Eminence has rolled out with the brand new Organic Beauty Collection made of natural organic and mineral cosmetics. The line includes moisturizers, bronzers, and lip plumpers just in time for summer! What’s great about the line is that it is rich in vitamins and paraben free which is perfect for any skin type (even those of us with sensitive skin!).

Here’s a breakdown of the products:

The Caramel Latte Tinted Moisturizer ($48.50) has SPF 25 and is for all skin types light to medium and the Cocoa Latte Tinted Moisturizer ($48.50) has SPF 25 for all skin types medium to dark. These moisturizers will soften your skin without clogging your pores. Having a tinted moisturizer on hand is great for those days you don’t have time to put make up on before running out the door. The sheer coverage is perfect and protects your skin from the sun’s harmful rays!

Chai Berry Glow ($36.50) is a mineral illuminator for light to medium skin. Haven’t made it to the beach yet? Fake it with this natural looking powder. This will give you a subtle glow and is long-wear and oil-controlling!

Mocha Berry Bronzer ($36.50) is a mineral illuminator perfect for medium to dark skin. Like the Chai Berry Glow, this bronzer is long-wearing and oil-controlling. The Mocha Berry Bronzer takes it to the next level giving you a deeper glow.

Cinnamon Kiss Lip Plumper ($26.50) is a stimulating lip gloss and the perfect way to get plump lips naturally. It promotes fuller lips and a healthy glow. Feel the tingle as it plumps your lips for a soft and sexy pout.

10.  Eyelash Extensions…absolutely addicted, love how natural and durable this new semi-permanent lash is.  Makes you look youthful and sexy all at once.

9.  Brightening Therapy from PCA…combines brightening ingredients with mother of pearl for clinically proven reduction in hyperpigmentation and inflammation while illuminating the skin.  This wonder cream has dramatically improved my dark spots and I love the light luminescent effect of the mother of pearl.

8.  Phyto Fermete Wrap from Yonka Paris…powerful essential oils and galvanic current stimulate the fat cells to metabolize fat faster and encourage a healthy detox through increasing the blood and lymph flow and making the digestive system more effective.  I was getting one a week in cycles of 4 until I became pregnant and have been fiending for one ever since.  Makes you feel and look slim and toned.

7.  Everything Biodynamic by Eminence…it doesn’t get any more granola meets science than this!  Ingredients planted, grown and harvested by the cycles of the moon is enough to make me squeal with delight any day but everything smells and feels wonderful too!

6.  Phyto Bain by Yonka Paris…I can’t live without this.  I keep a bottle in my shower to use with a loofah and a bottle near the tub to pour in for a soak; I even bring a travel bottle on trips.  This elixir of essential oils is absolutely intoxicating and invigorating all at once.  Smells earthy and sweet without being overly feminine so my husband loves it too.

5.  Tea Tree and Mint Hand Cleanser from Eminence Organics…finally someone came out with a hand sanitizer that is actually good for you.Enriched with organic  chamomile, aloe vera, and tea tree oil, this chemical-free alternative to hand sanitizer leaves your hands germ- free and moisturized.  Will soon come in very handy with my little one.

4.  Raindrop Massage with Young Living Oils…for years i suffered from cold sores and ever since I have been receiving regular Raindrop Massages I haven’t had a single one.  The combination of essential oils dropped along the spine creates an environment where dormant viruses can no longer thrive.  Great for staying healthy during cold and flu season, too.

3.  Ginger Lime and French Lavender body butters by Spa Blends…I’m almost 8 months pregnant and still stretch mark free and I owe it all to my Spa Blends body butters.  I rub this luxe cream on in the morning and before bed and it keeps my skin moist and smelling great.  I also love it for elbows and feet or for those super harsh, dry winter days.  Plus, it is crafted locally which is always a plus in my book.

2.  Optimizer Yonka Facial…the perfect mixture of pure pampering and result oriented technique.  The most fabulously relaxing facial I have ever experienced that also leaves my skin purified, clear, calm and totally hydrated.  The French are famous for their skin care and its no wonder why.  I highly recommend for anyone who suffers from acne, rosacea or the signs of aging.

1.  Tropical Vanilla Organic SPF Cream for face and body by Eminence Organics…research last year revealed that any SPF over a 35 actually contains more cancer causing agents than just being bare in the sun!  Eminence answered our cries for healthy sun protection with this awesome broad range sun protector that utilized cinnamon and tomato extracts for a chemical protection (UVA and UVB) with zinc and titanium dioxide for a physical block (UVC).  Oh and it smells amazing, of course.

Originating from a balanced, holistic view of the universe, biodynamic farming is uniting modern technology with age old wisdom to produce plants unusually high in nutrients and active compounds without the use of pesticides and inorganic fertilizes.  Seeds are planted, watered and harvested in cycle with the phases of moon to ensure maximum water usage and mineral absorption.  Surpassing conventional organic methods, the resulting crops are the most potent known to farming.

The Biodynamic Collection from Eminence includes:

• Lemon Grass Cleanser
• Hawthorn Tonique
• Radish Seed Refining Peel
• Yellow Sweet Clover Anti-Redness Masque
• Primrose and Melon Balancing Masque
• Apricot Calendula Nourishing Cream
• Echinacea Recovery Cream
• Bearberry Eye Repair Cream
• Quince Nourishing Body Lotion

As a long time sufferer of rosacea I instantly fell in love with the Echinacea Recovery Cream.  Echinacea is a powerful anti-inflammatory that protects and enhances the natural immunity of the skin.  Combine that with calming and healing aloe vera and primrose oil and you get an active recovery without feeling greasy or clogged.  My skin tends to be a little more dry so I layer the Apricot Calendula Nourishing Cream over the top for an added anti-inflammatory and revitalizing kick.  The flax seed and cocoa butter help heal and protect while providing long lasting hydration and Omega 3 and Omega 6 for scar and imperfection correction.

In my treatment room I have had multiple successes with the Biodynamic Collection in relieving acne, especially the pustule based with large red and uncomfortable break outs.  The purity of the products in conjunction with the highly active botanicals has the ability to attack and rid the skin of imperfections without being abrasive or harsh.  I definitely recommend the Eminence Biodynamic Collection for anyone who is suffering from irritated, red and abused skin.

For more information contact Melissa Brown melissabrown@alchemyspaandboutique.com

or visit www.eminenceorganics.com

One of my favorite tricks is adding a drop or two of Peppermint Oil to a latte.  Peppermint is one of the oldest and most highly regarded herbs for soothing digestion.  It is also known to improve concentration and mental accuracy.  Peppermint has the ability to directly affects the brain’s satiety  center, which triggers a sense of fullness after eating.

You can use Lemon Essential Oil to flavor water, butter and honey.  Lemon has antiseptic like properties and contains compounds proven to positively effect the immune system.  I love it in a giant bottle of water.  Essential Oils are concentrated extractions so within every little bottle are hundreds of great antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients of that plant.

Lavender is the most versatile of all essential oils.  Just as it is calming, relaxing and balancing when inhaled so is it when eaten.  Most people don’t think to cook with lavender but I love a couple drops in marinara sauce.  It adds another layer of flavor that is sweet, earthy and leaves your diners wondering and begging for more.  Lavender also goes great with honey, mix a couple drops in and drizzle over muffins, pancakes or even vanilla ice cream.

My favorite essential oils come from Young Living.  Their products are of the highest quality and vibration.  Young Living offers a whole selection of edible oils with directions and suggestions on how to take advantage of each one.  I am a representative for Young Living and have been using their essential oils in my treatment room for years.  If you would like to become a member so you can purchase young Living essential oils for yourself, family and friends please email me at melissabrown@alchemyspaandboutique.com

Safety Issue:  Due to the strength of pure grade essential oils please use caution when starting out.  Take care to use proper dilutions.  Avoid eyes and ears.  Water intensifies oil so rinse with an olive oil or neutral vegetable oil then soap and water.

For more info on young living visit http://www.youngliving.com

Among many studies one recent research at Dedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles had volunteers undergo 45-minute deep tissue massages while a control group received light strokes on their backs…the massage group’s blood levels of NK cells and T lymphocytes,two antiviral defenders,rose significantly suggesting that deep tissue therapeutic massage boosts your natural immune system.

This season take a proactive, natural approach to fighting  flu and colds.  Schedule regular massage visits and experience healthy mind, body, soul and home.

Now these Cosmetic companies will often claim to use the same ingredients as their superior counterparts but is the ingredient in a stable, absorbable form?  Is it in a clinically approved percentage?  There really is no way to know because Cosmetic Grade products are not held to any industry standards.  Cosmetic companies can literally put orange peel in their product and call it Vitamin C.  The Olay Regenerist’s main campaign platform is Glycolic Acid.  Glycolic Acid is a very trendy ingredient right now; it is a great exfoliant and helps to maintain moisture levels in the skin.  It has a very small molecular size allowing it penetrate deeper than other resurfacing acids.  For those same reasons it can be very irritating, unstable and make your skin very photosensitive therefore making you more vulnerable to sun damage.  Glycolic Acid must be bound to other acids to make it pH balanced and work properly for your skin.  All AHA’s especially Glycolic Acid should NEVER be used for a prolonged period of time without proper professional supervision and recommendation.

My favorite Medical Grade line that offers amazing progressive not aggressive Glycolic Acid clinical treatments and home care products is PCA.  With PCA every ingredient is individually harvested for maximum quality and combined together to make your skin firmer, smoother and more radiant.  And the price is similar to any department store brand including Olay Regenerist.   So don’t be fooled by million dollar marketing campaigns…  A Cosmetic Grade product is just makeup and will never deliver the same results as a Professional and Medical Grade line.

If you are interested in learning more about Professional Skin Resurfacing or Glycolic Acid treatments please contact Melissa Brown, melissabrown@alchemyspaandboutique.com

For more information on PCA visit http://www.pcaskin.com/

For a full ingredient list and more information from Olay on Regenerist visit http://www.olay.com/skin-care-products

Microcurrent is an FDA approved way to dramatically improve your skin. Some of the benefits include:

• reduced puffiness
• increases blood and lymph circulation
• reduces cellulite
• enhances collagen and elastin production
• increases cellular metabolism
• hormonaly balancing for the skin
• lessen the appearance of larger pores
• lifts sagging facial tone
• and more!

Microcurrent is an ideal treatment for all skin types and concerns. For more information or to book your appointment contact Melissa Brown with Alchemy Day Spa and Boutique at melissabrown@alchemyspaandboutique.com