The doctor is in … the fish tank!

There is a new trend in pedicures, and it involves using fish to get the job done. These fish are commonly known as doctor fish. During these fish pedicures, clients soak their feet in water filled with tiny swimming carp that munch on the bottom of their feet. Sounds gross, but the trend is already popular in Turkey and some Asian countries.

How the pedicure works is the fish eat away at rough, dry spots on the bottom of your feet. Some think that this method is safer and more sanitary than using a razor to shave off the skin. So far, Virginia is the only state where this fishy pampering has popped up.

Depending on what kind of treatment you choose to receive, you can dip your feet in your own fish tank for 15 or 30 minutes. After that, it is business as usual. That is with a person performing the rest of the pedicure. Some who have had the treatment say it is the best pedicure they have ever gotten. Only time will tell if a fish tank pedicure will swing your way.

We at BeautySchool.com would love to hear any stories about the new fish pedicure treatment. Does it work or doesn’t it? Tell us!

With all of the rage and pressure to go green, there are some places that are taking that to heart. I ran across this great article about greening your schools. The article I’m referring to is Do Colleges Need Green Czars?  And I found out that colleges and universities are hiring people dedicated to making their schools more eco-friendly.

The ‘campus sustainability coordinators’ are people hired to help make the changes to an old school. Or they are brought in at the developmental stages of the new buildings to make them green.

This topic piqued my interests because some schools use more energy than others. I wanted to know which of these schools are turning over a new leaf. When you think of it – a cosmetology school might use more electricity and energy than a standard college. My thoughts about this were from the fact that cosmetology schools use a lot of water and energy for their styling tools. So I wanted to know if beauty schools were following suit in hiring Green Czars to transform their schools into eco-friendly ones.

After some digging – I found that some cosmetology schools were taking the initiative in going green. Some Aveda schools use energy-efficient light bulbs and water sensors to help control the use of water. Some have even set-up a recycling program to help curb the waste that is piling up in the trashcans.

It is good to know that some schools are taking responsibility and learning of the impacts that they have on the planet. Now, it is up to you to research the beauty school you want to go to and find out if they are helping the problem. And if they’re not doing all they could, you can become your own kind of “Green Czar” and help out once you’re a student!

Since Beautyschool.com has made a commitment to focus on an all natural, eco-friendly  approach to beauty, then you will love this post! I am always searching for the next green beauty product. But, I found one in the most unlikely of places – my pantry!

You have heard of baking soda and how powerful cleaning agent it can be. You can clean your kitchen, carpets, bathrooms and now – your hair. After reading one of my fav blogs, Eco Chick , I found a post on using baking soda as your shampoo or adding baking soda your shampoo to add an extra cleaning kick!

So the next time you want to cleanse your hair and you don’t want to grab a chemical concoction shampoo – then just add baking soda to your hair care routine. It is all natural and can go a long way in the cleaning department.

What better way to replenish tired, dry skin than drenching your skin in chocolate? That’s right ladies; BeautySchool.com is bringing you a new facial and body treatments hitting the streets and they are all about chocolate! After looking over some of skin care blogs, I ran across a post about the new trend of using chocolate in skin care treatments.

You might think that chocolate is better when indigested, but the cocoa bean has some hard-hitting antioxidants. You can also find shea butter and cocoa butter in the mix. Those components add up to a great concoction for your skin. Beauty experts say that chocolates have anti-aging properties that are good for all skin types, including sensitive.

There are so many recipes for disasters when it comes to homemade facial masks. But this one is fool proof and more than likely, you will have the ingredients on hand!

Here are the ingredients:

•    1/3 cup cocoa powder
•    3 tbsp. heavy cream
•    2 tsp. cottage cheese
•    ¼ cup honey
•    3 tsp. oatmeal

Mix all of the ingredients together, preferably in a blender, and smooth on. Let it set for 10 minutes then rinse with warm water. And that’s all! You’ve made a delicious, decadent mask that can make your face feel smooth and replenished.

I have been on the hunt for a powder that will last through the day and not feel itchy on my skin. I have tried several different brands, including Bare Minerals, Glo Minerals and Physicians’ Formula, and they all have one thing in common – they make my face feel all scratchy. And scratching my face rubs off the makeup. So, I have now been going to work sans makeup – yikes! I thought that all was lost and I would forever be that person who doesn’t wear makeup – not that there is anything wrong with that. But I would like to put my best face forward. Sorry, but I will have to have makeup for that!

So I have been hunting for the perfect mineral makeup. One that won’t scratch my face, be all natural and cruelty-free. With so many restrictions, I didn’t think that I would find a powder until I ran across one on a blog that I read. Lipstick, powder ‘n paint featured a post about a new powder from Smashbox, Halo Hydrating Powder. Not only does the powder contain 60 minerals including gold, but it is also a hydrating powder that can help replenish your skin and help fight fine lines! Sounds too good to be true – but I am going to put it to the test!

I haven’t tried the powder yet, but over the weekend I am planning a trip to Sephora and buying some! I know that price tag is over my budget, but sometimes a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do!

I will write my new findings and share if it works or doesn’t! Check back here on BeautySchool.com next week and let’s see if this wonder powder works on my skin.

We at Beautyschool.com appreciate skin care products that are eco-friendly and cheap! I have found a great way to have a luxury facial from the comforts of your own home. When I was reading one of my favorite beauty blogs, I came across a post about French green clay and how beneficial it was to all types of skin tones. The clay acts as a great an absorbent for oily skin tones and helps with acne-prone skin types as well.

You can make your own facial right at home and know that what you are putting on your face doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals or preservatives. That can only help the minds of your eco chicks who want to have a green alternative to facial masks.

Here is what you need:

•    1 tbsp French Green Clay
•    1/2 tbsp grapefruit juice (or carrot juice, if you have dry patches)
•    1 tsp honey
•    Drop of your favorite essential oil (optional)

Directions:

Mix the clay with the grapefruit juice and then add the honey and the essential oil, if using. Smooth the mixture onto your face and leave it on for about 15 minutes or until it dries completely. Gently remove it with a warm wet washcloth.

This facial mask is so gentle; you can use it twice a week. French green clay can be found at health food stores.

If you thought that Botox was just used to treat unwanted wrinkles, then you’d be wrong. After reading some of my favorite beauty blogs, I ran across this posting, Excessive Sweating Ruining Your Life? The post breaks down how women and men are turning to Botox injections to cure excessive sweating. Estheticians inject the Botox into your underarms (I have heard that is painless) and presto! No more embarrassing sweat marks.

I know that summer is fast approaching and this is a good tidbit if you suffer from excessive sweating. Plus, the FDA has approved the treatment of Botox injections to help curb the sweating and might even be covered under your insurance policy. But, the treatment is only for excessive sweating and doesn’t help if there is a problem with odor. That will have to be another blog post altogether!

For the last 3 weeks, I have looked shabby by noon. Let me rephrase, my eyes have looked shabby by noon. And I don’t mean shabby chic, I mean plain ol’ shabby.  I found out that I was allergic to my $25 shadow control crème. I stopped using it in hopes I would quit looking like I moonlight at a night job.

My allergic reaction was that my eyes were tired and red by the time I was ready to eat my left-over lunch. But, I think that I found a remedy for my crazy eyes.  While at Sally Beauty to buy hair products for my son (which was great, and look for the post on that one), I happened upon Claudia Stevens Eye Shadow Base. It was only $2.49 on sale!!

After checking Sally’s return policy (just in case this made me look like a mad woman as well) I purchased the eye shadow base and since then have been quite pleased. Not only does my eye shadow go on better, it actually stays on until the end of the day. Yep, when the work day rolls to a close – I still look gorgeous. All the while knowing that I still must cook dinner for my family. Maybe a woman can have it all!

p.s. I would even purchase it for the 7 bucks I found it for on the web.

It has finally happened! After reading a blog, I found that the infamous female tattoo artist, Kat Von D, has come up with her own makeup line. Kat has the signature look of punk rock that meets old Hollywood glamour with her smoky eyes and red lips. Now, you can use her makeup to achieve the same rocker chic look. Sephora sells the new line of makeup that includes eye shadow, eye liner and lip stick. With colors like Lucifer, Tequila and Baroque, you are surely to attract a few glances from across the room.

Maybe her look will set off a new trend – punk chic. I am sure that I will find several attempts to mimic the look. And if you have training as a makeup artist I bet that this look will be all the rave for your clients that want something edgy and daring.

We all have them laying around the house – in our cabinets, drawers and shoe boxes. But, what do you do with your nail polish that just sits there? Well, I found a great article about just that! You don’t want to wait for your nail polish to fall over and leak everywhere, and you don’t want to trash it. So what do you do with the colors that are past their prime?

Instead of just throwing away good polish and money – try some of these suggestions. I found that some where very helpful, like:

• Use to stop runs on your stockings. Use clear nail polish for anything that will be showing; darker colors for runs hidden under clothes.
• Dab on to the end of frayed shoelaces or string to keep from unraveling.
• Use to mark work levels on measuring cups or buckets.
• Use as a carpenter’s mark on wood or other projects.
• Give to kids for art projects.
• Use to hide chips in ceramics and pottery.
• Use to mark your desired water temperature on the thermostat.
• Dab on warts. Disclaimer: I read several instances where this is said to work – I don’t know that for sure.
• Use to touch up worn spots on leather furniture, clothing or shoes.
• Paint over screws, especially those on sinks, tubs, toilets and outside fixtures, to prevent rusting.

And that is only half the list! And just think if you are a nail technician – the amount of bottles you might have could be endless! You could even donate some to friends and family so they can enjoy the features of nail polish!