Aaaahhh-romatherapy

Have you ever smelled an aroma that took you way back to your childhood?  Maybe it was the lilac bush that towered over your head in your grandmother’s back yard, or the smell of the freshly cut grass that your father just cut on a hot summer day, or even the smell the perfume you wore to your first high school dance… The list goes on and on.

Aromas are inhaled and carried to the limbic system, which controls moods, emotions, and memory.  When our brains react positively to an aroma, pleasant memories emerge thus providing a sense of relaxation. (Aromatherapy - Types, Benefits, Safety, and Types of Oils)  The idea of aromatherapy is this: Choose an aroma that makes you feel good – calm, relaxed, centered, happy, healed…  

Did you know that each facial, massage, and body treatment here at Bella Capelli is customized with the aroma that meets your sensory needs?  We use a variety of essential oils and essential oil blends – Aveda Singular Notes, Chakra Balancing Body Mists, and Balancing Infusions to name a few – throughout each spa service.  To be sure the aroma is relaxing and enjoyable, it is chosen by you during a "Sensory Journey" at the beginning of your treatment! 

What is your favorite aroma?  How does it make you feel?  Does it remind you of something specific? Please share your thoughts below!

Aromatherapy - Types, Benefits, Safety, and Types of Oils. (n.d.). Retrieved August 13, 2012, from Medindia: http://www.medindia.net/alternativemedicine/Aromatherapy/Aromatherapy.htm

Tame Your Mane: Must-Have Aveda Styling Products for Smoothing Curly, Frizzy Hair

Ever feel like you’ve just put your all into smoothing and styling your curly hair only to have it fluff up and frizz out within a matter of minutes?  AAARGHHH! We know how you feel!  Check out this Aveda How-to Video which demonstrates the products (Smooth Infusion!) and styling techniques to use to smooth your hair and keep it under control all day!

Talk about beautiful, silky smooth hair!

Bella Capelli Co-Owner, Serina Peck and Stylist, Kate Ludwig agree that Light Elements Smoothing Fluid is a must.  “A small amount controls fly-away and frizz,” says Serina.  “Use it in your hair wet and dry,” adds Kate.

Other products that keep frizz at bay?  Colorist, E.J. Baire, recommends Brilliant Anti-Humectant Pomade which repels humidity and adds shine and according to Designer Stylist, Noreen Rochford, Brilliant Universal Styling Crème is the way to go… “Wet or dry – a little goes a long way!”

What’s your favorite Aveda product for smooth, straight hair?

What's the Latest in Nail Color this Season?

Choosing a nail polish color at your manicure or pedicure appointment can be tough with so many different colors to choose from! 

We asked our Nail Technicians to fill us in on the latest in nail color for this summer season:

“Hot, hot colors – anything Bright!”  -Alice Nagel

“Bright, neon-like colors or pale grays, pinks, and even whites!” -Ashley Soneson

“OPI Neon polish minis!” -Lisa Mize

See a pattern here?

Check out this video to learn all about the Limited Edition OPI Outrageous Neons Collection and keep your nail color on trend!  

Another fab collection from our fave polish line? Brights by OPI.  Visit www.OPI.com to learn all about this vibrant collection of colors!


What is your favorite nail polish for the summer?  Tell us below!

Benefits of Massage Therapy

You probably know that massage is great for soothing sore muscles and increasing relaxation, but the fact of the matter is that the benefits of massage are endless. 

Here are just a few of the many reasons regular massage can help you:

Physical benefits  –  increases circulation so that all the body systems stay on task, improves joint flexibility and posture, enhances skin tone and overall skin health (time for a FACIAL?!), promotes deeper breathing which increases oxygen intake and releases stagnant energy and toxins. 

Mental health benefits – reduces anxiety, increases peace of mind and self-awareness, better focus and concentration. (Karimi, 2006)

But of all the many reasons massage is so good for you, there was a clear winner when we asked our spa staff what they believe to be the primary benefit of massage therapy:  Stress relief

Let’s face it… Everyday we experience some sort of stress at work, at home, in line at the grocery store… you name it! It’s everywhere!  And that stress not only wreaks havoc on our mental state but physically on our bodies and eventually will even show on our skin.  In fact, research shows that 80 to 90 percent of all disease is due to stress. (Editorial Staff, 2001) Yikes!! Massage helps eliminate stress so you can focus on the positive and put your best Self forward. 

Now, have you tried the Stress-Fix Massage? This treatment utilizes the power of essential oils, Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, foot reflexology, and acupressure points to help you recover from the negative effects of stress. In addition, the Stress-Fix aroma is clinically proven to help reduce the feelings of stress.  It is a blend of organic French lavender, lavandin, clary sage, and frankincense. It smells SO good!!

Click here to learn more about the different massage treatments that we offer.  Remember, even if you choose a specific massage, each treatment is customized to help you achieve the utmost balance of mind and body.

We truly believe that massage therapy is beneficial for over-all well-being.

Have you ever had a massage at Bella Capelli or elsewhere?  In your opinion, what is the primary benefit of massage?  Tell us what you think in the comments below!

References

Editorial Staff. (2001). Benefits of Massage. Retrieved July 23, 2012, from MassageTherapy.com: http://www.massagetherapy.com/articles/index.php?article_id=468

Karimi, S. (2006, May 22). The Top Eleven Physical and Mental Health Benefits of Massage. Retrieved July 23, 2012, from Yahoo! Voices: http://voices.yahoo.com/the-top-eleven-physical-mental-health-benefits-38393.html

What is the Best Daily Shampoo?

We love Aveda hair care and talk about variety!  But with twelve different shampoos to choose from, how can you tell which one is best for your hair?  We asked some of our stylists which Aveda shampoo is the best for daily use and why?

Here are the top responses:

Brilliant Shampoo

    

"A good middle of the road shampoo; Not too light, not too heavy; Leaves hair soft and shiny, and it’s great for tangles so it’s good for the kids!"

-Designer Stylist, Noreen Rochford

More about Brilliant 

A daily deep cleansing shampoo that moisturizes, too. Takes away product build-up and debris—not everything else. Makes comb-through simple. Helps soothe your scalp with certified organic calendula, camellia and aloe. Promotes shiny, healthy, clean hair. Excellent for textured or chemically treated hair.

Shampure Shampoo

"Perfect balance of moisture and strength that is gentle for everyday basic care."

-Master Stylist, Anne Marie Was

More about Shampure

Pure, gentle daily shampoo—with Morikue protein—cleanses and fortifies any type of hair. Infusing it with one of Aveda's original aromas: a calming mix of 25 pure flower and plant essences. Soothing aroma. For all hair types.

Rosemary Mint Shampoo

"Helps to repel lice for children; Leaves hair clean and light for volume in women’s hair, and a great basic men’s shampoo."
-Senior Stylist, Dean Pierce

More about Rosemary Mint

This unique daily shampoo adds body to fine hair—without stripping, build-up or static electricity. Formulated with peppermint to awaken your senses and rosemary to help protect from environmental damage. Its pure plant aroma naturally energizes and motivates your mind and body. For fine to normal hair. 

How about you? Are you using Aveda shampoo right now? Which one is your favorite daily shampoo? Tell us in the comments below or comment on our Facebook post.

"More about" info from www.aveda.com.

Welcome to our BLOG!

Hello ALL and welcome to our new blog!  

For those of you who don't know us... We are Bella Capelli Sanctuario, a full-service AVEDA Lifestyle Salon and Spa in Westlake, Ohio. With over 40 salon and spa professionals on staff, we have a lot to talk about! 

Bella, Inside and Out: The Bella Capelli Beauty and Wellness Blog is a place to share our expertise – beauty tips and tricks, as well as, wellness and healthy lifestyle info – to help you feel, well...Bella, Inside and Out!

We specialize in hair, makeup, nails, skin care, and massage…in a word: BEAUTY. And we are going to do our best to inspire you. We want you to not only LOOK great, but FEEL great too! 

We love what we do…so let’s talk about it!

When it comes to your hair, what is your biggest challenge?