You go to apply your favorite lipstick, only to have your dry, peeling lips magnified by like 100. Your sexy pout is no longer so sexy. Been there, done that. Nothing adds more life and vitality to your lips than giving them the rub down with a good sugar scrub. We have our favorites, do you see yours among them?

Beau Bain's lip scrubs rank high for me. My favorite is their Mint Mojito. I love it so much that I literally licked it off my lips post-scrub. While sugar, of course, does the scrubbing, shea butter, avocado oil and Vitamin E do the softening. Their scrub comes paired with a lip balm, which is great to apply before bed, or to wear when you simply want to keep your lips moisturized. Walking into a LUSH store is like driving without navigation...you are bound to get lost for HOURS. This deliciously scented lip scrub is another one that can be licked off without fear of ingesting anything nasty. Sugar and jojoba oil will take your lips to the next level of hydration.

Not so much into the whole "mint" lip scene? Bliss has Fabulips, which is a vanilla and orange flavor. The dirty work is done with almond and walnut shells, while jojoba seed and olive oils, shea and cocoa butters and vitamins A, C and E nourish. Our lip scrub recommendations wouldn't be complete without The Lip Scrub from Sara Happ. She has so many decadent scents to choose from, like Red Velvet, Brown Sugar and Creme Brulee that it may be difficult not to hoard them all. (We promise we won't confront you about your "problem".) Sugar, jojoba and grape seed oils will get your pout pretty once again. Which lip scrub do you swear by? 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+ *Disclosure

While we can't shrink pores, we can definitely minimize their appearance and prevent them from getting worse. Follow these 5 tips and you'll be on your way. (Take it from the girl with large pores.) 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+ *Disclosure

I've been wanting to get on board with the BB and CC Cream trend, but I have to admit that I've been having a hard time buying into the hype. When BB creams first came on the market, everyone was buzzing about them. I've tried a few and while they've been fine, they kind of felt like glorified tinted moisturizers that I saw no real benefit from. With most BB creams, I needed to wear foundation on top of them to achieve full coverage. I just didn't see the point in straying from my beloved moisturizers. Then came CC Creams, which was kind of confusing because many of us wondered, what’s the difference? Before I tell you about my new obsession with a product that really has made it's own little spot in the makeup world, here's the rundown: BB stands for blemish balm. It was meant to be an all-in-one product to cover you with moisturizer, primer, SPF, foundation, and serum. For me, most felt like tinted moisturizers. BB’s provided me with little to no coverage. The CC in CC creams stands for color and/or complexion correcting. A CC is pretty much a BB, but with better skin care benefits and coverage. CC's have a matte texture, so they work well as a base and look great standing alone. I was super confused when BB's started being shown up by CC's, but after trying a handful of different products, Pur Minerals CC wins the BB-CC Challenge as far as I’m concerned. Pur Minerals CC Cream lives up to everything I was hoping for and felt like we were being promised in a cream! Its light weight mousse-like formula gives great coverage, takes care of minor imperfections, is SPF 40, and has skin care benefits! I have pretty fair skin and unlike a tinted moisturizer, Pur Mineral's CC Cream Light blended really well with my skin tone and gave some great coverage … almost full coverage. So much so really, I wore it on TV with no other face makeup. That's the real test when it comes to complexion correction and coverage. I felt confident enough with my complexion that I didn't even bother with foundation for a TV appearance! It's that good! It comes in 4 different shades, light, medium, tan, and dark. I’m very fair, light was perfect for me. For many women, I know the wear time of a product is super important. I’m not one who brings makeup to work and does any reapplying besides lips once I leave the house. It’s just not something I ever think about or feel necessary. The days I wore Pur Minerals CC Cream on its own for the day, I did notice needing a little refresher by the end of the work day. On the flip side, the days that I used a little powder to set it, I was good to go all day long and didn't need any touch ups. A little bit of powder to set is the best way to achieve a full day face without touch ups! The only thing I’m less than in love with is the packaging. While I love how clean and neat the packaging is, for me the tube pump isn't ideal. At the same time, when you love what’s inside, you don’t mind working for it a little. If you've been curious about CC Creams and whether or not this is a product to get on board with, I'd suggest trying Pur Minerals CC Cream before any others. Having tried so many that are out there, I can safely say no other CC Cream actually lived up to the C's (coverage, complexion correcting) like this one. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! for more beauty reviews! 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

My friend, fellow blogger, and holistic skincare expert, Rachael Pontillo has a book coming out on September 3rd: Love Your Skin, Love Yourself: Achieve Beauty, Health, and Vitality from the Inside Out and Outside In. It'll be available on both Amazon and Kindle. Considering that her skin is absolutely flawless and nothing short of amazing, I needed to find out all I could about what she is dishing in her new book. Women with skin issues often feel like they have to hide or that there is something wrong with them. Whether the condition starts as early as adolescence, or develops later on during a pregnancy or for other reasons, it affects much more than just the skin. Sometimes issues that accompany a skin condition are physical such as weight gain, digestive issues, systemic infection, chronic inflammation, etc. Other times, however, the issues are emotional and even spiritual. This was the case for author and coach, Rachael Pontillo. After living the majority of her life with acne, she cleared up her skin for good (and simultaneously lost 80 lbs) once she cleaned up her diet and upgraded her lifestyle. Though she looked and felt better on the outside and was healthier on the inside, she still had issues having to do with self-image and self-love. These are issues common to many women, especially those who have experienced a visible skin condition, and many feel misunderstood, alone and insecure because of it. By incorporating simple practices into her daily routine, Rachael was able to feel beautiful, confident, and empowered—that’s what she wants her readers to experience after reading this book. By reading Love Your Skin, Love Yourself, women with skin concerns and self image issues will discover how to heal physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Q&A Shannon: What is holistic skincare? Rachael: I define “holistic skincare” a little differently than some other practitioners who use the term. Many aestheticians and spas consider themselves "holistic" if they use all-natural, organic products and provide non-invasive and wellness oriented services. While this is a piece of the puzzle, it isn’t the complete picture. Other practitioners like health coaches and nutritionists define holistic skincare simply as "beauty from the inside out." Again, this is an important piece of the puzzle, but after my years of education, personal life experience, and professional experience as a health coach, aesthetician, and health and wellness writer, I’ve come to realize that both are necessary to ensure the best results. So my definition of holistic skincare is “caring for the skin from the inside out with proper nutrition and lifestyle choices and from the outside in with safe and healthy products, proper hygiene, and the right skincare regimen. Shannon: Why did you decide to focus this book and your career on holistic skincare? Rachael: I've lived more than half my life feeling ugly and insecure because of acne. I tried everything from prescription medications to over-the-counter medications, chemical peels and microdermabrasion, drugstore products, department store products, mail order products, and professional strength products. Some things worked, and many didn't…and those that worked usually had side effects and only worked until I ran out of the product. I knew I was missing something. When I changed my diet and saw the quick and dramatic improvement in my skin, I knew I was onto something. However, based on my knowledge of the body as a whole and the skin as its barrier, I knew that the skin needs hydration and nourishment on the outside too. Plus, there are so many harmful chemicals and toxins in products and in our environment that the skin takes quite a beating. My own experience changed my life and I've had clients with similar life-changing experiences, and I knew that this message needed to be brought to a larger scale with this book and in my other work. Shannon: Is holistic skincare as effective as expensive and high-tech spa and cosmetic treatments? Rachael: Holistic skincare and conventional/medical skincare are completely different modalities—it’s like comparing apples to oranges, and the efficacy in this case is subjective. Some people consider quick and dramatic results to be effective, even if those results fade quickly and require numerous ongoing treatments to maintain and come with risks and potential side effects. Others consider long-lasting, sustainable results that can be achieved at home over time to be more effective. The efficacy of holistic skincare varies per person, since each person’s condition, current diet and lifestyle, and physical and emotional constitutions are so different. Some people do achieve quick and dramatic results like I did, and these results continue to last and my skin continues to improve years later. Others see a more gradual improvement over time, but also experience improvements in other areas of their health and lives—all of which become part of a permanent lifestyle. That being said, holistic skincare is not a quick fix for everyone…but the results are long lasting for everyone. Because of that and the fact that it doesn't come with a laundry list of risks and side effects, I’d say it’s more effective than conventional aesthetic and cosmetic treatments and procedures. Shannon: How is this book different from all the other skincare books out there? Rachael: There are many great books covering the nutritional aspect of skincare, with certain diets and detox regimens that really do focus on the "inside out" piece. There are also many wonderful books covering the importance of natural skincare products, with recipes for handmade products as well as information about the effects of the chemicals in conventional products. And of course there is a myriad of self-help books that talk about transformation, lifestyle, self-esteem, finding one’s true self, and more recently, the concept of self-love. However I haven’t seen many that encompass all aspects—nutrition, lifestyle, topical skincare, and self-love—and really tell the whole story. Without all of these components, my own healing would not have been possible or sustainable. I've also noticed that many holistic skincare and diet books out there tell people what to do and why to do it, but not necessarily HOW to do it—meaning how to incorporate these new changes into their existing lifestyles without feeling completely overwhelmed. Many also insinuate that these changes are easy for everyone, and I think that this message is part of the reason why so many people have a hard time keeping up with diets or lifestyle changes. In Love Your Skin, Love Yourself I tell it like it is—some of the changes I made were easy for me but some did not come naturally at all; and there were times that I almost quit completely. I discuss how I came through those challenges and also share tips for how readers can get started and what to do if things seem overwhelming or challenging. Life is not always sunshine and rainbows and most journeys of true healing and transformation have areas of shadow…but the shadow passes and then the sun returns. That being said, we can’t ignore the shadow. Too many books don’t talk about the parts of the process that are hard for people—I wanted to present my own journey as well as the changes I recommend honestly and authentically, and for me that means telling the whole story—the triumphs but also the challenges and how I dealt with them in that moment. Shannon: Was this book hard to write? Rachael: Yes and no. A large amount of this book came to me in spurts from my muse late at night. I’m a very creative person, and I've learned that when the muse wants to work I step out of the way and let her have at it. However a lot of these late night musings didn't transition well from one thought to another. I decided to get some help and work with a book coach as well as a very talented editor to help me organize my thoughts. Though I've been writing for nearly half my life, writing blog posts and magazine articles is very different from writing a book since they are more condensed and one doesn't necessarily have to flow into another. The thought of writing an entire book on one topic was very scary to me. This book is also much more personal than my more fact-oriented articles and even most of my blog posts. Piecing together the manuscript and going through the editing process was very emotional for me, since I didn't realize when I initially wrote some of it how raw my own thoughts and experiences still were for me. That’s the part of the process I was expecting the least—feeling vulnerable. Writing has always come naturally to me, as has expressing myself in other ways, so the actual writing part was not hard—it was the feeling of vulnerability that was more difficult. The process of going through the editing, design, formatting, proofreading, and getting the book published was challenging at times but was an incredible experience at the same time. I am so blessed to have consulted with my incredible topic matter experts: Dr. Ben Johnson from Osmosis Skincare, Dr. Georgia Tetlow from Philadelphia Integrative Medicine, Sharonah Rapseik, PhD from Spa Holistica, and Christine Arylo, bestselling author and Queen of Self-Love. My editor, Daniella Thoren, designer Michelle Fitz of Hat Trick Strategies, and publisher Sennin Group also really helped the process run smoothly and helped me create something that looks more amazing than I ever could have imagined. Overall it’s been one of the most rewarding journeys of my life and I look forward to doing it again! About Rachael: Rachael Pontillo is a holistic health and image coach with more than 15 years in the beauty and healthcare industries. Following her own challenges with acne and weight, she has helped many women overcome skin conditions and self image issues in her private coaching practice. She is also a published author whose work has been featured in the top aesthetics trade journal, Dermascope Magazine, the international magazine Complete Wellbeing, as well as on several blogs and websites such as Spa Week Daily, Holistic Vanity, Organic Lifestyle Magazine, and WholesomeOne, in addition to her own popular blog, Holistically Haute. She is a recipient of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition’s prestigious Health Leadership Award, is a featured skincare expert for NeoCell Health, and spoke on a national stage before the Association of Holistic Skincare Practitioners Conference where she educated aestheticians about the benefits of offering nutritional counseling services to their clients. 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+

15 Minutes That Could Save Your Life...
With summer in full swing and the intensity of the sun’s UV rays at their peak, it’s a great time to talk about skin cancer detection and prevention. Many people are frightened when they hear the words skin cancer or melanoma; but when detected in its early stages, skin cancer is actually highly curable. While it is certainly important to have your skin examined regularly by a dermatologist, there are some things that you can check for at home.

As a caregiver, both on the floor as a nurse who works 12-hour night shifts and a parent of children with special needs, I often don’t get the recommended hours of sleep. Yes, I’ve seen all the studies of just how bad lack of sleep is for you…and no I would not recommend skipping out on the Z’s if there is a choice on the matter, but the truth remains that it is part of my (and many other caregivers) unavoidable realty. Since this is the case, instead of stressing about it, I implement little things throughout my day to help revive my energy and keep my look lively. First, it’s part of my self-care routine. Secondly, I truly believe that it helps those I care for to know that they are in good hands. I mean do any of you really want a tired-looking stressed out nurse to walk into you or your loved one’s hospital room and say she is the one who’s going to take care of you for the next 12 hours? Not if we had the choice, right? I am not sure of many who would contend the ideal notion of wanting a nurse with a positive attitude, know-how, and a put together look that sends an unspoken message of trust.

5 Products That Will Help You Transform and Revive http://t.co/xeumiPGEaW

— A Girl's Gotta Spa! (@agirlsgottaspa) January 14, 2015

The saying goes, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” So, since I have recently been struggling with anemia and recovering from a painful injury, I thought it would be a neat opportunity to allow a personal picture story post for you as I got ready for work. Here is a peak at my paler then usual face (from lack of sun, sleep, and anemia), undone hair, and the five product lines I used to transform and revive. The last pic is a must see for the transformation! Step 1: Take a refreshing shower with Marc Anthony (pause, lol) sulfate-free Oil of Morocco Shampoo and Conditioner for some super workable soft hair. When you get out of your makeshift oasis, toss in a bit of his Argan oil treatment and then some volumizing mousse. I am very picky when it comes to my hair products, as I have plunged the pocket in the past and came up with less than satisfying results. However, I am happy to report that Marc’s line is healthy for your hair, fantastic feeling, and super-easy on the wallet. It’s hard to find this type of a triple threat! Step 2: Grab myself a cool glass of H2O to sip on while I get ready, and add a 10 second squeeze of water enhancer, Stur. I love that Stur has no calories and uses Stevia to sweeten. Besides the fact that I am hydrating, it allows me to throw back SEVEN energy giving, health-enhancing, essential vitamins. Stur meets the win-win category in my book! Tastes great too with your choice of six different flavors to yum it up with. Step 3: Moisturize! My skin is normally that beautiful Italian-olive tone and supple, but with my recent conditions it’s been pale and suffering from dry patches. Yeah, OK plus I’ve hit my mid-thirties too and can’t go on without it anyway. I used Delivre's daily nourishing moisturizer for my face and their hydrating lip balm for my puckers. Delivre delivered! It was thick, creamy and smooth, but not greasy. It was also just the right skin basis for an over-all smooth look.   Step 4: Be successful in achieving transformation by including your base and primers. They truly make a HUGE difference in the outcome. I used Mally’s pro-tricks correcting palette to hide the dark circles under my eyes, as well as some age spots on the side of my face (thank you Mally!) I also use and swear by Urban Decay’s Eye shadow primer potion, as well as their Naked Skin (my foundation base). Naked Skin fused with my skin as if it was my own, giving it a natural appearance while improving my skin tone. Let’s just say that Naked Skin is a totally appropriate name.

Step 5: Apply your makeup. A tip I learned from makeup artist, Ashley Smith, is to apply eye makeup first. That way you can clean up underneath later for a clean finished look. I used Mirabella’s eye shadow, as well as Urban Decay’s Moondust Zodiac and Intergalactic. For my lashes and liner, I used Rimmel London’s waterproof gel liner and ScandalEYEs flex mascara. Lastly, I brushed on L’Oreal Project Runway’s the Temptress’s blush/226. AND VOILA! As usual I LOVE to hear from my gals, so give me your feedback and share some tips on what you do to transform! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! for more beauty reviews! 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!Courtney on G+. *Disclosure

Wishing for a spa getaway? To feel royally pampered in preparation for the summer months, therapists at the legendary Turnberry Isle Miami and its Forbes-rated Four Star Spa & Fitness Center suggest these at-home treatments using natural ingredients for those times when you can't make it into the spa: Mommy-to-Be Body Scrub – Helps with skin hydration and exfoliation. Ingredients: - ½ cup of oatmeal - 1 cup of yogurt Directions: Mix the oatmeal and yogurt together in a bowl. Use your hands to massage the scrub onto your skin in a circular motion. Coffee & Coconut Oil Booster – Activates circulation, rids cellulite and helps remove dead skin cells. Ingredients:  - ½ cup of coffee powder - 2 tablespoons of coconut oil (olive oil can be used instead) Directions: Mix the coffee powder and oil in a bowl. Use hands to massage mixture in a circular motion. Sunburn Solution – Great for sensitive skin. Ingredients: - 2 bananas - 3 tablespoons of honey - ¼ cup of cold milk - blender Directions: Mix the bananas, honey and milk in a blender. Apply to the mixture to skin and wait 10 minutes until rinsing. Apple Toner - Exfoliates and calms normal / combination skin. Ingredients: - 1 skinless apple - ½ cup of cold water - blender Directions: Mix the apple and water in the blender until it becomes very thin. Using cotton, apply to face. Have you tried any of these natural DIY spa treatments yourself? 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!

Think Idaho is only for potatoes? Think again. Worley, Idaho has a gem with its Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort and its luxury spa, Spa Ssakwa'q'n (pronounced sock-walk-in). Set on the massive Coeur d'Alene tribe's reservation, this amazing resort is all about utilizing its natural resources, giving back to the local community (taking care of its tribe as well as helping non-Indians) and giving visitors a taste of what Idaho has to offer.

Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort: The resort and casino have undergone many expansions since it first came into existence in 1993. When I first approached the resort, I was in awe of how large it was. On the one side is the original casino and lodge, then an expansion, then the new Spa Towers and spa (which were added about 2 years ago.) It is beautiful on the outside with a great view of snow-covered mountaintops.

I stayed in the new Spa Towers, which has a gorgeous lobby with a long horizontal fireplace. As you head to the elevators, you pass a second seating area which has beautiful tribal pieces set behind glass to browse. Past the elevators is a smaller, non-smoking casino that leads into the newly renovated Chinook Steak House. Down the hallway to the right is the second Spa Tower, fitness center, and Spa Ssakwa'q'n. 

I stayed in the first Spa Tower, which had a beautiful view of the courtyard area that includes a dock, water, bushes, and in the warmer months, lively plants. One thing I noticed about this resort are the quiet details. For example, the elevator ceiling is a piece of metal artwork mirroring the night sky and its stars. Throughout the hallway leading to the rooms are large pieces of wood from the trees outside set as seating at each window. Incorporating the natural landscape and its elements are seen throughout the casino, resort, and spa. It is so tastefully done and modern.

My room was the Spa Tower Deluxe room. It is a large space, with an equally as large bathroom. There are two floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto the courtyard and across to the spa. I liked that the windows offered a tinted see-through shade that could be lowered for privacy, yet I could still see through it to admire the outdoors. I was constantly on the lookout for a moose or elk, which have been known to eat from the trees and bushes near the spa.

Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort has eight restaurants and a coffee stand (which has the most delicious Salted Caramel Iced Latte ever) all overseen by Executive Chef Adam Hegsted. I had the opportunity to eat at Chinook Steak House, High Mountain Buffet, and Red Tail Bar & Grill. Each restaurant has its own flavor, but all incorporate local game, wild fruits that are native to Idaho, and local produce. At Chinook, I was able to sample a majority of the menu. I decided that I was going to eat whatever was given to me, even if that meant eating something I wouldn't normally eat. I'm not a big fish eater, yet the Idaho Trout melted in my mouth and had no fishy taste at all. If my eyes were closed, I would've had no idea that I had just eaten a fish-it was THAT good!

The Northeast Elk Stew was my idea of comfort food. I've never had elk before, but it tastes just like steak with a softer texture. My favorite dish sampling by far was the Mushroom Ravioli. However, it was a close competition for dessert, which included homemade (as in, right at your table) huckleberry ice cream, honey mousse, and ganash.

High Mountain Buffet was great for breakfast and what you would expect from a buffet with its assortment of fruits, waffles, eggs, croissants, etc. The food was so good that I helped myself to two plates! Red Tail Bar & Grill is a more "relaxed food" type of place. We feasted on Pork Tacos, Carne Asada, Beer Battered Alaskan Cod (holy smokes it was out of this world with their homemade tartar sauce--and again, I don't typically eat fish!)

My favorites, however, were the Huckleberry Soda and Indian Fry Bread which comes with huckleberry jam, butter, and local honey. Who knew that huckleberries were so delicious?! I was sad to learn that we can't get them here on the East Coast.

Although I do not gamble or drink for that matter, the casino was very large and the beer and wine were from local companies. Despite not gambling or drinking, the food was by far the best I have ever had, so if you are like me, don't hesitate for a second to stop by any of their restaurants.

Spa Ssakwa'q'n: What a beautiful space. Considering that Coeur d'Alene has a championship golf course, being guy-friendly was taken into account with the design. You'll find the use of stone, wood, and water throughout the spa, making it very guy-friendly (in fact 40% of the spa-goers here are men!)

The pedicure and manicure salon is located adjacent to the spa itself. Upon entering the spa there is a boutique that sells clothing, skincare, candles, and bath and body products. There's a beautiful waterfall feature in the lounge area and an elongated fireplace. The chairs are oversized and I could've honestly slept in them!

There are two quiet rooms on each side of the spa looking out to each other with a hot tub in between. The hot tub is outdoors and I could only imagine how nice it is to relax in it as the snow falls. From these quiet rooms, you can also see the heated and non-heated pools (which are indoors.) The quiet rooms contain bottled water, iced water with lemon and lime in a large container, and an assortment of teas.

Seasons Spa Pedicure: The pedicure and manicure salon has a very industrial feel with its exposed metal, wood, and stone look. Yet, while sitting in the incredible massage chair as I had my pedicure, the tranquility of the floor-to-ceiling windows that were the entire wall looking out into the courtyard, made this a very relaxing place. Bernice made me feel at ease as she gave me the Seasons Spa Pedicure, which included a soak, exfoliation, marine mask, and then the polish. My polish of choice was OPI's It's All Greek to Me, a beautiful hot-ish pink.

Ssakwa'q'n Facial:

The facial beds here are amazing. You'll feel like you're laying on a cloud and the blankets that lie atop you are something you'll wish you could take home. Lori skillfully conducted my facial and was a pleasure. This particular facial includes 2 cleanses, exfoliation with the Clarisonic, facial massage, masque, an arm massage, eye creme application with the Opal, and a moisturizer. Naturopathica was the brand of choice for this treatment.

Lori used their Aloe Cleansing Gel, Glycolic Refining Peel (AMAZING), Neuroli Serum, Primrose Eye & Upper Lip Treatment Cream, and Lavender Protective Moisturizer with SPF 17.  My skin was glowing when she was done.

Palouse Prairie Massage: In all my years of spa going, I've never had a guy perform any of my spa treatments. So when Zach introduced himself, I was entirely nervous. However, Zach makes you feel at ease immediately, not to mention that the pressure he applied during my massage was perfect and targeted all of the knotted-up muscles in my neck and upper back.

During this massage, Zach used Aromatherapy Associates Support Breathe Oil, which is a mix of peppermint, tea tree, and eucalyptus. I have a cold, so it not only was a soothing fragrance, but it did actually help me breathe a bit better.

Mountain Rain Shower Scrub and Wrap: I've had a body scrub once before (at Dorit Baxter Day Spa), however, I'm on the fence about this type of treatment, since you are, of course, naked (more so than a massage.) After having 4 kids, I can say that I'm not comfortable with my body, so this makes me tense at the idea of having so much of myself exposed. Throw in that a guy was doing this treatment, and I wondered how I would survive the hour without being embarrassed.

Thankfully, Zach is a pro. I was happy to learn that I could have a towel draped over me and that he would only do the scrub and wrap on my arms, legs, and back. He does offer to scrub your stomach, but I told him that there was no need to see my stretch marks on that particular day. He laughed, but I'm sure he was more relieved that I said no. (ha!)

The scrub used was Naturopathica's Espresso Mud Body Scrub, which contains coffee grounds, Indian Sarsaparilla with volcanic Pumice, and Black Silt Clay. It smelled great, although the pumice was a bit abrasive. When it comes time to flip over, Zach holds the towel in a way that he cannot see you and you don't have to worry about what you look like. After the scrub is applied to your back, you are then covered with a heated covering to help flush out the toxins while under a Vichy shower.

Of all of the spa treatments I had on this day, this is the one I almost fell asleep in. Go figure! The sound of the water dripping and flowing, the heat from the covering, the soothing music, and the relaxing fragrance all contributed to the ultimate in relaxation. At one point during the vichy shower, Zach massaged my head and I literally thought I would wake up snoring. Once the shower was complete and the scrub was rinsed off, Zach applied shea butter to my skin. My skin looked amazing and was incredibly soft.

Summary: Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort and Spa Ssakwa'q'n has an amazing team of people that make you feel at home (their tagline is "Welcome Home.") While I don't gamble or drink, I think it is amazing how the Coeur d'Alene tribe gives back to its community of Indian and non-Indian people from their net profits.

In fact, they built a medical center, give 5% to education, and use as many local companies as their vendors as possible. This trip also made me realize that I know little, if anything, about Native Americans. I sadly say that all I know about their culture is that they were here when the pilgrims arrived at Plymouth Rock. However, I can say that I also realized that Idaho is beautiful and I had the best time visiting this resort and meeting new people along the way. Be sure to visit Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort's website to learn more about them.

*Disclosure: The majority of this trip was comped, however, it did not affect my experience and honest opinion.

If you've been looking for a makeup remover that isn't greasy, doesn't sting your eyes and leaves no residue behind, then you'll want to read this review! Renée Rouleau Soothing Eye Makeup Remover ($19.50) was created by celebrity esthetician and skin care expert, Renée Rouleau based out of Dallas and Plano, Texas. As an esthetician for 25 years, Renée is well-versed in skin care, especially in regards to listening to what her clients are looking to get from their skin products. I know that for myself, I always look for a product to live up to and deliver on its claims. If it does, price is never a sticking point for me.  What I love about this makeup remover is that it is weightless. When using it to remove eye makeup, especially the waterproof mascaras I've been reviewing lately, it feels like I am simply using water on my face. I use this makeup remover with Renée Rouleau Toning Cloths (which are AMAZING and I also use them to remove my nail polish, as well.) The reason I point this out is because the Toning Cloths aid in using less product than if you were using it with a cotton ball or pad (which would simply soak up all of the product and make you waste it.) By pairing the Soothing Eye Makeup Remover with the Toning Cloths, I've been able to make this 4oz bottle last well over 6 months. Another benefit is that the makeup remover looks after those with sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. While I don't fit into either category, I do appreciate that the formula is meant to be similar to your own tears...another reason why it feels weightless. There are no oils in this product either, so your face won't feel like an oil slick after. Believe me, I've used makeup removers that do; have you? There's no fragrance either, which is another bonus. You can only find this makeup remover online at ReneeRouleau.com or in Renée Rouleau Skin Care Spas. Have you used it? I'd love to hear your thoughts! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! for more beauty reviews! Watch our reviews on YouTube. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! *Disclosure

Review by Courtney Smith “You should get a facial,” I would hear my sister-in-law say to me over the past few years, “they are so great, so relaxing.”  It sounded nice, but other than imagining mud plastered over my face, I really did not know what a facial was or what kind of benefits to expect from getting one.  Low and behold as I made my daily drive past Breathe Salon and Spa of Lansdale, PA I noticed a big sign that hung promoting anti-aging facials. Weeks away from thirty-five and with enough fine lines on my face to show it, anti-aging sounded fantastic to me. I have had the pleasure of enjoying Breathe Salon and Spa’s knock out cut and colors in the past and thought this would be a terrific opportunity to explore one more, of the many, self-care aspects that the salon and spa has to offer.  Per usual the staff was friendly and welcoming, the environment was creatively inspiring and offered a sense of serenity, and upon meeting Maureen Barnes, Breathe’s premier certified Esthetician, who is filled with 20 years of cosmetology wisdom, I was provided with a tour of the room where my facial would be done, as well as educated on what to expect from our time together.  Maureen displayed confidence, professional and practical knowledge, and her presence emitted calm energy that placed me in a mood of ease for the hour we spent together. She was able to answer all my questions and then some and offered me some simple tips to assist me in dealing with the season’s harsh effects on my skin and for my my anti-aging  (appearance) journey.   The facial was so much more than mud on my face.  It was an investment into myself that I am seeing positive effects weeks later. Since I write from the every day woman’s/mom’s perspective, as well as with the eye of a healthcare professional as an RN, I feel it is pretty realistic to say many everyday woman have NO idea what a facial has to offer or what is involved. With that said I want to equip you with some well rounded know-how and encourage you to go indulge in a facial!  Yes ladies, just because we are tired and perhaps a little worn from all of our daily duties does not mean we have to look it, and when we begin to take even a little time for ourselves we can get some release from feeling it too! My view of the top 10 benefits of a facial:

1. Relaxation
2. De-stressing of skin, emotion, and over-all mind, body, spirit
3. Increased circulation to the skin on our face (this has enormous health benefits)
4. Decreased sinus pressure
5. Release of toxins from our skin (if you only could have seen mine, whoa!)
6. Minimize the appearance of pores
7. Decrease in fine lines and wrinkles
8. Increase in moisture balancing
9. Decrease appearance of age spots
10. Firmer skin with an added glow

Maureen Barnes 10 steps to an awesome and effective facial: 1. Cleanse. Facials are different from regular at-home cleansing because they deep clean, removing toxins caused by pollution, grease and dirt found in your everyday environment. 2. Analyze.  This tells what skin type you are working with or any concerns. i.e. large pores, sun damage, dry patches. oily patches. 3. Exfoliate. This gets rid of dead skin and improves the look of the skin. It also helps any product you use work better. 4. Steam the skin and loosen the debris in the pores. The oxygen helps the immune system and heat from the steam help the hardened, clogged oil in the pores to soften therefore becoming easier to extract. 5.  Extraction.  Is the removal of whatever may be clogging pores. 6. Massage. This increases circulation and helps products to sink into the skin, It helps soften the look of lines, and has emotional benefits of touch. It also assists with digestion and metabolism. It de-stresses you period, which has a long list of health benefits. As part of the facial, the scalp (which helps with hair growth), face, chest, shoulder, arm, and hands are massaged. 7. Mask. There are the highest amounts of nutrients and minerals in this product and designed to work with different skin types. 8. Skin booster. This is a potent serum (there are a variety), which give a strong boost to the skin and assist in alleviating skin issues. 9.  Mini massage with the serum. 10. Moisturize.  Moisturize, moisturize and your done! Now go get your facial and reap the benefits! Book your facial with Maureen Barnes at Breathe Salon and Day Spa by calling 215-362-1277. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! for more beauty reviews! Watch our reviews on YouTube. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! *Disclosure