September 1st, 2010
Grapes are good for us, we all know this. Consistent consumption has been linked to a decrease in the risks of heart disease, some types of cancers and viruses. But not only are they great for our insides, they are now a staple in many spa treatments.
In less than 10 years, vinotherapy has become a celebrated development in the spa industries of Europe, South Africa and South America. Now, wine spas are gaining momentum in the US and Canada.
Wine grapes contain natural antioxidants, polyphenols, which exfoliate, detoxify and soften and repair damaged skin.
Resveratrol is a type of polyphenol found in the skin of the grape. Red and purple grapes have significantly more resveratrol than green grapes. This is because red and purple grapes are fermented longer with the grape skins. Grape seeds have strong anti-aging properties that fight damaging compounds in the skin called free radicals.
If you are looking for a more do-it-yourself grape beauty routine, grape seed oil is a natural skin care treatment and is easy to find and very affordable.
Grape seed oil contains essential fatty acids similar to those that combine to create the skin’s sebum, a naturally lubricating and protecting fatty substance. Some other benefits of using grape seed oil are:
- It is a natural moisturizer, replacing the skin’s sebum removed during your cleansing routine
- Locks that moisture in and keeps toxins out of the pores
- Prevents and repairs free radical damage (perfect as an under-eye treatment)
- Can aid in the repair of stretch marks
For great at-home treatments be sure to check out The Grapeseed Company for high quality, grape seed oil products.
Have you tried a grape spa treatment or do you use grape seed oil in your beauty routine? Let us know what your favorite treatments are…….
Tags: grape seed oil, grape spa treatments, grapes
Posted in antioxidants, beauty treatments, body scrubs, cheap treatments, home treatments | No Comments »
August 30th, 2010
If you are not familiar with the term nutricosmetics then this post is for you 
This industry, while one of the newest beauty industries, is also one of the most confusing. This new industry contains all of the ‘beauty from the inside” products that have grown to be worth about $2 billion!
The term nutricosmetics refers to nutritional supplements which can support the function and the structure of the skin from the inside out. These usually come in food or drink form and claim to be fortified with a cocktail of ingredients that promise anti-aging and skin-nourishing benefits.
The problem arising with this sector is the debate between food and drink or beauty – which category is it? Since these beauty foods, drinks and supplements have not been around very long, the science backing their claims remains formative and regulators simply just cannot classify them.
Problems with regulating nutricosmetics:
- Are they half way between drugs and cosmetics or between cosmetics and food/food supplements?
- How do we determine what type of claim it submits to the FDA – food supplement or drug? Or is that down to the ingredients used and their dosage? Or both?
Are you getting confused yet? I am!
Problems with claims and advertising:
- If a nutricosmetics company claims their product can promise better hair, skin and nails is it a health claim or a beauty claim?
- If the product helps prevent the onset of eczema – is that a health, drug or cosmetic claim?
So what’s a consumer to do when the FDA, FTC and Health Canada cannot even make up their minds? Be careful with “edible beauty” because not only is the science lacking in the industry, the US is evaluating claims on a case-by-case basis until a blanket set of rules can be determined. Most products have not even been evaluated yet.
Have you tried any of these new products? Please share your experience about this emerging industry…….
Tags: nutricosmetics
Posted in Beauty, anti-aging, beauty treatments, body care | No Comments »
August 27th, 2010
Happy Friday everyone!!!!! Below are this weeks Scandle-ous mentions. And be sure to stop by Scandle Candle to see the newest product we have added to our line, The Shimmering Lotion Candle, the first of its kind.
Don’t forget to check out these giveaways, they end this month!
Have a great weekend!
Tags: Giveaway, review, Scandle Candle, Shimmering Lotion Candle
Posted in Candle, Giveaway, News, Scandle Candle, Shimmering Lotion Candle, new products | 1 Comment »
August 26th, 2010
Massage oils can be broken down into two main categories, natural or synthetic. And in today’s “green” market, massage/spas are moving away from synthetic formulations but not all natural oils are fit for this job.
While there are two distinct categories, those two categories cover thousands of formulations and ingredients. Here is the breakdown:
Synthetic:
- Usually contain at least one of the following elements: silicones, glycols and chemically modified mineral oils
- Have significantly decreased in use over the past 10 years.
Natural:
- Are made from vegetable oils and other botanically derived oils
- Commodity oils, while natural, are used primarily in food. These oils (sunflower, safflower and canola) are generally extracted to maximize their oil yield to produce massive volumes for the food industry’s demand. While these oils are suitable as base lubricants they are mainly used in massage formulations as a means of cost saving. Many low-end formulations will use commodity oils as the bulk base lubricant for this reason.
- Specialty oils have been the main staple ingredient in European massage formulations for years now. These oils (grapeseed, sweet almond oil, avocado oil and apricot kernel oil) increase performance properties like feel, glide and also provide added cosmetic benefits to the skin. (Scandles produce an all-natural, cosmetic-grade soy massage oil)
Have you tried both synthetic and natural? If so, what’s your take…..
Posted in Massage, Scandle Candle, Scandle massage, candles | No Comments »
August 25th, 2010
In business, it’s always a good idea to get it in writing. Whether it’s a contract, the correct recipe for a new product or your upcoming holiday retail plan, you are always better off if you get it in writing.
And when it comes to the Safe Cosmetics Act it isn’t any different.
Lela Barker, founder of Bella Luccé was featured today on Cosmeticsdesign.com to discuss this legislation. If you are not familiar with the Safe Cosmetics Act, please take a look at this article.
The Safe Cosmetics Act needs to be more in tune with science
Click here to find out how you can join Scandle LLC and thousands of others (yes, we are thousands strong) take action and put it in writing. Another way to put it in writing is by contacting your representatives in Washington. Vote personally to oppose the bill at Open Congress.
Have you signed the petition yet? If not, lets talk about this legislation……
Tags: Safe
Posted in Safe Cosmetics Act | No Comments »
August 24th, 2010
Did you know that your sense of smell is 10,000 times more sensitive than your sense of taste? I sure didn’t! And I know a dog’s sense of smell is significantly stronger than ours – more than one million times stronger.
Certain scents can trigger a ‘dog’ sense of smell in humans. Especially scents that trigger a specific memory in our brain. Not only do essential/fragrance oils aid in the relaxation process they can also conjure up pleasant memories.
A fragrance is more than the physical properties of molecules perfume companies spend up to millions trying to create, a fragrance or odor can trigger certain smells that the brain associates with happiness but also the opposite – fear and danger.
To eliminate more of the negative and focus on the positive, utilize these essential oils in your aromatherapy:
- Basil. Aids in concentration, clarity and enthusiasm. Helps combat mental/intellectual fatigue and negativity.
- Eucalyptus citriodora. Aids in confidence, balance, enthusiasm, creativity and understanding. Fights confusion, sluggishness and restlessness
- Geranium. Aids in regeneration, balance and tranquility and fights stress, tension, anxiety and apprehension. (Scandle’s Sensual Blend is made with geranium essential oil)
- Pine. Aids assurance and balance and fights stress.
What is your favorite aromatherapy treatment? Has a scent ever triggered a great memory for you? Let us know………………
Tags: fragrance oil, natural, natural fragrances, smell
Posted in Aromatherapy, brain health, cheap treatments, essential oils, natural remedies, smell | No Comments »
August 23rd, 2010
Okay, I really feel it today, we are going to break the record, 106 degrees today. What’s a girl to do???????
I am going to stay cool with the help of some cucumber
While it is true that cucumber eye treatments do not reduce puffiness, this vegetable is made up of 90% water. So when you cool a cucumber and place it over your eyes, it will cool, sooth and hydrate the skin around your eyes.
While the main ‘beauty’ function of these green veggies are soothing, it is also a great astringent property.
So I thought I would share this great at-home beauty treatment which combines the coolness of the cucumber with its astringent properties to produce a great Cucumber-Honey Toner:
What you need:
- 1 medium cucumber, peeled and cut into pieces
- 2 tsp. honey
Directions:
- Puree the cucumber in a blender.
- Line a sieve with cheesecloth and place over a glass bowl
- Pour the cucumber puree through the cheesecloth and let it stand for 15 minutes (this allows all the juices to drip into the bowl.
- Pour the juice into a clean bottle and add the honey
- Shake the bottle and use a cotton pad to sweep it over your face, neck and chest in the morning and at night.
*Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
How are you staying cool this summer? let us know your favorite cucumber infused beauty treatment…….
Tags: cucumber treatments
Posted in beauty treatments, cheap treatments, cucumber treatments, home treatments | No Comments »
August 20th, 2010
Happy Friday everyone. No end to the heat here in sight. But you can warm up with these great mentions, reviews and yes – giveaways!
Have a great weekend!!!!!
Posted in Giveaway, Massage, candles, reviews | No Comments »
August 19th, 2010
In continuing with our Holiday 2010 retail prep, I wanted to talk about those last minute impulse purchases. We all know we are guilty of doing it, at least every once in a while. A lip balm, pack of gum or even something larger – say a pack of hand sanitizers while waiting to check out at the grocery store.
In a recently published study on consumer trends, consumers said when shopping if they came across a product that is offered below its normal price (not intending to buy that item while shopping) more than 82% said they would buy it.
As you plan your holiday sales plan, remember that important last chance sale. Impulse buying is the act of spontaneously purchasing items that are strategically placed and priced in order to encourage you to add them to your planned purchases.
If you are in the massage/spa industry and you’ve finished a session with a client. Your spa has strategically placed oils, candles or aromatherapy products that you used on your client at the counter and that is the last thing she sees as she is paying for her session.
If you client is like most consumers, she wants bang for her buck and unfortunately is just not getting as many sessions as she use to……Offer her a way to extend the relaxation she just experienced. So while she might not come back as quickly as she use to, you have added to your sales.
Some great examples of impulse items…….. Incense, Scandle’s travel tins, lip balms, water bottles, etc. The important thing is to make it your own. You know what your clients like so enhance that an increase your sales this holiday season.
Have you already got your retail plan set? What are you doing differently this year?
Tags: Holiday retail 2010, impulse purchase
Posted in Aromatherapy, Holiday resources, beauty treatments, body care, body scrubs, candles | No Comments »
August 17th, 2010
I have to admit, I had no idea spa owners paid taxes on the tips we give to their employees. Well this may be news to me but not to the industry and new legislation is hoping to put some money back into spas.
For years now spa owners have been required to pay FICA taxes on tips employees receive. The newly proposed Small Business Tax Equalization and Compliance Act would give spa owners a tax credit for the FICA taxes.
The savings for owners – 7.65%. It may not seem like a high percentage but think about a small business getting almost 10% back over a course of a year.
In 1993, Congress gave the restaurant industry a tax credit – recognizing tips as consumer gratiuty not icome payed by an employer. Which is exactly what a tip to a massage therapists is.
What do you think of this new tax break?
For more info on this Act or to support it, click here.
Tags: legislation on spa tax, spa owners, tip tax
Posted in Scandle Candle | No Comments »
