In some industries, new technologies and trends come and go so quickly that the most popular choice changes from week to week. But in the field of Medical Aesthetics, there is one procedure that continues to be the sought-after “look of the moment” – Botox. The overwhelming amount of celebrities that have admitted to using the cosmetic drug continues to bolster the popularity of the treatment among real women, ranging from “too young” women attempting to prevent signs of aging to “too old” women who desire to combat their wrinkles. Below, Clinical Director of LaserTouch Soho, Mike Sendogan, gives us a tour of popular Botox procedures and explains their seemingly unwavering appeal.

“American women are bombarded by images of outwardly flawless women on a consistent basis. Inevitably, these celebrities and models become their idols, in a sense – on everything from style, to parenting, to medical procedures. It’s true that many women have a problem with the concept of aging, but it goes further than that. These procedures are quick, largely painless, and have a short recovery period. That spells success for Botox, and I don’t anticipate that it will lose popularity in the foreseeable future.”

The obvious place to start for most women, forehead and frown lines are target trouble spots for wrinkles. The root cause for this procedure is “excessive facial movements”, but over time, all levels of facial movements will produce wrinkles. What is the process to get rid of the first classic signs of aging? “It’s important to note that following the patient’s wishes, Dr. Vafa makes recommendations for the amount of injections needed to produce the desired result,” says Mike.

• The procedure is comfortable and usually does not require anesthesia. Some patients opt for numbing of the area, which is done with a cold pack.
• Depending upon the desired areas of injection, treatments can take as little as fifteen minutes. Dr. Vafa makes recommendations based on his own findings as well as the needs and wants of the individual.
• There is little to no bruising following injection. Most patients report that results last anywhere from three to six months.

 

The term “brow lift” can oftentimes be associated with actual cosmetic surgery. But Botox can achieve this look, in a virtually non-invasive way. For career women, working mothers, or even students, a short recovery period is key to the appeal of these procedures. “Dr. Vafa can inject Botox into the outer area of the brow to create a lifting effect. For a lot of women, this look is one of the most desirable. With millions of procedures all over the world, Botox has been and continues to be the most popular aesthetic treatment today.”

• With minimal to no pain, patients can opt for numbing with a cold pack , but most patients do not require it.
• Treatment time is fifteen to twenty minutes. That means patients can stop in on their lunch break and return to work shortly afterward, which has led to high demand.
• Downtime is not recommended and bruising is uncommon.

 

Information courtesy of Mike Sendogan LaserTouchSoho, New York

Hair extensions have increased in popularity over the years, especially as hair has become a tool for celebrities to express their own perceptions of beauty. With stars switching between short and long styles, and the utilization of extensions during Awards season and Fashion Week, more women everywhere are looking to be a part of this transformative trend. However, most of us don’t understand the pitfalls of this style or how to maintain healthy hair in the process. Here, Gocha Hawkins, celebrity hairstylist and makeup artist and owner of Gocha Salon, shares her insight and gives the lowdown on all things extensions.

Be In the Know

Before getting extensions, know the facts. Says Gocha, “More often than not, women aren’t exactly aware of the standard rules of hair extensions. It’s important to take all information into consideration before making a decision, and learning from a professional is the best way to know that you are not making a mistake.”

· Most all experts agree that hair must be between three and five inches long for effective extensions to be applied. If hair is shorter, allow more time for growth; be patient, it’s worth it!

· Maintenance calls for appointments every six to eight weeks. Know when the extensions should be removed; monitor for dryness and general wear and tear.

· Treat extensions like real hair. Most women are hesitant to apply products or wash synthetic hair, worried that they may end up damaged. Extensions need to be maintained, just like natural hair.

· DON’T: “Whatever you do, don’t apply your first set of extensions yourself. No amount of YouTube videos can do justice to the amount of work associated with the task, and you should entrust your hair care professional with the job. No reputable hair stylist would ever glue extensions to the head, so keep that in mind as a red flag,” Gocha explains.

Take Care

This goes for both real and synthetic! As Gocha explains, “One thing that women forget when using hair extensions is to take care of their real hair. Extensions are for added length and body, and will last a long time if they are treated correctly. However, they can also cause damage to real hair if they are carelessly applied and removed.”

Extensions: Comb and brush extensions gently. Always apply and remove carefully. When it comes to products, treat extensions as real hair. Don’t be afraid of hair spray! Using professional hair care and styling products keeps them in better condition for a longer amount of time.

· Real Hair: Always make sure there is enough time to apply and remove extensions without damaging hair; carelessness is unacceptable. Keeping natural hair healthy should always be top of mind. Misuse of extensions can lead to baldness, so allot time for deep conditioning treatments if extensions are worn regularly.

· DON’T: Gocha points out, “Neglecting your natural hair for the sake of synthetic hair seems a little silly, but many women don’t consider the damage they are doing to their own scalps because they are covered by the extensions. Keep in mind that for extensions to look healthy and natural, your real hair needs to be in prime condition, not just for aesthetic purposes, but for overall health.”

Make Educated Decisions

Extensions are a fun, exciting addition to hair and allow for women to wear many different styles depending on mood and desired look. However, it’s also important to keep in mind the overall picture, says Gocha. “I advise making decisions based on your skin tone and natural hair. The best extensions are those that appear genuine, not synthetic.”

· Know high-end extension brands before heading into the salon. Doing a little extra homework is better than settling for cheaper, poor quality extensions due to not knowing the difference.

· Consider natural hair color and skin tone. If skin is warm, consider coppery, dark colors or blondes infused with chestnut and strawberry shades. If skin is cool, a lighter blonde or dark color with blue undertones can be especially attractive, and will appear natural against skin.

· DON’T: Keep your extensions in forever. “Extensions are meant to be vivacious and allow women to change their looks on a dime. Keep in mind that wearing extensions for a prolonged period of time can damage hair, so take breaks between different styles. Going natural can be a refreshing change in between visits to the salon. Work your own brand of beauty!” Gocha suggests.

Information courtesy of Gocha Hawkins, GochaSalon.com.

For millions of Americans, excessive underarm sweating (the medical term is axillary hyperhidrosis) is a daily struggle that can interfere with nearly every aspect of life. Whether it’s anxiety at work, embarrassment in relationships and social settings, or frustration over constantly ruining clothes, excessive sweating can have devastating effects on a person’s emotional well-being and self-image.

A new procedure called miraDRY, quick non-invasive procedure that provides a lasting solution for excessive underarm sweating, is now making sweat a thing of the past. The miraDry(R) system was recently cleared by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration after a reporting safety and efficacy data from a randomized, blinded clinical study where 120 patients at seven clinics across the U.S. were treated and followed for 12 months after treatment.

The clinical data shows 90% efficacy and 90% patient satisfaction. "One out of 5 persons has an issue with underarm sweat and the miraDry(R) process offers lasting results for our patients so that excessive sweating does not intervene with their every day lives," says Dr. New York board certified dermatologist Dr. Cameron Rokhsar. Dr. Rokhsar is among the first in the New York area to offer this procedure. The miraDry procedure does not involve surgical incisions or cuts.

The procedure non-invasively delivers precisely controlled electromagnetic energy to the region where the sweat glands reside, and eliminates the sweat glands. Because the sweat glands do not regenerate after treatment, you should see a dramatic and lasting reduction of underarm sweat. The outpatient procedure is performed in the physician's office. Dr. Rokhsar customizes treatment for each underarm area with multiple placements of the miraDry Handpiece, delivering electromagnetic energy to the underarm. Some available therapies, including over-the-counter and prescription antiperspirants or toxins, aim to temporarily disable the sweat glands for various durations - requiring repeat treatments to maintain effectiveness.

Other options involve surgery, which contain inherent risks. The miraDry(R) System is a non- invasive in-office procedure that uses localized heat to eliminate the sweat glands under the arms: During the procedure, which takes about an hour, precisely controlled electromagnetic energy is delivered under the arm. The heat generated from the energy eliminates the sweat glands. Sweat glands don't regenerate, so results are long-lasting.

Change the face of the beauty industry by sustainable development!

The 7th edition of the Sustainable Cosmetics Summit hones in on two of the most important sustainability issues in the beauty industry: green formulations and sustainable packaging.

Research shows the highest environmental footprint of cosmetic products is mainly from formulations and packaging; the next edition of this high-level summit will showcase pioneering techniques and share best-practices in these key areas.

Key Speakers As in previous summits, speakers and delegates will include some of the leading decision-makers in the beauty industry, such as founders, CEOs, senior executives and buyers.

Confirmed speakers include:

Mark Jacobs (President of JR Watkins)

Arnot Heaney (Global Director of Corporate Responsibility of AVON)

Jari Alander (Business Development Director of AAK)

Horst Rechelbacher (Founder of Intelligent Nutrients)

Gordon Chalmers (Co-Founder of Jasmin Skincare)

Denise Alves (Director of Sustainability at Natura Cosmetics)

Wendy McLain (Health & Body Care Merchandiser at PCC Natural Markets)

Harriet Hentges (VP of Corp. Responsibility & Sustainability at Ahold)

Toby Heaps (President & Co-Founder of Corporate Knights)

Organized by Organic Monitor, the North American edition of this executive summit will take place at Intercontinental New York Barclay on 17-19th May.

Click here to receive the conference program.

Connect, Collaborate, Innovate – senior executive experts from some of the world’s biggest cosmetics and personal care brands will be discussing this and more at InnoCos Europe conference (May 30-31, Geneva, Switzerland) and InnoCos US conference (July 11-12, New York).

The 2-day events feature interactive workshops and case study sessions on new trends, new markets, new products and how you can maximize business success by putting innovation at the core of your company.

Aimed at innovation, new product development and marketing executives this is the new must attend event for professionals in the cosmetics and personal care industry. Lisanne Vos, Chief Creative Officer at KGS stated, “InnoCos Europe has been such a huge success over the last 2 years that executives in the US were asking us to bring the event to North America, which we are more than happy to do! So we are happy to announce that InnoCos will be held in both Europe and the US this year.”

As requested by past attendees, InnoCos Europe will feature a case study outside of the industry by Nestle Waters who will share their experiences on winning customers with innovative social and digital campaigns, featuring the story of how the marketing team implemented a marketing strategy to target a younger market; digital initiatives, the PERRIER ID card, branded communities, the Dita von Tease campaign and Le Club Perrier. This session will be invaluable to those who want to gain insight from a different perspective and industry.

The development of sustainable cosmetics will be covered by Dr. Werner Schuh, Corporate Director Regulatory Affairs & Sustaibability, Henkel, who will discuss their sustainability strategy, implementation, integration of sustainability into the product development process and applying life cycle thinking to cosmetics through product examples and achievements.

The area of trends will be well covered on both events, by Rimma Driscoll, Associate Director EMEA, Global Business Development, P&G on the European event and George-Edouard Dias, SVP e-Business, L’Oréal on the US conference. Join Mintel for an overview of one of the hottest beauty trends – beauty devices.

Their session focuses on innovation, with examples of new beauty devices launched by European companies, and relates these devices to consumer trends. It includes exclusive Mintel data on European women’s attitudes to selected beauty devices. Conclusions address areas for further growth and development.

Skincare trends, the future of anti-aging innovations, biotechnology and creating strategies to build customer loyalty in this very competitive market will be covered by Sif Cosmetics. Innovating and kick starting projects through creative partnerships is another area that features highly in both events.

Our expert speakers will explore and examine how to combine and build internal collaboration and external partnerships and alliances for quicker innovation. Expert speaker Fabienne Jacquet, Director External Innovation, Colgate Palmolive will cover this area. Charlotte Marion, Director External Resources and Innovation Process, Chanel Perfums et Beaute will discuss how they choose the right partner, gain buy-in from internal stakeholders and the cycle from sourcing to product development.

InnoCos Europe are very excited to welcome Sian Sutherland, Co-Founder, Mama Mio who will speak on how to give women what they really really want – and build a beauty brand while you’re at it. Mama Mio is much loved by their loyal customers and a band of high profile celebrity fans including Jessica Alba, Christy Turlington and Stella McCartney. Entrepreneur Sian Sutherland will be highlighting how a niche can be an advantage in today's market.

An interactive panel discussion will highlight how the future of retailing will impact new product development with expert panelists from Shiseido, Sephora and more. Romain Gaillard, Founder, Detox Market will discuss online and offline retail integration as well as supplier and retailer partnerships, which will no doubt will lead to an interesting discussion.

Online is an invaluable place to be but to ensure the potency of experience commerce initiative social media activation must be employed! InnoCos US will feature a very special hands-on workshop focused on the ultimate experience commerce – exploring the critical relationship between video-rich content and social media activation in the beauty industry facilitated by Ross Glick, CEO, iNDELIBLE which includes dynamic audience involvement. This session will be held on July 11 at 3pm.

Other topics to be discussed during the events are new markets – male grooming in China by Lab Series and how to successfully launch brands and products into new markets by Laura Mercier. Driving loyalty and CRM through print, digital, social media, sampling and CRM will be presented by Aveda, whilst Vitacare will speak on how to raise awareness in an overcrowded market place.

Giles Chappell, Independent Legal Consultant, will present and answer any questions on national, EU and international institutional frameworks for cosmetics and personal care products. “We welcomed many top senior executives from the world’s biggest beauty and personal care brands, manufacturers and suppliers at InnoCos 2011 resulting in a sold out event, which validates just how important this event is for professionals in the industry” states Vos. She continues, “The executives who attended our past InnoCos events actually requested an online community where they can stay in touch all year round, discuss industry topics and stay up-to-date with the latest news, thus leading to the creation of globalcosmeticscommunity.com.

It is terrific to see that the attendees are still in such close contact with each other after the event and are excited to attend the next InnoCos event where they can meet up again and discuss business issues face-to-face, it really heightens their experience.”

For the full event brochure or questions about registering, please contact: ikremin@kgsglobal.com or call: +31 603 00 19 54

Japan Takes Another Artful Spin on Lashes via Customizable, Area-Targeted Length, Thickness, Volume, Color and even, Curl Angle…Glitters and Jewels are Optional

R's Eyelash Design (r-eyelash.com) New York, introduces a customized, high-design approach to eyelash extensions. The first and only salon dedicated to the artistry of designing eyelashes that best fits clients, R’s Eyelash Design technicians customize the following to make lashes the ultimate accessory to accent and enhance the daily look:

• Curl shape -- 3 types (J-curl/ C-curl/D-curl)
• Thickness & Volume – 4 types (0.1, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25,)
• Length – from 8mm-15mm
• Colors – 9 options (yellow, red, green, pink, blue, purple, wine red, dark brown, white)
• Glitter extensions – 5 color options
• Jewelry extensions – 5 stone options

Customization is based on the shape of face, shape and size of eyes, existing lash condition and shape, as well as the resulting look desired -- the countless options, tailored to meet each client’s need, is a far cry from traditional lash extensions offered throughout this city that adhere to a restrictive formula only based on quantity.

The weightless natural lashes last about 3-8 weeks and ranges from $90 to $200, making R’s Eyelash Design affordable and a major time-saving essential for all busy, style-conscious New Yorkers. The salon uses unique and highly selective products such as silk lashes, quick-drying yet gentle liquid glue, precision tweezers, special bejeweled lashes, all made and imported from Japan to maintain the superb quality and longevity of each masterpiece.

Specially trained professionals, mostly from Japan, service each customer with a traditional Japanese-sense of hospitality, in a clean, sleek yet cozy environment. The technicians adhere lashes one-by-one, 1-2 mm from the hair root, selecting from the various lengths, volumes, color and shapes to enhance, brighten and define the eyes. For example, the "SEXY" look results from accentuating almond-shaped eyes by using curly and long lashes on the edge of eyes, while the "CUTE" look is created by using long curly lashes over the center of the eyelids to accentuate the iris of the eye to make eyes look rounder and bigger. The process takes only 1 to 1.5 hours – depending on the quantity.

Perfect for weddings and parties, R's Eyelash Design is also the only salon in the U.S. to offer so many colors, glittering lashes, or lashes inlaid with exquisite jewel stones in various shades.

"We hope to revolutionize the culture of American eyelash extensions into a design form that is easy for every girl to incorporate into her monthly routine,” says Rika Uematsu, CEO of R’s Eyelash Design. “In addition to providing personalized eyelash design, our mission is to start educating other technicians in the U.S. and share our specialized Japanese products so that every woman in the country can start to have fun with their lashes.”

Eyelash extensions range from $90 for 80 pieces (40 pieces each) to $200 for 200 pieces (100 pieces each). Glittering extensions are $8 and jewelry extensions are $10 per piece. Color eyelashes and lower eyelashes are $1.50 per piece. Touch-ups and removal are also available.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a typical “average day” for an American includes 9 hours at their job, 8 hours sleeping and about 2 hours caring for others, eating and performing household chores. It comes to no surprise that a new trend has emerged where many people are using their lunch hour for appointments rather than eating.

Dr. Mitchell Chasin, Medical Director of Reflections gives us the run down of his own lunchtime bookings;

1. ACNE– Acne is not a teen condition; it actually affects 25% of adults in their 30s and 40s. Fortunately, acne is treatable and several powerful laser options are available. Combining the Vbeam Laser, which acts as an anti-inflammatory and neutralizes the acne forming bacteria, with Fraxel reduces the appearance acne scars.

2. WRINKLES – Dermal fillers and innovative treatments like Fraxel, ePRIME or eMatrix all have been clinically proven to dramatically reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while stimulating the production of new collagen.

3. SUN SPOTS – Brown spots not only look unhealthy, they make many women feel older. Fraxel, eMatrix and Q-switch lasers reduces the appearance of sun spots and wrinkles caused by the summer sun

4. HAIRY SITUATION – Whereas shaving, tweezing, depilatories and waxing are all temporary; laser hair removal offers a permanent method to remove unwanted hair. The FDA has cleared Lasers for permanent reduction of unwanted hair and the results are excellent.

5. SKIN REJUVENATION – As you age, your skin’s collagen and elastin begin to break down faster than you can rebuild them, making your skin look tired and less radiant resulting in noticeable wrinkles and lines on the forehead as well as nasolabial folds. State of the art laser technologies, like Fraxel Re:pair, GentleYag or Photodynamic Therapy Rejuvenation have been clinically proven to dramatically reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

We are very excited to announce that the BABOR Collection, including their Baborganics, HSR® de luxe and Face Design Make-up line have won our Best Spa Product of 2012! This ultra trendy and super sophisticated line has everything that is needed for a successful brand to win.

Since the creation of it's signature product HY-OL in 1956, BABOR has been a brand known for natural cosmetics. BABOR intends to place more emphasis on the natural aspect of it's products in the future philosophy, and is well-placed to excel in the current major organic trend.

In keeping with their green philosophy, BABOR introduces its most natural brand to date in the form of Baborganic - a line of organically-based face and body care products. Created completely free of dyes and scents, animal proteins, parabens, petroleum-based products, irradiated ingredients and genetically modified raw materials - baborganic is 100% organic.

The products contain ingredients such as natural extracts from certified bioproduce, plant-based emulsifiers and raw materials certified by Ecocert, one of the largest organic certification organizations in the world.

Face Care Products from the Baborganic Line

Crystal Face Scrub $32.00

A sugar and oil peeling. Contains exfoliant grains of extremely pure sugar crystals to remove dead, superficial skin cells. Valuable, natural meadowfoam seed oil conditions the skin, while white lentil extract revitalizes the skin, giving it a fresh and revitalized appearance. Active ingredients: meadowfoam seed oil, edelweiss, exfoliant grains made of sugar, white lentil extract.

Calm & Relax Cream $75.00

A moisturizing face cream for sensitive skin. Calms and relaxes the skin. Makes irritations and redness subside and boosts the skin´s resilience to external influences. Active ingredients: meadowfoam seed oil, edelweiss, glacier water, white lentil extract, milk proteins, allantoin, panthenol, bisabolol.

BABOR Body Care Products

Wake up Shower Gel $32.00

An invigorating shower gel. Refreshes and invigorates the skin. Active ingredients: glacier water.

Refining Body Salt Oil Peeling $35.00

A salt and oil peeling with mineral-rich rock salt. Contains selected oils that condition the skin even during exfoliation, leaving it soft and supple. Removes dead superficial skin cells. Active ingredients: edelweiss, white lentil extract.

Revitalizing Body Lotion $36.00

A revitalizing body lotion. Supplies intensive moisture and strengthens the skin´s resistance to external influences. Active ingredients: meadowfoam seed oil, edelweiss, glacier water, white lentil extract, milk proteins.

Wellness Candle $65.00

A white fragrant candle. The wax can be used as a massage balm or as an intensive body moisturizer.

BABOR HSR® de luxe - A Cosmetic Masterpiece

The New Dimension in Anti-aging

You can’t discover something new without asking questions first. That’s why BABOR’s daily research consists of asking many questions and getting some convincing answers. BABOR research has been asking itself one particular question for the last 50 years: why does skin age? To find the answer the BABOR Research Team continued to question prevailing theories and combined results. The answer was finally found in the genes; in the chromosomes.

With this knowledge they created a cosmetic masterpiece that combines natural high performance active ingredients with the newest scientific findings; the anti-aging series HSR® de luxe.

HSR® de luxe ultimate anti-aging cream $155

This luxurious anti-aging cream with Aloe vera provides moisture and hyaluronic acid binds it to the skin. Natural oils like macadamia nut oil, almond oil and avocado oil as well as panthenol care for skin, making it supple and smooth. The effective “radical catcher” vitamin E completes the active ingredient crew. Contains HSR® Lifting Integral Complex, HSR® Telovitin and black pearl essence.

HSR® de luxe ultimate anti-aging cream rich $165

This rich anti-aging cream with shea butter for dry skin balances out the skin’s hydrolipid layer. Dry skin gets especially intense care and precious lipids from selected jojoba, almond and grape seed oils. Panthenol calms stressed out skin and vitamin E serves as an effective “radical catcher”. Contains HSR® Lifting Integral Complex; HSR® Telovitin and black pearl essence.

HSR® de luxe ultimate anti-aging serum $175

This highly effective serum bestows a luxurious dose of precious HSR® on the skin and has an especially long lasting effect. The serum can be used as a sole treatment for sensitive combination skin or oily skin. The serum calms skin with aloe vera. Squalane strengthens protective skin barriers, while almond oil and panthenol care for skin, making it supple and smooth. Vitamin E, an effective “radical catcher” completes the composition of active ingredients. Contains HSR® Lifting Integral Complex; HSR® Telovitin and black pearl essence.

BABOR Face Design Collection

Two glamorous beauty professionals with more than 70 years of combined beauty expertise have united for one vision: make-up that is more than just color. World renowned make-up artist Peter Schmidinger has developed an exclusive new collection for BABOR Cosmetics called The BABOR Face Design Collection.

As one of the leading skin care brands worldwide, BABOR sought to create a collection that would not only make the skin of every woman look beautiful, but more importantly - care for it with ingredients found in some of BABOR’s most effective products. This new range offers protection, treatment, regeneration and color all in one thanks to the active “lifting” ingredient complex specially developed for the line. Samphire extracts help regenerate, Vitamin E effectively protects from free radicals, and Lupine Oil regenerates and protects the skin barrier. The amino acid complex L-PCA also gives additional moisture.

Foundation & Powder

Age Conceal Foundation $42

The Anti-Age Foundation fluid regenerates all skin types with live pumpkin and retinol cells. Light dispersing pigments visually conceal lines and give natural UVA protection.

Face Design Concept

Super Soft Duo Blush $35

Dual colored powder blush with a filler effect. With the two colors you can effectively brighten and add shadows. The different sized powder particles fill up lines giving the face an even complexion. It protects, treats and regener- ates thanks to its lifting complex. Does not contain methylbenzene or formaldehyde.

Maxi Definition Eye Brow Pencil $12

The eyebrow pencil for easy eyebrow tracing that does not smudge. Comes with a handy brush at the end of the pencil.

Eye Make-up

Advanced Eye Shadow Base $17

Eyelid foundation with a super soft cream- to-powder texture. It covers small blood vessels and redness, prolongs the wear of eye shadow and prevents build up in the crease of the lid.

Super Soft Eye Shadow  $22

Silky eye shadow made with plant oils, beeswax and wheat starch. Great cover- age, long lasting and makes the eyes shine. The lifting complex offers protection from environmental stress while treating and regenerating the skin.

Maxi Volume Mascara $26

Thanks to the innovative elastomer brush the MAXI VOLUME MASCARA provides more volume and guarantees perfect lash definition. For beautiful, expressive eyes.

Lip Make-up

Ultra Performance Lip Colour $25

An innovative new formula with a visible lifting effect. It creates a thin film without sticking or just lying on the surface. High gloss, long lasting and very true color. The lifting complex protects the sensitive skin of the lips from environmental stress while treating and regenerating it.

To learn more about our Best Spa Product of 2012 and all of the Babor Collections, visit BABOR.com.

Holly Douglas is a seasoned professional with a plastic surgery and med spa background. As a licensed esthetician, she has performed a spectrum of light based therapy skin care treatment using premium medical products. She has studied nutrition and detox treatments to build a comprehensive holistic skin care program. Plus a shrewd business eye to coordinate such touted start-up, including snaring the spa space.

Pithy charm...exposed brick in the historically preserved "Penny Furniture Building". Urban, yet urbane. Sophisticated coastal chic amid vintage furnishings, including an antique Japanese bar. This is a bodacious bohemian bottega.

Now some narrative about this supernal spa and state-of-art med spa services. Of course, the salon and spa will feature usual menu: facials, massage, waxings. Hair + make-up, and also men's services.

Our cutting edge med spa will feature: anti-aging and wrinkle removal, skin tightening, light based hair removal, acne care and brown spot reduction. Also other spa esoterics as cellulite reduction and vein removal. Our team includes a board certified plastic surgeon that performs procedures such as botox, juverderm®, and radiesse® + consultations.

In this age of web-based interactive search tools, customers expect to be able to retrieve product data anytime and anywhere. Quick and direct access to in-formation is vital. To provide its clients with such online information Symrise has developed a comprehensive database – SymSelect®. At symselect.com, users can search for cosmetic ingredients. Information about the latest developments, product launches, current topics from the cosmetics world, and new emotive or concept presentations can also be accessed.

As an interactive tool, SymSelect® offers various search possibilities. Besides the classical route of directly typing in the Symrise product or plant name re-quired, an advanced search tool allows additional search criteria such as INCI name, CAS number, or plant name to be entered, in different languages. Two unique visual search platforms provide users with an overview of the in-gredients market. One platform concentrates on naturals with categories such as fruits, flowers, woods, etc., dividing these into sub-categories such as ber-ries, stone fruits, nuts, etc. For each of these sub-categories, SymSelect® sug-gests the appropriate Symrise product.

The second platform focuses on the search by marketing concept with a wide spectrum of categories such as anti-aging, sensitive skin, traditional medicines (e.g. ayurveda, TCM), targeted age groups (e.g. young and mature skin), and many more.

Additional filter criteria can be utilized to narrow down the selection. These in-clude product properties, formula aspects, registration status, geographical origin, etc. Rounding off the search engine’s functions are detailed product summaries and presentations and the online ordering of samples.

“Our customers benefit from SymSelect® in many ways,” says Manfred Axterer, Global Product Director Cosmetic Ingredients and Project Manager SymSelect® at Symrise. “They can find a wide variety of information on our products on the internet exactly when they need it. This significantly decreases the time from request to answer. The combination of technical, visual, and marketing-driven information and the ability to select personal search criteria make our tool really special.”

“We have launched SymSelect® to give our customers modern, fast, and inter-active access to our Life Essentials product portfolio,” adds Dr. Klaus Stanzl, President Life Essentials at Symrise. “We had the idea to create a tool that pro-vides our customers with broad knowledge of our products and to enable them to select products according to their needs. With this tool, we have launched a state-of-the-art and highly customer-focused means of communication.”