"Welcome to discovery...with 30 years of spa industry experience. I want to share as much as possible...here you will find interesting facts about Organics & what's on the horizon of spa therapy. I'm a future thinker so watch for trends in services & business. Contact me with any questions...I look forward to hearing from you!"
                                 Bonnie Canavino, President of Red Cherry Certified Organic Labs

Happenings, Trends and Organic Knowledge for Spa!

2012 Spring Shows!

"Face & Body"
We begin the 2012 Spa Show Year with "FACE & BODY Chicago!

• You will be able to explore Amrit Organic Collections, "Raw Skin Care" Difference and Spa Specifics Exclusive Organics.
• We will demo custom blending, ritual branding, and organic formulation
• We will be giving every spa professional the opportunity to experience superior Organic Essential Oil Blending.
  
• I will also be taking Personoal Appointments with Spa Owners, Lead Therapists and Directors.
  
• Call us at 847 823 1727 for your time with me.
  

  

Next find me at the IECSC Show in New York. Not only do we have a booth, we have Wellness Education Class.
"What's Under Your Vitamin C"...get the info why organic nourishment improves high science products to maximum results faster and safer. Go to IECSC.com to register!



Y.E.S. Convention Chicago is back in August 2012....mark your calender for the 19th and 20th...be there for the Top EDUCATOR'S PRESENTATIONS...LAST YEAR WAS A SELL OUT.



Fall 2011

     We have Golden Pumpkin in every brand...but why. Oil producers of  natural and organic oils consider Pumpkin the finest oil is the world, because its bursting all 3 omegas 3, 6, & 9. It's full of anti-oxidants, vitamins and cellular rebuilding properties. Nutritionists are now recommending eating pimpkin seed for its benefits. But why wait untill fall to reap these benefits. That is why we offer PUMPKIN in:

• "Raw Skin Care" ...the Golden Nourishment Collection
• Spa Specifics ...Spicy Pumpkin Body, Hand and Foot Collections
  

Y.E.S. Your esthetics Solutions Conference August 21st & 22nd 2011

Collaboroation of minds is bring to the Chicago area myself (Bonnie Canavino, Amrit Organic & Raw Skin Care), Rebecca Gadberry (YG Laboratories), Michael Pugliese (Circadia), Clarice Loiacono (Face First Consulting) & deanna vaughn (Esthetic Technologies) for a two day education blitz...Location is the Hilton Gardens in Schamburg, Il from 8:30 to 5:oopm both days...the subjects cover organics & cell target technol;ogies to peptide & high Science Anti-aging tools.

This is by invitation caontact face First Consulting 630 404 9913 or us at 847 823 1727 and ask to join us...you must be a license Professional.

Also click here for the registration form...or email us here!

Toxic beauty.com April 2011    This is hot!

Essential Oils Uses

One of my favorite natural substances to use is organic essential oils…in fact, I keep my oils in a little red box in my night stand for easy access. Oils are versatile….I’ve used them to flavor tooth powder, make an anti-cellulite serum, and even a deodorizing carpet powder! But the best method for essential oils is in skin care. Sometimes it can be a bit confusing mixing them up by yourself. This is where Amrit Organic comes in. Amrit takes the guess work out of it by providing spa quality essential oil serums for just about every aspect of beauty you can imagine. Amrit caters to spa professionals and those of us concerned with wellness. They have some very impressive qualifications which make them a safe choice for your spa and skin care needs:

• Certified by QAI and OCTO

• Approved by the USDA

• No synthetics, chemicals, toxins, preservatives, or foreign materials

• No parabens or fragrance

All these facts make Amrit a great option for those of us who don’t like to make our own essential oil mixtures and still want to use a safe and quality blend. In this review I’ll focus on the serums, but remember Amrit also offers spa products for the face, body, and hair. I haven’t tried these but they sound amazing.  Lemonage and Raw Skin Care are some of their new products. You can learn more on their Spa Specifics site. Now on to the review!

Golden Nutrient Serum- “Organic Amrit Blend”

The great thing about their serums is that they have a different blend for each skin type and can even mix a blend personalized for you (wow!) The blend I used was customized for normal to oily skin. It contains lavender, lemongrass, and geranium in a base of sunflower, jojoba, olive oil, and vitamin E. These certified organic oils not only smell wonderful but provide the skin with anti-oxidants, hydration, skin brightening, and rejuvenation. This mix is also versatile. You can use it in the bath or as a night serum. I chose the latter and massaged gently into my skin after I cleansed in the evening. After a few weeks use, I noticed my skin was more hydrated and looking better! A little goes a long way (don’t overdo it or you will end up looking like a greased monkey!) It comes in a 3.75 oz. glass jar and sells for $25 (pretty good deal if you ask me because you use only a little each time, it will last!)

 

 They also have four other blends available for your skin care needs:

Beauty Blend- Anti-aging and dry skin
Balance Blend- Anti-stress and reducing muscle pain
Lavender- Cleansing and purifying (for oily skin)
Signature- Sensitive skin, healing, and calming (unscented)

Designer Ayuvedic Oil for Detoxification- Garshan

 Amrit’s Ayuvedic Oils  (four different varieties are offered) are based on Ayuvedic healing and beautifying principles. They offer oils based on each dosha as well. I used this oil blend ( a mix of certified organic sunflower, olive, jojoba, geranium, juniper, cypress, and lemon oils) in my baths. It especially came in handy after my colonic when I decided to go on a liver cleanse. It really helped me to detox even further. From their site: “Garshan Detox Oil has stimulating action and is rich in aromatic essences. This precious oil can be massaged on the body where ever you want to smooth and eliminate cellulite, massage into the body first, then added to warm bathing water for a regular detoxifying whole body home spa treatment and used before retiring at night for a therapeutic rest and detoxification.” Fantastic and a real bargain at just $16. (Are they REALLY only charging $16??)

 Organic Lip Serum

 It seems like no matter how much lip balm I put on, I always ending up licking it off and my lips still seem dry. I used this serum mostly at night but can be used in the day as well (provides a great base for lipstick.)  It’s designed to reverse the aging of  lips (you know, wrinkly lip syndrome,) renew cells and keep lips smooth and wrinkle free. It really helped keep my lips moist with 3 simple ingredients: Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Freeze Dried Aloe, and Organic Lavender Oil. It’s in an easy to use roll on.

 Organic Eye Serum

Also in a roll on, this eye serum smells absolutely amazing. I usually would take a deep whiff before I rolled it gently under my eyes. I am turning the big 3-5 soon and started seeing little lines under my eyes…this serum helped reduce the appearance of them while hydrating my under eye area. I usually used it right before bed as well so the healing oils could penetrate during the night. It contains organic jojoba, aloe, and chamomile (that’s probably why it smells so good. I love the smell of chamomile!)

 For another organic oil option, try 100% Pure’s Nourishing Facial Oil, a light, nourishing oil full of protective anti-oxidants to promote youthful skin. Contains grapeseed oil, lavender oil, and alpha lipoic acid.  Click here to visit 100% Pure.

So on a scale of 1-10, I definitely would give Amrit Organic a 10. You can’t beat their qualifications (they’re also a member of the Organic Trade Association) or their safe pure ingredients. If you were wondering about essential oils uses before, you are in the dark no longer, because Amrit makes it easy and affordable to holistically treat your skin problems. Not only that, you’ll really enjoy the aromatherapy aspect of their blends.  What are some of your favorite ways to use essential oils? Are you also a fan of colon hydrotherapy? I’d love to hear your stories in the comment section below.

***SALE ALERT!***  go to our Spa Goers Shopping Page for this time limited offer!
Bonnie, the creator of Amrit Organics has a great deal only for you, Toxic Beauty Blog readers!
Purchase Robin’s Detox Beauty Collection (includes every product I reviewed) and receive the organic Lip Serum Free!
Collection Value is $95.00…. for mentioning “Toxic Beauty Blog” the Collection is $77.00…a 20% savings plus a free Organic Lip
Conditioner.
Offer valid via phone orders (847 823 1727) and on the web. Visit amritorganic.com or theredcheerrygroup.com and enter code “Toxic Beauty Blog” for your discount and free Lip Serum.

"CELEBRATE 2011 APRIL EARTH MONTH"

   
Imaging placing your natural botanical and organic products in a basket like this all month...hmmmm...be creative

 

Spa is the ideal business for the green initiative, and if you still just dabbling or thinking of taking the leap now is the perfect time. April is Earth Month and the perfect platform to launch  you spas earthly efforts.

Try some of these ideas....they work!

• Start with listing what your business does under the realm of sustainability. List what you serve - spa services and spa retail that is green, organic, natural and perfect for  the end results of wellness and beauty for the  individual and earth.  
• Get the staff involved and present a plan to get tighter and more responsible with recycling, ask them "How can we show our earth friendly practices"? (they will bring up the things you haven't thought of),
• Separate you services and retail products and design a display with a Counter Sign to talk about what your serving and create a special your clients can jump into!
• Create a survey for the clients in a game project, with winners at the end of the month, this will create an editorial buzz you can send to editors in your community.

Now, let’s take this to the next step of EARTH FRIENDLY and the understanding why spa is the perfect business for sustainability and natural wellness. Spa has been a large contributor to waste in overhead with unnecessary disposables, toxic products and non refillable packaging including using styrofoam cups, plates etc. Compared to when I started in spa, we have become throw- away users for the easy road to success.

Here are some simple ways to change your habits and get serious about your environment.

• Replace all service tools to stainless kitchen tools were you can, like measuring spoon and cups, bowls, trays and containers for dry goods. Stainless is washable and can take a spray of any disinfectant as log as you follow the direction. It lasts forever and is clean and shinny looking!
• Replace cardboard containers with glass and recycle the paper. Your spa will look pristine and you can buy in generic bulk and forget the fancy packaging.
• Replace all paper and Styrofoam cups, glasses and dinnerware to glass, ceramic and stainless. Yes we do dishes, but spa must show comfort and quality!
• Replace all water bottles with pitchers of ice water with any fruit or veggies you like and have lots of glasses available...yes do dishes.
• Replace and recycle plastic garbage cans with tall baskets and or stainless containers and use green environmental garbage bags. Make sure you have gone the measure of investigating your business communities recycling program, tag you receptacles in the spa departments for the exact items (like Cans Only etc.). Guess what if you get rid of all 
• Guess what if you get rid of all the disposable items, you can there is less garbage.
• Ask your vendors for help by offering bulk where you need it in product refills and if they can't help, then maybe you need to change what you serve and find the manufacturers that emanate your efforts to green profitability!

The biggest part of all this is changing our habits and managing with consistency... just think of the results. Plus staff becomes more efficiently involved with the spa environment and have less unproductive time in the staff room.

Here's to April, it's never too late to start being greener and making it shine!                      

Bonnie Canavino, President of the Red Cherry Group has been a green and organic supporter her entire life, starting with her family re-planting thousands of trees for strip land logging for pulp and restocking fish in fresh water lakes from over fishing and pollutants. Her father was a great naturalist and his work carries through her. She has consulted for spas on business and culture since 1982. Want to ask her a question email her at

info@redcherrygroup.com

Knowledge:

traditional eye cremes or oil?... August 2010

Using an eye creme twice a day for 24 hour protection deffinetely has it's life visual benefits, so start as soon as possible. There are tons of eye treatments including cremes with harsh alphahydroxy acids. So what's better?
The Eye creme is water soluable and needs chemicals to keep it from molding; since a little goes a long way and generally you must apply with your little finger tip calling for dipping (transfering bacteria). Cremes disapate quickly and can leave the eye area feeling tired and dry. Eye oils penetrate quickly, last longer and have more resiliance, with not needing any additions. What's very important is to use an organic oil like jojoba organic. Organic Jojoba is the closest oil to our own skin's oil! So it's skin digestible, skin loves it's soothing nutrients and it's loaded with anti-aging properties. When you skin is complimented with ORGANIC OIL instead of a traditional creme it can suppliment its own defences. This precious oil is an oily skins dream becauses it balances too!




organic creme is a butter texture or opt for beautifying organic oil...Summer/Winter 2010

Did you know that it's hard to find a completely organic skin care regieme in the texture of traditional lotions, cremes, gels, masks & cleansers. New versions are arriving every day. So why? For years we have been custom to the same texture or cosmetic vehicles for ease & preformance, but certified organic ingredients in their pure form are different by natures design.
Example...if you want to formulate a creme water is the first ingredient . Water grows mold & tends to make a product rancid after awhile. Thus here is where preservatives come in and there are oodles of them from the least effect to the most toxic.

Replacing creme is easy in organic...we recommend Organic Oils for oily to dry skins & butters like palm & coconut & shea for dry to very dry with no added chemicals...insread look for organic essential oils. Then there is no need for preservatives, stablizers or emulsifiers. Check out our Nutrient Serums & Post Perfection Balm.

Spa Trends:

  *aromatherapy fall healing...August 2010

Spa services always come home for the Fall season. Earthy bounties of squashes, firm fruits and healing wild herbs flood the farmer's markets and your favorite food stores. The same for Aromatherapy...look to bring in spa essentials that heal and brighten skin from summer sun yellowing and oil unbalance. Aromatherapy herbal oils, that do both for massage, facials and nails include:

• Sage organic... strengthening, cleansing, balancing and antiseptic
• Tarragon wild crafted... stimulating, fights bacteria and very antispetic
• Myrtle wiid crafted... deordorizing, balancing and decongesting
• Fir Needle wild crafted... regulates breating, calms, relieves muscle soreness, and purifyies
• Penny Royal wild crafted (North American Mint)... purifies, warms and stimulates healthy circulation

*Find these exclusive indeginous American Organic Essential oils on our Pro's Shoppiong page

organic spa foot wraps... Summer/Winter 2010

Spas have been offering therapy foot soaks, massage & reflexology as an add on to or as part of a service as a sanitizing & relaxing wellness therapy. Well the New Spa Foot Therapy is an Organic Foot Wrap. More therapy & custom made for more wellness benefits. This perfect service can be added to every facial, massage, body therapy & reflexology.

How to:

• Complete consultation, to discover Custom Blending possibilities & wellness needs
• Spray Feet with an Amrit Organic Floral Water (customized with therapy oil blending) to sanitize & refreah
  
• Custom Blend 1/2 ounce of Amrit Signature Blend Oil with up to 6 drops of Amrit Organic Essential Oils 
  
• Apply Custom Organic Oil in a spreading motion to the first foot & wrap with a 6" x 24" piece of gauze or cheese cloth
  
• Repeat to second foot
  
• Cover with a warm towel
  
• Let set during treatment for a mininum of 10 mins.
  
• Now do your touch service of massage or reflexolgy...or massage in any oil...bet it absorbs well & voila
  

Details & Best Practices:

• Using Gauze or Cheese Cloth creates a great barrier for the skin to completely absorb the nutrients
• Essential Oil mix is...keep it targeted & simple... 3 is the key to perfection
  
• Prior to any other spa treatment, this warms, relaxes & has maximum nutrient benefits & conditioning results
  
• Be smart & Create Your Spa's Brand Formula
  
• Keep a journal of mixes you love to work with & share them with your spa team
  
• If you soak feet, offer this also & add to a more therapeutic service package