We get a lot of questions from our spa-ers. And I’ve noticed a theme the past few days regarding skin woes: How can you rid your face of skin imperfections? These haphazards of the face include pesky blemishes from acne past, dark spots from sun damage (beaching for 9 hours seemed like a good idea at the time) and the normal wear and tear that comes with that whole “getting older” thing. So let’s get to it and nip the blemish in the face this Spa Week. Here are the three best treatments you should do to buff, peel and flash off  flaws. We’ve included some of the $50 spa treatments that you can sign up for now to get the job done. More where those came from on spaweek.com. Face off!

Option 1: Microdermabrasion

The lowdown:

Microdermabrasion is sometimes coined the “instant facelift.” It is a painless and non-invasive procedure with little recovery time. (And by recovery we mean for swelling and redness to fade.) Microdermabrasion is a broad term for the application of tiny rough grains to buff away the surface layer of skin. All of the action in microdermabrasion takes place on the stratum corneum (this is your face’s protective shield). When you remove or break up this layer, the ever-so-smart body signals this as a mild injury and the troops rush in to replace the lost skin cells with new and healthy ones. Out with the old and in with the new!

The benefits:

With the often unattractive stratum corneum gone, the skin’s surface is improved. The newer skin cells look and feel smoother. Skin’s imperfections, like sun damage, blemishes and fine lines, are removed. Also, without that barrier medicinal creams and lotions are more effective because the thirsty lower skin layers can soak up the active ingredients.

The $50 treatments:

• 50 Min Serum Infusing HydraSweep Microdermabrasion at Epi Center MedSpa in San Francisco, CA
• 60 Min Microdermabrasion with Intensive Deep Cleansing Facial at Essential Skin Care Day Spa – 14th Street in New York, NY
• Microdermabrasion Treatment at VITAHL Medical Aesthetics in Denver, CO
• 50 Min Diamond Microdermabrasion Facial with Organic Oxygen Mask and Lip Plumping Leaf at  Water Holistic Skincare in Seattle, WA
• 60 Min Microdermabrasion with Oxygen Treatment at Skin Care by Klara in Scottsdale, AZ

Option 2: Chemical Peels

The lowdown:

While most chemicals we use are to clean or are something with warnings, Glycolic, salicylic and lactic are types of acids that are commonly used on the face as chemical peels. During the treatment, the specific chemical is applied to small areas on the skin. These applications produce a controlled wound (sounds scarier than it is!), enabling new skin to appear. After the treatment, a reaction similar to a sunburn occurs (the severity depends on the type of peel). The new skin will show it’s face once the skin blisters and peels. Just make sure to plan accordingly so you can bring you’re A-face to that special occasion. The post chemical peel look doesn’t photograph well.

The benefits:

The new and regenerated skin will have an improved texture and tone than the old skin. Glycolic acid exfoliates the skin and is a great anti-aging treatment. Salicylic acid improves the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, blemishes and scarring. And the more friendly lactic peel is gentler and is good for first time users or people with sensitive skin. But don’t be afraid of the chemical peel; the pain is worth the gain.

The $50 treatments:

• Mild Chemical Peel at Flawless MedSpa in Stoneham, MA
• Alpha Hydroxy Fruit Acid Peel at at George Bacchus Salon and Spa in Potomac, MD
• Choice of Customized Peel: “Peel Away the Years” Facial Peel, Enzyme Fusion Peel, Youth Surge Glycolic Acid Peel, Lactic Acid Peel for Pre-Mature Skin or Salicylic Acid Peel for Acne Prone Oily Skin at Lazur La Vie in Nyack, NY
• 50 Min Lunchtime Chemical Peel with Discounted Upgraded Option at Princeton Center for Plastic Surgery & Medi Spa in Princeton, NJ
• Choice of Customized Chemical Peel with Hand and Neck Massage: Salicylic, Glycolic, Lactic Acid at The International Skin Care Institute in Scottsdale, AZ

Option 3: Photo Facials

The lowdown:

Try the new wave of light waves. There are two types of photo facials with different results and different pain tolerance requirements. An IPL (intense pulsed light) treatment is a photo facial that delivers a bright blast of light at very high energy levels through a hand-held device. Warning: these can be painful. On the other end of the pain spectrum, LED (light-emitting diode) photo facials are painless, cool and relaxing. Make sure you choose the light that’s right for you.

The benefits:

The extreme light of IPL’s yields extreme results. The IPL photo facial is the better chose for treating brown spots, broken capillaries, spider veins, and facial redness. LED photo facials are a good choice for people who want to boost collagen or treat acne. Your skin will look better in a flash! (May require a series of flashes for best results.)

The $50 treatments:

• Complexion Brightening IPL Laser Fotofacial at Anatomy Day Spa in  San Diego, CA
• IPL FotoFacial at Blue Medi Spa in Sherman Oaks, CA
• Omni Lux Photofacial at L’Essentiel Spa in Belmont, MA
• IPL Photorejuvenation for Face, Neck, Chest or Hands at Dr. Q Cosmetics in Decatur, GA
• Photo Facial at multiple Laser Cosmetica locations in New York – Read more and watch the Laser Cosmetica Photo Facial Video

Need an at-home hold-over till Spa Week? This FYSY (fix your skin yourself) skin lightening cream recipe will do your face good. Combine the juice of one lemon with one tablespoon of honey and one teaspoon of powdered milk. Heat the mixture up and stir until milk is dissolved. When cool, apply liberally to your face and neck, leaving it on for 20 minutes before rinsing off. Use daily for a month for a lightened and conditioned glow!

Here at Spa Week, we believe spa transcends beyond outer beauty and into overall inner health and well-being (in case you haven’t noticed!). So, a few weeks ago when I got my hands on a sample kit from Shaffali Skincare, I was so excited to learn that not only did the products work wonders on my skin and smell fantastic, they are also grounded in strong Ayurvedic practices and rituals that promote overall health and wellness from the inside out. At Shaffali, a facial cleanser isn’t just a soap. It’s a purifying experience where French lavender and Indian turmeric wash away impurities, stress and insecurities while increasing self-awareness and inner confidence. Each Shaffali product is accompanied by a ritual: a mantra, breathing exercises and meditation, to help you harness the full power of the products and yourself.

I had a chance to interview the creator and CEO of Shaffali Skincare, Shaffali Miglani herself. Learn all about how she got into Ayurveda, how the products and corresponding rituals are created and what yoga means to her. Plus find out about her first business, her favorite spa treatment and her New Year’s resolution…

**Spa Week Daily Exclusive: Receive $11 off your next Shaffali Skincare purchase at Shaffali.com with code: SW212

Stephanie: How were you introduced to Ayurvedic practices?

Shaffali: My mom’s cooking, both home remedies and beauty recipes, introduced me to Ayurveda. My mother is truly an exceptional cook who has an amazing repertoire of recipes from all over the world. As young child, I was very curious and wanted to cook like my mom. The house was always filled with the warmth of her creations.

When did you know this was something you wanted to do for a living?

I have always been drawn towards creating my own business. One of my most favorite and comical memories is when my two neighborhood friends and I picked all the rose on our whole block (yes, including from other neighbor’s yards!) and soaked them in water. Then we sold this rose petal water as a perfume. Instead of a lemonade stand, we had a perfume stand! At around 14 years old, I started creating my own skincare creations and recipes on a weekly basis to replace store-bought skincare products. Because of my childhood, my kitchen cabinet is truly my medicine cabinet, full of herbs, seeds and spices I use for a variety of recipes.

When I was a freshman in college, I was torn about wanting to do something deep and meaningful, like practicing holistic health and wellness, versus something practical, like starting my own a business.  So, I decided to merge both the meaningful and the practical and work in the spa industry. After a few years, I was offered a job at a skincare manufacturing company that distributed products to resort spas in over 130 countries. It was there that I had the epiphany of starting my own skincare line – especially as I had been refining my own creations for over 10 years by that point. I truly felt I had something special, unique, thoughtful and effective to offer.

How has this affected your life and your brand?

The key ingredients in Shaffali Skincare are Ayurvedic. For each product there is a corresponding ritual experience that one can do as a part of a meditative Ayurvedic practice where the mind, body soul and spirit are addressed as well as the skin.

How did these skincare rituals come to fruition? Who created them?

These rituals are a result of my own experiences. Every week, I do a ritual of preparing my own homemade skincare products. Then I do items (such as a guided meditation) to bring balance to my soul as well. After years of doing this, and especially after being trained as a yoga teacher, I started correlating specific thoughts with specific steps in each skincare practice.

Why are these rituals important? How do they affect the skin, mind, body, soul etc?

The rituals are important because they address what is going on inside so that you can truly have a glow on the outside.

Who comes up with the interesting ingredient combinations that make up the different products?

These come from the refinement of my own weekly rituals (I’ve being doing this for the past 15 years, so, 15 years x 52 weeks, I never miss a week, equals 780 refinements and experimental versions of recipes). These refinements continue to propel new product development for the Shaffali line. It is not uncommon for you to find me at home in my skincare lab (my kitchen) concocting new creations on the weekends.

What advice can you give our readers about Ayurvedic practices and products?

My advice is to approach Ayurveda with an open mind. Don’t overlook it or be intimidated by it. According to Ayurveda, in order to live a happy and healthy life you have to take yourself into account, your body type and mind you are born with (your dosha). Then you can implement your own personal plan to optimize your dosha (or balance) through the foods you eat, exercise, your state of mind etc. (To find out more about your dosha, take our quiz.) Knowing yourself, through Ayurveda, can create a rich and beautiful life path.

Which Shaffali product(s) do you use every day?

Every day I use the Detoxifying Exfoliant with Peppermint + Pineapple and the Replenishing Moisturizer with Neem and Neroli in the morning. For me, the exfoliants’ aromatherapy scent of peppermint and pineapple is like my natural caffeine wake-me-up in the morning. The exfoliant is not only a manual scrub but also contains a fruit enzyme peel. I leave it on for a few minutes while I make my tea and brush my teeth so I get a mini facial each morning.

How does your brand balance wellness and beauty?

Our mantra is “reflect the light within,” which refers to finding your inner beauty, balance and happiness and making it shine on the outside. Our logo has many spiritual interpretations; it is a beautiful symbol of the light and beauty within each of us. It also represents a stylized Lotus Flower, which rises towards light and beauty. Like a Chakra, or energy center, in the body, it is symbolic of our higher self.

How does your relationship with yoga influence your brand?

Yoga is an inherent part of the brand. As I mentioned before, each product has a ritual experience associated with it: positive mantras and instructions for what to think about when inhaling and exhaling the aromatherapy in the product, which is the mantra for the line as a whole (reflect the light within).

Due to my intertwined connection with yoga, I started a signature workshop where I teach yoga poses that correlate to each step in the Shaffali self-facial. This workshop is called “Beauty from the Inside Out” and, after many requests, I am going to be offering a certification course to train yoga teachers so they too can teach these workshops as official Shaffali Ambassadors.

What advice can you give our readers about yoga?

Yoga is a beautiful way to quiet the mind while becoming mindful of the body. It is not just exercise, though it can be used as such. The beauty in it comes from the exploration and introspection of the self. It teaches you to be comfortable in the quiet and challenge of any pose. I use yoga as moving meditation and I like to emphasize the mind, body, breath and soul connection, which I encourage students to embrace fully. Through this embrace and awareness, I believe we can become more conscious of every aspect of our lives, in both the microcosm (our being) and macrocosm (the universe), leading us to our highest potential, and in essence, our highest self.

Tell us about your wellness blog, Meditate on This…. How did this get started? Who writes for it?

I am the main writer for the blog. I share bits of insight, resources and wisdom from my own humble experiences of living a wellness lifestyle. I also have guest writers from time to time who offer reflective or wellness oriented pieces. The blog also helps me connect with the Shaffali community. It helps me remind people that Shaffali isn’t just a brand name but is also a real person who has a sincere story and belief behind the brand.

What is your number one skincare tip/trick?

It comes as a package: Sleep, a smile, a good diet, love and happiness from within.

What is your favorite spa treatment to receive?

Shirodhara. My third eye is a place on my body that I am extremely sensitive to; it is our marma point for intuition, meditation and relaxation.

What is your New Year’s resolution?

I have been writing my New Year’s resolutions for as long as I have had my journal (22 years). This year, my resolutions are focused on self-improvement. My resolutions are to eat more sea vegetables, experiment with a Gluten-free diet (two of my very dear, and very different friends swear by this), fast more (I used to fast so much often when I was younger, again, the influence of my mother) and launch all of the exciting new Shaffali products that are in the works!

For more from Shaffali, sign up for her blog newsletter and visit Shaffali Skincare on  facebook page.

Who knew we had so many spa chefs among us? When we asked on Facebook what your winter essentials are, one of our readers, Karin Rose, was quick to share that she made her own little serum. Bravo! Thankfully she was willing to share her recipe so that we may all be able to salvage our skin this winter. No fancy tools needed – just some jars and your hands. You can customize the serum by adding specific essential oils to address your skincare needs. Let’s meet this wonderful woman.

Hi there,

My name is Karin Rose. I make my own face products.

I make my face serum a little different each time depending on the weather, my skin, and my supplies at the time. That said, I taught a class recently and here’s the recipe we used (all women in their late 30s to mid-40s).

Karin Rose’s Moisturizing, Anti-Aging Face Serum Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 teaspoons Virgin Coconut Oil This is one of the oldest and most trusted moisturizers
• 1 teaspoon Rosehip Seed Oil This promotes collagen and elastin levels for firmer, smoother skin.
• 1/2 teaspoon Apricot Oil It’s good for dry, dehydrated  skin and promotes anti-aging.
• 1/2 teaspoon Vitamin E Oil Vitamin E promotes the healing of blemishes and scars, and also fights against wrinkles.
• 2 1/2 teaspoons Jojoba Oil This oil is very structurally similar to human sebum, providing natural moisturizing protection.
• Optional essential oils: Frankincense, Geranium, Lavender

Materials:

• 1 ounce Amber Glass Bottle with a glass dropper
• Teaspoon measure
• Clean baby food jar (or similar)

Directions:

1. Measure 1.5 teaspoons of virgin coconut oil (VCO). If it is solid (75 degrees and below), then place it in a clean small glass jar (e.g. baby food jar or smaller) and warm it in your hands or on a sunny windowsill while you gather the other ingredients.
2. Pour VCO  into Amber Glass Bottle.
3. Add the Rosehip Seed Oil, Vitamin E Oil and Apricot Oil into the Amber Glass Bottle.
4. NOTE FROM KARIN: Add up to 5 drops of Essential Oils total (any combination). Use Frankincense Essential Oil to counteract dullness, Geranium Essential Oil to help restore naturally oily or dry skin back to normal) and use Lavender Essential Oil to stimulate healthy new cell growth.
5. Top off the bottle with the Jojoba Oil (leaving a little bit of space at the top for mixing).
6. Cap the bottle and slowly roll and turn end over end to mix.

To use:

1. Wash and rinse face as you usually would.
2. Spritz face with hydrosol or floral waters (see Stephanie’s DIY Rose Toner) (NOTE FROM KARIN: rose, geranium or carrot seed waters are quite lovely).
3. Apply 1-2 drops of the face serum to clean fingertips and lightly spread it all over face and neck.
4. NOTE FROM KARIN: Always use an oil-based serum on a damp face. The oil works by trapping the moisture. It doesn’t clog pores as long as you use the minimum amount your skin needs. I have “normal” skin (neither oily nor dry) and I only need 1-2 drops in the mild winter in San Diego.

Do you have a fun Spa Foodie recipe to share? Email it to daily @ spaweekmedia.com and we just may feature your secrets too!

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Confession: This is my beauty dresser.

Sure, I’ve told you that part of my job means being inundated with cremes, serums, toners, makeup, oxygen in gel form, etc… but I never did claim to keep them neat! Admittedly, from time to time, things get out of control and it looks as though Allure Magazine has exploded on my dresser.

However, that is not the point of this blog post.  The point is, you’ll notice a beaming ray of organized yellow sunshine on the bottom left hand corner, otherwise known as the Elizabeth Grant Vitamin C Hydra-Moist line. It’s the set of products that has emerged from the depths of my dresser top to the highly coveted forefront, and with good reason. I’ve been using this product line every day lately, and my been skin’s la-la-loving me for it! THE CLOSE UP:

It came in this sweet faux-pony hair pouch that I use ALL the time now:

And here’s what it looks like as as a basic set, in excellent lighting (get the whole thing for $59):

My morning and evening routine as of late has included a number of these products: The Hydrating Cleanser, the Concentrated Serum, the All Day Cream, the Eye Radiance, the Illuminating Eye Pads, a few others here and there… and my skin has been obeying, radiating and illuminating like the tubes say. It’s the kind of vibrancy that makes me feel comfortable going without makeup. The products absorb quickly, contain just the right amount of fragrance, and are also quite convenient for traveling. They’ve helped smooth my skin, minimize the appearance of blemishes, and all in all, make me look much like that ray of happy brightness amidst my scary-looking dresser top.

In the yellow spirit… here’s my EG Vitamin C-doused self on the subway:

And rocking the eye pads before a wedding (nevermind the teeth whitening tray and collagen lip plumping strip…):

Just like Vitamin C in a tall glass of OJ helps cure colds and stave off illness, it also has a similar effect when it comes to repairing and preventing skin damage. How does C do it all! Here, Elizabeth Grant’s Beauty Director and VP of Global Direction, Margot Grant Witz, shares:

6 Skin-Enhancing Benefits of Vitamin C:

1. Clears up hyperpigmentation, brightening and lightening your skin.
2. Reverses the effects of sun exposure and sun damages.
3. Blocks pollution, free radicals and other environmental gunk floating around.
4. Most women by age 25 have accumulated enough sun damage to create freckles and dark spots that can easily be reduced with Vitamin C treatments.
5. Even if you’re a religious sunscreen addict, you may suffer from uneven skin tone that can be evened out with Vitamin C treatments.
6. Re-energizes tired, ruddy, problem skin back to life.

Browse through Elizabeth Grant’s Vitamin C products and treat yourself to a helping of the stuff!

And just in case you’d never take a recommendation from someone whose counter top looks like the above, I JUST moved… check out the new home for my stash in the bathroom! So neat, so clean, so logical! Yes, I do feel slightly more civilized now.

P.S. If you’re wondering where my EG products went – that’d be my bedroom. ;)

Last night I officially became a spa chef! I Bobby Flay’d it up in my kitchen with my favorite flavor of the season – pumpkin. I am a pumpkin fanatic. Nothing says fall like pumpkins to me. Childhood memories of carving silly faces. But, I especially love the smell.  The power of pumpkin doesn’t stop there – they can be very beneficial to human skin. I embarked on a journey creating the perfect at-home pumpkin body scrub recipe using all ingredients that are good for your skin. Most of them you’ll already have if you’re in the fall baking mood. I just had to buy the pumpkin puree which only costs around $3.

Why these ingredients? Pumpkin is full of Vitamin A, C and zinc. Honey is an amazing product for your skin because it is an antibacterial, hydrates and smooths your skin as well as provides anti-aging antioxidants. Cinnamon is a natural astringent. Brown sugar helps minimize pores. After some experimentation, I reached the perfect measurements:

1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup granulated brown sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tbsp honey

Don’t be alarmed that the brown sugar or cinnamon will turn your pumpkin a darker color. Feel free to play with the amount of sugar for the right amount of scrub you want. I like a good scrub so I added some white granulated sugar to enhance the texture.

Warning: While you may be tempted to eat it, I warn you it is very sweet! Best to just leave it for your skin to enjoy.

I did my usual shower routine but instead of body wash I used my new pumpkin scrub. My bathroom smelled delicious! When I got out of the shower my skin felt like a baby’s bottom. I was very impressed by the softness. This scrub is great for getting rid of dead, dry skin.

Pumpkin is chock full of vitamins and is a rich source of nutrients and antioxidants to help your skin achieve a healthy glow throughout the season. I suffer from dry skin during these brutal New York winters so I’ll definitely be using this again.  I say don’t limit this recipe to just your body. You can add more honey to create a moisturizing face mask.

Yum!

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