We all know a good night's sleep aids beauty, but now iVillage has discovered a product promising to remove wrinkles while you sleep.  Under its web-page "Stuff We Love" it highlights US company Cupron, manufacturer of towels, sheets, pillowcases and socks.  It has just created a 'super pillow' said to rejuvenate skin within the first four weeks of use.

The idea is that natural copper heals, and this pillowcase harnessed with that power, will prevent wrinkles and improve your skin's overall appearance while you sleep.  Talk about a beauty nap! 

DRINK ANYONE?

The Yunessan Spa near Tokyo takes the traditional practice of Japanese communal bathing a step further with bathers submerging their bodies in a choice of red wine, green tea, Japanese rice wine (sake), coffee and chocolate.  And while you can't drink the 'waters', the a-la-carte of bathing is said fabulous for health, the body and wellbeing -- so bottoms up!

Heading up a team of three therapists, Cardiff-based ReBalance spa manager Jo Pucknell has been nurturing the business since its soft launch in May this year. The treatment list features a cache of signature treatments from Ren and Spa Find indulgences, as well as hydrotherapy treatments

By establishing ourselves from the outset as a real sanctuary and a 'friend' to the people of Cardiff, we have been able to care for the business in a way that will hopefully ensure longitudinal fruition.

We have strongly affiliated ReBalance with the same principles we were founded upon - integrity, heart, and tenacity - and therefore hope we can offer our clients the devoted care they expect - and then some more! 

We wanted to offer innovative, directional treatments that were 'firsts' for Wales, but by combining these with a gentler approach and using prestigious brand treatments and our own niche treats, we strive for a unique offering.

With a soft launch, we have been able to hone and refine our roots and blossom outwards - even eschewing pure advertising or gimmicky offers as we felt it was more important to let Cardiff get to know us through what we do and via editorial coverage.

Marketing and promotions have been kept fairly discreet to allow a local awareness to develop first and foremost, although we did produce some strikingly designed pamphlets that really captured people's attention. They are also being taken up by local businesses as a way of keeping everyone in the loop, which is fantastic for mutual development.

Although the interior design - along with some of the seemingly revolutionary treatments at ReBalance - are unique and distinctive to the area, some of our clients were perhaps a little taken aback. In particular, the hydro-dermabrasion facial we recently launched elicited some surprise. But we have been able to persuade clients to try it by encouraging them to see it as part of a 'total concept' for the spa.

We want them to know we are not only skilled in the conventional treatment areas, but offer that 'something special' that ultimately distinguishes us.
With this philosophy, a near artisanal approach to treatments and therapies, we have 'balanced' our spa metaphorically.

Fundamentally, it is about special treatments, for special people - and our clients will always be special to us. We promise.

WONDERFUL,

WACKY AND

WEIRD BEAUTY

DEVICES

A medieval torture instrument perhaps? The prototype for Hellraiser's Pinhead even?

No, in fact it's Max Factor's micrometer -- a device for make-up artists which 'discloses which facial features should be reduced or enhanced in the make-up process'.

Straight out of Hollywood, it was to eliminate the 'glaring distortions' of flaws 'almost invisible to the ordinary eye', when magnified on the silver screen.

See more wonderful, wacky and down-right weird beauty offerings HERE.

I really don't know what's she's got to smile  about -- maybe it's doing something to her brain! 

Maybe we should launch a caption competition?

Eve is presented with a birthday cake

Eve Taylor, OBE, took time out from her busy schedule to speak to students studying for a foundation degree in complementary healthcare at Sussex Downs College in Lewes.

The founder of the Institute of Clinical Aromatherapy, and pioneer of modern aromatherapy worldwide, Eve shared her vast knowledge and demonstrated a method of blending oils, explaining how it smelled on different skins.

She said: "I am delighted to be in Lewes, especially on my birthday.

"The students at Sussex Downs College are energetic and knowledgeable, and they have a great career ahead of them.  I enjoyed meeting them and answering their questions."

SHARON MOORE is the company director of Face etc... medispa, which merges traditional and advanced beauty in one establishment.  Four years after opening, the beauty clinic has gone from strength-to-strength, recently relocating and expanding to a 14-room, three-storey premises in York city centre, with a VIP suite and extensive treatment menu.

What is your greatest business achievement?

HOLDING OUR OWN AS THE

CREDIT CRUNCH HITS

Hellen Ward is managing director of Richard Ward Hair & Metrospa and wife of celebrity hairdresser Richard Ward.  The salon is in its 15th year and in 2005 moved to new premises in London's Sloane Square, where Hellen re-branded the beauty area as Metrospa.  The four full-time therapists and two manicurists offer the salons new DCL and Keraskin Esthetics treatments, as well as Aromatherapy Associates, OPI and St Tropez

READ MORE...

RAISING FUNDS FOR HABB DAY

Meet MARY OVERTON -- the export manager for CACI International, the largest UK manufacturer and provider of specialist electrotherapy equipment, supplying more than 6,000 of the world's leading salons and day spas.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY?

I started my career 26 years ago on the recommendation of a relative who was working as beauty editor for a leading women's magazine. I was looking for inspiration and she suggested a career in beauty would offer me many varied and exciting opportunities, as well as being a growing industry. This has certainly proved to be the case!

In 1981, after graduating from the Shaw College of Beauty Therapy, I worked as a beauty therapist/aromatherapist for several years, before gaining further qualification in teaching and media studies and working for several multi-national com-panies. For the past eight years I have been involved in developing the export market for CACI International and raising the profile of the brand overseas.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENT?

Increasing the global market presence for CACI International from four to 30 distributors and engaging new business in more than 50 countries.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST SATISFYING/REWARDING MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER?

In the early days of my career as a UK-based trainer for another company, I was given two days' notice to present a sales and training seminar in Malta for 50 therapists. With a copy of the book Feel the Fear And Do It Anyway packed into my suitcase, this marked my transition into the international arena. 

WHAT IS THE BEST BUSINESS/CAREER ADVICE YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN?

Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. 

THREE THINGS YOU COULDN'T DO YOUR JOB WITHOUT?

My passport; my Blackberry; and the support of my partner.

BEST/WORST BITS OF YOUR JOB?

Best bits are combining my passion for travel, cultural experiences and beauty with a truly international company producing cutting-edge technology; seeing two of our top CACI spas being presented with awards at the glittering black-tie AsiaSpa Awards ceremony in Hong Kong this year; learning more about life from a different perspective in the Middle East and South East Asia; and being involved in the global growth of the wellness and spa industry.  
Downsides are that inter-national travel is not always glamorous, with the effects of a long-haul flight, time differences, and the necessary but nevertheless increased security at airports, which can, on occasion, make travelling quite exhausting. Also graciously eating chicken's feet, jellyfish and snake, ceremoniously presented to me by one of my Chinese clients!  

FUTURE BUSINESS AMBITIONS

To continue developing the global presence of the CACI brand.

IMAGINE YOU ARE AT THE START OF YOUR CAREER, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?

I have enjoyed the varied path my career has taken, and without learning-curves I would not be where I am today. Maybe the only change I would have made is to have studied languages at an
earlier age. 

WOULD YOU DO IT AL AGAIN?

Without hesitation.

Laura Kelly is spa manager at Spa 6 at the Cotwold Waterpark Four Pillars Hotel in South Cerney, Gloucestershire. 

Spa 6 opened in August last year and follows the true philosophy of a spa, with an extensive heat and water therapy suite, and a full range of beauty treatments.

TEAM UK

Prime Minister Gordon Brown held a Downing Street reception to honour 22 talented young people who represented the UK at WorldSkills 2007 -- the largest and most prestigious skills competition in the world, and to look forward to 2011, when the UK will host the competition.

CONCENTRATING ON CONSOLIDATING

KAMINI VAGHELA has owned Kamini, a six-treatment room, holistic, upmarket salon in London's Kensington, since 2005.  Born in Zimbabwe, she came to the UK in 1979, trained in beauty therapy at Kingston College of Further Education in Surrey, then worked in salons around London.  Her speciality is threading eyebrows and she is famed for delivering the perfect shape.  Her clients include celebrities and the beauty directors of glossy magazines.

The salon's location is central, and I'm gradually building up my clientele, mainly through word-of-mouth recommendation - the best way - and editorials in newspapers and glossy magazines. I advertise in the local media when I've introduced a new therapy to the menu.

important the right technique is used.
My threading technique is quite different to others, so my long-term mission is to set up a formal, intensive training programme to teach my way of threading. But that's for the future - the present aim is to consolidate my business.

Keep yourself in the know with the latest industry happenings:

JULY

16-20

57th CIDESCO World Congress 2008, Actual Trends in Beauty Therapy and Wellness, Baden-Baden, Germany. Features lectures, workshops, German evening and gala night. Contact www.cidesco-weltkongress-2008.de, email info@cidesco-weltkongress-2008.de, tel +49 2333 76697, fax +49 2333 71444.

27-28

BEST -- Beauty Education, Seminars & Training Roadshow, Cambridge. Organised by BABTAC, the FREE event features 32 seminars presented by leading experts in the industry, all geared to making you a better therapist, increase your earnings, improve your business or save you money. For full information and to register (no cost) visit: www.babtac.com/best

SEPTEMBER

7

The British Beauty & Spa Awards, The Royal Lancaster Hotel, London. Contact Dan Eversfield, tel 020 8652 8845, email daniel.eversfield@rbi.co.uk

26-28

Intercontinental Beauty, Excel, London. Contact www.intercontinentalbeauty.com, email: info@intercontinentalbeauty.com, tel 01753 535292.

28-29

BEST Roadshow, Bristol. Organised by BABTAC, the FREE event features 32 seminars presented by leading experts in the industry, all geared to making you a better therapist, increase your earnings, improve your business or save you money. For full information and to register (no cost) visit: www.babtac.com/best

OCTOBER

5-8

October: Beyond Beauty Paris, Paris Nord Villepinte, France. One event, five exhibitions, promising 700 exhibitors and international visitors. Contact ITEC France, tel +33 (0)144 69 95 69, email info@beyondbeautyparis.com, www.beyondbeautyparis.com

29

The British Institute & Association of Electrolysis (BIAE) Electrolysis Skills Master Class, West Thames College, Isleworth, Middlesex. For private and state college tutors. Tel 0844 544 1373.

30-31

The British Institute & Association of Electrolysis (BIAE) Advanced Cosmetic Procedures, West Thames College, Isleworth, Middlesex. For qualified electrolysists, content includes the removal of skin tags, seborrhoeic keratosis, warts, milia, along with thread veins and spider naevi. Tel 0844 544 1373.

Tracy Parkin is sales and marketing director for Bare Escentuals, looking after the growth and development of MD Formulations skincare and Bare Minerals make-up. She is based at the head office in Basildon, Essex, but travels worldwide.  Sasha Lill reports

HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY?

I trained as a beauty therapist at Ware College in Hertfordshire. It was a two-year International Health and Beauty Council (IHBC) course, which I started at the age of 18 - back in the big hair days! Following this, I qualified as a beauty therapist, and started work at a salon in the Barbican in London. I then moved to Colchester, for a job with Plimsolls Health & Beauty Club, which was among the first clubs to really push the 360° approach to beauty, nutrition, fitness and health.

GREATEST BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENT?

When I started work on MD Formulations, it wasn't a well-understood brand. Some people in the industry were scared to use it because they didn't understand the benefits and correct usage of a product that contains such effective levels of glycolic. Bringing it to the attention of therapists and consumers has been satisfying. 

MOST SATISFYING/REWARDING MOMENT OF YOUR CAREER?

Introducing Bare Minerals to the salon market in the UK five years ago.  We were the first to combine Bare Minerals (100% pure mineral make-up) with MD Formulations (technologically advanced skincare) within our treatment protocols, to ensure a complete skincare regime was available.

The introduction of 100% pure Bare Minerals was so successful it was offered in 50 key salon sites in the first year, with great success. This is when Bare Escentuals really started to lead 'the mineral revolution' in the UK.

WHAT IS THE BEST BUSINESS ADVICE YOU HAVE RECEIVED?

'Tomorrow is another day'. Each new day is a fresh page to come up with and drive ideas. I use it with my own team now.

THREE THINGS YOU COULDN'T DO YOUR JOB WITHOUT

My sense of humour; my passion and love for the industry, even though it spans more than 23 years; and my dedicated team.

BEST AND WORST PARTS OF YOUR JOB?

It's much easier to think of the best bits. The best part of my work is taking an idea and concept and seeing it evolve and succeed. Negative bits? Well, there's always too much admin - admin is a necessary evil.

FUTURE BUSINESS AMBITIONS?

To maintain the success of both Bare Minerals and MD Formulations; to continue to get more people to understand the benefits and clear messages of both fantastic product lines; and to continue to strike up more key business partnerships.   

IMAGINE YOU ARE AT THE START OF YOUR CAREER -- WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?

I wouldn't. I started at ground-roots level in the salon. I've waxed, I've plucked, and I've worked the anti-social hours. I have built my career up step-by-step, and I think it is important I understand what it is like to work in this industry at every level. I have learnt some great lessons from some great people along the way.     

WOULD YOU DO IT ALL AGAIN?

Yes - it has made me who I am today.