A Few of Our Favorite Things

A Few of Our Favorite Things
(Hint – they’re even better than warm woolen mittens and whiskers on kittens)

It’s here, it’s here, it’s finally here – the most wonderful time of the year! Whether you’ve been counting down the days until it’s socially acceptable to hang your wreath or are more of a grin-and-eggnog-it type, there’s sure to be some gift exchanging going on before you ring in the New Year.

Regardless of where on the seasonal spectrum you fall, no one wants to be that harried shopper searching the gas station for last-minute gifts (frankly, no one wants to be on the receiving end either), so we’ve pulled together a few of our favorite things to point you in the right direction.

First on our list is Côte Nail Polish - the perfect stocking stuffer for all of the mani/pedi lovers in your life! Who doesn’t like the look of a shiny manicure, especially during party season? All Côte polishes are free of the major toxins often associated with other brands. This means chip-resistant, fabulous color without things like DBT (a plasticizer used in car interiors), formaldehyde (a known carcinogen), or parabens (linked to hormone disfunction). You get extra points for delivering a good-for-you gift they’ll actually use! Insider Note: Chelsea especially loves the peace-of-mind using Côte gives her while she’s expecting baby #2.

For your friends who receive proactive skincare treatments like chemical peels and microdermabrasion (Yeah, them!), we have just the thing – PCA Silkcoat Balm. Nothing soothes post-treatment skin better than this powerful, non-greasy moisturizer that contains jojoba seed oil and hydrolyzed silk (actual silk protein). It’s also our #1 recommended product for clients experiencing retinol-related dryness. Silkcoat Balm is the ultimate treatment for dry and/or mature skin, as well as skin exposed to cold climates (Hello, New England!).

Next up is another good-for-you gift they’ll use every day – Intelligent Nutrients Harmonic® Shampoo. This non-toxic, antioxidant shampoo gently cleans without stripping hair’s natural emollients. It removes buildup caused by styling products and chemical treatments. It also contains Intelligent’s Minty Destress Express® aroma guaranteed to kick-start the day with a stimulating tingle. And, for those mornings that require a triple venti, Harmonic Shampoo can double as a body wash to perk you up until that caffeine is in hand. Additionally, its natural, potent ingredients mean that a little goes a looooong way, making it the gift that keeps on giving! FYI – La Bella Derma carries two sizes, so be sure to pick one up for yourself (even dedicated elves need a good tingle).

Pro Tip – Those who regularly use products such as hair spray and dry shampoo, or
body-building formulas can get a deeper clean by leaving the suds in a bit longer.

Need a great gift for your uber-busy friend who swears she would take better care of her skin if she only had the time? Slip a PCA Pigment Bar under her tree. Formulated for the face and body with Azeliac and Kojic acid to promote an even skin tone and niacinamide for hydration, the Pigment Bar doubles as a mask that’s safe to use daily (apply it at the bathroom sink before your shower routine, then rinse – voilà, mask complete). Plus, its yummy rosewood oil is a natural antidepressant that’s basically guaranteed to make you smile with each use. And, thanks to its unique packaging, this cleansing bar-in-a-jar stays more sanitary than other soaps in the shower (plus, it comes with its own sponge for application). It’s like a gift inside a gift.

For the bath lover in your life you can’t go wrong with Epicuren After Bath. This moisturizer’s 50/50 blend of lotion and oil allows it to literally glide on and soak into your skin, providing the perfect level of hydration. And, because it’s non-greasy, it won’t stain your clothes or sheets. After Bath is available in a number of naturally-derived scents (in-house favs include Orange Blossom and Kakui Coconut) and comes in two sizes, which is essentially permission to gift one to yourself!

Pro Tip - Apply while still in the shower, before toweling off, to make the product go further and allow deeper penetration.

Have someone on your list who needs a little something extra in their skincare regimen? Wow them this year with Kerstin Florian’s Rejuvenating Firming Extract. Known for her holistic approach to skincare, Kerstin Florian’s products are inspired by nature and its intrinsic connection to health and wellness. This intensive serum contains a blend of herbs and botanicals that rejuvenates skin on the cellular level. The result? Firmness is restored, pores are minimized, and those pesky signs of aging are diminished. Could gifting this be construed as somewhat passive-aggressive? Perhaps, but once they see the results, they’ll be wondering what took you so long. Insider Note: Chelsea loves the natural scent of this product and how quickly it soaks into the skin.

Almost as mystical as Santa Claus himself, Laurel Healing Balm Face & Body is a modern-day cure-all. This hard-working balm remedies almost any skin ailment – yup, there is almost no one who wouldn’t benefit (including those hard-to-buy-for, has-everything people on your list). Using the power of whole plants to address the body’s chronic inflammation, Laurel Healing Balm treats everything from extreme cases of eczema, dermatitis and cystic acne, to sensitive allergy-prone skin, and the occasional cut or scrape. It reduces the appearance of redness, swelling, and irritation while jump starting and supporting the skin’s own healing process. Insider Note: Chelsea calls this her “miracle salve,” and relies on it to treat hormonal acne brought on by pregnancy. She also gives it her Mom Seal of Approval, noting it was the only cure for the facial eczema her young daughter experienced last winter. Plus, she loves the glow it gives her skin beneath makeup!

Pro Tip: Use twice the suggested amount as a massage medium and give yourself a mini at-home facial; leave the excess on as an overnight mask and wake-up feeling
merry and bright with improved skin.

‘Tis the season for all the sparkles – from party dresses to statement bling, seasonal festivities have us adding glow all over, especially when it comes to the eyes. Whether it’s intense, glittering shadow, multiple coats of mascara or thick liner, everything is holly and jolly until you’re desperately trying to wash it off without fracturing your eye sockets. Enter Epicuren Crystal Clear Eye Makeup Remover. Not only does this velvety, fragrance-free gel easily remove even the most dazzling eye makeup, it also delivers peptides and vitamins to strengthen eyelashes and nourish the fragile skin around the eye area.

Pro Tip: Leave on for up to one-minute to easily wipe away stubborn waterproof makeup. This product can also be used alone as a lash conditioning treatment for those who are prone to brittle lashes related to lash extensions or drying mascaras.

Have any stocking stuffers or Secret Santa gifts to buy? Of course, you do! (Think your hairdresser, mail carrier, dog walker, favorite barista.) All too often these items end up last on our holiday shopping list. Sure, they’re likely smaller, less expensive gifts, but that doesn’t mean they should be purchased en route to the company party or limited to what’s within arm’s reach at the check-out aisle. Since you’re going to spend your hard-earned money, why not spend it on something useful…and lovely (a.k.a. something you would like to receive)? Laurel Citrus Lip Treatment makes a great stocking stuffer or Secret Santa gift because no matter who you are, winter brings dry lips (yup, even to Angelina Jolie). This 100% whole plant organic balm is pure enough to satisfy even your most consumer conscious pals, and it combines the calming scent of lavender with phytonutrients to provide intense conditioning to chapped lips.

LATHER aromatherapy candles are another gift perfect for your Secret Santa and stocking stuffer needs. Available in a variety of scents from the festive cranberry orange and clove to lavender lime and lemon vanilla, these 4 oz. candles check all the boxes – 100% soy wax that burns toxin- and carcinogen-free? Check. Made without paraffins? Check. Pure essential oil blends? Check. Wicks that are 100% spun cotton and primed in beeswax? Double check. These are perfect for creating a relaxing tub-side ambience or setting the stage for holiday guests and at just $10 each, we suggest choosing a few (they also make delightful host(ess) gifts).

There you have it folks – 10 of our favorite spa products. Not only are they all available at La Bella Derma, but each was handpicked (and is currently used) by Owner and Esthetician Extraordinaire, Chelsea Russell, so you know they meet tough, real-life, mommapreneur standards. We also want to remind you that there’s no shame in giving a La Bella Derma gift card, because sometimes the best gift is the gift of choice. Got a mile-long list and a time crunch? We’d love to help! Stop into the spa or give us a call today at 802.735.3031.





Heather Frechette-Crowley is principal and founder of Root Marketing, where she uses content-based strategy to help businesses of all sizes connect with their target market. Looking for help telling your story? Visit www.rootmktg.com or email heather@rootmktg.com.

Self-care: More than a buzzword

Self-care is the new yoga; everyone wants to do it, but most of us aren’t sure how. The concept is simple – take care of yourself – but the term has become trendier than non-dairy milk. It’s thrown around so much we’re left wondering what it really is (same with hemp milk).

Part of the reason self-care is hard to define is because it’s different for everyone, changing daily based on a number of variables - your current level of caffeination, how much sleep you’ve gotten, how loudly your children and/or colleagues are screaming – you get the point.

While we’re still looking into hemp milk, we can tell you that self-care is about integrating self- compassion into your daily life to prevent burnout (emphasis on prevent). Unfortunately, too many of us put off self-care until we’ve reached the point of no return, also known as “That time my Mom / Sister / Wife / Friend lost her mind.”

The repercussions of neglecting yourself are far reaching. When we choose to push through, buck up, and soldier on we become the customer not-so-silently fuming in the Starbucks’ line (How does he not know what’s in a damn smoothie?), the employee that gets the entire office sick right before Thanksgiving, and the parent who forgets pajama day. Why? Because proper self-care helps to insulate us from the side effects of stress like sickness, impatience, forgetfulness, and negativity. Bottom line? Self-care is the best preventative medicine around. It’s not a reward; it’s a necessity. That’s right, SELF- CARE IS A NECESSITY. Write it on a post-it or tattoo it on your arm, but make this your mantra.

You might be wondering why, if self-care is as important as the bold and italics indicate, we have such a hard time doing it regularly. Here’s the tricky part, self-care doesn’t always feel good in the moment. Think getting up at 5 am to go to the gym or passing on that second serving of molten chocolate cake. Sure, you feel great after you get your sweat on or arrive home with your pants still zipped, but sometimes what’s in your best interest doesn’t immediately make your heart sing.

While we agree with the experts on the benefits of daily movement, deep breathing and gratitude journaling, we also know that there are times when an inspirational day planner doesn’t cut it. Between family obligations, checking your credit card statement for erroneous charges and getting ready for the holidays (yup, we just went there), sometimes you simply need a little pampering to re-charge. Of course, a full day at the spa would do the trick, but what if you don’t have that kind of time? Enter La Bella Derma’s Boutique Spa Treatments.

Designed specifically for those in need of a quick respite, Boutique Spa Treatments take place in a semi- private treatment room where you’ll relax in a zero gravity recliner and feel the weight of the world slide away – literally. With treatments ranging from the 20-minute Destress Express (think cozy blankets, warmed eye pillow and booties) to a Gemstone Glow-n-Go Facial and everything in between, there’s a treatment to fit your schedule - you can even leave with whiter teeth in 30 minutes! Regardless of how much time you can spare, you will walk out feeling cared for which will allow you to be the best version of yourself. Ready to make yourself a priority? Check out La Bella Derma’s membership program. It’s the perfect way to keep yourself on the calendar!

To fully actualize the benefits of self-care, it should be incorporated it into your daily routine. Right about now you’re probably thinking, “Easier said than done,” but stay with us. Since we can’t squeeze more minutes into the day we need to be intentional about how we spend the ones we have. For example, your morning routine sets the tone for the day, so make the most of it. Don’t just jump into the shower. Ease yourself into the morning by using a LATHER body wash and/or body scrub. With scents like Mangosteen & Green Tea, Bamboo Crème and Yuzu Sugar Cane you might forget it’s only Wednesday. And, while you’re rinsing off go ahead and remind yourself just how flippin’ awesome you are.

For bonus points and a glowing complexion, slather on a facial mask while you’re mid-suds. Just make sure to keep your face out of the water stream so the mask can work its magic. Our favs include Epicuren’s Pumpkin Apple Spice Peel that dissolves dead skin cells and promotes clarity and Laurel’s Honey Berry Enzyme Facial Mask which exfoliates and hydrates.

Since we’re talking suds, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the power of a warm bath. From helping you sleep better to easing muscle aches, baths can provide the solitude you need to recoup from a long day. To boost your luxury level and achieve ultimate relaxation, we recommend adding a handful of LOTUSWEI bath salts. Each of the all-natural bath salts comes with a downloadable mediation created to help you release tension and negative emotions. Pro tip – keep the water warm, not hot and limit your time to 15 minutes. Too long in the tub can actually lead to a breakdown of skin, which is definitely not a sign of self-care.

Of course, no shower or bath would be complete without a moisturizing finale. Try Epicuren’s line of aptly named After Bath moisturizer. Made with natural emollients and available in scents like Tahitian Vanilla and Kukui Coconut, this all-over body lotion seals in moisture without a greasy trail. For more intense moisturizing, choose LATHER’s Pure Shea Butter which will leave even the roughest heels and elbows silky smooth.

Moral of the story? You are Uh-Mazing, so act like it. Don’t even think about saving the good cleanser, lotion, or bath salts for a special occasion, or waiting for the next wedding invite to book a facial. You need to practice self-care Every. Single. Day. To encourage you to prioritize yourself La Bella Derma is raffling off a $100 gift card for use on treatments and products. Earn entries throughout the month of November for each appointment held, re-booking made, and membership purchased. Not sure where to start? We’re here to help; give us a call today at 802.735.3031.




Heather Frechette-Crowley is principal and founder of Root Marketing, where she uses content-based strategy to help
businesses of all sizes connect with their target market. Looking for help telling your story? Visit www.rootmktg.com or email
heather@rootmktg.com.

All About Pumpkin

The air has finally turned crisper and the trees have begun to shed their leaves. Love it or hate it, fall is officially here and that means pumpkin. Who are we kidding? September 1 st means pumpkin. Pumpkin season might be nestled between Labor Day and Thanksgiving, but this powerful ingredient can hold its own year-round. This fabulous fall fruit (yup, it’s a fruit) is full of naturally occurring enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). Like Beyoncé and Jay-Z, these ingredients are mighty on their own, but when they come together they’re a real power couple, making pumpkin one of nature’s most effective exfoliants. And, as we learned in September’s article, when done regularly exfoliation is your friend – your very best friend.

While pumpkin’s enzymes help to break down oil and other pollutants that lead to clogged pores and breakouts, AHAs create a brighter complexion by increasing cell turnover. Can it get any better? It sure can! Pumpkin also contains vitamins A, C, E and zinc, which nourish skin and protect against free radicals that can contribute to irritation and aging. Now, as much as we would love to tell you that pumpkin spice lattés and pie are the best ways to reap the benefits of this vine fruit, we could never lie to you like that. By all means order a venti PSL and have an extra slice of pie, but if you’re looking to boost your complexion these treatments and products are your best bet.

PCA’s Pumpkin Enzyme Peel is one of La Bella Derma’s most requested fall peels (but it’s available year- round!). This nutrient-rich treatment combines pumpkin enzymes and salicylic acid with a number of purifying and antioxidant ingredients. This (Dare we say “magical”?) mix of ingredients makes it a great treatment for skin marred by acne, sun damage, or the general effects of aging. You’ll leave with smooth, glowing skin and possibly a hankering for the classic, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

To enhance and maintain the effects of a spa peel or complement your current regimen, bring the power of pumpkin home. Incorporating pumpkin’s enzymes and exfoliating properties into your regular skincare routine diminishes scars, age spots, fine lines, and discoloration. You’ll love the results and the aroma, so take a closer look at the products highlighted below.

PCA’s Nutrient Toner is not the astringent toner of yesteryear. This pumpkin wine-based toner is suitable for all skin types, particularly those looking to address visible signs of aging or prevent them (i.e. everyone). Fun fact - when fermented into wine, pumpkin releases multiple nutrients and antioxidants that act as skin super boosters. Pumpkin? Wine? Nutrients? What’s not to love? Not only does this toner refine the appearance of pores and remove dead skin cells, it also reduces the risk of blemishes and other impurities by providing gentle exfoliation to create a healthy glow. Bonus – PCA’s Nutrient Toner incorporates the light aroma of cloves, which may give you visions of sugarplums while the leaves are still falling (don’t say we didn’t warn you).

Epicuren’s Pumpkin Apple Spice Peel makes us want to curl up in a cozy blanket with a hot cuppa something – but not before we spread on a dime-sized dollop. This at-home peel combines mild pumpkin and apple enzymes to dissolve dead skin cells and promote clarity. And, because pumpkin helps to normalize oil production and promote cell turnover, it reduces the appearance of pore size leaving your complexion younger and more refined. Feel free to stay curled up in that blanket after your 3-7 minutes are over!

Fall is arguably our shortest and sweetest season. Use autumn’s bounty to prepare your skin for the inevitably looong winter months ahead. Take advantage of our October special and book a PCA Pumpkin Enzyme Peel today or stop in to speak with a team member about the best products for your skin this fall. Remember, just like the seasons, your skin changes throughout the year and your skincare routine should too. Our team is here to help, so give us a call at 802.735.3031.


Heather Frechette-Crowley is principal and founder of Root Marketing, where she uses content-based strategy to help
businesses of all sizes connect with their target market. Looking for help telling your story? Visit www.rootmktg.com or email
heather@rootmktg.com.

How to extend your summer glow

Maybe it’s because it snowed into April here in the Northeast, or the fact that Starbucks released their pumpkin spice latte early, but this summer felt like one of the most fleeting yet. Sure, there are some things we don’t mind bidding farewell to – humidity that hovered at 95% or the office AC that was
permanently set on ARCTIC. But for the most part we New Englanders try to hang onto every last bit of summer- especially that lovely summer glow.

Don’t pull out the turtle necks and chunky scarves just yet, instead read on for tips on how to safely
extend that summer glow:

Exfoliation – It might seem counterintuitive to slough off skin when you’re trying to hold onto that summer glow but stay with us. While it’s true that exfoliating will remove a layer of pigment, dry skin looks old and lackluster, whereas exfoliated, moisturized skin appears young and fresh, giving you a
healthy glow through the darkest of winters. Not only is this step essential to helping you maintain a fresh-faced look, it’s a necessary prep for any self-tanner. When it comes to body exfoliation, dry brushing gives you the most bang for your buck. This easy, inexpensive method keeps your skin smooth by encouraging new cell renewal, assists in improving blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, and helps with ingrown hairs. Yeah, it’s a superstar, which is why La Bella Derma carries two sizes. Body scrubs are also great exfoliators that can turn your morning shower into a spa treatment. Check out Lather’s selection (think Bamboo Lemongrass and Yuzu Sugar Cane) during your next visit.

Now, when it comes to that beautiful mug of yours the benefits of regular exfoliation are multiplied. Removing dead skin cells minimizes the appearance of pores, reduces breakouts and acne, allows better absorption of other products, and helps to disguise fine lines. Boom - mic dropped. From Epicuren’s bamboo crystal exfoliant and PCA’s pore refining treatment to Laurel’s all-natural, almond grain exfoliant there is a product for everyone, so if you haven’t incorporated regular exfoliation into your routine, now is the time.

Self-tanner – Trust us, self-tanners have come a long way in recent years. Gone are the days of standing naked in your bathroom anxiously awaiting a bottle’s promised “sun-kissed” glow only to see a streaky oompa loompa in the mirror (#TrueStory). Most self-tanners use dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a chemical derived from beet or cane sugar that reacts with amino acids on the top layer of your skin to create a darker pigment. Yesteryear’s tangerine effect was attributed to the fact that DHA can be difficult to stabilize, but thankfully the process has been refined – thanks technology! Plus, some brands include benefits that go beyond bronze. For example, Vita Liberata includes a proprietary Moisture Lock™ technology that delivers 72 hours of skin hydration, because nothing shouts “fake tan” like dry orange patches. Not sure you can handle precise full-body application? Rest assured that you are not alone. While not confirmed, we like to think that TanTowel patented the first self-tanning towelette specifically for those of us without gymnastic ability. These convenient, individually packaged towelettes make it easy to get an even tan without pulling a hammy.

Bronzer – Perhaps one of the most coveted of beauty products, the right bronzer can be used year-round to create a glow for any occasion. Combining colors from a bronzing palette, such as La Bella Donna’s Vision of Mineral Lights, creates a color that appears more natural than a single tone. Use a powder brush to gently apply – now is not the time to be heavy-handed - where the sun naturally hits your face (forehead, cheekbones, nose and chin) to give you a refreshed look that will have co-workers wondering why you’re so darn happy to be there. Heading out for dinner and drinks? Select a bronzer with a little sparkle to carry you through dessert and beyond.

Tinted sunscreen – Yup, sunscreen because as we learned from our skin scan results, you can’t turn back time and the sun is not your friend. While SPF is part of your daily regimen year-round (right?), a tinted formula is great for blurring minor imperfections (we’ve got them too). Bonus for spa-quality formulas like PCA’s Sheer Tint Broad Spectrum SPF that also act as a makeup primer and have emollient properties, which means those with normal to oily skin may able to skip an additional moisturizer. You gotta love products that multi-task!

Even though we can’t go back and start the summer over again, these tips can help you carry that glow into the coming months. And just think, before you know it you’ll be planning that Memorial Day BBQ (more or less).

Seasons change, and so does your skin’s needs. To ensure you’re using the right products to keep your skin healthy, book a free skincare consultation today by calling 802.735.3031.


Heather Frechette-Crowley is principal and founder of Root Marketing, where she uses content-based strategy to help businesses of all sizes connect with their target market. Looking for help telling your story? Visit www.rootmktg.com or email heather@rootmktg.com.

Where To Buy

Boxes and bottles and free samples, oh my! A Skincare Product Where-to-Buy Guide

Let’s face it, there are more skincare products out there than beverage choices at Starbucks. From sensitive skin and undereye circles to clogged pores and sun damage, whatever your concern there’s a product or 12 to help. It’s good to have options, right? Definitely, but there is such a thing as too many choices (there’s a reason the line at Starbucks is so long). Add the number of product retailers to the mix and there goes your Saturday.

So, aside from becoming BFFs with an esthetician (not a bad idea, BTW) how do you navigate your way through the flooded skincare market? Glad you asked. This guide outlines the three main components of customer experience (expertise, customer service, and selection & price) at three popular types of skincare retailers – day spa, specialty retailer (i.e. Sephora, Ulta, etc.) and drug store.

Product & Service Expertise –Expertise is a funny thing. It can be hard to ascertain because we make assumptions based on seemingly relevant associations, but assumptions usually don’t pan out. For example, just as a lab coat doesn’t make someone a doctor, working at a specialty retailer doesn’t make them an esthetician. Skincare knowledge is more than suggesting a convenient starter set. It’s being intimately familiar with the seven layers of our body’s largest organ (yup, skin) and using that knowledge to recommend the appropriate treatments and products. It’s the ability to look at a list of product ingredients and understand what each one does, and more importantly, how different types of skin will react.

True skincare knowledge is not pushing a product because it translates into a bigger commission check or the line is being phased out. Nor is it recommending the product du jour simply because everyone’s buying it or it comes with a fabulous celebrity endorsement. That never ends well - remember when Tom Brady endorsed Uggs? Enough said.

Customer Service – When it comes to purchasing skincare products, customer service means more than a cheery greeting and short checkout line. It’s really customized service – product recommendations tailored to the current health of your skin and its specific needs.

While it might be convenient to grab a facial cleanser while picking up a prescription at the drugstore, you end up at the mercy of marketing claims and product design. Hey, it happens! Who among us hasn’t fallen for cool product packaging in the skincare aisle? That tube promising deep cleansing sounds good, right? Well, do you need deep cleansing? How deep is deep? Can you use it every day? Will it interfere with your daily serum? There’s no one around to ask so you just throw it in your basket and roll the dice. Unfortunately, it’s not until your skin is inflamed and bumps appear that you realize you didn’t actually need a deep clean. Where’s the convenience in that?

Selection & Price –Between the bright displays, fluorescent lights and blaring music it’s easy to get overwhelmed in a specialty retailer. They stock every brand you’ve ever heard of and probably some you haven’t. From floor to ceiling, there’s something at every price point from store brands coming in at the lower end to trending, premium brands such as La Mer and Tata Harper. So, how do you know which product to choose? This is where things can get fuzzy. Sure there are store associates there to assist you, but with so many products available it’s hard to be well-versed on each one. How do you know that helpful associate isn’t just steering you towards the product that happens to be freshest in her mind? You don’t.

Now, is there anything as full of false hope as the skincare aisle at the drugstore? We’ve all been there - you run in for a birthday card and somehow end up spending 45-minutes mesmerized by packaging and promising marketing claims. Drugstore product selections vary based on the size and location of the store, but generally cover mainstream skincare lines such as Neutrogena, Olay, L’Oreal and the like. However, as the skincare market continues to grow, more drugstores have begun to carry expanded lines such as ROC, Yes To, and Skinfix. Price points are aligned accordingly and tend to come in low- to upper-mid-range.

Remember, price can be fickle and it’s very different from value. Price is what you pay, but value is what you actually get. So, how can one serum sell for $55 and another for $15 when they both claim to defy age? This is the part where we remind you of the difference between hamburger and filet mignon (apologies to our non-meat-eating friends) because the answer is quality. Drugstores and chain retailers often carry products that contain lower quality ingredients, such as fillers. When you opt for a mass-produced product, you’re less likely to achieve the desired results (even though it might feel like something is happening) and may experience irritation or damage from things like parabens, artificial fragrances and dyes. Trust us, there’s no value in that regardless of what you paid.

Maybe your favorite day spa isn’t the first place you think of to purchase skincare products, but it should be. Most day spas adhere to “quality over quantity,” and carry fewer product lines than specialty retailers and drugstores. While product stacked floor-to-ceiling can look impressive, sometimes more is just more. By offering a focused selection, day spas can ensure every choice is a quality one. What does that mean for price point? Not what you might think! In fact, as more mainstream skincare lines try to rebrand themselves as premium (we’re looking at you Olay, a.k.a. Oil of Olay) customers end up paying more for essentially the same product. This means that some drugstore products are now comparable in cost to lines carried by spas, even though they still contain lower-quality ingredients.

At the end of the day, the primary goal of specialty retailers and drugstores is to sell. A good day spa’s primary goal isn’t to move product, it’s to build lasting client relationships by meeting individual needs. Your primary goal when purchasing skincare products is healthy skin. Doesn’t it make sense to buy from a retailer that has the same goal?

La Bella Derma carries skincare products from Epicuren, PCA Skin, Kerstin Florian, Intelligent Nutrients, Laurel Whole Plant, and Lather. Stop in or call 802.735.3031 to schedule a free skincare consultation to determine your skin needs.

Heather Frechette-Crowley is principal and founder of Root Marketing, where she uses content-based strategy to help businesses of all sizes connect with their target market. Looking for help telling your story? Visit www.rootmktg.com or email heather@rootmktg.com.

This Is What Happened At My First Skin Scan

By Heather Frechette-Crowley

As a 40-something who came of age when SPF 15 was conservative and tanning beds were as popular as soy lattes are today, it’s fair to say that I haven’t always protected my skin. Every summer included at least one painful sunburn, sometimes more, which I expertly treated with a thick coating of Noxzema. My only concern - would skin would still be peeling off my nose on Friday night?



Then, as they have a way of doing, times changed. We learned more about the dangers of sun damage and as trends moved away from the coveted Malibu Barbie look, I hung up my tanning goggles and increased the SPF. Am I always as diligent as I should be? No, but I am great at rationalizing. Summer in the northeast is fleeting; sunscreen reapplication is a learned skill; what harm can 20-minutes in the glorious warmth of the sun do?

Yes, my face has a few wrinkles (or “lines of expression” as polite estheticians now call them) and I do have some pigment here and there, but isn’t that par for the course? My skin didn’t look damaged, but we all know that looks can be deceiving. Still, despite suggestions from my esthetician, I had yet to have a skin scan. I wasn’t actually avoiding it, I just couldn’t seem to find a convenient time (and by convenient I mean someone bringing the machine to my house with a chilled bottle of Riesling). Then one day after a quick brow shaping and a venti Starbucks cold brew, I decide to take her up on the offer and it’s kind of cool…and eye-opening.



Skin scanners use black lights or filtered UV lights and a magnified mirror to view skin beneath its surface layer. When viewed under the light, skin cells appear differently depending on their chemical makeup. For example, sun damage appears as freckles or dark spots, while clogged pores show up as orange dots, dehydration as purple, and dead skin cells present as white. What’s the benefit? If you’re aware of what’s happening beneath the skin, you can treat issues before they become a problem.

While the scanner itself isn’t intimidating (sort of a cross between an eye exam machine and those old-fashioned cameras with fabric flash curtains), being that face-to-face with my face is a tad unnerving. I lean forward to rest my chin on the indicated spot and blink out of habit. The black light reflection creates a “sci-fi”-ish feel, but it’s completely painless - not so much for the term “aging cuticle”. With her eyes just inches away on the other side of the viewfinder, my esthetician describes what she sees. A few dark patches (damn you Hawaiian Tropic), a couple orange dots in my T-zone (thank you, hormones), and that heart-stopping “aging cuticle”. Turns out this term sounds much worse than what it actually is - simply dry skin.



My esthetician doesn’t appear alarmed by anything she sees, but I am struck by the stark image of what lies beneath. Maybe it’s the clinical-ness of it all or the venti cold brew running through my veins, but it becomes apparent that what I see in the mirror every day is only part of the story. And, while there’s no way to turn back time (even Cher couldn’t do that), I can take action to prevent further damage and address underlying issues before they surface – literally.
Moral of the story? If a picture is worth a thousand words, a skin scanner image is like a documentary that tells your skin’s story layer by layer. Less than 10 minutes can change your perspective and your skin care regimen…for the better.

La Bella Derma offers free skin scans and follow-up consultations. Stop in or give us a call today at 802.735.3031 for more information.




Heather Frechette-Crowley is principal and founder of Root Marketing, where she uses content-based strategy to help businesses of all sizes connect with their target market. Looking for help telling your story? Visit www.rootmktg.com or email heather@rootmktg.com.

Self Help Foot Relief

Self- Help Tip & Product Highlight Here comes Summer, time to be outside doing all the things we dreamed about doing in Wintertime. Sometimes in our excitement, we can overextend ourselves. One area that seems to be a point of vexation for folks is our feet. Self - Help Tip What you need: Find an empty water bottle Fill (leave a bit of space) with tap water Place water and bottle in freezer How to : In your free time(lol) Remove frozen bottle from freezer Sit or stand and roll your feet one at a time on top of frozen bottle You may want to wear socks Helps cool you down and reduce inflammation! Product Highlight It’s flip flop time again yea! Has being in socks and shoes all winter taken a toll on your feet? We have a solution it’s an exfoliating foot peel called Baby Foot. We sell the take home product in our Boutique. We also have the option of adding an exfoliant foot peel to one of our Massages. Baby Foot process takes one hour to complete you can get two services at once. As always if you have any questions LBD staff are happy to assist you. Enjoy the warmth, Trish T. NCBTMB