July is a perfect month for a Facial

Posted by Maria on July 17, 2011 under Aromatherapy, Face, Facials, Fitness, Mobile Spa, Nutrition, Photo gallery, Skin Care, Sleep, Stress Management and Relaxation, Uncategorized, Wellness | Read the First Comment

by Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner

Once the socks get stuffed in the drawers and the closed-toed shoes and boots get tossed to the back of the closet, and the bare feet, sandals and strappy stilettos come out for some fun in the sun, most people opt for pedicures at the spa instead of going for a facial. I’d like to suggest that getting a customized facial in the summer is definitely worth the investment also.

Our complexion changes with the seasons and it’s important to adjust your skincare routine to reflect the current environmental conditions. Your skin may have been dry and dehydrated this past winter because of low temperatures and cold winds mixed with heat from furnaces. But now, with the extra sun exposure and heat and increased activity, your skin may be turning more oily, or sensitive or may have more breakouts than usual.

How is a person supposed to keep up with all of these fluctuations and variations? The answer — having a facial. A facial with a professional esthetician will help clear up any outstanding issues you may be having with your skin this summer.

What is a Facial?

A facial treatment is a professional service designed to improve and rejuvenate the skin on the face, neck, shoulders and decolleté. Getting regular facials will definitely and noticeably improve your skin’s appearance and texture.

The Benefits of Getting a Facial

There are many benefits associated with getting a facial and they all come back to managing stress. Stress itself isn’t the bad guy — it’s the amount of stress and the way you deal with it that makes a difference in your life. For example, stress is one of the aggravating factors of acne but if you learn how to reduce the stress in your life with healthy habits such as getting regular facials and eating nutritious food and exercising daily, you will significantly improve the tone of your skin. And you’ll feel so much better.

Getting a facial also gives you a chance to try out a particular skin care product line to see how it behaves on your skin, before you purchase it. I think that’s a wise approach. Ask me which skincare line I use in my Homespunspa facials and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

The benefits of a Facial include:

1. Maintaining healthy skin and having radiant-looking skin;
2. Correcting certain skin conditions such as overexposure to Ultraviolet Rays from the sun;
3. Treating conditions such as dryness, oiliness or redness;
4. Deep cleansing and releasing environmental pollution like smog that may be trapped in your pores;
5. Exfoliation and Refinement which makes your skin feel smoother and softer;
6. Increasing circulation;
7. Detoxification;
8. Relaxation of the body and mind through massage and aromatherapy;
9. Stimulation of metabolism;
10. Looking younger and more beautiful;
11. Slowing down premature aging and softening lines and wrinkles;
12. Helping clear up blemishes and minor acne;
13. Reducing stress;
14. Sleeping better at night.

What to expect from a Facial

When you come to a spa for a facial, you’ll be asked to fill out a confidential questionnaire and change into a gown and remove your jewellery and socks and shoes. You may also get a foot soak. Then you’ll lie down on a facial bed. You and your esthetician will talk about your needs and concerns and then both of you will determine the best course of action for your skin.

Steps in a Facial

1. Consultation;
2. Make up removal and Cleansing;
3. Skin Analysis;
4. Refinement Masque (Exfoliation);
5. Skin Balancing;
6. Hand, Foot, Neck, Shoulder and Facial Massages;
7. Treatment Masque & Serums; and
8. Moisturization and Sun Protection.

You may also receive extra services like: detoxification massage, pressure point massage, attention around your eyes, extractions, or make up application, etc. On top of all of that, you’ll also learn a lot about your own skin and how to take care of it and which products and services will benefit you the most.

Homespunspa July, August and September Special on Facials

I don’t know about your neck of the woods, but our summer in the Pacific Northwest has been slow in coming this year. Regardless, if you’re at all curious about how a facial works, Homespunspa is offering a 25% discount on all facials if you book your appointment before the autumnal equinox (September 23, 2011) and if you mention the code “summer” at the time of booking. Feel free to visit www.homespunspa.com and the mobile services menu page for a full list of services and prices. To make an appointment, follow the links on the reservations page.

I love giving facials because I like to help people relax and feel good about themselves. I also love seeing the “after” smiles my customers make when they first look at themselves in the mirror after they experience a 60 or 90 minute facial with me. I really think you’ll be pleased with your results, too.

Have a fun summer!

P.S. Remember to apply your sun protection often.

Mani & Pedi Pledge Drive Update!

Posted by Maria on May 5, 2011 under Fitness, Hands and Nails, Manicures, Mobile Spa, Newspapers and Newsworthy, Pedicures, Photo gallery, Uncategorized | Read the First Comment

by Maria Koropecky, Homespunspa owner

As many of you know, in the month of April, 2011, I had the idea of giving manicures and pedicures by donation to raise funds for the people hurt by the earthquake and tsunami that shook Japan in March. I am truly inspired by all of the people who supported my idea and together we raised $355. I hope the money we raised will contribute to the Red Cross’ Relief efforts and that the people of Japan will be comforted by knowing that strangers from other lands care.

I chose this photo of chartreuse flowers to accompany this blog post because to me it says “vibrant,” “hope” and a “fresh start” and somehow, spring will come again.

I would like to thank the Red Cross for your hard work. The world is a better place by having you here.

And thank you to everyone who participated in the Homespunspa Mani & Pedi Pledge Drive, especially to Donna, my Jazzercise instructor, who helped spread the word. I really enjoyed spending time with each of the women who signed up for an appointment. And as an added bonus, I had a chance to get to know people a little bit better and to also strengthen my own community at a grass roots level. It’s win, win, win!

Wrap yourself in Aveda wrap up

Posted by Maria on April 27, 2010 under Esthetics School, Stress Management and Relaxation, Uncategorized | Be the First to Comment

by Maria Koropecky

*** SCHOOL PROJECT ***

I’ve already logged 3 weeks of school time at the Aveda Institute and am really loving it. It’s odd being back in school after 20 years but I’m really trying to take advantage of all the school has to offer. So far my education hasn’t just been about esthetics. I’m also learning about sales and service which will serve me well when I graduate.

The instructors are also very progressive in how they teach us. The lessons are more hands on than just sitting there and listening to dry lectures for hours on end. They’re incorporating different learning styles which make the dry science stuff more palatable. I love how they’re encouraging creativity and communication at every turn. I’ve drawn all kinds of posters (from skeletons to skin cells), written a song (about hair follicles, no less) and made presentations to the class. It’s really fun.

So far though, my favourite moment happened on Sunday when I volunteered for a couple of hours at our annual Earth Month Wrap Yourself in Aveda event. I was really nervous when I first got there because I didn’t know what to expect. I’m glad they sent me to help with the laundry first before meeting any of the guests because rolling the hot towels helped get the jitters out.

Then I had the opportunity to shadow one of the senior esthiology students while she was giving a mini facial and hand and foot treatment. I gave my first hand treatment and although I forgot most of the steps of the massage we learned on Friday, I still think I did a pretty good job. After that, I worked with 3 more students and learned something from each of them.

What struck me most about that afternoon was seeing the faces of all of the people after they had gone through a 20-minute treatment with my classmates. They all looked so happy and relaxed and I realized in that moment that I wanted to be able to do that for people too. I know the two hours I spent volunteering on Sunday was more valuable to me than any studying I could have done in the same time. Not only did I provide a service for people who signed up for the event, I also had a chance to interact with my classmates and confirm to myself that I’m in the right place and I’m on the right path. It feels great!