Fall Spa Week: Polish, Pamper & Protect Your Skin with Smoothing & Softening At-Home Protocols

Photo courtesy Witches Falls Cottages

The calm before the storm. That's what fall Spa Week feels like, as Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas fast approach. 

What better way to celebrate the start of the holiday season than with a soothing spa treatment--perhaps a hot stone massage? The service places warm and hot stones along specific meridian points directly on the body. The polished lava rocks, which are also used as massage tools during the treatment, increase circulation. Thus, many experts believe that they assist in removing energy blockages that may lead to the development of disease, illness and cancers.

During Spa Week, which begins today, the healing benefits of a hot stone massage and other services can be experienced at a discounted rate of $50. Although the offer only lasts until October 26, you can still continue the spirit of the celebration in the privacy of your own home with smoothing and softening skincare protocols.  

Take a look-see at the following products. They polish (cleanse and exfoliate), pamper (nourish) and protect (shield) your complexion to maintain healthy, glowing skin all year-round. Say "spaaah" and enjoy!

POLISH

SHINE: Altchek MD Daily Exfoliating Cleanser. BEAUTY: Remove impurities and revive dull skin with vitamins C and E, glycolic acid and calendula extract. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Apothederm Facial Enzyme Exfoliant. BEAUTY: Safflower and sunflower oils, vitamin E and papaya leaf extract help exfoliate dead, damaged skin cells. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, phthalates and fragrances.

SHINE: Basq NYC Rebalancing Face Cleanser. BEAUTY: Micro exfoliators prompt cellular renewal, while oat root extract serves to keep blemishes and dry, dull skin at bay. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens and phthalates.

SHINE: DeVita Natural Skin Care Gentle Aloe Facial Scrub. BEAUTY: Aloe vera gel, jojoba beads and grape seed extract encourage healthy skin cell turnover without irritating your face. BEACON: Vegan and cruelty free. Contains no FD&C colors, lead, carmine, cochineal, gluten or parabens.

SHINE: Innovative Skincare Exfoliating Enzyme Treatment. BEAUTY: Restore radiance with micro beads and pineapple extract. BEACON: Free of parabens. Supports Stars For Stripes and the National Breast Cancer Coalition.

SHINE: LATHER AHA Facial Therapy with Copper & Borage Extract. BEAUTY: Shea butter, green coffee extract, and jojoba seed and borage oils help slough dead skin cells and even the tone of your complexion. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of sulfates and parabens.

SHINE: Murad Skin Smoothing Polish and Transforming Powder Dual-Action Cleanser & Exfoliator. BEAUTY: Gently clear and tighten your pores, and balance oil production with jojoba beads, hyaluronic acid and pumpkin seed extract. BEACON: No animal testing. 

SHINE: Pevonia Botanica Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser and Clarigel Exfoliating Cleanser. BEAUTY: Jojoba seed extract, grapefruit peel oil and calendula extract eliminate dead skin cells and impurities. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, alcohol, lanolin, mineral oil, PABA, formaldehyde, artificial colors and sulfates. Supports the Beauty Bus Foundation.

SHINE: Refineé Exfoliating Fruit Cleanser. BEAUTY: Resurface, clarify and smooth your skin with jojoba and grapefruit oils, and glycolic and salicylic acids. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Robin McGraw Revelation Absolute Glow Purifying Facial Cleanser and Total Renewal Micro Polishing Scrub. BEAUTY: Sugar cane, and lemon and orange fruit extracts stimulate skin cell renewal and reduce pore size. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of dyes and parabens. Supports When Georgia Smiled. 

SHINE: Tammy Fender Holistic Skin Care Epi-Peel. BEAUTY: This three-in-one exfoliator, mask and peel revitalizes your skin and smoothes your complexion with hibiscus and grape seed oils. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, mineral oils, petrochemicals, synthetic emulsifiers, and artificial colorants and fragrances.

PAMPER

SHINE: Altchek MD DePuff Eye Pads. BEAUTY: Castor oil, aloe vera extract, and vitamins A and E minimize puffiness around the eyes and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: DeVita Natural Skin Care Evening Rich Nutritional Moisturizer. BEAUTY: Deeply nourish your skin while you sleep with aloe vera gel, peptides and hyaluronic acid. BEACON: Vegan and cruelty free. Contains no FD&C colors, lead, carmine, cochineal, gluten or parabens.

SHINE: Pevonia Botanica Stem Cells Phyto-Elite Intensive Cream. BEAUTY: Hyaluronic acid, peptides, and vitamins C and E help increase elasticity and diminish fine lines and wrinkles. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, alcohol, lanolin, mineral oil, PABA, formaldehyde, artificial colors and sulfates. Supports the Beauty Bus Foundation.

SHINE: Erno Laszlo Hydra Therapy Skin Vitality Mask. BEAUTY: This hydrating mask refreshes and plumps your skin, and reduces the appearance of fine lines. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: iS CLINICAL by Innovative Skincare Youth Serum. BEAUTY: Peptides, beet root extract, and vitamins A, C and E help restore resiliency to loose skin. BEACON: Free of parabens. Supports Stars For Stripes and the National Breast Cancer Coalition.

SHINE: Yon-Ka Paris Alpha Complex Anti-Wrinkle Renewing Complex. BEAUTY: Brighten and tighten your skin to reveal a more youthful complexion with lemon and pineapple fruit extracts, hyaluronic acid and aloe vera leaf juice. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens.

PROTECT

SHINE: Altchek MD Daily Moisturizer Sunscreen SPF 30. BEAUTY: Aloe vera leaf juice powder, oxybenzone, and vitamins C and E help shield, smooth and soften your skin. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: DeVita Natural Skin Care Moisture Tints Vegan BB Cream SPF 15 (Medium). BEAUTY: This three-in-one tint, moisturizer and sunscreen protects and hydrates your skin with zinc oxide, aloe vera gel and pomegranate extract. BEACON: Vegan and cruelty free. Contains no FD&C colors, lead, carmine, cochineal, gluten or parabens.

SHINE: Innovative Skincare Extreme Protect SPF 30. BEAUTY: Zinc oxide, aloe vera leaf juice and vitamin E provide broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection and moisturize your skin to give it a gotta-have-it glow. BEACON: Free of parabens. Supports Stars For Stripes and the National Breast Cancer Coalition.

SHINE: Pevonia Botanica Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 30. BEAUTY: Prevent sunburn and premature signs of aging caused by UVA/UVB rays with zinc oxide, vitamins C and E, and green tea leaf extract. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, alcohol, lanolin, mineral oil, PABA, urea, formaldehyde, artificial colors and sulfates. Supports the Beauty Bus Foundation.

SHINE: Phytomer Sun Serenity. BEAUTY: Apricot kernel oil, vitamin E and citric acid help restore your skin from the damaging effects of the sun. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: SkinCeuticals Physical Eye UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 50. BEAUTY: Shield the area around your eyes from environmental damage, and prevent fine lines and hyperpigmentation with titanium dioxide, jojoba oil and zinc oxide. BEACON: Free of parabens. Supports the Melanoma Research Alliance.

Photo courtesy Witches Falls Cottageshttps

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Celebrate the Possibility of Prevention & the Power of Pink

Photo by Messer Woland

Can breast cancer be prevented?

Melissa Prouty lived a healthier lifestyle than most people. She became a vegetarian in her 20s, actively practiced muay Thai kickboxing and yoga, never smoked, meditated on a regular basis and walked away from a high paying job to reduce stress levels in her life. 

Wanderlust got the best of Prouty, so she traveled the world--eventually living briefly in Ireland and a fishing village in Africa. However, upon her return home to Texas in 2011, the 37-year-old learned she had developed breast cancer. After undergoing a double mastectomy, she fully recovered. Then, earlier this year at the age of 39, she got diagnosed again and went through a second round of treatments--a lumpectomy followed by chemotherapy and radiation. Thankfully, the cancer is now in remission.

Hope: Survivor and shining spirit.

Prouty credits the lessons she learned in muay Thai training for helping her face one of the fiercest battles of her life. "I'm convinced it came into my life to help me deal with cancer," she says. "It made me strong, patient and courageous."

Even during her darkest moments, Prouty's positivity and passion for life prevailed. "The diagnosis of breast cancer doesn't have to be gloom and doom, or the end of your life," she says. "It's a new way of living. You have to keep moving forward."

She pays it forward, too. Prouty teaches free yoga and relaxation sessions at the Baylor Breast Center in Grapevine, Texas, and yoga classes at the Cancer Support Community in Fort Worth, Texas. Plus, she shares her journey on CaringBridge, a nonprofit organization that offers free websites to people facing various medical conditions, hospitalizations and treatments.

Health: New look and outlook.

Can breast cancer be cured? Hopefully within our lifetimes. Can it be prevented? "I definitely think it can--although [not in all cases and] not in mine," Prouty says. "I feel that your chances are reduced with a healthy lifestyle. More important, I believe that the healthier you are, the better you can overcome it." 

Women born today have a one in eight chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer at some point during their lives. To reduce your risk, the Mayo Clinic recommends the following tips:

• Limit alcohol intake.

• Don't smoke.

• Control your weight.

• Be physically active. 

• Breast-feed.

• Limit dose and duration of hormone therapy. 

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we'd like to celebrate the power of prevention and pink products. The manufacturers of the following skincare and makeup items donate a portion of their proceeds to organizations that support breast cancer research, treatment and education. 

Here's to hope, healing and health!

SHINE: eos Limited Edition Breast Cancer Awareness Collection (Strawberry Sorbet Smooth Stick Lip Balm, Pomegranate Raspberry Smooth Sphere Lip Balm and Berry Blossom Hand Lotion). BEAUTY: Keep your lips moist and hands soft with this compassionate kit. BEACON: Free of parabens and glutens. During October and November, the company donates 100% of net profits from the sale of this item to breast cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

SHINE: Giovanni Cosmetics D:tox System (Purifying Facial Cleanser, Purifying Facial Scrub and Replenishing Facial Moisturizer). BEAUTY: Detoxify and smooth your skin with vitamin E, fig and lemon fruit extracts, and aloe vera leaf juice. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Free of parabens and sulfates. The company donates 5% of retail sales from its D:tox System line to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. 

SHINE: iS CLINICAL by Innovative Skincare Poly-Vitamin Serum. BEAUTY: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and green tea leaf extract deeply heal and hydrate aging/compromised skin, including radiation dermatitis. BEACON: Free of parabens. Supports the Revlon/UCLA Breast Center at UCLA and Stars For Stripes. During October, the company donates 100% of profits from this item to the National Breast Cancer Coalition.

SHINE: Mio Skincare Boob Tube. BEAUTY: Smooth and firm your breasts with shea butter, hyaluronic acid and aloe vera leaf juice. BEACON: The company donates $1 from the sale of this item this month to Look Good... Feel Better. Contains no parabens, petrolatum, phthalates, synthetic colorants and fragrances, glycols, PEGs or xenoestrogens.

SHINE: Murad Hydrate For Hope Set (Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture and handy cosmetics bag). BEAUTY: Sunflower seed, olive and avocado fruit oils, hyaluronic acid and shea butter in this moisturizer relieve dryness to dehydrated skin and ease the appearance of fine lines. BEACON: No animal testing. During October, the company donates 10% of sales from this item to breast and women's cancers research, treatment and education programs at the City of Hope. 

SHINE: Ramy Beauty Therapy Hint of a Cure... In a Pot! BEAUTY: This blendable pink cream-gel gloss illuminates your skin as a natural flush of color for your cheeks, tinted balm for your lips and soft glow for your eyes. BEACON: The company donates 80% of sales from this item this month to Young Survivor Coalition, an organization focusing on women ages 40 and under diagnosed with breast cancer. 

SHINE: SkinAgain Rescue. BEAUTY: Relieve skin that has been traumatized by shaving, waxing or burns, including post-radiation procedures, with aloe vera leaf and cucumber extracts, grape seed oil and peptides. BEACON: Cruelty free. Contains no parabens, fragrances or gluten. During October, the company donates 5% of proceeds from its products to the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center. 

Gwen Stefani Turns 45: How Women in Their 40s Can Keep Their Skin Looking Youthful & Radiant

Gwen Stefani shows off her famous 

washboard abs at a concert.

Gwen Stefani turns 45 today. That's B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

The rock star and style icon may be "Just A Girl" (certainly not a "Hollaback Girl"), but she looks better than ever. In her new role as a judge on the hit singing competition show The Voice, she goes glam with an old Hollywood look--platinum-blonde hair coiffed in cascading curls, bright red lipstick, long beautiful lashes, arched dark eyebrows and flawless porcelain skin. 

The look: Old Hollywood style.

Stefani seemingly does it all in her career with effortless ease. The songstress became a fashion designer of her own clothing lines L.A.M.B in 2003 and Harajuku Lovers in 2005. She now collaborates with 7 For All Mankind founder Michael Glasser in a recently launched line called DWP (Design With Purpose). Plus, she has two more albums in the works--one as a solo artist and another for No Doubt, the rock band in which she cofounded and serves as the lead vocalist.

The mother of three boys and wife of singer Gavin Rossdale actively works with various philanthropic causes. The do-gooder diva donated $1 million to Save the Children's Japan Earthquake–Tsunami Children in Emergency Fund for the relief and recovery efforts in 2011. She also supports amfAR. 

A balanced lifestyle likely serves to keep Stefani looking a lot younger than her 45 years. Women in their 40s typically begin experiencing fine lines and wrinkles, a dry and lackluster complexion, loosened skin around the neck, and crinkles and furrows around the eyes and mouth. 

To slow down signs of aging, we present the latest treatments, serums and creams for women with maturing skin. They contain anti-aging ingredients such as shea butter, peptides, hyaluronic acid, green tea leaf extract, aloe vera juice, and vitamins A, C and E.

Will these products smooth and soften your skin to help restore radiance and youthfulness? No doubt!

SHINE: Altcheck MD Night Treatment. BEAUTY: Peptides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamins C and E replenish moisture and suppleness to your skin while you sleep. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens.

SHINE: B-Leve B-Youthful Face & Eye Serum. BEAUTY: Leave skin looking luminous and lifted with peptides and grape fruit cell extract. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens.

SHINE: DeVita Natuaral Skin Care Optimal Rejuvenation. BEAUTY: Alpha lipoic acid, aloe vera gel, hyaluronic acid and peptides aid in firming and filling in fine lines and wrinkles. BEACON: Vegan and cruelty free. Contains no FD&C colors, lead, carmine, cochineal, gluten or parabens.

SHINE: Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum, Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil and T.L.C Framboos Glycolic Night Serum. BEAUTY: Even your skin tone and diminish signs of aging with aloe vera leaf juice, green tea leaf extract, hyaluronic acid and marula seed oil. BEACON: No animal testing and vegan. Free of glutens, sulfates, PEGS, SLES, SLS/hydroquinone, dyes, lanolin, alcohol, parabens and phthalates.

SHINE: Fleur's Wrinkle Correction Cream. BEAUTY: Shea butter, passion flower oil and mango fruit extract help nourish your skin and reduce the depth of wrinkles. BEACON: No animal testing. 

SHINE: LATHER Vitamin C Peptide Renewal. BEAUTY: Liven up lackluster skin as hyaluronic acid, peptides and vitamin C aid the skin's natural ability to fight the effects of pollution and sun exposure. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of sulfates and parabens. 

SHINE: Nature Pure Labs Age Antidote Complex. BEAUTY: Hyaluronic acid, olive fruit and argan kernel oils, and green tea leaf extract act to stimulate collagen production in maturing skin. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, and artificial colors and fragrances.

SHINE: Phytomer XMF Pionniere Reset Eye Fluid. BEAUTY: Reduce creasing, dark circles and puffiness around the eyes with Algoreset (marine sugar and blue micro-algae), shea butter and sunflower seed oil. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Refineé Age Recovery Cream. BEAUTY: Peptides, green tea leaf extract and aloe vera leaf gel maximize elasticity, and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Robin McGraw Revelation Awaken Youth Regenerating Overnight Treatment. BEAUTY: Tighten and brighten skin while you sleep with edelweiss extract and vitamin E. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of dyes and parabens. Supports When Georgia Smiled. 

SHINE: Yon-Ka Paris Elastine Jour. BEAUTY: Coconut oil, shea butter, and vitamins A, C and E help repair and restore your skin's suppleness and smoothness. BEACON: No animal testing.