I love Youngblood Make-Up Brush Cleaner.  It does a fantastic job without leaving a sticky residue on my brushes…and that’s also what we use here at the spa!  To clean your brushes:

*Apply the brush cleaner to a clean towel (not the brush itself).  Rub the brush, gently, in a circular motion.  Although you may see a few bristles on the towel don’t worry…just continue until you don’t see any more make-up transferring to the towel.

When you want to do a thorough cleaning of your brushes, use an Ultra Gentle Cleanser (NO Salicylic Wash or Acids…those will break down the bristles of your brush) and water.  Just a pea sized amount of cleanser will do the trick.  Use a clean towel just as mentioned before and rub brush in a circular motion until make-up is gone.  Rinse with clear water and squeeze out excess.

After cleaning brushes make sure to air-dry them at an angle. This prevents any remaining water from running down into the base of the brush, which can break down the bonding in the handle.

Following these simple steps just once a week will keep your brushes in tip-top shape, and your skin will thank you for it!

You don’t know what Vitamin-c does for your skin? Well, here’s the scoop:

It’s not a huge secret that Vitamin C is good for the body but some people don’t know that it is also a very effective antioxidant that helps boost your skin’s defense against free-radicals. Free-radicals are unstable molecules that age the skin. The effect of too much sun, alcohol consumption, high altitudes are all major causes of free-radicals. Vitamin C strengthens the structural support and resiliency of your skin by increasing the production of collagen.

The Magic C Facial begins with your Esthetician cleansing and examining your skin. They will then put the appropriate enzyme mask on your skin under steam for about 10 minutes. Once the enzyme mask is removed with warm water, the magic begins! Your Esthetician will begin the first step to your vitamin c boost (amazing smelling scrub). She will work the scrub on your face for about 5 minutes or until she feels the dead skin has all been removed. She will then apply the Activator to the skin and continue to massage your face for about 5 more minutes. When the activator is applied, you will feel a warming sensation. This warming sensation is the vitamin c being forced down into your skin! The product is then removed and an appropriate hydrating mask will be applied to get your skin ready for the world again! Your Esthetician will also apply the appropriate eye cream, moisturizer and SPF! You will leave Kimberly Spa feeling refreshed and all around amazing! The facial also includes Kimberly Spa’s signature foot treatment as well!

Good news, Kimberly Spa also has a retail products that you can purchase to use at home to continue fight those nasty free-radicals! We have the Microderma Crystal C system by Agera (scrub and activator), Collagen-C Young Skin Complex by Visual Changes, ‘C’ Complexe Serum and  “C” Évolutive Eye Gel by Pevonia. Ask you Esthetician which of these amazing products will work best for you and your skin!

Call or Book your Kimberly Spa Magic-C Facial online now to get your skin rejuvenated and ready for summer!

Massage Therapists recommend drinking water before a massage because it will hydrate the muscles which makes them easier to manipulate.  A good example would be to think of your muscles as a sponge.   A dry sponge is not all that easy to move however once it is moistened with water you are able to squish it and squeeze it as much as you like.  When you drink water before a massage in a sense does the same to your muscles as it does to the sponge… making it easier for your therapist to be able to work your body.  Your connective tissue/fascia is more elastic when hydrated and allows you full benefit of receiving massage.

Once your massage is over you’ll need to drink water again to rehydrate your muscles.  While you receive massage, through the manipulation of the muscles you increase circulation the muscles lose water and move fluids into the interstitial spaces that are around them.  Your body also releases metabolic waste and lactic acids that must be flushed out by drinking water.   If you do not drink water and flush these toxins out, they will build up this could result in muscle soreness after massage.   This is especially true with deep tissue work.

Massage has the best results over time.  The therapeutic effects of massage are cumulative, the more you receive the faster your body will respond… and with proper hydration the better you will feel.  Kimberly Spa offers a variety of massage options to get you started to a happy healthier new you!  See you soon!

First…find a pencil (we use a wax stick…makes sense, right?).  Place the pencil on the inner crease of your nose and hold it straight up to the brow. Any hair between where your pencil lands on either side should be waxed.  To determine proper length…place your pencil on the outer side of your nose and angle it towards the outer edge of your eye. Following the line up, your brow should stop where the pencil lands.  The arch of the brow is determined by locating the outside of the iris.  To complete the look…brows are trimmed to create a fuller, well groomed look.

Who knew there were so many details for a “simple” eyebrow wax? We did! That’s why…when you come to Kimberly Spa, you leave with Designer Brows…they were ‘designed’ specifically for your face!

As everyone knows, the first color of the rainbow is red.  Red is the brightest color with the longest wavelength in the visible light spectrum, which is why it is often used as a healing light.  It increases healing and tissue growth in the skin and other organs.  NASA first discovered this, when astronauts with wounds, healed when exposed to the same red light that was used to grow the plants on board.  Later, this light therapy became known as LED (light emitting diode) therapy, which you can find right here at Kimberly Spa in the Photo Rejuvenation Facial!

But the benefits of red don’t stop there.  Red foods are also great. They contain lycopene, which may reduce your risk of prostate, cervical and lung cancer.  It’s also an antioxidant that can help lower blood pressure and LDL cholesterol, support joint tissue, and keep regular gastrointestinal health.  So… red light is great for the skin, red food is good for the body…but what about those who’s favorite color is red?

Red is commonly associated with courage, strength, vitality, ambition and may help overcome negative thoughts.  However, too much red can lead to impatience, aggressiveness and anger.  That is why most decorators will use red as a design color sparingly…as an accent, or only one room in the house.

Sum it up to this…for a little more vim and vigor…for a little extra spunk…red is the color for you!

An ingrown hair is when a hair grows sideways or curls back into the skin.  If the pore the hair grows in is clogged or blocked the hair is forced to grow irregularly.  They are most common in areas we shave or wax, and in people with curly hair.    Some symptoms of an ingrown hair are itching skin, red bumps, small pus filled papules, and sometimes even a rash.  Ingrown hairs can sometimes cause discomfort and can even lead to infections or scaring.  If you see an ingrown hair, you can use a warm wash cloth on the area and tweeze it out. This may cause a slight discomfort, but you want the ingrown hair out so it won’t lead to infections.

None of us want any of these symptoms, so you may ask…How do we prevent these awful ingrown hairs?  Easily!  The most effective way to make sure to keep your ingrown hairs away is to exfoliate… Exfoliate…EXFOLIATE!  Exfoliating is simply a method of sloughing off the layer of dead skin cells that can build up on your skin.  You can exfoliate in OR out of the shower, and it’s best to focus on the area you shave or wax regularly.

We have many products and services here at Kimberly Spa to help keep away those pesky ingrown hairs, and help keep your skin feeling soft and smooth.  My personal favorites are the Full Body Exfoliations, and the Sugar scrubs! We also have detox bath gels, and scrubby gloves to help exfoliate the skin.

  So remember, before and after you shave or wax, EXFOLIATE!

Parafango is a mixture of ‘Fango Mud’ and Paraffin.  Fango Mud is from the sea and contains dehydrated ‘mud’.  This mud contains healing ingredients, such as minerals & converted plant parts.  Some of the benefits of the Parafango Mud alone are: Detoxifying properties, Stimulates blood circulation, Soothes sore muscles, & it relieves tense muscles, spasms, and joint pain. 
 
In the Kimberly Spa Parafango Full Body Wrap:

                – We first use a professional exfoliating cream to remove dead/dry skin. We then find the right serum to help combat your specific concerns.  The Aminocel A.H.A Serum effectively treats hard cellulite. It is very rich in Iodated Extensine, Ruscogenine, Caffeine and Lemon extracts, and it breaks down fatty tissues while stumping “orange peel”. The Aminodren Serum helps with slimming and draining. It contains, Fucus Vesiculosus, Guarana and L-Carnitine. Decongests tissues, fights liquid retention working on adipocytes, mobilizing and destroying fat. Your Esthetician will then apply the Parafango Mud, wrap you up and let you relax for 30 minutes.

                – Once the mud is removed, Your esthetician will apply the lotion that helps most with your needs. The Aminofirm Cream is a multi-phased firming cream enriched with elastin, collagen and centella extracts promotes elasticity and toning of the skin after the treatment. Increases skin elasticity and can be used as an anti-stretchmark cream. The Lipoaminocel Cream effectively drains tissues and helps with the elimination of toxins. 
 
For best results, the Parafango Full Body Wrap should be done in a series of treatments. We do not promote this as a weight loss treatment but as a toning and detox treatment.  This is personally my favorite body wrap because of the amazing benefits you get in such a short time. 

Go, go schedule your Parafango right away by clicking here!

My favorite way to do it is with a Total Body Exfoliation…I just LOVE it!  It sluffs off the old, dead skin cells and hydrates my skin at the same time.  Plus, regular skin exfoliations speed up the skin renewal process allowing healthier skin cells to take their place.  It is a great way to relieve stress, and encourages natural blood flow.

Salt scrubs are perfect for rough, coarse skin that needs a little extra love.  Sugar scrubs are best for sensitive skin.  Try adding a little aromatherapy oil to your scrub…it’s a great way to enhance your treatment.

• Stressed?  Try adding Lavender, Chamomile or Sandalwood to ease
• Poor Memory?  Add some Rosemary.
• Postnatal Depression? Adding some Bergamot, Chamomile or Neroli to help lift your spirits.
• Anxiety? Cedarwood, Lavender and Bergamot are soothing and calming.
• Mental Fatigue?  Adding a little Peppermint makes you feel like you’ve just had a 15 minute power nap!

Schedule your appointment for a Total Body Exfoliation today…and you can be the next one saying “See ya later Alligator”!!

One important choice in gearing up for winter is snow boots.  I know, I know…they are cumbersome and messy, but necessary.  Once trick I have learned over the years is to keep a pair of neutral colored shoes at work…that way I can head out the door in my boots and not worry about grabbing another pair of shoes to change in to.  Hats and gloves are also important when gearing up for winter.  90% of our body heat escapes through our head and extremities.  Keeping our head, feet, and hands covered is crucial.  These items will allow your body to retain that ‘lost’ heat.  Your body won’t have to work as hard to keep you warm.  I have also found that in harsh weather, messy hair is acceptable…so long as it is due to “hat head”.

My favorite winter accessory…scarves.  I love scarves!  Keep a variety of scarves on hand to perk up a drab winter outfit…and still keep warm!  Use a heavy weight scarf on a really cold day.  Wrap it snug around your neck…just not too tight!  Tuck the remainder of the scarf into any gaps that could let that dangerous cold air in, and body heat out.  A brightly colored scarf can also help combat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).  Scarves are an inexpensive way to dress up that boring black or gray coat.

Cold and flu viruses are usually caught when our bodies primary function switches to keeping us warm, rather than fighting off potential ‘bugs’.  Our immune systems then become compromised and we get sick.  Most trips to the Dr. will reveal swollen lymph nodes in the neck region.  When we go out in the cold and are not properly bundled, our shoulders will rise up to help the body retain heat.  If we take care to properly tuck and bundle…our shoulders can stay in their natural relaxed position.  This should allow proper drainage of the lymph nodes, and hopefully less illness.

The fact is…we live in a harsh weather state.  But since Nebraska weather loves to change and keep us on our toes, it is really easy to forget the basics.  Hopefully we’ll have a mild winter, but if not…I hope that now you will be ready for whatever Mother Nature sends our way!

The holiday season is creeping up on us quick!  This time of the year can cause a lot of stress.

While everyone knows that stress can take a toll on a person physically and psychologically, it also can lead to other problems, such as acne, brittle nails or even hair loss.  When you become stressed, your cortisol level rises.  This in turn causes an increase in oil production, which can lead to oily skin, acne and other related skin problems. Professionals have also found that stress has a negative effect on the barrier function of the skin, resulting in water loss that inhibits the skin’s ability to repair itself after an injury.  Scientist’s and Doctor’s have said that skin rejuvenation procedures such as Facials, Pedicures, Massages, etc. can help lower your stress levels.  When people feel more attractive and more confident in their appearance, they tend to perform better in other areas of their lives (work, family life, social life, and marriage or personal relationships.)

Here are some tips to help lower your stress level this Holiday Season!

Tip#1 – Drink lots of water! – Its not just good for your body but its great for your skin!

Tip#2 – Take time for yourself! – Call up your sitter and schedule a Spa day!  It’s a fun and relaxing way to lower your Cortisol levels! Plus, who doesn’t love to be pampered?

Tip#3 – Ask for help! – Nothing is better then getting stuff prepared together!  Friends and family are great listeners and are always good to have around!

Tip#4 – Have fun! – Turn up the radio while cleaning or cooking and dance away! (Make sure your blinds are closed! lol)

Tip#5 – Follow your skin care regimen! – This will help control the oil production and will keep your face looking gorgeous!  Ask your Esthetician if there is anything else you should be doing/using!

Happy Holidays!