Lush

Experience the First Lush Spa in the US

Lush is opened their first spa in the US this week on the Upper East Side of NYC and I got a sneak peek of what's in store.  Let me tell you, it's much more than I expected. Since Lush is know to be a vegetarian/vegan brand, I thought it would be a typical spa that uses their own products to please those who are anti-chemical.  Well, I was proved wrong.  Each treatment involves a choreographed experience that merges your senses taking you from one mental state to another.  It's unbelievable.

Located on the second floor right above a Lush store, there are only four treatment rooms in a very cozy environment.  The decor was brought over from antique shops in England to create a traditional English feel and of course, Lush products are used.

Music was composed by Simon Emmerson specifically for the treatments to  enhance the mood and a behavioral therapist helped create the treatments to "pick you up in one place and drop you off in another," explained Susan Rotante, Lush's PR rep.

I scheduled an appointment for their signature massage, the Synesthesia. Inspired by a neurological condition in which the senses merge (yes, people can see music and hear color), I watched a therapist preform it on a client.  It was as if I was watching a ballet and the client was part of the performance.  She was being played as if she was a grand piano.  Picture a transformative, graceful experience through a full body massage with medium pressure.  The therapist was actually flowing to a choreographed movement across the body.  

You tailor your treatment with your massage therapist using 11 emotional states like energize, relax, confidence and motivation to name a few.  Using a combination of oils for scent, the right lighting, flow of a massage and music your senses merge throughout the treatment and in minutes, you find yourself in a different state of mind that, unlike in other spas, doesn't always need to be relaxed.

The Lush Spa will be located at 783 Lexington Ave. NYC and the Synesthesia treatment costs $230.

Lush Launches Emotional Brilliance Collection with A Pyschic Twist

Have you ever gone to a psychic?  I've been to a few for fun from boardwalk psychics for $5 a palm read to a real, make-an-appointment-two-months-in-advance-psychic in the West Village who was on point when I was younger.  I promised myself that if I ever felt the urge to go to one again I'd go back to him.  However, I found myself at an event for Lush Cosmetics the other night and experienced a new kind of reading... an inspiring, somewhat psychic reading based off of beauty products.  So my style... you can get one too... Lush recently launched a cosmetic line, which is awesome because they strive off of creating quality, vegan beauty products and this was their natural next step.  My favorite of all of them is their Emotional Brilliance Collection.   It includes mini brightly colored jars of lipsticks, eyeliners and cream shadows that each have meaning behind them.  For example, yellow means lifted.

In the store, they have a color wheel.  A Lush consultant spins it, you pick the three shades that stand out most to you (not your favorite colors) and they do a reading for you based off of the three shades you picked and the meanings behind them.  I chose yellow (lifted), pink (believe) and purple (feeling secure).  I have to admit, my reading was on point!

Head to a Lush store for your reading or you can purchase them depending on your mood.  They're adorable gifts too!  Lush Emotional Brilliance Collection, $22.95 each at Lush.com at the end of July.

Beat Dry Skin this Season with These Nourishing Finds

Winter brings snowy days, cold winds, along with dry, chapped skin. The cold winter weather is our skin’s worse enemy – dryness, chaffing, and soreness from head-to-toe.  I think we can all do without.  Have no fear – more than anything I can't stand feeling dry, so I went on a mission to ensure it won't happen to me, not this year, not ever.  So here you go BeautySweetSpot readers: tips to prevent that horrible feeling and my favorite product picks. Tip #1

Use a good quality body wash like SoftSoap Ultra Rich Shea Butter Body Wash, $5.99 which also moisturize. Some soaps may seem innocent but they actually dry out your skin. This one is super creamy and contains butters and antioxidants to nourish your body right at the start of your day.  Another tip:  The hotter the water, the more your drying out your skin.

Tip #2

Post shower, apply moisturizer within three minutes while your skin's still damp.  It allows the moisture to seep deeper into your skin.   My favorite is Olay Quench Plus Touch of Sun Body Lotion, $8.49.  The Quench line of Olay products are super moisturizing, but not too heavy or sticky and this one acts a gradual self tanner.

Tip #3

Don’t forget your hands and feet. Apply a cream specifically formulated for hands and feet each day.  They tend to be a bit richer than normal body lotions.  After applying, wear socks to help your feet soak in the moisture. My favorite hand cream by far is Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Moisture Hand Cream, $17.  I also love L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand and Foot Cream Duo, $15.  Plus, it's much more pocket friendly.

Tip #4

Apply lip balm throughout the day, such as Burt's Bees Nourishing Balm with Mango Butter, $2.99. Your lips can get super chapped during the winter months. They're cheap enough where you can have one in every bag, desk, and jacket so there's no excuses for dry lips!

Tip #5

This is perhaps the most important one!  Don’t forget to exfoliate once a week to remove dead skin cells and make all of this moisturizing more effective.  Lush Bubble Gum Lip Scrub, $8.95 and DermaDoctor KP Duty Body Scrub, $44 are my go to's.

Treat Your Pout to More Kisses

Did you know the lips are one of the most sensitive areas of your body?  Because your lips are an extension of your inner mouth, they don't produce their own oil like your skin. Therefore, you need to exfoliate and moisturize to keep them luscious. Here are some tips on how to get a pair of soft, healthy pink lips just begging to be kissed:

Exfoliate

Your skin lips are is the thinnest on your whole body so they tend to flake and peel.  Exfoliate at least once a week with a lip exfoliator.  They tend to be gentle.  Try Lush Lip Scrub in Bubble Gum, $8.95.  It's made with vegan flavored sugar that you can simply lick off when you're done. Trust me, you'll want to, it tastes that good!

Moisturize

You should never leave your lips bare.  Like you moisturize your face in the am and pm, you should do the same for your lips.  During the day use a lip balm with an SPF of 15 or higher. Sun damage on your lips can lead to burnt, peeling lips, thinner lips and yes, even skin cancer. Try Blistex Massage Lip Balm SPF 15, $2.99.  For night, try Sally Hansen Overnight Lip Recovery, $10.49, is loaded with antioxidants and keeps moisture in your pout while you sleep so you wake up with a perfectly plump, supple smile.

Paint or Plump

Post treatment, every girl needs a little color to her pucker.  If you just like gloss sans the plump, check out Rimmel Royal Gloss, $3.99 (my favorite color is Twinkle Pink).  However, if you're looking for a bit of a volume go big or go home with Maybelline Volume XL Seduction Lip Plumper, $7.09.