Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Don't Believe the Hype in Skincare Infomercials



Take Comfort in Your Own Skin

In a world driven by social media, endless commercials and 24-hour marketing, finding the right facial products to work for you can be overbearing and confusing.  Many of us ask friends for their advice; we watch the red carpet to see what the stars are doing; we spend money on products that promise results that we know we will never actually see… only to be disappointed and confused when they don’t work.

Everyone has unique skin care needs so how are we supposed to find the right product for us?

The first thing to remember is that just because an actor or actress is a “spokesperson” for a product line, it doesn’t mean that the results they claim are the results you will see.  These folks are paid to embellish the desired results and many times imperfections are airbrushed out.

The concept of “Cosmacuetical” products (the combination of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals) is growing in popularity.  Consumers are becoming more aware of the benefits of purposeful skincare and the lack of these benefits in the products purchased over the counter. 

These cosmacuetical offerings can be found on infomercials, on Groupon, on Living Social, etc. and can be very effective… for the right skin type.  However, just because a product claims to be anti-aging, or an acne treatment, or promises a youthful glow- even if these products work for your neighbor- it doesn’t mean they will necessarily work for your individual skin type.

This is why it is very important to have a professional consultation with a knowledgeable skin care professional.

At Body by Shae, we specialize in finding the right skincare prescription to meet your individual needs.  Every person has a different skincare requirement and each of us is looking for very individual results; therefore each recommendation is different and unique based on those needs and desires.

There is no such thing as a “one-stop shop” when it comes to maximizing effective facial products or believing there is one mega product that will give you maximum results.  Body by Shae completes a professional and thorough evaluation of your skin composition, your lifestyle influences and your diet before composing a script that will work best for you. 

Leave behind the hottest trends and gimmicks….Take Comfort in Your Own Skin and contact Body by Shae today for a licensed and professional skin care analysis.







Thursday, September 4, 2014

Hard Wax vs. Soft Wax



Using hard wax to get rid of unsightly and unwanted hair seems to be the new craze across day spas and waxing centers lately.  Many clients think that hard wax is the better option because it is the most popular form of waxing today.

I’ll say it out loud though… I LOVE SOFT WAX.  I do not follow the trend of hard wax hair pulling and here is why.

Both hard wax and soft wax have the same basic end result- hair removal.  Many clients tell me that they prefer hard wax because they believe that it hurts less- and it may actually hurt less- but the process is longer and less effective.
                            

Hard Wax is typically applied to the skin and needs to dry before peeling the wax off.  It tends to work very well on thick, coarse hair that doesn’t come out easily because it can be reapplied several times.  This wax however, is not effective in removing the finer, vellus hair (soft, fine baby hair that grows over the body).  This is the reason why it hurts less.






Soft Wax is applied and removed using a cloth strip such as muslin or pellon.  This method is usually applied once or twice and tends to be extremely effective in removing both vellus and terminal hair, allowing for a sleeker and smoother finish.




My personal preference is to get the job done quickly, effectively, and all at once.  I would rather use a soft wax and endure the slight pain for 20 minutes than wait for the hard wax to dry and then suffer through interminable tweezing to ensure all the stray hairs were removed; a process that can take more than double the time. 

The other issue with hard wax is that if it is not applied correctly, there is a high potential that the hair can just be broken off at the skin surface instead of removing if from the root -increasing the frequency at which you have to go through this process.

As an esthetician using soft wax may cost a few more pennies, but Body by Shae strives for excellence and efficiency in all the services we offer and we recommend the soft wax above all else.   We understand that waxing is a personal decision and ultimately boils down to preference, so go with what works best for you.

If you haven’t taken the Brazilian Wax Challenge (using Hard Wax or Soft Wax) bite the bullet and DARE TO GO BARE.  Find out why everyone is taking part in the waxing frenzy.  For an entire listing of our services, visit www.bodybyshae.com today!



Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Why choose cosmeceutical (pharmaceutical) skincare products over OTC


Cosmeceutical (Pharmaceutical) Grade skincare vs Over the Counter skincare products


Do you ever wonder why the skin care products that you buy over the counter (OTC) are just not as effective and seem to stop working after a short while?

Cosmeceutical :  
The term "cosmeceutical" was created in the 1990's from cosm(etic) + (pharma)ceutic.  It's a cosmetic product claimed to have medicinal or dug like benefits.  Cosmeceutical products are marketed as cosmetics, but reputedly contain biologically active ingredients and contains ingredients that have activity in the skin.

Most people think the reason this happens is due to the difference between active and non-active ingredients, but this is not the entire story.  The OTC products that you purchase at the local drug store generally do not have a low enough pH or a high enough percentage of active ingredients to adequately penetrate the epidermal layer (upper layer) of the skin. 

This is not to say that general OTC skincare products don’t work, they are simply not as efficient as pharmaceutical grade products.  These cosmeceutical grade products are formulated to penetrate deep down into the dermal layer (lower layer) of the skin where the living cells are.  This layer is also where your collagen and elastin are produced. 

Products that penetrate to the dermal layer, should be used wisely.  Cosmeceutical grade products do not mean “chemical and paraben free”, it means formulated to penetrate deeply.  If you are using cosmeceutical grade products that are not free from these harmful substances, you are really just more effectively delivering these toxins into your body.

For long lasting, safe & effective results- always use cosmeceutical grade skin care products which you can purchase from a licensed skincare technician; and remember to keep it pure… the more pure the product, the more benefits you will reap.  

Body by Shae uses and organic and  natural cosmeceutical skincare line that has helped many clients to reach and maintain their skincare goals.  For more information on cosmeceuticals, skincare goals and skincare nutrition, contact Body by Shae.



Thursday, February 6, 2014

Lobelia- The “Intelligent Herb” 




Lobelia- The “Intelligent Herb”

Some call Lobelia the “Intelligent Herb” because it seems to do whatever is necessary to promote healing in the body.
This flowering perennial garden plant has a long history of use as an herbal remedy for respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia and cough. Native Americans smoked Lobelia as a treatment for asthma.
When applied to the skin Lobeliahas been found useful in the treatment of muscle pain, joint lumps associated with rheumatoid arthritis, bruises, sprains, insect bites, ringworm and even poison ivy.
Many holistic practitioners utilize this amazing herb as an alternative to costly pharmaceutical solutions because of the decreased risk of long term damage and side effects that accompany non-natural remedies.
For several years Body by Shae has been committed to providing all natural solutions to pain management by utilizing flowers and herbs that grow in the garden.
Body by Shae Pain Relief Salve utilizes Lobelia and other healing herbs such and ComfreySt. Johns WortPeppermint Leaf and Arnicajust to name a few to effectively treat ailments such as tendonitis, bursitis, muscle spasm, restless leg syndrome, itchy skin, minor burns, cuts & scrapes, bruises, nerve pain, disk pain , TMJ, congested breathing and more.
Lobelia’s healing effects seem endless… because it truly is the “Intelligent Herb”.
Fun facts about Lobelia:
There are about 400 different species, but the most popular are the cardinal flower, indian tobacco and the brook lobelia.
Colors range from shades of red and pink to blue, purple, yellow and white.
Several species of Lobelia are used for medicinal purposes.
The flowers of L. inflata were smoked by Native Americans to help ease symptoms of asthma, which is the origin of the name Indian tobacco.
Here are some other beneficial herbs.
Comfrey helps to stimulate cell growth and repair while simultaneously depressing inflammation.
St. Johns Wort helps to alleviate nerve pain, sciatica, muscle pain, skin conditions and migraine headaches.
Peppermint Leaf aids in the healing of mild respiratory conditions, nerve pain, joint conditions and rash.
Arnica helps to increase circulation which aids in healing of bruises, reduces pain and inflammation.
Visit www.bodybyshae.com for additional information on how Lobelia can help you.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Are the products we use really ALL natural?

Are the products we use really ALL natural?

I started out in beauty/healthcare industry in 2000 in massage therapy.  I just felt like I really found my thing. Nothing made me happier, so I ventured into skincare and the universe just blessed me with so many opportunities.

I really got into the industry and natural products before it was so popular.  I always questioned every product ingredient that I was using on my body. When I went back to school for my skin technician license I really enjoyed learning about all the different ingredients and all the benefits they provided, in their natural state.  It really got me thinking about all these "organic" and "natural" products that we all swear by.  Did you know that there's quite a difference between "organic" and "organic ingredients"? The companies still have a margin for filler and preservatives!  One day I took my favorite skin care wash that claimed to be organic, I started looking up all the ingredients and discovered that only a small percentage of them were organic.  There are a number of parabens in there! Wow! So, here I am.... paying an arm and a leg to ensure the health of my skin for a product that doesn't live up to it's name.  That's when I got the idea to start making my own products with my company name, Body by Shae... but how do I get the word out there, how do I sell them to people?

I started working day and night and played the mad scientist with all the ingredients I had purchased from a reputable company that sold organic ingredients.
The difference in using products that really are unrefined and natural to the products we buy over the counter is really amazing.  You can really feel the difference.  I started out just making body creme; how hard can that be? It took me FOREVER to find the desired consistency until I could come out with my Body by Shae Body Cream.

When I started using my body cream, I noticed that I didn't even have to use it every day because it actually penetrated to my living skin, it retained the moisture! I was amazed.

When I started picking which friends would make the greatest guinea pigs I was able to discover even more healing benefits than just retaining moisture! My body creme was helping psoriasis, dermatitis and eczema, even sunburns! Why would I go back and use the store bought stuff that did none of the above?

Naturally, after seeing all the great results I started making an entire line of products.  One of the products Body by Shae makes  is an all natural Pain Relief and Healing Salve that has worked better for me and many others than anything we've all tried before.  It's become the biggest seller and people are buying it by the tin! Handcrafted products are the way to go!

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