• What’s a spa without a relaxing soak? Start your day with a luxurious bath in lavender scented water - studies have shown that the smell of lavender slows brain waves, making it a great complement to your R&R.
• While you’re in the bath, give tired eyes a little TLC. My favorite anti-inflammatory product for eyes is simple chilled (caffeinated) tea bags - caffeine is an excellent way to constrict blood vessels and minimize redness and puffiness.
• Next up? A top-notch facial. For about the price of a movie ticket, you can buy yourself the equivalent of several pricey microdermabrasion treatments. In my opinion, the right facial scrub sloughs off dead skin cells and improves skin’s texture just as well. Just one caveat: anyone with sensitive skin (acne, rosacea, or just a tendency to become red and flushed) should avoid the friction of abrasive scrubs.

For the rest of her tips, check out the article here! Because of the economic landscape, I’m planning on increasing my home spa product coverage. Stay tuned.

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Instead of over-moisturizing, increase your exfoliation.

When the heat is on in the house and the air is cold outside, your skin will be depleted of its natural moisture, leaving your skin feeling tight and dry. People tend to load on the extra moisturizer to compensate for the dryness. This will not always solve the problem of dry skin. If your is dry, tight and flakey, it means that you have dry skin cell build-up on the surface of the skin. So rather than putting on extra cream to re-hydrate dead, dry skin cells (it doesn’t make sense!) try increasing your exfoliation with a gentle facial scrub to remove the dry skin cells so that when your cream goes on, it hydrates the new cells rather than the dry cells.

Avoid greasy hand creams if you’re prone to breakouts.

You may suffer from a condition we call ‘hand cream acne’ if you sleep with your hands on your face at night! We are more likely to use hand cream during the dry winter months than during the summer which leads us to using heavy hand cream to alleviate the dryness. Most often, this cream is applied right before you go to bed. If you sleep on your side with your hands on your face, the cream may be getting into the skin and clogging the pores. If you find that this may be happening to you, sleep with cotton gloves or change over your hand lotion.

Change up your routine.

Your skin acts differently from summer to winter and the best strategy for healthy, beautiful, problem-free skin is to adjust your home care routine to suit your skin’s needs each season. In winter, the skin produces less oil, so for many skin types, oil must be added back into the skin to maintain its balance. Look for moisturizers containing Safflower Oil, Avocado Oil and Shea Butter. Switch from a gel cleanser to a cream-based cleanser and eye creams are a must in the winter. Spring and summer products will likely expire or reduce their effectiveness for the following year, so it’s a good time to purge your products.

Don’t neglect your neck.

The friction caused from turtle necks and wool fibers can rub on the neck causing it to be dry and irritated. Use a hydrating cream mask on your neck once a week to replenish essential moisture. Make sure to exfoliate in upward motions with a mild facial scrub.

Properly care for your skin at the gym.

After working out at the gym, make sure to wash your face, use an alcohol-free toner and a nourishing moisturizer. At the end of the work out, the salts created from perspiration can have a drying effect on the skin, combined with the cold, dry air outside and the heat in your car. So removing the salts and locking moisture back in the skin will greatly reduce dry skin.

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Elizabeth Snowdon, owner of Nusta Spa (which is from a tribal language used in Peru, which means “royalty” or “wealth”) told the Washington Post that, “With the overall economic condition and people feeling the impact on their disposable income, the spa industry overall is less reactive to bad economic times than people would think.” [source]

The prediction for 2009 is that the spa business becomes the luxury that you can afford - one that lets you have a mini vacation, an escape of sorts, if you can’t get away for weeks at a time.

The idea of a $90 massage, that helps you relax and makes you feel like you had a serious break from life, looks downright cheap when you compare that to a $2,000+ week away.

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Stop by Kettle and Cup and select your favorite hot beverage, kick back and browse this years Holiday Gift Guide Shopping Extravaganza.

Cherie from Career and Kids has the perfect list for the business woman/working parent.

Mary Emma from One Book Two Book shares a suggest shopping list for the avid reader and artist on your list.

Everyone knows what to get a jewelry lover - but do you know what to get one who loves to make jewelry? Cyndi at Jewelry and Beading has the answer!

Cherie at Diabetes Notes shares gift ideas to keep those visions of sugar plum fairies dancing for the diabetics on your list.

Chloe at The Doggy Blog shares an adorable wish list as written to Santa Paws.

Christine at Mad Cropper knows how to please those who are crazy about scrapbooking during the holiday season.

Quilters anyone? This unique craft makes for the tougher shopping experience - but that’s so yesterday considering we have a pro in our corner. Let Mary Emma at Quilting and Patchwork help you pick out the perfect gift.

Angela from Breastfeeding 1-2-3 provides a list of gifts for the breastfeeding mother on your list.

So maybe giving kitchen appliances isn’t the best idea - but what about a cool and unique Cooking Gadget? I’d say your bound to surprise the cook on your list with something from Cyndi’s list.

Peggy at Lively Women has put together a list of gift ideas for the health conscious female on your list.

Christine at Our One Heart shares tips and gift ideas to keep that Bride-to-Be happy during the Christmas season.

Tracee at BlogFabulous has put together an amazing store displaying gift ideas for the woman’s woman.

Christmas is for everyone and shopping for an Alzheimer’s patients can present a challenge - allow Mary Emma at Alzheimer’s Notes helps you overcome that challenge and get on to the joys of the season.

Have someone who might be looking to become a little more organized in the new year? Let Jennifer at Declutter It help you give the gift of time and organization.

Do you have a fabric-aholic or a needlehead on your Christmas list? Don’t get them the same old boring sing-song gift - let Chloe at Tangled Thread help you pick the perfect gift.

Unique gift ideas for the mixed media art lover on your list is what Cyndi from Layers Upon Layers has on display.

Have an aspiring to advanced chef on your list this year? Cyndi at Busy Family Meals has an extensive list to cover every stage of cooking from beginner to pro.

Eliza has pieced together a shop that covers mom, dad and baby at Babylune. Why leave anyone out?

Heather at The Food Bowl is taking care of pets and their people with a fun list that’s bound to connect you with the perfect gift.

Did someone say chocolate? Heather at Chocolate Bytes did! Our resident chocolate expert has put together sweetest gift shop you won’t want to miss.

Who says married couples are boring? Check out the letters to Santa as shared by Marc and Marye of Marriage Actually and see what might appeal to the married couple on your list.

Jennifer from Tree Hugging Family provides a wonderful list to help you go a little more green this holiday season.

Don’t forget about that single and dating friend or relative! We all know how difficult it can be to buy for them - Lucky for us we have Dating Dames and the Dames have the answers.

It’s never too early to start buying for your favorite gardener and Linette at Mother Earth’s Garden has a wonderful list to help you decide.

Have someone a little offbeat or kooky on your list this year? Let Jennifer of Offbeat Homes help you find the gift that’s spot on.

Linette at Play Library is haring the Best of Toys list this year - check out what’s hot and get to buying! We know how quick those hot toys sell out every year.

Have someone on your list who always hosts the best parties? Surprise that person with a unique gift as recommended by Linette at She Knows Parties!

Marcie from One Book Two Book and A Child Chosen shares a wonderful shopping list she’s broken down by age groups and hobbies.

Whether it’s tea or coffee you are looking for, Marye from Kettle and Cup has unique gift ideas that’s sure to add a little spice to your favorite hot beverage.

Haven’t figured out just how to shop for the junk lover and crafter on your list? Let Peggy from Junk Creation assist you with your selection.

Susan from Grounded Fitness has a little something for the health and fitness buff on your shopping list.

Liz at Health Bolt offers up a nifty gift idea list for everyone in the family - down to the computer geek.

Just what do you buy someone who’s crazy about genetics? Let our very own Grace Ilbay help you with that one at Genetics and Health

For those on your list who have a taste for wine and cocktails - check out Drinks After Dark and the shop full of gifts that Colleen has compiled that might just add to the element of surprise this year.

For the baker on your list - Marye from Baking Delights shares some of her personal favorites for her baking adventures in the kitchen. At a time when flavors, colors, aromas and tastes are at their peak, finding the perfect gift can be a bit of a challenge.

Eliza at She Knows Coupons has a fun list of items that will make any couponing mom jump with joy. The only thing that makes a coupon mom more excited than an awesome deal is doing it in an organized fashion.

And last but certainly not least, Gayla compiled a list of MomGadget Favorites - A Year in Review 2008 instead of a storefront for you to shop.

From everyone at Lifestyles - Health & Wellness

We wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2009!

Image credit: Stock.xchng

Technorati Tags: holiday gift guide,shopping guide,unique gift ideas,b5media,lifestyles channel,health and wellness,christmas gifts,black friday shopping,cyber monday

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Let’s go shopping!

Beth at Aging Fabulous offers a selection of terrific beauty gifts.

SP shows you some terrific handbags at Banging Bags, fabulous stocking stuffers at Shopaholics Daily, and even more holiday gifts at Style Her Hair.

Nikki shows us some wonderful little black dresses at Celeb Look.

Gayla features some adorable gifts for your pets at Couture Critters.

Aly offers beauty products for holidays at eBeautyDaily.

Star shows us a selection of fabulous gifts for him and her at Glamour Gift Guide.

Chloe features jewelry gifts for family and friends at Gleaming Things, and offers The Twelve Days of Shopping Christmas Guide at Her Accessories.

Tracy has a not so secret wish list and her holiday gift guide at Hot Mama Daily.

Dexie’s jewelry gift guide for her lights up She Knows Best. And don’t miss out on her Under $100 Holiday Looks at Style It Less.

Kori offers fabulous shoes for every woman in your life at ShoeBlitz.

Colleen features wonderful spa and beauty gifts at Spa Beautifully.

Ashley invites you to indulge in luxury at The Latest Luxe.

Lara provides 8 top 8 lists of holiday gifts for everyone at The List Maven.

Happy Shopping!!

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Oxygenating Trio with Mineral Powder Application: Anti-oxidant treatment that corrects free radical damage caused by environmental and holiday stress. Improves tissue respiration and increases the oxygen level in the skin. Results: a glowing and radiant complexion. Followed by Glominerals - a Mineral Powder cosmetics line that contains no fillers, talc or silicates. It contains Vitamins A, K, E, C and Green Tea extract and an SPF 17 for a smooth, safe and hydrating finish. Comes in powder and liquid form and can be matched exactly to every skin tone. $100.00

Glycolic Acid Application with Hydrating Lip Treatment: (45 minutes) We use a topical Glycolic Acid application to lift dead cells and smooth and brighten the skin surface. Great to slough off Winter skin! Lip Treatment: The Peptide lip treatment that follows treats chapped lips and plumps and refines lip line. Finished off with a lip balm to protect and hydrate. $65.00

De-puffer Eye Contour Treatment: (30 minutes) Using enzymes, peptides and anti-oxidants, this three-step process reduces signs of sleep deprivation (dark circles), puffiness, aging, and airborne irritants. Great party recovery weapon. $45.00

I’m a huge fan of the de-stressor type spa treatments, especially during the holidays!  I may be stressed through the holidays, but I sure  don’t want to look like I am.

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She was recently in Las Vegas, at the International Spa Association conference, and she spent a lot of time doing what we all do at conferences… wandering around and catching up with colleagues. But the other thing she did was look at the resiliency of the spa industry.

My conventional wisdom tells me that in the States and in Canada, the spa industry will suffer because it’s a luxury, and that’s part of the reason I’m amping up the home spa coverage here. On the other hand, stress is playing a huge factor in the current climate, and the fact that spas are focusing way more on wellness now vs luxury, people may continue to include spa treatments in their budgets.

No one really can tell, but as far Susie is concerned, the spa industry remains resillient in the fac of economic turmoil. She says, “When so many other industries are declining by 20-30-40%, workers are being laid off around the country, and we hear about businesses shutting down altogether, it is pretty encouraging to see how buoyant the spa industry has been. The recent surveys that we have done at SpaFinder support the same conclusion – there have been shifts, however many spas are still doing good business.” [source]

So, while I’m still going to increase the home spa coverage, I’m going to put my faith in Susie, whom I think has a pretty good handle on the industry, when she says that she thinks that the industry is going to be ok. Here’s hoping……

(image source: me on flickr)

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Described as “the first web-based magazine dedicated to spas, SpaFinder Lifestyle brings alive the world of spa in a way never before imagined. Here, travel, treatments, beauty, and well-being become a vibrant, interactive adventure for a savvy audience looking for the newest and the best in beauty products and spa experiences, while providing a compelling introduction for newcomers to the spa lifestyle.” [source]

The first issue’s cover stories include “Jungle Love” “Your anti-aging secret weapon” and “slenderizing body wraps“.

I’ve enjoyed flipping through SpaFinder in the past, and now I’m looking forward to virtually flipping through SpaFinder Lifestyle!

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Drift has just launched their holiday treatments, so treat yourself (or someone special) this holiday season with some Champagne delights!

Sugar & Spice with Veuve Clicquot —  (Single) 50/min
Sparkling skin is only moments away with a sweet Champagne sugar exfoliation and envelopment. The bliss ends with a soothing application of champagne body butter that will leave your body glistening for adventures that await.

Bash for Your Body with Veuve Clicquot — (Single) 80/min
Begin this “party” with a body buffing from champagne sugar exfoliation.  You will then be wrapped in a mud like no other.
An application of luxurious Yellow Label Champagne Body Butter tops of this “celebration” for your body.

A Toast for Two with Veuve Clicquot — (Couples) 80/min
Both of you will be dazzled by a champagne exfoliation. Next, immerse yourselves into a little bit of the bubbly. The bath is filled with effervescent champagne flakes. Your bodies will be left feeling silky smooth after a veil of Yellow Label Champagne Body Butter is applied.

Champagne Celebration with Veuve Clicquot — (Couples) 105/min
Celebrate each other. Delight in gentle exfoliation with a sugar body polish. Indulge in a warm, fizzing soak for two. Next, hydrate and detoxify in a mud wrap enhanced with champagne. For the finale, a lavish Champagne Body Butter is applied.

(image source: Drift Spa Hammam)

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