I’m certainly not made of money so getting a facial (although I love them and my esthetician) can sometimes be hard to do on a regular basis. In between, however, I can be sure to take care of my face in just the right way to help the maintenance of what the facial has already improved. I can definitely vouch for Bliss products, as I use them quite often and have seen a definite difference in the quality of my skin.

While I doubt I’ll ever get over the oily characteristic of my complexion completely, I do think these products have helped me zap zits, get rid of any dry patches (I know, who would even think I have those?!), and keep my face clear and clean in general. My fave products include the Steep Clean Deep Pore Cleanser and the Steep Clean Pore Purifying Mask.

I’m pretty certain that most Bliss products work well – I have no complaints as of yet. See below for some tips and recommendations by the Bliss Spa professionals!

-Amanda Fornecker

Summer weather—being high on heat, humidity, and UV rays—puts skin at risk for clogging, breakouts, and pigmentation. A regular routine of removal (getting rid of keratinized dead cell layers and pore-clogging lipids) and UV-defense (to keep the melanocytes from over-reacting and overproducing pigment) are key to keeping clear skin.

Bliss Spa clients keep their complexions under control by exfoliating twice as often, using a cleanser that promotes emulsification, and diligently applying sunscreen to prevent UV radiation.

Keep summertime sebaceous levels on the lower side of the ‘dermo-meter’ with:

bliss steep clean pore purifying mask which exfoliates dead skin cells, brightens skin’s surface, refines pores, and just might put our facial tables out of business.  The next best thing to ‘being there’ this 15-minute facial in a tube will transform t-zones into a scene of extreme clean.

laboratoire remède matte therapy cleansing gelée a water-activated gel-to-cream cleanser that ditches the day’s debris while taking a swipe at sebum, for skin that’s beautifully balanced and remarkably matte.

bliss best of skintentions our mission-driven moisturizer that protects skin with SPF 15 for UVB (burning) protection plus a UVA (aging) rating PA++.

-Bliss Spa

Do you know that you want to work in the spa industry, but aren’t sure which career path to pursue? There are lots of career possibilities when it comes to the spa industry. In fact, check out this article on 10 Enviable Spa Careers. From estheticians to nutritionists to massage therapists, you’ll find that you have endless opportunities at providing a welcoming and relaxing environment for clients. But which one of these spa careers is right for you? Do some research first to be sure that you get the career you have always dreamed of, as well as a career that can showcase your talents. You may be surprised at some of the spa career paths you can take. Think outside of the box and get your spa education so you can get started on your spa career as soon as possible.

-Amanda Fornecker

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