By Shelby Jones, ISPA

Late August and early September means only one thing to many people – time to head back to school. We all know that anxious feeling of soaking up every last second of summer. The anticipation of a new adventure comes with the dread of shorter days, colder nights and an increased workload. It can seriously bum you out, and it can actually affect the way your skin behaves.

Whether you’re hitting the books or not, you want to look good doing it. It’s the perfect time of year to get a tune up in the form of a facial. Your skin can do weird things as the seasons change. If you’re oily you can dry out, and if you have sensitive skin, allergies usually flare up in the fall and added stress can cause breakouts.

To prevent acne, dry patches and slick T-zones, do your homework and find a spa that allows you to book time with an esthetician for some “schooling”. Booking blocks of time instead of a specific treatment is actually pretty common. It’s a guaranteed way to get the most customized spa experience possible. Your esthetician will ask you questions about how your skin behaves, how it reacts to certain ingredients and what kind of diet and lifestyle you maintain. All of these questions will help them formulate a facial and a routine that is tailored for your face.

During your treatment it’s your time to ask any and all skin-related questions you might have in order to educate yourself about how to care for your skin. You’ll be able to take the spa experience home with you and come back to the spa for an occasional facial to help maintain your progress. Visiting the spa will turn into your own personal infomercial just like the old NBC Saturday morning The More You Know PSAs.

If you want to learn more about different spa treatments visit ISPA’s spa glossary at experienceispa.com.

Shelby Jones is based in Lexington, KY at the ISPA headquarters, Spa Week’s exclusive trade partner. She has worked as ISPA’s Public Relations Manager for five years where she connects with top media outlets to promote ISPA members and the spa lifestyle. To get in touch with Shelby please email her or follow @ISPADoYou on Twitter. If you’re in the spa industry, we encourage you to become a member of ISPA; weekly e-mails with pointers like these are just one small part of the package to help you succeed!

By Melissa Williams

While the debate is still on as to whether humans should drink cow’s milk or not, one thing is unquestionably right…

Milk, applied topically, is great for your skin!

Of course you’ve heard of Cleopatra’s regular soaks in tubs full of honey and milk, helping her maintain her porcelaine soft skin, but did you know that milk also has other soothing properties?

Milk’s essential proteins, amino acids, and vitamin A work wonders on sensitive skin and its natural beta-hydroxyl acids act as skin conditioners to exfoliate, soothe, and soften. They also act as a natural skin brightener. Lactic acid cleans and softens, and stimulates cell renewal.

And in the summer months, milk has an even greater role. It helps alleviate and soothe skin that has seen just a few too many sunrays. Yes, if you’ve forgotten the sunscreen (tisk tisk) or just stayed outside too long, the jug in the fridge might help.

To make an ice-cold milk compress, poor a small amount of chilled whole milk into a bowl. Dip a washcloth into the mixture and apply to the skin. Allow the skin to soak in the milk, approximately 10-15 minutes.

Click to find a fabulous milk bath recipe, spas that offer milk based spa treatments and top skin care lines that offer milk based products

Originally featured on Healing Lifestyles.

How hot does Fergie look on the cover of July’s Allure!? You can look just as glam by reading all about the summer trends we learned from Allure Editor-at-Large, Abbie Kozolchyk at the Carefree event last week. After you’ve added these tips and tricks to your summer style arsenal, log onto Allure’s website to enter for your chance to win ore that $500 worth of beauty products from Ulta, including Ulta Rejuvenating Bath & Shower Gel and Body Lotion, Stila One Step Bronze, Urban Decay Rollergirl Palatte and a Clarisonic Mia.

You only have until July 12 click HERE to enter. Good Luck!

Calling all Jersey Girls and Real Housewives! It’s time to rock the red carpet at The Solace Day Spa in Old Bridge, NJ. Even if you’re not the fist pumping type, your star presence is requested next Monday, June 27 from 5pm-8pm at the first Red Carpet Client Event. It’s your night to look and feel like a star.

Solace invites you to experience the star treatment state-of-the-art technology, products and services that set them apart from all other day spas.Walk the step and repeat, have your picture snapped by photogs and experience what it’s like to be treated like a Hollywood’s hottest starlet. At the event, Solace will be featuring slimming body wraps, skin rejuvenation treatments and permanent hair reduction services at the event as well as introducing their new, Hydra Facial. This brand new treatment is great for all ethnicities, ages and skin types. The Hydra Facial is the only hydradermabrasion procedure that combines cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, hydration and antioxidant protection simultaneously, resulting in clearer, more beautiful skin with no discomfort or downtime. Fight fine lines, wrinkles, skin damage, dry skin and enlarged pores. Sign me up.

Check out the hottest hair and nail fashion trends with celebrity stylists. Enjoy complimentary cosmetics tips from professional mark-up artists. Get a free clinical skin evaluation and skin care demonstration. Even try a new muscular trigger point analysis.

Along with chatting up the experts, you’ll also be able to get to know all the Solace products directly from the source. Representatives from spa brands like: Youngblood (Spa Week’s 2011 cosmetic sponsor!), Tocco Magico, Kevin Murphy, Coppola Wispers, Epicuren, Advanced beauty, Idermed, Opi, LCN, Essie, and Scrubz will be there so you to learn new techniques, tips and tricks to get the hottest celeb looks!

Plus, don’t miss out on the most jerseylicious part of the evening! Dr. Michael Fiorillo‘s team (you know, the Doc that keeps the Real House Wives of New Jersey wonderfully wrinkle-free) will be at the event, demo-ing and administering top of the line injectables to guests. Good bye wrinkles, hello Hollywood!

At the end of the evening, the goal of the event is for Solace clients, new and old to come together and enjoy a night of Hollywood pampering. “It’s all about showing our appreciation for our clients,” says Director of Marketing, Ross Franklin, “We want everyone who comes to feel like a celebrity.” To show just how much they care, the first 100 guests will receive a VIP swag bag with beauty goodies valued at $250! Appreciation indeed.

To secure your ticket, click here. Tickets are $25.

The Solace Day Spa
3855 Highway 9 North
Old Bridge, NJ
(732) 970-0100

Column by Jenna Nicole Levine

If the crazy hot weather this past Memorial Day weekend was any indication, it is swelteringly apparent that the summer sun is starting to rear its skin damaging head. Now, I make it a point to wear facial sunscreen on a daily basis; a process that has taken me years of trial and error (and tons of moula) to find the perfect regiment.

There are a ton of screens on the market right now; however a lot of them are greasy, chemical laden, and expensive. Since sun care is one of the most important things a woman (or man) can do for herself to live a long and minimally leather-bound looking life, I have comprised a list of my three favorite eco-friendly products that not only protect you from the sun’s harmful rays; but will also cut down on the time it takes getting ready in the morning. The kicker is each of these products is under $10, and you know how I love saving you money!

Beyond Coastal lip and Face Screen in SPF 30. 1oz $6.99

Beyond Coastal was started in 2006 by Shawn Biega whose goal was to create a line of sunscreens that could hold up to outdoor sports while being non-greasy and chemical free. I swear by this broad spectrum face screen because of it is low low cost, smooth application, non-greasy eco-friendly formula, and it comes in a small tin it fits perfectly in my purse for reapplication on the go. Due to the fact that this is meant for those with an active lifestyle, it leaves me with a matte finish, and it’s waterproof qualities help prevent the massive sweating that comes from 90 degree weather with 80% humidity. I use this in place of my tinted moisturizer and lip balm. Bonus: This lip and face screen is packed with anti-oxidants and contains delicious vitamin A.(But do not eat!) You can purchase here.

Bethesda Skincare Sunscreen Soap Multi Vitamin SPF 10. 4.5 oz $8.00

If you are anything like me you will occasionally forget to apply sunscreen to those vulnerable extremities that are faced with the elements during this tank top and short skirt season. Although this simple bar soap is not a replacement for sunscreen it is a great tool for those days you forget to apply since most of us (hopefully) don’t forget to use soap in the shower. Bethesda Skincare was founded by Jaime Collins Doss, a mother of two who saw a need to create a line of products for her family that were healthy and safe. The result is a line of great eco-friendly products and a company who donates 10% of their profits to various charities in the United States and abroad. This product not only moisturizes immensely, but also aids in blocking those harmful UV rays. The website isn’t lying when it says “talk about getting it all done in the shower.” Bonus: Bethesda Skin Care gives away a free bar of soap for those who are battling cancer. You can purchase here.

Smart Girls Who Surf Care for Hair Sun Protector SPF 7. 2oz $8.50

The sun can dry hair out to the extremes of breaking and bleaching, not to mention scalp burning (ouch!) Smart Girls Who Surf own two additional unique product lines; Surf-Vival (cute!) and Smart Kids Who Play, each product lines goal is providing healthy skin care awareness that is paraben and chemical free. This product not only works as a leave in conditioner to prevent those locks from looking thirsty and dull, but also aids in protection from the sun right after you get out of your shower. It’s non-greasy formula is great for a tousled look, and can be added to your regular hair care routine so you can look fabulous while you protect your scalp during those daily Starbucks runs. This product contains wheat and soy proteins, as well as vitamins C and B. Bonus: You get to use a product that calls you smart.You can purchase here

Enjoy the warm weather and stay gloriously fake tanned!

Jenna Nicole is a native New Yorker turned Washingtonian who loves experiencing everything the city has to offer. When she isn’t writing about ways to save you cash on your favorite beauty treatments, you can find her reviewing D.C. restaurants, clubs, and events. To read more from Jenna Nicole please visit Woman Around Town, or just stop by and say hello on her twitter @Jenna_Nicole.