5 Tips for Glowing Skin

Sometimes it seems like we need to have a long list of things we need to do to keep our skin healthy and glowing. If you are like me, you want to keep your routine to a minimum. My typical morning is me trying to get myself and my kids ready and out the door so that nobody is late. This means that even me, as a licensed esthetician wants to keep my routine to a minimum. Two times daily I cleanse, tone, moisturize, and in the morning I use an SPF (if you missed last week’s blog post on SPF, you can read it here). I understand most of us don’t have the time or want to remember extra steps through our day.  I have decided to compile a list of 5 quick tips for healthy skin to easily add to your day.

1. We have all heard it, we all know it, but I am still going to write it. Drink more water, and stay hydrated. Dehydrated skin is a condition in which the skin lacks water, as opposed to lacking oil as a dry skin type. When we don’t drink enough water, or nourish our skin properly, our skin can become dehydrated. We all know that water is important to keep our bodies hydrated, and that includes your skin. Set a timer, or download an app if you forget to keep filling your glass.

2. Wash your face two times every day. We pick up environmental pollution on our skin through the day and may have worn makeup or other products, it is important to wash these things off at night before going to sleep. If we don’t wash off makeup and pollutants it can disrupt the cell renewal process, and clog pores. Cleansing in the morning is equally as important. While we sleep the oil, sweat, and dead cells shed. These can get trapped in our follicles if we aren’t cleansing in the morning.

3. Are you changing your pillow cases enough? Sweat, dead cells, oil, and hair products all build up on your pillowcase. If you have ever had an issue with acne, your esthetician or dermatologist may have suggested you change your pillow case every 1-2 days. If you are typically break-out free, and not oily it is advised to change your pillow case weekly.

4. Using skincare that is right for your skin type. Many use skincare that is made for the wrong skin type. Depending on your skin type and the product you use, you could be over drying your skin, causing it to overproduce sebum (our skin’s naturally occurring oil). Finding out your real skin type is important when deciding how to treat your skin. If you are truly oily, you would want to use a foaming wash or something with clay to help dry up some of that naturally overproducing oil. If you are dry, you may want to stick to a creamier cleanser that will help keep your barrier intact. We are born with our skin type, and it doesn’t change. But, different skin conditions throughout our lives can change the way our skin feels, looks, and reacts to products.

5. Monthly maintenance facials from a licensed esthetician. During a facial, your esthetician will do a full analysis of your skin under a magnifier. During this analysis, they can determine your skin type. They will then give you a professional exfoliation, perform extractions, mask you, perform a facial massage to stimulate circulation and lymphatic drainage (plus, it’s relaxing and something that is not the same when you DIY it!), and finish off with a moisturizer for your skin type and an SPF. After your facial, your esthetician can recommend products that are best suited for your skin type and your concerns. Working together with your esthetician can help you reach your long-term skin goals.

You may already be doing these things. Maybe you are already doing a few of these, which is great too! I challenge you to kick it up a notch by slowly adding the rest of these tips into your day. If you are looking for an esthetician, you have come to the right place. SkinCatering offers skincare services by our skilled licensed estheticians at both locations. You can visit us at Skincatering Springfield in Tower Square and the newly opened D. Hotel Spa by SkinCatering in Holyoke. We look forward to working together with you on all of your skincare goals.

Happy Glowing xo

Sunday Funday: Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds Style

It’s the last morning of the weekend and sunshine is filtering through the curtain onto your pillow. Rolling over, you’re greeted with a nuzzling kiss. Sunday Funday has arrived and you’ve got one thing on your mind – Brunch! And what’s the perfect romantic pairing with a mimosa-filled breakfast? Spa Sundays at SkinCatering, of course!

Now open 9am to 1pm, SkinCatering has a special offer just for couples. Magically designed for you and your significant other to enjoy a much-needed relaxing time together, choose from our signature Couples Massage OR our new Spa Treat for Couples!

Our Couples Massage is a one hour massage in the same room. A blend of relaxation and pressure for therapeutic relief of body aches. This massage calms the nervous system, enhances muscle functions and helps center the mind & reduce stress. $125 on Sundays for a limited time (reg $130)

Spa Treat for Couples is a special, same room 45 minute body treatment for two, focusing on the back, shoulders, neck and feet. Soothing aromatherapy oils are used to to hydrate your body, a heated foot treatment warms your feet on a cold day, and an invigorating clay mask is applied to your back. After, a 15 minute private infrared sauna session awaits. $99 on Sundays for a limited time (reg $120)

 

Book your Sunday Spa Day ReTreat now, limited spots available!

Cheers!

#relationshipgoals

 

Do you have a ‘Wellness Strategy’?

Do YOU have a ‘Wellness Strategy’ for 2017?

What is a ‘Wellness Strategy’? A wellness strategy is a plan of action to achieve personal wellness goals. For example; say your goal is to relax more, ask yourself “How could I accomplish that? What does ‘relax’ mean to me?”

A Wellness Strategy’s purpose is strictly to make accomplishing your goals attainable and less intimidating. To create a Wellness Strategy one must first decide what their wellness goal is. The next step would be to break that goal down into separate parts by asking yourself key questions.

• “What does this goal mean for me or to me? Does this goal immediately affect my every day life or is it long term?”
• “What could I do to accomplish this goal? What steps can I take to start?”

After asking yourself key questions such as these, one must then determine whether or not the goal is attainable and sustainable in their life. If your current lifestyle doesn’t allow the desired goal to be attained, how can you adjust your goal or your plan of action? How could you adjust your lifestyle to help make your goal attainable?

EXAMPLE: If your goal is to eat healthier–

1st Ask yourself “What does that mean for me and my every day life?” Does this mean making more homemade meals with raw ingredients? Drinking shakes? Eating at home 3 nights a week?

2nd Ask yourself are these steps attainable and sustainable with your lifestyle. Does your work schedule allow time to shop for raw ingredients? Do you have time in the morning to prepare your day’s shakes? Are you home 3 nights a week to eat a meal?

3rd If your answer is no, your current lifestyle doesn’t allow for this to be attainable, then you must ask what you can adjust to make it attainable. Can you order your groceries online to be delivered to your home? Can you make your shakes the night before and store them in the fridge for the next day? Can you prep meals to freeze if you won’t have time to prepare them? If you can’t be home 3 nights a week, is there a vegan or all natural local restaurant you can eat at those nights?

No matter what your wellness goal is, your Wellness Strategy will help keep you on track to attaining and sustaining your goal.

Of course, SkinCatering® is here to support you with any of your wellness goals relating to treating yourself more kindly, reducing stress, and honoring what your body needs in order to maintain it’s healthy balance.

 Monthly spa memberships are available in three different options to fit your time & financial budget. We’d love to hear what your goals are and how can we help. Share your goals & strategies in the comments!

#CaterToYOU

Stick this Where?!

Last week we introduced you to STORY TELLER™ Sports Gel. This week we present to you a new member of our Sports Line, BODY STICK for Body Sweat and Chafing.

Sweat builds in places you wouldn’t even think of. Especially if you’re a woman over 30, or a man of any age. This sweating is such a nuisance when you are hitting it hard at the gym, doing any physical activity or even sitting in that intense board meeting for an extended period of time. That is why we created the BODY STICK! SkinCatering’s new BODY STICK for areas that sweat and chaff is seriously so cool it doesn’t even need a name. We just call it like it is -BODY STICK – because you can use it ALL OVER your body.

First hand experience from the formulators–

Our amazing Esthetician, Kim, uses the body stick as an all over deodorant.

“I have been using it every day. I used it in the 90 degree heat this past week on my vacation to South Carolina. I love that I can use it as an effective deodorant WITH OUT clogging my sweat glands like regular deodorants do!”

Dori, our Office Goddess, was starting to notice her husband complain of sweating and chafing while working at the lumber yard. She gave him the BODY STICK to help relieve the chafing and rash he experienced between his thighs from standing and walking in a hot warehouse all night. He was elated that the chafing lessened and the rash diminished after just one night using the BODY STICK. She herself uses the BODY STICK to help relieve under-boob sweat through out the day.

Thats right ladies! The BODY STICK can be used for that pesky under-boob sweat that we all hate!

These are just a few examples of the many areas you can use SkinCatering’s BODY STICK. It also comes in a convenient TRAVEL SIZE. Pop it in your purse or your backpack to have it with you whenever you need it.

Made with only all-natural ingredients, BODY STICK warms to your skin and glides on for a lasting, SOFT finish. Because the BODY STICK isn’t a regular deodorant, it may need a few seconds to warm to your skin before gliding on like butter. With only 7 pronounceable ingredients that will help save your skin from the torture that is sweating and chafing in those odd places!

You can find SkinCatering’s Body Stick and the rest of our Sports Line here.

The *NEW* STORY TELLER™

You’ve already seen the big announcement naming STORY TELLER™ as the new ‘HERO’ due to trademark rights. (Need a refresher on what the amazing benefits of the former ‘HERO’ are? Click here)

Now we would like to introduce you to a NEW version- STORY TELLER™ GEL.

STORY TELLER™ GEL is a Sports Gel for Sore Bodies. It differs from STORY TELLER™ cream in that it is a fast drying concentrated gel, it is easy to transport, and it doesn’t melt! Perfect for those who love to hike or work outdoors! This gel comes in a full 8oz bottle or a travel 2oz bottle, perfect for tossing in your bag.

This concentrated sports gel uses an Aloe base that we make on site so there are NO PRESERVATIVES. When you use this gel you get all of the inflammation and soreness relieving benefits of STORY TELLER™ cream in a cooling, fast drying gel.

We all love STORY TELLER™ cream and massaging it into the skin for fast relief, so we are very excited for this easy to use gel that requires no massaging whatsoever!

Find STORY TELLER™ GEL and STORY TELLER™ Cream here

Need a refresher on the amazing benefits of the former ‘HERO’? Don’t worry! Click here

 

Teen with Severe Gluten Allergy uses THIS for Pain Relief

For 15 year old Mary-Kate, her Gluten allergy prevents her from being able to use pain relievers such as Ibuprofen when she experiences pain and cramps from Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). Looking for a Gluten free product safe for her to use to relieve her cramps and other symptoms, Mary-Kate turned to SkinCatering’s all-natural SkinCare product, ‘Iron Maiden‘.

According to the Mayo Clinic, more than 3 Million people in the United States alone are told they have a Gluten allergy each year. This is an allergy that is not curable and can last a life-time. You really don’t realize how many things you consume or use each and every day that contain Gluten until you can no longer consume it. There are also substances that may make symptoms of Gluten intolerance worse, such as anti-inflammatories and pain relievers.

Gluten allergy or sensitivity is similar to Celiac disease with the main difference being that Gluten sensitivity does not permanently damage your intestines. However, Gluten sensitivity does enflame your intestines and cause irritation. When you take an anti-inflammatory or pain reliever it “increases intestinal permeability allowing for [food particles] to access the immune system…” If you already have intestinal irritation stemmed from a Gluten sensitivity, taking anti-inflammatories and pain relievers such as ibuprofen will only worsen your symptoms.

Mary-Kate talked about her Gluten allergy and Dairy allergy in her testimonial video.

      “… I can’t use Ibuprofen or anything like that… I’ve used Iron Maiden… and it actually does help with everything. It’s very calming and just helps with the cramps [from PMS] because I can’t use the alternative.”

Have you found yourself in the same situation as Mary-Kate and are still searching for alternative relief? You can find ‘Iron Maiden’ here. SkinCatering SkinCare ships internationally so don’t fret if you aren’t in the United States! Everyone can have access to our amazing SkinCare alternatives!

 

 

How your phone can help you feel more peaceful

I often use my phone to relax.
Whether it’s a light game to decompress, listening to music that soothes the beast, or reading a book on the kindle app, I appreciate using my smartphone in a positive way.

Here’s a note from my friend Courtney:

YogaPLUR

Feeling stressed, frustrated, or angry during your day? Surrounded by people and cannot go scream or punch something?

Pull out your phone and check out the Huffington Post’s GPS For the Soul App. This app measures your stress level by instructing you to place your pointer finger in front of the camera lens. It measures your heart rate and BPM. It will generate a color variation of your stress level. Then, you can watch one of the many guides that include nature scenes, music, and affirmations. It also has a breathing pacer that regulates your breath.

Simply stopping to breath can help do the trick for me, but when I am feeling stressed or angry it is hard for me to stop to breath. Someone telling me to ‘just breath’ can frustrate me more. Now, I can just pull out my phone and have pictures to focus on and something…

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