SKIN SURPRISE

Archimedes had his in the bathtub. I had my Eureka moment in the shower one day.  I squeezed a little too much mini-thermal peel in that age-old quest for youthful skin.  So, I decided to slather the leftovers on my feet, hands and knees.  What do you know.

Monterey Hyatt's Spa

Glowing.  10 years younger.  It takes a manicure and  pedicure 1 1/2 hours to reach that state.

Quick Tip:

Use the beauty product left over after scrubbing your face.  If it works on your face, it can work on other parts!  In fact, manufacturers now re-package products for your extremities that were previously meant for your face.

TRESS DISTRESS

In the summer months, our beauty routines get simplified.  Days at the beach or poolside leave us preferring the au naturel look.  While skipping the blow drying phase is good for our hair, the stress of sun and chlorine or salt water is not.

Beach-tousled hair (Getty Images)

After interviewing several hair specialists, their advice always came down to this:

Saturate the hair follicle with good stuff before you go out.

This is especially necessary for chemically-weakened hair.  So for you sun- and water-worshippers out there:

• Soak your tresses in clean water first to saturate the hair follicles
• This leaves no room for chlorinated or sea water to do damage internally
• Coating the hair with conditioner gives added protection externally
• Some products made specifically for hair also coat with UV protection

Towards the end of summer, don't forget to get a hair trim to get your hair back into shape!

AIRPORT ZEN

I just got back to California from Asia and have to share a new travel trick.

Thai massage

Most airports now have massage areas - either chair or table massages - to while away the time at the airport.  But far from being a lazy luxury, massage actually helps a lot during a long flight.  Due to my improved circulation, this was the first time I had a 10+ hour flight where my legs did not get swollen nor my back uncomfortable.

My sister and I had one-hour full body massages on tables, fully-clothed.  The masseuses performed shiatsu treatment, particularly on the back and legs, as well as a variation of Thai massage stretching the arms, legs and back.  The deep stretches felt like a pre-flight yoga class.  They also did lightly-oiled massages on the neck, scalp and face which were so relaxing.

If you can't get a massage at the airport prior to a long flight, working out before you head to the airport achieves similar results.

Addendum:  Another benefit is that I did not experience jet lag for the first time after that trans-Pacific flight!  The healthful effects of the massage extended into a restful flight and a good night's sleep back in my own bed.

Happy Travels!

CHI SPA

I am still in Asia and am seeing my entire family complete for the first time in many years.  At one time, we were scattered across 3 continents.  So on special occasions like these, my sisters and I sometimes get together for some girl bonding.  This time, we decided to go to the Chi Spa in the Shangri-La Hotel.

Shanri-La Chi Spa's private soaking pool

We've been to spas around the world but agreed that this was the best spa treatment we had ever had!  The private treatment rooms included our own bathroom and changing area.  We were first led to our own outdoor soaking pool with sea salts and flower petals.  We found ourselves giggling as we floated around the pool.  Then, after steaming up, we proceeded to have a Coconut and Cardamom scrub with a "secret recipe" egg yolk wrap followed by Gugo (coconut bark) Hair Treatment.  It was nice for all 3 of us to be all together in a private treatment room.

Shangri-La Chi Spa private treatment room

Even though a family emergency had brought us all together, it was wonderful to spend a few hours just being together as sisters.

What was your favorite spa experience?

FUZZ BUSTERS

Our lives are very busy.  Who has time now to go to a salon for a waxing?  Some people are very happy to shave everyday.  But, if you prefer the extended hair-free weeks that come with waxing, there are ways to lengthen the time between salon visits, or do away with them altogether:

• Finally, the local drugstore carries instant wax strips for home use
• No need to heat up wax in a tin, spread it, and use cloths
• The strips warm up right between your hands
• You can wax for 5 minutes right before a shower, so it's as quick as shaving
• Unlike shaving, it takes a few weeks for the hair to grow back, and always more softly
• Best thing is that it costs a fraction of a salon visit, and you don't need a whole hour for an appointment

You can find them in the drugstore Depilatory aisle.   I've been so happy with them, I haven't been to the salon in months!

TRAVEL PRO

Are you a frequent traveller?  Do you miss your regular beauty and skin care products whenever you are away?

I used to travel every week, and even now, frequently travel overnight once a month.  You don't have to sacrifice your beauty routine even with the new, restrictive baggage rules:

• Next time you are replenishing your skin care products at the Department Store, ask for samples that suit your skin
• You can get samples of your make-up too: foundation, eyeshadows, blush, lipstick, mascara - all in travel sizes
• The perfume counter also gives sample sizes of your scents.  It's great not to have to carry a heavy bottle that spills.
• If you like scented candles while you take a bath in the hotel tub, there are 2" versions of scented candles.  Just wrap it in tissue paper first before rolling a belt or socks around it in your luggage.

So don't be shy.  Ask for those samples!  The sales staff are happy to give it away.