Hot Product Alert!  One of our favorite bath and body products, THYMES AGAVE NECTAR Foaming Bath, was just awarded Allure’s 2011 Best of Beauty Award for Best Bath Product.  Kudos to you, Thymes!  What a great honor to standout from (literally) thousands of products the Allure beauty experts test in order to find the best of the best.   

What’s not to love about the Agave Nectar collection?  It’s a standout.  Blended with soothing and conditioning agents, like Aloe Vera, your skin will be treated to pure luxury.  And it will be awakended with the lively combination of guava, ruby red grapefruit, and lemon blossoms.  Yum.  Like all Thymes formulations, the Agave Nectar collection is free of parabens, SLES, SLS, propylene glycol, mineral oil, petrolatum and animal-derived ingredients.

Stop by Total Beauty Experience to see the entire Thymes Agave Nectar Collection Today. 

Your skin will thank you.

What exactly is Keratosis Pilaris?

Many experts believe that Keratosis Pilaris is a chronic, genetic skin condition.  It appears most often on the upper arms (both on the back and outer areas), but also occurs on the trunk of the body, thighs, and buttocks.  In severe cases it can be found on the lower arms, legs, and on the face (which can be confused with acne)… basically, it can be found anywhere on the body except for the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.  Yikes.

KP typically consists of scattered, rough patches on the skin with 10-100 very small bumps (similar in appearance to goose bumps).  Dryness and redness often accompany the patchy, bumpy areas.            

What causes it?

Keratosis Pilaris is caused by a buildup of keratin (a protein and key structural agent of the skin, hair, and nails) around the hair follicle.  If a hard cap is formed over the follicle, resulting in coiling the hair inside, it can lead to an ingrown hair.  “Picking” or scratching bumps/hard caps can result in scarring.  So, while treatment and exfoliation options are recommended, care and caution should always be considered.    

Normally, the body’s natural exfoliation process sloughs away dead skin cells and debris.  In the case of Keratosis Pilaris, an excess of keratin is not only being formed, it is not being sloughed off in a timely fashion.  Remaining on the skin, this keratin surrounds and, ultimately, clogs the follicles.  The end result is bumpy, rough, dry skin. 

What can be done?

Numerous options are available for KP sufferers, from over-the-counter creams and lotions to professional treatments and prescription products.  Though varying degrees of success and satisfaction have been reported among individuals, there seem to be some general rules of thumb:

• Consistency is key, there is no overnight cure- be patient and prepared to dedicate time and effort to seeing results.

• Exfoliate regularly: try a combination of mechanical (scrub) and chemical (hydroxy acids) exfoliants.  Lactic acid and salicylic acid are great choices; lactic acid is naturally hydrating and less irritating (versus other AHAs) and salicylic acid (if a 2% or less concentration) offers both exfoliation and anti-inflammatory benefits.  In addition to exfoliating agents, look for products that also contain vitamins, like A, C, and E.

• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.  If your skin is dehydrated, KP seems to be a little more persistent.  Drink water and moisturize regularly.  Make sure you don’t confuse dehydrated skin with dry skin- dehydrated skin lacks water, dry skin lacks oil.  Therefore, a light-to-medium weight moisturizer can be perfect, focus on humectant ingredients (like hyaluronic acid) not necessarily an oil-based formulation.

• Soothe & protect: if redness is present, it seems natural to use soothing agents (like botanicals) to calm it down.  Also, make sure that your skin is protected with at least an SPF 15 on a daily basis.  Sun damage can lead to additional conditions and issues- let’s try to limit these whenever possible!

When you join us on Thursday, July 28^th from 12:00pm-4:00pm for our Summer Skin Therapy Event, you’ll receive a professional-strength exfoliation treatment and get a one-on-one consultation with a skin care expert … 

It’s the perfect way to start saying “Bye-Bye” to your Bumpy Arms this summer!  Call us at 916.481.7994 to reserve your spot!  

Of the hundreds of candles carried at Total Beauty Experience, Rosy Rings’ are in a class all their own.  As coined by the company, they really are “Nature Illuminated;” their outer edges bejeweled by real fruit, shells, spices, and other natural elements.  Incredibly aesthetically pleasing to look at, the love and effort put in to their making is evident.  In fact, each candle (made in their Denver, Colorado wind-energy powered manufacturing plant) takes a total of two days to create.

Though they look amazing on their own, when they’re lit- the effect of the outer edge illumination is breathtaking… it’s a true delight to see the botanical elements all a-glow.  And don’t get us started on the fragrance that fills the air!  Essential oils and botanicals are responsible for the lovely notes that dance into the room.     

To top it all off, Rosy Rings is a very socially and environmentally-responsible company.  Proceeds from many of their product sales help charities such as: World Wildlife Fund, The Humane Society of the United States, Wild B.I.R.D, The National Resources Defense Counsel, and others.  In addition, they work in conjunction with Pathways Production (a Colorado-based non-profit which provides jobs to developmentally disabled adults), use soy-based inks, recycled packaging, biodegradable shipping materials, and natural materials in their products whenever possible.

The end result: a beautiful product made by a beautiful company.  Though we love Rosy Rings all year long, we especially can’t get enough of our summer faves:

• Beach House: Tiny shells and starfish seem to be floating in a sea of turquoise blue.  The scent is pure summer- a mix of sand, sun, and water… A-mazing!  It’s the #1 seller for a reason.

• Oceana: Real shells and starfish dance in a bed of vanilla, coconut, and white flowers- get ready to be swept away to a tropical island.

• Spa Water: River rocks and abalone shells give this beauty texture and design all its own.  The fragrance is fresh, clean, and calming.

The candles range in burn time, from 85 hours up to 200 hours, and are priced from $29.95 to $46.95.  Stop in to Total Beauty Experience today to see all of the Rosy Rings items we carry, our candle experts will teach you about creating a perfect “well” and why the first burn is so important!

Featured today on Good Day Sacramento, Poo-pourri’s line of natural essential oil, odor-eliminating sprays are getting some well-deserved attention!  How do these magical sprays work, you ask- and will they really “completely change your bathroom experience?” (as said by a number of fans)  Here goes: 

Simply, lift the lid to your throne (err, toilet) and pump a few spritzes of this “BEFORE-YOU-GO” spray onto the surface water, then proceed as usual… and walah!  Like magic, odor never even enters the equation (or in this case, the bathroom). 

Go ahead, take a whiff.  Of course, we tested them out (We Love: Poo-pourri original & Loo-pourri as well as Pooch-pourri natural coat deodorizer for our furry friends!); your nose will only detect the fragrant notes of citrus or the hint of flowers.  With a number of sizes available, you may just never be without this lifesaver product, as they are small enough to slip in your pocket or handbag.  Just think: never risk the embarrassment of bathroom odor issues at the office, in public restrooms, at social gatherings, etc. EVER AGAIN!

To top it off, the packaging and product names are way too cute and just cheeky enough that you can’t help but smile and, hopefully, want to give it a try.  Stop by to check out the selection of Poo-pourri sprays at Total Beauty Experience… and leave restooms smelling like roses wherever you go.

Just arrived!  Voluspa’s new collection “Mirabelle” is Susie’s current fav (especially the Eau de Parfum).  Why, you ask?  “It smells delicious.  It smells like spring.”  We couldn’t agree more.  Get swept away with Mirabelle’s fresh, lightly sweetened notes of plum, pear, & freesia.  Available items: Eau de Parfum, Room Diffusor, Glass Jar Candle, & Mini Ceramic Jar Candle.

What’s the next best thing to going on vacation?  Looking like you just went on vacation.  Get that sun-kissed, perfectly bronzed glow (no orange look here!) from Bodyography’s Paradise With Love Bronzers & Blushes.  Andi loves ‘Zanzibar’ which she says works great with light to medium skin tones. Don’t worry, though, they’ve got the perfect shades for medium & dark skin tones, too… stop in to try them out & get great application tips, too!

Spring is all about hair with a light, soft feel and Enjoy’s Texture Cream is a must-have for short hair styles that want an all-day hold without being stiff & crunchy.  Kyle loves the shine, separation, & texture his hair gets with it… what can we say?  We like it, too.

No spring fling here, this is true love. You’ll have instant attraction to the light, “springy” scent of White Sands Orchids Oil… but it will be official when you see & feel the shiny, softness that you get with it.  As far as Bonnie’s concerned, this product is a stand-out.  Wait no more.  This is the perfect match for all medium to long lengths.

Get ready to show off your soft, smooth, spring skin!  Maura suggests Dayna Decker’s Essence Body Moisturizer, “It’s perfect for spring because it smells like roses, but it’s definitely not your grandmother’s scent.” So long dry, winter dullness…besides a great scent, Essence has bamboo, aloe, & argan oil to provide great moisture and nourishment.

California North’s products are clean, active, & packed with skin soothing botanicals.  For spring, Ed recommends: Pacific Foam Shaving Gel, Gelskin Wash, and Oxygen Fragrance for Men.  The light, fresh citrus scents are out of this world.  Simply put, “You’ll have clean skin, a close shave & be left smellin’ good.”  Who wouldn’t want that?

Stop by Total Beauty Experience for these great Spring products and more!

Total Beauty Experience has partnered with Dr. Ernie Bodai to build awareness for Cure Breast Cancer, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing breast health awareness to all women and their families. Dr. Bodai introduced the first ever “global Stamp”…the breast cancer stamp raising awareness and funding to conquer the disease worldwide.

In support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Cure Breast Cancer, Inc., Total Beauty Experience has set up a table of all pink products, including blow dryers, flatirons, brushes, haircare products, lotions, candles, reed diffusers, etc….all of these products are from manufacturers that contributed a portion of the purchase price to breast cancer organizations. When someone purchases one of these items, they receive as a gift a pink lightbulb (while supplies last) to help “Light the Town Pink”.

So visit Total Beauty Experience today to make a purchase that will support breast cancer organizations and give you a pink lightbulb that you can use to help “Light the Town Pink”!

1. Create a personalized Mother’s Day Gift Basket, choosing from over 10,000 fabulous gift ideas.
2. Give your mother the ultimate shopping experience by bringing her into Total Beauty Experience to shop for her favorite Mother’s Day gift products.

Need Help Deciding What to Give Your Mother this Year?

It was tough, but we’ve narrowed our selection down to 3 favorite product lines that mothers are sure to love…

Opening a gift of Lady Primrose always brings a thrill! Remember your  mother, grandmother, wife, sister, daughters and granddaughters this Mother’s Day with something special from Lady Primrose. 

Which objects does she desire…Body Luxuries? Candles? Cosmetics? Parfum? Tokyo Milk has something special for your mother, grandmother, sister, wife, and daughter. Surprise them this year with the objects they desire most – a Tokyo Milk Gift!

Spa Blends Botanicals is the pioneer of the spa body care industry. This Mother’s Day get her the finest products made with only the best ingredients available. Indulge the senses of your mother, grandmother, wife, and daughter with refreshing scents and body creme that inspires relaxation and peace!

Now that’s how you give her the most fabulous Mother’s Day ever!

Find these products and more at Total Beauty Experience!

There will be chances to win free gifts every half hour, drawings for gift baskets, but that’s not all…

Manufacturer representatives will be present to answer all your beauty product questions. There will also be Secret Sale Merchandise on several product lines from our many departments.  And our make-up artists will be doing holiday make-up demonstratons.   Refreshments will be served.

Come celebrate the holiday season with Total Beauty Experience – December 4th & 5th from 11:00am to 7:00pm.

Total Beauty Experience has an eclectic gallery of Thymes collections for bath, body and home…each with its own distinctive aesthetic in fragrance, formula, attitude and look. From the way they make your skin feel, to how they restore and brighten your outlook, to the way they look on your counter or dressing table, Thymes collections are as unique and complex as you are. With expressive, evocative scents that convey style, atmosphere, personality, feeling…with beautifully designed packaging. And safe, beneficial products you can truly feel good about using and giving.

Visit us today to celebrate your individuality and find rituals that leave you refreshed and renewed!