Spa Week is coming back this spring – Yay! Spas and salons nationwide are offering full-service treatments for a fraction of the normal price. Book your appointment between April 15^th – April 21^st and only pay $50! Choose from a wide selection of massages, facials, and even wellness treatments.  Here are my top picks from around the country!

Where: Luminique MedSpa by Dr. Fiorillo
350 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
212.647.0007
What: 50 Min Deep Tissue or Swedish Massage

Where: Skincare by Pevonia
6475 Southwest 40th Street
Miami, FL 33155
305.662.2083
What: Microdermabrasion Treatment including Facial and Organic Masque

Where: The Facial Center for Plastic Surgery
7700 San Felipe Street, Suite 420
Houston, TX 77063
866.920.FACE (3223)
What: Be Hair Free! Laser Hair Removal for Lip, Underarm or Bikini

Where: Clarins Spa at Nordstrom
55 East Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
312.464.1515(x1427)
What: 50 Min Brightening Performer with Choice of Total Eye Lift OR Lip Contouring Treatment Add-on

Where: LifeSpa – Beachwood
3850 Richmond Road
Beachwood, OH 44122
216.292.6844
What: 60 Min Nail Pampering Package: Signature Manicure and Pedicure with Deep Hydration Therapy

Where: Body Massage Wellness Spa
1616 Welton Street
Denver, CO 80202
303.893.2543
What: 60 Min Detoxifying Body Contour Wrap with Reflexology Session

Where: Verabella Skin Therapy
301 North Canon Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
310.278.4733
What: 50 Min The Instant Lift: A Non-Surgical FaceLift

This year I think I might indulge in an oxygen facial  or maybe even a lymphatic massage. Oxygen facials are supposed to do wonders for your skin – just the wake up call my face needs after this long and cold winter season. A lymphatic massage is a technique used to drain your lymph nodes. This helps the body get rid of unwanted toxins and excess fluid.

For a list of participating locations please visit spaweek.com - and remember always tip accordingly! Happy Spa Week!

What better way to show your sweetheart how much you love them than with a gift of beauty. This year a whole bunch of brands launched Valentine’s love inspired gifts ranging from eye shadow palettes to fragrance sets. Here are my top picks:

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum Set $110

Currently on of the most popular fragrances, this is sure to put a smile on her face! Features notes of bergamot, tea, freesia, jasmine, orange blossom, orchid, rose and patchouli. Set includes: Flowerbomb Bomblicious Body Crème (1.3 oz.), Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum Spray (1.7 oz.), Flowerbomb Bomblicious Shower Gel (1.7 oz.).

Smashbox Love Me Eye Shadow Palette – Admire Me $34

Smashbox got it right with this palette. First of all – it’s just so pretty to look at! The neutral colors blend together so effortlessly and these eyeshadow glide on so smoothly and evenly.

Lancome Blush in Love – Pommettes d’Amour $49

This dual sculpting blush add the perfect touch of color for the ultimate romantic makeup look. It’s designed to work well with all skin colors – Coral Effect adds a pop of bright color and Urban Ballet helps soften it so it looks radiant and natural.

Lipstick Queen Look of Love $39.75

This set offer a sheer tint of color for lips and cheeks. Use them separately or blend them together for a customize look.  Set includes: Saint Pinky Nude Lipstick, a romantic natural pink shade (.12 oz.), Oxymoron Honest Politician Lip Gloss, a natural shade (.28 oz.), Butterfly Ball Lipstick in Smitten, a sheer shade with a hint of turquoise – that make teeth appear whiter (.134 oz.).

Philosophy X’s and O’s Valentine’s Day Gift Set $24

The perfect gift box filled with Valentine’s Day inspired goodies. The set includes: Vanilla Cream Topping Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath (4 oz.), Vanilla Cream Topping Body Lotion (2 oz.), Cherry On Top High Gloss High Flavor Lip Shine (.5 oz.)

A little something for him:

Gucci Guilty Pour Homme Gift Set $88

The man in you life deserves some V-Day gift giving love too – it’s not all about the ladies you know! But in all honesty, this gift pleases both. Top notes of invigorating Italian lemon and mandarin orange alongside crushed green leaves, fresh lavender and a defiant punch of pink pepper. The set includes: Gucci Guilty Eau de Toilette (3 oz.), Gucci GuiltyDeodorant Stick (2.5 oz.),  Gucci Guilty On The Go Spray (.25 oz.).

(Photos courtesy of Viktor & Rolf, Smashbox, Lancome, Lipstick Queen, Gucci, Philosophy)

If you’re not exfoliating your – you should be!  Exfoliating helps smooth out chapped and bumpy lips. It also helps increase circulation, which makes your lips look plump and fuller. Follow these steps for sexier lips!

Easy Lip Scrub Recipe

• 1 tsp petroleum jelly
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1 drop of argan oil
• 1 drop of peppermint oil (optional for fresh breath!)

Mix the sugar into the petroleum jelly then add in the drops of argan oil and peppermint oil. This can all be done in your hand. Apply it to your lips in a circular motion using your index finger. Rinse or let the ingredients soak in.

Pump Up Your Moisturizer

Once the temps start falling, you should choose moisturizers that are thicker than your daily body lotion or face cream. Swap your lotion for a body butter and swap your moisturizer for a creamier one. Look for added ingredients like alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) and urea – both are humectants that pull moisture from the air into your skin.

Don’t stop your summertime habits

Water intake and sunscreen use decreases during the winter for most. Drinking plenty of water helps your skin stay hydrated and wearing sunscreen year round helps protect you from the sun. The UV rays that bounce off of snow are just as damaging as summer rays.

Go easy on the hand sanitizer

Using hand sanitizers too often can strip the moisture from your hands. Instead of using the communal hand sanitizer at the office, you should bring your own.  Look for one that doesn’t contain alcohol and always apply hand cream afterwards.

Get a humidifier

Home heating systems can really dry out your skin. Humidifiers are great because they add moisture to the air. They’re fairly inexpensive and since humidifiers help decongest your sinuses; it can also help reduce under eye puffiness.

Always carry a lip balm

The cold wind is one of lip’s biggest enemies. It dries out lips and habits like licking your lips only makes matters worse. Use a lip balm made with beeswax to create a barrier to protect your lips from the harsh weather. You can also apply some on dry cuticles and chapped noses.

(Photo courtesy of Niderlander | Stock Free Images & Dreamstime Stock Photos)

Here it is – my last and final peel on The Skin Regime: Boot Camp for Beautiful Skin. For my grand finale, I decided to use the 70% glycolic solution. I was worried about how my skin would react to such a strong concentration of glycolic acid, but I’m glad to report that I didn’t end up like Nicolas Cage in Face/Off! I seriously recommend building your tolerance up before using the 70%. I feel like my first peel (30%) was more irritating than my last peel (70%) – go figure!

I removed all my makeup with a makeup removing wipe (I like to use the Biore wipes), then I thoroughly washed my face with a washcloth and Cetaphil cleanser. I dried my face and swiped my face with a cotton round dipped in rubbing alcohol.

Next I applied the medicated numbing spray; I made sure to cover every inch of my face and neck. I was so scared that it would burn! Finally I soaked another cotton round with 70% glycolic acid and went to work. I left the solution on for a full five minutes. It was not as bad as I thought it would be. It never got uncomfortable and I only felt a slight itching sensation after three minutes.

Once time was up, I rinsed and washed my face. I patted it dry and immediately applied my moisturizer. Two days have passed, and I only had a small amount of peeling in my chin and nose. I’ve been washing my face morning and night, so I think that’s helping remove the flakes.

I really enjoyed The Skin Regime: Boot Camp for Beautiful Skin. It was simple to do and very effective. My skin looks so much better now that when I first started. My skin is smoother, clearer, and more even-toned. It has helped keep my blemishes at bay and with the help from Cetaphil’s DermaControl line – my excess oil is also gone. I am visiting my parents for the holidays, and the first thing my mom said to me was how great my skin looked! I plan to do a maintenance peel ever so often to keep my skin looking and feeling great. I recommend this peel to anyone who wants beautiful skin!

For more information on The Skin Regime: Boot Camp to Beautiful Skin and on products I used please visit TheSkinRegime.com – there you can order the book and get product recommendations.

Click here to read the first 30 pages of The Skin Regime for free!

Give the gift of beauty to your loved ones this holiday season. Whether they’re into beauty or not, I’m sure these gift ideas will win them over. Some of these also make great stocking stuffers – Happy Holidays!

Sephora Fragrance Sampler for Her $50

Whoever came up with this idea is a genius! I love giving these as a gift because it never disappoints. This set comes filled with 12 sample sized fragrances from various designers like Juicy Couture,  Versace, Givenchy, and Prada. After sampling each one, they can choose their favorite and redeem a full size bottle at the store. Sephora also sells a sample set for men too.

James Bond 007 Fragrance Gift Set $30

I got this for my boyfriend for his birthday and he loved it and so did I. This cologne is a blend of bergamot, lavender and crisp apple for a fresh and powerful experience.  Set includes a 1.0 oz. cologne spray & 1.7oz. shower gel.

Lorac Eye Candy Full Face Collection $59

This ultimate beauty kit comes dressed up as a box of fancy chocolates. This limited edition holiday collection features six palettes for eyes, lips, and cheeks. Just like a box of chocolates, this set is filled with rich shades of browns and shimmering nudes. HSN also has a similar set with four palettes for $40.

Kiehl’s Ultimate Man Refueling Set $58

I’m always trying to find ways to get my boyfriend to start a skincare routine. If your guy likes to pamper himself – then this is the gift for him! It’s filled with all the essentials he needs like shave cream, face wash and moisturizer – plus a few extra items.

Philosophy Think Beautiful Thoughts Skin Care Gift Set $39

This year give the gift of gorgeous skin. This gift set features a 3 oz. purity made simple facial cleanser, one microdelivery triple-acid brightening peel pad, a 0.5 oz hope in a jar moisturizer for all skin types, a 0.375 oz when hope is not enough facial firming serum and a 0.25 oz eye hope multitasking eye cream.

Braun Series 5-550cc Men’s Shaving System Gift Set – Includes Bonus Fusion Pro Glide Styler $149.99

This is a great shaver that’s designed to leave your man’s face nice and smooth. The best part is that after the shave, the Braun Clean & Renew System automatically cleans, charges, and lubricates the shaver at the touch of a button! This set also includes a bonus Fusion Pro Glide Styler – you know the one that features Adrien Brody and Andre 3000 in the commercials. It’s a 3-in-1 facial hair styling tool that trims evenly, shaves closely and edges accurately.

(Photos courtesy of Sephora, James Bond, Lorac, Kiehl’s, Philosophy and Braun)

Welcome to the 5th peel of The Skin Regime: Boot Camp for Beautiful Skin! It’s been a few weeks since my 4th peel, but I was brave and decided to use the 50% glycolic acid.

I washed my face and made sure to remove any dirt and makeup from my skin. I then moistened a cotton round with rubbing alcohol and swiped it all over my face. Once my face was dry, I used the medicated spray to numb my skin. I think I finally figured out the most effective way to use it. I sprayed a large amount on my hand first; and then wiped it all over my face. Next I applied the 50% glycolic acid to a cotton round and swiped it all over my face and neck area.

I set the timer for six minutes. While the clock was still ticking, I dipped a cotton swab into the 70% glycolic acid solution and applied it to the top of my cheeks (where I have the most sun spots) and over the freckles on my nose. Once time was up; I rinsed and washed my face, then applied CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion PM.

Again, I was surprised it did not burn nor sting. So either I grew tough skin (but it feels softer) or the medicated spray really does help.  I didn’t experience much redness or dryness, so I’m curious to see what my face will look like in the morning. I’ll update this post if I notice extra peeling or irritation tomorrow. In the past I’ve noticed that my skin only really starts to shed on the second or third day after the peel, so I have a feeling this might also be the case this time.

For more information on The Skin Regime: Boot Camp to Beautiful Skin and on products I used please visit TheSkinRegime.com – there you can order the book and get product recommendations.

Click here to read the first 30 pages of The Skin Regime for free!

Ahh beautiful flawless skin, we all dream of it – don’t we? We spend tons of time and money trying to get that perfect pore-less complexion. But sometimes, even with the best fool-proof regime; we still get that occasional breakout. Skin is unpredictable, and largely non-cooperative, and when it’s good it’s great but when it’s not? You dread leaving the house! And we always seem to get the worst pimple ever when we have important things to do – like an interview or the first day of school!

So I’m super excited that the writers behind the new eBook ACNE: A comprehensive guide on identifying, treating and generally showing blemishes who the boss is saw this blog, and recognized that my readers – you  - are exactly the kind of women who understand what it is to not only look their best, but also feel their best.

The writers asked me to ask you to get involved. They are working with the doctors from Court House Clinics to assemble a free online eBook that covers the biology behind why we get spots and acne, how to control it, things we think we know about skin but might have actually gotten wrong, and  – this is why I want to get involved – how to feel good about the skin you’ve got.

So, what do you want to know about skin? Maybe:

What’s the difference between a spot and acne?

Does eating chocolate really make you break out?

I get acne on my shoulders and chest, how can I fix it?

I’ve always had perfect skin, but then I got pregnant. What happened?

Whatever your thoughts, questions, or ideas, stick ‘em in the comments box (or email me directly) and I’ll send them over to the writers, who will ask the experts, who will give intelligent answers and help everybody involved (yay free advice!) Once the ebook comes out, I’ll have a bunch of copies to give out (yay freebies!)

(Photo courtesy of © Krasphoto | Stock Free Images & Dreamstime Stock Photos)

Scented Lavender Vanilla Moisturizing Bath Salts $16 This stuff smells amazing. This is by far my favorite scent in the collection. The Lavender Vanilla fragrance is soothing and relaxing. This transformed my normal boring bath into amazing aromatherapy oasis. These bath salts are all-natural and sulfate-free. It’s made up of six skin nourishing ingredients – Dead Sea salts, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, glycerin, fragrance oils, and vitamin E. The icing on top are the added vanilla beans that linger as you soak.

Scented Peppermint Cafe Body Polish $18  I used this while enjoying my much needed bath. This added to my spa like experience. This all natural sugar scrub contains skin saviors like shea butter (one of my fav ingredients!) and coconut oil. The peppermint cafe scent reminds me of a peppermint patty. The scent is invigorating and energizing. The body polish actually contains bits of coffee in it – amazing! It did wonders for my legs. This time of year my skin always gets drier, this scrub really helped slough of my dead skin cells and left my legs and arms smoother and hydrated.

Coconut Lime Verbana Body Crème $18 After my luxurious bath, I applied this body creme for an extra kick of hydration. The scent is a well balanced combo of both creamy coconut and refreshing lime. It’s a very thick cream, it’ feels more like a body butter. I loved it It’s also contains shea butter, coconut oil, and coconut butter.

Enter below for your chance to win a Scented Bath & Body Gift Basket!

Gift Basket contains: Moisturizing Bath Salts in Fresh Squeezed Citrus (13.5 oz); Body Polish in Raspberry Lemonade & Peppermint Cafe (7 oz); Body Creme in New York (for him) & Herbal Lavender & Lemongrass (for her) (8 oz); Kiss My Lips Lip Balm in Coconut, Lemon Lime & Peppermint; Travel Sizes (2 oz) of Body Creme in Coconut Lime Verbana, Moisturizing Bath Salts in Lavender Vanilla, Body Polish in Peppermint Cafe (retail value: $120)

Official Rules:
This giveaway will end Sunday November 4, 2012 at 11:59 pm EST. Open to residents of the Continental US who are at least 18 years of age. All entries will be verified. Winner will be chosen using Random.org. Winner will be announced on Monday November 5, 2012 both on this post and on the Facebook page and will be immediately contacted via email. Once notified, winners will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.

(Photos courtesy of Scented)

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(Photo courtesy of Revision Skincare)