I touch people for a living. Literally. Connecting with humanity on a physical level has been a part of my life for 22 years.

Working in my industry can prove exhausting for some, but when you find a home here it’s because you thrive off the exchange of energy that happens in the treatment room.

I’ve grown accustomed to hearing “Isn’t your job exhausting?”. You know what exhausts me? Staring at this computer screen for the past few hours.

The last time I gave a treatment to someone other than myself, my husband, or our dog was 29 days ago. My hands feel weird.

I’ve worked thru collective tragedy before.

On September 11, I worked at a high end hotel spa in Los Angeles. Our property was filled with trapped New Yorkers waiting for news from home. Clients came to the spa for comfort and distraction, some cried in my treatment room. I learned a lot about humanity, I learned a lot about myself.

I moved to San Francisco in 2008 and started my business just as the economy collapsed. Collectively, the city was devastated but the humanity and connection I experienced in my work buoyed me along.

Huge shout out to clients that have been with me since day one!

This past month confirmed how much I rely on my work and interaction with my clients to process tragedy in the world. The random tidbits of information, the comforting exchanges; it helps me to feel more connected to humanity.

I am fortunate. My business structure allows me to receive unemployment benefits and my online store is doing well (have a look since you’re here). I connect with clients virtually to care for their skin while we are safe at home. We speak excitedly about when we can reconnect in person. My business will see the other side of this pandemic.

My tech friends encourage me to pivot, reinvent myself, offer more online services. I’ve embraced online booking from the start, social media is wonderful for engagement and education. But is that the future of skin care? Not for me. A Zoom call and and a box of products delivered to your door will get us thru this tough time but it will never replicate the way you feel when you leave my studio.

I love this industry, educating people about their skin and teaching them how to navigate marketing hype is my passion. I worry about how things will look a year from now. One thing is certain, my business and my clients are a part of who I am, we will figure out the future together.

Lavender has been called “the soul of Provence”. This region in the South of France currently grows a large percentage of the world’s lavender supply.

On a recent trip to the area, I couldn’t pass up the chance learn a bit about this popular plant. I’ve worked with essential oils for over two decades but haven’t had the chance to see this kind of production up close.

Since WW1, the French Government has encouraged lavender farmers in the area. Farmers cleared almond orchards to make room for lavender. The leaves, flowers, and essential oil from the plant have many uses. Lavender flowers are even an ingredient in the popular cooking spice “Herbs de Provence“.

The plants bloom in late June and are harvested in early August so July is considered peak time to see the purple fields. During our trip in early May, we saw purple flowers starting to bloom but quickly learned these are lavendine plants, not lavender plants.

Lavendine is a hybrid of lavender and camphor. The two were blended to create a heartier plant that can flourish in a wider range of climates and has a longer growing period. This creates a less expensive end product that is used to scent mass produced soaps, candles etc.

You must find “lavande vraie” (literally translates to “lavender true”) for 100% pure lavender essential oil. The expert I spoke with near the village of Les Baux de Provence insists only “lavande vraie” has the medicinal healing qualities the lavender plant. Lavendine will not produce the same results for relaxation, help with inflammation, wound healing etc.

Next time you find yourself in the South of France, I highly recommend learning about the local lavender farmers. It’s a beautiful part of the local culture!

This article documenting the radium skin care trend from the 1920’s and 30’s is fascinating.

“Radior” Chin straps are guaranteed to contain Radio-active substance and Radium Bromide. If placed on the face where the skin has become wrinkled or tired the radio-active forces immediately take effect on the nerves and tissues. A continuous steady current of energy flows into the skin, and before long the wrinkles have disappeared, the nerves have become strong and energised, and the tired muscles have become braced up and “ready for service.”

(Radior advertisement, 1915)

It was thought to literally give you a glowing complexion!

Clients of all ages ask me “Should I get Botox?”.

The answer is never a simple yes or no. First, think about what you are trying to change.

Botox will temporarily soften lines on the glabella, the forehead and the “crows feet”. It works by paralyzing the muscle so it is considered to be very effective.

However, just because you’ve paralyzed a facial muscle and no longer have a wrinkle, you still may not look the way you expected. It may require several session to perfect the injection pattern and get the results you want.

Botox relaxes the muscle under the skin but does not treat the surface of the skin. If you are unhappy with the texture of your skin, have large pores and discoloration Botox alone will not make your skin perfect.

You will need to have a treatment every 3-6 months depending on how fast your body metabolizes the product. Injectables are very effective anti-aging tools but consider the overall cost when adding them to your routine.

If you decide to try Botox, find a reputable dermatologist who does a lot of injections. The science behind injection patterns and dosing is constantly being adjusted for better results. Choose a doctor who is up to date.

Avoid discount websites and deals that seem too good to be true, this is your face!

A few months ago, I started drinking 100oz of water per day.

Drinking 100oz of water per day is no small feat. The first few weeks were rough, drinking water all the time seemed like a chore and I was running to the bathroom every hour.

Between week 2 and week 3 my body adjusted. Bathroom breaks became less frequent and I woke up craving water. I easily downed 32oz before leaving my house in the morning.

What else did I notice?

I drank less coffee without even trying, my morning water became almost as important.

Four people complimented my skin and asked if I had tried a new treatment!

The texture of the skin around my eyes changed.

I don’t get hungover from two glasses of wine like before!

My one PMS pimple has stopped making it’s monthly appearance.

The jury is out on whether increased water consumption will directly hydrate your skin, but the positive effects have been obvious for me.

I’m fortunate because I can sip on fruit flavored spa water all day and I’m never far from a bathroom.

This is one lifestyle experiment I’m happy to continue!

When I discovered QC Terme, I thought it was too good to be true!

On a recent trip to Italy, we had a 6am flight out of the Fiumicino airport following  a week on the Amalfi Coast. I wanted to find accommodations as close to the airport as possible to ease our transition.

QC Terme is resort hotel with a spa 10 minutes from the airport, the perfect solution.

The QC Terme brand has properties all over Italy, follow their Instagram and you will want to make time to visit them all!

I booked a package including a hotel room, unlimited access to the thermal mineral pools, massages, and breakfast. After traveling for 2 weeks, it seemed like the perfect last day in Italy.

The day we arrived consisted of a ferry from Sorrento to Naples, followed by a 2 hour train ride from Naples to Rome so we were ready to relax.

The hotel is rated 5 stars and was lovely in a typically European way. Service at check in was wonderful but after that, we were left to wander the facility alone which was a little confusing.

We managed to find our way to the “wellness farm” and relaxed in the thermal mineral pools before our massages.

The massage facilities were top notch; heated beds and luxurious rooms. Plus I had one of the best massages I’ve had in my travels to European countries, generally the pressure is too light and they use too much oil but this was perfect.

Sadly, we had to rush out very early in the morning the following day. I would have loved to enjoy a leisurely breakfast on the grounds.

Overall we had a relaxing stay at QC Terme Roma, I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a spa break before or after a long flight!