If you're looking for some simple abstract floral nail art, here’s a tutorial to get this floral look in three easy steps, using only a couple colored polishes, a striping brush and dotting tool! Step 1: Polish your nails with a base color.  For this look I used Morgan Taylor One and Only. Step 2: With a striping brush, add some “grass” lines to the tips of your nails. For this look I used Precision Lacquer McDreamy. Step 3: With a dotting tool, add colored dots to represent the flowers; you can use any number of colors for the flowers to get a different look every time. (You can see a similar look I created with 3 flower colors here.) For this look I used Morgan Taylor Get Sporty With It and Morgan Taylor Lip Service. Top with your favorite topcoat and Voila! a simple abstract floral look. Tip for Fall: You can switch this up for fall by using orange and red toned polishes for the flowers and/or base color! Let us know if you try this look! 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!

The best body lotions are the kind that leave your skin feeling soft and hydrated, not just for hours, but for days at a time. I am incredibly picky when it comes to my beauty products, and when it comes to body lotion, I need something that delivers. Here's a few of the best body lotions (according to my skin!) Makes Scents Spiked Lemonade Body Butter: The fragrance is bright and uplifting and the butter is creamy and decadent. This is a summer-only product, so if it is still available on their site when you are reading this, don't hesitate to buy it! LATHER Lotus Flower Whipped Body Creme: This velvety soft anti-oxidant rich moisturizer has an herbal floral fragrance. It is non-greasy, soothing and softening. LAVANILA Vanilla Coconut Body Butter: This body butter has a mousse-like texture that quickly absorbs and a scent that makes you want to take a beach vacation and never come back. A Girl's Gotta Spa! Energizing Citrus Body Lotion: Yes, shameless plug, but I honestly stand behind my amazing natural body lotion. It literally quenches the driest of skin and brings it back to the land of the living (which happens to be on your own private island with a butler.) Faith, Soaps & Love Coconut Dreams Solid Lotion Bar: Solid lotion in a tube is where it's at. My oldest son uses this on his elbows, as he is prone to pretty bad eczema there. Not making any medical claims, however when he uses this... the eczema becomes less and less. (You can see my review of their handmade soaps.) What are some of the body lotions that you use?  

Best Body Lotions http://t.co/2gSR9cTqrc — A Girl's Gotta Spa! (@agirlsgottaspa) January 13, 2015

Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Shannon on G+

Skin cancer has been on my mind a lot lately. My aunt died at the age of 29 from Melanoma, family members have caught skin cancer early, and my friend, Amanda, constantly battles skin cancer daily.

Amanda is a Melanoma survivor, but just because they caught it early doesn't mean she is in the clear. Over the past few years, Amanda has repeatedly found new moles and marks on her body, and even though some of them appeared completely normal and not within the ABCDE's, each time she has been told that what her dermatologist scooped was found to be in the stage just before turning cancerous.

Being able to transform my shower into a spa-like experience is my idea of absolute bliss, so one can only imagine my elation upon hearing the words "aromatherapy shower kit." Immediately upon hearing those few words, pictures of a completely relaxed, zen-like me began dancing in my head. Needless to say, I could hardly wait to get my hands on this magical product that would allow me to turn my boring old shower time into an invigorating spa time. This magical product that I speak of is the Essio Aromatherapy Shower Kit.  The kit includes a shower arm and essential oil pods and is exceptionally easy to use...honesty it took me less an a minute to attach the arm to my shower and insert the essential oil pod. Best of all? Set up required zero tools.  After setting up was compete, all I had to do was turn on my shower water and tilt the pod into the stream of water and the essential oils began to diffuse into my shower. The first Essential Oil Pod that I tried was the Breathe blend, it was minty, refreshing and soothing and contains a blend of Cedarwood Atlas, Peppermint, Lemon, Eucalyptus.  I am currently using the Unwind Essential Oil Pod, which is more of a citrusy floral scent containing a blend of Orange Sweet, Bergamot, Petitgrain, Lavender, Patchouli, Vetiver and is utterly relaxing.  Even after I get out of the shower my entire bathroom still manages to smell positively delightful. The Essential Oil Pods last for about 3-5 showers each and when you're out, refills can be ordered at Essio Online.  The Essential Oil Pods are 100% organic, pure and sourced from the finest oils in the world.  They do not contain any harsh chemicals, synthetics or additives and both the Essio arm and essential pods are also 100% recyclable and disposable. I am not quite sure how Essio managed to create Essential Oil Pods that do not leave my skin or hair with an oily residue after I get out of the shower.  This is one of the most genius products that I have tried in a very long time.  And now that I have given Essio a try, I honestly do not think I can go back to taking showers without my daily dose of Essio Aromatherapy!

.@essioshower Aromatherapy Shower Kit #review: http://t.co/CN0C5hPPkY #beauty

— A Girl's Gotta Spa! (@agirlsgottaspa) January 15, 2015

Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Disclosure: Press sample

Carolyn Doe, spa director at The Umstead Hotel and Spa (Cary, N.C.) has whipped up a DIY Coconut Coffee Foot Scrub recipe to soothe weary feet at home. The rich blend of antioxidant-filled coffee and moisture-locking coconut oil, combined with the refreshing scent of vanilla extract, is a perfect combination of natural ingredients to remove and repair rough skin. Coconut Coffee Foot Scrub Recipe

• 1 cup     Virgin Coconut Oil
• ½ cup    Favorite Ground Coffee
• 1-2 tsp  Vanilla Extract

  Method: Blend ingredients together. Prepare a tub of warm soapy water and soak feet for 10 minutes. While soaking, apply 1 teaspoon of the scrub to feet in a circular motion to exfoliate the dead skin away. Rinse feet in warm water and pat dry.  (Mixture can also be used as a body scrub in the shower, but take care as it can make for a slippery surface.) Store leftovers for later use in an air-tight container at room temperature. Not only is this scrub invigorating, your feet will feel incredibly soft and pampered. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Shannon on G+

It doesn't necessarily need to be the 4th of July to show your patriotic side. Show off your stars and stripes nail art with these easy how to's from editorial manicurist, Jin Soon Choi.

Look 1 Stars and Stripes 

How-To:

1. Apply a base coat like JINsoon Power Coat
2. Apply JINsoon Muse on the entire nail bed, leaving the ring finger bare
3. Apply JINsoon Cool Blue to the entire nail bed of the ring finger
4. Using JINsoon Coquette, apply horizontal stripes with a thin brush over the middle finger and the thumb
5. Using JINsoon Coquette again, apply vertical stripes with a thin brush over the index finger and the pinky
6. Apply JINsoon Absolute White over the JINsoon Cool Blue on the ring finger to create the stars
7. Apply a top coat like JINsoon Top Gloss over the nails for a lasting glossy finish

Look 2 Patriotic Stripes 

How-To:

1. Apply a base coat like JINsoon Power Coat
2. Apply JINsoon Cool Blue on the entire nail bed
3. Apply JINsoon Muse to the middle of each fingernail, leaving two stripes of blue visible on each side of the nail
4. Apply a stripe of JINsoon Coquette in the middle of each nail
5. Apply a top coat like JINsoon Top Gloss over the nails for a lasting glossy finish

What is Cellulite? Millions of people around the world deal with the skin condition known as cellulite. If you are unfamiliar, cellulite is the bumpy, unattractive skin that is commonly seen in the thighs, buttocks, and hips. It is a structural issue within the skin that occurs when pockets of fat cells are entrapped by unnecessary connective tissue bands. These pockets of fat then bulge out of the skin, creating that bumpy, uneven appearance. This condition is most common in women and is often influenced by factors such as: aging, genetics, and poor blood circulation. This condition can lower self-esteem due to the presence grotesque looking skin. Thanks to revolutionary treatments like Venus Freeze, cellulite does not have to plague your skin for life. Venus Freeze^TM Treatment for Cellulite Reduction Venus Freeze is a non-invasive treatment that uses radio frequency and magnetic pulses to stimulate collagen production and restore healthy looking skin. The procedure is FDA approved and viewed as a quick and painless way to treat cellulite. It is also used for circumferential reduction and skin tightening. How Does the Procedure Work? On treatment day, a lotion will be applied to the area of the skin being targeted. Venus Freeze applicator will then smoothly be moved over the surface of your skin. The applicator causes a slight heating sensation and is often described as a hot-stone massage. Within the applicator is advanced technology that uses both magnetic pulses (MP)², as well as radio frequency energy to help reduce cellulite. As the applicator is moved over the skin, a magnetic field is generated from the (MP)² component to release growth factors that lead to the development of new blood vessels and fibroblasts. While this occurs, RF energy penetrates deep within the skin leading to increased collagen content and elastin synthesis, as well as triggering enzyme mediated lipolysis. As all of this occurs, the skins structure is reformed and the overlying skin becomes smoother and more attractive. What Happens After the Treatment?  After 15-40 minutes of quick and easy Venus Freeze treatment, patients are free to return to normal activities right away. While patients may experience slight warmness and redness of the skin, there is no downtime nor any harmful side effects. Results may not be visible immediately and often do not show until three treatment sessions have been performed. In order to achieve optimal results, a series of 6-10 treatment sessions within 5-7 day intervals are typically recommended. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Shannon on G+ Dr. Gaurav Goswami is a board certified physician specializing in cosmetic and endovascular procedures. He is founder and owner of Precise Care with locations in Newport Beach, CA and Fullerton, CA. Dr. Goswami’s practice focuses on minimally invasive, targeted treatments, which use various forms of imaging for guidance during procedures.

Varicose veins are those pesky, enlarged blood vessels that are often squiggly and discolored in appearance. They can form anywhere but most commonly occur on the legs. This vascular condition occurs in half of the U.S. adult population and is most common in women. With millions of people developing these veins it is important to know what causes them and how they can be prevented.

What Causes Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins and the smaller scale condition known as spider veins occur when there is an increased pressure in the veins that weakens the vessel walls over time. It may even occur when vein walls are deprived of hormones or nutrients. Although it occurs in all adult populations, women, pregnant woman, and the elderly are most susceptible to this condition.

How Can Varicose Veins Be Prevented?

In most cases varicose veins do not pose as a serious risk to your health. However, in worst case scenarios, this condition can lead to serious circulation problems due to blood being unable to travel through the clots in varicose veins. The malfunction of these veins means that less blood is transferred to the heart which in turn can pose as a serious health concern. Most of the time, however, the clotting in varicose veins just leads to symptoms like: swelling, itching, burning, tenderness, aching, and of course unattractive looking veins. While these veins can often be inevitable due to hereditary genes or uncontrollable circumstances, there are various methods of prevention such as:

• Avoiding Too Much Time on Your Feet: Excessive standing puts enduring loads of pressure on your feet and legs, which can lead to blood pooling within your veins. To avoid this, be sure to relax your legs from time to time and elevate them above your heart when you can to improve circulation. Also, it is important to always have a good posture anytime you are resting or standing, as this also a great way to improve circulation.

• Exercising Regularly: Through exercise, the entire circulatory system can be improved while reducing overall high blood pressure. These two components are excellent to improve when it comes to preventing varicose veins.

• Living a Healthy Lifestyle: Aside from exercise, it is also important to maintain a healthy weight, as this decreases the work load put on your veins. Additionally, it is important to stay away from smoking and high-estrogen birth control pills, as these can diminish the health of your veins.

• Wearing Proper Clothing: Avoid tight clothing and footwear to improve circulation. It has also been observed that compression hose can help soothe and prevent varicose veins.

When it comes to the bottom line, any improvement in health or circulation can be viewed as a preventative measure for varicose veins. If this information got to you too late, there are various treatments available for the treatment of varicose veins.

Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Shannon on G+

Dr. Thomas Wright is a board certified liposuction and cosmetic surgeon in St. Louis, MO. He is also the founder of the Laser Lipo & Vein Center.

It’s almost summer and that means more skin exposure than anytime of the year! Obviously you will want to look your best while getting in your swimsuit or light summer clothes. One of the greatest factors that influences how we look is the health of our skin. Most skin damage is directly related to the sun’s harmful UV rays. For this reason it important to take precautions when exposed to sunlight and to also ensure that your skin remains looking its best during the warm summer months. Thankfully there are many options available to help skin look brighter, fresher, moisturized, and rejuvenated. So next time you go on a summer outing consider the following treatments to ensure that your skin looks fresh and healthy!

Chemical Peel

With over 1 million Americans undergoing chemical peels last year, it is among the most popular and most effective skin treatments out there. Plus it yields fast results!

So how does it work? A chemical peel targets the damaged, outer-most layer of skin through the application of a chemical solution. The process only take minutes and involves little to no pain. Once the patient leaves, the unwanted top layer of skin will gently shed leaving behind a healthy new layer of skin. This procedure is typically performed in the facial area and results in smoother and healthier looking skin.

Facials

While we have all seen that tacky lady walking around with green cream on her face, a facial is actually a terrific approach to achieve healthy skin. A facial uses a specially designed solution to exfoliate, moisturize, and clear skin pores. With that said facials are effective at restoring a youthful, fresh face and are great at treating conditions like acne or rosacea.

GloMinerals Make-Up

If undergoing a chemical peel treatment or sitting down for a nice facial is not your thing, then the application of GloMinerals make-up may be the best route towards healthy skin. GloMinerals is unique in that it consists of high quality pharmaceutical ingredients such as:  antioxidants, vitamins C, A, K, E and green tea extracts. In addition to being cosmetically pleasing, the exclusive formula is effective at improving skin health and the prevention of free radical damage. So not only will this make-up enhance your appearance but it will also enhance your health.

Healthy Skin

Do not fall victim to unhealthy looking skin. As explained there are various options available to enhance the health of your skin. These treatments offer great results that are followed by a nice boost in confidence. While summer may be a great time to showcase healthy looking skin, it important to stay protected from too much sun exposure and to ensure that your skin is always looking its best.

 Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Shannon on G+ Dr. Lawrence Broder is a cosmetic surgeon in Austin, Texas and founder of Beleza MedSpa.

I recently had the opportunity to spend some time at Zotos Professional's headquarters to talk with their colorists and hairstylists. My focus during the visit was to learn more about the AGEbeautiful hair care line, which is the first salon quality, professional hair color intended for use at home. It's also the first hair color that targets the 5 signs of aging hair. Check out the video below of my interview with Christine from Zotos, as we talk about one hair myth and some of the signs of aging hair: Many thanks to Christine for taking the time to speak with me, and the whole Zotos Professional team. You can find AGEbeautiful anti-aging hair color exclusively at Sally Beauty. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Shannon on G+