Mod Luxe for Two!

The double headrests are the perfect invitation to get warm & cozy in the tub with someone special!

I Love You!!!

Source

Rococo Romance

The bathers - Les baigneuses - the inspiration for the Art of the Bath. This fabulously romantic subject, boldly intrigues us with the erotic possibilities of water. With a little inspiration, it's easy to transform an every day experience into something sublime....

Susanna at the Bath by Jean-Baptiste Santerre
1704, Oil on canvas, Musée du Louvre, Paris

What is the Most Common Skin Issue?

Jessica: I'm curious. Working as an esthetician, you must treat a lot of different skin types and conditions on a daily basis. What's the most common skin condition you see in your skin care studio?

Anna Marie: I sure do see lots of different skin! It's important to remember that everyone has their own unique skin care needs. But the most common issue I see year round is dehydrated skin.

A lot of clients under-moisturize their skin for fear of looking 'greasy' or 'oily'. This always shocks me because the same clients will compliment the 'glow' to my skin. I love your Jasmine Exquisite Crème - I use it daily! It is the perfect richness for my skin and I just loooove the scent.

In my treatments, I use your Chamomile Exquisite Crème  most often. I find it's beneficial for all skin types. It's such a soft and soothing moisturizer that calms any redness from the more intensive aspects of facial treatments, such as extractions, that I perform on my clients. The relaxing chamomile scent is an added plus, too.

Using an appropriate moisturizer will actually decrease your chances of getting mid-afternoon, unwanted shine as the skin won't be struggling to keep itself hydrated by producing more oil.

Jessica: I totally agree. I've noticed that a lot of people say they have oily skin. When I start talking to them about their facial care regimen, I often find out that their not using moisturizer or are using a really harsh facial cleanser, and sometimes both! These actions are actually causing their skin to produce more oil.

If your skin is naturally oily, using a mild cleanser and a light moisturizer will help to counter-act over-productive sebaceous glands. I recommend the Super Detox Deep Pore Cleanser with Activated Charcoal to gently pull to gross stuff from your pores and a synergistic Essential Oil blend designed to balance oil production, plus heal & prevent blemishes. It is essential to follow this with a mild, alcohol-free toner and moisturizer such as the Chamomile Exquisite Crème.

I advocate using mild facial care products packed with phyto-nutrients that address your specific issues while helping find your skin's natural balance - where it's not over or under-producing oil.

Anna: Me too. Mild, natural, and preferably organic skin care products are the best choice.

This is the 2nd installment of the Ask Anna Series. Read her intro here. Do you have questions you'd like to ask a licensed esthetician? Leave them in the comments:)

Rustic Chic

Must have! Lovely Fizzing Milk Bath & Double Love Scrub for an ultra relaxing, luxuriously warm & cozy wintry bath delight!!
Photo Source

More Cult of SpaGoddess

Dear SpaGoddess,

Before I used your Ambrosia Cleansing Grains and Jasmine Exquisite Crème, I had really horrible, dry skin and my face was plagued with eczema and acne as a result. I tried everything from pure Vitamin E cream to prescription lotion and acne medication (like P**A***v) but nothing worked and my skin just got worse and worse.

I received my Angel Face Botanicals products in the mail just a few days ago and I cannot believe the difference I’ve seen since I started using them. My skin is smooth and has a beautiful tone and texture and my acne is almost completely gone!

Thank you so much for not only giving me the most beautiful skin I’ve had in months, but a self-confidence I rarely get to experience.

thanks again!

-Laura

 

Sometimes your stories touch my heart so much I feel the need to share them. Keep them coming! I really do love to hear from you:)

xoxo

SpaGoddess

 

Image: Cosmos 2 by Lori411

Martha's Vinyard Comfy, Cozy

This dreamy clawfoot, serenely set in a beach cottage on Martha's Vineyard is calling softly for the Milk & Honey Luxury Gift Set: Luxurious Fizzing Milk & Honey Bath, Milk & Honey Lotion, and the Sunshine - Citrus & Lavender Soap.............. Fabulous!

Design: Hutker Architects. Photos by Julian Wass.

Ask Anna - Consulting Esthetician

Introducing a brand new feature on SpaGoddess Speaks....!! The Ask Anna column where readers are invited to submit their skin care questions to our in-house esthetician.

Here's a little intro interview with Anna:

Jessica: Welcome to the Blog Anna!! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Anna: I studied at the New Age Spa Institute and am a licensed esthetician in Illinois and Oregon. I received my Reiki Certification from Colleen Benneli. In addition to running my skin care studio and consulting with Angel Face Botanicals, I am also studying Amma Healing. I love to blend my energy work and skin care to provide customized healing, relaxing treatments for my clients.

Jessica: What inspired you to begin working in skin care?

Anna: I had really bad acne growing up. Although my skin has cleared up, I became very curious and educated throughout the process. I have a Master's Degree in Social Work. I had sort of a quarter life crisis in the social welfare field which led me, finally, to pursue my interest in skincare. I am so happy to have made these positive changes for myself, to be expanding my studies while working with my life's passions.

Anna Marie Esthetics is a full service Skin Care & Reiki Studio in NE Portland where clients receive customized treatments with a personalized, healing touch.

You are invited to ask us your skin care questions in the comments of any of the Ask Anna posts. We'll be delighted to answer them :)

Images: The portrait is courtesy of Anna Marie Esthetics. The Reiki Power Symbol - Cho Ku Rei which loosely translates to "in the presence of the spirit." This symbol is used as a seal or amulet of protection and can be used to cleanse a room of negative energies.

Seeking Warmth....

I must have this with loads of Milk & Honey Fizzing Moisture Bath - my new favorite bath time treat.....

 Source

And the Winners Are......

Congratulations!!

First Prize goes to Marissa B! You've just one 6 Months of Luxury Organic Soap ($50 value) delivered to your doorstep! The three runners up are Lyndsay A, Anna L, Kerry A!! Yay!

Thanks so much for all of your entries, about 275 this time! If you didn't win, don't fret! We'll be hosting another giveaway soon. If you follow the blog, you are automatically entered into all of our future giveaways.....

Image Source and thanks to Random.org for helping me choose the winners.

Moody Moroccan Darkness

I love this slightly sinister Moroccan Design with a Gothic~Vampire edge. A Dark & Moody bath calling for loads of candles, and a long, hot soak with the deeply ethereal Lavender & Oakmoss Bath Oil and the grounding, woodsy Enchanted Forest Body Scrub.........

Source

Helichyrsum Italicum

Also known as Everlasting & Immortelle, the essential oil from the golden straw-like flower of the Helichrysum plant has exceptional anti-inflammatory & regenerative properties.

The proven benefits of Helichrysum in skin care are many and include increased cellular renewal, collagen synthesis & microcirculation, protection against free radicals. Helichrysum also has outstanding antibacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties.

You will find Helichrysum essential oil in the following products: Everlasting Phyto-Nutrient Eye Serum, Chamomile Exquisite Crème and the Rose Sandalwood Masque.

Sources: 1. Macro, 2. with Rocks, 3. with Ocean

Gothic Rock Chic Bath

Straight from the Rock Chick de Luxe mansion of Meg Mathews, ex wife of Oasis star Noel Gallagher is this dark & lovely boudoir~bathing room combo. Set the scene with the Apocalyptica cellos......

For this decadent beauty, I would have it all: Rock Star Detox Bathing Salts, the Lavender & Oakmoss Bath Oil as a moisturizing hand & foot treatment, the Rose Sandalwood Masque & Everlasting Eye Serum for an in-bath facial. And to finish it off, the Rock Star Detox Body Scrub to exfoliate it all away after this long, luxurious soak......

Perfect for the Goth Princess in all of us!!

Source

Gothic Luxury Bath

A little Halloween Mystery....

A bit of glowing light in the darkness. A little gothic luxury: Ethereal, Romantic and Gorgeously Scentual with the addition of the earthy, languid Lavender & Oakmoss Bath Oil......

Source

Should I Avoid Mineral Oil?

Mineral oil is a waste product from the manufacture of gasoline.

Does that look like something you'd like to put on your face??

Probably not. Even so, many commercially available products contain mineral oil, including many well-known and higher-end brands....

Mineral Oil is barely absorbed by our skin. It sits on the surface, preventing the skin from breathing and eliminating toxins and literally wreaks havoc. Mineral Oil is considered “comedogenic,” which means it is likely to clog pores leading to blackheads, whiteheads, dull and congested skin. Additionally, mineral oil that is absorbed or ingested (lip balm) goes through our body like a magnet attracting beneficial vitamins & nutrients from our digestive system and carries these vitamins back out as waste.

Mineral Oil is more expensive for the oil companies to dispose of than it is for us consumers to purchase it. How's that for another sneaky way the big oil companies are profiting off of the masses while duping us into buying their pollution?

The naturally derived Botanical Oils used in Angel Face Botanicals products are rich in vitamins, minerals, and loaded with nourishing Phyto-Nutrients. Botanical Oils are readily absorbed by our skin. Botanical oils protect, moisturize, nourish and heal our skin.

The dubiously named substance called Mineral Oil has a nutrient content of ZERO. Contrary to its name, Mineral Oil contains no beneficial minerals whatsoever.

Look for and avoid mineral oil under the names petrolatum, petroleum jelly, isoparraffin, and parraffinum liquidum. You will find Mineral Oil in make-up, lip balm, body lotions & creams, creamy facial cleansers, oil cleansers (such as Sh* Uem**a), facial moisturizers (such as Cli**que), baby care products, body oils, bath oils, and jellies (such as Va**line).

Image Sources: Mineral Oil Manufacturing and the Infused Oil

Country Vintage Romance

A little rustic, shabby chic, ultra-feminine, romantic
dreamy bath time luxury.......

SpaGoddess imagines a luscious, moisture rich bath. Something a little milky, a little fizzy, a little sweet and a touch of wholesome comfort that inspires a decadent and thorough relaxation...... Hmmmmm....

The New Milk & Honey Effervescent Moisture Bath will be just perfect!

Photo Credit

Luxury Organic Soap Giveaway

SpaGoddess has added 9 fabulous scents of Luxury Organic Soap!! These 85% Organic Soaps are gorgeous!! And then they're wrapped in an artisan paper which makes them over-the-top beautiful.... Plus they smell sooooo good and have the most luscious, soft and moisturizing lather.

To introduce SpaGoddess' new line of Luxury Organic Soaps we're hosting a contest where there'll be 4 Lucky Winners!!! Why 4? Well, Angel Face Botanicals has been around for 4 years.......

First Prize is a 6 Month Soap Subscription which retails for $50 -- WaaHoo!! And three additional winners will receive one bar of their choice.

Here's how to win:
1. Visit Angel Face Botanicals, come back and leave a comment telling us which Angel Face Botanicals product you love the best or would most like to try.

2. Follow SpaGoddess on Twitter & Tweet this contest. Paste the Tweet link in a comment and/or include @SpaGoddess in your Tweet

3. Follow this Blog! Add yourself to the "Our Angels," followers section in left margin. If you are already following, you are automatically entered into all of our future contests.

4. Write a product review (or a few!) on AngelFaceBotanicals.com. Unlimited entries :)

5. Blog about this contest. Paste a link to your blog posting in the comments.

6. FIVE Entries per item purchased from Angel Face Botanicals Webstore or SpaGoddess on Etsy if you write "Organic Soap Giveaway" in the comments section.

7. Alert SpaGoddess to any typos on our websites - I know they're lurking out there.....

Contest starts 9/30/09 and ends on 10/31/09, 11:59 pm PST. We will email the winners and if we don't hear back within 48 hours, an alternate will be chosen. Winners will be randomly chosen & posted on the blog. If you are outside of the US, we will PayPal you for a little shipping (sorry).

Worried about your privacy?
You can enter this contest by posting your comments below as an "Anonymous" user. Then contact me via this webform and claim your anonymous entry comments.

Good luck!! Bonne chance!! Buena suerte!! Iyi şanslar!! 행운!! Glück!! Nawguralek!! Succes!! Boa sorte!! 頑張って!! Buona fortuna!!

Simple and Serene

An old-fashioned cast-iron soaking tub placed in front of the window offers a simple but serene retreat after a long day.

A healthy dash of Juicy Sparkle - Pink Grapefruit Effervescence adds a little aromatherapeutic magic to the luxurious glowing sunlight bouncing off the white tub.

An enticing atmosphere to say the least...........

Source: Kitchen and Bath Ideas

The Scent Of Tenderness

I adore these soft & dreamy feminine montages by the Canadian Etsian Lyse from ImagineStudio. What a great imagination she has! And an extraordinary talent to actualize her vision!!

The first image is called The Scent of Tenderness......

Just love.

Images Copyright ImagineStudio

Modern Forest Bath

The airy, spacious luxury of this modern design brings the Forest into this grand interior and celebrates the Art of the Bath.
SpaGoddess imagines a lengthy & deeply relaxing soak in Zen, followed with a thorough exfoliation with the Enchanted Forest for a refreshing, relaxing renewal in mind, body & spirit.

Design by Maax Collection, Viaggi