We often find it hard to love ourselves.  Particularly women.  We will love our dear ones and everyone else we find we should love, but we forget to love ourselves.  It is important to once in a while take out time to not only give yourself a pat on the shoulder, but also to pamper yourself.

Spend a day at the spa!

We have several packages such as our Grand Spa Sampler (which is my favorite ) that includes an Express facial, 40 minute massage, Grand manicure & pedicure, Blow-dry….and lunch!

We also have new packages every month month. Isn’t it time to look into one?

There is really no excuse not to take time out for yourself.  If you are a busy mom, why not let dad take care of the kids on a Saturday (or any day which is convenient).  You can return the favor to dad by giving him the same privileges .  :-)

If you don’t have children, do it together with your partner and pamper each other. A couple’s spa day is the perfect antidote for the stress of daily life. You will be much more able to face the wild world outside the rest of the week.

Remember, you get the best out of others when you give the best to yourself! Start today. You’ll thank yourself.

Carmen, Owner Grand Beauty Spa

Are you one of those people who would like to leave everyday life behind once in a while?

Do you long to reawaken your senses in a place dedicated solely to beauty and relaxation with results?

The Grand Beauty Spa was created for guests to have a wonderful pampered experience.

We invite you to spend a few hours or the day and let us care for your well-being through our exceptional customized beauty detailed treatments.

One of my favorite treatments this time of year other than a facial is getting a mud wrap followed by a massage.  It has great benefits, and I’m telling you, it takes a while to come back to reality.  I hope that we may be a reminder for you to take the best care of your well-being this holiday season.

I hope to see you at our 5th Annual Children’s Charity Piano Concert on December 8th.  It’s a sure way to get your holiday spirits up!

May your holidays be blessed with lots of love, happiness, prosperity, and great health.

Happy Holidays!

Carmen

The summer can leave our skin dry, parched, abused, and sometimes even
sunburned.  During the fall and winter seasons, we often wear more makeup and we get back to activities where we need to be a bit more put together like holiday and dinner parties.  Because of this, we need to get our skin back in tip-top shape.   While the change 
from summer is much more apparent in the north than here in Florida, the
 seasonal change even here in Florida is a time to reflect on the
 messages below and the need to adapt.  Read on
to learn about skincare tips for the end of summer.

Skincare Tip for End of the Summer #1 : Exfoliate

Exfoliating is something many people skip, but now is the time to make
it a permanent part of your skincare routine.  If we do not exfoliate,
the moisture we add to our skin cannot get deep enough into the skin to
thoroughly rehydrate our summer-beaten skin.  The rougher your skin, the
more damaged it is, and the more damaged it is, the gentler you
must be when you exfoliate.  A soft scrub is best for damaged skin
because it will exfoliate well without causing further damage.

Skincare Tip for End of the Summer #2: Soothe and Replenish

Summer skin is often dehydrated and irritated so we must take the time
to properly and thoroughly soothe and replenish.  An oil-free moisturizer 
is the first step we should take after exfoliating.  Choosing a
moisturizer with specific soothing ingredients (Thalgo/Hyposensine) will allow you to
moisturize your skin and soothe it at the same time.  These ingredients
include nourishing botanicals.  Essential fatty acids can also help to moisturize and
soothe.  Avoiding hot water is also beneficial because hot water dries
out our skin.

Skincare Tip for End of the Summer #3: Avoid DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide)

Insect repellents that have high concentrations of DEET as their active
ingredient can cause a specific skin irritation.  Avoid these products
when possible to prevent irritation.  If you do experience the skin
irritation associated with DEET products, oil-free moisturizers can
help, but one-percent hydrocortisone cream is often necessary to calm
the associated inflammation.  When using DEET products, apply an
unscented, heavy duty moisturizer prior to applying DEET products to
serve as a barrier between the insect repellent and your skin.  As soon
 as you are back indoors for the day, thoroughly wash your skin of this
product and reapply a moisturizer.

Skincare Tip for End of the Summer #4: Lighten Discolored Skin

After exfoliating and moisturizing your skin, there may be a few darker
spots that you are not happy with.  Consulting your dermatologist is the
best way to lighten dark spots.  However, there are some ways you can do
this from home, but you should still consult your dermatologist first.
Lightening dark spots from home consists of exfoliating with a soft scrub
or a mild beta or alpha hydroxy acid, then doing a hydrating
collagen facial, then slathering on a cell-rehydrating skin serum.

Please consult your esthetician for further questions.  She will be happy to help you
to get your skin back in tip-top shape!

Rita-Claudia
Spa Director

Carmen, Owner Grand Beauty Spa

Its close to the end of summer and its the perfect time for Pampering yourself,

The Grand makes it easy to indulge  from European to Japanese treatments that rely on techniques that have been used for centuries  improving the body, skin, and hair. We invite you to enjoy stimulate all your senses with our  top 5 Grand Spa Treatments starting from head to toe.

1. Scalp Massage
2. Flawless Facial
3. Body Beautiful
4. Grand Massage
5. Grand Pedicure

Spoil yourself spa style

Extend the blissful, beautifying, benefits of a day spent at the Grand in 20 minutes with this blissful bath ritual.

Following a maintenance plan will maintain the blissful peace and the results of your glowing body, gorgeous face, and amazing shiny hair in between Grand visits at home.  Here is my personal favorite step by step bathing ritual, guaranteed to keep everyone guessing: “How do you maintain that captivating glow and beautiful skin?”

Create A Sanctuary in Your Tub

To create a sanctuary in your own tub light a candle and fill your tub with warm water, add one Thalgo Effervescent bath care pebble.

Beginning at the face, apply appropriate skin cleanser: I like the Thalgo marine foaming cleanser suitable for all skin types. Massage your facial muscles in upward circular motions for one minute and rinse.

Next, apply Thalgo softness exfoliator  and massage in gentle upward circular motion  for 3 minutes. Leave it on. Begin to shampoo your hair . I love Shu Uemora moisture velvet shampoo.

Next, rinse your face and hair. Apply moisture velvet masque in sections to ensure every strand is conditioned. Massage scalp firmly with your finger tips. For added bliss knead your temples and  rub earlobes. Leave masque on hair.

Next apply recommended  Thalgo face mask and for immediate smoothing and brightening effect for the eyes you can apply wrinkle control eye patch mask. Leave mask on hair and face while you move to the rest of the body.

Next using a gentle touch and circular motion exfoliate your body with your favorite sugar or salt scrub starting at the shoulders chest belly back ending at the toes paying extra attention to your legs. I recommend Thalgo sweet and savory sugar scrub.

Finish with a quick cool rinse washing away all the dead skin surface cells off. while your skin is still damp lube up and lock in moisture with soft emultion body cream. I always end  this ritual with massaging and tapping my serum, moisturizer, and eye cream into my skin giving my face a little lift, and glow.

This decadent tub strategy can turn an ordinary soak into an enchanting, tension relieving, beautifying, spa like experience.

Make the experience twice as nice and Invite your sweetheart to join you!

Enjoy!  Carmen

P.S Don’t forget to sign up for this months Exfoliation event in the salon with Thalgo. If you love to Spa, Think about joining one of our Grand memberships and receive special pricing, discounts, and benefits. Trust me the mud alone is worth it!

Carmen, Owner Grand Beauty Spa

Note from the Owner…

Is it really this hot here, or is it just us? As summer time inches closer with each passing day how will you beat the Florida heat this season?

Perhaps more importantly, how will you take care of your body, skin, and hair between summer beach vacations, long travels or enjoying our own Tampa Bay. Think about a mini spa getaway while the kids go to summer camp.

Beach Ready Look

Are you dreaming of looking better in your swimsuit?

We have strategized to bring you solutions for safe tanning, reducing water retention bloating, dehydration, and keeping your hair nourished. We have incorporated specialty cellulite massage techniques that help give tone and circulation to the legs and abdomen and that’s just one secret. 
Give your father or loved one the gift of relaxation.

Father’s Day

The Grand Beauty Spa looks forward to taking good care of your father this Fathers Day. My personal recommendation for the perfect men’s spa treatment includes a dermaplaning facial which gives the face a close shave with a straight blade, followed by extractions and a peel, a designer custom haircut, and express manicure.

LIKE us on Facebook for Video How To Tips!

Would you like to learn how to create beachy waves and expert make up tips? Become a fan on Grand Beauty Spa Facebook and take a look at some of our “how to” videos for your hair and make up.

Happy Summer!

Carmen

Men: Ready for a day at the Spa?

Many men remain perplexed about treating themselves to the pampering associated with a day at the spa.

But a trip to the spa is not just about gratification! Making an appointment at The Grand Beauty Spa can and will become an important part of your manly maintenance.

Facials and Pedicures are important steps of caring for yourself and keeping your skin healthy and clear. Take some time to get familiar with all that goes along with Men’s Spa Days, from etiquette to the treatments that men secretly love….

1.  Spa Arrival: Be Early

Need an incentive to arrive on time?   It’s best to arrive at least 25 to 30 minutes prior to your appointment so you can enjoy our complimentary Sauna and Steam Room.  This will help you to unwind before your treatment in the relaxation areas and maybe even have a glass of wine.  If you’re running late, you lose – often we can’t push your appointment back more than 10 minutes. … so, if you’re running late, please call and we may need to reschedule your appointment so that you get the full benefits of your visit here.

2.  Shave before your Facial

Men who are booking a facial treatment will need to be clean-shaven the day of the spa services to ensure the products used in the facial penetrate deep into the pores.  If you’re clean shaven, this will allow for your whole face to be treated with the same special care.  Try to shave at least 2 hours prior to your appointment time to avoid irritation.  Areas that are most likely to be irritated from razor burn and ingrown hairs are issues that your esthetician can treat during your facial.

3.  Shower before your Massage

Another reason to arrive early is to have time to take a shower before your treatment.  You will want to have that clean, fresh feeling before you enter your treatment room, and your massage therapist will appreciate it as well!  While enjoying the sauna or steam, it is proper etiquette to sit on your towel and to wear the plastic shoes provided by the spa.

4.  Talk to your Spa Therapist

It is important to be open with the person who is giving your treatment.  Discuss sensitivities, injuries, and chronic problems that can be addressed through your treatment.

5.  In the Buff… Spa Nudity?

If you’re uncomfortable about being in the buff, you don’t have to undress completely; it’s perfectly okay to wear underwear while having a massage. There are select treatments in which disposable undergarments are supplied.

6. Avoid lotion before waxing

Lotion or body creams applied before any waxing service will make it more difficult to remove the wax.  Eliminate the heavy body creams before a back or chest wax.  This will make your whole experience much more comfortable.  Please let your waxing technician know if you are using an ingestible or topical skin medication as these may cause the skin to be more sensitive.

7.  Stay out of the sun

Reoccurring exposure to the sun can make your skin extremely sensitive and can be very dehydrating.  It’s best to try to lay low of any sun exposure the day of and the day after your treatment.  Remember to always wear sunscreen!

8.  Enjoy the experience

Know that you are doing something very good for your body and your mind.  You deserve this healthy interlude.  You’ll be addicted and leave wanting more!

Specialty Massage

Hot Stone Massage Origins

Did you know that three main cultures influenced modern day hot stone massage?  These cultures are the Chinese, Native Americans and the Hawaiians.

The first recorded hot stone practice was said to be by ancient Chinese medical practitioner to treat disease.  The Native Americans used hot stones on the lower abdomen to relieve cramps.  The Hawaiians wrapped the hot stones in leaves with therapeutic properties, placing them on sore muscles to reduce pain.

Modern day hot stone practices

Modern day hot stone practices place hot stones on various places of the body.  Some of which include, chakras, energy points, sore muscles, down the sides of the spine and sacrum, hands and feet.  These stones are usually placed on top of a towel barrier for safety.  Your therapist then massages the whole body with hot stones in their hands, removing the stationary ones when getting to those areas.

The stones used for hot stone massage are smooth basalt stones of various sizes.  These stones are formed from volcanic eruptions.  They contain magnetic or titanic iron which retains the heat.  The stones are heated up to about 125 degrees in an electric cooker of water just covering the top of the stones.

One hot stone stroke is said to be equivalent to 10 regular massage strokes.  Hot stone massage penetrates into the deep layers of muscle like a deep tissue massage would and increasing circulation with every stroke more than a traditional massage through the heat of the stones.  Your therapist is able to use light, medium or deep pressure while incorporating the stones.

Hot Stone Massage Benefits

Benefits of hot stone massage include aiding better digestion, weight loss and cellulite appearance through increased circulation and the releasing and elimination of toxins, it alleviates stress and pain and promotes a healthy heart and overall health.  Hot stone massage is great for people with muscular aches and pains, MS, arthritis, fibromyalgia, stress, anxiety, insomnia, depression and circulatory issues.

What is your experience with Hot Stone Massage? Tell our readers in the comment field below.

Come into The Grand today to experience ultimate relaxation and healing through a 55 or 80 minute hot stone massage by our professional experienced licensed massage therapists. You can make an appointment here

~Allyssen Arias

Credit: Coxphotography

Depression is more than just feeling blue. Everyone feels sad once in awhile; however, depression interferes with daily life and normal functioning. It can have a major impact on a person and those around him or her. Depression may cause weight loss/gain and sleep problems. Symptoms include feelings of sadness, worthlessness, hopelessness and guilt. Lack of energy, fatigue, changes in sleep or eating patterns and difficulty concentrating can also signal depression.

Depression treatment often incorporates anti-depressant medicine and psychotherapy. However, we at The Grand offer another way to alleviate this debilitating problem…

THE POWER OF TOUCH.

The Healing Power of Touch

For centuries, mothers have instinctively known it works — pick up young children and they’ll stop crying — gently rub babies’ backs and it’s off to sleep they go. Now scientists are also coming to recognize the Power of Touch — and not just touch therapies such as reflexology, but simple conscious acts such as giving a backrub, holding hands or even sharing a hug.

Studies on The Power of Touch

The power of touch to heal has been documented through many studies. There have been over a hundred studies on the subject published by the Touch Research Institute (TRI) alone, with research demonstrating the healing power of touch. Today, many hospitals are incorporating massage programs into care protocols for cancer and cardiovascular patients, among others.


We at The Grand are firm believers that the power of touch through massage therapy may help you too!

What do you think? Do you know someone who has benefited through the power of touch? Tell us your thoughts in the comment field below.

By Kimberly Bowe

An awesome massage is always described as delivering the perfect pressure.

Ruthie Piper Hardee developed Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy in the late 90’s. Ashiatsu means foot pressure. This massage is delivered with the feet of the massage therapist as she holds onto over head bars for stability and control over every movement. The massage cream is applied with the hands of the feet which are always thoroughly sanitized and as warm as possible.

Ashiatsu Described

Ashiatsu is best used as deep compression massage for those always craving more pressure to relieve body stresses. Ashiatsu incorporates compressing gliding strokes, pressure points as well as myofacial.

Although best for deep work, the pressure can be adjusted to meet every clients need from light to deep. Depending in certification your therapist will use one foot at a time for light to medium work and smaller areas of deep isolation. She will use two feet at a time for larger areas of deep work.

For your therapists to safely incorporate two feet the client should weigh at least 60 pounds more than their therapist. In my case my client would have to weigh at least 160.

Depending on certification your therapist will massage the back of your body with the feet as well as the front of your body.

Benefits of Ashiatsu

Ashiatsu is excellent therapy ranging from athletic issues to relaxation. Ashiatsu uses even pressure over a broader surface area to stimulate the tissue; in turn lengthening muscles, stimulating blood flow, lymph drainage, increasing range of motion in joints and promoting better posture.

You should drink plenty of water after your session, stretch, use sauna, steam room or Jacuzzi if convenient, do a lighter workout for the first 48 hours, do not sit for long periods of time and do not drink excessive alcohol within 24 hours.

There are also contradictions for receiving Ashiatsu massage. Please discuss the status of your health with your Therapist prior to beginning treatments.

Have you experienced Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy? Tell us about it in the comment field below. If you have not yet experienced Ashiatsu, come see us at the Grand Beauty Spa to learn the wonders of perfect pressure and and awesome massage!

Thoughts From The Owner


…

Grand Beauty Spa owner Carmen Lee-Sargeant

With Springtime approaching, your Grand Beauty Spa staff has been gearing up to bring our guests the best in beauty for the hair, skin, and body.

New Shu Uemura Techniques!

Our Beauty Salon Stylists are very excited about their recent training where they learned new up-do techniques from Shu Uemura Atelier (straight from the editorial pages of the top magazines). Change your hair and experience soft, voluptuous, shiny hair, with a Shu Uemura in-salon Conditioning Ceremony.

You won’t believe the difference in your hair!

Hair Styling, Blow Dry Event

Try to make this month’s blow-dry event on how to style your hair at home. We encourage you to bring your tools so you can create a perfectly finished look.  The event includes a treatment recommended by your stylist.
 It’s part of our effort to keep bringing you beauty tips and training opportunities that you won’t get from any other Spa in Tampa.

Facials and Massage Therapy

Grand Beauty Spa Therapists train under Thalgo flagship experts  to learn some of the best European treatments, facials, and massages in the world. Come experience the difference!

Grand Beautiful Benefits

Feel healthier and more beautiful and allow us to take care of you by becoming a Grand Beautiful Member.  As a member, you will receive a complimentary Grand Facial or Grand Massage each month and special member pricing and discounts.

Valentines thought

My last thought… try to sneak in this month for a romantic couples massage and milk bath.
 You and your loved one will cherish the memory.

Happy Valentines!
XOXO Carmen