Spa Around the World is a luxury escape to the world's top spas. As the “Martha Stewart” of the spa lifestyle, creator Candy Silvasy mixes virtual spa breaks & DIY tips on spa style decor, food & beauty. SATW also presents current events with a humorous spa flair such as “Where Would Sarah Palin Spa?” Candy invites you to stop by for a bit of spa time anytime!
If I gave you $100, what new-to-you beauty item(s) would be first on your list to buy?
- 1. The new Liquid Keratin Hair Starter Kit is calling my name - it smoothes wavy hair (my hair is part wavy & curly and frizzes like crazy) and makes it straight shiny and frizz free for about six months. Think of all the $ saved on blow outs! Similar salon treatments cost up to $300.
- 2. Another goodie on my list is the Lancome Oscillation Mineral Powder Foundation - a powder makeup on a motorized sponge that pats the foundation into your skin for a flawless look.
- 3. I recently heard about Snap-On Smile, veneers for teeth that involve no dental work. While my teeth aren’t bad, they could use a little filling out around the edges and between my 2 front teeth. Fuller teeth make you look younger & they help prevent those nasolabial lines between your mouth and nose by plumping up that area. They cost around $3,000 - way more than the $100 in my pocket (wink) but a girl can dream, right?
What are your two favorite beauty blogs? Why do they rock?
- 1. I’m really captivated by how women go glam in other countries so I follow several foreign bloggers. One I adore is A Beauty Junkie in London. Not only does Jen review products not yet found on this side of the pond, but she has bargain alerts. And while it’s not an image rich site, it’s very well organized so if I’m searching for a certain type of product it’s easy to find. A fun site for DIY beauty with a real girl’s perspective.
- 2. Style.com has a super comprehensive blog called The Beauty Counter. It’s quite the opposite of Beauty Junkie in London but its diversity and chock a block content keeps me coming back. Makeup launches, spa treatments, skin lines, hair, celebrity and designer stylings - it’s all here in gorgeous technicolor! Looks range from edgy to girl next door. I love to save my fave images in a notebook & play around with my makeup to copy them.
Three Skin Care secrets you learned from your mom.
- 1. I was a self-conscious wallflower as a child and always upset about something on my face or body. As a redhead, my freckles especially bothered me. My Mom used to tell me how one day I would thank her for them. Now I do, and if I could go back to that child Candy I would say anything that makes you unique is good! (PS: I now love my freckles; I think they help me look young.)
- 2. My mom grew up in the 1950’s and used to razor & pluck her eyebrows to a very thin line. Eventually, they never came back. I always had very thick brows & she warned me to never shave them. Never have and never will - thick brows, check!
- 3. One of my best friends Jane recommended that I have glycolic facials regularly. (Her skin always looks luminous and I asked her what she did). Glycolic and other types of facial peels not only make your skin immediately vibrant, but stimulate collagen growth and increase your at home skin products’ effectiveness - double whammy against aging.
What four beauty steps do you think people should religiously make time for
- Serum - Serums are the superstars of skincare. They have a finer consistency than moisturizers and contain high concentrations of the vitamins and active ingredients one needs for maximum results. A serum exists for every skin concern. Vitamin C serums keep free radicals at bay and serums with peptides firm your complexion.
- Use a Retinol product at night - Whether you have a prescription cream like Retin A or an over the counter one like Somme Institute A Bomb - retinols erase fine lines, promote collagen production and shrink pores - scientifically proven.
- Repel the Sun - I am so adamant about avoiding the sun, I earned the nickname sun hater. Actually I love the sun, just not what it does to the skin. Everyday I put a sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher everywhere, face, hands, neck - don’t forget the eyes too. If you are in a super sunny situation like the beach - hats or beach umbrellas are essential.
- Sleep on your back - After all the care we take of our skin, many of us pound wrinkles into our faces by sleeping on them! Side sleepers and front sleepers are rubbing off their skin products and etching wrinkles into their faces.
Name Five Fantastic products in your drawer or shower.
- 1. Clarisonic - there’s a reason this was one of Oprah’s fave things. Seriously, I can’t wait to wash my face with this ultrasonic brush that shakes and shimmies that dirt out of my pores. Several aestheticians I know are worried it will hurt their business - that’s what a difference it makes.
- 2. Skinceuticals CE Ferulic Serum - I won’t be without the super stable vitamin c in this which banishes free radicals that can kill collagen. Not only face saving, when I ran out recently, I noticed my skin looked less evenly toned and radiant. I ordered more to be overnighted more to me ASAP!
- 3. Talika Lipocils - I discovered this in a pharmacy in France - it’s a gel you apply to eyelashes before bed - my lashes are so long they literally hit my sunglasses.
- 4. Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Use Dry Oil Golden Shimmer - Airport security nearly stole this from me when the real gold particles at the bottom showed up on the x-ray machine. This oil sinks right in and is never greasy - I use it in my hair, on my face and shoulders to brighten up my pale factor - my boyfriend loves it!
- 5. Decleor Neroli Face Oil - This stuff smells spa-delicious and is awesome at helping me avoid that winter dry skin crack up. Just a few drops all over the face and neck after my serum makes my skin super supple. Hint: take it on your next massage and have the therapist massage it on your face/neck - divine!
