As many of you might know, Jersey Mikes next door to Head to Toe suffered a catastrophic fire.   Head to Toe sustained smoke damage, and some other damage, but was largely un-harmed, thanks to the heroic efforts of the responding fire company, and the fire wall between us.

We are closed on THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2010, as restoration work in the Hair Salon proceeds.  We will re-open for regular hours on FRIDAY, JANUARY 8th.  We will have crews working during the evenings over the next few weeks.  This work will not take place during business hours, and will not affect the tranquility of the spa experience.

What you will notice, as you visit during our restoration process, is that the Spa is getting a makeover!  We're re-painting in some new colors, and new styles!  Even a day spa needs a makeover every now and then!

We look forward to seeing you soon.  Please feel free to call us or ask at the front desk if you have any questions.

The beginning of a new year is always fun and daunting.  Everyone has a new year's resolution.  I have a hard time with these, because I pretty much never keep them.  This year, I have one resolution, though, that I think I'll keep:

I want to stand up on my surfboard

I started surfing last year, and I'm doing pretty well:  I can paddle, I can catch waves on my own, I can stay on, I can fall correctly.  But, I can't stand up.  I'm not strong enough.  I also weigh too much.  (Well, I might not, technically, weigh too much, but hoisting the extra 60-70 lbs or so that I carry  (I'm tall, so I don't look as gigantic as I could, but it still isn't healthy, and I'm still not happy with it.), is DEFINITELY not helping the process. 

In fact, when we flew to Florida over Christmas, and I put my 50 lb suitcase on the airport scale, I sort of freaked out.  No WONDER I have such a hard time trying to stand up on a moving surfboard.  It's like doing major yoga on an unpredictably moving surface. 

I love surfing.  You can read about my surfing adventures and see pictures of my flabby self at http://chicksonsticks.wordpress.com  I love surfing so much, and plan to make is so much of my routine (when the water is at least 62 degrees), that I think it is the key to helping me stay on task this year.

Really, what does this have to do with the spa?

Well, at Head to Toe, everyone is heck-bent (can't swear on the blog!) on helping everyone look and feel their best.  Even as a larger version of myself, when my brows are nicely shaped and my hair has a style that isn't "never cut it and wear it in a ponytail every day," I feel better about myself and it is much easier for me to work on the rest of the parts, like watching my food and exercise.

Maybe I'm shallow, but I LIKE to be and feel pretty.  And, it is hard to do everything I need to do to feel pretty re: diet and exercise if my hair looks like crap, my brows look like caterpillars (thanks guys!), my toes are ugly and my face is a moonscape of whiteheads. 

Head to Toe helps me with this.  Because I see all of them regularly, and they are so nice, and so, how should we put this, GENTLE  (usually), about suggesting services that will help me out, I consider them an integral part of my health AND beauty routine.  If I don't feel good about the parts of my exterior that I CAN easily control, I won't feel good about the parts that are harder to control--interior and exterior.

So, THANK YOU Head to Toe technicians for helping me on my New Year, New Me journey.  When I stand up on my surfboard, you'll be partially to thank!  

After two session with Barb at Head to Toe Day Spa, my back feels wonderful, realigned and free of pain. She knows her body work! What a Christmas treasure I found!

Thank You Barb,

Pat Shaw

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, opportunities for stress are ever-present. Here's how to sail through the merriment without losing your cool.

• Smile! Again, sometimes easier said than done when a distant relative is making comments about your hair style/love life/children during Thanksgiving Dinner. However, smiling is great medicine. When you smile, the nerves in your face send a message to your brain "telling" it that you are happy. Smile and you will feel happier.
• Just say "No!" There's no way that you can do everything this season. So, decide where to save and where to splurge, whether in terms of time or money. You'll feel more relaxed with fewer commitments.
• Exercise several days a week. Even taking a brisk walk helps. Exercise helps lower anxiety levels, releases endorphins, and helps work off those extra sweets you ate at the office party.
• Before you go to sleep at night, or while sitting at your desk during the work day, take ten deep breaths. Breathe all the way in to the pit of your stomach, and exhale slowly. This will slow your heart rate, oxygenate your blood and calm yourself down.
• Identify your favorite parts of the holidays and make sure that you incorporate those into your plan for the season. If you love the music, tune in while you run errands, or steal your sweetie away for a date night to a seasonal concert. If decorating cookies is your favorite thing, make oodles, and give them away. Don't skip your favorite traditions in order to make everyone else happy. Give yourself some cheer, too!

Stay stress-free this season, and you'll help everyone around you enjoy the season more, too!

The time between Thanksgiving and New Year's is the busiest part of the year for most of us. With all of the cooking, cleaning, shopping, entertaining, eating, and running around, it is hard to take care of yourself. Do yourself a favor, and take just one hour out of your day to treat yourself to some relaxation. Nothing feels better than a massage, midway through the holiday sprint. Think you're doing fine? Think again! Here are 7 signs that you might need to visit the spa, SOON!

1. Your hair is, effectively, one color above your ears, and another below your ears. And you didn't plan it that way. You need to stop by our Hair Salon for a color treatment.
2. Every conversation with everyone you know ends with the other person telling you to RELAX! Take a hint and take some time out for a massage.
3. You screamed when you looked in the mirror this morning. Your skin looks like a desert island, and your eyes are ringed with evidence of staying up late at one too many festive gatherings. Book a facial to restore your youthful glow!
4. Your toes are still wearing Halloween-colored polish, your cuticles are dry, and you feel sluggish. Get a pedicure with a festive red polish to perk yourself up and restore your twinkle toes!
5. Your family is going to be staying with you for an entire week during the holidays. Any service will do--either fortify yourself for their visit, or schedule an hour away for a respite while they're here.
6. Your spouse is driving you bonkers. Send him or her to the spa. We'll take them off your hands for a bit
7. You haven't finished your shopping list, and are stuck trying to think of what to get people. A Head to Toe Gift Certificate is perfect for all of the Wilmington-area people on your list! Stop by, we'll help you cross the finish line!

While my parents were in town, I scheduled a family spa day.  My Mom was quite excited about this.  I had her scheduled for a Facial and a mini-pedi.  I scheduled massages for my Dad and me.  Neither of us had ever had a massage.  I was VERY excited.  He was VERY skeptical.  Neither of us relax very well.

I Got Lawrence

They scheduled my Swedish massage with Lawrence.  He's been doing this for about eight years, and it DEFINITELY shows.  At the beginning of the massage, I was lying face-down on the comfy table, and I said, through the bottom opening of the head rest, "Now, I'm going to need to ask you questions about this so I can blog about it."  He said "But, if you do that, you won't relax."After about five minutes, I believe that I sub-consciously decided "blog-schmog" because I stopped talking and started relaxing.  That Lawrence, he's good!

The Healing Power of Massage

I'm totally NOT going to launch into some new-age guru talk about the healing powers of touch.  Quite frankly, I don't know enough about that to authoritatively discuss it.  HOWEVER, I can say that massages should be MANDATORY during parental visits!  Nothing dials down the anxiety faster than knowing I'm in a closed, private room with lovely, soothing music playing, a pleasant scented candle burning, and that my parents are similarly in closed rooms, effectively being held hostage (in a good way) by their technicians.  I.e.  THEY CAN'T GET TO ME for at least one hour.  Bliss. . . 

However, there is more to my enjoyment of the massage than having peace and quiet for an hour.  Anyone who is old enough to read this and/or old enough to schedule and pay for a massage will completely understand what I'm saying here.  Or, at least, you will after you have your first massage:

It is nice to be kneaded and/or touched without EXPECTATION of anything other than a monetary tip.  GET MY DRIFT?  It was so much more relaxing.  Certainly, I love a nice hug from my husband.  ESPECIALLY if that hug doesn't get all grabby.   Which is rare.  Hence, my enjoyment of the massage. 

There are health benefits associated with the massage: improved circulation, de-toxification, relaxation.  Those are all good reasons to get one, too. 

What to Expect During your Massage

I had the Swedish massage, which is a nice, relaxing option for beginners.  I don't have any particular problem areas, to my knowledge, so Lawrence gave me a good once-over.  He said he did sense a bit of tension in my shoulders, like, they were up at my ears, which isn't ideal.  Probably because I am a writer, and I sit, hunched over my keyboard, pecking away for hours at a time.  Here's how the whole thing went, if you are curious about what happens. 

• I filled out a checklist notifying them of any ailments I have.  (None that I'm aware.)
• Lawrence greeted me in the lobby.
• He took me back to the treatment room and chatted with me, again to see if there were any areas that I would like him to focus around, or stay away from.
• Then, he left, and I got undressed, except for my undies, and got under the sheet.
• He came back in and started the massage.
• The massage involved kneading, pulling, and gripping certain areas.  (Sounds naughty, but it isn't.)  Also lots of nice hot towels in different areas. 

After the massage was finished, I said to Lawrence, "Your clients must LOVE you."  He smiled and blushed. And then told me to relax and left the room.   

Massage for Everyone!

I would dearly love to make this a monthly habit.  My verdict re: massages is that everyone can benefit from them.  They are healthy, relaxing, and stimulating all at the same time.  

I just got back from another visit to Head to Toe Day spa and as usual, it was a wonderful experience.  Every time I walk through the doors, the staff makes me feel so welcome - love it!

This time I had a facial with Marla.  I work outside in my job, so I really have to be diligent about my skin care.  Marla's facials are amazing; leaving my skin glowing and silky soft.  The products she recommends help me keep my skin looking good even in the hot sun!

After my facial, and looking about 10 years younger, I headed over to have my hair done by Jacob.  I've been going to Jacob since he started at Head to Toe.  He sure knows how to make a girl feel special!  My hair is a bit difficult to color since I'm keeping the gray (oops, I mean "silver") streaks at my temples.  Jacob is very careful and I always look amazing when I get out of his chair.

The best way to end your experience at Head to Toe?  Have Ricky Bell do your makeup!  He really enjoys adding some polish to your look.  After I finished with Ricky, I looked so good I had to go out for some drinks!  It would have been criminal to go straight home.....

One month to go until my next appointment!

-Barbie

I was a facial newbie until yesterday.  (I could put it in different terms, but this is a family-friendly blog!)  Anyhoo, the eyebrow waxing was such a BIG EVENT that I couldn't cover all of the wonderfulness that a facial is in the same post.  It is the day after the brows and I'm feeling good!  But, on to the facial.  This post will be "Mythbusters: Facial style."  Guys, you totally know what I'm talking about.  Gals-this is why you can't get the TV remote on Wednesday nights.  Your men are BUSY watching the Discovery Channel.  Here we go. . .

Myth One:  Facials Hurt  BUSTED!

I always thought that getting a facial would be painful.  That is something I probably made up in my head for a reason not to get hooked on facials, which I am now.  They don't hurt a bit!  While "extraction" sounds like a scary word, it is more like a mosquito bite without the residual itch, which is to say, practically non-existent. I found my facial to be relaxing, soothing, refreshing, and made me glow all over.  It didn't hurt a bit!

Myth Two:  Your Face Must have a Problem to get a Facial   WRONG!

I thought facials were for people with really bad skin, had spent too much time in the sun, were wearing more wrinkles than they wanted, or had a lot of free time on their hands.  NOT SO MUCH!  As Marla said while I was lying there being pampered, a facial is good for all of those things, and it can really help your skin if you have issues, but first and foremost, facials are an excellent way to relax while doing something nice for yourself.  

I've mostly made a habit of getting pedicures at the Spa-that's the one treatment I frequently got before working with Head to Toe.  (Pedicure post soon!)  While I always found those to be relaxing, most pedicures take place in a nail salon, which has people around.  I'm ok with that, because I like to chat.  However, for relaxing, the soothing, candle-lit, room with soft music playing can't be beat.  I forgot to turn of my cell phone and I got a text.  Marla promptly found my phone, turned it off, and then, NOBODY COULD FIND ME.  It was PURE relaxation.  Forget about what it did to my face, I was content to lie on the comfy bed and not worry about work. 

Myth Three:  Facials just make you feel good   NOPE!

Sure, they do make you feel good, or else people wouldn't get them.  Why would you get a treatment that made you feel bad about yourself?  (Though, I confess to having pore freak-out when Marla handed me the magnifying mirror, because I don't look in those frequently!)  After the facial, I can say, without bias, that I was POSITIVELY GLOWING!  My face looked new!  That was awesome.  However, there's a lot more to facials than just looking good. 

Facials clean out your pores, make your skin healthier, remove dead skin, tone, brighten, etc.  Facials can help people with acne problems, or other skin issues.  They are part of good skin care. 

Myth Four:  Your Technician will just rub a mask on you and you could do that at home.  SORRY, but NO

When I walked into the treatment room, I noticed a shocking array of bottles and lights and implements and such.  But, I immediately forgot about that because I was supposed to get partially undressed and put on this robe-thingy, and I had never done that before except at the doctor, so that was NEW.  Anyway. . . 

Marla, and all of the Head to Toe technicians are trained in all elements of skin care and more, they have licenses, are required to take continuing education classes, and approach your skin as a clinician.  In addition to the various treatments (they use Skin Deep Cosmeceuticals in all of their treatments-which are, as of this writing, on sale at the Spa!) they evaluate your skin, extract clogged pores, massage your face, neck and shoulders, and can provide a variety of extra treatments for that added punch. 

You can add:

Vitamin C Treatment masks:  to reduce fine lines, restore elasticity, firmness and hydration

Glow treatment: to polish, exfoliate and remove impurities

LED light treatment:  to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin firmness and stimulate collagen production

Microdermabrasion treatment: to improve thick, oily skin, and diminish scars and discoloration

Eye-Firming Mask: to hydrate and soften fine lines around the eye

Waxing:  Read about that in the previous post

Tinting:  to enhance your natural color

I didn't have time for those, but I WILL be back!

Final Verdict:  The facial was DELIGHTFUL. It was relaxing, definitely enhanced my skin, and the day after, I still feel "new and improved."  This treatment is perfect for pretty much everyone!  Go to relax away from everything.  Go to get your skin polished and buffed.  Go if you need help with oily, dry, sun-damaged or acne prone skin.  Just GO!  You will definitely be glad you did!

Today, I had my first facial ever in my whole life.  (Biore strips do not count!)  Marla was my technician.  I was a little bit stressed when I went in to see her, but she immediately put me at ease.  That is, until she innocently said "Why don't we do your brows while you're in here?"  A glycolic treatment, sure!  Tinting, well, anything, I'm game.  When I thought of waxing, though, fear stabbed my heart.  (Ok, maybe I'm being a touch dramatic, but how many of you generally look forward to having hair ripped out by the roots.? Yeah, I thought so.)  But, in the name of bringing the unvarnished truth to the Head to Toe Blog, I said, "Yes!  Of course I would LOVE to have my brows waxed."

The origin of my fear

I think it came to pass sometime a few years ago when I was reading an article in Vogue magazine about the Brazilian bikini wax.  Until that point, I never thought about waxing.  I'm not particularly hirsute, so I never had a unibrow.  And, I don't wear very revealing swimsuits, so I was ok "down there."  But the thought of a Brazilian?  Scared the pants off me!  So, I pretty much put waxing out of my mind until, well, today.

When I was little, I think I used to pull on my eyebrows, so they were shaped a little funky, but not so funky that I ever felt motivated to do anything about it.  Now that they have been waxed, an entire new world has opened up to me.  I can't go back.  Luckily, the experience was not at all scary, nor was it painful.  Here's how the waxing went.

Speak Softly and Carry a Big Pot of Wax

I lie down in the chair which is so comfortable, I could stay there for about three days.  Marla puts a calming, hot towel around my face.  Bliss.  I think I can go to sleep now.  Then we decide to wax.  Marla starts chatting about good books to read and Facebook, things she knows will put me at ease.  Every so nonchalantly (I think, because my eyes are closed and I can't see anything), she paints a little bit of wax on the area she is going to shape.  Then, with just a slight press of her fingers around my brow, all the while discussing what an enormous time suck Facebook is, but how it is oh-so-fun, she removes the wax quickly, and part of my brow with it. 

I was completely prepared to howl in pain, but there WAS NO PAIN.  It felt more like a quick pinch, or like taking a band-aid off, but quicker, because Marla's a pro.  She repeated this a few times, and Voila, my brows were new!  She held up a mirror, and it was like getting a FACE LIFT!  I feel like a vastly more attractive version of myself. 

After-effects of Brow Shaping

Throughout the rest of my facial, I could definitely tell that my brows were different, kind of like the way you feel after a haircut.  You are used to feeling your hair there, and then it isn't hitting your shoulders the same way, or brushing up against your cheek.  In terms of the brows, I can just feel "air" there where there used to be hair.  

I drove home, grinning all the way, and my husband was home from a meeting.  He said I was "glowing" and he couldn't stop smiling.  (I guess he likes it that I'm taking a new interest in grooming.  I can't imagine why. . . ) I definitely feel more confident, and I never really considered that that would be the outcome of such a simple service. 

Final verdict:  If you feel like your brows are the equivalent of a snaggletooth, or you just want a confidence booster, an eyebrow shape is a little, inexpensive miracle!

More on the facial tomorrow. . . 

Hi there!  I'm Katie, and I work with Head to Toe Day Spa and Salon on the website, e-newsletter, and other marketing activities.  As such, I'm the primary blogger for Head to Toe.  I'll be writing about people at the Spa, services, activities, specials, and just about anything else you can think of!  Check back often to see what's happening in your favorite Day Spa and Salon.  You can also follow us on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/headtotoeILM  or @headtotoeILM  Because the blog is more fun and less formal, I'll post pictures and first-hand accounts.  I'm not a photographer, so my pictures won't be exhibition quality, but you'll be able to get a personal feel for the spa!

I'm a Writer, not a Technician

My background is horticulture and writing!   So, you might ask, why on earth does it make sense for me to blog for Head to Toe?  Well, one thing I can definitely say is that I'm experiencing many of the treatments and services for the first time in my whole life!  That means I have the perspective of a new customer! 

Sure, I've had manicures and pedicures.  I've gotten my hair cut.  I've even had makeup professionally applied.  But, until today, I'd never had my brows waxed.  Until a few weeks ago, I'd never had a paraffin pedicure.  I've never had my hair colored.  So, if you've been thinking about a massage, but you aren't too sure, or you've been scared to death to get your eyebrows waxed, go with me as I try out all that Head to Toe has to offer.  Maybe it will give you the courage, nudge or idea to try something new, yourself!

Can you trust this blogger?

Yes!  I will be very up front about what I experience.  So far, I can tell you that I've been more than happy with everything I've done at Head to Toe, and I'm PICKY, nervous, and not all that girly!  I work with Head to Toe, along with a lot of other places, but they are definitely some of my favorite people to spend time with.  (And, I promise, I don't say that about everybody!)  Everyone at the Spa is super-nice, professional, very well-trained and all around welcoming.  I hope that you experience that, too, when you visit the Spa. 

A Little Help From my Friends

To keep you up to date about everything happening at Head to Toe, I keep in close contact with the technicians, owners and front desk staff.  I visit often, and ask tons and tons of questions.  I get all of the information straight from them, "pretty it up" and put it on the website.  I can't wait to tell you all about everything!  Stay tuned, it's gonna be fun!

If you'd like to be featured on our blog, drop a note to katie@headtotoedayspa.net.  I'd love to hear from you!