As temperatures rise and millions of people prepare to spend hours in the sun, exposing their skin to harmful UV rays, it's crucial to be mindful of how to minimize the effects of prolonged sun exposure. Not only can the sun cause painful sunburns, rashes or even skin cancer, it is also the top cause for signs of aging. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, up to 90 percent of the visible changes commonly attributed to aging are caused by the sun and about 65 percent of melanoma cases are attributed to UV radiation. Todd Leff, CEO of Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, a 50-plus unit massage and facial spa franchise with a mission to bring massage, facial and waxing services to the masses, has developed the top five tips for people when thinking about their skin this summer: 1. Exfoliate your skin: By exfoliating, you can remove the dead, dull skin debris that cause congestion and hinder skin hydration. Mornings are the best time to exfoliate, prior to applying toner, moisturizer, SPF or makeup. Exfoliation makes for clearer, smoother skin for both women and men. 2. Stay hydrated: Just as your body needs water for hydration, your face also needs proper moisture to withstand the harmful effects of the sun. Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of plain, filtered water every day to maintain the needed moisture balance for your skin. Products such as masques can also be used once or twice a week, and boosters and toners can serve as an additional level of hydration before applying moisturizer. 3. Apply, apply again: A dab of sunscreen won't do if you're going to be on the beach or out in the sun for any extended period of time. Typically a teaspoon of sunscreen is sufficient for the face and as much as a shot glass worth is needed for the body. You should reapply every two hours and avoid the mid-day sun from mid-morning to late afternoon when possible. 4. Battling the burn: We've all been in the situation where you forgot the sunscreen, didn't apply enough or missed a spot. The damage has been done, but applying cooling gels and soothing botanicals can reduce redness and inflammation. This should be done at the first sight of a pink glow, as one blistering sunburn can double your risk of melanoma. It is also recommended to get a yearly skin exam by a doctor to detect early warning signs. 5. Repairing and treating damage: Although a tan is commonly thought of as a popular summer look, it actually indicates skin damage. Receiving monthly facials, such as a hydrating facial, can help begin to repair the damage done by the sun by promoting healthy cell growth and stimulating collagen destructing enzymes. Find a Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa near you at www.handandstone.com.

Lately I've been into creating my own beauty products. A DIY deep conditioning hair mask has been on my radar for a while now.

I am always obsessed with the condition of my hair and would love for it to always be strong, healthy and shiny, but it seems that lately my hair has been a bit challenged.  My hair seems to be taking a beating from the sun and feels really dry and brittle, and it needs help big time.

  I decided to take advantage of our "Celeb Hair Guru" here at A Girl's Gotta Spa!, Pearson Knight, and asked what would be a great at home deep condition treatment that would help (and that I could create myself) to improve the condition of my hair. Pearson recommended that I do "the olive oil/coconut oil/avocado treatment." Basically this involves combining olive oil, coconut oil and avocados together to create a super moisturizing hair masque. I had the coconut oil and olive oil, but I was missing an avocado so off to Publix I went. Of course the olive and coconut oil mixed together well. The avocado on the other hand, I should have gotten an avocado that was softer or should have blended everything in a blender (didn't have one handy as we literally just moved into a new place.) Instead I mushed it with my hands...a fun process and I felt like a kid again.  However, when I started applying the mixture to my hair, there were chunks of avocado stuck in my hair and every time I moved my head they would go flying all around the apartment...I spent all day today cleaning the floors.

I left the mixture in for about an hour then washed it in the shower (still had chunks of avocado all over the bathtub.)  My hair must have been extremely thirsty because I swear it sucked up the mixture.   After washing, I used my regular conditioner, then blow dried.  My hair looked a lot less damaged and shinier - usually after blow drying my hair is really frizzy, but not this time.   I know that with the state my hair is in it will take a few more of these homemade deep conditioning treatments to get it to where I want to be, but the fact that after just one treatment I saw a visible improvement makes me very hopeful. I will caution that if anyone decides to try this at home please be a lot more sensible than I was and use a blender. Also, don't have something on the stove while you're putting this in your hair or you might end up like me with healthier hair but a burnt dinner... Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!  

Like a lot of you, I am getting ready for swimsuit season by cleaning up my diet and hitting the gym extra hard and the days when I don't make it to the gym, I log in 3-5 miles running. The endorphins that I get from running and super intense workouts have been great mentally, but physically my muscles feel fatigued and sore (I have an evil trainer who never seems to feel any mercy.)

It seems as though the only way to relieve my tired and sore muscles is by either easing up on my workouts (not going to happen if my trainer has his way) or get regular massages (can get pretty expensive,) which I was seriously contemplating when lo and behold Dr. Teal's Foaming Bath made an appearance.

I was familiar with Dr. Teal's Epsom Salts, but never knew they also had a Foaming Bath product. The Foaming Baths combine Epsom salt with essential oils and are available in; Lavender (to soothe & sleep), and Eucalyptus Spearmint (for relax & relief) (as in relaxing and soothing tense muscles.)

So on Friday night after returning home from a gym session that was two hours long, I lugged my completely exhausted body to the bath tub and emptied a good sized amount of the Eucalyptus Spearmint Bath Foam into my bathtub (the bottle said 4-5 capfulls, but every movement hurt so I figured I needed more than recommended.)

The scent was very relaxing, minty, but not overwhelming, I loved that my entire bathroom smelled like a spa, even after I had drained the water the scent still lingered, which was awesome (I wish they made candles as well in these scents.)

Not only did my bath smell great, it was foamy and mildly moisturizing.  I soaked for twenty minutes and had a difficult time leaving the bathtub because I was so relaxed I could barely move. My muscles did indeed feel less tense and fatigued without me having to dish out $100+ for a massage or having to negotiate with my trainer (not a fun process, since I know he would have traded a less intense workout for a more intense diet!)

I plan on keeping the Eucalyptus Spearmint Bath Foam on hand long after I have reached my goal for swimsuit season and will definitely give the other bath foams a try as well, they may be the most affordable physical and mental therapy I will ever undergo. 

When reflecting back on my memories of my 6-year old self, I recall sitting on the counter making chocolate chip and walnut homemade cookies in the kitchen of my Aunt Patty.  I was in love with her. She had a brilliant smile and at the time, she was my favorite aunt. My mind quickly moves to the next memory of sitting on her bedroom floor as she lay in her bed instructing my Uncle David to give me a small orange stuffed lion and an over-sized teddy bear (pictured.) They debated back and forth whether she should give me her comic book collection. They decided no because I was too young. I didn't understand why she was giving away her stuff to me. Next she asked me to go into the living room, sit on the couch and, "Do not turn around no matter what." Tell that to a 6 year old and what did I automatically do? As my beloved Aunt Patty, all of 29 years old, attempted to rush down the hall to the bathroom I snuck a peek at her. My eyes grew wide and my mouth fell open in horror. My aunt was bald. I quickly turned around and quietly cried. I could not comprehend what was happening. My memories are blurred for the month after that day and I remember all too well standing in a funeral home sobbing as I stared at my Aunt Patty in her casket. My mother told me to go tell my Uncle David that I was sorry for his loss...but I couldn't because who was sorry for my loss? My Aunt Patty died from Melanoma. A skin cancer that is the most common form of cancer for ages 25-29. Although you can get melanoma regardless of age, a person's risk for melanoma doubles if he or she has had more than 5 sunburns at any age.* (Skin Cancer Foundation) MDSolarSciences, a skin cancer prevention and sun protection company, was founded by leading dermatologic oncologist Dr. Robert J. Friedman. Not only does MDSolarSciences sell broad spectrum UVA and UVB sunscreen, but they also have clothing, eyewear (coming soon) and UV detection products AND they are committed to educating the public. I had a chance to try their Mineral Creme Broad Spectrum SPF 50, which is for both adults and children, as well as for those with sensitive skin. Upon first look, it is immediately clear that this sunscreen is like no other. It comes out of the tube like an aloe vera type lotion would--thin in consistency, but not too thin. When applied you will notice in an instant that this product is silky smooth...and the "white residue/ashy" look you are used to with typical sunscreens? Not happening with this one! As you smooth it over your skin, it disappears! And it is so lightweight, you honestly will forget you have it on! (But still remember to reapply every 2 hours when outdoors having fun in the sun!) There is no fragrance, which a long time ago as a teenager that typical coconut scent was everything--now protecting my skin trumps that. Every time I use sunscreen, I am always reminded of my aunt. Have you tried their sunscreens? If you want to protect others of the risk of skin cancer, please share this post with them. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! for more beauty reviews! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

A few  months ago I reviewed eco-armour Shaving Foam and my review was less than stellar.  After using very creamy shaving lotions, creams, foams and gel, I was just not prepared for the consistency and feel of the eco-armour shaving foam...it was just too much of a radical departure from the "creamy crack" (to borrow the the terminology from the documentary "Good Hair.") Yes the eco-armour foam smelled amazing, is great for the environment, extended the life of my blade and (after using it just twice) visibly reduced my razor bumps....but in my mind there was something amiss...there was no creamy coating on my leg that I might almost slip on upon entrance or exit into the shower, and creamier equals moisturizing...right? So I equated the absence of any non-creamy substances in the eco-armour foam as the foam not being moisturizing and just being drying...this was my story and I was sticking to it... But I still had two bottles of the shaving foam and  I was not going to let it go to waste, plus I wanted to further investigate the reduction in the number of razor bumps on my legs.   I kept using the eco-armour shaving foam for the next month...and have been using it since.  This stuff is amazing!  I have not experienced razor bumps on my leg at all and this is without following the directions on the bottle (which suggests that the foam sit on the leg for a minute if you have  razor bump issues.)  I am not sure for how long the foam is supposed to extend the life of my blade, but I used the same razor for weeks (yes I know probably not a very hygienic practice...but I was on the road and drug stores were few and far between.)  I will admit it took me a little while to get used to the foam being more, well foamy than creamy, but now I absolutely love the feel and my razor does not get all clogged up with oil (neither does my shower drain), which gives me a much closer shave. And just when I thought this foam could not get better...it did.  I just recently found out that you can also use the foam as a face and body wash.  This past weekend I was in St. Augustine, Fl visiting friends and thought this would be the perfect time to test the multiple functions of the foam.  For three days I used the foam as my face and body wash as well as my shaving foam of course and I loved it as all three.  The only drawback was that I pretty much used up my entire bottle of the eucamint foam (my absolute favorite...smells heavenly!) Now with the arrival of shorts and swimsuit weather in Northern Florida, I am very pleased with myself for giving eco-armour a second chance.  Besides the benefit of having smooth, razor bump free legs and underarms as well as having a product that serves multiple functions (multiple functions also means less weight and space for my suitcase), I feel like I'm doing my little part for the environment by cleaning up my beauty act with the shaving foam. Which makes me ponder: can purchasing beauty products that are not harmful to the environment be a tax write-off? Find it at www.eco-armour.com.

Monthly facials are a necessity, not a luxury. As I'm inching my way to 40 (I hate thinking about it), I know this now more than ever. Not only do you get a really in-depth cleaning of your pores, but it sure is a great way to relax and let go of the stressors that have been plaguing you. The last time I was at Woodhouse Day Spa in Kingston, PA for my Four-Handed Massage, I came across Amala skincare in their gift shop. I've heard amazing things about Amala and even began working with them. So I had been dying to find the time to get an Amala facial. Woodhouse Day Spa uses Amala skincare exclusively for their facials, and when I asked Woodhouse's manager Rebecca which facial would be best for me, she recommended their signature spa treatment, the Minkyti Facial ($95). It's 80 minutes of pure bliss.   Bonnie was my esthetician and she was incredibly nice and such a wealth of information when it came to skincare. Besides creating a custom blended mask for me, the Amala products she used were: Rejuvenating Cleansing Milk Rejuvenating Face Polish Rejuvenating Serum Rejuvenating Treatment Oil Hydrating & Rejuvenating Eye Creams Rejuvenating Face Cream Rejuvenating Neck & Decollete Treatment Can I even say how amazing the Rejuvenating Treatment Oil felt? I know most people with combination skin may shy away from any product with the word oil in it, but this really is not greasy and won't make your skin slick as an oil field. Instead, your skin will feel the most soft and supple it has ever felt. During the facial you honestly feel like your face is transforming from a caterpillar to a butterfly. If you've ever experienced an Amala facial you know exactly what I mean! When my facial was done and as I was getting re-dressed in the changing room, I saw my reflection in the mirror and was amazed. My skin was literally glowing. I wish I had my camera on me because it was the only time I felt I looked amazing without makeup--that's how good my skin looked! When I was leaving I stopped by the gift shop to grab myself a Chenille Robe from Colorado Clothing Company (most amazing bathrobe EVER) and some artisan soaps from Hugo Naturals. Woodhouse Day Spa has such a great gift shop, I could spend hours in there alone. As I was leaving I learned that this Spring Woodhouse Day Spa will begin having microcurrent facials using NuFACE. I've heard amazing things about the NuFACE device, so I can't wait to try it! If you've had a facial at Woodhouse Day Spa, used Amala skincare products or have even used NuFACE, please share your experience in the comments! Be sure to Like A Girl's Gotta Spa! on Facebook and follow A Girl's Gotta Spa! on Twitter!

There is no question that the cold air wreaks havoc on our skin and for many of us, dryness is a huge concern. In anticipation of the cold temperature outside and the dry heat indoors, skin care expert, Renee Rouleau, offers A Girl's Gotta Spa! readers some precautionary steps to take to prepare your skin for the cold front! -Reanalyze your current routine: How do we know when it's time to change up our daily skin routine? The key is to really listen to your skin. If your skin doesn't feel comfortable then a product is not working how it's meant to. It's time for a change! Ask yourself if your skin feels too tight or maybe you're discovering excess oil. What product in your routine might be causing these symptoms? Is one of your moisturizers leaving a greasy residue? Or if your skin is flaking then perhaps it's time to go easy on exfoliating. If you have questions that can't be answered on your own, take a look at our 9 Skin Types or e-mail Renee Rouleau for suggestions! Bottom line: If the products aren't working, your skin will let you know!   -Be sure to perform your night time routine: When the heat is on at night that means your skin has dry air blowing on it for about six hours or more while you sleep. Good for you but not for your skin. This makes your night time skin care routine crucial because your skin needs to adjust to a different environment. As we know, our skin repairs and rejuvenates while we sleep and this process cannot unfold properly unless we remove the dirt and grime from the day. While our skin repairs, we must prevent damage from the dry heat. We do this by using a nighttime moisturizer (any moisturizer without SPF) that is appropriate for your skin type. Often, I find that clients believe their night time moisturizer has to be heavy or greasy to last through the night, but that is not always true. The most important aspect of skin care is matching your products with your skin type so battle off the dry heat and help your skin rejuvenate with the appropriate products. -Use a humidifier, in your bedroom, especially if you are acne prone: Before switching to heavier products try out this secret solution. Put a humidifier in your bedroom! It sounds so simple but this trick will work, especially if you are acne-prone. When we feel our skin getting dryer our first idea is to use a heavier, creamier moisturizer. For acne- prone skin a heavier product may create more damage because, in this case, a product switch is unnecessary. A humidifier will put more moisture into the air, which will regulate your bedroom's environment. Your skin can grab more hydration without causing you to purchase a new moisturizer. -Incorporate more products into your routine: The basics may not be enough as your skin changes with the winter climate. Applying only moisturizer consistently is important; however, when your skin craves more hydration, the answer is not adding on extra layers of moisturizer, especially for those of you who experience clogged pores. The solution for alleviating tight, dry skin is using a water- based serum to accompany your moisturizer. Use the serum underneath your moisturizer to hydrate the skin because the damp skin will help to absorb your regular moisturizer more effectively. -Switch to a milder cleanser: I cannot stress enough the importance of not only washing your skin morning and night, but also to use a cleanser that will not dry the skin and cause damage. Many foaming and gel cleansers made today are formulated with an ingredient called Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate or Ammonium Laureth Sulfate. This ingredient is a surfactant; a cleansing agent that cuts oil from the skin. These ingredients are simply too harsh and will strip the water out of the skin after every washing leaving the skin feeling tight and creating more oil and shine. And what you wash with is the MOST important part of your skin care routine. Why? Because if you wash with a foaming cleanser or soap that is too drying, it pulls all the water out of the skin and creates dead, dry skin cell buildup. Then you have to quickly run and put your moisturizer on to put back in what you just took out! It makes no sense! Choose either cleansing lotions or gel cleansers that avoid the harsh ingredient, Sodium or Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate. These are better choices as they will effectively deep clean the pores but will not rob the skin of much needed water. Remember the rule: More lather, more drying. Less lather, less drying. All Renee Rouleau cleansers are sulfate-free. Check out Renee's skin care blog for more great skin care tips! *Disclosure

After getting my summer hair coloring at Salon L'etoile, those pesky UV rays had their way with me over the weeks that followed bringing out more of my highlights and lightening my hair considerably. When I went to NYC to attend Cocktails & Couture during fashion week 2 weeks ago, I decided it was time for the hair color switch to fall. I was looking to get back to my dark brown hair color and visited Salon A.K.S. on 5th Avenue to help me with my transformation. With the capable hands of hair colorist, Selma Aktas, and co-owner Alain Pinon working the scissors, I walked away a very happy customer. I explained to Selma that I wanted my hair darker and she flipped my hair over looking right at the roots. She explained that she didn't want to go darker than my original hair color and I agreed. I have to mention the sink for washing and conditioning because typically this is the most uncomfortable part of getting my hair done. You know when you lay uncomfortably into the sink? Well the lip of the sink somehow conforms to your neck, so there is no awkward arching or pressure on the back of your neck. I could simply do the one thing I like to do most---relax. 

In Selma's words..."For fall, my goal was to give Shannon a rich, shiny look. I filled in Shannon's hair so the blonde wouldn't pop out. I also made the color deeper so it doesn't fade out and looks shinier, more healthy. I used L'oreal Power Dose protein treatment to hydrate and make her hair stronger. This is a great post-summer product that helps restore hair from the damages of the sun."

My hair color was definitely dark and I was happy with the shine. Selma is a pro at her job and I highly recommend her! Now onto the cut with Alain..who is so super nice by the way. I explained to Alain that I was tired of my hair doing a flip at the bottom as it touched my shoulders. I said I wanted to look youthful but necessarily young (there's a big difference!) To solve my dilemma he suggested that I cut my hair shorter than it currently was. I don't care who you are, when you hear someone saying to cut your hair shortER, you kind of freak out. He explained that as my hair looked now, I was hiding my neck and that a shorter style would suit me better. My response was, "You can do what you want, just don't make me look like a boy." Looking at this picture, you can see on the white cover just how much length was taken off. To style my hair, Alain's assistant used Phyto Professional Glossing Cream and Phyto Professional Strong Sculpting Gel. And voila! A richer hair color, with a shorter style that suits both my age and face shape. I shouldn't have stood in front of a window for the after shot--however if you go to the A Girl's Gotta Spa! fan page and look in the Cocktails & Couture photo album there are some super pics of my hair. Phyto products can be purchased directly on the Salon A.K.S. website and when you register, you can get product discounts and 10% off any service. They also have a spot on their blog where you can pose questions to Alain or Selma (or any of their experts), just click Ask AKS. So what do you think? If you've been to Salon A.K.S. please share your experience in the comments! Don't forget that you can get 40% off on spa and salon gift certificates at for a participating place near you using discount code AGGS40 on www.icitycerts.com. *Disclosure

I'm excited to announce that if you will be at the HBA Expo on September 28th, so will I! I'll be on a panel alongside my fellow beauty bloggers Lianne from The Makeup Girl and Nadine Jolie of Nadine Jolie. We'll be answering questions about the beauty blogosphere and providing tips on how to approach today's beauty influencers. Sounds like fun, right? You can register at www.HBAExpo.com (use code GPSZ at check out for 30% off!) If you are a brand, PR firm or marketer, please leave a comment to let us know you are coming. It'll be great to put faces to names!

Ever since I had long golden blonde hair with banana curls as a little girl (and then proceeded to cut it off much to my mom's horror when Dorothy Hamil was popular)...I have always been obsessed with hair care products. From hair color (dye, highlights, low lights, etc.) to hair styles and accessories (perms, crimping, hot rollers, flat irons, big hair, long hair, short hair...you name it!)  to hair products (hair masks, hot oil treatments, leave-in conditioners, glossing serums, etc.) I could probably start the Encyclopedia of Hair Care (much like my Encylopedia of Mascaras on A Girl's Gotta Spa! Facebook fan page!) I asked my fellow beauty blogger's their must-have hair care product for Fall and here's what we came up with: Amber from Rouge 18: Living Proof's Full Root Lift Spray is changing the hair landscape as we know it. Without stickiness, it delivers hair that is heavier, volumized and more ample, somehow. It's my new go-to item.   Lianne from The Makeup Girl: Peter Lamas Rice Volumizing Protein shampoo/conditioner. Ever since I have been getting regular keratin treatments to smooth out the frizzies, I have to use sulfate free products when washing my hair. Not only does this give me body without being crazy it's certified organic and super gentle on my hair. Cybele from Cybele Says: Hair straightening systems seem to be all the rage and they seem to just get bigger as time goes on. The latest being Global Keratin Hair Taming System and what's great about this system is that you can choose the level depending on your hair type - Light Wave, Curly or Resistant. Check their site for salons that offer the treatment. Shannon from A Girl's Gotta Spa!: Jonathan Product Green Rootine Dry Shampoo.  On days when my mom-on-the-go schedule is super busy and I don't have time to wash and style my hair, this brush-on powder is perfect. It absorbs excess oil, dirt and product build-up from my hair and scalp, but also increases volume in my hair. What's your must-have hair care product for fall? Don't forget to Like A Girl's Gotta Spa! on Facebook, talk to me on Twitter @agirlsgottaspa and subscribe to this beauty blog! *Disclosure