Spa Flyer: Blog for spa enthusiasts by SpaIndex.com

Staff Product Pick: MelanSol All Natural Sunscreen

My aesthetician once told me "If you can see your shadow you need sunscreen" and that simple lesson never left me.  She also said the reason I have more freckles on the left side of my face than my right was because "...you drive in a vehicle a lot. The left side of your face is exposed in your car's window all the time."   ::blink!::  How obvious!

The only problem was, finding a product I liked.  I didn't care for the brand she recommended.  I didn't care for other brands I tried.  I was really suspicious of products which had a really long shelf life -- hmm.  I got very excited when I found a powdered variety with a brush, but didn't stick with that, either -- you can't really use it on the go and if you don't love a product, you won't use it regularly.

I recently had the good luck to try MelanSol 100% Natural Antioxidant Sunscreen, introduced to SpaFlyer by our good friend Sharon at the All Natural Beauty Portal, who is our guru for all things natural, and she didn't steer us wrong.

This is great stuff.  It isn't greasy, glides on and absorbs quickly, and can be used on your lips, as well.  It has a pronounced herbal aroma, which I happen to like.  There is instant gratification from using a product you actually look forward to applying. 

This product stays in our travel bag, vehicle, and ... the car, for those road trips which give me freckles.

For March 14 Japan's Marshmallow Day: MOR Marshmallow Bath and Body

 

In Japan, Korea and Taiwan, the February 14 Valentine's Day holiday is closely followed by White Day, celebrated on March 14.

On Valentine's Day, the custom is for women to give gifts of chocolate to men, and not just to sweethearts, but co-workers as well! The chocolate gifts are known as giri-choco (giri = obligation; choco = chocolate).

In order to level the playing field, a savvy marshmallow manufacturer conceived of Marshmallow Day in 1965, calling for a gesture of thanks by the men. His idea bloomed and on March 14, men who receive chocolate on Valentine's Day return the favor and give sweet gifts -- usually with marshmallow -- to women. The holiday is called Marshmallow Day or White Day, as well, and gifts now include marshmallow, candy, chocolate, perfume, and lingerie.

Save the planet and your skin with Renault's Spa Car

If there’s anything the French hate more than gas-guzzling Family Trucksters, it’s bad skin. It is therefore with much amusement but little surprise that we learned the interior Renault’s Zoe Z.E. electric car concept was designed with help from cosmetics manufacturer Biotherm.

Hinting at a production vehicle that officially debuts in 2012, we first saw the Zoe Z.E. at the Frankfurt auto show earlier this year. It’s hard to miss, since it’s a 13-foot-long bubble with 20-inch rims and gullwing doors. That exterior is coated in a thick polyurethane gel that protects it from minor scrapes and bruises — much like a good foundation masks crow’s feet and laugh lines.

Renault says the Zoe is ideal “for men and women who want to take care of the environment while taking care of themselves – even behind the wheel.” Since unsightly blemishes and wrinkles are as much an anathema to French sensibilities as Velveeta and Wonderbread, the automaker made the interior a spa-like experience.

Read the Story from Autopia

Spa Shopping: Rance Marseille Hand, Bath & Shower Gel

The extraordinary Rance' Marseille Hand, Bath & Shower Gel line is created entirely from natural raw materials. A slow working process is used with ingredients taken from the vegetable kingdom of Provence producing an entirely natural Hand, Bath & Shower Gel. The Rance' Marseille products will improve and heal the skin and are recommended by dermatologists for even delicate and sensitive skin.

Spa Geek: Aromatherapy from your USB Drive

Computer geeks and spa enthusiasts are not mutually exclusive terms. For the Spa Geek in all of us, SpaFlyer suggests this perfect stocking stuffer: A USB drive aromatherapy diffuser.

This little gadget uses the heat of your computer's USB drive to slowly diffuse the scent of fragrance oil. The diffuser is powered by your USB, with no driver installation required.  A drop of (provided) fragrance oil is added to the cross shaped hole, with 3 to 5 drops estimated as necessary to scent the surrounding area for the entire day.   

The device describes itself as "discrete" which we infer means you can slip it into a USB port on the back of a computer of, shall we say, a less than pleasant smelling co-worker or teenager, perhaps.  Practically speaking, however, we can't deny this is an easy and low-cost way to calm your jangled nerves with a whiff of roses, when Scrooge forces you to compute around the clock this holiday season.

The device is as small as a thumb drive, weighs only 4g, and is color coordinated with your choice of four scents:  Rose (red device); Peppermint (green device); Jasmine (orange device); and Lavender (blue device).   

No word on whether you can add your own essential oils, but we imagine you could, without negatively impacting this high tech Bond-like device. 

$7.00 each, from USB Geek.

SpaFlyer Shopping: Chinese Newsprint Flip Flops

These sturdy foam-core flip-flops are built into a sheet foam. The foam sheet, and the soles of the flip-flops, are printed with advertisements taken from Chinese newspapers, which creates a fascinating grid of numbers and characters. These versatile shoes are suitable for indoor, outdoor, shower, spa and pedicure use. The flip flops have a soft plastic thong portion designed to lie flat against the feet, while the frame has a portion that pops out for hanging on a wall of a home, spa or boutique. 

The flip flops are by Goods of Desire, a home accessories company based in Hong Kong, which has been producing Asian-influenced goods since 1996.

From $35 per pair from Unica Online

SpaFlyer Shopping: Matrix Inspired Bath Spa Robe

From Takashi Yamada of Yanko Design, we learned about this beautiful "Matrix" inspired spa robe designed by Bart Lens:

The pattern is based on the movement of dancing Dervishes, or the fighting matrix: when you pirouette you get the same effect. The collar is one large, rolled-up bath towel. The belt is attached so that there is no chance of misplacing it. Everything is a little oversized, even the sleeves, which you can double back completely. The result is a dashing, hussar-like appearance.

It isn't clear to us if this beautiful robe is already available for purchase.  We certainly would like to own one.

SpaFlyer Shopping: OSEA Atmosphere Protection Cream

The staff of Spa Flyer and Spa Index are always trying new skin and body care lines, so its a rare thing when we develop favorites.  When we do, we like to share them with you.

From Gents, LLC, a company specializing in premium shaving, skin and body care for men (but with products for both men and women),we tried Osea Atmosphere Protection Cream. This cream is a daily light weight moisturizer, with a marine base which provides an ultra thin barrier to protect skin against the elements. It promised to leave our skin healthy and hydrated, and was recommended for three skin types -- normal, combination and dry.

As directed, Kevin of Spa Index Media, our resident spa guy, applied a small amount of this product to his clean face and neck, after shaving, every day for two months (the 2 oz bottle was generous enough to last for a bit beyond that time frame).  The result was smooth, moist, and enhanced skin texture, which more easily withstood the sometimes bitter cold and wind in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Kevin, with a normal complexion prone to chafing in cold weather, says "It didn't feel sticky, gooey, or like I had on face cream. I wanted it to work, but I didn't want to know it was there, and it was perfect in that respect. My face has just felt and looked healthy all winter."

OSEA Atmosphere Protection Cream
2 oz, $36.00,  Available from Gents, LLC

Additional product reviews for Gents, LLC

SpaFlyer Product Spotlight: Aromatherapy Bathroom Mats

Creating a home spa in your bathroom is quite easy.  When we are asked how one goes about it, our best answer is "Remember, you are making a room which relaxes YOU.  Not a room which mimics a day spa, necessarily." What scents do you like? What colors do you find restful?  Do you enjoy spartan counters with nothing but stacks of white towels? Or do you prefer flowing fabrics, vases of flowers, stacks of magazines, and baskets of your favorite soaps? 

There is no one "spa look" but an eco-conscious company called VivaTerra has a line of vetiver bath accessory products which definately help create that "spa feel" in your own home, in an earth-friendly manner.

After the jump, read about the Vetiver Aromatherapy Bath Mat and coordinating accessories.

SpaFlyer Shopping Spotlight: Silicone Luggage Tags

Pylones is known for taking ordinary household objects and infusing them with whimsical patterns, bright colors, and child like enthusiasm.  They frequently expand the line with new products, including these brightly colored and sensible luggage tags, made from silicone.

While spa goers typically have a locker to stow personal belongings, it's still a good idea to tag your spa bag or pool bag, in addition to your luggage.

These innovative tags do double duty -- not only are they brightly colored, making it easy to spot your bags on the luggage carousel -- but they are well suited to a moist spa environment, pool side, or beach side.   Unroll the silicone and write your information on the inside, let go, and it coils back into place.   Perfect.

$10.00 each, from Pylones Online