These days, it can be difficult to escape talk about the “R word.” I’m talking about the recession. In tricky economic times, it’s only natural for people to tighten their belts a little and trim down their extra expenses. That may mean cutting out certain luxuries, like eating out or taking a vacation.

So, where does the beauty industry fit into this equation? For businesses that are willing to adapt to the current economic situation and get creative, there are bountiful opportunities to attract new and existing spa customers.

Don’t let the shaky economy discourage you if you’re considering a career in the beauty or spa industry – spas around the country are finding ways to keep the foot baths and the massage tables occupied. Most are even flourishing and hiring more than ever.

Consider San Francisco’s spa industry. According to one online reference site, SpaFinder, there is one spa for every 5,100 San Francisco residents (this compares to about one spa for every 15,300 New York City residents). How does a business in this competitive environment stay afloat?

Here are a few ideas from some San Francisco spa directors:

1. Most importantly, get creative! Find ways to differentiate your spa from the competition and to keep your clients coming back.
2. Try out new ideas for payment programs or membership drives.
3. Attract eco-savvy customers by offering green facilities and spa practices, or break into another untapped market of potential spa-lovers.
4. Design customizable service packages. The InterContinental San Francisco I-Spa offers its customers a personalized membership program (similar to those offered at a gym).

What do you think about the current economy and its effect on spas and other health and beauty businesses? Do you have other ideas for how the beauty industry can weather the storm?

Spa Therapy Relaxation in a Recession

Green nails are all the rage!

I’m not talking about the color. I’m talking about eco-friendly nail salons and how they are the new trend in going green in the beauty industry.

A new salon in San Francisco, Nova Nail Spa, offers only organic and chemical-free nail products. The owners realized that not only were organic products and eco-friendly lifestyle were gaining steam, but they were uncomfortable with having employees and customers exposed to the chemicals that are found in polishes and acrylic nails.

The products in the salon are either vegan or organic, including the fingernail polish remover, which is not acetone but a vegan orange-infused product that smells like mandarins. In this salon, you won’t find products that contain formaldehyde, toluene, or dibutyl phthalate. These are the chemicals that are linked to cancer and reproductive problems. Nail technicians have also complained about the affect that those chemicals had on them, saying they can cause headaches, skin rashes and nausea.   

The salon itself is even an eco-friendly building. The interior is made up of non-toxic paint, recycled denim for the insulation, and slate and bamboo finishes. There is also a state-of-the-art ventilation system.

The salon features everything a typical salon has except for acrylic nails. Acrylic produces dizzying fumes, while filing creates plumes of dust. The salon does offer gel nails. Gel nails are used to coat a natural or fake nail. Then a UV light is used to ’set’ the nail.

Tell us what you think about organic nail salons. Is this just a new trend that will blow over, or is it here to stay?

On a whim yesterday, I decided to treat myself to a manicure and pedicure . And I’ve read a lot about student salons at beauty academies – but I’d never actually been to one! So I called and made an appointment at a nearby school.

First great thing – they had me in right away. And “Amy”, the student who used me as a guinea pig, was great. I originally wanted a French manicure, but she hadn’t had the chance to learn that yet. She offered to find me a more experienced student, but I told her it was fine.

The salon itself was nice – it was huge and divided into smaller sections. The equipment looked top notch. The teacher-supervisors were all cheerful and smiling and things felt busy but not chaotic.

Amy was new enough that she still had an instruction card she referred to, in order to make sure she was completing all the steps. But she did a great job on my pedicure – my toes look like little gems! I am definitely planning on going back to see if I can get a beauty facial in the near future.

Checking out a student salon is a great way to get a feel for the local schools while giving yourself a little treat. Just don’t forget to tip!

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!

What better way to replenish tired, dry skin than drenching your skin in chocolate? That’s right ladies; there are 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.

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!

The new Eco-MedSpa in San Francisco is the whole package - the whole green package!

This eco-friendly spa is green from the ground up and the inside out. The owners teamed up with several eco-conscious experts in design, architecture, and engineering to design a space that was built in line with the strict requirements of the U.S. Green Building Council and the “Cradle to Cradle” standards developed by the firm MBDC. “Cradle to Cradle” is defined by MBDC as a method “in which products and services are designed based on patterns found in nature, eliminating the concept of waste entirely and creating an abundance that is healthy and sustaining.” The eco-materials used in the construction include eco-paints, numerous recycled items like flooring and fabrics, energy efficient lighting and water filters to decrease bottled water usage.

The “brick-and-mortar” of this spa isn’t the only part that will be eco-friendly. The spa will also be using non-toxic facial treatments and is partnering with Juice Beauty to develop the first medical-grade line of organic beauty products!

This is exciting news for the beauty industry, where the challenge to be more eco-conscious is weighing heavily on beauty companies. Read more about how the beauty industry is going green.