Day Spa Treatments – Hot Stone Massage

By bliss on Monday, October 4th, 2010 | No Comments

A stone massage is one that utilizes smooth and flat stones that are heated. These stones are then placed at key points on the body.

The stones normally used are typically are known as basalt rocks. Basalt rocks are known for their high heat retention qualities. The stones are normally placed in water and heated to a certain temperature range. Once the stones reach the desired temperature, they are then placed on the body. The positioning is normally on specific points on the back but can also be placed on other body parts such as in between toes and in the palms of hands.

The main reason that massage therapists use this technique is that the heat of the rocks causes muscles to relax. This relaxing allows the therapist to apply deeper, more precise pressure if desired or necessary.

Meet Holly – Our New Lafayette Day Spa Manager

By bliss on Wednesday, September 29th, 2010 | 1 Comment

“Holly is a much awaited addition to our expanding day spa operations”, states Bliss Salon and Spa owner, Bethany Tyrrell. Tyrrell goes on to add “Holly is coming to us from Michigan and has been a Massage Therapist since 2004 with over six years of spa work experience. Her goals here at Bliss Salon and Spa are to create a relaxing and pampering atmosphere catering to the health and wellness of our clients.”

Holly is a native of Royal Oak, MI and graduated with a 4.0 from Irene’s Myomassology Institute in Southfield, MI. She is trained in aromatherapy, prenatal/infant/pet/elderly massage, chakra therapy, carpal tunnel, hot stone massage, body treatment/wraps, shirodhara scalp treatment, Swedish massage, and reflexology. She was also trained in Endermology Cellulite Body Treatment in Davie, Florida.

Harbert tells of her interest in massage, “I am a huge caregiver by nature and love to give to others. I would rub my dad’s neck and shoulders after work – he worked as a construction project manager and was always sore after work. My aunt and uncle have a salon and spa in Michigan. I grew up in that atmosphere and knew that this was right up my alley.” She continues, “I love how the body works. It’s interesting to hear about an ailment and then figure out what muscle group I need to work first to create relief.”

You’ll have a chance to meet Holly and experience her magic on October 10 during the Color A Thon. This event will feature 15 minute massages for $15 – all proceeds will go to the American Heart Association. Please call us at 765-807-0343 to reserve your time slot.

Hair Salon in Lafayette IN Hosts Color-A-Thon for Charity

By bliss on Wednesday, September 15th, 2010 | 2 Comments

Bliss Salon and Spa will be hosting a “Color-A-Thon” on Sunday, October 10th, 2010. The event will be raising money for The American Heart Association’s Heart Walk.

The Heart Walk is The American Heart Association’s premier fund raising event and is designed to promote physical activity and heart healthy living that is fun for the entire family. The American Heart Association is estimating that over 1,000,000 people will participate in this event in 2010 in more than 450 events. Funds raised from this event will go towards saving people from the #1 and #3 killer of all Americans – heart disease and stroke.

Bliss Salon and Spa is asking current clients and anyone seeing this post to have fun at Bliss while helping a great cause.

Events of the “Color-A-Thon” will include:

Hair Color – $55

Color/Foil or Full – $75

15 Minute Massage – $15

Due to the anticipated number of people, no cuts will be done on this special day and there simply won’t be time for special requests for either the stylists or massage therapists.

Call 765-807-0343

To reserve your time

All That is Missing is YOU!!

Color A Thon

Sunday, October 10th

1:00 – 5:00 pm

Hair Coloring in Lafayette Indiana

By bliss on Friday, July 30th, 2010 | 17 Comments

Check out our newest video on hair coloring.

Tired of That Same Old Look? Try Color Foil To Spice Up Your Hair

By bliss on Wednesday, July 28th, 2010 | 33 Comments

Hair foiling is a technique used by most quality hair stylists in their hair salons in Lafayette, IN. This process allows the creative stylist to separate sections of your hair while preventing different color formulas from mixing together. This method allows for extreme creativity from your stylist.

Since the hair sections are separated, several colors can be applied at the same time. The stylist has the ability to choose the size of each highlighted strand, which makes it possible to create a very “expensive” looking, mulit-tonal hair color.

Items Your Stylist Uses for Hair Foiling

Any one of the following will work. The point is to separate the sections of hair that are being colored from the sections that aren’t…

Household tin foil torn into 5 inch wide strips
Saran wrap is annoying, but works in a pinch for extremely long hair
Spongy sheets

Tail comb for slicing and weaving sections
Duckbill clamps to separate sections
Bowls/Brushes
Plastic or latex gloves
Plastic bags

Hair Preparation – They stylist will make sure that your hair is ready for the color. Minerals from water, chlorine from swimming pools, etc. must be removed before coloring can begin. Any excess minerals or chemicals can impede the hair coloring formula and will more than likely result in a less than desirable outcome.

Once the hair is prepped and the appropriate colors are mixed, the stylist will normally use one of the following techniques:

Slicing – The stylist will dissect a tiny sliver of hair, either horizontal, vertical, or diagonal depending on the look you want to achieve.
Weaving – The stylist will normally part off a small section and weave the tail of the comb along the surface, creating either thick or thin strands. They will often mix it up with some small, medium, and large pieces for variety and a more natural look.
Paneling – or color blocking, will showcase a great style and offer variety from day to day…if it’s done right. This is a very dynamic technique where large sections of hair are colored in contrasting or complimentary tones. The panels are generally underneath or at either side of the part so the paneled sections can be either played up or hidden entirely, depending on where the hair is parted. Positioning is critical with this technique, as is choosing the right color combinations.

The creative stylist may even mix up a couple of different techniques for an even more unique look.

The next time you want to “spice up” your hair, try highlighting (or lowlighting) your hair.

Ways to Prepare Your Feet for the Summer Months (and keep them healthy all year)

By bliss on Tuesday, July 13th, 2010 | 18 Comments

“Everybody’s feet are different and a pedicure should be specialized for you,” manicurist and pedicurist for LA Hairport Brenda Grasse said. “Tell your pedicurist what you want before they begin and if they do something you don’t like, tell them.

A pedicure is a way to relax as well as a way to take care of your feet, if you don’t like something, aren’t comfortable with something or something hurts you’re not going to relax.” According to Grasse, a pedicure should consist of soaking the feet, clipping and filing the nails, pushing the cuticles back, getting off the dead skin, applying lotion, a deep intense massage and polish (if wanted). Grasse adds toenails shouldn’t be cut too short to help prevent ingrown toenails and says acrylic should never be applied to toenails.

Dr. Jason LeVitre, DPM podiatrist at Evanston Family Foot Care agrees with Grasse about cutting toenails too short and never applying acrylic to toenails. “Toenails need to be able to breath and applying acrylic to them suffocates them and can lead to numerous problems,” LeVitre said.

According to LeVitre there has been a heightened awareness of the importance of exercise in America over the last 10 to 15 years meaning Americans are on their feet more. There is also more concrete in the country which puts more ware and tare on feet. “Running increases stress on feet which adds to the stretching of feet and ware and tare on the joints,” LeVitre said. “Obesity also puts additional weight, strain and stress on feet. Our joints also become less flexible after our 20’s.”

To avoid problems with feet such as bunions, there are preventive methods such as having a podiatrist evaluate what type of foot you have, wearing supportive shoes or arch supports, wearing good shoes. “Having a podiatrist evaluate what type of foot you have is a good idea because there may be a type of shoe that isn’t good for your foot,” LeVitre said. “The doctor may discourage someone from running or doing certain sports because they may be more prone to a foot injury because of the type of feet they have.”

According to LeVitre, the best time to buy shoes is at the end of the day because feet will be swollen and the shoe will fit better. He added there are three tests to determine if a pair of shoes is good:

Test the heel by squeezing it – it should be firm.
Test the sole by twisting it in the middle – it should not move
Where the big toe joint would be, bend the sole of the shoe – if the center buckles, it is not good. Only the toe of the shoe should bend.

“Running shoes are probably the best shoes out there,” LeVitre said. “Companies such as Brooks, A Six Gels and New Balance, put a lot of research into their shoes should always be broken in and a person should be able to wiggle their toes to prevent hammer toes (curling of toes), toenail problems and metatarsalgia (painful ball of foot).

Soaking feet is a good way to keep them soft and clean but LeVitre warns that not drying your feet really well, especially in-between the toes can lead to problems like athletes foot and other foot funguses. Adding lotion afterwards is good too.
“Fungal toenails and athlete’s foot develop by not properly washing feet and by not keeping feet dry,” LeVitre said.
Podiatry has come a long way over the last 20 years. Podiatrist are in residency after medical school for two to three years, where in the past podiatrists did not have to do a residency.

“Podiatry has come a long way in the last 20 years, we don’t’ just treat your toes anymore, we treat your whole foot and ankle.” According to Foot Care Direct, more than 70 percent of all people in the United States will have painful foot problems at some time during their lifetime. Foot pain is not normal.

LeVitre added foot care is also very important to people with diabetes. Tingling and numbness of toes and in the foot should be warning sign for everyone.

“Neuropathy is the leading cause for amputation in the nation,” LeVitre said.

Taking care of your feet is an important way to stay active and healthy. Buy shoes that are comfortable and have good support and are the right size. If you walk or run, stretch your feet first and always break in shoes before extensive use. Now, get ready for summer and treat yourself to a pedicure and start taking care of your feet today.

5 Surprising Benefits to a Massage

By bliss on Tuesday, July 13th, 2010 | 53 Comments

Great article found in Newsweek

Five Surprising Benefits of Massage

We know a massage feels good, but it can have a host of therapeutic advantages, too.

The newest cure-all may be an ancient one: simple touch. The Chinese have been using massage for all kinds of medical conditions for centuries. Now, Western research is confirming that massage isn’t just for muscle pain. One of the most surprising findings: massage may help premature babies gain weight. When Tiffany Field, a professor of pediatrics, became a new mother, she massaged her premature infant daughter and was so impressed with the results she later founded the Touch Research Institute (TRI) at the University of Miami School of Medicine. Massage, it turns out, may boost immunity and help people with a range of conditions from premenstrual syndrome to high blood pressure. It also seems to help soothe pain from arthritis, burns and even surgery. Here are five surprising facts about massage from the research findings at TRI and elsewhere that you can put to use:

1. Pick Your Spot: You don’t have to massage the part of the body that hurts most. If you’re shy about letting a friend touch your aching lower back, for instance, she could help by massaging your shoulders instead. This is because massage creates chemical changes that reduce pain and stress throughout the body. One way it does this is by reducing a brain chemical called substance P that is related to pain. In a TRI study, for example, individuals with a form of muscle pain called fibromyalgia showed less substance P in their saliva (and they reported reduced pain) after a month of twice-weekly massages.

2. De-Stress, Stay Healthy. Massage may boost immunity. Several studies have measured the stress hormone called cortisol in subjects’ saliva before and after massage sessions, and found dramatic decreases. Cortisol, which is produced when you are stressed, kills cells important for immunity, so when massage reduces your stress levels and hence the cortisol in your body, it may help you avoid getting a cold or another illness while under stress.

3. Blood Pressure Benefits: Massage reduces hypertension, suggests a good deal of research. This may be because it stimulates pressure receptors that prompt action from the vagus nerve, one of the nerves that emerges from the brain. The vagus nerve regulates blood pressure, as well as other functions. In a 2005 study at the University of South Florida, hypertension patients who received 10 massages of 10 minutes each over three weeks showed significant improvements in blood pressure compared to a control group who simply rested in the same environment without any massage.

4. Technique Tactics: There’s little evidence to support one kind of massage over another, says Field, so don’t worry about whether your therapist is schooled in Shiatsu, Swedish or some other technique. The key is pressure firm enough to make a temporary indentation in the skin. If you try massage with a partner, use massage oil, which you can find in a health-food store or pharmacist, but test a little on your skin first to make sure you are not allergic.

5. Self Help. You can massage yourself. Although you don’t have to massage the part of the body that hurts to relieve pain, targeting that area does tend to help more. One example is massaging the arms. If you’re in danger of developing inflamed nerves in your hands or arms from repetitive movements (like typing on a keyboard, or even gripping a steering wheel for hours at a time) try massaging your arms for 15 minutes a day. Stroke from the wrist to the elbow and back down on both sides of the forehand.

For a link to this article, click here

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