Missing Sculptural FaceLift with Gabi? Good news!

Andrea honing her NeoLifting Technique!

Andrea has recently trained in NeoLifting massage, which is extremely similar.  Neolifting is a worldwide famous technique for lifting and defining the face through using gloved hands to massage inside the mouth and jaw. You've never felt anything like it! The ultimate holistic facial treatment, promoting deep relaxation on both a physical and emotional level. Ninety minutes of hands-on treatment. Double cleanse, exfoliation and extractions, serums and mask, Forty-five minutes of massage for chest, neck and shoulders, face and jaw. 

Andrea is new to the technique, so for the rest of the month of October we are offering $50 off, for a price of $240.  Use code NEOLIFTING in you booking notes to receive your discount upon checkout.  Don't miss this, you will be hooked!

With Love,

Adrienne

Your Skin Bootcamp has Arrived!

Did you notice? We’ve quietly brought in a new brand specifically for acne…FaceReality.

In fact we’ve carried a few key pieces of the line for years, but recently we’ve decided to fully commit to learning the philosophy and treatments. The success rate for Facereality and acne is unparelled…they boast a 90% clearance success rate!

How does it work? Biweekly bootcamp sessions with extractions, high frequency to kill bacteria, and a tca peel in varying strength. Short and sweet! Session are typically 30 to 45 min hands on, and priced at $180. Eight sessions over a 4 month period is recommended.

Homecare is equally well priced, which was so key to me in bringing this line in. Many people who have acne are young…I was one once! And the products need to be affordable as they are so necessary to success. Products range in price from $30 to $60! How incredible is that??

To get started book an Initial bootcamp session with consult, so we can have extra time to get you started. From there your therapist will do your first treatment, and get the necessary homecare in your hands.

If you have peristant acne…this is our gift to you. Straight forward, affordable acne care…that really works.

Let’s Talk About Green Sea Peel

If you have been with us for awhile you have probably noticed...we have a pretty extensive

menu. Really I can’t help myself. If I see it and I see results and like the technology I gotta have it. So

really...we have so many different ways to acheive your goals in the office that we can really

tailor your experience to your taste. There are so many ways to give you the results you want,

the art it is in doing it to fit your budget, your timeline, and your temperment.

Enter: Green Sea Peel. Full disclosure, I’m in love with it. I’ve been doing a bit of a dive

recently into Korean skincare methods, Green Sea Peel is the first additon in that vein but

definitely not the last!

Also called “Liquid Microneedling”, Green Sea Peel drives tiny spicules (sea sponge

exoskeletons! 800,00 ppm!) into the skin. This stimulates collagen, exfoliates, pulls pigment...

all while delivering a polypharmacy of vitamins and nutrients into the skin, which helps improve

numerous concerns. It is a low downtime treatment that is natural, safe for all skin tones and

helps address texture, pigmentation, aging and acne from the inside out.

How does it compare to microneedling? More channels, less redness. Better for acne...great

for texture and scarring! Needling is also great for these things but I’d use it for deeper

scarring and for thinner skin. As mentioned very little actual peeling from this! Pain level...

medium lol. Not great but not horrible, it feels kind of like having your skin rubbed with sand

paper. There is a prickly sensation when applying...the solution is rubbed into your skin for

about 5 minutes, until dry. It sits for 20 minutes, then we wipe away. You feel that prickly

feeling for about 24 hours as the spicules dissolve and create that collagen induction.

Once that is done...magic begins! Pores are smaller, acne wanes, skin glows!

Everyone who gets itwants it again...including myself. I have even started

doing it on my body to combat crepey skin.

So yes feels weird, works wonderfully! And a great price point, at $240 this is a steal really!

Homecare wise I’d recommend Betagel and Melanotech drops to go with it to enhance results.

Get to know the Green Sea Peel, its an easy tool for revision that we are loving and hope you

Summer is Here

Here we are, officially in the dog days of summer.
Pools, barbeques, travel, beaches.

But what treatments are summer safe? The short answer is … all of them!

If you wear sunscreen diligently, we can still perform revision-based treatments. That being said, there are common issues that come up in the summer, such as dehydrated skin from tanning and sunburns (even if you wear SPF) and congestion (from wearing SPF).

To this end I’ve put together a limited summer menu of treatments to help address common concerns of the season. Each includes a 20-minute full facial massage. Because I get it … in the summer we just want to feel good.

I’m putting this menu on special for purchase in July and August. Buy two facials as a set for $400 and save $60! Available with Kathy, Andrea and Gabi for weekday appointments only, both treatments need to be completed by Sept. 21, 2024.

Summer Menu

• Summer Quench Facial: Light, hydrating products and massage to combat dryness from the sun or a tan! A gentle exfoliant and vitamin infusion, double masking with cucumber mint, peppermint lifting or mango butter masks. Massage and cold therapy to finish.

• Sunburn Soother Facial: Literally a facial to help your sunburn heal faster! No exfoliation, healing vitamin infusion, mango butter mask and massage, cooling alginate mask. Finish with cold therapy.

• Sunscreen Detox: Feeling congested from SPF, sweat and city living? Then this one is for you. Physical exfoliant and clay-based mask, extractions. High Frequency to create holistic oxygen in the skin and kill bacteria. Cucumber mint mask with massage.

Nuture yourself this summer. Your skin and your soul will thank you!

Burn out, and what I am doing about it

When Jacinda Ardern, prime minister of New Zealand, announced she would not be seeking re election I was (like many) shocked. Shocked…here is a woman I idolize. Who was doing it all, handling all the challenges a woman could handle and masterfully, with seeming ease and deep compassion. I was sad…the world needs more women like her, I thought! What will we do without her example?? Also shocked because women like that…the ones we can depend on, well their job is to run themselves straight into the ground and exhaustion right? That’s what capable women do right?! I couldn’t believe she didn’t receive the memo.

I was shocked…and then I cried. Cried tears of relief and appreciation. A leader still. Not giving up, at all. Showing us how it is done. Her tank is empty she said. Time to refill. Time to walk her child to school and pick her up. The ultimate act of unselfishness…to hand over the role without ego to someone who could pour from a full cup. She is burnt out.

When my child was three months and I returned from materinity leave and entered a seemingly never ending period of staff turnover that was truly shocking, as well as the challenges of moving into our new building. Then covid hit when he was eleven months old, so going into it I was already stressed and exhausted.

Covid took that exhaustion to an exponential level. I was managing mask mandates, more turnover, more parenting, financial issues. Endless staff training and hiring. I ate poorly, hardly slept, never worked out. I had physicial issues owing to my pregnancy (a hip replacement and two kinds of pelvic prolapse) which needed surgeries. Every time I had one I relished the two days of recovery in the hospital I was afforded. Somehow I got through it all, and survived.

We are now a year past covid. I have a stable team. The business has nearly fully recovered. And I am fully burnt out.

It started in December. I started having terrible brain fog. Blinding and ever present headaches. My short term memory was completely shot. I started having dizzy spells. No amount of sleep nightly or vacations can replenish my energy. I was diagnosed with depression. And then suddenly terrible TMJ, so bad I can hardly eat. Why is this happening now, when we are in the clear? Why not while I was going through it all?

I’ve gone to all kinds of specialists for answers, both allopathic and holistic. Everyone has a different answer. All the answers might be true at the same time. But what am I going to do about it? It seems to me at the root of all of the physical symptoms is one thing: depletion of energy coupled with trauma, which manifests as blockages of energy in the body. And why now? Because I am now safe to heal it.

The body is a miraculous and divinely intelligent set of systems. The pain in my jaw I have come to realise is actually related to those pelvic surgeries. And the pelvic issues? Owing to my pregnancy. Anyone who has had a child knows post partum care is seriously lacking in our current system. It has taken all my energy over the last four years to get any care in that regard at all, with every advantage on my side.

Regardless, the symptom is rarely the root cause. This is what I find so fascinating about healing work…it is mirrored throughout nature. The chiropractic and body work care I have started receiving to treat my joint pain mirrors the skin care we offer. The body, the soul, the brain all follow similar rules healing. And the more healing I experience the better I can offer it to our clients.

I have been told in working with various acupuncturists that I “spend tomorrow’s energy today”, which was part of the reason I get those headaches. I reach past my energy reserves for today and into tomorrow’s consistently, without replenishing my energy. I am sugar addicted. I scroll for hours each night. Every moment of my day is attached to responsibility and acheivement. I have consistently - for years - been depleting my energy. And have been operating at about 20 - 10% energetically. This is burn out.

But how to replenish my energy and thus cure that burn out?? It’s not culturally popular is it? We love our instant gratifciation and quick fixes. How to learn how to build and cultivate energy?

Here’s what i have come up with, through speaking with experts.

Regular yoga with the intention of building energy but not going overboard. A consistent challenging practice that makes me sweat but doesn’t exhaust me. And if I need to rest in my practice to gather energy, I do.

Removing “blockages” in my body caused by traumas. What is a blockage? A protective mechanism that corresponds and balances the actual root injury. In my case I have minute scar tissue throughout all my joints owing to hypermobility. I also have a wildly tight psoas muscle in my pelvis protecting my hip. To heal them I will need to reinjure them through bodywork by a professional, so that they can realign and heal properly.

Meditation of course. I practice transcendental meditation which I love because it is “foolproof”. Most people think that meditation is about emptying your mind…TM says that’s impossible so say a mantra in your head instead. Same effect.

More nourishing food with actual nutritional value. I don’t have time to cook so I order a subscription.

Being more present in my body…just the actual sensations of it. Breathing. I am also focusing on become more receptive and less active. Accepting more, battling less.

And finally…I will be changing my schedule from about July onward, to spend more time with my child. This will likely look like my only seeing clients on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and ending earlier in the day. The other weekdays will be dedicated to the back end of the office. My hope is this will keep me from spinning a dozen plates every day…every day should have it’s own small set of plates to keep my brain present in what I am actually doing.

And most importantly, I want to take my boy to Pre K and I want to pick him up. He is on the verge of not being so little anymore. He is on the verge of becoming fully conscious. And I want us to have this time together. I want to fully share this time with him, and put him first. It won’t be forever…in a few years he won’t have this time for me. So I am going to make sure I don’t miss it, now.

I would love to share with you in the upcoming months this journey of healing, and the practioners and changes I am working with to this end. We are all on a journey of healing all the time, and my hope would be that even if you don’t have the same issues we might learn something about how to heal ourselves, together.

Preventative Maintenance

How does she do it??

How does JLO look like that at 52?? Is it her olive oil skincare line?

I think we all know it’s not. Does she get a little botox and filler? I’d say almost certainly yes… but I’m not an injector, so I can’t offer an official opinion. Plastic surgery? The jury is out.

But if I had to guess what her secret is I have two words for you…

PREVENTATIVE. MAINTENANCE.

She doesn’t drink (ahem). She has a youthful spirit and works out. She gets a lot of sleep. But…I bet above all she started in with the big preventative maintenance treatments while she was young and has maintained her blessed genetics since then with a lot of help. And what is preventative maintenance? Let’s just define it as tuning up your physical symptoms regularly and BEFORE issues arise.

One of the reasons I got into esthetics is that I wanted this kind of help but didn’t have the money to get it. I thought, “Science is not exclusive to the rich! I can figure this out and do it for myself. Science is universal and for everyone.” It has been my goal to bring luxury services to everyone…we all deserve to feel good about how we look. We can all age well. We can all direct the aging process to shape ourselves further into who we want to be.

///

David Bowie said, “Aging is an extraordinary process where you become the person you always should have been”. I feel it. Our bodies are adaptive and malleable. The goal is realistically not to NOT age…it’s to age gracefully and purposefully. We can grow into better versions of ourselves every day.

So in the realm of skin, the facials we offer support this. Your esthetician is like your personal trainer, working to challenge your body into growing into its greatest potential. And now, we have so many exciting next-level treatments, the kind of treatments that might be done just once a year, to really clean house and support graceful aging.

A common argument against these kinds of treatments you might hear from your well-meaning loved ones? “You don’t need it (IPL, Frax, facials, etc.)!” Yes, and I’m hoping to keep it that way by getting it, You reply! Once the issue sets in (pigmentation, wrinkles, sagging) it is much more painful and costly to fix than it is to prevent. And you have to live looking at the issue as it sets in. I don’t know about you, but my brain does not have space for this!

So let me expand on how our new treatments offer the best preventative maintenance out there (as mentioned, we offer the treatments I want for myself, so I have given them all a lot of thought as we brought them on throughout the Autumn):

Stemzyme: This is a big one. A two-month course of treatment with homecare included and five treatments in total 12 days apart. Stemzyme does something no other treatment does, which is encourage your body to make new stem cells that will become pristine, young, perfect skin cells. Not old cells that resemble young ones. Brand new baby ones. There is no pain involved, just five enzyme treatments. No downtime either!

There is no other treatment out there like this, period! I just finished my course and might do another, that’s how much I loved it. My biggest improvement? My neck, by a mile. And in terms of preventative maintenance this is the Grand Daddy. Do it once a year, January and February are a perfect time…but it can be done any time. Consider it your winter self-improvement project.

IPL: Did you know that getting IPL four times a year can actually make your DNA replicate in a more youthful way? Which means your skin gets even BETTER looking as you age? How does IPL do that?? The secret is in targeting and destroying chromophore abnormalities. Within your skin, there is an accumulation of UV damage. IPL targets this damage, burns it, and then your body disposes of it. This is like cleaning all the sun damage out of your skin… which allows your skin to function better and therefore age in a more youthful way. IPL is a classic laser/light treatment with minimal pain and downtime. Get it done a few times while there is no sun, and you will notice that when you are in the sun in the summer, much less pigmentation will pop up! It’s a win-win, you look flawless now, and the results just get better over time.

Microneedling: A classic. The TINY needles create micro-injuries in the skin, which stimulate collagen production. We do it a bit differently in that we use a stamp rather than a pen…this means less pain, less downtime, same results! What is it good for? Fine lines, pore size, texture/scarring issues, pigmentation…particularly melasma! As the collagen stimulation takes at least a month to really kick in, we recommend at least three sessions a month apart.

Laser Genesis: Everyone’s favorite. No pain, no downtime, good for every skin tone and condition. Heating the skin creates new collagen formation and gives an incredible glow. Even good for melasma! Feels like a hot stone massage, most people fall asleep getting it. There is nothing not to love about Genesis!

Pearl Frax: An ablative laser treatment for texture, tone, and fine lines. Can be done with minimal downtime and pain…about a day of redness and a 4/10 on the pain scale. This should be done once a year, twice a year max. Tiny channels are ablated into the skin which creates a healing response and heat which tightens the skin as it evens texture.

Skin Renewal Peel: One week of intense downtime, a year’s worth of results! This is an incredibly unique balm form peel, which is good for all skin tones and conditions. The balm slows absorption, so it tricks the skin into thinking it’s been more wounded than it has been. This means a huge flood of collagen, and pigment rising to the surface to shed. The pain isn’t that bad…once again, most people put it at 4/10 on the pain scale. And the results are incredible! Do this once a year, twice if you are ambitious and super serious about doing everything you can to age beautifully.

So which of the above is right for you? All of them? I mean in an ideal world sure…but this is where your esthetician comes in. We can help you choose the right one. It’s a huge investment of time and money I know! And we want to get it right. Give us your concerns, let us see your skin…and we will discuss together the best option to fit your budget and schedule.

Then, in the spring and summer just coast! Get some enzymes and facials to maintain, and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Invest in yourself…the holidays are over, and you’ve done all the things for all the other people you love. Now it’s time to take care of yourself. Embrace the aging process, we will walk the path with you.

Turn Back Time with Stemzyne!

We are going big this year for Black Friday, Small Biz Saturday, and Cyber Monday!

First of all, we will be offering a FREE DMK product of your choice with the purchase of DMK products. It’s tiered, so a $30 gift with a purchase of $150 or more, a $60 gift with a purchase of $250 or more, or $90 with a purchase of $350 or more.

Also, we have a big new treatment… Stemzyme!

Stemzyme is a five-treatment, two-month program.  There is a two-and-a-half-hour initial treatment with the famous DMK oxygenating Enzyme mask.  Then there are four follow-up Enzyme Mask treatments spaced twelve days apart.  All necessary products for the two-month course are included…this is a cleanser, a sunscreen, a supplement, and four serums. The price total for all of it is $1950.

Stemzyme has its roots in DMK’s oxygen therapy but is married to Ayurveda and botanical science.  The products are all natural and good for every skin tone, type, and condition.  There is truly nothing else like it in the market!  Unlike most treatments focused on stem cell production, Stemzyme does not introduce growth factors from external sources.  Instead, it stimulates and cultivates the production of your skin’s own stem cells!  This is groundbreaking as most growth factor treatments are very “hit or miss”…there is little way of telling if the body accepts or rejects the growth factor.  Furthermore, if the growth factors are from an incompatible stem cell to your skin it will do nothing!  

Stemzyme is truly a “fountain of youth” treatment in that we are cultivating the creation of new baby stem cells.  As we age our cell's replication and production is compromised, and so when we give traditional treatment we are attempting to bring optimal health to aged cells.  Stemzyme on the other hand creates NEW Stem Cells…so the kind of cells you had when you were younger!  Which means they will replicate and age in a more youthful way.  It is literally turning back time in your skin on a fundamental level, with lasting and visible results…on a cellular level.

Our sale offer is that when you buy a course of Stemzyme for $1950 we will give you the new MD line of products from DMK for after your treatment program. This means the new Firmatrix serum, Transgenesis face creme, Elevate neck creme, Eye Web eye creme, Wetter than Water mist, and Satin Screen SPF.  This is DMK's newest and most effective anti-aging line and is over $600 in value.

So all told the value total is $2600 and you save $600! And this is enough product for four full months.

We have a very limited number of these deals on offer, so it will be first come first serve.  I’m happy to share I was our guinea pig for the Stemzyme training, and already love my results.

We love our clients, and we love DMK…so these offers are meant to give every incentive to try something new from them with us.  Orders may be placed in person or via orders@adrienneshostak.com.

Thank you as always for your support…have a happy Thanksgiving All!

Go “Big” with Bespoke this Autumn

Big things are happening at Bespoke this Autumn! And by “big” I mean more paramedical, results-driven treatments. I’ve been lining it up all summer, just waiting for Labor Day to start unveiling them. Peel season is upon us, and we are ready!

Amongst the new treatments will be the Skin Renewal Peel from Elaine Brennan, the creator of the micropeel we all know and love in the office. We have also purchased a new Cutera Xeo laser! This will be good for vascular issues, pigmentation, texture, etc… as it performs IPL, Frax, and YAG modalities.

And finally, our beloved DMK has rolled out a new treatment five years in the making...Stemzyme! This is a five-part Enzyme treatment series designed to stimulate the growth of your own stem cells. There’s nothing else out there like it!

We will be rolling these out throughout the Autumn. I’m anticipating October for the laser and December for the Stemzyme Treatment. We will also be hosting an open house event on November 18 to showcase all the new innovations. Stay tuned for when/how to buy tickets to attend. The number will be limited!

In the meantime, we will be running specials as we introduce the new treatments. Our first will be for the Elaine Brennan Skin Renewal Peeling... or “big” peel as we are calling it.

Think of it as six micropeels in one. The results are dramatic! The genius of the Elaine Brennan peels is them being in a balm form rather than a liquid. This slows absorption, making it extremely targeted to the epidermal/dermal juncture. Unlike most peels which are hard to gauge, this one stops right at that juncture without damaging the dermis. This means a strong production of collagen follows but with zero damage to the living layer of the skin!

Yes, there is a lot of downtime involved. Application is over two days... the peel sits on the face and neck for two hours each day. It is a bit hot and tingly, but we use strong fans and the sensation subsides after twenty minutes...most clients nap for the remaining time.

The next week your skin gets tight, dry, and dark. It starts to “lift off” and peel around the mouth starting on day four. Day seven or eight we meet for an hour to peel off the remaining skin in the office.

And when that remaining skin comes off, the new skin is pristine! Not inflamed, bouncy, even, & glowing. It is incredible. The texture is improved, fine lines... any and every skin condition is improved.

Things I love about this peel? Little to no supporting homecare is needed... we provide you with a soothing cream to use the next week and that’s it! After that, you can go back to your normal routine. Also, it is good for every skin tone... from the lightest to the darkest! It is also good for every skin condition...melasma and acne in particular.

So in one week, you can get the best skin of your life. And it always works without fail!

Ultimately we will price it at $850...but for the month of October through December, you can have it done for $650! Considering it provides the results of six months of treatment in one go, I think it’s a bargain. Please note: due to its timings we have a limited amount of availability for this treatment, and pre-booking is required. To do so, please book in person with your therapist, via email, or by phone. There is an email form at the bottom of this blog you can directly request an appointment with.

Go big with us this Autumn… we can’t wait to share our new innovations with you.

Bespoke Body

Let me let you in on a secret. If you are over the age of 40 it might be a secret you already know.

One day, weird things are likely to happen to the skin on your body. And it’s not pretty.

Shocking really. Like any sign of aging, it seems to happen all at once, though in hindsight it was happening all along. I remember thinking in my 20’s “How does a knee SAG?? how is that even possible?” Now, unfortunately, I know.

What are the biggest issues that occur with the skin of the body? Crepiness, cellulite…loss of elasticity, and fat pads, creating sagging skin. Pigmentation (of course)…scarring, stretch marks. Maybe all of the above! And is it any wonder? Do you give the skin of your body any love, like you give your face? Or do you just slap on a moisturizer after a shower, as most of us do?

What goes for your face goes for your body…most moisturizers just coat the skin and provide little absorption and nutrition. The good news is that as the skin of the body receives so little attention, introducing pharmaceutical-grade skin care and treatments makes a big difference quickly.

To this end, in June we will be reintroducing Bespoke Body. But with a few key differences! Treatment now will focus mostly on the conditions described above, and performed by the entire staff. So what will we be offering?

BACK FACIAL WITH PEEL

A quickie treatment for acne and scarring, with no downtime! Peel, extractions, and transdermal infusion or mask to follow. For active acne and pigmentation.

One hour of treatment, $200

BODY ENZYME

DMK’s famous oxygenating Enzyme mask for the body! Great for firming, lymph drainage, pigmentation, acne, and skin laxity. One large area included…either the back, bum, and back of thighs or tummy and front of thighs. Treatment includes cleanse, exfoliation, finishing products, and your choice of DMK homecare product for the body.

Ninety minutes of treatment, $240

ALKALINE WASH

This one-of-a-kind treatment is for acne, scarring, pigmentation…stretch mark revision, and even hair removal! Includes DMK Enzyme mask after the wash, and no downtime.

Price and time vary per area but range from two to two and a half hours of treatment, $260 to $300

MICRONEEDLING FOR BODY

Utilizing Procell’s needling stamp, for collagen induction. Good for skin laxity, post-inflammatory pigmentation, stretch marks, and scarring! Minimal downtime, with a complimentary Stemfactor serum for homecare. One area per session can be the front of thighs, back of thighs, upper or lower back, tummy, chest/neck, or chest/arms!

One hour of treatment, $400

And what home care products for the body will we be offering?

DMK Maximum Moisture Body Creme

A deep-penetrating body moisturizer, Maximum Moisture body lotion is a blend of ingredients that will not clog pores or leave a greasy film on the skin. Formulated with healthy skin oils, rich skin-loving lipids, allantoin to soothe and hydrate, as well as antioxidants, this product is excellent for dry or irritated, chapped, or sun-exposed skin. A superior moisturizer for skin nutrition! $55

DMK Hydralouffa Body Wash

A non-granular body gel designed with caviar lime, a gentle aha to cleanse and help exfoliate dead skin cells. It is an excellent formulation for dry skin, reactive skin, and skin suffering from folliculitis. $40… Bundle with Max Moist and receive $15 off!

DMK Aminodine Mist

DMK’s “golden water” Aminodine is an age management formulation that contains natural extracts that could help revive mature, middle-aged, and sun-damaged skins. A refreshing hydrating spray that soaks into the skin helping to reactivate glucose and normalizing the free radical effect of glycation (reduces the ability of collagen fiber to regenerate leading to wrinkling, creping, and sagging of the skin). For use after showering and before moisturizing. $50

DMK Solar Damage Gel

Solar Damage soothes skin inflammation and redness. Restores the interstitial fluid of the epidermis, bringing hydration and vitality back, creating firmer, plumper, more replenished skin. Solar Damage gel has specific barrier protection effects, helping to protect and adding rich aloe and vitamin E, which aids in collagen rejuvenation. $25

DMK MicroPeel

Offers a quick and non-irritating method of removing dead cells and debris to improve the appearance of dull, coarse, or wrinkled skin. MicroPeel is a gentle exfoliant to eliminate dead cell material ideal for acne and congested skin.  With lactic and glycolic acids to brighten and tighten $50

DMK Body Sculpt

Body Sculpting cream is a contouring and tightening topical home treatment cream. Designed to help reshape the body in stubborn areas and reduce the appearance of cellulite by smoothing and firming loose body skin using thermogenesis. Note: Not for use by diabetics or pregnant women. $80

In all honesty…I use at least two of each of these products nightly. It might seem like a lot, but it really only takes 5 to 10 min to apply, and the payoff is worth it! And I’ll be sharing simple treatments you can do with the products at home…such as gua sha, body brushing, and a Body Sculpt wrap.

Once you get in the habit of giving your body even a fraction of the attention you give your face, you will wonder why you ever did it any other way. Let’s get summer ready together, and have you feeling good in your skin from head to toe :)

The Metamorphosis Continues

I thought it might be nice this Mother’s Day to update my blog from last year, “The Metamorphosis of Motherhood”.

Another year down the line…my boy turned three last week. All I can say is each passing year is truly bittersweet. Bitter as each day is so precious…he changes so much so quickly there is hardly time to appreciate each moment. Sweet because as he does I love the person he is becoming, and it gets easier. Now that he can speak just being able to ask what he wants and try to reason with him about him is an absolute game-changer.

One of the hardest aspects of motherhood is the inherent uncertainty of it all. Each child can be different, just when you think you have it figured out you don’t. When you figure out one stage they change. The quick adapting and lack of perfection is baked in, and the humbling that comes with it is healthy I think. And so I try to make peace with my mix of emotions…yes I’d love to be pregnant again but probably won’t. Yes, I’d love to hold a newborn baby of mine again, but love him at three too. Yes, there is never enough time, and we can’t go back in time. The moment is all we have and then it’s gone. Yes, memory fades. Bittersweet, all of it.

Physically the issues I described last year improved with pelvic floor PT…but not to the point of resolution. After three years of trying to figure out what was wrong I was finally diagnosed with two kinds of prolapse…and though mild they weren’t going to get any better, only worse. So I had my second major surgery (the first was replacing my left hip in May of last year) in less than a year to correct it.

I read recently that a woman’s postpartum journey is a journey back to herself…which is once again bittersweet. You go from living your life as one person, then two people…then you give birth and are born again as a mother. The postpartum journey is one of reintegrating who you were before you gave birth….bitter because this journey can be tinged with guilt. I don’t want to go back to who I was…but I would like certain parts back. For most of my adult life, I was hyper fit, owing to a background in ballet. That body took a decade to build, of blood sweat, and tears. In nine months it was all gone, my body feeling uncomfortable and unfamiliar. And so these surgeries were a big step to feeling like myself again…it’s a different body but feels more like mine again. I feel better, which is sweet. The bitter part is I am unlikely after this bit of the journey to get pregnant again and destroy the work of the surgeries. So with my returning sense of self is the loss of living through the miracle of childbirth again.

I felt when I delivered him I had crested a mountain, and the mountain was my life. The moment he came out I was standing at the top, surveying all of it. It felt as if my ultimate purpose had been served. My whole life was building to this peak moment. And every moment after would be descent…ultimately towards death. The desire to go to the peak of the mountain, again and again, will forever beckon…it is one of the most incredible experiences a person can have, to carry and birth a child. To admit it is over and say to oneself “did I feel that enough, did I savor it enough, did I love it enough” is overwhelming. But that’s life, bittersweet. I try to let go and tell myself we don’t know what the future holds. I try to live with the uncertainty of it all.

That’s motherhood. Happy Mother’s Day to us all, thanks for making the world go round.