LOVE YOUR SKIN THIS VALENTINE'S DAY

4 tips for a radiant glow.

Valentine's Day is the perfect time to show affection to the people you love, including yourself. And it's also a great opportunity to show some love to your skin. After all, healthy, glowing skin makes you feel confident and beautiful. So, whether you're going on a romantic date, hanging with friends, or spending the day pampering yourself, here are some tips to help you get ready:

Exfoliate. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells and unclogs pores, revealing smoother, brighter complexion. Use a gentle scrub or exfoliating enzyme to slough off dead skin cells, but be careful not to overdo it, as excessive exfoliation can damage your skin.

Mask. A face mask is a great way to give your skin an extra boost. Choose a mask that's suitable for your skin type, whether it's a hydrating mask for dry skin or a detoxifying mask for oily skin.

Moisturize. Moisturizing is essential for keeping your skin hydrated and healthy. And don't forget to apply it to your neck and décolleté as well.

Protect. Sun damage is one of the leading causes of aging and skin damage, so it's important to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30, and reapply as needed throughout the day.

Taking care of your skin should be a daily habit, not just for special occasions like Valentine's Day. Try these tips and you'll be on your way to achieving healthy, glowing skin that you'll truly love.

Winter Skin Care

Hot Tips for Cold Temps.

Redness. Dryness. Irritation. As temperatures drop, our skin often bears the brunt of seasonal changes. Help your skin weather the weather with these simple steps:

Limit Hot Showers. While a hot shower might feel heavenly, it can strip your skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry and irritated. Opt for warm water and shorter showers to retain maximum moisture.

Use Gentle Cleansers. Avoid soapy and acidic cleansers that can fry your face. Try a hydrating cleanser to effectively remove impurities without stripping your skin.

Increase Hydration. Colder air tends to be less humid, leading to moisture loss from the skin. Combat this by incorporating a hydrating serum like Hyaluronic Acid into your regimen. Masking twice a week also works wonders, locking in moisture to keep skin soft and supple.

Don't Forget Sunscreen. Even in the winter, UV rays can damage your skin. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen on exposed areas like your face and hands every time you head outdoors.

Cancellation Policy

We really appreciate your business. And we will always strive to give you the best service we can. All we ask is that if you make an appointment, you show up. And if you can’t show up, just let us know. If it’s less than 24 hours before your appointment, there will be a 50% late cancellation fee. Even if you want to reschedule. Regardless of reason.

We understand that things come up. Kids get sick (including Covid). Meetings gets scheduled. Cars won’t start. Nannies cancel. Maybe you started your period. Or maybe you booked the wrong place by mistake. Lots of things that are out of your control. It’s not your fault. But it’s not our fault either. We still have to pay our people. If we didn’t, then no one would work in this industry. And as a small business, we just can’t afford to cover these fees for you. Because it’s not just you. Lots of clients try to cancel last minute. And if there was no charge, even more would do the same. We know it’s not your fault. We know it’s out of your control. But you still have to pay the fee. If you’re not willing to do that, then we’re just not the right spa for you. It’s only 50%. A lot of places charge 100%. 

Sometimes people say they didn't come because they didn't get a confirmation. But confirmations are a courtesy. Some places don't even do them. And if you didn't get ours, for whatever reason, that doesn't erase the existence of an appointment that you made. We expect our clients to write down and keep track of their own appointments, in whatever manner works for them, because we are all responsible adults. 

So please understand, we’re not charging late cancellation fees because we’re greedy. We're doing this to pay our people. They work on commission, so if you don’t show up, they don’t get paid. And that's not fair to them. Thanks for your time and understanding.

It's Peel Season

Exfoliation for Every Age

When I ask people to tell me about their skin care regimens, the step most often missing is exfoliation. Everybody understands the importance of cleansing, moisturizing, and sunscreening...but exfoliating? Why bother? Well, exfoliation is probably the most important thing that you can do to keep your skin healthy. And if you don't exfoliate at home, a monthly peel at the spa makes it easy.

Teens. When hormones start ramping up, both oil and cell turnover go into overdrive. And it takes time for the skin to figure out what the heck to do with it all. The result is a face full of oil trapped under layers and layers of dead skin cells, A.K.A a fun-fest of bumps, blackheads, and pimples. Exfoliation helps keep dead skin from building up so pores remain open, oil flows freely, and no bacteria can grow.

20s-30s. College, jobs, kids...the 20s and 30s truly define the term, "stress." And with stress comes hormonal fluctuations that create an unbalanced ecosystem of oil production alongside dehydration. Additionally, our busy lives often lead to a lack of self-preservation. Exfoliation can help our products penetrate better in order to protect healthy cells from environmental damage.

40s-50s. As our skin ages, cell turnover slows way down. What used to take 21 days now takes 35 days or more. Meanwhile, time has left lots of dead, damaged skin cells sitting around making pores look larger, sun spots darker, and fine lines less "fine." Just like a snake, we need to shed that outer layer to reveal the beautiful skin beneath. Exfoliation triggers the underlying tissues to produce new, healthy cells so that old, damaged cells will take a hike.

What are my exfo options? From at-home scrubs and enzymes to in-spa peels and microdermabrasion, there are many options to choose from. All options come in different formulations and intensities, so let your esthetician pick the best one for you. It just might be the answer you're looking for.

NOW OFFERING BROW LAMINATION

You don’t have to settle for basic brows

 Say goodbye to messy, unruly brows and hello to perfectly groomed arches that lasts for weeks. Depending on your hair, Brow Lamination can make your brows look fuller, straighter, more uniform, and even help disguise gaps and sparseness. Here’s how it works:

What is the process? Our licensed estheticians apply a gentle solution to soften the hair follicles, making it easier to reshape your brows. Once the brows are softened, they will brush them into a flattering new shape and “perm” them into place. Finally, they’ll add a pop of color that complements your skin tone.

How is it different? Unlike microblading or tattooing, brow lamination is a non-invasive procedure that doesn’t require any downtime. It doesn't involve adding or removing any hair. Brow Lamination simply softens your existing brows so you can style them any way you like.

How long does it last? Depending on your hair, usually about 4 weeks.

What is the aftercare? After your appointment, you’ll need to wait 48 hours before getting your brows wet. Then, just like with perming your hair, every day you’ll need to brush your brows into place. They will not be shellacked to your head. You can comb them, move them, and style them any way you like. And they’ll stay that way all day.

Top 3 Skin Care Myths Debunked

Myth #1: If you have oily skin you don't need moisturizer. 

I know it sounds counterintuitive, but moisturizers are not just for dry skin. Every skin type--oily, acne-prone, normal, or dry--needs some sort of moisturizer to keep it hydrated, balanced, and nourished. Also, oily skin can be dehydrated (lacking water) just as commonly as dry skin. So if you don't moisturize, your skin will just produce more oil to try and compensate.

Myth #2: If you don't wear makeup, you don't need to wash your face before bed. 

I hear this excuse a lot. So here is a little illustration from my personal life: Today I did not wear any makeup. I did put my moisturizer and sunscreen on after my shower, like a good esthetician. I ate three meals, sneezed and blew my noise several times, touched my keyboard and many bathroom doors, itched my nose countless times (4 in the last 2 minutes), touched my face at least 100 times, rubbed my eyes, went outside into the sun and pollution, pet a dog, held my neighbor's baby (who also touched my face), drove and put gas in my car, and so on. Even though I washed my hands numerous times, it's pretty clear that my face is anything but clean. And now I'm going to get into bed and rub all of this into my drool-soaked pillow for the next 8 hours. Sleep is the time for your skin to rest and rejuvenate, and it can't heal if it's busy fighting off the effects of the day.

Myth #3: Anything marked "natural" or "chemical free" is best. 

I have been an esthetician for 15 years. And more often than not, when I see someone on my table complaining of acne, redness, and inflammation they're buying their skin care from Whole Foods. In their minds, "natural" is better. But the truth is that organic skin care just doesn't deliver results. In fact, a lot of these "natural" ingredients can cause inflammation and allergic reactions if not formulated with lab-derived delivery systems. Read more on this topic in my previous blog: http://ritual-spa.com/the-truth-about-organic-skin-care/

Back to School Checklist

Books, backpacks, new clothes, dorm gear…you’re on it! But what about a plan for clear skin? Book a little spa time will send them back looking great!

Teen Facials: (for ages 16 and under): When hormones start ramping up, both oil and cell turnover go into overdrive. And it takes time for the skin to figure out what the heck to do with it all. So you end up with is a face full of oil trapped under layers and layers of dead skin cells, A.K.A a fun-fest of bumps, blackheads, and pimples. Our teen facials are designed for the needs of young skin, and include instruction on how to care for teen skin at home.

Express Facials: (over 16 years): In your 20s, it’s all about starting good habits that minimize bad ones…like drinking, staying out late, eating poorly, and stressing out over college. Oh the memories! Our Express Facials can help unclog pores, minimize breakouts, and counteract sun exposure that leads to damage down the road.

Waxing: Brows, lips, legs, and more, we specialize in professional hair removal. We use the highest quality waxing products to minimize irritation, along with the utmost sensitivity and discretion during all procedures.And let’s not forget mom and dad! Now that the kids are back in the books you have a little more time to take care of you! Book a massage and/or a facial for yourself. You deserve it!

Working From Home?

Massage Therapy Can Help

Working from home, either full-time or on a hybrid schedule, has created a new set of challenges. Massage therapy can treat both physical and mental wellness while promoting a healthier and more balanced lifestyle.

Relieve Muscle Tension: Working from home often involves long hours spent in front of a computer or sitting in one position. This can lead to muscle tension, particularly in the neck, shoulders, and back. Massage therapy can help release those tight muscles, improve circulation, and alleviate discomfort, promoting better posture and reducing the risk of chronic pain.

Reduce Stress and Anxiety: Working from home can come with its own set of stressors, such as increased workload, lack of separation between work and personal life, and feelings of isolation. Massage therapy induces relaxation, triggers the release of endorphins (feel-good hormones), and reduces stress hormones like cortisol to help manage stress levels, improve mood, and promote a sense of calm and well-being.

Enhance Mental Clarity and Focus: The demands of remote work can sometimes lead to mental fatigue, decreased concentration, and brain fog. Not to mention the added distractions at home like kids, chores, and the refrigerator. Massage therapy stimulates circulation and oxygen flow for increased productivity and efficiency.

BRIDES, DADS & GRADS

Celebrate Summer at the Spa

June is a month of many celebrations. And brides, dads, and grads all need the same thing...relaxation!

Brides. All brides want to look their best on the big day. But they also suffer significant stress from wedding planning and preparation. Our Bridal Package offers for the perfect combo of relaxation and results with a Bride-to-Be Facial, paraffin hand treatment, massage, and glass of champagne.

Dads. Guess what? Men love spa days, too! Our male clients ask a lot of questions about redness, brown spots, crow’s feet, and more. Which tells me that they’re spending more and more time looking in the mirror. They’ll just never admit this to you. Book them a facial or a massage for Father’s Day. A little bit of pampering goes a long way.

Grads. After years of hard work, late nights, and academic pressure, grads deserve a moment of relaxation and rejuvenation. A spa day is the ultimate celebration of their achievements, and the perfect segue to life’s next chapter.

The Busy Mom's Guide to Skin Care

You deserve a little self-care.

Almost every day I find myself telling a client, “If you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of anyone else." But for busy moms, self-care often lands last on the list. Most days you’re lucky to take a shower, let alone practice any consistent skin care regimen. But the ritual of taking care of your skin is about much more than looking good. It also helps preserve mental health and overall wellness. Here are a few tips to work with even the busiest of schedules:

Simplify your routine. Nobody has time for the 14-step Korean skin care routine, let alone busy moms. Focus on the basics: cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. If you feel really ambitious, weave in a mask once a week. You can even create an activity involving your kids and mask together.

Take advantage of the shower. Multitasking in the shower? You bet! Keep a second cleanser in the stall, along with an exfoliating mask you can apply while conditioning your hair or shaving your legs.

Keep products within reach. Out of sight is out of mind! Don’t hide your products in a cabinet. Keep 'em right next to your toothbrush so you remember to use them. Wash your face and moisturize right after dinner if you’re often too tired before bed.

Prioritize stress management. Stress can take a toll on your skin, leading to breakouts, inflammation, and other issues. Make time for stress management activities like getting a facial or a massage. Or throw on a mask and take a bath (can you imagine?)!

Taking care of your skin doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming. Happy Mother’s Day!