Last June, the Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers and Distributors Association (ICMAD) hosted its annual dinner and awards ceremony in New York City for cosmetic innovators of the year. Several representatives from skin care and cosmetics companies were in attendance for the association’s seventh annual CITY Awards event.

Clarisonic received the CITY award for Best Personal Care Product. The Opal Sonic Infusion System—a top-selling device that infuses serum into the epidermis to renew the appearance of skin in the eye area—was selected for its originality, packaging and advertising.

Clarisonic principal Robb Akridge, Ph.D., personally accepted the award. “The marketplace is responsive to products that deliver on their promises,” he says. “We’re honored to receive this stamp of approval as a reinforcement of our dedication to innovative sonic skin care.”

Clarisonic principal Robb Akridge, Ph.D.

Advertising, marketing and sales executives serve as CITY Awards judges. While all have considerable experience in the cosmetic industry, none are currently affiliated with any companies. In opening remarks to the 100-plus ceremony attendees, ICMAD president Pamela Jo Busiek said, “The City Awards represent dedication, effort and creativity, and aim to recognize the innovations that independent companies bring to the beauty industry.”

Throughout the evening, nine awards were bestowed in the following categories: Product, Package Design, Sales, and Marketing Innovation.

“For me, the CITY Awards represent everything that makes this industry so dynamic,” Busiek says.

For more information, visit the association’s website.—Katie O’Reilly

This month, the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP) calls on individuals nationwide to relax and rejuvenate through the power of touch. Sunday, July 18 through Saturday, July 24 is EveryBody Deserves a Massage Week. As in years past, ABMP members will hold grassroots events in communities throughout the country to spread the word about the value of professional massage.

In the event’s 16th year, the association is taking things a step further. ABMP recently offered the co-hosts of ABC-TV’s The View a complimentary massage therapy session, on air, at some point during the week. They made the same proposal to Joe Scarborough of NBC-TV’s Morning Joe. The association made these offers in an effort to dispel disrespectful comments about massage therapy that these shows recently aired. The commentary was mostly in light of Al Gore’s headline-making scandal involving a massage therapist in 2006, which was recently leaked to the media.

“There’s no better time than now to tell the world about the value of legitimate, professional massage therapy,” says ABMP president Les Sweeney. “It’s clear from recent events in the news that there are still a few folks out there–including some in the media—who aren’t clear about the code of conduct followed by massage therapists and the therapeutic value of professional massage therapy.”

The association aims to inform a large, televised audience that massage therapy is professional work that requires significant training, licensing and adherence to a strict code of ethics.

We’ll keep you posted on whether these networks will take the ABMP up on their offer. And if so, we’ll be sure to publish the days and times which they’ll be gracing the airwaves.

Is your spa doing anything to commemorate EveryBody Deserves a Massage Week? Tell us about it! Write to koreilly@creativeage.com.—Katie O’Reilly

Spa owner Audrey Brown is a self-proclaimed “huge fan” of the popular CBS-TV reality scavenger hunt game show, The Amazing Race. And the No. 1 cause she champions is education initiatives for young children.

So when the Chesapeake Health Investment Program (CHIPS), a non-profit organization that provides support and educational services to families of kids aged prenatal through 6, asked if her business could be a stop on an Amazing Race segment to benefit the charity, she raised them one. Not only did Natural Elements Spa & Salon in Chesapeake, Virginia, play host to the 48 teams of four that were scrambling to complete that local obstacle course on race day, but Brown rallied her staff to form a spa team to participate in the whirlwind scavenger scramble.

“It sounded like such a good, fun time, and for the best cause,” she says. “It just made perfect sense.”

While the team worked to raise money by publicizing the event to spa guests, they were meanwhile brainstorming ways to turn Natural Elements into a memorable leg of the obstacle race.

“We finally settled on giving teams a choice between waxing all the hair off of each other’s arms or painting each others’ fingernails,” Brown says. Somewhat surprisingly, more than half took the waxing challenge.

By the end of the race on June 5, the Natural Elements team had racked up the highest combination of challenge points, bonus points and funds raised. The town mayor and several other city officials greeted the winning spa folks at the finish line. They presented the Natural Elements team with their award and showed gracious support for the outstanding efforts of the CHIPS organization.


The huge trophy is now proudly displayed in the spa’s reception area. How does your spa participate in community events and show support for meaningful causes? Send your adventures to koreilly@creativeage.com. –Katie O’Reilly

On the morning of June 15, about 700 people gathered outside of OPI Products headquarters in North Hollywood, California. Employees, their children, Los Angeles City controller Wendy Greuel and several Southern Californian nail enthusiasts were in attendance for the company’s fifth biannual computer and scholarship giveaway event.

OPI created a festive summer atmosphere for the occasion with lemonade, and pretzel and popcorn carts on site. Company cofounder and president George Schaeffer awarded 101 new Dell computer systems and 18 scholarships to local, school-aged children. Below, he shares more about the event and why he strongly supports education initiatives.

Universal Companies, one of the industry’s largest distributors of professional spa products, takes environmental responsibility seriously. To help spa owners do the same, it’s labeling its vast inventory of earth-friendly products with a new Green Leaf symbol. The icon indicates that products have undergone conscientious examination for sustainable attributes.

Universal Companies also offers customers access to a sustainability specialist, who can assist them take steps to further green their facilities. In addition, the company partners with the Green Spa Network, a community of spa professionals that offers a bundle of collaborative tools and resources.

To learn more about Universal Companies’ earth-friendly products, visit the company’s website.

The makers of Sex and the City 2 (SATC2) knew exactly what they were doing releasing the hyper-anticipated hit movie sequel last Memorial Day weekend. It meant people had free time to spare and sought fun ways to spend it. Monique Michaud found a way to not only seize holiday weekend marketing opportunities, but also get in on the SATC2 fervor for an added business boost.

As director of spa and retail operations, Michaud was brainstorming ways to entice guests to visit Spa of the Pines in Lake Arrowhead, California, during their extended weekend stays at its adjoining resort. She created several unique packages–all inspired by the film–and each reflected the personality of a beloved SATC character. Michaud even teamed up with the hotel bar to offer coupons for a complimentary drink, custom-suited to each spa package.

“The Carrie” ($155)–designed with fashionistas in mind–included a hairstyle, makeup application, classic pedicure and a Cosmo cocktail. “The Miranda” ($220)–created to service busy, wound-up guests–featured a decompressing Swedish massage, express facial and a tall glass of merlot. “The Charlotte” ($200) included a champagne facial, classic mani/pedi and a bubbly flute of champagne. “The Samantha” ($160) featured an aromatherapy body scrub, Brazilian wax and a Sex on the Beach martini. And the promo, called “A Taste of the City…” didn’t neglect male spa-goers. City men chose between “The Aiden” ($175)–a deep-tissue massage, reflexology treatment and mug of beer–and “Mr. Big” ($215)–a hot-stone massage, sports manicure and men’s hairstyle with a Manhattan cocktail.

Michaud, a “huge fan of the show,” said the idea came to her last-minute. “I was excited to see the movie, and I had this vision of a feather boa inside a large martini glass on our reception desk–and I just started writing,” she says.

Guests booked packages based on the their preferred treatments, though Michaud says that, “the ladies wanted to switch things around to get different drinks.” “The Miranda” and “The Aiden” were the big winners, but time will tell which character ultimately prevails. The spa extended the special until the end of June.

Michaud says she plans to look for more ways to incorporate pop culture into spa specials. “I only wish I’d come up with the idea earlier–I would’ve had the staff dress up and maybe added movie passes and a resort stay,” she adds. “I’d definitely do this again, but it’d have to be the right movie.”

Does your spa create promotions around popular movie releases and events? Tell us about it at koreilly@creativeage.com–Katie O’Reilly

New research shows that yoga can work on the waistline as well as the spirit.

A new study conducted by researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, has found that the state of mind used while practicing yoga, can also work to keep people from overeating.

Alan Kristal, Ph.D., who initiated the study four years ago, hypothesized that there was a link between the meditative practices of yoga and mindful eating. He theorized that the Eastern exercise increases body awareness, and individuals who practice yoga on a daily basis have an enhanced sensitivity to their body’s needs. This attentiveness allows them to stop eating when their body has received sufficient nutrition.

The study cites stress, distractions while eating and advertising cues as the primary triggers for eating too much. Yoga students have a better success rate at eradicating these factors because they are in the habit of bringing awareness to each moment.

Many spas have already picked up on the benefits of offering yoga to their clients. Here are a few that make it a regular part of their wellness regimen:


Exhale MindBody Spa, with locations across the United States, combines an active approach to well-being. Along with spa services, the facility offers a variety of Core Fusion activities, including beginning to advanced yoga. Visitors practice the link between breath and movement in a tranquil atmosphere.

Nurture Day Spa and Yoga Studio in Hot Springs, Arkansas, offers an Introduction to Yoga class (60 min./$10) which is meant to be as educational as it is beneficial. The spa wishes to create a warm and welcoming environment with wood accents and natural brick walls, so that yoga beginners and experts have a comfortable haven from their hectic lives.

Corinthian Wellness Spa in Southlake, Texas, holds yoga classes and parties in its Harmony Room. The spa offers private (70 min./$85), semi-private (70min./$55) or small group classes (70 min./$35) for clients. The yoga practice room offers its own unique experience. The ceiling employs fiber-optic lighting to mimic a starry night, and large screens fill the room, with images of Hawaii, Bali and Lake Tahoe taking them away from it all.

Cocoon Urban Day Spa in San Francisco provides all levels of yoga classes to benefit each guest. The spa offers drop-in classes at all levels (60 min./$12). The staff works to give each client individual attention.

Adding yoga programs to your spa’s repertoire is just another way to communicate to your clients that their well-being is your top priority. –Stephanie Flores

Zoya offers spas the chance to exchange old polishes for new, greener ones.



With spring in the air, and summer right around the corner, your customers are sure to ask for fun and fresh polish colors that the seasons inspire. If you find that your inventory is lacking the right hues, the 2010 Zoya Nail Polish Exchange is just the thing for you.

From now till June 30, Zoya is offering a bottle-for-bottle polish exchange for all spa and salon professionals. Send in at least six old bottles of any brand name (other than Zoya, Qtica or Nocti) and you’ll get your pick from a selection of the company’s more than 300 colors, including the new Flash & Sparkle line.

Additionally, Zoya will dispose of your old polish according to Environmental Protection Agency guidelines. This exchange promotion is free, but it requires $3.50 per bottle for shipping and processing.



Not only will your lacquer inventory get a fresh boost of color, it will also be free from formaldehyde, toluene, camphor and dibutyl phthalate (DBP). That’s good news for you, your clients’ nails and the earth! With deals like this, it’s easy to be green.

For more information on the Zoya polish exchange, visit www.zoya.com. —Stephanie Flores

The polish leader is acquired by one of the world’s largest beauty companies.



L’Oréal USA has acquired leading professional lacquer company Essie Cosmetics. Essie Weingarten, the brand’s founder, recently said the company generates $150 million in retail sales annually. “This strategic acquisition will enable L’Oréal to increase our share in the nail color and care market, which has seen significant growth year-over-year,” says Frédéric Rozé, president and chief executive officer of L’Oréal USA.


Essie will continue to be a salon brand, according to the company. “Essie will have access to L’Oreal’s research and development department and will be able to deliver the same high-quality nail products to professionals everywhere,” says Arlene Benza, PR director for the brand. “L’Oreal’s distribution will allow Essie products to be available more places worldwide.”

Weingarten, who founded the company in 1981, has signed a multiyear contract with L’Oréal and will continue to oversee the creative development of the brand. Max Sortino, Weingarten’s husband and CEO of Essie, will stay on board as well.

Anna Nelson is CND nail-art royalty, and she was treated as such at the 2010 Mercedes-Benz New York Fall Fashion Week. Nelson, whose azure animal print nail design was chosen by fans to be the best out of 650 entrees in CND’s first online nail style competition, used the company’s Colour & Effects to create her winning piece. A welcome reception awaited her when she first arrived at the CND nail studio.

After getting a firsthand look at the week’s preparations for the fashion shows, Nelson joined CND president Jan Arnold for dinner at the Japanese restaurant Koi, which is located in the Bryant Park Hotel. What was the conversation topic of choice? Nails, of course! Although Nelson is primarily a hairstylist, her second passion is nail design. She brought along her portfolio of nail tips, which impressed Arnold.

But the fun didn’t stop there. Nelson sat front-row center in some of the week’s hottest shows, which included Diego Binetti, Twinkle and The Blonds. At each, she was invited backstage to apprentice with Roxanne Valinoti, Angi Wingle and Kristina Estabrooks, some of CND’s most noted nail professionals.

“Beauty comes first, art second,” says Nelson of her labor of love. “Nails are a treasure—you can incorporate design, color and technique into a fashionable finish.” —Stephanie Flores