Posted By Blanca on July 28, 2010

Thursday, July 29 is National Lipstick Day.
A few fun facts and useful tips.

Forget diamonds, the right lipstick is a girls best friend! Can’t leave home without mine.

Tip- When applying foundation continue over the lips to provide a base for lip liner and lipstick.

Tip- If your lipstick smells rancid, it is! Want it to last longer? Place it in the fridge.

Tip- Wrong lipstick shades can age you, steer clear of brown lipstick shades. Avoid matte lipstick as they tend to settle into your lip lines. Instead, try creamier lipsticks or glosses. Glosses are especially youthful and make your lips appear "pouty".

Tip- Here’s a simple trick I once read models use to keep lipstick off their teeth. Apply lipstick, then place a finger in your mouth. Close lips around your finger and pull finger out. This should remove any excess lipstick, thereby keeping it from collecting on your teeth.

Fact- Every woman today absolutely automatically applies lipstick before going out of home. This habit is very old indeed: women began to apply lipstick in primeval times.

Fact- In old times, noble Japanese women were not allowed to appear in public without intensive makeup.

Fact- In ancient Egypt, women loved to tint their lips with attractive purple-red color.

Fact- During the Middle Ages, the popularity of lipstick declined. In that era, lipstick was considered to be a cosmetic which is suitable for prostitutes and lower class women.

Fact- More lipsticks are sold on a gloomy, rainy day.

Fact- My favorite lipsticks-Jane Iredale are SPF 18, no FD&C dyes and synthetic preservatives. We carry them at AvantGard!

Category: Skin Care | No Comments »
Tags: facts, gloss, lipstick, national lipstick day, tips

Posted By Blanca on July 3, 2010

I recently attended a  spa round-table and noticed  two collegues with their blackberrys checking emails during our meeting.  This was an intimate setting, only 8 in the group and the type where we take turns to share while others listen.  I know for sure we did not have any doctors on-call, they were all spa folks, just like me!

Last month I went to lunch with a friend and she placed her  blackberry right on the table and checked every few minutes. I just don’t understand, and I think it’s rude. do we need blackberry anonymous?  Hi, my name is ___________ and I am a blackberry addict.

My advice-take a deep breath, keep it in your purse and enjoy the now, blackberrys can wait. Sharing time with friends and love ones are the connections that makes our life richer. I’m sure when the time comes for us to go, we won’t remember how many emails we returned, we’ll only remember the laughter, the great times we had, with the people we love.

Take a deep breath, keep in your purse and enjoy….it will be waiting for you after dinner.

Category: Spa Story | 1 Comment »
Tags: blackberry, connections, enjoy now, spa, take a deep breath

Posted By Blanca on June 12, 2010

I realized awhile back that a relaxing trip the spa could create a lot of waste; imagine the paper, drinking cups, Qtips, cotton balls, dispensers and all that use of energy. Not at AvantGard, if we can avoid it. With the help of our dedicated team, we have made the following changes:

We switched to low energy fluorescent bulbs wherever possible, we no longer use paper drinking cups for our clients use, we installed a dishwasher and have plenty of tumblers to carry us throughout the day and we wash one load nightly to save water and energy.

We cut up used office paper for notes pads, we buy our wonderful professional products we use on clients in bulk to avoid extra packaging, we no longer include a 22 page brochure (made of recycled paper) with gift card purchases, we are encouraging the recipients to do the green thing and view our service menu online.

Additionally, I make monthly trips to Mail Boxes Etc to donate all those needed but annoying styrofoam peanuts we receive with our orders, and our team recycles everything, I mean everything! Interesting, a few years ago I think I would be called a “cheap boss” if I encouraged recycling paper for note pads, not now, and I don’t believe ever in the future.

My mother, rest in peace was born green, she always recycled everything, always took her own bags to the local market when nobody else did, and never wasted a thing. I am guilty in the past of telling her not to bother washing and recycling storage bags, and that using grocery bags to line the bathroom trash cans looked ugly with the store name on the side.
Thank goodness, she always ignored me and continued to take the buttons off old clothes that were too old to donate, having plenty of buttons to choose when she needed one. Funny, I am now becoming my mom and admire her for all those recycling lessons.

To my surprise, this past February, I went to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to our family home and where mom lived, and I ran into "Nena" the neighbor at the local food market, and she soon told me the new trash rules:
Organic was picked up every other day and regular trash, twice a week. I said; what do you mean organic? She replied, “now all food scraps are to be placed in a bag separately, no meat though” I was impressed, they will have plenty of natural compost made with those yummy mango, papaya and avocado scraps! She also added "your mom would have loved this" I smiled and agreed.

I know San Carlos has a similar program, and I am sure other cities will follow. I am trilled to see and hope that the entire world embraces the green mentality!

We care for the planet as much as you do. Green is Gorgeous!

Category: Spa Story | No Comments »
Tags: enery use, green, planet, recycling, saving, spa waste

Posted By Blanca on April 30, 2010

Rare is the occasion when your skin doesn’t appreciate a little extra attention. These time and budget-friendly treatments are the perfect size when your skin needs some TLC.

Lift & Reveal
Our high-performance duo. A skin peel paired with a lifting treatment for an all-around younger-looking complexion in only 30-minutes $50

Lighten UP
A skin-illuminating facial with a Vitamin C serum booster. Even if your complexion doesn’t seem obviously dull, you’ll delight in the difference you didn’t imagine could be made in 40-minutes $75

Soothe-Me
A 40-minute calming facial with an exotic aura. The extract found in the finishing mask is from the Moringa tree native to India. The crushed seeds are known to protect skin against pollutants and environmental stress, while the cucumber extract provides a refreshing and soothing sensation on the skin. $75

Pure & Clear
Tried and true-a monthly pore-cleansing facial is a guaranteed way to deep-clean your pores. Squeaky-clean pores will appear smaller and tighter and the degree of acne flare-ups will lessen while improving the look of your skin. 40-minutes $75

Rosy Glow
A relaxing facial treat that smells like a dreamy rose botanical garden due to the Rose and White Tea Mask made with the finest organic ingredients. Your skin will look fresh and radiant in 40-minutes $75
 

Category: Skin Care | No Comments »
Tags: facials, Skin Care

Posted By Blanca on April 27, 2010

I always pictured my mom in her late 80’s with white hair, spunky as ever and still in perfect health. She never had a sick day in her life, was active and energetic – until last year.

She arrived from Mexico for an anticipated 2 week vacation on June 30th, 2009.  We planned her visit during the 4th of July, so we could take her on our boat in the Foster City lagoon and watch the fireworks. When I first looked at her, I knew something was not right. She told me that for 3 weeks she had "been tired and taking naps". Mom never took naps- after an overnight hospital visit, we soon found out she had advanced metastasized liver cancer.

The morning of the 4th, I took her to the spa for a Massage and a Pedicure and for her to see the remodeled spas ( it was 6 years since she’d been to the United States) That morning, she had the opportunity to be a proud mom.

My family was waiting for us with a BBQ when we returned from spa-ing. That evening, 7 family members  and I hopped on the boat to watch the magical fireworks-a perfect day.

Only 22 days later my two brothers, my sister and my daughter held her hands as we watched her take her last breath…

With moms unconditional love and examples, she taught me to take a place in this world and to blossom. She showed me how to work hard, laugh a lot and be optimistic. At the end, she also taught me to accept death with dignity and courage….

This will be my first Mother’s Day without my mom. Everything I am, I owe it to her!

Category: Spa Story | 9 Comments »
Tags: cancer, mother's day, mothers lessons, without mom

Posted By Blanca on April 12, 2010

A month ago, my dear friend Lydia came to visit. She lives in LA and I have known her for 30 + years, she was married to my brother Polo.

As part of her stay, I treated her to a massage and a facial.  Lydia just turned 50 and she was concerned about aging, so during her facial, Karen recommended an entire new skin care regimen.  She was thrilled with her new products and off she went. 

Before leaving, I warned her about the usage "these are high performance products, you might get sensitive and if you do, apply them every other day, "No problem" she said, "I will call you if I have questions"

2 weeks later I get a phone call and all I heard for half and hour was "how youthful she looked and how amazing the products were". She told me about all the compliments she was getting and the "face stuff’ she had purchased in the past that did nothing.

"As a matter of fact, I saw your brother yesterday and he asked me if I had gotten a face lift" I laughed so hard!

I said "Lydia, you are now using active cosmeceutical ingredients, and they work,  too bad you live so far, you could become my poster child!"

She went on to tell me that my brother had just gotten a hair transplant, so now I have to call him and tease him about his "new locks". He’s a BIG teaser, it’s pay back time!

Lydia is using 6 products from the Spa Rx line

1. Lactic & Green Tea Cleanser
2. Hyaluronic Toner
3. Vitamin C Day Cream SPF30
4. Firming Collagen Peptide Serum
5. Glycolic-Lactic Skin Resurfacing Gel
6. Anti-Aging Moisturizer.

For a personalized skin analysis, call us 650-591-1498. We’ll be happy to offer a complimentary consultation.

Category: Skin Care | 1 Comment »
Tags: aging, rejuvenation, skin, wrinkles

Posted By Blanca on April 11, 2010

Sometimes you might wonder about toners. Are they really neccessary? I think so, they remove the leftover makeup so your performance products can penetrate and depending on the toner used, some are hydrating with moisture boosting ingredients while others can be exfoliating for clogged pores. Always apply with a cotton pad and wipe. Most importantly, toners remove tap water residue, which can include chlorine and minerals that can leave your skin drier.

In Phoenix Arizona, where my son used to live, the water was VERY hard with heavy metals and my skin always felt dryer when visiting, of course the worst part was trying to clean the hard water buildup out of his shower glass. ( that’s another blog) It would probably be called: Doing too much for your kids!

Going back to toners- For my mature skin, I prefer hydrating toners and I love to keep a small sprayer bottle of our Joyous-Neroli Toner at my desk. I use it to spritz my face to hydrate mid-day or just to plain refresh myself and my office. I  spritz, inhale, refresh and repeat.

Happy toning! Blanca~

Category: Skin Care | No Comments »
Tags: cleansing, dry, neroli, sprayer, toners

Posted By Blanca on April 5, 2010

While spa-ing in Costa Rica a few years ago, I experienced my first Coffee Body Scrub and it was coffee heavenly!

Here’s an easy at home spa recipe you can try, Costa Rica not included. Not a do it yourself-er? Visit the spa for a relaxing sugar scrub.

1 cup ground coffee
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup olive oil
4 drops peppermint or spearmint essential oil (optional)

Mix all ingredients together. Moistened your skin in the shower and  rub the coffee mixture onto your skin. Remember to pay attention to dry spots like elbows and  knees. Rinse off, pat skin dry, and apply your favorite body lotion. Leftovers? Keep in a jar for  2 weeks.

Category: At Home Spa | 5 Comments »
Tags: At Home Spa, coffee body scrub

Posted By Blanca on March 29, 2010

Last month, my daughter Jessica and  went to New York  to attend a Spa and Skincare conference.  We went to view new products, equipment and  to refresh our knowledge. I love traveling with her,  besides having mom and daughter time, I have my own personal makeup artist.  I always forget makeup on purpose, knowing she will have everything I need.

Day one-We took the red eye, did not sleep for a minute and arrived at the hotel to take a shower. By 10:30 am we were in  Soho having breakfast, Jessica had lots a plans for such a short visit!

After breakfast, satiated and tired we walked past a Chinese massage place offering Tui Na, a Chinese style massage and I said, "let’s have a massage!" Jessica was not convinced it was the right place for us and I  kept on insisting,  "come on… how bad can it be? I just want to lie down and relax, we haven’t slept"

We took the steps down to this basement location to find ourselves in the hands of  2 small and friendly oriental ladies that told us to remove all of our clothes in these tiny, partitioned rooms. Our clothes? I thought I was having a clothed  shiatsu type massage!   An hour later, we walked out awake or was it mortified? It was NOT a relaxing massage at all, we received 1 hour of pain each, tax deductible by the way, thank goodness!

Started walking, window shopping, walking  and walking some more. We walked by a new pretty and modern nail spa and I said, "let’s have a manicure, my nails look horrible" and this time, I only wanted to sit down! We did leave happy and with pretty nails.

Day two-Walked thru the showroom, looked at new products, bought lash lenghteners, new creams, waxes and aromatherapy. Jessica selected all the new Jane Iredale Mineral lipstick colors and new mineral liquid foundation, talked to vendors, got plenty of  samples and I started to wonder…. how are we going to take all this back home? we both had carry-ons!

Day two, evening- Before heading out to dinner and a Broadway show, Jessica wanted to get her eyebrows waxed on 5th Ave at  a special Brow Bar called "Anastasias" she wanted to see "how they did it". She paid $35 to get hers shaped and  so she could watch,  I  had mine done as well.  We walked out with thinner brows than usual and she did not learn a thing, she could have taught the Esthetician a few things on sanitation, the wax pot was filthy!

Day three- Fun sightseeing, stopped at a TJ Maxx to buy a suitcase to bring all  of our   " beauty treasures home"

I will  soon be going to Vegas to another conference and leaving Jessica behind. I have to do my own my makeup? oh dear!

Category: Massage, Spa Story | 2 Comments »
Tags: Massage, spa, Tui Na

Posted By Blanca on March 28, 2010

1.  Breathe. Deep breathing during your massage centers your mind and relaxes your body.

2.  You’re the Boss. This massage is all about you. Massage therapists appreciate specializing a session based on your needs. Silence is not golden in the massage room.

3.  Be specific. Do you want more pressure? Less? Is the room too cold? Would you like the entire session on your back, neck, shoulders, fingers, and feet? The more you tell your therapist, the more they can customize the massage to fit your needs.

4.  Release and let go. Avoid helping your therapist by turning you head or lifting an arm. The therapist is working, not you. This can take practice. If you find yourself doing it during a massage, go back to number one and breathe deeply; visualize yourself relaxing that body part, as well as others.

5.  Be there. Enjoy the moment. Stop formulating your to-do list, or thinking about where you’re off to next. Focus on your body. Feel the touch and allow yourself to get lost in it.

Category: Massage | No Comments »
Tags: Massage, relax, tips