Archive for the ‘Other’ Category

What Is an Infrared Body Wrap and the Top Five Benefits of an Infrared Body Wrap

What is an infrared body wrap?

An infrared body wrap is a body treatment that involves an infrared blanket and may or may consist of a product application.

An infrared blanket allows the client to relax while enjoying the benefits of infrared. When applying certain products to the body prior to the treatment, can accelerate the of the benefits.

First let’s talk about the benefits for a few moments.

Detoxification. Sweating is the natural way for the body to heal and stay healthy. Infrared provides a person with a deep sweat and cleansing of the skin because it penetrates the about 1 – 2 inches and pushes the toxins out through the sweating process.

Skin Rejuvenation. Infrared body wraps and infrared saunas can actually help restore skin to a more youthful appearance. There was a study done by the Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy that showed a significant difference in just 12 weeks with the reduction of wrinkles, fine lines and crow’s feet as well as a toning of the skin such as firmness, elasticity and clarity.

Pain Relief. Many people experience infrared heat works by penetrating joint, muscles and tissues, speeding up oxygen flow and promoting better circulation.

Relaxation and Stress Reduction. It has been studied that infrared helps the body to maintain healthy levels or cortisol. We have all heard about cortisol and how it the number one cause of belly fat. Cortisol is a hormone that is produced by the body and raises when we are stressed out and raises the heart rate and blood pressure leading to the deposit of excessive fat and weight in the midsection. So taking a 30 minute session 3 times a week can help you to relax and reduce the effects of excess cortisol.

Weight Loss. If you are looking to lose weight, then an infrared body wraps may be the key to your success. It has been shown that a 30 minute session can actually burn up to 600 calories. When the body temperature is raised by heat of any kind, our bodies need to cool itself down. In doing so our heart rate increases as well as our metabolic rate, which causes the body to burn calories. Using infrared is a simple and relaxing treatment to help with those extra pounds many of us are carrying around.

Infrared body wraps are becoming a popular service at spas and salons around the world, and with good reason.

The benefits from infrared wraps are many. Here were just five of the benefits people enjoy when receiving an infrared body wrap treatment.

I urge you to do some research and find out for yourself how this simple and affordable treatment can benefit how you look and feel.

Microdermabrasion – What Is Microdermabrasion at Home Like?

Now you do not need to go to a beauty salon or to the dermatologist to have microdermabrasion. You can enjoy peeling at home. You can select from a variety of products available on the market for home use. Learn more about them, their effectiveness, safety and cost to decide whether they are right for you.

Creams for microdermabrasion at home are the most widely available products. These creams contain an exfoliating agent. In most cases, they contain aluminum oxide crystals, which are traditionally used in professional treatments. However, the solution for home use works differently. The cream is applied on the skin with the use of a special applicator, which enhances the abrasive action of the crystals. With professional treatment, the crystals are pulsed onto the skin at great speed and then sucked up by the vacuum created by the professional machine.

How effective are creams for home use? They provide good exfoliation, but they are not as powerful as the professional treatments. This means that it will take you longer to achieve the desired results. In general, the creams are safe to use, but it is best to consult a dermatologist regarding your skin’s condition before you use any peeling method. One benefit of this solution for microdermabrasion at home is that it is inexpensive. A kit usually costs between $20 and $100 with the actual cream ranging from $10 to $95 per jar.

Microdermabrasion cloths for home use are widely available on the market as well. These have tightly woven microfibers which have abrasive properties. All you have to do is to take the cloth, damp and it and rub your face gently. A cloth usually costs between $10 and $15. It is essential for it to be replaced after a number of treatments in line with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Cloth microdermabrasion at home provides the least powerful exfoliation. That is why it will take relatively long time to produce results. At the same time, since no chemical agents are used, this type of peeling is perfectly safe, provided that it is used appropriately.

Diamond microdermabrasion tools for home use are readily available on the market as well. These work on the same principle as the professional ones. The diamond tip of the want works to exfoliate the skin. At the same time, the suction section of the wand picks up the dead skin cells. You can set the speed at which the tip rotates to determine the depth of the exfoliation. Diamond tools for home use cost between $50 and $300 on average. They usually come with creams containing collagen and ones for protecting the skin after the peel.

It can be safely said that the diamond microdermabrasion tools are the most effective of all solutions for use at home. They are the most powerful and provide for the deepest possible exfoliation at home. While they are generally safe, extra care should be taken when they are used. It is perfectly possible for you to damage your skin if you get deeper peel than necessary.

Now you know all about microdermabrasion at home so you can readily choose the right option for you.

Pre Wedding Spa Treatments

A person’s wedding day can be the most important day in their life. This will be a day that a person will remember for their entire life. Some people’s memory might be fuzzy from champagne, but photos do not drink and last forever. That is why it is important to focus in on the beauty details. To do this you will need to plan out your week prior to the wedding day. This article will help in showing what, when, and how to make the week before your wedding a busy but self indulging experience.

The first thing to do is to decide what details is the most important to cover. Body wraps at a spa will take a day, but certain skin treatments might take up to a week or longer. That is why it is important to plan out your beautification. One should ask themselves, “what are the trouble spots?” Making a list will help out when it comes time to plan your week.

Our team at The Beauty Wrap has found that many people, especially women, are concerned with their skin. Blemishes can take some time to get rid of. You will want to start your blemish treatments at least a week prior to the wedding. Blemishes are not the only concern one has for their skin. Many women want soft skin on their wedding day. Lotions don’t always work and provide very short remedies. One option is to get a body wrap that uses shea butter and thick lotions. Unlike smothering your skin with these, a body wrap will infuse one’s skin with these materials. This will help ensure one’s skin will stay silky soft all the way through the honeymoon.

Body wraps can also help get rid of toxins in the body. People often feel healthier when they rid their body of toxins. A person will want to have a wrap done with seaweed, algae, or mud and clay. These treatments work best with an exfoliation using a dry brush or salt scrub first. This will open the skin’s pores to retain the natural chemicals to stimulate your metabolism and release toxins. This will ensure one’s health on their most important day.

Tanning beds are passé in today’s age, because of all the long term side effects. Also one might take the risk of being shrimp red on the big day. The answer is to get a spray tan the day prior to the wedding day. Spray tans have evolved since the 90s. The orange coloring that once plagued the market is now gone. Look for products that leave a natural tan look, and ones that don’t cause streaking. Spas often have employees that are trained to do tan airbrushing. During your spa day you can get this done after a relaxing massage.

The day prior to the wedding a full spa day will help in receiving all these products. A body wrap is best done at a span with a massage therapist. A massage therapist is knowledgeable in how to give a massage, and one will find this soothing as they are getting body wrap treatments applied. This will also give a bride or a groom the chance to relax while they are getting a hot stone massage to a full body wrap.

Of course a spa might be out of someone’s budget, especially after investing all the money into a wedding. Many companies offer these treatments at home. From acne medicine from ProActive to body wraps by The Beauty Wrap, you can manage to get spa quality treatments done at home.

What About Natural Foundation?

Your face is the part of you that most people will notice first, so using a natural foundation is essential to any skin care regime. Your skin is also the single most important part of your natural and individual beauty. That’s why so many women spend hours searching for, and experimenting for the perfect foundation, makeup products, skin care creams and cosmetics for their skin. There are a lot of great products out there for your skin’s look and feel but there are just as much, if not more that don’t bring out it’s natural beauty. The best natural foundations will achieve two things.

First of all: They will make your skin look flawless, yet natural, and they will be healthy for your skin. This means that the pores have to breathe and natural foundation will never cause or aggravate breakouts or bothering sensitive skin.

The second important aspect of a great natural foundation is that the color should match your skin tone.

Whether you have a fair complexion, tend to have ruddy red tones, or have an olive complexion there is a foundation shade that is perfectly complementary to your skin tone. Even if you have a lot of blemishes or freckles you will be able to find foundation that will complement your natural beauty. Many makeup artists will even blend a couple of different shades to achieve the perfect natural foundation tone that complements a woman’s features and bring out her true beauty.

You must choose the right foundation for your skin type as well. For example, if you tend to have oily skin – don’t choose a skin foundation that is geared toward aging skin. It may contain additional mineral oils that will aggravate oily skin further. On the other hand, if you have aging, dry skin then don’t choose a foundation that is geared for oily or acne prone skin. You may experience a chalky look that dries the skin out too much and settles in the natural lines of the skin, making you appear older and less radiant. Remember you want to enhance your appearance and beauty, not hide under a mask.

There are many great products out there that contain 100% natural ingredients.

So how can you get the best, most natural and lasting finish when applying your foundation? Some women prefer to apply foundation with their fingers. This isn’t recommended since you tend to over do it. It’s best to use either a high quality foundation brush. When used correctly the result is an excellent, clean finish when used in combination with a high quality, natural looking foundation.

You have to see what works best for you. Many still prefer a sponge because it’s less of a hassle and easier to pack for trips. If you’ve got some special event then the brush is great because you can get the most coverage you need. If you do choose to use a sponge, use one that is not porous and won’t soak up all your product. Try wetting the sponge a bit before you put the product on, this creates a more natural finish, and it also helps keep your sponge for eating all your liquid. A brush may get a little more in depth coverage, as it can help cover up large pores a bit more and also may help cover blemished or unevenly colored areas of skin a little more effectively.

All in all, you need to find the best natural foundation for your skin type. You want that flawless, baby soft look that makes your skin stand out and get attention.

Beauty Tips and Tricks for the Working Mom

Motherhood is regarded as one of the greatest things that a woman can experience. The pain that a woman endures through pregnancy is all forgotten when she gets the first glimpse of her child. However, being a mother is not an easy job, especially if you are a working mom. It is always difficult to find a balance between work and taking care of your family as the degree of responsibilities increase when people have children. Hence, women hardly find time to take care of themselves. It is important for working women to look presentable and professional at all times and it can only be attained by grooming themselves. So here are some beauty tips and tricks for the mom on the go:

Always moisturize your skin before applying makeup in the morning. To make this quick, find a good moisturizer that also acts as a lips moisturizer. Add a small amount at your fingertips and gently apply to your entire facial area. This will take less than 15 seconds and you will feel better. To save time, apply something around the eyes to hide dark circles, or minimize any swelling that would make you look tired.

Add a blush cream with a little gloss to add color as it will brighten your face and give you a finished look. You can save more time by using your blush cream to give a natural look to your lips. When applying eyeliner, start at the inside corner of your eyes. Tilt your head back slightly and then apply it. Apply eyeliner in a way as if you are connecting dots to create a straight line. This not only adds color to your eye makeup, but it gives your eyes a bright appearance. Apply a touch of eye shadow of a color neutral cream on top and mix. Complete the look with a light coat of mascara and your eyes will look great. This should give you a confident and smart look, one that you can carry to your work and go on with your professional life.

It is easy to find many beauty tips and tricks on the net and by reading magazines however, remember that it is you, who would be the best judge of things that will look good on you. Beauty tips and tricks can only suggest you different ways that are available for a person to look good.

Understanding The Fake Bake Tanning Process

A fake tanning product is used as an external cosmetic application. It helps in achieving a tan of your choice. Different products can be used for tans of various shades. You can also choose products which are fortified with additional skin care additives. Several formulations are available in the market to choose from.

Most tanning products contain a compound called dihydroxyacetone. When applied on the skin, it combines with the proteins in the outermost layer and the end result is an oxidation process. It is this oxidation process which gives rise to the tan. The higher the concentration of the dihydroxyacetone, the darker is likely to be the tan. The concentration typically varies from three percent to ten percent. As the skin naturally exfoliates over days, the fake bake tan product loses its impact in a few days.

Why Fake Tans Are Considered Appealing And More Convenient?

Fake tans allow you to acquire a healthy shade of bronze without any apparent exposure to the sun. They are just like any other skin care or beauty product meant for external application. A shimmering tan is considered highly desirable in western countries. Tanning is also known to camouflage skin imperfections like broken capillaries and pigmentation marks. If you choose to go in for a natural tan by exposure to sunlight, these problems are likely to be further aggravated. Harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun can also wreak havoc on your skin texture.

What Are The Ways Of Making A Fake Bake Tan Appear More Natural?

Even the best fake bake tanning products can make your tan look dull and pretentious if you do not know how to use them. Some of the practices you need to adhere to include:

* You need to minimize patches of uneven, rough or dead skin cells before applying a tanner. Consider scrubbing your skin with a loofah or use an AHA based body scrub for smooth, even skin.

* In case there is hair on the skin, consider shaving it off a day before you plan to apply the tanning compound. Shaving is an excellent way to exfoliate your skin. After a good shave, you have smooth, hairless skin which is ready to be tanned.

* Refrain from using a moisturizing product on your skin before you apply the tanning compound. Often, it can result in an uneven tan.

* Ideally, fake bake products should be applied on your skin evenly right after a bath, when the skin is truly moist.

* Apply from the centre in outward strokes.

* In case you think you have actually applied too much of the product, consider wetting your hands and rubbing off the extra amount. This will ensure a more uniform spreading of the product.

* Refrain from applying directly to elbows, knees and such areas which have folded skin.

* Do not apply fake bake tan products on the face. The curves and twists of the facial muscles are way too many and getting a uniform tan may not be possible.

Right Shaving Begins Off With a Right Day

For most of men, their day starts off with shaving and then follows the rest of their daily routine activities. Men mostly have the tendency to have hair on their face within a matter of few hours and this is something that makes them shave their face every morning to achieve a neat and clean look. But as it hears, it is not that simple to be done. It is with the help of sharp blades and razors that men trim their shave and therefore a minor mistake can cause a serious injury. Therefore it is always recommended to have a safety razor that could easily protect the skin from sharp edge of the blade.

Gone are those days, when most men used those straight razors which require more of their skills and attention to be used safely. These days with advancement in every field, razors are also available with exclusive features and benefits. And this is the reason why daily shaving has become quite relaxing and a small event. Being the art of starting a new day off right, with the latest safety and easy to use razors, shaving is no more referred to a burdensome task. In fact, a thorough wet shave in the morning is considered as the best way out to start a refreshed and well groomed day.

Every man strive for a perfect shave every morning and therefore when they bring their razor up their chin, they try to have an effortless, baby smooth shave and that too without any kind of redness, skin irritation and burning sensation. Most of the times, when men use those cheap and disposable razors, they just follow a brainless routine of shaving and rush the razor throughout their face without even thinking about it. This is something that definitely causes skin injuries, but when those safe and classy razors come in their hand, their brain automatically tells them to shave in a pleasant and relaxing mood, further resulting into a soft and safe shave. But sometimes, in spite of using these high-tech razors also, men get cuts, razor burns and nicks. And therefore it is important to know that for having a proper shave, along with safety razors it needs the art of shaving too.

Since long times, it is a foam or a gel that is being used for shaving. These days also, the hottest trend in male grooming is considered as the traditional wet shave. It not only lets men have a safer shave but also offers them with the best quality shave. It is of no wonder that today millions of men of all age groups pay lot of attention to their appearance and this is the reason why shaving and shaving products are also given a high importance.

Getting Rid of Freckles

Freckles are small dark spots on the skin that are generally caused by the concentration of melanin pigments. Although some people may consider this imperfection as an asset, having too much of these on the skin may not be very attractive at all. One of the best ways of getting rid of freckles is by using a skin whitening cream or a freckle fading cream.

These kinds of creams work by lightening the concentrated melanin pigments that cause the darkening. But before you go out and buy the next skin whitening product that you see in the stores, here are a few very important things that you need to learn about these products.

One of the very first things that you need to do is to ask for a medical professional’s advice on what particular product to use. Remember, there are now a wide variety of skin whitening products available in the market today – each with different formulations, made especially for different skin types. Have a dermatologist recommend a specific product for you if you are unsure.

Apart from that, you can also do your own research and go look for products that other people have found useful and effective in treating freckles. There are now plenty of product review sites available on the internet that can surely give you a lot of helpful tips on what products to buy and what brands to stay away from.

Most of the effective anti-freckle brands have also been around in the market for a considerable amount of time. So if you want to stay on the safe side, look for products from well established names in the market.

Many doctors and dermatologists would also advise that you pick skin whitening creams that are made from natural and organic ingredients to help with getting rid of freckles. This is mainly because there are plenty of anti-freckle and skin whitening products that are made up of overly strong chemicals that end up doing more harm than good to your skin. If you do choose to get a hydroquinone based product, make sure that the concentration does not go beyond 2%. Beyond this, the chemical can be very damaging to your skin.

As mentioned before, there are now plenty of creams and medications that you can use to get rid of those freckles. And most of these, fortunately, are products that you can use and apply at home. All you need to do now is to look for the right product and brand to use that fits your skin type best.

But remember, skin discolorations and freckles can be also be caused by unhealthy eating habits and lifestyles. So always take these into account. Read as much as you can and re-evaluate the way you are living your life, because everything that you take into your body will eventually show on your skin.

Getting rid of freckles will always take time and a whole lot of effort. So aside from picking the right kind of product, you should also take it upon yourself to apply the creams and medications as religiously and as regularly as you possibly can for better and faster results.

Levo: The Goodness of Spa and Salon

Combining the healing powers of a spa along with the refining techniques of a beauty salon, Levo brings beauty, design and wellness all under one roof. The new spa at the Ibis Hotel on the Golf Course Road in Gurgaon, Levo derives its name from the ancient Latin word that means to restore and that’s what the place does.

Levo’s spa services include face & body treatments like Swedish, Balinese and Aroma body massages, vitamin scrubs as well signature facials ranging from 30 to 60 minutes in duration and starting at less than Rs. 1600. Using some of the best beauty care products in the world that include brands like Alessandro from Germany, Natura Bisse from Spain and Rene Futerer from France, Levo has state-of-the-art treatment rooms which include a couple’s massage room.

Enhancing the limitless Zen experience Levo is designed in white along with specially crafted furniture by Karim Rashid that has no hard edges. Going beyond the usual familiarity of a spa or a beauty salon Levo prefers to call itself ‘Spalon’ for the blend that it creates. Initiated by Nandita Suri, an expert in wellness, Levo’s 10,000 sq ft of pure bliss will work on you from the moment you step in.

Created using the latest in skin care and sensory technology, Levo’s signature Diamond Treatment includes a Magnetic Ritual Body Treatment (at less than Rs 5200, 90 mins) and is said to be magically innovative. Starting with the balancing of the chakras with gems, the treatment includes the application of luminous mud with diamond dust all over the body followed by a massage using magnetic tools that purifies the mind and body by eliminating the effects of electromagnetic pollution and stress caused by daily life.

Using the healing power of water Levo’s Vichy Shower Bed Chromatherapy Exfoliation (at less than Rs 2000, 45 mins) exfoliate the skin under infrared followed by steam and the soothing rain drop effect of a Vichy Shower.

Levo’s salon has world-class treatments for hair, face and nails and offers some first time services such as a Brazilian Blowout and permanent hair extensions. Levo is the first to offer the globally renowned Rene Futerer Hair Treatments in the NCR; Supreme Hair Spa Ritual (at less than Rs 2000, 60 mins) and Luxurious Hair Spa Ritual (at less than Rs 2600, 75 mins).

The stress of present day urban existence robs a little bit of you everyday and the pollution only helps… walk into Levo to reclaim a small part of that which was lost.

Get Rid of Bags Under the Eyes

Nothing says ‘I’m not at my best’ like bags under the eyes. While there are those that never seem to get them, there are others who can’t remember a time that they didn’t have puffy eyes. So what causes them and more importantly, what can we do about them?

Bags under the eyes are caused by a variety of factors, most of which result in an excess of fluid in the body. Whether it is from water retention or inflammation, it affects or whole body, but because the skin around our eyes is so thin it is more noticeable here.

Common causes include;
• Water retention
• Dehydration
• Hormonal imbalances
• Fatigue
• Pregnancy
• Illness
• Allergies
• Morning – it is really common for fluid to ‘pool’ in your eyes overnight, but once you are standing up and moving around the fluid evens out.

So now that we know how we got them, what can we do about bags under the eyes?

While the obvious answer is to address the underlying issues, this doesn’t help when you want to reduce their appearance before you leave the house today, so let’s look at some quick fixes for those bags.

Cold compress

Use an ice pack, or any cold compress on the eyes to reduce the inflammation and disperse the fluid. For a cold compress use ice water or cold milk. Soak a cotton wool ball and squeeze out the fluid, the place the balls on your eyes for 10 – 15 minutes. Be careful with icepacks because the skin around the eyes is very sensitive and easily burned.

Cold teaspoons are also known to work well.

Creams and serums

There are many creams and serums that advertise as being specialists at reducing bags under the eyes and in some cases these may work. For extra benefit keep them in the fridge and they can become like a cold compress while delivering all their essential nutrients.

Fruits and vegetables.

If you feel inclined than slice up a cold cucumber, potato, apple or strawberry. Not only will they soothe the puffiness, but the nutrients from the foods will absorb into the skin.

Cool teabags

The tannin in tea is reported to have ant inflammatory and astringent properties, so steep a couple of tea bags, allow them to cool and place them over the eyes.

Exercise

For those that suffer from bags under the eyes in the morning then doing some quick exercise – like a few star jumps – will help the fluid to disperse quickly.

Sometimes even just tapping the area lightly will encourage the fluid to move on.

When it comes to allergies anti histamines and corticosteroids should be really effective at reducing the bags under your eyes caused by the allergic reaction.

Preventing bags under the eyes

Most cases of baggy eyes can be prevented by increasing your intake of water, getting enough sleep, making sure that you exercise and that you eat a balance diet, and that you don’t harm the body or cause fluid retention by smoking or drinking an excessive amount of alcohol.

Bags under the eyes are annoying and sometimes they can even be embarrassing, but by taking a few minutes a day to relieve the swelling and addressing the factors that may be causing them you will soon start to notice a brighter eyed you when you step out the front door.