Mischo Beauty: Bliss

Showing posts with label Bliss. Show all posts

Mischo Beauty Extra: CND Shellac Manicure

While visiting Bliss Spa yesterday, I decided to give the CND Shellac manicure a try, again - this time in Tropix. I'll be back in about 2 weeks to tell you all about my visit and let you know how long the manicure lasted. Please stay tuned!

Disclosure: Products in this post were provided for consideration by the company. For more information, please see my disclosure.

Mischo Beauty Superstar of the Week: Marcia Kilgore (founder of Bliss Spa)

I was recently reminded that "life is too short to not be doing what you love", and so every day is yet another opportunity for me to work even harder to achieve my goals. I've made significant progress and I'm not giving up until I get there! And so in continuing this series, I had to include Marcia Kilgore (even though I wrote about her 2 years ago on the blog), because she's accomplished what I'm working so hard to achieve.

You see, she's an esthetician, entrepreneur and well-respected beauty authority (that'll be me one day soon!). She began giving facials in her New York City apartment, which led to opening her first business, "Let's Face It". In 1996, she founded Bliss Spa, and the Bliss and Remede beauty product lines. The luxury goods conglomerate Moet Hennessey Louis Vuitton (LVMH) acquired 70% of the company in 1999, resulting in a $30 million deal. And, in 2004, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. acquired the company, which is why we now see Bliss Spas in W Hotels.

Marcia serves as the Chief Creative Consultant for Bliss, and consults on product development and design, advertising, and promotional work. Her latest entrepreneurial ventures include the Soap & Glory product line and the Fitflop.

With all that said- can't you understand why I want to be like her when I grow up? She's AMAZING- right!

Mischo Beauty Pick: Beautyfix Summer 2009

For those of you who might not know, Beautyfix is a sampling program which allows beauty lovers to sample current must-have products (both full & deluxe-size) which are hand-picked and tested by a panel of beauty experts. Membership is required, and along with receiving 7-10 products quarterly, you're also given access to a network of beauty experts, free gifts and member-only discounts.

Now the beauty addict in me could not turn down the opportunity to explore the Summer 2009 kit, which included the following:

- Degree Sexy Intrigue Body Mist
- Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Spray
- Decleor Instant Radiance Moisturizer
- Juara Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner
- Spa Ritual Nail Polish
- Spa Ritual Instinctual Organic Moisturizing Lotion
- Me! Bath Shower Sherbet Exfoliating Sugar Scrub
- Bliss The Youth As We Know It
- Purlisse Purlip Comfort
- Cures by Avance Age Defyer Eye

Now as you can see, this will definitely keep me busy for a while and I'm looking forward to it! To learn more about Beautyfix, visit www.beautyfix.com.

Are you a Beautyfix member? If so, what's been your favorite kit to date?

Mischo Beauty Alert: Bliss Spa is coming to DC!

Many of you might remember that I'm a huge fan of Marcia Kilgore, so when I'd heard about a Bliss Spa coming to DC, I had to get the details!

Well, from what I've been able to learn, the new spa will be located inside the new W Hotel, located next to the White House! Both the hotel and spa are scheduled to open on August 1st, and the spa will include a full service menu (facials, massages, nails and waxing services) with four treatment rooms- but no wet rooms (no wet body treatments such as scrubs, etc.). As I continue to learn more, I'll be sure to keep you updated!

Any Bliss fans out there?

Mischo Beauty School: Skin Analysis 101

I've said this before and I'll say it again- I can't begin to name all the reasons why you should incorporate facials into your beauty routine! Not only are facials relaxing and pampering, but they are crucial to maintaining the health of your skin. In my opinion, and as a licensed esthetician, one of the most important steps in a facial treatment is the skin analysis. An esthetician can't properly treat you unless they know the following - which is only obtained through a proper skin analysis/consultation:

1. Skin type
2. Skin conditions present
3. Skin texture
4. Visible appearance of skin
5. If you have allergies to products or scents
6. Why you are there
7. What your concerns are
8. What products you use at home
9. If you have had facial treatments in the past
10. If you are on medication

The esthetician should use a magnifying lamp/light during the skin analysis in order to properly see the skin and perform detailed work. A proper skin analysis will help the esthetician know what products and services should be performed and which are contraindicated. A contraindication is a factor or reason that makes it inadvisable to proceed with a treatment. They include certain medications, contagious diseases, skin disorders, medical conditions and skin irritation.

The misuse of products or poor facial treatments will harm the skin. At the end of your facial service you should leave knowing what your skin conditions are and what you can do to improve your skin's health. Products for home care should be recommended and preventive measures should be discussed.

Love your skin.

I'd love to hear your facial stories! Please share! Oh, and please feel free to e-mail me with any questions!

P.S. I had the Triple Oxygen Treatment Facial at Bliss 49 and the Signature Pedicure at Rescue Beauty Lounge yesterday. Please stay tuned for my reviews!*

Mischo Beauty + Tyra's Best of Beauty

I was just reading Beauty 365’s “Win It: Tyra's Best of Beauty” post and I had to jump on the bandwagon with this one! If there was ever a contest to enter- it’s this one! Tyra’s giving away products from Clarisonic, NARS, Bliss, Kerastase, M.A.C, Sephora, Benefit, Dior, Prescriptives- and the list goes on and on! Click here to enter!

(photos courtesy of Tyra Show/Warner Bros.)

Mischo Beauty Hearts Neiman Marcus

If there was any time to get to Neimans- the time is now! The Beauty Event started February 17th (through March 2nd), and if you spend $100 or more on fragrances or cosmetics, you receive a pink tote and six deluxe "treats" of the following: Orlane Repairing Night Cream, Chatecaille Rice & Geranium Foaming Cleanser, Fresh Sugar Acai Body Cream, Prada Scented Towlette, YSL Elle Fragrance and Lancome Courbe Virtouse Mascara in Black.

Even BETTER yet, if you spend a certain amount on a particular line of products (Kiehl's, Jo Malone, Chanel, La Prairie, NARS, Bliss and La Mer to name a few) the product line also has a complimentary gift with purchase. So you have the potential to receive TWO gift sets, depending on your purchase. Run, run, run!

(photos courtesy of neimanmarcus.com)

Because You're Worth It!

The Ginger Rub, Rosey Toes, French Manicure & The Triple Oxygen Treatment at bliss London (London).

Mischo Beauty Presents: 12 Days of Beauty

So much to choose from! Take your pick! Enjoy.

Waxing Models Wanted: 12/15/07

I'm nearing the end of my program, but practice makes perfect- hence the repeat posts!

I'm completing a waxing class and need models for a review by my instructor. The service is FREE. I'll need to demonstrate the following:

Eyebrows
Upper Lip
Arms
Underarms
Stomach
Bikini
Legs

If you need any waxing done, please let me know and I'll follow-up with the time and directions.

Loved, Respected, Talented, Devoted, and Brilliant...

Her name is Marcia Kilgore. She is an esthetician, entrepreneur, and well-respected beauty authority. She began giving facials in her New York City apartment, which led to her opening her first business, Let’s Face It. In 1996 she founded Bliss Spa, and the Bliss and Remede beauty product lines, Bliss Out catalog and blissworld.com website followed. In 1999, the luxury goods conglomerate Moet Hennessey Louis Vuitton (LVMH) acquired 70 percent of the company, resulting in a $30 million deal. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. acquired the cosmetic, spa and catalog company from LVMH in 2004. Marcia Kilgore serves as the Chief Creative Consultant for Bliss, and consults on various areas of operation including product development and design, advertising, and promotional work. Her latest entrepreneurial venture is called Brand Handling. She recently launched a new product line, Soap & Glory, which is sold in Target.

Waxing Models Wanted: 11/03/07

I'm completing a waxing class and need models for a review by my instructor. The service is FREE. I'll need to demonstrate the following:

Eyebrows
Lip
Arms
Underarms
Stomach
Bikini
Legs

If you need any waxing done, please let me know and I'll follow-up with the time and directions. Thanks!

Bliss Poetic Brow Shaping Sugar Wax Kit
Bliss Lemon + Sage Body Scrub
Bliss Lemon + Sage Body Butter

Waxing Models Wanted: 10/27/07

Mischo Beauty School: Bikini Waxing 101

This second lesson is inspired by the many questions I’ve received from the models who’ve volunteered to be waxed for my waxing class. The majority of questions involve the bikini wax. Waxing, a form of epilation, removes hair by pulling it out of the hair follicle. Because hair is removed from the hair follicle, it takes longer to grow back- generally 4-6 weeks. Below I’ve listed tips on how to prepare for waxing and what to expect:

Your hair should be at least a 1/4 to 1/2 inch long. If longer, it may need to be trimmed by your esthetician.
Plan to wax after your period. Your body will be less sensitive.
Lightly exfoliate a few days before waxing to remove dead skin and make hair easier to adhere to the wax.
A brazilian bikini wax involves the removal of all hair, except for a “landing strip” in the front. You may choose to have everything removed.
Your esthetician will tweeze stray hairs.
It may take 24 hours for any redness or soreness to disappear. During that time, avoid the sun, exfoliation, cream irritants and excessive heat.
Try to avoid caffeine, alcohol and aspirin before waxing as these heighten sensitivity.
If the wax pot has old wax on it and a spatula sitting in the wax- RUN! There may be sanitation issues.
If your esthetician “double-dips” the spatula in the wax pot each time wax is applied to the area to be waxed- RUN! There are definitely sanitation issues.
Do not wax if you use Accutane, Retin-A, are sunburned, using other topical AHA's, or medications that will make your skin reactive to waxing.
Do not wax if you have diabetes. You are more vulnerable to infection.
You must wax consistently every 4 - 6 weeks for the first few times. The hair will start to grow on the same hair cycle. Don’t shave between waxing.
Resume exfoliation about 3 days after waxing to ensure the removal of dead skin cells, which, if not removed, could cause the hair to grow inward resulting in ingrown hairs.

If you're interested in being a model please let me know and I will schedule your appointment immediately!