(originally posted on Sunday February 18, 2007)

Happy Sunday! I have a little bit of time before my treatments today, so I thought I’d make a post about a new treatment I have recently added to the spa menu - and a few others coming soon.
I have been using a line of products for the previous 4 months known as Arbonne International: pure swiss-formulated cosmetics, skin care, hair care, nutritional and weightloss products. The reason I made the decision to give it a try was because their products are all botanically based, pH correct, hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested, never tested on animals, and made without animal products, by-products, without mineral oil, and without dyes or chemical fragrances. Still, at first I was very skeptical because I have used a lot of products in my ever-enduring quest for flawless skin, and have been disappointed many times. Like a lot of women, I am very fair and sensitive-skinned and lots of things irritate it. I’ve used Merle Norman, Clinique, Lancombe, Mary Kay, Elizabeth Arden (guilty), and even very high-end, expensive skin care lines such as Jurlique. Even when I worked at the Spa at Grove Park Inn, some of their Babor and Mary Cohr stuff would cause a rash on my face at times. Still, they were wonderful spa quality products that gave me the closest thing to perfection I could find at the time (and believe me - the price WAS NOT RIGHT… very expensive). So expensive, in fact, that even with my discount I could not always afford to use them.

So far, the Arbonne has not broken me out, given me a rash or irritated my skin at all. I have used things from their Nutramin RE9 and Not-So-Basic lines and both have been fabulous. So, being that I’ve been looking for an affordable but fabulous product to use in spa treatments and put on my shelves for you to take advantage of, let me say one thing… EUREKA!
I plan to add new facials, beginning with a special Acne Treatment Regimine and an Anti-Aging Facial. Eventually, make-up applications and sales will be offered. (Yes, ladies. Never fear. I’m an expert at makeup application. This is a whole year of Merle Norman Beauty Consultant training talking)! I will let you know more about the Facials as I get the “wrinkles” ironed out…(no pun intended).

So the very first treatment from this line that I am incorporating is the Vanish! Figure 8 Anti-Cellulite treatment. There are two products involved here: The Figure 8 Pre-Shower Cellulite Scrub, which visually tones, tightens and preps the skin for the Contouring Cellulite Cream, which improves the visual appearance of cellulite.

TREATMENT RITUAL DESCRIPTION : I begin using the cellulite scrub in your target areas (hips, thighs, upper arms, buttocks) and use a regular salt scrub on your limbs, tummy (if desired) and back. Then you will enjoy a 20-minute detoxifying hydrotherapy bath which will increase your circulation and enhance lymphatic drainage (both which are essential to diminishing and smoothing out the spongy look of cellulite). To finish, you will receive an application of the Figure 8 Vanish! Contouring Cream on your target areas and Lavender Skin Food on your limbs, tummy and back.

I currently have these in retail if you wish to take them home and continue treatments there. You can really feel this working! It is a hot and cold tingling sensation… but I trust it will be a very refreshing retreat for anyone in those hot summer days just before heading to the beach or lake, when you want to look your best. For more information and pricing, check out this treatment here: http://www.gracehealing.com/spatherapies.php
More later!

Beth