Introducing Ask An Esthetician

Spa Fit Finder would like to introduce you to our latest feature, Ask an Esthetician. Each Sunday Spa Fit Finder will release answers to some of YOUR top skin care questions to help you care for and understand your skin better. All you have to do is post a comment to our Ask an Esthetician blog with your skin care questions or email Sara@SpaFitFinder.com and we will post an answer to your questions the following Sunday.

About our featured Esthetician:


Kara Pettis, a national and international trainer and certified massage therapist and esthetician brings with her many years of hands on training and experience in medical spas, day spas and wellness centers. She has been personally trained by Hungarian Masters in skin care technique and herb usage. Kara is passionate and takes pride in sharing her secrets for fantastic skin using natural skincare.

Question of the Week:
Q. I don’t have a lot of money to spend on skin care, what less expensive items would you suggest?
A. Always have the basics: cleanser, toner, moisturizer. If you really want to impact on improving on a certain skin condition, a concentrated serum is easy to sneak into your daily routine and can quickly improve the health of the skin.

I look forward to helping you with your skin care questions.

Thanks,
Kara Pettis

National Yoga Day

National Yoga Day is tomorrow, January 23rd and tons of local facilities are offering FREE classes to celebrate. Organized by the Yoga Alliance, the goal of the National Yoga Day is to introduce newcomers to the practice. It is also a great way for seasoned yogis to share their love and knowledge of the practice.

If you haven’t tried it, why should you try yoga?
The benefits are endless and once you try it I promise you will be hooked! Yoga has been proven to relieve stress, increases flexibility, relieves pain, creates body alignment, increases strength, provides weight management, improves circulation, and most importantly helps you practice being present. Our lives are so busy we rarely take a minute to reflect on our lives and our surroundings. I strongly encourage trying one of these classes this weekend. Remember to tell them Spa Fit Finder sent you.

Free Classes Near You!

At OneYoga is offering a free class/donation day on January 25. There will be free yoga, Chocolate and a Wine class with David Romanelli -100% of donations going to yelehaiti (www.yele.org)! The event is at Artspace which is located at 7127 E 6th Ave in Scottsdale. Call one of the At One Studios to RSVP. Scottsdale: (480)556-6044 | Phoenix: (602)667-6422

Gilbert Yoga will be offering free classes on the 23rd and 30th between 12-3pm. They will be offering yoga sampler classes, stop by the facility to enjoy one or two. You can choose from Kids Yoga, Pre-Natal Yoga, Power Yoga, and more! Email info@gilbertyoga.com for more information!

Sumits Yoga is offering a free class/donation ALL day on Sunday, Jan. 24 to benefit the Haiti Red Cross Relief fund. Sumits Yoga has locations in North Scottsdale, McCormick Ranch, Biltmore, Gilbert, Chandler, and Glendale. Email info@sumitsyoga.com for more info!

Not All Skin Care Products Are Created Equal

Naturally we all want to look our best. We are constantly trying to find beauty products that will make ourselves look younger, less oily, blemish free, enhance our features, or reduce our wrinkles. But listen up, not all skin products are created equal! Next time you grab your favorite lip gloss or beauty product make sure to take a peek at the ingredient list to see what your favorite products are made of! To make your next trip to your favorite makeup counter a little easier we have created a list of good and bad ingredients for you. Read carefully and enjoy!

Good Ingredients:
Aloe is very hydrating and healing.
Coconut Milk is very cleansing which is great for sensitive skin.
Cocoa Butter is a great body moisturizer and smells great too.
Shea Butter is healing and helps skin with elasticity which can improve wrinkles.
Sugar is a natural exfoliate.
Coffee can reduce cellulite.
All types of Sea Salt help with circulation and redistribution of vitamins.

Bad Ingredients:
Mineral Oil and Petroleum coat your skin with oil and prevents your skin from absorbing other healthy ingredients.
Isopropyl Alcohol can cause your skin to break out and is a drying agent.
Sulfates can be toxic to kidneys and nervous system.
Parabens are very harmful and can increase risks of cancer due to their ability to mimic natural hormones such as estrogen.

Visit SpaGirl Gourmet to check out affordable all natural paraben free skin care products!

Information was provided by www.spagirlgourmet.com

SFF Top Ways to De-stress At Home!

Walk It Out
If you are frustrated or stressed put on your walking shoes and grab your ipod for a brisk walk. Turn down the speed dial on the fast paced thing we call life by raising your heart rate and taking a little time out of your day to stop and smell the roses is never a bad thing.

Try a DIY Moisturizing Mask
What’s the secret ingredient? Honey, it has natural antibiotic properties that will leave your skin softer and moister. All it takes is about a tablespoon- just apply it evenly all over your face, avoiding the eye area. Take a cat nap for about 10 minutes as it dries, then rinse off with warm water and enjoy your smooth soft skin!

Draw a Bath
Detox from the holidays by adding a cup of sea salt to a warm bath. The sea salt draws impurities out of your skin and will help you exfoliate. Take it to the next level with essential oils, flower petals and candles.

Reduce Clutter
Pick a small are that is cluttered— your junk drawer the stack of mail on the coffee table, or your makeup drawer— and de-clutter it. Toss or recycle anything unnecessary, wipe it down and clean it up. Inhale, breath, ahhh. Much Better!

Soak Your Tooties!
Your hands and feet are the busiest part of your body, so pamper them a little! Try these 5 recipes!
This one is my favorite:
1 cup lemon juice
3 TBS olive oil
1/4 cup milk
Don’t forget the rose petals and candles for extra relaxation!

Call on Your Guy
Massages are the best, but they are even better when the masseur is your guy! You'll de-stress in no time! If you return the favor he will probably be more willing next time! Try Mimosa Champagne Massage Oil by Eminence.

10 Arizona Spa Treatments to Try in 2010

While losing weight, eating healthy, and dedicating more time to work are all great New Years Resolutions don’t forget to include pamper yourself with spa treatments to your list of resolutions after all you deserve it!

1. Cinnamon Spice Enzyme Facial is a relaxing, soothing facial at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, Arizona. Call 602-381-7632 for more details.

2. The Signature Facial, is a refreshing blend of grapefruit, mandarin, orange, cranberry and pomegranate make this the ultimate aromatherapy experience. Exfoliation is delivered by way of botanical enzymes that gently digest dead skin cells and impurities as it moisturizes and tightens. Active antioxidants soothe and protect the skin against environmental toxins. Relaxation is further enhanced by a gentle hot stone hand and foot massage at the Camelback Inn in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Call 480- 596-7040 for more details.

3. Gingerbread Crème Nourishing Ritual, a savory blend of sweet gingerbread spiked with dashes of crème and cinnamon. Your skin will be polished with gingerbread crème sugar scrub and moisturized in gingerbread crème silk and honey lotion. Try this body wrap at Jirlique Spa at the Fire Sky Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. Call 480-945-7666 for more details.

4. 60 Min Arctic Nature Aromatherapy Massage, enjoy winter’s bounty of incredibly uplifting scents in a natural - and naturally soothing - massage as you relax and unwind at Hotel Valley Ho, VH Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona. Call 480- 248-2000 for more details.

5. Traditional Thai Massage, is a slow and rhythmic assisted stretch is performed on the floor in the traditional manner at Joya Spa at the Montelucia Resort in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Call 480- 627-3200 for more details.
6. Luscious Lemon Lavender Hands & Feet, this calming treatment features a lemongrass sugar scrub, followed by a lavender paraffin application to both detoxify and moisturize rough, dry skin at The Phoenician in Scottsdale, Arizona. Call 480-941-8200 for more details.

7. Lotus Flower Aquatic Reflexology, as you're floating with supports under your knees and neck, your therapist works the reflex points of your hands, feet and ears to release blockages along the energy meridians, stimulating your immune system and bringing relaxation. This deeply relaxing treatment leaves you feeling energized and invigorated at the Sanctuary Spa in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Call 480-948-2100 for more details.

8. Reiki, a Japanese form of energy work. This is a very quiet session performed with the hands above or lightly holding the energy centers of the body. The therapist works with your intensions and visualizations to bring healing energies into the physical body at Sedona Rouge Spa in Sedona, Arizona. Call 928-203-4842 for more details.

9. Rebalancing Facial, a deep cleansing treatment is to effectively care for problem skin types. Specific techniques reach deep into the pores to encourage exfoliation. Thorough extractions complete the cleansing process. Toning and proper hydration restore your skin to optimal balance at the Enchantment Resort and Spa in Sedona, Arizona. Call 928-282-2900 for more details.

10. Holiday Fun Pamper Pass, choose three 30-minute treatments! Chocolate Honey Facial, Presently Surprised Massage, Cranberry Pomegranate Sugar Body Scrub , Cranberry Pomegranate Manicure , Cranberry Pomegranate Pedicure at Alvadora Spa in the Royal Palms Resort in Phoenix, Arizona. Call 602-840-3610 for more details.