Brush Shape

Brush shape will determine where the mascara hits your lash. To achieve volume and thickness, most brushes need to be fuller, thicker and have more bristles. Curling mascaras tend to have a curved wand to help lift the lash. For lengthening mascara, most brands will provide a wand that is straight and narrow that looks more like a comb than the traditional brush. The more space there is between the bristles, the better the brush will be at separating and defining your eyelashes.

Lengthening Mascara

If you love extra long lashes that hit the sides of your sunglasses, you will want to find mascara with a lengthening formula. Lengthening mascaras tend to have ingredients like fibers that can attach themselves to your own lash for a longer look. They tend to have a formulation that you can layer up without clumping and they work well for someone with shorter lashes.

Thickening Mascara

Thickening mascara will add volume and weight to the lash. They tend to be a more dense formula and may contain silicone polymers or wax that makes your lashes look fuller. With a thickening mascara you want to apply liberally, but wipe the brush with a tissue to remove excess mascara between coats. Focus a thickening mascara at the area of the lash you want to accentuate. Apply it to the center of the eye for a more open eye and at the corner for more lift or for cat eye looks.

Curling Mascara

Curling mascara traditionally contains polymers and resins to help your lash hold the curl temporarily. With a curling mascara you want to get the most amount of product at the root to allow it to take shape.

Selecting the right facial for your skin

Life in cities like London, New York, Paris, Rome, Singapore can be tough on women and men. Everything from the seasonal haze, polluting traffic and scorching Sun can get in the way of your health. Taking care of your skin & your face is imperative to bring out your natural best.

Oily Skin

Oil produced by your body can help keep your skin healthy but too much is too bad. You'll need a deep cleansing facial that increases the flow of oxygen to your skin. Applying masks & clays to your face can draw out oils & cleanse pores to redeem your radiant glow.

Tired Skin

Putting in long hours at work can dull your skin. Exfoliation is a great way to brighten up those dead cells. Facial packs that have coconut milk, saffron, banana & honey can revive your complexion & bring a natural richness to it.

Dry Skin

Having dry skin can dehydrate your body & its advisable to avoid soap-free products. Using moisturizers that are rich in ceramides & glycerin can help draw water to your skin. Banana masks, & avocado masks can do magic for you.

Sensitive Skin

Women with sensitive skin should avoid product-heavy facials. Opting for a calming mask that will stimulate blood flow & sooth your skin will your best bet. Beauticians usually remove blackheads before they start a facial which can cause redness & lesions. Advise them to do it with great care.

Remember guys and girls, a billion dollar smile will always go better with a glowing face

What is massage – It can be defined as an act

To give a massage to (someone or a part of someone's body)

To rub or press (someone's body) in a way that helps muscles to relax or reduces pain in muscles and joints

A brief history about massage

Massage has developed continuously in China for nearly 5000 years. Western ideas are considered within the traditional framework. It is widely practiced & taught in hospital & medical schools & is an essential part of health maintenance & primary healthcare.

Hot Stone Massage?

During a hot stone massage the therapist heats as many as 50 basalt stones of varying sizes to 120–140º F, rubs them over your oiled body, & rests them on top of & beneath you on your stomach, in your palms, on your back. The stones' warmth enhances the relaxing effects of the pressure. Some people believe the stones have healing, grounding qualities, which makes hot stone massage a more profound experience than your basic massage. The therapist will leave some of the smooth, heated massage stones in contact with your body & use others to massage you. Cold stones are sometimes incorporated, especially on the face, where they have a firming effect. Hot stone is a feel-good treatment found on most spa menus. Hot & cold stone temperatures have said to be like the ‘vascular gymnastics' of the circulatory systems, the system that controls self-healing in the body.

What is Deep Tissue Massage?

Deep tissue massage is a type of massage therapy that focuses on realigning deeper layers of muscles and connective tissue. It is especially helpful for chronic aches and pains and contracted areas such as stiff neck and upper back, low back pain, leg muscle tightness and sore shoulders.

Some of the same strokes are used as classic massage therapy, but the movement is slower and the pressure is deeper and concentrated on areas of tension and pain in order to reach the sub-layer of muscles and the fascia (the connective tissue surrounding muscles).

Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage usually focuses on a specific problem, such as chronic muscle pain, injury rehabilitation, and the following conditions:

Chronic pain

Lower back pain

Limited mobility

Recovery from injuries (e.g. whiplash, falls, sports injury)

Repetitive strain injury, such as carpal tunnel syndrome

Postural problems

Muscle tension in the hamstrings, glutes, IT band, legs, quadriceps, rhomboids, upper back

Does Deep Tissue Massage Hurt?

At certain points during the massage, most people find there is usually some discomfort and pain.

It is important to tell the massage therapist when things hurt and if any soreness or pain you experience is outside your comfort range.

There is usually some stiffness or pain after a deep tissue massage, but it should subside within a day or so. The massage therapist may recommend applying ice to the area after the massage.

What is Sports Massage?

Sports massage was developed to help athletes prepare their bodies for optimal performance, recover after a big event, or function well during training. Sports massage emphasizes prevention and healing of injuries to the muscles and tendons.

But you don't have to be and athlete to benefit from sports massage. Sports massage is also good for people with injuries, chronic pain or restricted range of motion. The massage therapist generally concentrates on a specific problem area that you present, usually associated with some sort of sports activity, such as running, tennis, or golf.

The most important thing with sports massage is that you find a specially trained massage therapist who has mastery of a wide range of techniques and knows when to use them. Many spas used to put sports massage on their menu as a way to appeal to men. As spas have become more sophisticated, however, they realize they shouldn't list sports massage unless they have some therapists with specialized training.

What Happens During Sports Massage?

Sports massage therapists will use a variety of techniques to achieve the desired goal.

Pre-event sports massage -- a short, stimulating massage 15 - 45 minutes before the event. It is directed toward the parts of the body that will be involved in the exertion.

Post-event sports massage -- given within an hour or two of the event, to normalize the body's tissues.

Restorative sports massage -- given during training to allow the athlete to train harder and with less injury.

Rehabilitative sports massage -- aimed at alleviating pain due to injury and returning the body to health.

Types of massage you can book

Aromatherapy massage

Back massage

Chair massage

Deep tissue massage

Head massage

Hot stone massage

Pregnancy massage

Shiatsu massage

Sports massage

Swedish massage Therapy

Thai massage

Therapeutic massage

Trigger Point massage

Tui Na massage

In modern times, stress and hard work can rule your life. That is why you deserve to treat yourself with a break before your wedding. While a short getaway to Bali can be quite tempting and de-stressing, a short trip to the Spa can save you time and money. Indeed, the Spa has countless benefits for the mind and the body that will not only enhance your health but will also improve your appearance.

Here are some benefits of a Spa:

De-stress: dating back 3,000 years, massage is one of the oldest healing arts. Undeniably, a therapeutic massage will definitely relax and soothe you. Wash away your worries in a stream shower or a hot tub, and even sweat the stress out in a sauna.

Improve your health: your massage therapist will detect which parts of your body are too tense. That way the therapist can teach you how to relax your muscles and also give you tips on how to relax, plus suggestions for a nutritious diet and a healthy lifestyle.

Benefits for the mind: A trip to the spa will not only relax you, but it will also stimulate you mentally and physically. You might even find yourself more confident and with a higher self-esteem. While a foot scrub can invigorate you, a massage therapy can work wonders on depression. As well, facials, manicures and pedicures also have its psychological benefits.

Weight loss: you can find different approaches to weight loss depending on the spa you go to. Therefore, you can choose which weight-loss program is more beneficial for you.

Detoxification: is a process that purges toxins and excess fluids in the body. Some spas offer juice fasting and colon cleansing, which will help you eliminate bloating and water retention. Once you've purified your body, you will feel like new.

Feel and look young: pampering your body and mind can help deter aging. It is scientifically proven that stress makes you get older at a faster pace. Since a therapeutic massage can help you relax and a relaxed body translates to less stress, your body will retain that youthful essence. At the same time, facials and other skin care services and body treatments can foster a young look and make you feel renewed inside.

Improve blood circulation and manage blood pressure: spa treatments such as hydrotherapy, massage, heat therapy and other body treatments can stimulate blood circulation and regulate blood pressure. In one study by Mayo Clinic researcher Thomas G. Allison, where he found that soaking in warm water helped lower blood pressure.

Improve flexibility and breathing: in some Spas, you can practice Yoga and Pilates which work on your flexibility and breathing.

Regulate sleeping patterns: if your body and mind are free from tension and stress, you should be able to sleep like a baby.

Body aches and pains: massages, hydrotherapy and heat therapy can help reduce pain. Some medical spas even offer therapeutic programs to address arthritis and nerve disorders such as fibromyalgia.

More women are becoming interested in prenatal massage to help make a pregnancy easier. It's important to know the benefits and risks of prenatal massage.

Prenatal massage is designed to relieve the discomfort and stress of pregnancy while making special adjustments to normal massage practice because of the changes pregnancy makes in the body. Prenatal massage therapists are specially trained not only in the techniques of prenatal massage, but also to recognize signs of prenatal disorders, such as preeclampsia, that can endanger the mother or child.

In general, prenatal massage has far more benefits then risks, but it is still worth considering both benefits and risks before scheduling an appointment.

What is Prenatal Massage Like

In the early stages of pregnancy, prenatal massage is very like a regular Swedish massage, except that the massage therapist will avoid sensitive areas of the body, as well as acupressure points that are known to trigger labor, and will check for excessive swelling or other danger signs.

In later stages of pregnancy, the massage is given with the mother-to-be lying on her side, with bolsters, pillows and cushions supporting the legs and belly for comfort. Some tables, specially designed for prenatal massage, will have a whole cut in the center of the table so the mother-to-be can lie comfortably on her stomach.

Benefits of Prenatal Massage

Reduces stress levels

Eases back and foot pain caused by changes in posture

Reduces swelling of feet and ankles

Improves skin elasticity, reducing stretch marks

Improves sleep

Improves digestion

Relaxes and soothes baby

Reduces pelvic pain

Additionally, a prenatal massage therapist can frequently recognize early signs of dangerous complications, reducing the risk to both mother and child.

Risks of Prenatal Massage

Dizziness and nausea

Untrained therapist causing injury

Too deep massage of back or abdomen causing spotting or cramping

Inducing labor

Muscle soreness

For the most part all of these side effects can be avoided, as long as the therapist knows what he or she is doing. Nausea and dizziness can occur after any massage, and are not uncommon during pregnancy. Avoid eating immediately before a massage, and get up carefully to avoid problems. Muscle soreness is generally the result of not getting enough fluid after a massage. Drink a lot of water in the first two hours after a massage to prevent this.

When to Get Prenatal Massage

A mother-to-be can get prenatal massage at any point during a healthy pregnancy. In a high risk pregnancy, or when there are medical complications it's a good idea to talk to both your obstetrician and a prenatal massage therapist. Be aware that some doctors who are not familiar with massage may say it is or is not all right to get a massage, without knowing what the real risk factors are.

Prenatal massage can be a wonderful way for a mother-to-be to pamper herself, and ease the discomforts of pregnancy. The risks and side effects of prenatal massage can be avoided with a bit of care. However, in a high risk pregnancy, it's a good idea to consult an ob-gyn before getting a massage.