Articles by Shari Rosenberg

For spa lovers, nothing beats a spa day (or a getaway), but sometimes ‘letting yourself go’ may seem like a splurge. We say spa is part of personal maintenance, overall wellness, and mental health. So, here are a few tips to keep in mind so you can spa on a budget.

The basics: Collagen is produced by the skin and gives it elasticity and firmness, which is lessened as we age (hence wrinkles, crows feet, lines around the lips, you get the idea). So, because collagen is naturally produced by our skin, what a collagen facial does is help stimulate the production, using a special collagen protein serum. Collagen facials are said to leave the skin looking plumper and revitalized. It also helps with anti-aging efforts because dead skin cells are sloughed away. I learned a very interesting fact about exfoliation…more on that in a minute. Collagen facials are especially popular (especially in Tinseltown) before a special event. Typically, this is a pricier spa beauty treatment than say a spa’s signature facial.

Like several of our romantic spas of Italy do, the luxurious Borghese skincare product line utilizes the healing waters of Tuscany. Beauty products from Borghese are always sumptuous and from the earth, and their “classic favorite,” Fango Brillante Brightening Mud Mask, is no exception.

Italy is the perfect setting for a romantic spa vacation…breathtaking landscapes, unique spa experiences, delicious food and wine. The northern regions are best known for healing thermal spas, mainly situated along the volcanic highlands. These spas specialize in traditional thalassotherapy (using marine-derived elements such as seaweed). For couples, especially honeymooners, discover the enchantment of Romantic Spas in Italy.

If you’re a yoga fanatic and happen to love the beach, plan now for this Labor Day weekend escape, September 3-6, to Miami Beach for a few days of soul-lifting yoga and enjoy early bird packages.

Just less than an hour north of Milan lies a stunning, historically rich, brand-new luxury resort and spa that played host to my recent whirlwind weekend adventure in early June. CastaDiva Resort is named for the famous opera soprano Giuditta Pasta (who was composer Bellini’s muse) and is located in Lake Como, Italy, a magical summer playground for great artists, celebrities, international soccer stars, and often lovingly nicknamed “Lake Clooney” for being home to debonair every-ladies man actor George Clooney. (Yes, I snuck a peek at his villa during a lake tour!)

Take a moment and “like” SpaFinder on Facebook , then write on our wall telling us that you want a SpaFinder Gift Certificate and you’ll be entered to win one worth $100 to enjoy at one of over 5,000 spas worldwide! Joining SpaFinder on Facebook will keep you up to date on spa news, deals, and cool promotions or giveaways!

Combine your dad’s need for relaxation with his love for gadgets by setting him up with SpaFinder’s iPhone App and a SpaFinder Gift Certificate for Father’s Day! Buy Dad a spa gift and he’ll be able to find a spa closest to wherever he is with our new iPhone application, which allows Dads and kids alike to find a spa near them, read reviews, and book appointments instantly from the palm of your hand! Download the app today and send your dad on his way to much deserved deep relaxation!

No plans for the holiday weekend? Two words: spa staycation. Grab your honey, your best friend, or go solo to a getaway spa that’s in short distance from home. Relax with a massage treatment or get reenergized on a scenic hike. Long weekends were made for spa. Find spas in your area and look for last-minute deals.

Most working women know how to cram in errands during an hour lunch break. And for many well groomed ‘go-getter girls,’ a proper manicure or a quick workout becomes part of a “to do” list. But what about massage? Indulgent? I say no. Read more about “quickie treatments” at the spa.

SpaFinder has teamed up with People Magazine’s very popular new sister publication, StyleWatch to bring you awesome savings at two spas that celebrities love. Whether you’re on the east-coast or the west-coast you can treat your skin the way stars treat theirs, with some of the best luxury skincare treatments and products.

The name of this massage comes from the Japanese word Shi (“finger”) and refers to the fact that it relies on slow, steady pressure rather than flowing strokes. Besides the fingers, the therapist may use her palms, elbows, knees and feet. At many spas, shiatsu is done on a floor mat and you wear loose clothes. No oil is used. If you do undress, the therapist usually keeps a sheet between her hands and your body the entire time. Classical Japanese shiatsu actually has more in common with Western massage than traditional Oriental medicine as it works primarily on the muscles and connective tissues, not chi (energy) and meridians (energy pathways).

Appetizers, dips and other starters can start to really add up calories before you even take a whiff of your main course. But Robert Pritikin of the Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa in Miami, has developed a solution for calorie counters everywhere, and it consists of delicious recipes that include classics that have been updated for a low-fat, health conscious alternative. The Pritikin Principle doesn’t ask us to try to defeat our hunger drive, but to satisfy it with nutritious foods that keep us satisfied while still allowing for weight loss.

My spa day commenced with an Epsom salt foot soak and a glass of organic tea in the Kipahulu Relaxation Room. This area is also known as “Maui Under the Stars” because the ceiling looks like a nighttime sky lit by constellations (fiber optic twinkling lights). The initial salt soak helped me relax, from toe to head, as native Hawaiian music played in the background.

I giggled when I heard of napping at a spa but after my experience at Yelo Spa I am sold! The sleep pod is a room that is insulated from the sounds of the spa and the noise of the New York streets

There’s still time to take advantage of SpaFinder’s weeklong Deal Days event, March 8-14. Sign up here www.spafinder.com/dealdays for a list of nationwide spas offering pampering treatments for only $50! In just three easy steps—sign in, search, and book—you’re on your way to a refreshed and rejuvenated you!

Bordered by four of the five Great Lakes, the State of Michigan is a destination spot for everything from fishing to hunting to winter sports, all surrounded by serene landscapes. But, if you’ve got more-leisurely recreational pursuits in mind, take advantage of SpaFinder’s Deal Days. This weeklong, nationwide event—March 8-14—boasts full-service, 50-minute spa treatments for […]

SpaFinder Deals Days has begun! And the Washington Metropolitan Area is one of the hottest regions for $50 spa treatments. There are literally dozens of spas to choose from – from Annapolis, MD to Vienna, VA – that are participating in this spa-tacular event for spa-lovers.

Spas in the Lone Star state are serving up gigantic—and affordable!—deals Texas-style with SpaFinder’s weeklong Deal Days event www.spafinder.com/dealdays, March 8-14. Corral your spa-going partners and two-step into tons of spas offering 50-minute spa services that range everywhere from facials to massages to nailcare—for just $50! Book pronto—appointments are filling up faster than you can say “saddle up”!

On our national promotion campaign for SpaFinder Deal Days, our “Robe Girls” hit the streets of NYC this past Tuesday. Getting the word out, these spa-loving, robe-clad ladies caught a lot of attention. Check out all of the awesome photos on Flickr of the girls’ escapades at the NBC Today Show, at Union Square, on the subway, at the Apple Store and pounding the pavement in Times Square!

The word is out! So book your appointments now because $50 spa treatments won’t last long! SpaFinder Deal Days is a one week long event in cities all over the U.S. Search, book and spa!