It’s late July and I have nowhere to go. No exotic destinations or vacation plans of any kind.

It’s certainly not for lack of trying. I went into uber-planning mode last fall, rounding up family and friends to convince them to commit to a summer getaway. Unfortunately, my powers of persuasion failed, which is why I’m sitting at my computer in late July watching others pack up their cars while mine is permanently parked at the curb.

Trying to overcome my stuck-at-home depression, I came across the notion of a “staycation.” Am I the only one who’d never heard of this before?

Essentially, a staycation refers to a “vacation” where you “stay” at home. At first, that didn’t sound like much of a vacation to me. Then I looked into it some more. The price of gas is out of control, and I drive an SUV (only because I think it’s more economical to run my 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee to the ground than to drop a few grand on a new car). The cost of groceries is on the rise as well, but my home pantry is already pretty well stocked. Taking a trip could end up costing more than I’d bargained for.

Still, I want to feel like I went somewhere this summer besides my front porch. And here’s where the spa industry comes in, having once again found a way to turn a run-of-the-mill time into a terrific opportunity to meet consumer needs. Apparently, I’m not the only one longing to get away, if only for a day or even just a few hours.

According to the annual survey conducted by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), 22 percent of people surveyed say that they use massage to relax. Plus, massage therapy can also reduce stress and improve overall health. Eighty-seven percent of people surveyed agree that massage can be effective in reducing pain, and 85 percent agree that massage can be beneficial to health and wellness.

So spa professionals are ingeniously marketing their services toward worn-out people like me who need a break but can’t go very far. After all, a professional massage at a day spa provides the perfect getaway. Heck, I can even request an ocean waves soundtrack to accompany my massage experience.

In the end, the staycation is an excellent way for spa pros to keep busy and for bleary-eyed workers to chill. Maybe I’ll get away this summer after all.

-Robyn Tellefsen

The weather’s heating up, representing yet another golden opportunity for beauty professionals to showcase their esthetician skills with seasonal treatments. After all, the clients who came calling in winter have completely different skin care needs now that it’s summer. The more training you’ve pursued in the variety of specialty treatments available, the more customers you’ll have knocking at your door.

One of today’s hottest beauty and wellness specialties is ayurveda, the ancient Hindu art of medicine and prolonging life based on the premise that mind, body, and spirit are intimately connected. According to ayurveda, each one of us is made up of a unique combination of the three doshas, or psychophysiological forces: Vata (motion — air and space), Pitta (metabolism — fire and water), and Kapha (cohesiveness — water and earth). The doshas govern the seasons of the year; Pitta rules in the heat of summer.

What does all of this have to do with skin care? Estheticians who have been trained in ayurvedic treatments know that during the summer, they must work with their clients to develop a routine to keep Pitta (the fire element) in balance. Here are some suggestions you can offer clients for maintaining healthy skin all summer long:

>> Drink plenty of fluids. To balance Pitta, drink tea with cooling herbs and spices such as cardamom, fennel, and mint. Steer clear of iced beverages, which can create toxins that lead to skin breakouts. Water, on the other hand, helps flush toxins out of the body and keeps your skin clear. Milk keeps your skin from drying out.

>> Eat Pitta-balancing foods. Good vegetable choices include asparagus, carrots, celery, leafy greens, lettuce, and zucchini; cleansing fruits include grapes, mangoes, pears, and watermelon; herbs such as fresh basil, cilantro, ginger, and mint add a pleasing aroma and flavor. All of these supply the skin with essential nutrients and antioxidants. Limit spicy and sour foods, which aggravate Pitta.

>> Make your own skin cleanser. Watch out for soap-based skin cleansers that dry out your skin. Those with dry or normal skin can make a cleansing mix from almond meal, oatmeal, milk, and rosewater. Those with oily skin can use chickpea flour or oatmeal with yogurt and some lemon and neem powder. To help your skin become more resilient and fight premature aging due to sun exposure, apply a thin mixture of red sandalwood powder and rosewater two to three times a week.

>> Moisturize daily. Look for an ayurvedic moisturizer with skin-nourishing herbs such as aloe vera, amla, brahmi, sandalwood, and turmeric. Give yourself a weekly facial with apricots, avocados, cucumbers, or papayas. Just blend the pureed fruit or vegetable with yogurt, honey, oatmeal, and lemon juice for oily skin or rosewater for dry skin.

>> Manage your stress. When you feel tension and anger, your skin plays the price through breakouts, furrows, and small lines. Diffusing Pitta-balancing essential oils such as lavender, rose, and sandalwood can help keep your mind and heart balanced and your skin clear.

Estheticians who specialize in ayurvedic skin care can meet client needs and grow their business exponentially — no matter what the season.

-Robyn Tellefsen

Nothing is more sought out than the advice a beauty professional can dish out to his or her clients. This is why it is so important for these professionals to know the best techniques for any beauty routine. Recently Empire Education Group surveyed some of their cosmetology students to get their opinions on different beauty routine topics.

The cosmetology students at Empire were asked to give their opinions on styling, eyebrow removal techniques, nail enhancements, and more. The results of this survey may or may not surprise you, but knowing how these students responded may just help you with future client consultations.

The results of this survey were as follows:

1. 66 percent of students stated that the biggest styling mistake a person can make is not using enough styling products.
2. 59 percent said that the most difficult hairstyle to complete at home is an updo.
3. 74 percent said that the eyebrow removal technique that lasts the longest is hot wax.
4. 56 percent said that people with sensitive skin should not use any type of exfoliator.
5. 61 percent declared that nail enhancements are always in style.
6. 54 percent said that makeup brushes are the absolute most necessary tools to have in your makeup bag.

For more information on Empire Education Group and how to get your start as a beauty professional at one of their schools, click here.

- Priscilla Rodriguez