash. With most flat irons, I usually straighten my hair in the morning and by 5 p.m., I am in dire need of a touch-up. With the Corioliss, I can straighten my hair in the morning, sleep on it and it still looks good the next day. Pretty impressive, huh? The only thing I routinely make sure to do is remove any melted-on styling product because, like most flat irons, if product builds up on the iron, it starts to burn which does not make for pretty-smelling hair. The Corioliss comes in a variety of sizes, styles and colors and is available at Misikko.com, the one-stop beauty shop for high quality, professional beauty products. Best of all, from now until May 11, 2008, Misikko.com is having a huge sale on flat irons, tools and a variety of other fun beauty goodies. Plus, every sale item purchased includes a free gift for Mom. Visit www.misikko.com for more information but hurry, in order to receive your purchase by Motherï¿½s Day you must place an order by May 7. It's time to get shopping (and straight hair!). (P.S., this review brought to you by our flat iron guru and intern Carolyn. We always wondered why her hair smelled a little funny sometimes!)

Tickets Now on Sale for the Summer Spaaah Series 2008 Season!

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 02:03:23 GMT

It's baaack! With temperatures on the rise and not a cloud in sight, the third-annual Summer Spaaah Series is breezing back into town to cool off the Valley with a dose of fun and charity. We're tickled pink to announce that this highly anticipated event series is making its rounds at eight Valley spa destinations starting on May 25!

The series will kick off Memorial Day weekend with a special Summer Spaaah Soirée at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch, where guests will be immersed in the Spa Avania experience. Attendees will be invited to change into plush spa robes, take in a 30-minute spa treatment, attend a yoga class, sample treatments in the "sweet suites," indulge in freshly prepared spa cuisine, raise their glasses with a closing tea martini toast and leave with a bag filled with goodies. This women-only experience is for guests 17 and older and is a rare opportunity to experience the spa for only $40.

The seven events that follow are $25 and include mini spa treatments, fitness classes, beauty demos, boutique discounts, raffles, refreshments, goodie bags and a chance to tour the hottest spa destinations Arizona has to offer. Each event has been carefully planned to highlight the essence and unique features of each destination. The 2008 events take place every other Sunday at the following locations:

May 25: Summer Spaaah Soirée event at Spa Avania at the Hyatt Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch, Scottsdale
June 8: Party by the Pool event at the The Spa at the Arizona Biltmore Resort, Phoenix
June 22: Day of Beauty event at Dolce Salon & Spa of Arrowhead, Peoria
July 6: Indulge Your Spirit event Aji Spa at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort, Chandler
July 20: Be Well event at the Golden Door Spa at the Boulders Resort, Carefree
Aug 3: Glamor-ama event at Dolce Salon & Spa at the Borgata, Scottsdale
Aug 17: Explore Your Inner Energy event at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts & Southwest Institute of Natural Aesthetics, Tempe
Aug 31: Get Moving, Fit & Fun event at The Spa at Gainey Village Health Club, Scottsdale

A generous portion of funds raised through these events go to support Fresh Start Women's Foundation, a Phoenix-based organization that empowers women in need. For details and tickets, visit www.SummerSpaAZ.com. See ya this summer!

Lip Lock: Our Picks for SPF-infused Lip Balms and Sticks

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:14:41 GMT

I once sunburned my lips so bad on a beach trip that Mick Jaggar and I could've been twins. For nearly a week, it hurt to eat, drink and even talk. Now, I don't dare go swimming, to the beach or even outside for long periods of time without throwing a tube of SPF-infused lip balm into my bag. Here are our picks for sun-proof lip products that smell, feel and look so sweet you wouldn't ever guess they are packed with sunscreen.

The Mint Balm SPF 15 by Glospa: Cool off with this minty moisturinzing and healing balm infused with hemp, soybean and mango seed oil. Offers full-spectrum SPF 15 and fits perfectly into any sized bag. At www.glospa.com, $12.

24/7 Lip Sheers SPF 15 by Tarte Cosmetics: These moisturizing lip savers blend Vitamin E, mango and cocoa butter for sun proof smooches. Their new Summer Fling shade is the perfect peachy pink perfect for hot summer days and lounging poolside. At www.tartecosmetics.com, $14.

Balm Lip Conditioner SPF 15 by Bliss: Don't even think about going outside without this clear, flake-fighting balm that safeguard lips from dryness and harmful rays. Use alone or under your favorite lip color or gloss. At www.blissworld.com, $10.

BalmShelter SPF 17 by The Balm: Stay glamorous and protected with these long-wearing glosses available in a rainbow of flavored shades. Keep it light with clear All-American Girl or go glitzy with shimmer-infused Valley Girl. At www.thebalm.com, $18.

Mentha Lip Balm Stick SPF 15 by C.O. Bigelow: Shield lips with this sweet almond oil gloss. Gives lips a slick shine without the mess or stick. At www.bigelowchemists.com, $7.50.

Tinted Lip Moisturizers SPF 15 by Juice Beauty: Mineral-tinted lip moisturizers made with all organic plant oils and botanicals. Packed with peach, guava and honey for super sweet smackers. At www.juicebeauty.com, $15.

Beauty Booster SPF 15 by Trish McEvoy: These complexion-enhancing color glosses hydrate and shield lips from the sun in one easy sweep. Go bold with Brighten Pink or subtle with Sexy Petal. At www.nordstrom.com, $25.

Schweppes Lip Balm Ultra-Moisturizing Trio SPF 15 by On 10: This trio of hydrating lip balms are flavored with Schweppes Pink Grapefruit Seltzer, Tonic Water and Lime Soda. Preciously packaged in novelty tins, these balms smooth and moisturize for luscious lips. Also in Hershey's flavors. At www.sephora.com, $16 (pack of three).

Photo: Hershey's Lip Balm Ultra-Moisturizing Trio SPF 15, $16 at www.sephora.com.

Turning Up the Heat: The How To Guide to Getting Spiritually Sweaty

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 09:02:17 GMT

What's this 105-degree slimming and detoxing hot yoga thing everyone is raving about? For those who have never practiced hot yoga or any type of yoga at all, twisting your body into crazy-looking postures while dripping with sweat may sound a bit over the top. So what is hot yoga? In search of answers, we turned to the spiritual gangsters of At One Yoga for the scoop.

So first of all, why would anyone of sound mind and body want to exercise in a room heated to a sweltering 105 degrees?

It's simple. Practicing yoga in a heated room warms muscles, ligaments and tendons to increase flexibility without injury. In addition to safe stretching, hot yoga purifies and renews the body by eliminating toxins and moving freshly oxygenated blood throughout your entire body.

What if I'm not an expert yogini?

It's okay. For those new to yoga, At One's hot yoga classes are a combination of Bikram and vinyasa yoga styles and are designed for all levels to restore the body's healthy working order, proper weight, muscle tone, vibrant good health and sense of well-being. Plus, you have nothing to prove to anyone. Do what feels right for you and ask for extra help if you need it (and there are no mirrors, so no one is looking).

Do I need to bring anything?

You may want to bring water, a towel and a mat if you have one. If not, water is available in the boutique and mats can be rented.

Still not sold?

Mention that you read about At One's hot yoga on ArizonaSpaGirls.com and get your first class FREE! Renew and restore inside and out while taking some time out for yourself and try something new. Hot yoga classes are offered at the Scottsdale Studio and the Phoenix Studio.

$49 Heaven on Earth Spa Specials!

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 05:28:33 GMT

Wouldn't it be great if the world was just bit greener? We're helping the cause by teaming up with select environmentally aware spas and salons across the Valley to celebrate Earth Day with our $49 Heaven on Earth Specials. These heavenly spa treatments are available by appointment Monday through Wednesday, April 21-23 and at ONLY $49 each, they won't deplete your hard-earned green. Do something good for your body, soul and planet earth but hurry because these deals won't be around for long and appointments are filling up fast!

Green Thumb Facial at Glow Skin & Body Studio, Phoenix. This hour-long Eminence Organic Facial escape uses all natural and organically grown products. Take home a Green-Worthy Goody Bag that includes a coupon for your return visit and organic product samples handpicked for your skin type (reg. $95). Call (480) 759-8400.

Citrus-C Organic Facial at Mozaik Skin & Body Studio, Scottsdale. An all-natural burst of pink grapefruit, mandarin and tangy lime for 60 minutes of purely green goodness. This 100% organic Eminence facial targets all skin types for a renewed complexion. Deep cleans normal acne skins and hydrates normal to drier skins (reg. $95). Call (480) 315-8088.

Holistic Hydrating Wrap at Sibonne Day Spa, Glendale. Quench thirsty skin with a 60-minute naturally scented water lily wrap infused with green tea extract. Chill out while being wrapped in a cooling gel that soothes and moisturizes sensitive, stressed out skin (reg. $90). Call (602) 843-8185.

FacialDeMer at Aletris Center of Integrative Medicine, Scottsdale. Soothe your skin with natural seaweed! This luxurious, 65-minute seaweed facial hydrates, firms and heals all skin types and uses hand-picked products from renewable coastal sources. Leave this treatment feeling fresh, renewed and with a reusable seaweed chamois (reg. $120). Call (480) 443-7168.

Mineral Makeover at All About You MedSpa, Tempe. Get a green friendly glow with an organic facial followed by a natural mineral makeup application. This 60-minute treatment leaves you looking gorgeous all day (reg. $85). Call (480) 838-4968.

Glamorously Green Makeup Lesson at Zethina Cosmetics & Skincare, Glendale. Get a new look this spring and go green with natural mineral makeup! A 50-minute tutorial with professional makeup artists will teach you how to enhance your best features. Leave looking amazing and with a FREE gift valued at $48.50 which includes bronzer, lip liner and gloss (reg. $133.50). Call (623) 561-6966.

Natural Healing Massage at Elements Therapeutic Massage Arrowhead & Scottsdale Shea locations. Get grounded with a 55-minute rejuvenating rubdown. This therapeutic massage relaxes, restores, heals achy muscles and naturally promotes overall well-being (reg. $69). Call (480) 941-3077 in Scottsdale or (623) 847-4050 in Glendale.

Organic-Only Facial at Bellestelle, Gilbert. Get back to basics with a 60-minute all-natural facial completely customized to your skin type. Skin is restored with a pore cleansing followed by an exfoliating mask, facial massage, skin hydration and power-packed with an age-defying Microcurrent treatment (reg. $125). Call (480) 252-0471.

All treatments are $49 and offered by appointment only on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, April 21-23 (some spas may extend the specials into the week by request).

Queen of Green Bonus! Don't forget that every day during the month of April, we are giving away a Goody Bag jam packed with full-size beauty products, samples and gift certificates and coupons at local Valley spas. All new and current eBlast subscribers can qualify to win one of 30 Goody Bags so tell your friends! The bags are yummy enough to share. Click here for details.

Green Cuisine for Skin, Bod, and Hair at LUSH

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 01:34:38 GMT

What's all the buzz about this thing called green? We recycle, we try to turn off lights when we leave a room and only one car in our garage is a gas-guzzling SUV. Come on, isn't that enough to save the planet and fulfill our green obligations? Even though every little thing we do to reduce, reuse and recycle makes a difference, but these days there are so many simple ways to make our lives just a little greener. So, if you can't afford a new hybrid car or an entirely new closet full of eco-friendly apparel start small with green-friendly pampering products. This month, our friends at LUSH are making it super simple to go natural with a free eco-chic canvas tote bag with any purchase of $79 or more. Celebrate good ol' mother earth with several lines of solid products that use little or no wasteful packaging. We love their Karma Komba solid shampoo bar infused with citrus and patchouli to keep hair tangle free without sacrificing a bit of volume. Another product we cannot live without are their package-free bubble bars. These little bars instantly bombard your tub with millions of bubbles and are required accessories for the world's best bubble bath (trust us). Also, just in time for Earth Day, LUSH is donating 100% of the sales of their Charity Pot hand and body moisturizer to Oceana and Ocean Conversancy. These campaigns protect and restore the world's oceans and to ensure a livable planet for years to come. Whatever you choose, all LUSH products are handmade with fresh, organic fruit and vegetables, essential oils, safe synthetics and never tested on animals. Show your green side and shop till you drop at a LUSH store near you or at www.lush.com. Enter GETGREENER01 at checkout to receive your free limited edition eco bag (through April 22, 2008) and every time you use it at a LUSH store, you'll get 10% off your purchase! Photo: Karma Komba solid shampoo bar, $9.25.

CO Bigelow Birthday Bash at ASU Campus on April 23!

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 02:19:21 GMT

Short jean skirts, giant designer sunglasses, flip-flops and shiny lips that come from a minty green tube. If you see a girl who looks like she's around 20 and is sporting any of these accessories, it would probably be safe to say she is an ASU student. With long treks across campus in the hot Arizona sun, it's hard to look cool when you're getting ready in a hurry and running on three hours of sleep. That's why you cannot sit through an entire class without seeing at least one girl pull out a tube of C.O. Bigelow's Mentha Lip balm from her over-sized tote bag. Mentha Lip balm along with a variety of other cosmetics made by C.O. Bigelow, are favorites of Arizona State University students because of their high-quality reputation and natural ingredients that make taking care of your skin a no-brainer.

As America's oldest apothecary approaches its 180th birthday, C.O. Bigelow Apothecary is coming to Arizona State University to share its time-honored formulas in a fun, modern setting. Based in New York's Greenwich Village, C.O. Bigelow is renowned for its century-old honest, genuine and trustworthy pharmacy recipes. The Apothecary has attracted a cult following of college students as well as celeb devotees like Sarah Jessica Parker and Mary-Kate Olsen.

C.O. Bigelow will be celebrating their birthday with the nation's campus famous for knowing how to have a good time on April 23, 2008 in a mobile AirStream stocked with activities and treats. The day will be packed with fun, free apothecary-themed events for the full C.O. Bigelow experience. Take a break from studying or stop by between class on Wednesday, April 23 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and check out the festivities, which will include:

Design your own C.O. Bigelow "Honest. Genuine. Trustworthy." T-shirt
Vote for the presidential candidate who you think is the most honest, genuine and trustworthy
Sample C.O. Bigelow's penny candy, just like the original apothecary used to carry
Receive a problem/solution skincare consultation from a C.O. Bigelow expert to create a personalized Bigelow skincare regimen
See how Lemon Body Cream is created and walk away with a free sample from a fresh-blended batch

The C.O. Bigelow bash will be located on the Student Recreation Complex Fields at ASU Tempe Campus. For more information, visit www.bigelowchemists.com and keep your eyes peeled for the mobile AirStream coming to campus on April 23! P.S., this blog post brought to you courtesy of our very own ASU intern who wears giant sunglasses, flip-flops and never leaves home without her Mentha Lip balm! Photo: C.O. Bigelow's famous Lemon Body Cream, $7.50 for 1.7 oz. size.

Star Wash: Clean Logic Bath and Body Care

Sat, 05 Apr 2008 01:29:13 GMT

Like a many a modern girl, my life is an endless series of emails, voice mails, deadlines and to-do lists. Seems the only slice of escape that I get is my daily shower. It's just me, my massaging shower-head and whatever sweet-smelling cleanser I decide best matches my mood on any given day. And for the past few hectic weeks, I've been addicted to the calming action of Clean Logic Relax Body Wash. I was first intrigued by the line when I discovered it was created by a local Arizona State University grad with a nose for all things natural. Then I was hooked by the simple philosophy behind it all: Nature (all natural, paraben-free ingredients) + Innovation (clean, beautiful bottles shaped for easy use) + Inspiration (the Braille on the side of the bottle is a gentle reminder of the founder's commitment to The Inspiration Foundation, a non-profit she founded to empower and enabled disabled individuals). But as always, the proof is in the pudding. In consistency, the honey-hued Relax wash is a luscious cross between a gel and liquid and glides onto skin with a gentle lather. The scent is absolutely intoxicating and laced with hints of orange blossoms. A quick look at the ingredients list and I'm amazed by all the rich antioxidants -- green tea, grape seed extract, aloe, chamomile, ginseng -- It's like a big gulp of health for your skin. My diet should be so good! The main component of all the washes and lotions is extract of nopal, a cactus indigenous to Mexico known for its deep healing, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties. Skin stays moist and lightly scented when it's rinsed. The icing on the cake is a final dousing of the Relax Body Lotion, also with orange blossom extracts and a burst of antioxidants. Washes and lotions are priced at $12.99 and also come in Refresh (with spearmint extracts) and Enjoy (with sugar and rice extracts) blends. They say a man's home is his castle; I say a woman's is in the shower, especially when you have soothing potions like Clean Logic within arm's reach. Get it at select Bed, Bath & Beyond stores or at www.cleanlogicbodycare.com.