CLEAR SKIN, BEAUTIFUL NAILS

One of the best things about having my own studio is discovering and creating new ways to achieve wellness and beauty goals. The process usually starts with using my imagination, envisioning a goal, then creating the layout of a luxurious session to meet that goal, and finally researching the best products.

Facials are one of my favorite services to offer (and receive!), because they combine soothing face, neck, and decollate massage with deliciously scented products. It’s a luxurious service that produces tangible results — healthy, balanced, glowing skin that’s soft to the touch. So I imagined: what if there were a service like a facial, but for the whole body? Dry or oily skin, clogged pores and acne occur all over our body, not just our faces. Body scrubs and wraps balance and deliver moisture (and feel amazing), but what if we could have a service that cleanses, exfoliates, moisturizes, balances and hydrates the whole body? So, I googled “body facials” and saw that sadly, I was not the inventor of this novel idea, but I would research the best products and make it my own.

So, Bella Mina’s European Body Facial starts with Mellow Melanin’s Oat & Manuka Honey Body Wash and dry brush for exfoliation. The Manuka honey has a special enzyme that moisturizes and balances pH, and oat extract with omega fatty acids helps protect the skin’s natural barrier. After warm steam application to open the pores, Jojoba Oil and heated Himalayan Sea Salt Stones provide moisture, antioxidants and positive ions to balance the skin and eliminate free radicals. Finally, Plymouth Soap Works’ Apples and Honey Lotion is massaged into skin for an added moisture boost. For the delicate skin of the face, Earth Harbor Naturals Oasis Deep Pore Cleanser, Radiance Balm Exfoliant, steam, and Mermaid Milk Moisturizer balance and hydrate. Creating this service was a labor of love, and my goal is to have my clients loving their skin and walking out on clouds.

I thought a back facial would be a perfect addition to the body facial on the menu, so I created the European French Clay Bacial (Back Facial). It begins with Mellow Melanin’s African Black Soap for improving skin texture and tone. The caffeine in the Mocha Coffee Scrub exfoliates while providing antioxidants and reducing stretch marks. After Rosewater Toner Spray to balance the skin’s pH, enjoy a scalp massage while your back is steamed to open pores. Following extraction as needed, Modern Skin Alchemy’s French Clay Mask purifies and draws out toxins while providing skin with vitamins A, B and C. Finally, Plymouth Soap Works’ Lavendar Lotion is massaged into skin, providing moisture and hydration.

Now, onto a very exciting addition to the menu — nail services! Bella Mina will now be offering manicures and pedicures with organic, cruelty free, fast drying Dazzle Dry polish. As a spa therapist, I want to make nail services into a relaxing experience, so all manicures and pedicures are done while you’re laying reclined on a heated massage table with optional warm neck wrap, soft lighting, aromatherapy and calming music. The Express Zen Manicure and Pedicure include Mango Butter Lotion application, but if you’re looking for a longer, more luxurious experience, check out the Zen Lilac, Vanilla , or Honey Hot Oil Manicures and Pedicures. The aromatic scents and moisturizing properties of the products used are sure to get your hands and feet soft, smooth and spring ready.

One of my favorite things about being a Massage Therapist and Esthetician in addition to a Manicurist is that I can make nail services extra special with add-ons. Once your nails are polished, stay on the heated massage table for a Sea Mineral Mini Facial, Hair Glow and Scalp Massage with Earth Harbor’s Hair Revive Elixir, or a Vanilla Cocoa Head Neck & Shoulder Massage. Check out the full list of add-ons on the Nail Services page at bellaminastudio.com.

I am so excited to be offering these new services. Being able to provide revitalizing spa services to this community has been my dream and is now my passion, and I’m so grateful to all of you who are a part of it.

Thank you for reading and thanks for your patronage!

Joanna Stamatakos

Licensed Spa Therapist & Owner, BELLA MINA STUDIO