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+

Something I've learned in my 8+ years of beauty blogging, is that many brands like to say they are something without any proof to back it.

Brands say they are natural, but the ingredient label tells a different story. Brands say they are organic because they assume you won't know that sometimes natural doesn't necessarily also mean organic.

Brands also say they are cruelty free knowing that there may not really be a way for you to know one way or another.

When I launched the A Girl's Gotta Spa! bath and body line, I wanted to make sure you knew who we were and not have to guess.

A Girl's Gotta Spa! is a natural beauty brand. Our product pages clearly state how natural our products are so that you don't have to wonder. We are also transparent about our ingredients and have a page dedicated to telling you, in detail, what our products contain.

A Girl's Gotta Spa! products are vegan. Our initial products are vegan and it is our goal to try to keep future products vegan as well. If we can't for some reason or another (such as with a lip balm), the product page will clearly tell you so.

A Girl's Gotta Spa! does not test on animals, our ingredient suppliers do not test on animals and our manufacturer does not test on animals. While we do review all kinds of products on our beauty blog (and that may be confusing to some), I did not want to be the brand who tested on animals.

We now can officially back up this claim with our Leaping Bunny certification. You can find us listed in their Cruelty Free Consumer Shopping Guide. Our mission at A Girl's Gotta Spa! is to empower women to believe - You Deserve to Be Pampered - and we do this without harming any animals, without toxic ingredients and without harming the earth.

I hope you love our products as much as we do. If you have questions, please leave a comment or contact us. 

It may sound silly, but even though I don't drink, those Corona commercials snag my attention every time.

Sounds of the ocean, the sense of relaxation and the refreshing lime placed perfectly in the bottle neck. It's that lime that calls out to me saying, "Let me quench your thirst."

The same could be said for lime in beauty products, because it has so many benefits.

Lime essential oil is a natural astringent and clears oily skin, so it is perfect for acne prone skin. When used in body care, such as A Girl's Gotta Spa! Energizing Citrus Body Wash, Body Lotion and Salt Scrub - be sure to use it where dirt and grime tend to build up the most, such as your back or chest.

Sometimes the most obvious place to use it (your back) is often overlooked in the shower since you are already rinsing off with water or the shampoo trailing down your back. Plus, backs and chests need to be moisturized too!

The fragrance of lime when applied topically also revitalizes the senses and plays a part in mood. It creates clarity and mental focus.

And the same goes for the other citrus essential oils in A Girl's Gotta Spa! Energizing Citrus: grapefruit, lemon and orange. Lime, in addition to these other oils, are known to be uplifting. In a word, the fragrance is simply happy. (Que Pharrell here.)

As with any citrus oil, they do cause photosensitivity, so be sure to wear a good broad spectrum sunscreen when heading outdoors (which you should be doing as part of your anti-aging and skin cancer prevention regimen anyway!)

Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. 

Honestly, the easy button was made for people like me. There are just some things I have no patience for, and nail art is one of them. I wish I could tell you that as a beauty blogger I am super creative and uber crafty and create endless nail looks to swoon over, but the truth is, my nails go bare most of the time. It's a tragedy really. For some reason, ever since I wore shellac back in 2011, my nails have never grown to any substantial length. But that's not my only excuse. I simply lack the skill required to paint cool scenes on my tiny nails. Then Pinterest to my rescue! I came across an amazingly easy nail art tutorial, and I was pretty excited to be able to recreate it with some modifications. You'll need: A large piece of paper 2 Flossers 3 Bottles of your favorite polish in complementary colors 1 Base Coat 1 Top Coat I recently received Ricky's NYC RickyColor Nail Polish in Final Share Weekend (hot pink), Sweating in the Subway (bright purple) and Banker Husband (bright teal.) This was a great opportunity to wear them all at once (and to show off my mad new skills.) How to:

• Apply a thin layer of base coat.
• Apply one solid color  to all nails. (I chose hot pink.)
• Lay your paper flat. Towards the top swipe one color a few times (generously) in the same spot so that you have a thin layer of color.
• With one hand under that part of the paper (to push the paper into the thread), use your other hand to dip the thread of your flosser into the pool. Be sure to ONLY get the thread covered in polish (or else it will be a big mess on your hands.)
• Now firmly apply the floss three times across your nails on one hand in different spots. (I did mine straight across, stacked.)
• Apply your final color on the paper, swiping enough to create a thin layer of it.
• With one hand under that part of the paper, use your other hand to dip the thread of your flosser into the pool, getting only the thread wet with polish.
• Firmly apply the floss three times across your nails on the same hand, but in different spots. (I did mine diagnol.)
• Repeat these same steps on your other hand.
• Lastly apply your top coat and let dry.

Easy peasy. I love that each nail doesn't look the same, yet it still looks cool. All the colors work together and the look is eye catching. The original how to called for putting the polish pooled in a bowl, but I didn't want to waste more color than I had to and I only wanted to get the thread wet with paint and not the whole flosser. What do you think? If you replicate this how to, let me know! 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

Yesterday I had the pleasure of chatting on-air with Alayna Zwick, host of LA Talk Live's Beauty Talk 'n More. While I help Top Tier Media with her social media efforts, she asked me to call in to talk more about A Girl's Gotta Spa! natural body care line - an opportunity I did not pass up! As you can tell from the 13 minute chat, I am passionate about beauty and have been since as far back as I can remember. You can purchase A Girl's Gotta Spa! natural body products at www.agirlsgottaspa.com/store. If you have questions, leave a comment and I'll be happy to answer! 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+

Up on Huckleberry Mountain lies an enchanting stone chateau with 20 miles of magnificent views of the northern Pocono mountains. Whether your view is of the prominent snowcapped peaks in the winter, the lush greenery in the Spring and Summer, or the spectacular colors of the Fall foilage, you are guaranteed something breathtaking even before stepping foot inside The French Manor Inn and Spa.

If you long for a peaceful hideaway that is elegant, a place to simply retreat to whether you are local to the Poconos or are venturing in from out of state, you won’t be disappointed with what The French Manor has to offer. I’m blessed to live local to The French Manor, and having been previously to their Le Spa Foret for a Spa Pedicure, I know that the team here is top notch. Prior to your spa treatment, and on this day it was a Therapeutic Relaxation Massage for me, you are greeted with small, brown, glass bottles of essential oils. Every spa treatment at Le Spa Foret is completely customized to your needs and only with natural or organic products. In dire need of a floral fragrance, I chose Soft Beauty which contains jasmine and smells heavenly. The Therapeutic Relaxation Massage is a Swedish-style massage that promotes relaxation using long strokes and kneading of the superficial muscles. It was much needed, as the launch of my natural body care line has kept me at my desk long hours and feeling exhausted.

Robin immediately picked up on the tension in my neck and upper back and kept much of her focus there. While I don’t typically chat too much during a massage, I found that Robin and I actually had a lot in common, so I didn’t mind the great conversation while her hands worked magic on helping to relieve the pain I was feeling in my muscles and the absolute need to relax my mind.

It’s worth noting that if you love huckleberries (as I discovered I do after my trip to Idaho’s Spa Ssakwa’q'n), The French Manor offers a huckleberry candle in their spa boutique. My advice? Buy one. The sweet scent has filled my office daily and is such a pleasing fragrance.

To learn more about The French Manor Inn and Spa, visit thefrenchmanor.com. If you found this spa treatment review helpful, please Like, Share and Pin it!

Disclosure: Spa treatment comped for review.

It has been a never ending winter here in the northeast and my skin is really not happy about it. In one of my last posts, I was so excited to add two new products to my daily beauty line up for dry skin…but now we can make that three. I’ve never had such a problem with dry skin before, especially on my face. If you live in an area with brutally cold temps and you’re experiencing this same sensitivity and dehydration on your face, meet the Miracle Skin Transformer Miracle Balm ($36) from Sarah McNamara. While a vitamin C serum was a great addition to my daily routine, the never ending freezing cold temps were still leaving areas around my nose really dry. It was actually kind of embarrassing and I felt so self conscious that I couldn't get that area under control. I’ve never had to deal with skin issues like this before and my heart goes out to those with regular dry skin. On the coldest days, I felt like nothing was giving me the relief and hydration my face needed until I found Sarah McNamara’s Miracle Skin Transformer Miracle Balm. Miracle Balm is a multi-use beauty balm and creamy oil designed to hydrate sensitive, irritated skin and enhance the skin’s own natural repair process.  It’s made of a unique formula blend of waxes, oils, botanical antioxidants, and reparative ingredients like Manuka Honey and Japanese Licorice Root Extract.  It's pretty much a combination of a bunch of really great ingredients for your skin that replenishes, calms, restores, repairs, and quenches your thirsty skin. I swear, it couldn't have come at a better time for me. Actually it's a blend of over 30 moisturizers! This is not your average moisturizer, it really is more a balm. Thicker, more concentrated, and so creamy you really only need a dab. If harsh winter weather has left you painfully dry, Miracle Balm provides instant relief and protection for distressed skin and is for anyone with severely dry, dehydrated skin due to harsh weather, aggressive cosmetic treatments, or environmental reactions. TRUTH! I feel like I'm preaching now, but seriously the harsh weather has been sucking any moisture from my face and a few little dabs on Miracle Balm puts the moisture right back in. Miracle Balm is totally soothing solution for the driest areas of your face and body. Just apply Miracle Balm with your fingertips to soothe irritated skin.  It's safe to apply anywhere on the body including face and lips. If you're not sure about this because of the price tag, I should also mention again that this is a multi-use product. It's not just for your face!  You can use it for dry area of your face and body, but is also super convenient to have on hand to smooth fly-aways, condition lips, use as a face highlighter, and even to transform powder eye shadows into creams. There are tons of different uses for Miracle Balm! Aside from hydrating your face and body, Miracle Balm can help you deal with many skin challenges like reducing redness, soothing areas post-waxing, healing and smoothing cracked heels, stings and bug bites, and even after sun exposure. Try it and let me know what you think! If you found this skin care review helpful, please Like, Share and Pin it! 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! *Disclosure

Lapis, The Spa at Fontainebleau’s Director of Spa operations, Josie Feria, came up with a few DIY spa treatments to rescue and revive your skin, and hopefully calm your mind. Take some time to nourish your body and senses. RESCUE ME SCRUB Benefits: Exfoliation of dry surface skin and increased hydration Ingredients: ½ cup mineral salts 2 tbsp of any carrier oil such as avocado, jojoba, grapeseed or kukui 5 drops lemongrass oil Directions: In bowl using a metal spoon blend mineral salt with carrier oil – thoroughly mix until it becomes a paste. Gradually add in lemongrass oil, blending after each drop. If scrub is too thick add a few drops of water and remix. Moisten the body in a warm bath or shower and apply scrub to body by hand or using a moist loofah pad in circular motions. Using a loofah pad or other textured body sponge or brush will increase the effects of the exfoliation. Beware of being too energetic as you may scratch the skin. Skin will be rosy and feel energized. Thoroughly rinse skin and apply body lotion. RESCUE SOAK Benefits: Relaxation, detoxification and mineralization of body Ingredients: 4 oz mineral salts 1 cup baking soda Directions: Add mineral salts to bath as warm water is running. Caution should be taken with hot water as may cause lightheadedness. Add baking soda. Using a bristle brush, loofah or sisal mitt, dry brush the body in upward strokes – this will exfoliate the skin, make the treatment more effective and increase blood circulation at the skin’s surface, which is key to skin regeneration. Lower lights and burn a candle at the edge of the tub. Have a glass of cool mineral water and lemon slices nearby to refresh and rehydrate your body. Play soothing, calming music. Soak at least 15 minutes adding warm water as needed – the longer the soak the greater the benefits. Rinsing is optional – towel dry and apply body lotion. Optional - Add in drops of lemongrass oil to increase aromatic benefits, provide pain relief and soften skin. While enjoying your soak try on these complementary experiences: Hair mask – Massage in a hydrating oil or cream into hair and wrap in shower cap Face treatment – Apply a hydrating mask or clay mask to the face with a small amount of water Eye treatment – boil a chamomile tea bag, chill and moisten 2 cotton eye pads. Apply to eyes and place a sleep make over eyes to secure – this treatment will not only reduce puffiness and dark circles but will enhance relaxation benefits due to the exclusion of light and vision. RESCUE MY FEET Benefits: Soft, touchable feet Ingredients: 2 tsps mineral salts Directions: Soak feet in warm water with mineral salts. Massage scrub (see recipe above) to onto feet and wrap in warm wet towels, allowing towels to cool off. To warm towels – put under very hot faucet /squeeze out excess water and place in microwave unrolled for 1 minute on high (or more time if needed.) Using wet towels remove scrub. Use pumice stone or other callous reducer on any tough, thick skin – be careful not to overdo it and over sensitize your feet. Rinse off. Apply body lotion and place feet in plastic bags and cotton socks. Follow towel recipe to warm the socks but use a lower microwave setting and less time for maximum benefit. Leave socks on overnight. While enjoying your feet treatment try on these complementary experiences: Warm a hand towel and place around your neck to increase relaxation. Apply scrub to hands, thoroughly rinse and apply a body lotion and tuck into cotton gloves or mitts for the night. If you found these DIY spa treatment tips helpful, please Like, Share and Pin it! 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+

Whomever said that spa treatments are just to relax, never experienced the ones that go beyond relaxation and additionally treat an ailment. An old-time Thai remedy that is still used today, the Six Senses Thai Herbal Poultice, offered in Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives, increases blood flow and circulation, relaxes tense muscles, and alleviates pain and inflammations when applied directly onto the skin. Making your own herbal poultice is easy and the treatment is a great way to fight off the common cold, the flu, and viruses. The skin, our body’s largest organ and one of the first lines of defense against disease, quickly absorbs the herbs’ medicinal benefits for instant relief of stress, aches and pains. All ingredients are found on the islands of the Maldives, as well as in many of our supermarkets and pantries! Six Senses Thai Herbal Poultice Recipe What You'll Need: Fresh or dried herbs including Kaffir Lime, Galangal, and Lemongrass. (Before making your poultice with other herbs, be sure to research their properties to ensure they aren’t irritants.) Yarn/Thread White Cloth Bowl for mixing Steps: · Put 1 cup of each herb in a bowl and mix it well. · Take a large handful of the herbal mixture and place it into the center of your cloth, making a firm bundle (no bigger than a tennis ball in size.) · Tie the top with yarn or thread to create a handle for your poultice, keeping it tight so it will not become loose when in use. · Using a steamer or a hot pot, boil water and drop in the poultices until steamed, about 30-45 minutes. · For application, first check the heat of poultice on the inner forearm. Once the temperature is to your liking, place with pressure on the body on areas that are tense and or painful up to 30 minutes. · Use your Thai Herbal Poultice up to 4-5 times each before making a new one. If you found this DIY beauty post helpful, please Like, Share and Pin it! 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+