News Alert

Essie Revs-Up Hot, New Nail Colors

Not everybody can afford to roll in a Mercedes-Benz, but Essie Cosmetics (www.essie.com) is giving select guests of New York's Fashion Week the opportunity to sport sleek nails that emulate the fine, German autos. Essie has partnered with Mercedes-Benz in honor of the car company's newly launched SL65 AMG Black Series, which debuted during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Two of the new colors, "Blacker Series" and "Palladium Silver," exactly match the paint hues of the new car. Although they were exclusively distributed to Fashion-Week guests, you and your clients can still get the same look with Essie Nail Varnish in "Licorice" and "Loophole." They're sold via the company's website or by calling 800-232-1155.

Caring for Community

Murad recently partnered with the El Segundo, CA, Chamber of Commerce to offer a donation to local teachers through the regional Teacher Mini-Grant Program. The skincare company's donation will be awarded to an eligible teacher for purchasing supplies not covered by school budgets, such as classroom library books, computer software or art supplies.

Action Bag Company has been making strides toward improving its environment and community. The company recently received a green audit from SCARCE, an environmental education program, and is on its way to receiving certification. Plus, in an effort to help out its neighborhood, Action donated bags to various organizations, including Bensenville, Chippewa and Tioga elementary schools and the Bensenville fire department. In addition, the company is holding Denim Fridays—employees wear jeans to work in exchange for a dollar donation that goes toward the purchase of Christmas gifts for children.

Spa Gregorie's held its second annual Accessories Drive December 1-31 to benefit Working Wardrobes, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping men and women in crisis re-enter the workforce. Spa guests donated accessories, such as belts, jewelry, handbags and ties. In exchange, they were entered for a chance to win a local dining experience. Giving back to the community is "an integral part of our company," says owner Angela Cortright.

Higher Learning

CND recently hosted a strategic business-building summit in Newport Beach, CA, where 135 company representatives from 25 countries convened. The mission of the four-day event was to improve technical excellence, elevate the professional business-building skills of nail professionals and create global consistency in the industry. To meet these goals, the company unveiled new education tools, such as a DVD series in multiple languages, an education encyclopedia and facilitator guides. "For CND, advancement is built on three pillars: innovation, commitment and passion," says co-founder Jan Arnold. "Participants traveled a journey with us to advance all three."

On Tour

Dermalogica analyzed more than 4,000 faces during its recent Know Your Zones mobile marketing tour through California, Arizona and New Mexico via an Airstream trailer. The skincare heavy hitter provided free, 20-minute MicroZone treatments and professional product recommendations based on its Face Mapping technique, which divides the skin into 14 zones for examination and analysis. "Skin health and professional care are everyday lifestyle issues we want to bring into people's general consciousness," says Jane Wurwand, Dermalogica founder.

By the Numbers

Curious about how DAYSPA readers are handling this year's economic shake-up, we asked a cross-section of spa and salon owners for feedback.

The DAYSPA 2008 Business Trends Survey revealed some optimistic results. Almost half of the survey's 255 respondents said revenues have remained steady during the last 12 months. A surprising one-third of respondents reported an increase.

The survey also revealed that many spa and salon owners agree on the most efficient ways to maintain profitability. They're enticing clients by introducing antiaging treatments and other new services. They're also building client loyalty with special packages, add-on services and other incentives. Some are even considering investments in new equipment and product lines.

Here's a sampling of the results:

• Cost per service: A majority of respondents indicated their average revenue per service falls between $85 and $134.
• Change in revenue: Almost half (46%) claimed their average revenues per visit haven't changed during the last 12 months. One-third (34%) reported an increase, while only one in five (20%) indicated a decrease.
  

By the Numbers (continued)

• New services: Two-thirds added new services to their spa menus during the last 12 months. Antiaging treatments were the most popular new service, followed by teen skin care and wellness programs. Additional new services include cosmetic teeth whitening, manicures and pedicures, and eyelash extensions or tinting.
• Equipment investment: One-third of respondents plan to add a major piece of equipment during the next 12 months. Prospective investments include facial equipment, massage beds, hydrotherapy tables, laser equipment, LED light-therapy equipment, steamers, vichy showers and wet tables.
• Client Incentives: Offering special event packages (e.g., bridal, Mother's Day, maternity) has been the No. 1 business-building program for salon and spa owners during the past 12 months. Respondents also mentioned incentives such as free services or gifts on clients' birthdays, and upselling discounted second services during appointment confirmation calls. Spa and salon owners are also staying in touch with clients through monthly emails and newsletters.

Winner's Circle

SpaFinder Inc. presented its sixth annual Visionary Award to Deborah Szekely last October at the Spa by Guerlain in the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York City.

Szekely began her career nearly 70 years ago when she opened Rancho La Puerta in Mexico. What began as a campout experience with no running water or electricity has evolved into a 21st-century showcase for fitness/spa facilities. Szekely again pioneered a new direction for the spa industry in 1958, when she opened the first luxury fitness resort, Golden Door. "It's impossible to conceive of the modern spa experience without the contributions of Deborah Szekely, or to begin to summarize how profound and prophetic her ideas have been," says Susie Ellis, president of SpaFinder.

Allure magazine handed out its Best of Beauty Awards in its October 2008 issue, and Murad and OPI came out on top. OPI's Lincoln Park After Dark won for Best Dark Nail Polish, and its Avoplex Cuticle Oil to Go swooped in as Best Cuticle Cream. Murad took the stage for Best Concealer for Blemishes with its Acne Treatment Concealer. The skincare heavy hitter also won Best Cell-Renewal System in Fitness magazine's beauty awards for its Intensive Resurfacing Peel with Durian Cell Reform. "It's such a great honor to be recognized in a category in which I've devoted most of my research," says Howard Murad, M.D.

With 28 years of business experience under its belt, Mark Lees Skin Care Salon in Pensacola, FL, has won Best of the Bay Awards in three categories for the second year in a row: Best Facial, Best Massage and Best Pampering Place. The awards are presented by the Pensacola News Journal and determined by its readers.

CND recently presented three awards to employees at its Advancing the State of the Industry 2008 Training Event in Newport Beach, CA. The North American Education Ambassador of the Year Award went to Julie Goveia; Amanda Fontanarrosa was honored as International Education Ambassador of the Year; and Barbara Fogleman snagged Regional Manager of the Year.

Bio-Therapeutic won Best of the Best for industry equipment for the second year in a row at the Face and Body convention in San Francisco. The award is granted to a "forward-thinking company that catapults skincare technology into the next generation of quality, precision and innovation."

Accolades were also bestowed on OPI recently by two beauty magazines. Editors, beauty professionals and readers of Shape honored the company in the Hand, Foot and Nail Care category for its Manicure/Pedicure by OPI Green Tea Scrub, and readers of CosmoGirl nominated Lincoln Park After Dark for Best Nail Polish.

Breaking Records

Ivan Zoot, director of education at Andis company, recently broke three Guinness World Records for Most Professional Haircuts in an Hour (34), Fastest Haircut (55 seconds) and Most Haircuts in a 24-Hour Period (340). Woody's Grooming, a division of American International Industries, sponsored the event, which helped raise money for Children with Hair Loss and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. A Guinness-approved witness monitored each haircut, checking that at least one inch cut off every client's hair.

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