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 fragrances, Natural Treatments & Products, Sense of Smell
Posted in Aromatherapy, Brain Health, Budget Friendly Beauty Treatments, Essential Oils, Natural Remedies, Sense of 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: Cucumbers
Posted in Beauty Treatments, Budget Friendly Beauty Treatments, Cucumbers, 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!!!!!
- Jenny Block has A Hands-On Guide to Massage on Fox News with tips, tricks and some Scandle.
- Chubby Cheeks Thinks Scandles are hotttt - get a Sex on the Beach travel tin from her!
- Kat’s gotta Confession
- Mainstreet.com Makes the Most of Your Toiletries
- Get hooked up with the best, cruelty-free scrubs at My Beauty Bunny.com I Don’t Want No Scrubs - No Wait I Do!
- With our Best loves a good Scandle so much they want you to have one in Eucalyptus
Posted in Giveaway, Massage | 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, Beauty Treatments, Body Scrubs, Skin & Body Care/Treatments | 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 »
August 16th, 2010
You do not have to do much searching in the beauty aisle to find products containing vitamin C and E. These vitamins are essential in any skin care routine, but some say something is missing…… In an effort on our part to be more cautions with over-exposure to the sun, some recent research suggests we are not getting enough of our ‘sunshine’ vitamin – D.
Aside from being essential in the formulation of healthy bones and nails vitamin D helps our body absorb calcium. It is also a world-wide treatment for psoriasis - a common skin condition that causes skin redness and irritation.
Not only is vitamin D essential on its own, adding it to skin care containing vitamins C and E enhances those vitamins even more. But not to fret, in 2010 several major players in the personal care industry have invested research into formulations which will contain some ‘sunshine.’
While I am a strong advocate for sun protection, a minimal to moderate amount of time in the sun without sunscreen can provide your entire amount of vitamin D in two fifteen minute exposures once a week.
If you are still a little wary about going solo in the sun, you can always opt for supplements and be sure to look for new body and skincare products containing vitamin D.
How do you safely get your ‘sunshine’ vitamin?
Tags: sunshine, vitamin D
Posted in Beauty Care & Treatments, Healthy Lifestyle, Natural Health, Skin & Body Care/Treatments, Skin Care, Vitamins | No Comments »
August 13th, 2010
Happy Friday y’all. Today is the 13th day in a row it has been over 100 degrees here and we are melting, literally
I know y’all are staying up-to-date with the Safe Cosmetic Act but I wanted to share some great posts that define this Act and how it affects the small, indy beauty businesses out there. If you have a post, please share it with us:
- Speaking Up for Small Businesses in Washington DC
And now for the freebies and wonderful reviews:
- Fox News loves a good Scandle - candle that is
- Mother of Pearl It Is just kicked off her Blogmania with something Scandle-ous!
- Granny loves Gift Baskets has one of only a few left of our limited-edition Copa Cabana up for grabs!!!
- It’s Really Only a Purple World
Happy weekend!
Posted in Giveaway, Safe Cosmetics Act | No Comments »
August 12th, 2010
We all know the importance of sleep. The lack of those important Z’s can contribute to an increased risk for weight gain, depression, colon and breast cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
While most of the serious side effects from lack of sleep can take years to manifest, I know I can tell when I haven’t gotten enough sleep in a matter of days when I look in the mirror.
Tissue repair occurs during sleep, including repair to the daily skin damage done by UV light. Getting enough deep sleep will help your skin repair itself.
But what are you suppose to do when you just can’t relax and catch those elusive Zs? I am not one for medicated sleep aids.
Here are some of the best natural sleep remedies:
- Cherries - These tart fruits are naturally high in melatonin - a compound our body creates to ease into sleep. Try eating a cup as a snack or a cup of juice before bed time.
- Lemon balm - This member of the mint family has been used as a sleep aid for centuries. Try a glass of lemon balm tea before lights out.
- Fish - Certain sea creatures contain tryptophan - another great sleep-inducer. Opt for Pacific code from Alaska or pole-caught Albacore tuna.
What is your favorite all-natural, sleep aid? How do you catch your Zs?
Tags: lack of sleep, sleep deprivation, sleep repair
Posted in Healthy Lifestyle, Healthy Living, Natural Health, Natural Remedies, Skin & Body Care/Treatments, Sleep | No Comments »
August 11th, 2010
A bath is one of the best and cheapest ways to relax and unwind. Not only is the perfect warm bubble bath relaxing it is extremely beneficial to your skin and overall well-being.
Soaking in a tub opens up the pores, cleanses, detoxifies, smooths and softens the skin. It is also a great way to combat muscle soreness and of course provide stress relief. And hydrotherapy is one of the oldest and safest methods for treating many common ailments.
My perfect bath consists of warm water, not too hot, the Scandle Dead Sea Salt Soak & Scrub in the Calming blend – so I get the added benefit of lavender essential oil during my soak – and I add a splash of milk (my mom taught me that one)
Whats your favorite soak routine?
Tags: bath, health benefits of bath, soaking
Posted in Aromatherapy, Beauty Treatments, Body Scrubs, Healthy Living, Skin & Body Care/Treatments | No Comments »
August 10th, 2010
In continuing with our plan for the upcoming holiday season, I thought it would be very important to discuss retail sales. Most spas today could double their bottom line with a serious retail sales management plan.
In this day and age, spas need to adapt their ways of dealing with retail due to numerous retail giants crossing over into sacred spa waters. To survive in this economy your spa needs to power up how it sells, stocks, and promotes its retail offerings. And right now is the perfect time to plan, before you know it, consumers will be Christmas shopping. Here are the most successful ways:
- Focus on results - Many spas today are so focused on relaxing spa-goers that there is little attention paid to what they are looking to achieve during their spa experience.
- Cultivate Selling Skills - Your spa customers have tons of products, which is why you need to know what is better or different about your products. (i.e The Scandle is not just another candle, but a candle that you can use for massage, manicures/pedicures, or as a daily moisturizer)
- Attractive Displays - Make your displays tell a story and try to always incorporate a display that highlights the uniqueness of the products you sale
- Pay Attention to Product Selection - Start with at least 3 full brands
- Offer a Reason to Buy Today - BOGO’s work well!
- Get ready to sell! - Allocate the necessary time for boosting spa sales.
- Out of Sight is Out of Mind - Don’t put shelves out of your shopper’s peripheral vision
- Create A Bundle of Joy - Design spa packages by adding products to the offering. For instance, many spas will offer a Body Candle Massage Treatment and give the unused portion of The Scandle to their customer to take home.
- Sell from start to finish - Selling starts the moment the guest walks through the front door.
Have some ideas on taking your spa or beauty sales to the next level? Please let us know…..we can always use advice and help on maximizing our holiday sales.
Tags: holiday retail, increase retail sales, spa add-ons, spa retail
Posted in Aromatherapy, Beauty Treatments, Massage, Skin & Body Care/Treatments | No Comments »
