The do-it-yourself day spa

Discounted salon and spa treatments are common at social-buying and daily deal sites such as Groupon and Eversave. That’s a frugal way to get haircuts, facials, therapeutic massages and the like.

Want to save even more? “Head to your kitchen,” advises a blogger named Eva at the website $30 Thursdays.

Eva and other bloggers suggest that the way to relax is through items like olive oil, yogurt, honey, oatmeal and brown sugar. You don’t eat them, though.

Such everyday ingredients can substitute for pricey conditioners, exfoliants and toners. For example, Eva says that brown sugar mixed with milk makes a good all-body exfoliant. Except for your mouth, that is; she suggests mixing petroleum jelly with raw sugar for a “lip scrub.”

Spring and summer may call for a lot of exfoliating, because more of you is going to be showing. Before a scrub, soak in a warm bath with a handful of Epsom salts and, if you like, a tablespoon of oil. You can use mineral oil (baby oil) or canola, olive or even peanut oil.

Those last three might sound odd. But Cynthia Bailey, a dermatologist in Sebastopol, Calif., notes that the cooking oils show up in natural skin-care products.

Unwinding your nerves
Some people prefer salt scrubs to sugary ones. About.com suggests mixing a cup of fine sea salt with half a cup of light oil and a few drops of essential oil added for aromatherapeutic value.

You could skip the scent if you don’t have any on hand. Recently I noticed sea salt in the supermarket bulk-buy section for 59 cents a pound. Bonus: Salt scrubs are a great frugal holiday gift.

In the article “DIY spa skin treatments you can do at home,” dermatologist Bailey recommends working the scrub into your skin with a loofah sponge or rough-textured bath mitt.

“Yes, it’s nicer to have the spa technician do this for you,” Bailey concedes, but a self-exfoliation is better than no exfoliation.

• Bing: Relaxing aromatherapy scents

Watch your step getting out of that oil-slippery tub. Then use a little more oil — olive, coconut, jojoba — as a moisturizer. The soak and exfoliation will “unwind your nerves and leave your skin looking and feeling like you spent a small fortune at a spa,” Bailey says.

From head to toe
An all-over scrub is invigorating, but a facial should be relaxing. It’s hard to think of something more calming than oatmeal, an ingredient in commercial products for sensitive skin. But you can use regular breakfast cereal to make the “oatmeal facial mask” from the Spa50 website. The mix of honey, oatmeal and yogurt sounds easy. (Tasty, too.)

Keep the facial mask away from the eye area. But if your eyes are feeling puffy and irritated, try this chamomile tea remedy from Mary Ann Romans at Families.com. It can be used as an anti-inflammatory compress for your eyes or your entire face. 

Romans has a frugal tip for softening hands: When cooking with olive oil, wipe out what’s clinging to the sides of the measuring cup and rub it into your overworked paws. You can also comb light olive oil through your hair (“no need for the more expensive virgin oil”), cover it with a cap and take a hot shower. After five to seven minutes, take off the cap and shampoo as usual.

A few other easy spa tips:

• Give your hands and feet a little attention with the mani-pedi tutorial tutorial at FrugalBeautiful.com.​<!–
• Nothing beats a professional rubdown, but you can treat yourself to some simple self-massage techniques as explained by WebMD.com.
• No need to buy “massage” oil when you can make your own, according to Eco Thrifty Living. Even when using cold-pressed olive oil, as ETL prefers, the home-mixed emollient is “far cheaper than the oils sold specifically for massage purposes.”
• Treat dandruff with apple cider vinegar and herbs, suggests Laura Jensel at Livestrong.com. Interested in those pore-cleansing strips but unwilling to pay for them? A supersimple recipe for “DIY Biore strips” can be found at I Pick Up Pennies. “You’ll be impressed (and slightly grossed out) by the results,” promises blogger Abigail.

Note: Some of the items needed for these treatments — vinegar, petroleum jelly, cotton balls, pedicure toe spacers, nail polish remover, Epsom salts — can often be found at dollar stores.

More from MSN Money:

• 11 ways to slash prescription costs
• Übercheap eye exams and glasses
• Homemade, healthy cleaners and snacks

Joe James Salon and Day Spa Coming to Parks Legado Town Center

Odessa, TX, May 12, 2012 –(PR.com)– Joe James Salon and Day Spa will open a new location at Parks Legado Town Center this fall. Recently voted one of the top 200 fastest growing salons in America, Parks Legado will be the salon’s second location. Joe James Salon and Day Spa will join restaurants, shops and the 120-room Residence Inn by Marriott this year at Parks Legado Town Center, a 68 acre mixed use development under construction on State Highway 191 in northeast Odessa, Texas. Upon total completion, Parks Legado Town Center will include over 300,000 square feet of retail, restaurants, offices, and the Sewell Family of new car dealerships.

“We are excited to announce that Joe James Camarillo is bringing his acclaimed salon and day spa to Parks Legado Town Center,” said Collin Sewell, Parks Legado developer. “Joe James Salon and Day Spa has been a West Texas institution since 1996. Their quality and customer service is unmatched anywhere in Odessa and Midland,” he said.

Joe James Salon and Day Spa will be located adjacent to the Parks Legado Micro Park in the heart of the new development. The salon will offer hair salon and style services, as well as complete facial, body, message and spa treatments. They will also offer a full line of Aveda products.

“Parks Legado Town Center was our only choice for a second salon and spa location,” said owner Joe James Camarillo. “Joe James Salon Day Spa is a wonderfully tranquil place, perfect for enjoying the many heavenly treatments we offer. Our customers will appreciate this great location, the restaurants and shops, and the unique, upscale design of Parks Legado,” he added.

The Parks Legado development team including Mr. Sewell and Dallas based developer Epperson Company, has designed the town center with a focus on enduring quality with a hometown feel. Parks Legado Town Center will include Mediterranean architecture, tree lined sidewalks, and the Micro Park to host community events and entertainment.

“Joe James Salon and Day Spa will anchor a great lineup of shops and restaurants coming soon to Parks Legado,” noted Mr. Epperson. “In our quest to add to the quality of life in West Texas, Joe James Salon and Day Spa really takes us forward in achieving our goal. We are getting additional interest from businesses that have been looking for the best place to enter or expand in this dynamic Odessa-Midland market place,” he added.

About:
Joe James Salon and Day Spa: The salon opened its first location in Midland in December 1996. Joe James Salon and Day Spa has been voted one of the top 200 fastest growing salons in America, offers a relaxing and sequestered waiting area for clients to enjoy quiet time before or after their services. Guests can choose from a variety of hair style services and spa treatments including facials, microdermabrasion, body wraps, body bronzing, steam/sauna and massages. They offer a complete lineup of products, as well as bridal packages, groom and children’s services.

Odessa-Midland: With a population of 274,000, Odessa and Midland are among the Nation’s fastest growing small cities for annual gross product and job creation. The area grew 13.5% in 2011. Retail sales are up over 22% and auto sales are up over 23% as compared to 2011. This is due in part by the growth of energy companies and oil service companies involved in exploration of The Spraberry Field in the Permian Basin. The Midland-Odessa Regional Economic Index rose 17.7% since March 2011.

The Sewell Family of Companies: Currently in its fourth generation, the 100 year old Sewell Family of Companies is lead by Collin Sewell. Gifted with the ability to lead and recognize talent, Mr. Sewell is strategic in assembling the best possible team for each project he begins. He leads over 275 team members in West Texas and oversees Ford, Lincoln, and General Motors franchises. Mr. Sewell is active in many philanthropic events, including an annual fundraiser that has generated more than $1 million in donations over the past ten years for the local school district.

Epperson Company: With over 30 years of real estate development and consulting experience, President Don Epperson has managed over $1 billion in commercial development and the construction of 9.5 million square feet. Epperson Company’s track record includes: mixed-use, retail, office, hospitality, residential, medical, and transit oriented development. Among his past projects are the 800,000 square foot Park Lane mixed use development in Dallas, and Hotel Palomar by Kimpton hotel/residential projects in Dallas and Los Angeles.

For additional information, see: www.parkslegado.com

Reader’s Choice: What is Your Favorite Day Spa?

When you are looking for get away right here in Benicia, where do you go? What is your favorite day spa?

• A Lily of Gold
• Courtyard Salon and Spa
• Bliss Salon and Spa
• Wellness Wisdom
• Earth Touch Healing Arts
• Yan Spa and Massage

Click on the links above and rate the business on its Patch Place listing. You can even leave a review.
If there is another local day spa that we missed, start a write-in a campaign in the comments section below. In the event of a tie, we will break it based on the comments, so please explain your choice.
(Because our poll is not scientific, it is not the sole consideration in choosing a winner. The winner will be determined by the Patch editor, based on poll results, comments and reviews on Patch Places. Please vote only once per survey, per Patch.)
The poll closes at 9 a.m. Friday.  Come back later that afternoon for the results.

Do you subscribe to the Benicia Patch newsletter? It brings our latest stories, blogs, announcements and the day’s calendar events to your in-box early each morning.

Do you have opinions, experiences and views to share? Consider becoming a Benicia Patch blogger!

If there’s something in this article you think should be corrected, or if something else is amiss, call editor JB Davis at 707-628-0051 or email him at benicia@patch.com

Women’s conference a success

Editor: 

Thank you, Harford County, for joining Oak Grove Baptist Church in our second annual Women’s Conference held March 31.  With over 200 in attendance, we enjoyed the Bible lessons and accounts shared by our speakers, Laurie DeYoung, WPOC morning DJ, and Erika Clark, veteran and advocate for women and children.

We especially want to thank the following businesses in Bel Air that provided gift donations for door prizes: Angles Hair Team, Bertucci’s Italian Restaurant, Cheveux Salon and Day Spa, Christopher Matthew’s Christian Store, Creative Design Salon and Spa, Mrs. Flowers Inc, Liberatore’s Ristorante, Tasti-D-Lite and TCBY.  Additionally, these businesses from around Harford and Cecil counties provided gift donations for door prizes: Box Hill Pizzeria-Abingdon, Edible Arrangements-Abingdon, Eleven Courses-Lutherville, Freedom Hills Therapeutic Riding Program-Port Deposit, Geneva Golf Course-Street, Klein’s Shop Rite-Forest Hill, Mary Kay via Joyce Waller and Twin Silos Restaurant-Street.

• Topics
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  Christianity
  
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  Business
  
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  Restaurant and Catering Industry
  
• See more topics »

A special thank you goes to Dillweed’s Café-Bel Air for the very delicious lunch and gift card donation.

All these businesses added to the enjoyment of a wonderful day.

We look forward to sharing with Harford and all surrounding counties at our third Women’s Conference on Saturday, April 13, 2013 at Oak Grove Baptist Church at 2106 Churchville Road in Bel Air.

Mary Frances Tracy

Jarrettsville

Diane Weih

Forest Hill

Panache Hair Salon & Day Spa in Whitehouse Station celebrates 30 years – Hunterdon County Democrat

Celebrating 30 years is the staff of Panache Hair Salon Day Spa in Whitehouse Station.

Panache Hair Salon Day Spa, 491 Route 22 East in Whitehouse Station, turns 30 this year and owner Brenda Hunt is thrilled to be running a thriving business in her native hometown for so many years.

Although Hunt grew up in the Clinton area, she has deep roots in Readington Township. Her family owned the Stuckey’s by the VC Diner on Route 22 until the mid 1970s. She waited tables there and got to know property owner John Smutek, who also owned the Starlite Beauty Salon, an old-fashioned beauty parlor behind the diner. Hunt started her career fresh out of beauty school (Hunterdon Polytech) as a “beautician” at the Starlite, worked in the Clinton area for three years as a “stylist” and eventually came back and bought the shop from John, establishing Brenmar Hair Designs in 1982.

Today’s Panache building was built in 1958 and originally housed an excavating business. Hunt bought it in 1985 and moved her hair salon downstairs and started her family upstairs in that location until 1996 when she opened the spa. She now has a staff of 30 at the mega-popular Panache, where clients’ line up for services ranging from a simple haircut, pampering spa services to the state-of-the-art Interlink Hair Replacement.

“I have been driving a speeding locomotive for 30 years,” Hunt said of her career. She and her staff stay up to the minute on salon and spa products and services by attending conferences and trade shows on a regular basis. Brand-new at Panache are eyelash extensions, great length hair extensions and shellac long-lasting manicures.

In spite of the economic turn-down, the spa’s massage, facial and pedicure business continues to grow due to the “magic touch” and knowledge of the Day Spa staff. Thorough consultations and expert haircolor and “smoothing” options have become the secret of the professionals in the Hair Salon. Also expanding is the bridal business. Dana Zadlock is the Panache Bridal Coordinator and will be attending a hair and make-up bridal show at the Grand Colonial this spring.

“At least a quarter of the people working here have an entrepreneurial spirit. We share ideas, and run with the good ones. That keeps Panache fresh and energized,” Hunt said. “I have become more of a director as Tracy Gordon, a nationally certified colorist, manages our Hair Salon, Nancy Marino, a veteran accomplished Nail Technician, is our “systems manager” and managing the front desk is Ashlie Mowder.”

Panache has continued to thrive through the tough economy. As the area suffered more and more job losses, Hunt froze prices and focused on her customer base. Leslie Balogh, a manager who has been with Panache for more than 28 years “left the chair” and is in charge of the Customer Experience. Her approach has been to take good care of their existing clients, old and new. “At Panache we don’t just give you a haircut or spa experience, we’re here to make your day. It is our pleasure!”

Hunt is married to Mark Hunt, who grew up in Whitehouse Station, and they have two children. Son Shawn graduated from Hunterdon Central High School in 2003 and Northeastern University in Boston in 2008 with a degree in Economics. Danielle, a 2007 Hunterdon Central graduate, earned a degree in Business/Marketing in 2011 from Southern Connecticut State University. Both attended Readington schools and were very active in NJ State Level Soccer for many years.

Aside from their other employment(s), son Shawn has worked closely with his mom advising her of the current economic status and trends while daughter Danielle has been assisting with salon promotions and many 30th anniversary events to include contests and drawings throughout the year. Panache has held many cut-a-thons in the past to raise funds for local charities, and a 2012 cut-a-thon is in the works.

To meet the staff and learn more about the services and specials available visit panachespa.com.

Barrington Salon Celebrates 15 Years

A local salon is celebrating a big milestone today: 15 years of business in Barrington.

Owned and operated by Annie Golden-Milke, L’Auberge A Golden Day Spa and Salon was born after she received a degree in business and psychology from DePaul University. Golden-Milke had worked in another salon for nearly 10 years before deciding to make her big move.

“It seemed to be the best time to take the next step in my career, “ Golden-Milke said.

L’Auberge started as a small operation with just Golden-Milke and four employees. Over its 15 year life span, it has grown to have 13 employees and a bigger client following. Golden-Milke prides herself on what she describes as being a “family first” work environment where the stylists choose their hours. She also is proud of her ability to mentor young stylists.

“I have met a lot of young stylists who come right out of beauty school and find it hard to get started in a higher end salon. I have trained assistants and have gone on to build successful hairdressing careers,” she said.

The downturn in the economy over the last several years has had a more drastic impact on the beauty industry. L’Auberge is no exception, so Golden-Milke has had to get creative with her marketing strategies to keep clients coming in.

“Last year our team re-invented everything. We brought in all new hair care products and a brand new hair color line called KEUNE.  Our team went out and received the best education to turn around and provide the best customer care and dedication to our clients.  We look forward to advancing this even further,” she said.

L’Auberge offers a variety of salon and spa services including hair cuts and coloring, massages, nail care, facials and waxing. As a gift to guests on the salon’s 15^th anniversary they will be offering coupons to clients upon their visit.

“We look forward to another 15 years in Barrington and look forward to meeting new guests,” Golden-Milke said. “There are a lot of salons available for our guests to choose in Barrington, and we are very happy they choose L’Auberge.”

L’Auberge A Golden Day Spa and Salon is located in The Foundry of Barrington, 764 W. Northwest Highway, (847)-277-7000.

Beloit, WI First Impressions Salon And Spa

Full service spa and salon featuring
nail and hair services, therapeutic massage, skincare treatments,
products and waxing. Spa packages are available in a wide range of
options: hair, nails, pedicures, facials, waxing, massage, tanning
and teeth whitening. Gift cards are available. We feature quality
products by:

Redken 5th Avenue NYC

Bioelements Professional Skincare

Whiter Image

Firehouse Subs sets sights on Buffalo, Rochester areas

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How many submarine sandwiches, dripping with trimmings, can the Rochester community eat?

We may find out in short order. Riding into a town already well-populated with corporate-chain sandwich makers, independent delicatessens, lunch stops, snack bars and convenience stores comes Firehouse Subs, a Florida-based chain founded by a couple of former firemen.

The company has announced plans to create 47 of the sub shops in western and central New York over the next 10 years.

The first restaurant, which specializes in hot subs and big portions, is scheduled to open in Clarence, Erie County, later this year.

“We are currently looking for franchisees in the Rochester area,” said Firehouse Subs spokesperson Julia Darrenkamp.

City’s 7th Subway on Genesee St.

Speaking of Subway, a grand opening for the city’s seventh Subway shop was held last week at 910 Genesee St.

The new Subway will serve the growing community in the Brooks Landing area, which links the University of Rochester with the city. There are 103 Subway shops in western New York, including the Rochester vicinity, and more than 36,000 in 98 countries.

The owner and latest Subway franchisee is Renu Aggarawal. The restaurant is expected to add nine jobs locally.

For information, call (585) 235-6311.

Day Spa moves down Monroe Ave.

Jane Broussard, who owns Broussards Day Spa, a full-service salon and spa in Brighton, knows something about moving a business. It’s expensive to make the physical move. And it can be expensive to advertise the move.

“It’s very costly to let the public know you are moving,” Broussard said in an email.

The following might help. The spa has moved from 1541 Monroe Ave. to 1966 Monroe Ave. in Brighton.

The new location is on the ground floor of a house several blocks from the old location, also in a house, across from The Nut House on Monroe. The new sign at the new location is going up this week.

Hours at the relocated spa are the same as at the old one: 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

For information, call (585) 461-5403 or go to broussardsdayspa.net.

Spinning studio arrives on Plymouth

Exercise Express Spinning Studio is opening its doors for the first time March 10 at 228 S. Plymouth Ave.

The studio is in the same building as Big Brothers and Big Sisters, according to studio owner Karen Rogers. She is a personal trainer and fitness expert. This is her first business.

“We will have six bikes for spinning classes and I will do personal training as well,” Rogers said.

The Saturday grand opening will be from 3 to 5 p.m.

For information, call (585) 748-5503.

New in town

When Renewed Spirit opened in Okemos last January, owner Heidi Foland wanted to give her customers a refreshing experience. 

As it turns out, the opening of her first full service salon and spa was an experience that left her own spirit renewed.   

“I was ready for the next challenge in life,” Foland said.
“Before, I was strictly a massage therapist. I was very limited. I was
ready to grow as a person and ready to grow with the girls that work for
me.”

While massage therapy remains Foland’s forte, she wanted
her salon to include several types of services to make Renewed Spirit a
one-stop shop for all things relaxing. 

As a full-service salon and spa, it offers services for hair, nails, facials, massage, waxing and makeup application as well.

 Renewed
Spirit´s featured spa packages, which include two or more types of
services, are designed to accommodate such occasions as wedding day,  girls’ night out and special treatments for mommies-to-be.

“We have girls working here that do 120 percent; they do
excellent work,” Foland said. “We’re very knowledgeable and keep up with
the trends, such as the latest colors and haircuts.”

Renewed Spirit is designed to give customers relief from
stressful daily activities and a brief escape from the real world. The
business´s motto is “renew, revive and relax”, and the staff encourages
customers to treat themselves with a day of pampering and relaxation.

Foland strives to build friendships with her clients. 

“When people come here, they will have their hair done and they will stay for hours, drinking coffee with us,” Foland said.

“It’s like you’re sitting at your couch at home, just having a friendly conversation with your girlfriends.”

Renewed Spirit                    2110 Hamilton Road, Okemos
9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday               (517) 580-4734

Lanphier Day Spa & Salon getting ready for big changes

Lanphier Day Spa Salon getting ready for big changes

Written by The Darien Times

Thursday, February 16, 2012 03:04 PM

While Lanphier Day Spa Salon has been serving customers on Old King’s Highway for years, its well known masseuse and new general manager are preparing for a big move this year — to an 8,000 square foot facility on West Avenue.

As featured in New Canaan, Darien Rowayton magazine, among the Top 52 Things to Do in 2012, receiving a massage by Francisco Angel, is a must-have. A lead massage therapist and Reiki master among others, Angel’s ability to tune into each person and know exactly how to work each muscle so that it relaxes precisely into place, has brought him many accolades and now, among others, to be known quite often as the “best masseur in Fairfield County.”

Angel has been bringing joy to his clients for his many years with Lanphier Day Spa Salon, 25-52 Old Kings Highway North in Darien, according to its owners. His expertise from Thai Yoga and Hawaiian Lomi Lomi along with Deep Tissue, Reflexology, Targeted Sports Massage and Hot Stone allows him to modify his massages to tailor each person’s needs.

As a Reiki Master, his intuitive abilities to sense the blockages and open passages to allow the body to function in perfect harmony makes him a hot commodity. And not to be forgotten, his Cranial Sacral therapy will free up blockages and increase the energy flow and balance fluid in the spinal region.

Lanphier appointed Patricia Mavrides as the new company General Manager late last year. The company owns and operates two salons and spas with over 80 employees and has a solid reputation in the Connecticut area for the past 18 years. Mavrides joins them from the Boston area and has a long history of salon and spa development.

Mavrides started her career as a stylist and quickly advanced to teaching major shows and conducting seminars for the beauty and spa industry. As a stylist and esthetician, she developed five premium award winning salons and spas in south shore of Massachusetts as well as Boston. She was the president of Southeastern Massachusetts Cosmetology Association and National Director of National Cosmetology Business America and won numerous awards for her presentations and programs as well as her competitive work on the national circuit. Her work has been published in numerous publications and she was also a judge for the International Beauty Shows and guest artist with many famous platform artists around the country.

Mavrides is extremely proud to announce the relocation and building of Lanphier’s most ambitious project, she said, which will be the new Lanphier Day Spa and Salon to be located at 20 West Ave., directly across from the Darien train station and next to Tilly Park. Mavrides has been instrumental in helping with the design and development of the new more than 8,000 square foot location, which will feature a state-of-the-art color bar and styling area with natural light, a private men’s color room, a sky-lighted spa and lounge area with Suisse showers and steam showers, pedicure and manicure lounge, and retail and boutique store featuring organic and aromatherapy products, candles, gift selections and Oribe luxury hair products as well as Keratase, Shu Uemura, Moroccan Oil and Keratin products.

The retail center will feature exclusive products from Paris, DeCleor and a private makeup bar.

The expected opening is Spring of 2012. Mavrides, having opened and developed several salons and spas over her career, has a unique approach to motivating and developing solid teams with an emphasis on continuing education to maintain the highest standards of service.