Hi! It’s Kelli, bringing you this month’s Product Feature.

At Star Brows we’re all about amazing eyebrow shape and design and most of us, including me, are doing what we can to get them.  I’ve been using Billion Dollar Brows’ Brow Boost for the last six months to help re-grow my poor hacked-off brows and with this product’s help (and the brow magic that comes from the Brow Boss, Linda), my eyebrows are becoming what I’ve always wanted. Now a reformulation of this product boosts brow growth three times more than before!

This new and improved formula will help you get thicker, fuller brows and can be applied to your lashes too. Buy two (one for lashes and one for brows) while they’re our Monthly Feature!

The deep-conditioning treatment is designed to help strengthen and condition thin, over-tweezed brows and weak lashes. It contains three times the amount of Laminaria Digitata and Pelvetia Canaliculata Extracts, two types of seaweed found off the coast of Brittany, France that are clinically proven to help strengthen weakened hair follicles.

In honor of this new product release, we are offering Double Reward points which you can redeem for Enhancements! I don’t know about you, but I am very excited to try this out.

See you at the spa!

So, how do you get your skin in shape for the biggest beauty day of your life?

Let’s get started.

1. Body Waxing

Perfectly smooth skin, head-to-toe, takes time but is so worth it. Waxing is fast, inexpensive, and easy but can go seriously wrong if you don’t choose a professional who has an impeccably clean and sanitary facility and experienced practices in caring for sensitive skin.

Do: To get totally smooth, you need to start waxing three months before your wedding day, then wax every three to four weeks. Keep track of how long it takes for irritation to subside after waxing and make your last appointment based on that.

Do: It is essential that you follow post-wax aftercare directions from the performing esthetician.

Don’t: Cave and shave!

2. Brows

Do: Great eyebrow design makes a look. You’ll be close up and personal with lots of folks, and your eyebrows need to help communicate beautifully and effectively. If you are trying a new eyebrow designer, make your first appointment three months before. That allows for some re-growth/reshape time.

Do: Choose a MUA that does great eyebrow makeup using pencil, powder, and gel to guarantee a perfect brow. You don’t want your brows looking fake, but you also don’t want a disappearing act.

Don’t: Do your last wax any closer than three days before the wedding date, and only that close if your skin settles down quickly post-wax, and you’ve worked with the designer before.

3. Facials

Do: If you’ve got a skincare specialist you’re working with, you’re pretty safe to do a  facial or specialty treatment up to one week before. The sooner you start though, the better your skin will look. Starting at least three months early will give the best results, monthly thereafter.

Do: Your skincare specialist will recommend home-care as well. In the end, it’s what you do every day/night that will produce the best results.

Don’t: Try someone (treatment) or something (product) new that last month. The skin is so unpredictable, and the stress of the wedding planning alone will take its own toll on your skin.

4. Makeup

Do: Once you have your skin in beautiful shape, you’ll need to choose a professional MUA whose work you’ve seen. Start working with her at least a couple of weeks before the event to establish rapport and practice the exact look you want. Take pictures yourself of the look beforehand to see how it photographs.

Don’t: DIY.

5. Sun Protection

Every bit of skin that shows will need to be protected: face, neck, decollete, arms, and hands. You’re not going to see tanned skin on the real beauties, it’s damaging and aging. I can’t advise on spray-tan, but this would be my choice if I wanted my skin to look darker. Have it done professionally and try it out a month or so beforehand just in case you don’t like it.

Do: Use an SPF30 to prep the face and decollete months in advance for perfect skin. On the day-of use an oil-free SPF15 before an outdoor ceremony or pictures begin. Stay away from zinc oxide, it photographs blueish.

Don’t: Lie out in the sun less than seven days before your wedding. Newly-tanned skin may look “brown” to the naked eye, but the camera registers pigment colors differently and will likely see the “red” in your skin instead.

6. Changing Medications

Do: If you’re starting or changing ANY medications (like hormone-based birth control methods)  in the last three months before your wedding, be sure to discuss with your doctor how it might impact your skin.

6. Toxic Habits Stress the Skin

Do: Drink water, eat “healthy,” exercise, and get good rest.

Don’t: Try to do everything yourself!

Below are some designers’ collections from bridal market day  to show you how some of the beauties rock perfect skin, or at least the “illusion” of it, thanks to great MUAs!

Maggie Sottero: Glam dresses with a 1920s, Great Gatsby feel.

Amsale: Clean, modern gowns with show-stopping backs, with origami-inspired details.

Kenneth Pool: Luxe, glamorous gowns with sparkle – from beading to amped-up bling.

Christos: Ethereal and romantic dresses with a Shakespearean-maiden feel.

Anne Bowen: Reminiscent of Tim Burton’s dark and dreamy Alice in Wonderland.

Austin Scarlett: Classic bridal gown styles with flattering details

Reem Acra: Feminine and fashion-forward wedding dresses with some  unique accessories

Monique Lhuillier: Check out this designer’s regal and lacey/romantic new collection

CCWP member Linda Hall Ruberto, aka the Brow Boss, esthetician and owner of Star Brows in Grover Beach, is a blogger and nationally published author who recently made the cover of Skin Deep with her article, “The Beauty of Weddings.”

Hi! It’s Kelli, bringing you this month’s Product Feature.

With spring in full bloom, it’s no wonder we’re all feeling inspired to feel fresh and look pretty! Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics’ lip products are a simple way to update your look without having to put a lot of extra effort into your appearance.

My personal favorite is the lipstick color Rosewater, the newest pink hue we carry at the spa. It’s beautiful and a happy medium between sophisticated and young. I’ve noticed a lot of brides leaning toward the softer pink tones, and this one photographs perfectly!

The Brow Boss loves to show off perfect brows with the right lip-treatment. Her top choice for the longest-wearing lip color is the Lip Pencils. The technique involves completely filling in the lips and then applying Mineral-based Lipstick or Luminous Creme Blush over the pencil. Her favorite color is Blushing Nude, a nice blend of classic and modern that can be worn for any occasion.

We both love playing around with our Youngblood lip products to customize the color for every age, comfort level, and skin tone. The possibilities are endless.

And with the Double Rewards you get for purchasing our Monthly Product Feature, you are one step closer to adding on an amazing treatment Enhancement to your next appointment while looking stunning! 

See you at the spa!

*Prices quoted are not guaranteed after this offer expires.

Mother’s Day Spa Special

Arrive a couple of minutes early so you can get settled and relax for a few minutes in the quiet environment of the spa, and plan on staying for about an-hour-and-a-half.

When you enter the treatment room, you will feel the warm air provided by state-of-the-art radiant heat in the treatment rooms. You’ll smell calming essential oils and be enveloped by the soft candlelight and music.

As you climb under crisp, clean, warmed sheets your body’s curves will be cradled by special contoured bodyCushions.

We’ll coax your body into a state of bliss and calm with our signature back treatment which combines massage with a deep cleansing skin treatment. 

Next, detoxifying and de-stressing drops of essential oils will be applied along your spine (Raindrop Therapy).

Turn over and the Star Massage begins with Tu’el’s Cleansing Oils and Herbalizers chosen for your skin type. Puffiness, sinus pressure, jaw tension and all signs of stress dissipate from your face, neck, and shoulders - mmm, who knew it could feel this good?

Now the facial begins with warmed towels, gentle steam, and special masks and scrubs designed to alleviate your skin’s concerns.

And don’t forget those hard working hands and feet. They will be meticulously worked out, every finger and every toe rubbed until they are eased and your feet will be wrapped in warm towels.

Later, plan on relaxing and drinking plenty of water with slices of organic lemons to complete a perfect experience.

Who knew Star Brows was about more than eyebrow couture? Now’s your chance to see! Limited spaces are available for this special offer, so call now - 805-722-8222  - and mention the Mother’s Day Spa Special.

It’s not on the menu and is specially priced at $110 (save $75!). Offer expires on May 31, 2013

See you at the spa!

With the arrival of spring , you’ll be showing more skin and exposing more of it to the elements. Get a head start on maintaining beautiful, healthy skin with a little TLC and a few of our best-selling favorites.

TU’EL

• Hydrate XS 1000 Super Serum Moisture Gel $48
• Botanical Booster Essential Oil Synergy Blends $32
• Crystal C  Antioxidant Vitamin C Serum $34

OSEA

• Atmosphere Protection Cream – a lightweight moisturizer that fights dehydration, pollution, and the elements $38
• Brightening Serum – reduces hyper-pigmentation and revives sun-damaged skin $56
• Eyes and Lips – restores damaged skin and fights free radicals $56

If you’re new to Star Brows, you may not know about The Monthly Product Feature or Rewards yet. To put it simply, 10% of all your product purchases, all the time, go toward free Service Enhancements, like Raindrop Therapy, Lash Tint, Chemical Peels, or Star Massage.

When a product is the Monthly Feature, like selected OSEA and Tu’el Products this month, you’ll get 20% back in Rewards.

See you at the spa!

*Prices quoted are not guaranteed after this offer expires.

• Full Set $90 (regularly up to $160)
• Up to two Fills: $65 per month (regularly $40- $120 each). Full-Set price applies if Fill exceeds one month.
• Prices valid when services are performed not more than one month apart.
• Offer good for three months from date of purchase.

Find out more about Eyelash Extensions here.

Note: This special may not be valid one month after its original posting. Please check with us to inquire.

See you at the Spa!