Benefits of Reflexology

Reflexology has been used for more than 5,000 years. History suggests that foot reflexology was used by the ancient Egyptians, Chinese and Japanese.


The most concrete evidence of the practice of Reflexology in ancient cultures was the discovery of the wall painting shown below depicting the practice of Reflexology in the tomb of Ankhmahor (highest official after the Pharaoh) at Saqqara, which is also known as the Physician’s Tomb. This Egyptian wall painting is dated at the 6th dynasty, about 2330 B.C.

Reflexology was further developed in the 1930s and 1940s by Eunice D. Ingham (1899-1974), a nurse and physiotherapist. Ingham claimed that the feet and hands were especially sensitive, and mapped the entire body into “reflexes” on the feet.

The theory behind reflexology is that by manipulating certain areas of the feet it can make significant impact relaxing the organs of the body. Reflexology like many of into medical arts, it has been classified as an alternative medicine.

Reflexology involves two main components. One part is to massage thoroughly the feet. The other is to stimulate these trigger points located on the soles of the feet. Reflexology is known to have no negative side effects.

Reflexology reduces pain: Pain reduction following reflexology work is documented in 27 studies including research showing impact on individuals of all ages and health states.



Reflexology creates relaxation: From the moment the reflexologist’s hands start their work, the relaxation begins as shown in research using EEG brain activity. All together, 24 studies demonstrate reflexology’s relaxation effects.


Reflexology complements cancer care: Pain, nausea, vomiting, and/or anxiety eased for chemotherapy patients following reflexology work as shown by16 studies fom 7 countries.

Reflexology improves blood flow: Separate studies show that reflexology work increases blood flow to the feet, brain, kidneys and intestines.

Reflexology eases pregnancy, delivery and post-partum effects: Women who received reflexology experienced shorter labor times and used less analgesia. In addition, reflexology showed a positive impact on postpartum depression, anxiety, urination and bowel movements.

So call today and schedule your 30 or 60 minute Reflexology treatment with Pam or Kathleen - Your feet will thank you for it!!

10 Ways a Massage Will Improve Your Life



Most of us are aware that therapeutic massage feels amazing; but massage also provides relief to a multitude of specific health concerns. Therapeutic massage has been proven beneficial in reducing muscular pain and tension; relieving lower back pain; lessening depression; giving K.O.’s to sleep disorders, lowering high blood pressure, increasing flexibility, and much more!


Experts believe that 90% of stress accounts for 80-90% of illnesses and disease. As massage is a great stress-reliever, you can see that we can avoid a lot of current, stress-related illnesses via massage therapy.

As mentioned above, there are several reasons why people seek massage. Below are the top ten reasons why most people seek massage:

1. Massage feels great!

Massage can be a wonderful experience for deep relaxation. Post massage leaves your body and mind feeling at amazing ease.

2. Pain Relief

Massage provides significant reduction in back pain, (including lower back pain), migraine headaches, neck aches, shoulder pain, joint pain, overused or sore muscles, arthritis, Fibromyalgia, and muscle injuries. A regular massage loosens all this unnecessary tension!

3. Stress!

That overworked, overwhelmed, spaced-out feeling. Massage provides deep relaxation lessening your muscle tension and lowering your blood pressure (by reducing heart and pulse rates). Massage increases your mental clarity, heightens mental alertness, and revitalizes your mind. Massage also increases academic performance and ability to focus on calculations.

4. Combating age

Massage therapy and bodywork improves immune system functioning while relieving muscle aches and stiffness. Massage also enhances tissue elasticity and joint flexibility; improves blood and lymph circulation; and promotes healthy vibrant skin.

5. Calming Emotions

You’d be surprised at the number of people who receive regular massage treatments as an alternative to ‘dealing’ with depression. . Massage therapy increases self-esteem, improves your mood, decreases depression, reduces anxiety, and quiets insomnia. Massage also can ease PMS symptoms.

6. Accelerated Healing

Massage therapy speeds healing of muscles, tissues, and skin. Thus sports massage is used and great for post-workouts, post-surgery, and muscle soreness in general.

7. Increased Flexibility/Mobility

Massage therapy is perfect for people who workout, are physically fit, those who are athletes, elderly, and even pre/post surgery. Massage is wonderful for improving motor skills. Massage therapy also maintains posture in the skeletal system.

8. Removing built up toxins

Massage flushes away waste products from your muscles, tissues, and skin more easily. This helps digestive disorders (such as spastic colon, constipation and intestinal gas).

9. Improving and Maintaining Skin Tone

Massage therapy stimulates skin gland production, leaving clear, healthy skin. Massage to the skin also helps to reduce superficial scar tissue, improving skin condition(s).

10. Better overall health investment, maintenance of optimal health

In summary:

Regular massage will make you look and feel years younger! Massage therapy is so much more than a luxurious way to relax. It is a wise investment in your health and being. Massage certainly should be regarded as proof to your dedication towards maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Take a mini vacation for an hour or two!

Dress up your Manicure with Minx!!

 

Homecoming and Halloween are both just around the corner!  Wouldn't it be fun to have flirty and fun nails for both these special events?!!  Come in and get Minxed!!!

How Does Minx Work?

If you think Minx nails are similar to the store-bought Avon and Incoco nail stickers found in the beauty aisle of your local Target or CVS, guess again. What makes Minx different from such low-budget versions is the specialized material and adhesive. A flexible polymer that is heated and then applied to your nails like a sticker, Minx Nails are a mess-free, green alternative to sticky nail polishes and topcoats and applied acrylic tips.

When performed at Bella Toccare de Spa and Salon, a basic manicure is performed before application where the nail plate is cleaned of all oils and residue. Afterwards, the coatings are heated under a lamp in order to warm the adhesive and make each individual piece flexible. Your Bella Toccare Minx nail technician will then line up the rounded edge of the adhesive with the cuticle and, while lightly dragging, press the coating onto the nail. Viola! Simple as that!

If we haven’t convinced you already then, I have to ask, what are you waiting for?

It’s time to get chic and get yourself a pair of these fantastically funky and fun creations, ASAP.

What goes bump in the night and gives you a fright?? It's the 2010 Minx Halloween collection!!! Full of spooky monsters, mummies and fun creepiness, our Halloween Minx templates are sure to make you shiver in your shoes! For our guests that don't want to don a full costume this Halloween, frightening fingertips are a great option.... and for those that love dressing up, what a great way to complete their costume!

And, with the holiday season right around the corner, it's a perfect time to also check out our 2010 Christmas and Holiday designs! In addition to some old favorites, Minx has added a number of fun, whimsical designs to get everyone in the spirit of the season. Check out the shimmering snowflakes, glittering Christmas trees, and a cheerful Santa that is sure to make even the Scroogiest smile. View the newest holiday designs at http://www.minxnails.com/ and be the first at Bella Toccare de Spa and salon to get in the holiday spirit!  (if you find a specific design you love on the Minx website please call us so we can make sure we have that one available for you).

Above are a few of the Halloween Minx we have available (limited quantities), if you want a specific design please let us know so we can have it in time for any upcoming Halloween parties.

      

Gettin' Sassy - Thinkin' Pink

No Bella Toccare didn’t change our dress code but October is a special month.  We’re breaking from the black & white to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness.  From October 1^st – October 31^st the Bella Toccare team will donate $10 for the month of October so they can wear the color pink on Fridays and Saturdays.   If you see us wearing pink you know we paid 10 bucks to Bella Toccare to wear our clothes!  So that’s what we’re doing to help Breast Cancer Awareness ….what  are you  doing?

If you need an idea – buy the Aveda Pink Ribbon Hand Relief.  It’s a special edition Pink Ribbon Hand Relief and $4 from every purchase is donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  It’s an easy way to do your part in raising awareness but it’s symbiotic:  it saves lives, saves money and saves your skin!

Glossy Gossip

Aveda’s makeup reformulation has yielded a series of new lip colors worthy of mention:

Cherry Blossom, Pink Lotus, Spiced Plum & Sun Kissed Melon among them.

The new lip glosses are extra moisturizing, deeply pigmented & sure to kick your lips up a notch.

Personal fave – try Cassia over your favorite shade of red for classic look with punch.

Want Younger Looking Hands? - Who Doesn't?

4 Solutions for Younger-Looking Hands

Reduce the appearance of fines lines, scars, and sun damage and brighten dull skin with one of these spa solutions for making hands look more youthful.

Problem #1: Damaged Nails and Cuticles

Solution: Spa Manicure

Hands that are dried out from washing dishes, gardening, and other household tasks get revitalized with a manicure that utilizes creams packed with antioxidants. For additional healing, we offer a masque, and paraffin treatment.

Problem #2: Wrinkles and Calluses

Solution: Botanical Skin Resurfacing

For the hands? Yes! By manually removing the surface layers of the skin using crystals and a sanding motion, Botanical Skin Resurfacing encourages cell turnover. Afterward, moisture is absorbed more effectively so hands feel softer and smoother, too. A series of weekly or biweekly treatments can reduce the appearance of fines lines, scars, and sun damage, as well as brighten dull skin.

Problem #3: Weathered Skin

Solution: Hand Peel

The Perfecting Plant Peel aims to strip off the dry and damaged outer layers of skin, lightening dark spots and evening out any blotchiness caused by ultraviolet exposure. The Perfecting Plant Peel will also leave hands softer and more receptive to moisturizers. Bella Toccare de Spa and Salon recommends a hand peel a week for two weeks prior to a manicure.

Problem #5: Pigmention

Solution: Enbrightenment Hand Treatment

Our Enbrightenment Hand Treatment when combined with our Perfecting Plant Peel is a fast, effective way to make discolorations like age spots and sun damage disappears over time. The Enbrightenment Hand Treatment combined with our Perfecting Plant Peel will also leave hands softer and more receptive to moisturizer. Helping to Plump and firm the skin.

It may be 88 degrees out, but fall is in the air. I just wanted to give you a preview of the fall trends. I'm talking about bold, statement-making hues for face, nails and hair. Color was big last spring, but it's even stronger for fall with rich purples and warm aubergines; shimmering coppers, golds and bronzes; and especially popular are greens and navies. Rich, jeweled tones are definitely the rage for fall and were inspired not only by the luxury looks that were all over the fall runways, but also the styles showcased in big summer blockbuster movies. This year, it's all about fashion influencing makeup. The 80's are back and it's all about dramatic makeup, big eyelashes and bigger hair. The key words for hair this season are BIG, BOLD and WARM. Runways showcased free-falling, unkempt looks-think more teasing and backcombing, airy curls and texture. . . it's a natural progression from the summer beach look. Shorter hairstyles embrace textured bowl cuts--today's versions have a very graphic, 60's look-- and undercuts. Hair colors are warm--rich dimensional reds incorporating three and four shades, warm blond hues such as caramel, gold and strawberry. Headbands are making a comeback also.

A big powerful brow will be the No. 1 accessory for fall 2010 and as for lashes, they are bold and dialed up. Visit us and we can give you some makeup tips on how to fill brows in and also how to best amp up the volume on those eyelashes--either with lash extensions or you can pre-order the soon to be launched Aveda Volumizing Mascara. Also, check out our recently launched Aveda eye makeup collection--our talented makeup artists can show you how do do an illuminated version of the smokey eye--very new and hot for fall. Shimmery eyeliners in copper, bronze and gold are all the rage. We have them. If you want to brighten your smokey eye, this is the way to do it with hints of metallic in the inner corners. Modern layers are hot for cheeks this fall. Mix bronzer and brightener for a multidimensional layer effect

Autumn nail trends echo the casual yet luxurious looks that defined the runway. For nails, it's all about dimensional manicures. . . nails will take their cue from striking blue-greens, effervescent reds and offbeat beiges, camels and grays. Similar to the makeup palette, rich shades are everywhere. The decadent selections from OPI's Swiss collection include blue Yodel Me on My Cell, The Color to Watch--a lilac that pops and Lucerne-tainly Look Marvelous-a stunning pewter. Texture continues to have a presence--we have topcoats to impart a matte finish and also suede finish polishes. Metallics and creams are important this season. Zoya's Wicked (metallics) and Wonderful (creams) fall collections are already in and each features six hues.

So enjoy the last few weeks of summer and stop in to let our experts show you what's hot for the upcoming season and let us add our Beautiful Touch to your fall look.

Jeanne

"Bella Toccare" where everything is with a "beautiful touch"