SpaCast

Aveda Institute goes green in Winter Park, Florida

Aveda Institute has come to Winter Park, Florida. Since its opening several weeks ago, "Aveda now has 50 students and plans are to eventually have 250 students," said Paulo Figueiredo, director of the school.

"Aveda Institutes are not like any other beauty school or hair school," Figueiredo said. He said the school in Winter Park is a green company with energy-saving air conditioning and lighting. The school chose the Central Florida area for its new location because of the proximity to hotels and airports.

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Student Stage Protest of "Unsafe" Beauty School in Tucson

About 30 cosmetology students walked out of their lessons recently and staged a protest at their school, accusing it of poor treatment and unsafe practices.  The students chanted "We're not going back till it's safe!" and carried protest signs in front of Empire Beauty School in Tucson, Arizona.

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Is the beauty business rescession proof? This father and son think so.

Based on the theory that the beauty business is "recession-proof," a father-and-son team is opening a cosmetology school in Fenton, Michigan.  Bill Arbour and son, William Arbour, took over Fenton Academy of Cosmetology last May and plan to move it to a building they are constructing .  People need jobs, the partners said, and cosmetology offers a career with a short training period that costs a fraction of a college education.  And there's never a shortage of customers.

Do you agree?  Read the story.

Youngest Red Door Spa Manager Enjoys Change

Cassie Hernandez took a job as a makeup artist at a Red Door Spa in Illinois simply to pay for college.  She had known since she was a kid that she wanted to be a lawyer, relishing the "right vs. wrong" mentality, the debating and the politics. She headed down that path by studying criminal justice at a community college outside of Chicago.  A funny thing happened on the way to the Bar exam: She grew to love the world of pampering.  Hernandez has been with the luxury Red Door chain, which has 31 locations, ever since and is now one of its youngest general managers, based at the Red Door Spa at the Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa in Litchfield Park.

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Massage Magazine and Cortiva Institute Join Forces

MASSAGE Magazine announced today that it has teamed with Cortiva Institute, a provider of professional massage therapy training, to launch a new resource center: Continuing Education, at www.MASSAGEmag.com/Cortiva. Tailored to the needs of the massage therapist, this resource center provides news, information, and tools for success with massage continuing education.

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Free Gas Cards - Relief from LA's Le Petite Retreat Day Spa

Le Petite Retreat Day Spa in Los Angeles has announced their "Free Gas Card" summer program to help relieve the economic difficulty people are facing during this time of inflated gas prices.

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If you've got Five Large and 8 hours of free time in New York, visit Spa Chinois

Spa Chinois in New York is offering a new take on the term "day spa”. They are offering a full day at the spa from 10 am to 6 pm, for $5,000, with its "All You Can Spa" program.  The spa closes for the day so the client has complete privacy and run of the spa. The client can have any and all spa services that day. The “All You Can Spa” day escape is for one client or up to five friends. The clients will also receive a catered lunch, afternoon snacks and champagne.

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Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa, Arizona, Offers Reimbursement for Airline Luggage Fees

Guests of the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa  (Arizona) are being invited to show proof of a luggage charge and will be reimbursed $25 per person, up to $50 per guestroom. This gesture on behalf of the Resort is meant to relieve any stress or economic pressures from the new airline policies and to reassure guests that their business is valued and appreciated.

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Get an Oil Change, Massage, and Manicure

Auto dealers wnat to appeal to women, and setting up a showroom like a spa is one marketing idea taking off.   Auto dealers are embracing creative new strategies to entice buyers into their showrooms.  You can get a manicure, hit the driving range, order a snack from the cafe or sip on a drink while you wait. It's a welcome change from the stale coffee and day-old doughnuts of the past. 

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Legitimate therapists worry about spa reputations

Licensed massage therapists across Indiana have long voiced concerns about alleged sex parlors fronting as legitimate massage operations, according to the Indiana president of the American Massage Therapy Association.

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Study Resort & Hospitality Management at Florida Gulf Coast University

Florida, known internationally as the center for hospitality and consistently ranked as one of the top 10 destinations in the world, can also be a great place to study. Just ask the Resort & Hospitality Management students at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU).

The newest Florida campus is getting ready to open a brand new building and help students prepare for high-demand professional careers in all aspects of the resort and hospitality industry. From resort, club, spa, hotel and lodging management to event, commercial recreation, professional golf, attraction, food and beverage, resort timeshare and tourism destination management.

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Omaré Line and Training Available Free to 30 Spas in the Continental USA

Jolie Visage, exclusive U.S. distributors of Omaré, the French professional marine body care and beauty line, are currently promoting an introductory offer for high-end spas taking on the line for the first time - 30 rooms of back bar and full protocol training are up for grabs free of charge for interested upscale spas located any where in the continental U.S.A.

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Girls will get the low-down at Camp Day Spa

Nothing goes together quite like young girls and make-up. But how young is too young for make-up? How do you know that you are teaching your daughter the best techniques for make-up application? What about all other forms of personal hygiene and self-care?

Valerian Day Spa in Wisconsin has designed and will be holding its first annual Camp Day Spa. This day long workshop is intended to teach girls ages 8 to 14 about proper care for their growing and changing bodies. Topics covered throughout the day will include brow shaping, proper skincare, nail maintenance and aromatherapy. In addition, product kits and healthy snacks will be provided throughout the day. Participants will also give and receive manicures and pedicures.

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Spa and Massage Therapy Organizations to Gather in Chicago for Two Day Conference (July 31, 2008)

Chicago is hosting the two-day event aimed at owners and managers of spas and massage therapy organizations from around the country. It will combine motivational and interactive workshops from key Cortiva management, access to industry leaders to brainstorm about the state of the industry, a keynote address from WTS International’s Kate Mearns, Spa Director, The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg, and informal networking opportunities.

The conference will take place at Cortiva Institute – Chicago, School of Massage Therapy, 17 N. State Street, Chicago, IL 60602 from 9:00am to 5:30pm, July 31st and August 1st, 2008.

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(Note: SpaCast is providing telephone numbers for Cortiva due to bad links in the press release:  Media Contact: Fernando Lopez, Phone: 201-215-6314, Fax: 201-215-6354)

Hilton Hotels And Resorts Rejuvinate Spa Offerings With L'occitane

Hilton Hotels and Resorts announced today a partnership with French luxury cosmetics and toiletries company L'Occitane to redesign the hotel company's full service spas, menu of services and spa product offerings.  Building on the success of flagship spas in Paris, Hong Kong, Taipei, Sao Paulo and Comendatuba (Brazil), the L'Occitane Spa at Hilton will feature all natural products, regionally inspired, hand-performed spa treatments, alongside globally-favored services, and warm Provence-inspired décor selected to infuse spa visitors with a sense of ultimate relaxation and indulgence.

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Medical doctors attracted to cosmetics: Physicians can earn more with lasers and Botox than primary care

To most people, the word "obstetrician" signifies babies, not Botox.  Yet a number of obstetrician-gynecologists, as well as primary care doctors and dentists, are peddling cosmetic treatments that relax wrinkles, plump lips and banish cellulite.  Why? The short answer is cash.

A more nuanced answer gynecologists and internists give is that people are getting these procedures anyway at spas or other nonmedical locations, so they might as well get better treatment in a safer environment from a doctor they trust.

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Aussies spend $440 million a year at spa retreats

Australia's spas last year relieved you of $440 million worth of worries.  A US report by the Stanford Research Institute found the global spa economy is worth about $262 billion a year. Australians have been massaged, detoxed and revitalised to the tune of more than $440 million at the 674 spa resorts and day spas scattered throughout the country.

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Mind, Body & Spirit Cruises

Crystal Cruises is introducing two "Mind, Body & Spirit" cruises this December. Holistic, comprehensive programming incorporates lectures, classes and workshops given by leading experts and instructors from The Cleveland Clinic, Tai Chi Cultural Institute and the line's exclusive Walk on Water program.  The Mind, Body & Spirit focus is set for Crystal Symphony's December 7 South America voyage from Los Angeles to Valparaiso, Chile and Crystal Serenity's December 12 Panama Canal cruise from Caldera, Costa Rica to Miami

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ResortSuite SPA Selected To Manage Fontainebleau’s Spa Operations

Enablez Inc., developer of ResortSuite SPA, the leader in guest-centric spa management solutions, is pleased to announce that ResortSuite SPA has been selected by Fontainebleau Resorts LLC as its software of choice for both Fontainebleau Miami Beach and Fontainebleau Las Vegas Spa operations.

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Epi Center MedSpa is Going Green

San Francisco’s Epi Center MedSpa, the nation’s original medical spa, will be achieving another first with the opening of its eco-medspa, bringing nature and science together for a more naturally beautiful you – and more beautiful planet. The Epi Center MedSpa will open the doors to its LEED-certified space in April to commemorate both its 10th anniversary and Earth Day. A trendsetter in the skin rejuvination industry since its opening a decade ago, the board certified plastic surgeon led eco-medspa now combines its safe beauty enhancing medical procedures with the most effective organic treatments and healthy environment to create a naturally vibrant and youthful appearance with minimal downtime.

The Epi Center MedSpa worked with leaders in eco-architecture and designed a luxurious medical spa with the highest level LEED certification attainable. Eric Corey Freed, founder of oraganicArchitect and author of Green Building and Remolding for Dummies, ensured the Epi Center MedSpa conforms to the strict standards established by the U.S. Green Building Council.

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L'Auberge Del Mar Resort & Spa, California, completes $25 million renovation

The L'Auberge Del Mar Resort and Spa in California which will reopen Friday after a $25 million renovation, has opted to replace its French Chateau vibe with the look of a stylish beach home, complete with a sprawling new lobby and remodeled guest rooms.

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California Medical Medi Spa Rules Get a Makeover

In California, as in many states, a licensed physician or surgeon must be the majority owner of a medical spa. The law even requires minority stake holders to work in a health-related field.  But under current rules, the doctor in charge need not be present when a medical spa is performing certain services. They merely must be “reachable” during the procedure, said Candis Cohen, a spokeswoman for the Medical Board of California.

As a result, some medical spas have physician oversight on paper, but the doctors in charge spend little or no time in the offices. Lawmakers in several states are addressing this safety concern. A bill pending in the California legislature would strengthen penalties against such absentee oversight. Introduced by Alan Nakanishi, R-Lodi, Assembly Bill 2398 would expand penalties — which are now usually fines — to include license revocation.

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