We’ve all been there, shopping online we find a serum our esthetician sells but for a fraction of the price.

What’s the deal with these products? Why is a serum $148 at most locations but $99 on a discount site? Is it too good to be true?

Every company sets an MSRP (manufacturers suggested retail price) for their products, whether it’s skin care, clothing, or other items. Most companies even go so far as to monitor when their products can go on sale and how deep of a discount can be offered.

All accounts have agreed to sell products for the MSRP whether in person or online. Reputable companies want control over the pricing of their goods and will shut down accounts that don’t comply.

So how are certain sites selling the same product for less?

A large amount of these sales are expired product sold by a third party. Most retailers won’t risk losing their account just to offer an unapproved discount.

Or like I discovered recently, it could fake product.

I finished a favorite eye shadow palette only to discover it had been discontinued. A quick Google search led me to a few for sale on a discount site. Against my better judgement, I purchased it (they has great reviews!) only to discover it was a knock off. The packaging was identical; it was brand new and sealed but full of cheap eye shadow with no pigment.

Thankfully I spent less than $20 to learn that lesson.

A sales rep from a company I work with told me this story years ago. A customer returned a serum she purchased online because it just wasn’t the same as previous bottles. Their lab tested the contents of the returned bottle and it was apple cider vinegar not the $100 serum the customer thought she was purchasing.

If you can’t purchase your products directly from a professional, find a reputable website. Trying to save a few dollars on a discount site could be a disaster in the end.

Two close girlfriends had baby showers this summer and I set up a DIY body scrub station as a party favor at both parties.

This gave me the opportunity to play around with a lot of fun ingredients and make new combinations for yummy DIY body scrubs!

I’ve always favored sugar over salt as an exfoliating agent and found that adding finely shredded coconut is effective and aromatic.

Here is one of my new favorite combinations:

Makes about 4oz.

5 Tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons rose petals (I buy dried rose petals and run them through a food processor)
4 Tablespoons avocado oil
5-6 drops geranium essential oil

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl until well combined. Store in a jar with a tight fitting lid. Can be kept in the refrigerator if you don’t plan on using it up within 4-6 months. Not recommended for use on the face.

Even when on vacation, I can’t help but check out all things spa and wellness related! I love the history of bath houses and thalassotherapy.

The Glanum archeological site near St Rémy de Provence, France is home to the remains of a healing sacred spring as well as ancient Roman Baths so I had to have a look.

The Sacred Spring was an underground cave with water flow and an additional tunnel that channeled wind. The wind created a noise that caused the people in 200 BC to considered it “devine”. They decided the “devine water” must have healing powers so an alter was built around the cave.

Over the years, this alter became more elaborate, eventually with stairs leading down to the water and treatment areas surrounding it.

Roman solders would travel from all over to receive treatments with the “devine water” for gout and other illnesses. They often stayed at Glanum for months and it was customary to leave a gift of a carved stone pillar in exchange for treatment. These pillars often included engravings of legs which led historians to figure out the water was used to treat disorders of the legs.

Next to the Sacred Spring, there are stone slabs (ancient massage tables) thought to have been used for massage and water treatments. The indent near the top held oil for the treatment.

Around 75BC Glanum became a popular destination for its Roman Bath house. The bath house was for rest and relaxation, not just healing purposes like the spring. Men used a mixture of sand and olive oil to exfoliate their skin before soaking in the pools of water.

The history is fascinating and the site is beautiful. I recommend checking it out if you’re in the area!

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!