Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Beauty Secrets From Around the World

Have you ever fantasized about having long, luxurious, glossy hair like the beautiful Japanese women? Or wondered how Greek women keep their olive-toned complexions luminous? Believe it or not, their secrets are neither expensive nor hard to find products!

We did our homework and found some of these secrets online and want to share them with you!

Read on about how you can do these beauty tricks at home!

 

Chile

Chilean women credit the antioxidant powers of red grapes for their luminous skin. They create a paste by mashing up a handful of the fruit and adding 2 tablespoons of white flour. They then apply the mask to their face and leave it on for 10 minutes before washing it off. “It wakes up the appearance of tired and fatigued skin to give you an amazing glow,” says Shalini Vadhera, author of Passport to Beauty.

Dominican Republic

“If you ever meet a Dominican woman, look at her nails––chances are they’re super-strong,” says Vadhera. What’s their secret? Women in the Dominican Republic swear by garlic to keep their nails tough as…well, nails. They chop up fresh garlic, add it to a bottle of clear nail polish and let it stew for 7 to 10 days. “There will be an initial smell, so if you want to ward off vampires this is a great way to do it,” jokes Vadhera. “But the scent goes away. Garlic has so many strengthening properties and is naturally antibacterial as well.”

Egypt

According to Vadhera, Cleopatra’s beauty secret was taking milk baths to soften her skin and remove dead cells. To try the treatment at home, Vadhera recommends adding 2 cups of powdered milk to your bath. “It will make your skin look absolutely gorgeous and feel so smooth, silky and soft.”

France

“The French woman sticks to a scrupulous and preventive skin and body care routine,” says Shannon Gallogly, lead aesthetician for French beauty brands Decleor and Carita. “This means she has weekly facials, regular massages and religiously takes her makeup off each night.” Gallogly’s recipe for an at-home facial without the price tag of a spa version: Mash up cherries and pomegranate seeds and apply as a mask to the skin for about 6 minutes. “This mask will help brighten skin with natural enzymes while firming at the same time.” Remove the mixture with a warm towel to help boost circulation.

Greece

“Greek women are blessed with Mediterranean skin, which is light in color but has enough melanin to shield and absorb harmful UV rays,” says New York City dermatologist Macrene Alexiades, MD, PhD, who is half Greek. But even if you aren’t genetically blessed, you can still take a cue from the women of Greece. “There are other factors that contribute to their glowing complexion: They eat a Mediterranean diet high in fish, which provides skin-rejuvenating omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as fruits and vegetables, which provide antioxidants and vitamins. They also believe their intake of olive oil contributes to their great skin." So, start reaching for the olive oil instead of butter for better skin.

Israel

Cygalle Dias, owner of New York City’s Cygalle Healing Spa, was born in Israel and believes in the healing powers of sea salt. “When you swim in the Dead Sea, all of the salt helps your body rid itself of toxins, and it has also been known to help cure skin diseases.” To get the detoxifying benefits of sea salt at home, Dias shares her spa’s Lavender Sea Salt Scrub recipe: Mix together ¼ cup sea salt, 1 pinch seaweed powder, ½ cup massage oil and 10 to 15 drops lavender oil. Apply to skin to gently exfoliate.

Italy

How do Italian women maintain their glossy locks? According to Fabio Scalia, Italian hairstylist and owner of Fabio Scalia salon in Brooklyn, New York, the answer is right in your kitchen. Italian women keep their hair shiny by combining yogurt and olive oil and using the mixture as a conditioner. “The protein in the yogurt gently nourishes and conditions.” To whip up the rich treatment at home, Scalia recommends mixing 1 cup of plain whole-milk yogurt with 1 teaspoon olive oil. Then apply the mixture to washed hair, let it sit for 5 minutes and rinse with cool water.

Japan

Titi Branch, the half-Japanese cofounder of Miss Jessie’s hair care line, credits seaweed for Japanese women’s long, silky hair. Nori is a rich source of the trace mineral iodine, which is essential for healthy hair growth. (According to Branch, the iodine added to table salt isn’t the right kind to nourish your hair because your body doesn’t easily absorb it.) Seaweed is also a rich source of other mane-strengthening minerals—including iron, zinc, selenium and copper. “Japanese women either eat nori seaweed or boil it and apply it to dry hair as a nourishing paste.” Head to your local Asian grocer or health food store to pick up sheets of nori. “It’s traditionally used to wrap sushi, but you can use it like a tortilla to wrap up veggies with a dash of soy sauce, or crumble the sheets and sprinkle them on a salad, rice or stir-fry,” advises Branch.

Spain

Spanish women bring out natural, subtle highlights in their hair by rinsing it with cranberry juice, says Vadhera. Try mixing ¼ cup pure juice (not cocktail blends) with ¼ cup water and doing a final rinse with it in the shower. “If you’re going to be in the sun, the cranberry juice brings out the rich hues in your hair,” she says. “It works amazingly on brunettes, but if you’re blonde you’ll want to use lemon juice instead to avoid ending up with pink hair.”

Sweden

Swedish women attribute their glowing, healthy skin to their diet of antioxidant-packed fresh berries and grilled fish, says Petra Strand, Swedish makeup artist and creator of makeup line Pixi, now available at Target. Give yourself a hit of antioxidants by trying Strand’s at-home treatment: Boil mineral water with a green tea or white tea bag, let the tea infuse the water and then freeze it into ice cubes to use instead of a toner. “Saunas are also a big part of Swedish culture,” says Strand. “The dry, clean heat rids your body of toxins.” To get the effect of a sauna at home, Strand says to take a handful of rock salt and add a dash of olive oil and about 10 drops of pure eucalyptus oil. Rub it all over your body and rinse with a blast of cold water.

Monday, June 28, 2010

THANK YOU!

Thank you to those of you that stopped by i Bar Palo Alto this weekend to support our new feature, Glimmer Bar! We had a great turnout on Friday and Saturday and enjoyed seeing the different ideas each of you had for your Body Art. From flowers to mermaids and a peacock feather to tribal, you ladies had great ideas!

The Glimmer Bar is here to stay and our super talented Glimmer Artist will be at the Glimmer Bar on Fridays and Saturday. Please be sure to call i Bar Palo Alto in advance to ensure that our Glimmer Artist will be available to create the perfect piece of Body Art to accent your weekend outing attire.

If you happened to stop by the Glimmer Bar this weekend, please leave a comment and let us know what you thought! We would love to hear your input!

Here are a few images from Friday’s event:

image

image

image

This is super cool!

image

image

 

Stay tuned for more images from Saturday’s Event!

Friday, June 25, 2010

Glimmer Bar Intro Party – Today and Tomorrow ONLY!

We have been telling you about the Glimmer Bar all week and now you can stop by and see what the hype is all about for yourself!

Today and tomorrow only, stop by i Bar Palo Alto to help us kick off the i Bar’s Glimmer Bar’s launch!

Meet our new Glimmer Artist, check out i Bar and receive a complimentary “sample” of Body Art.

We hope to see you there!!!

 

Glimmer Bar Intro Party

Friday, June 25 – 12 pm to 8 pm

Saturday, June 26 – 10 am to 7 pm

Stanford Mall
180 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94304

650.473.1112

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Body Art – Make a Statement

Headed out for a night (or two) of clubbin’ this weekend? Stop by i Bar Palo Alto’s new Glimmer Bar Friday and Saturday to get a little “oomph” to go with your clubbin’ attire.

How cute would you look with something like this on your belly or back?

36376_120654121310746_109607155748776_112463_3949503_n

Are you daring? Make a statement about your fashionista ways with something like this…

Feet

Whatever your taste is, our Glimmer Artist can work with you to give you a piece of art that will make a statement about YOU!

Glimmer Bar’s Body Art features the ancient art of Henna combined with glitter, body paint, and Swarovski crystals to create fashionable body art that perfectly accessorizes any outfit. The Body Art generally last 7-10 days so take it from clubbin’ to the beach!

 

Glimmer Bar Intro Party

Friday, June 25 – 12 pm to 8 pm

Saturday, June 26 – 10 am to 7 pm

Stanford Mall
180 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94304

650.473.1112

Meet our new Glimmer Artist, check out i Bar and receive a complimentary “sample” of Body Art.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Beauty Tip – The Benefits of Drinking Green Tea Daily

You constantly hear that drinking green tea can be beneficial to you, but you probably do not know why. If drank daily, green tea offers many health benefits. Green tea contains a potent plant nutrient known as epigallocatechin gallate, also known as EGCG.

Here are few reasons to start drinking green tea. If you already drink it, keep it up and continue enjoying the added benefits of this delicious drink!

EGCG makes green tea an ideal daily drink because it:

  • is a superb fat fighter because EGCG increases the fat burning rate in your body
  • targets belly fat (EGCG activates fat-burning genes in the abdomen to speed weight loss by 77% (I don’t know about you, but this benefit has me sold!)
  • stabilizes energy because insulin use is improved (thanks to EGCG) and prevents the blood sugar spikes that leave us ready for a nap in the middle of a work day
  • may prevent skin damage and wrinkling. EGCG appears to be 200 times more powerful than vitamin E at destroying skin-damaging free radicals. Free radicals react with healthy cells in the body, causing damage, so lessening their numbers may help reduce wrinkling and other signs of aging.

Lastly, green tea tastes good! So put that soda away and sip on Green Tea throughout your day to reap the benefits of EGCG. 

Also, an added benefit is that green tea has less caffeine than coffee or black tea.

Not a tea drinker? Add some sweetener, honey, or lemon to enhance the flavor of the green tea. Pour it over ice or drink it hot. You will still receive the benefits even with the added flavoring.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Glimmer Bar’s Body Art – Tattoos Without the Long Term Commitment

If you have always wanted a tattoo, but are not sure if you want to make the commitment than consider trying out Body Art from i Bar Palo Alto’s new Glimmer Bar. Body Art is a great way to see a design on your body and determine if you like it enough to commit to a real tattoo.

We won’t even tell your friends it isn’t a real tattoo. Your secret will be safe with us! :)

winged heart back stain-1

Don’t forget to stop by i Bar Palo Alto’s free event this Friday and Saturday to kickoff the Glimmer Bar. Complimentary “Sample” Body Art will be available.

 

Glimmer Bar Intro Party

Friday, June 25 – 12 pm to 8 pm

Saturday, June 26 – 10 am to 7 pm

Stanford Mall
180 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94304

650.473.1112

Monday, June 21, 2010

i Bar Palo Alto Introduces “Glimmer Bar” – Free Body Art Event THIS Weekend

i Bar Palo Alto is ecstatic to introduce the Glimmer Bar - where Ancient Henna meets Glam and Glitz!

What is Glimmer Bar?

Glimmer Bar is a new service at i Bar Palo Alto that features both Henna and fashionable body art. The ancient art of Henna is combined with glitter, body paint, and Swarovski crystals to create fashionable body art that perfectly accessorizes any outfit – especially for a night out on the town or as an accent to your bridal party’s attire.

image
image
Help us kick off the Glimmer Bar this weekend at our Glimmer Bar Intro Party to see what all the hype is and meet our Glimmer Artist. If you are going out this weekend for a night out clubbing or want to spice up that swimwear for these gorgeous days out on the beach, then stop by i Bar Palo Alto this weekend to receive a complimentary “sample” of body art. The complimentary body art is only available THIS WEEKEND so mark it on your calendar to swing by and check it out!

Glimmer Bar Intro Party

Friday, June 25 – 12 pm to 8 pm
Saturday, June 26 – 10 am to 7 pm
Stanford Mall
180 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94304
650.473.1112

Hope to see you there!

Friday, June 18, 2010

Healthy Skin Begins with Clarisonic

 

Skin cleansing is the essential first step in any skin care ritual, yet it’s often overlooked. Without proper cleansing, pollutants, oil and bacteria accumulate on the skin, clogging pores and causing blackheads, blemishes and dullness. This prevents serums and moisturizers from performing to their fullest potential.

By cleansing daily with a Sonic Skin Cleansing System, you’ll remove dirt and oil better than with traditional manual washing. Even makeup is removed six times better than standard cleansing. And skin is left so clean it actually absorbs products like serums and moisturizers better.

clip_image001

Benefits of using Clarisonic:

· 2X more effective than manual cleansing

· 6X more make-up removal than manual cleansing

· 61% greater absorption of Vitamin C

· Works with all skin types

· Reduces oily areas and blemishes

· Minimizes pores, & fine lines and wrinkles

What celebrities use Clarisonic? see for yourself… www.clarisonic.com/us/clarisonic/media-raves.php

For more information about Clarisonic visit: www.clarisonic.com

clip_image003

Print the below coupon and bring it into any of our i Bar locations (Fresno, Palo Alto or Walnut Creek) and receive 10% off the Sonic Skin Cleansing System.

10%Sonic Skin Cleansing System_June2010

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Beauty Tip – Eyebrow Tinting

Have you heard of Eyebrow Tinting? Whether you are trying to match your eyebrow color to your latest hair color or wanting to make your eyebrows stand out more from their natural light color, eyebrow tinting can enhance the appearance of your brow line.

Eyebrow tinting will enhance the general appearance of your eyes and is particularly beneficial for people who participate in sporting activities, especially swimming.

Benefits of eyebrow tinting
• Enhance general appearance of eyes
• Great for people with known sensitivity to make-up
• Good for sporting activities, especially swimming
• Good for people with no time to apply make-up daily
• Will benefit contact lens wearers
• Good for people with fine eyebrows

 

Eyebrow Tinting is available at all i Bar and Green Valley Spa locations.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

i Bar Fresno 50% Off Eyebrow Threading on Groupon - TODAY ONLY

Don't forget to visit Groupon Fresno to take advantage of 50% off eyebrow threading at our i Bar Fresno location!

This deal is only available TODAY so don't dilly dally, hop over to http://www.groupon.com/fresno and take advantage of an awesome deal!

You're eyebrows will thank you for it!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

iBar Fresno – 50% Off Discount Available at Groupon – Thursday, June 10th ONLY

Do you know Groupon? If not, you should!

Groupon is an awesome website that provides Deals of the Day on local businesses. Even if you do not live in Fresno, you can take advantage of Groupon’s deals because they have offers for quite a number of big cities throughout the country.

iBar Fresno is going to be Groupon Fresno’s Deal of the Day on June 10th, 2010. Their Deal of the Days are only available for 24 hours so the deal for 50% off eyebrow threading is available ONLY on June 10th.

Mark it on your calendar, write it on your hand, and put an alarm on your phone so you remember to take advantage of this great savings!!! Whether you are a seasoned veteran at getting your eyebrows threaded or wanting to try it for the first time, this is a great opportunity to take advantage of an awesome deal ($8 for eyebrow threading – regular price is $16). You can purchase up to 5 eyebrow threadings at this special price.

Don’t forget to tell your friends about this awesome deal. Their eyebrows will thank you for it! ;)

ibar, threading, Fresno, eyebrow, facial, waxing, California, Indian art

Friday, June 4, 2010

Product Feature – OPI Nail Color - Shrek Forever After Line

I know everyone is all fired up about Sex and the City 2 and rightly so.  (After all, they made us wait TWO WHOLE YEARS for the sequel!)

The girls…the fashion…the accessories…the story line…

If you have already watched the movie then SHHH…Don’t tell me what happens! :)

BUT can we take a moment to acknowledge the GENIUS that is OPI Nail Color with their Shrek Forever After line. How cute is this????

In partnership with the  DreamWorks Animation movie, OPI has launched 6 limited edition colors inspired by the film’s characters:

  • Funky Dunky - Dark purple
  • Rumples Wiggin- Lavender
  • What’s the Cattitude? – Light blue
  • Ogre the Top – Bright blue
  • Who the Shrek Are You? – Bright green
  • Fiercely Fiona – Light green (my personal favorite!)

I don’t know about you, but I want to own these just based on their names. Can you just hear the conversation?

“That is a cool shade of light green you are wearing,” your friend says.

“Thanks,” you reply, “It’s Fiercely Fiona. I think you look like a Funky Dunky kind of person.”

So maybe the conversation wouldn’t go quite like that, but you get the point – you will rock these colors! :)

“Funky Dunky” with its dark purple is universally flattering.

While the lavender of “Rumples Wiggin”  looks fantastic on tan hands.  It also ties in nicely with the new rage of pastel colored hair streaks as seen on the heads of several models and at least on one of the Olsen Twins (I know they’re not identical but I can never tell them apart - can you?).  Of course, if you want to get a little outrageous with your personal style, maybe nail polish (rather than dramatic hair dye) is a good place to start.

According to OPI executive vice president and artistic director, Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, “The Shrek Forever After colors were inspired by characters living in a fantasy world unlike any other fairy tale that is unapologetically vivid, bold and unique in every sense.”   Sounds a bit like the girls on SATC…

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Beauty Tips – Getting the Most out of Your Products

Did you know that some beauty ingredients do not work in combination with others? Or that they lose their effectiveness when they are exposed to elements such as heat, air or moisture?

To get the most out of your products, follow these six beauty boosting tips:

  1. Always apply retinoid at night. Never apply your retinoid in the morning because when it exposed to sunlight the retinol is inactivated.
  2. If a product contains Vitamin C, always ensure that you keep the product’s lid on. When it is dissolved in water, as it usually is when added to cosmetic products, Vitamin C reacts with the air and loses its antioxidant and collagen promoting properties. When this happens, Vitamin C can damage your skin's proteins and DNA by promoting the formation of free radicals. Only buy vitamin C products that have been formulated with proper stabilization methods.
  3. Do not leave your sunscreen in the car. Heat degrades the SPF ingredients, which leaves you vulnerable to burns.
  4. Do not mix glycolic or salicylic acid with hydroquinone, retinol or vitamin C. Acid breaks down these ingredients and renders them useless.
  5. Dandruff shampoos and hydroquinone stop working as the body gets used to them and increases enzyme production to overcome the action of the ingredients (the medical term for this is "tachyphylaxis"). To ensure the continued effectiveness of these products on your hair, take a one-month holiday every three to four months.
  6. Never leave cosmetic products in the shower. Moisture can cause bacteria to grow within your products. Instead, store products in a cool, dark place.

Wishing you great skin!