☃ Great Gift Ideas!! ☃

If you're looking for a last minute gift for someone in your life you should definitely come to Spa Gregories. Spa Gregories is Orange Counties premiere day spa. This year alone Spa Gregories has one City Search's best spa in Orange County and also winner of Favorite Day Spa by American Spa. I have been fortunate enough to be a part of the Spa Gregories family as an Esthetician and Spa Coordinator.

Visit: www.spagregories.com or following us on twitter: www.twitter.com/SpaGregories or on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/spagregoriesnewportbeach

So if you're looking for a last minute gift...come see us @ one of our following locations:

Newport Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita or Del Mar

Tips for your skin during the Winter Months

The warm weather has started to go away and the nice crisp winter air is upon us....which means Dry/Flaky skin is just around the corner! And not only is your face dry it seems, the whole body gets dry...and we sit and wish for our summer to come back...

My advice to all during this change in weather...is hydrate, hydrate, HYDRATE. Drink plenty of water to not only keep you personally from being dehydrated but to keep your skin feeling healthy and hydrated. Make sure you're still using sunscreen during the day as well! Sunscreen is not just for the summer months its for YEAR ROUND protection. My favorite sunscreen by far is the Epicuren Zinc Oxide ..I use it daily after my hydrating serum right before my makeup and I love it!

Also do not forget about your lips! Apply a good lip balm daily or chapstick. My favorite is the Epicuren Lip balm! It soothes and rejuvenates dry, chapped and weathered lips. It also has sunscreen in it and Tea Tree Oil...very calming to your skin.

For your body during the winter remember to apply lotion right after a shower and reapply during the day. Epicuren's After Bath is a really good moisturizing lotion full of vitamin protein complex and antioxidants.

Also I recommend doing a hydrating mask once a week as well to really nourish and rejuvenate your skin. For instance the Arcona Wine Hydrating mask is amazing!.

I highly recommend Hyaluronic acid serums or gels. Epicuren's Moisture Surge or Arcona's Hydrating serum are both amazing Hyaluronic serums that you can add to your moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated and from cracking and feeling flaky.

The winter can be harsh on your skin so remember it needs special care during these cold months!

The NuFace amazing microcurrent technology!!

I am absolutely stoked to start using NuFace! Starting November 1st @ Spa Gregories where I work will be having our own Signature AMAZING facial that will include the NuFace treatment! Now you're all sitting there going ok what is this Nuface???

The NuFace:

What is NuFace?

The first and ONLY hand held device FDA approved for safe, effective at-home facial toning and stimulation- a non-invasive face lift.

How does NuFace Work?

Improves the appearance of the face through the use of microcurrent technology; a gentle electrical stimulation.

Delivers a micro-pulse to the muscles and skin for instant, cumulative results.

Microcurrent is known to increase collagen, elastin, circulation, product penetration and ATP.

Benefits of Microcurrent

Leading aesthetic professionals use microcurrent technology to lift and tone the face, while complimenting many in-office treatments.

• Non-invasive facelift with immediate results
• Lift and tone the facial muscles and skin tissue
• Professional technology that aestheticians can utilize
• Complimentary with other advanced professional treatments such as
microdermabrasion, LED, oxygen, chemical peels, IPL and laser treatments
• Pre and post operative care (consult physician before use)
• "Add-on” treatment to facials and other spa treatments
• Lifts and tones face, neck and body
• Leaves skin feeling smoother and looking younger
• Increases product penetration
• Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Improves facial circulation
• Improves hyper pigmentation and acne

Microcurrent is:

• For all skin types
• For all ages
• Used and recommended by skin care professionals

Results:

• Reduction of fine lines, creases, and wrinkles
• Skin hydration and revitalization, resulting in smoother and softer skin
• Decrease of puffiness and edema
• Restoration of the "pink glow" of youthful tones
• Visible firming and contouring, lifting overall drooping features
• Tightening of sagging jowls, doubling chins, and fatty cheeks
• Shrinking of enlarged pores
• Reduction of blackheads and acne
• Reduction of scars and pitting
• Reduction of dark circles and puffiness under eyes
• Reduction of the symptoms from Eczema, Melasma and Rosacea

This is going to be one amazing facial we offer @ Spa Gregories and I cannot wait for all of you to see the amazing results!

www.spagregories.com

The Amazing Clarisonic!!!

The CLARISONIC® removes six times more makeup than traditional facial cleansing. It also helps reduce oily areas, dry skin patches, blemishes and the appearance of visible pores. Using it daily has proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles so your skin feels and looks younger and smoother.

Before

After

In a split forehead randomized study, equal amounts of fluorescent makeup were placed on the forehead of each subject. Photographs of the forehead were then taken using a digital camera with a UV flash. An esthetician then cleansed half of the forehead with the Clarisonic and the other half by hand. Both sides of the forehead were then rinsed with equal amounts of water and left to air dry. After drying, the subject’s forehead was again photographed. The level of glowing makeup is indicative of dirty skin (less glowing means cleaner skin). Individual results may vary.

CLARISONIC® makes beautiful skin easy. Simply press a button and you’ll feel the soft, gentle sonic action. Clarisonic works well with any non-abrasive cleanser. It’s waterproof and rechargeable so Clarisonic can go wherever you go…even in the shower.

• Safe for cleansing all skin types
• Adjustable power levels
• Built in one-minute timer
• Used by leading skin care professionals
• 2-year warranty and 30-day satisfaction guarantee

Benefits:

• 6 times more makeup removal
• Leaves skin feeling and looking younger and smoother
• Cleanses so well that products absorb better
• Gentle enough for twice daily use
• Helps reduce oily areas, dry skin patches and blemishes
• Helps reduce the appearance of visible pores
• Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

I absolutely LOVE my Clarisonic...I use it everyday and the appearance of my skin tone has visibly changed. I tend to get little dry patches along my jaw line and the Clarisonic has sloughed off the dry and dead skin leaving my skin nice and smooth! I highly recommend investing in a Clarisonic...it is truly amazing!

Pharmaceutical vs. Cosmeceutical

Pharmaceutical vs. Cosmetic Grade Skin Care Products

Ever wondered what the difference is between pharmaceutical & cosmetic grade skin care products? Well, we have the low down for you.

Cosmetic quality is what department, drug and grocery stores sell. These include the big and expensive brands and the cheaper ones. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows cosmetic grade products to contain up to 30% bacteria. This means that ingredients may only be 70% pure. It is a large breeding ground for bacteria, which can lead to contact dermatitis, an itchy red rash. This is why makeup packaging tells us to throw away any unused product every 90-180 days. And 95% of the skincare industry is cosmetic quality and unregulated by the FDA. Cosmetic companies are not required to register their products with the FDA, while cosmetic products are subjective and do not reflect or require scientific testing.

Pharmaceutical grade skin care products are FDA regulated. The FDA requires that pharmaceutical grade products be 99.9% pure ingredients. Products must contain 0.1%, or less, of bacteria. Only 5% of the skin care industry is under the regulation established by the FDA and considered pharmaceutical grade skin care products.

My view:

I've been doing a ton of research on different product lines. I do this not to only educate myself but to educate my clients on what is good and what is not good. Skin Care lines found in department stores do not have a high percentage of active ingredients. They contain fillers, fragrances, etc that make the product last long and smell good while NOT doing what they usually claim to do to your skin. This is why I recommend to my clients products that are organic, products that are pharmaceutical grade, products that not only give results but are GOOD for your skin. This is why I love: Eminence Organics, GloSkinCare, Epicuren and Arcona.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion has become very popular treatment these days. Not only by Hollywood celebrities but by all different women around the world. I think its a great way to keep your skin looking young and help with any sun damage, acne scars, etc. Here is some useful information about microderm:

Microdermabrasion is a simple, straight forward, non-invasive procedure that revitalizes dull skin, reduces large pores, erases fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, reduces mild pigment irregularities (hyperpigmentation), stretch marks and age spots.

It is equally effective to other skin treatments (on superficial imperfections) and, most importantly, it allows you to get back to your daily routine immediately after treatment.

Microderm has become so popular because:

• The least invasive dermatological procedure
• More affordable than surgical skin care treatments
• Effective on all skin types and colors (including sensitive skin and black skin)
• Does not need anesthesia when performed at a beauty salon or physician's office (unlike micro laser peel and dermabrasion)
• Gives the skin a healthy-looking glow

My Favorite Microderm Facial: Epicurabrasion!! 

Epircurabrasion is a subercharged combination of Microdermabrasion and the famous Epicuren Enzyme mask...this facial is by far my favorite for that deep exfoliation w/ microderm. The results are amazing and I highly recommend it! 

Alternatives to Microderm: 

Microderm Exfoliating Cream by Epicuren is an advanced microcrystal exfoliating cream that sloughs off unwanted dry and dead skin cells, leaving skin soft and smooth. 

Specifically designed for problem areas such as fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, pigmentation, congestion.

Use once a week only! Perfect alternative to doing Microderm and less expensive! 

Sunscreen: Important everday not just in the Summer!

You've all heard it many times, WEAR YOUR SUNSCREEN...whether its been from me personally or even from your Dermatologist it is crucial to wear sunscreen on your face daily. The great thing about it being 2009 is Sunscreen is SOO much better then back in the day when our parents were putting baby oil on themselves. The most important thing is you need sunscreen on your face daily.

The good thing about the advancement in Sunscreen is there are tinted moisturizers w/ SPF, foundations w/ SPF, etc. No one likes the smell of the sunscreen we put on our bodies. Luckily there are scientists out there that have come up with sunscreens that do not smell like sunscreen.


Here is a list of my favorite sunscreens for your face:

Epicuren's Zinc Oxide SPF 20 & Epicuren's X-Treme Cream SPF 45
Eminence Organics Sun Defense Minerals
Arcona's Sunsations Mineral Makeup
MD Skincare Tinted Moisturizer
Spa Gregories Tinted Moisturizer

Trust me a lot of people don't realize that they can get sun damage just driving in their car. It doesn't matter if you're working in a office all day you still drive to and from work. Skin Cancer has seen more cases in the last few years and its time for our generation to help stop the ugly disease and hopefully one day their will be NO Skin Cancer, or cancer period.

Protect your skin...trust me I'm a beach girl and I love the sun but the more I have educated myself on the damages the sun and tanning beds do to your skin it scares me to think of the times I've been careless and NOT worn sunscreen.

So please ...for YOU and your skin...wear sunscreen daily.

Welcome to my blog!

Hi Everyone!

Welcome to my new blog...I decided it was a good idea to try something new and start a blog about what I do for a living and give all of you some great tips, websites, advice, etc for your #1 organ...YOUR SKIN.

I received my Esthetician License in December of last year, have had amazing training, worked with Burke Williams for about 6 months but came back to my favorite Spa and my Spa Family, Spa Gregories. I absolutely LOVE what I do for a living. It took me a little while to finally follow my gut and now I'm doing what I love.

I will update this blog as often as I can. I will provide some great tips, some great at home remedies you can do for your skin. Provide you with info on two of my favorite skin care lines, Arcona and Epicuren, etc.

Feel free to ask me any questions you may have!

Wishing you all a fabulous day...keep smiling, and always wear sunscreen!

Jen