Pamper Your Skin!

Yesterday I had a my yearly facial. I must make a new years resolution to go at least 2-3 times a year for a facial because it was once again a wonderful experience. This time I had a pumpkin facial which had an amazing effect on my skin. I don't think my skin has ever felt this soft before. The pumpkin enzyme mask really unclogged all the congestion in my skin leaving it softer than ever before. In addition to the standard facial, Kelly did a arm scrub,foot massage and neck massage---ooooh, it just felt so good!

Kelly carries my spa products to sell retail to her facial clients. I met Kelly last year and we became friends. During the facial she used my red roses sugar scrub on my hands and arms--wrapped them in towels and let the scrub melt into my skin. At the conclusion of my facial she wiped down my arms and hands with a warm washcloth. Let me just say that my arms felt baby butt soft! We both had to giggle since I make the scrub and even I was super impressed with the transformation of my skin.

The long and short of this story is to remember to take care of your skin. Pamper your skin with healthy products that nourish not only the top layer of skin, but will continue to nourish deep into your skin long after its been washed off or absorbed into the skin.

Self-care is important not just physically, but emotionally too.

As we say at EclipseSpa, Spa at Home Tonight

~Anne Keefe

Hand Harvested Shea Butter

EclipseSpa's Shea Butter has been hand-harvested in Ghana Africa. You'll find this shea butter as the main ingredient in our sugar scrubs.

Shea Butter also known as karite butter which is extracted from the nuts of the genus Butyrosperum Parkii Kotschy tree which grows in Central Africa. Karite Butter is superior to cocoa and jojoba butter in its ability to heal damaged and dry skin.

It's great protection for the skin protecting it from the elements; sun, photoageing, and elimination of superficial irritations, burns, eczema, dermatitis, dermatosis, and all damaged hair conditions.

Shea butter is an extremely therapeutic emollient with chemical constituents that help to heal bruising and soreness.

The natives of Central Africa as well as those in Japan use karite butter for food as well as body care. Karite butter is a replacement for regular dairy butter in foods, and a perfect replacement for dairy butter in cooking for vegetarians.

In Africa, it has also long been used with astonishing results as a massage balm for tired and sore muscles, rheumatism, burns, and light wounds.

EclipseSpa's Sugar Scrubs are 100% natural and made with Shea Butter, sugar, and other therapeutic oils. We absolutely promise you will love the way your skin will look and feel after each use.

Dryer Sachets

Don't you love it when you take your clothes out of the dryer and they smell really, really good? Now you can create low-cost dryer sachets right at home with natural essential oils.

Take a cotton cloth--(you can recycle your old Bounce fabric softener sheets)and put 10 drops of an essential oil on the cloth. Place the cloth in the dryer together with the clothes to be scented.

Essential Oil Ideas: Lavender, Lime, Spearmint, Geranium, or Spearmint. Personally, a blend of lavender and lime is my favorite.

Enjoy!

Anne Keefe

Natural Carpet Deodorizer

Have you ever tried using a Carpet Fresh product? They come in different scents, but most are so strong, the smell will make you gag. At least it does for me. The artificial fragrance is overwhelming.

We have a corner in our family room that the cats will pee on ever so often. (once was too much for me!) It doesn't seem to matter if the carpet has been cleaned and deodorized by a professional carpet cleaning company, they still head over to that corner.

With the warmer weather the carpet wasn't smelling very good and it was really bothering my husband. I decided to make my own carpet deodorizer using baking soda and essential oils. The result was amazing! The carpet and family room instantly smelled fresher and not too perfumey like it would have been with Carpet Fresh. Actually, the entire downstairs smelled amazing with the fresh and pure scent of essential oils.

Here is the recipe for you to try at home:

30 drops of lime essential oil
30 drops of lavender essential oil
20 drops of orange essential oil
1/2 cup of baking soda

Mix all the ingredients in a wide mouth jar-tighten the cap. Set aside for 24 hours for the scent to permeate the baking soda. Sprinkle over the carpet, wait 15-minutes and then vacuum.

I also took 2 cotton balls and saturated (just 1/2 of the cotton ball) with the essential oils and placed them on the carpet while I waited the 24 hours.

By the way, the cats have not gone near that corner since!

Enjoy,

Anne Keefe

Join the EclipseSpa Dream Team

Join EclipseSpa as an Independent Spa at Home Tonight Consultant

Are you looking for a great part-time job to make extra money? EclipseSpa wants to empower 25 women with a wonderful opportunity to make extra money and have fun selling organic bath & body products for women and men to create the spa experience at home.

Why EclipseSpa?

Eclipsespa creates organic and natural bath and body products that people can use to relax & rejuvenate right at home. Our products will remove the days effects and re-introduce you to the body you live in....connect with it, feel it, reward it.

We use only the best ingredients science has to offer to soothe and protect your skin, leaving it velvety soft after you bathe or shower. Our natural fragrances have the power to transform your emotions, and heal your body.

Eclipsespa is committed to sustainable practices and providing the best ever natural and organic bath & body products for you to turn your bath into an organic spa experience. Plus, we hand-pour all of our 100% soy wax candles in house using only the freshest and purest essential oils for eco-friendly light and comfort.

Our Business Opportunity Offers:

* No quotas
* No Inventory to stock. We'll ship every order to you to distribute to your customer or we can ship directly to your customer
* Create your own demo kit by purchasing products on sale along with your personal discount
* OR purchase a "Sample Kit" that contains 5 retail size products of your choice to use for demo's.
* Share our Spa at Home Tonight story
* Receive a 25% personal discount on all our products
* Receive referral rewards for any new consultant you refer and has 2 months worth of commissionable income
* Work one-on-one with customers or have "Spa at Home Tonight" parties
* You'll have your own consultant link to enter orders into our system
* Get paid immediately through your own PayPal account or we'll mail your commission check to you.
* Earn a 30% commission on your orders. Reach $2500 in orders and you'll start earning 35% commissions
* Click here to Sign up. Choose the pull down menu and choose wholesale, affiliate, rep. In the message area please indicate that you are interested in the Sales Consultant Program and we'll call you to get you started





You can decide how you want to work:

* Spa at Home Tonight Parties with a Hostess Rewards Program
* One on One: Present the products to individual prospects at any time,any place
* Online: Bring your customers directly to you. Work your business from home
* Online Parties: Host an online party.

I wanted to share a personal bit from my first "Spa at Home Consultant" Judi who encourage me to offer this opportunity to others:

I love your idea for consultants! When you offered me this opportunity I didn’t know exactly how I would do it, I don’t have a website, a tax ID or anything else related to selling. I didn’t feel I qualified for the Affiliate program as outlined on your site, but with your guidance and customizing the program to fit the “Avon” lady everything just seemed to fall into place for me (I am VERY thankful for everything!).

When you offer it to women they will be amazed at how easy and how much fun they will be having while making money without having a “Business”. The best part of this is not only the “one on one” approach with the customers but the secure feeling of the “one on one” relationship with you. I know that no matter what someone asks me about a product you are right there to help me out. It’s a relationship that is rare and so appreciated in today’s world!

I don’t think anyone will believe how quickly they will hit their goals! I think shipping product to the consultant is the way to go, you are correct you really do build a closer relationship with people when you deliver the product and they smell or try it for the first time (they go as crazy as I did!).

What I do is I keep a small supply of product to use as samples when we get together so everyone can try them out. Sometimes people just want to smell (of course they go crazy with the red rose scent! And a lot of people love your lavender scent, it’s not overdone), sometimes they want to try it.

I try to keep a small (1 or 2) supply of products in case someone wants to buy the product right then, so my investment is very small, but I think the sample kit is a good idea. Then they will have product that someone hasn’t ordered (does that make sense? I just keep what I know I can sell within two weeks) also, having product shipped to one address saves money, whether they want to split the shipping with their customers or have the consultant pay the shipping (this is a great selling point that the customer is getting free shipping).

I think you have hit on all the info someone would want to know. I wish you great success with this and I know once people start checking it out they won’t believe how much added fun and income in life you are offering. It looks like this is the perfect time to offer this with the At Home consultants out there looking. I hope for nothing but the best for you!

Balance Your World with Aromatherapy

Our daily lives can be so hectic. Sometimes it feels like the whole world has conspired to complicate our lives and make them more difficult. The old adage, “If it can go wrong, it will, and at the worst possible moment” seems to have been coined just for us.

Morning comes too soon and we drag ourselves out of the bed and slowly become alert and aware. We get ourselves dressed and to work and function pretty well through the morning and the early afternoon.

Then, when we need to be awake, alert and at the top of our game, we will suddenly be overcome by a sleepy spell. We feel like we just can’t keep our eyes open and they not only need to be open but they need to be WIDE open. We will head for the nearest coffeepot or start looking for a snack loaded with sugar to get ourselves back in gear.

Then at night when we finally crawl into our beds that sleepy spell is long gone. About the same time our heads hit the pillow, our eyes pop open, our minds rewind the day and starts replaying it in excruciating detail. We can’t find the off switch and we spend half the night tossing and turning and looking for that elusive sleep that we so badly need.

That scenario is so common. Slow to wake up...afternoon sleepy spell....trouble sleeping at night that is about average. Believe it or not, aromatherapy can help. Aromatherapy can get you going in the morning. You will feel bright-eyed, bushy-tailed and ready to face the world. Aromatherapy can beat the afternoon slump in about 30 seconds and aromatherapy can help you to get into a deep, relaxing sleep that will refresh mind and body at night.

First thing in the morning, you need to use a body wash in your morning shower that contains the essential oil of grapefruit or lemongrass. Grapefruit or lemongrass essential oils will pop your eyes open and make you feel awake, alert and ready to face your day.

When the mid-afternoon slump hits, you need to spend about 30 seconds inhaling the essential oil peppermint. Peppermint will revitalize you and make you alert and at the top of your game. This can be repeated every 15 minutes as often as required.

In the evening when you come home from work you are going to be tired but not relaxed enough to allow you to get the rest that you need. You need to apply some aromatherapy that will induce complete relaxation and allow you to get the really deep sleep that you need in order to awake refreshed.

Make yourself a cup of chamomile tea by using either dried bulk chamomile or a chamomile tea bag. Sit down, take you shoes off and relax. Sit the tea slowly as you inhale the aroma.

Then take a nice warm (not hot) bath to which you have added some lavender. Take your time and soak a while. Listen to some soft music and go to bed.

Woof, Woof, for Lavender Shower Gel

Yesterday, our dog Macualy was due for his bath. Our little guy loves getting a warm bath and is an angel in the tub. My husband informed me just before bath time that he was out of the lavender and chamomile dog shampoo. I told him to grab one of my lavender shower gels and use that instead of buying more dog shampoo. The ingredients in my shower gels are made with organic plant ingredients and don't strip the skin of moisture. After Macualy's bath I asked Michael how the shower gel worked compared to the dog shampoo. I was surprised, and not so surprised when Michael told me that his hands felt softer after Macualy's bath in comparison to using the dog shampoo. He also surprised me by saying that he would like to try one of my shower gels now. Michael has always been a natural soap bar kind of guy. As for Macualy, he got cleaned up really well,smells terrific, and I observed that he was not as itchy afterwards as he was with his dog shampoo.

Now, I am not telling people that my organic shower gels have gone to the dogs, but if you want to save some $$ and share a lavender shower gel with your beloved dog, then pick one up today because they are on sale for $5.00 each!

The Use of Aromatherapy Candles

There is just something about candlelight that attracts us. We will turn off electric light to simply enjoy the ambiance of candle light. The candlelight itself produces a calming a soothing effect on us and when essential oils are added, the effect will become intensified.

The mental and emotional effect of essential oils remains the same whether they are being used in aromatherapy massage, in warm bath water, as compresses or the aroma is simply being inhaled from a tissue or cotton ball that has a few drops of an essential oil on it. The therapeutic effect of the essential oil remains the same no matter what delivery system is used.

It should be noted that a scented candle and an aromatherapy candle are not one and the same thing. A scented candle is just what it says it is. It is a candle that contains scent and nothing more. An aromatherapy candle contains essential oils that will produce scent of course but will also produce the desired therapeutic effects of the essential oil.

Aromatherapy candles that contain the essential oil, lavender, will help to relieve stress and anxiety. Lighting an aromatherapy candle after a really stressful day can help to calm and soothe those frayed nerves and relax your tired mind. Lavender promotes a sense of peace and that is just the ticket after a really tough and stress filled day.

If insomnia is a problem, light a small aromatherapy candle that contains the essential oil, sage. Make sure that you extinguish the candle before actually falling asleep, though.

An aromatherapy candle that contains the essential oil of chamomile is another excellent choice for the purpose of relaxation and unwinding after a hard day.
If you aren’t feeling well because you have a cold, try lighting an aromatherapy candle that contains the essential oil, eucalyptus. The clean but medicinal scent will soothe you and the therapeutic effects will help you to breathe easier and also boost your immune system.

If you are suffering from muscles aches, headaches or digestive problems, light an aromatherapy candle that contains the essential oil of peppermint. The aroma will settle you and the therapeutic effects will calm you stomach and relieve your aching head or your sore muscles.

Aromatherapy candles can be purchased that contain many essential oils as well as combinations of essential oils. It is important that you ascertain that the candles that you buy do in fact contain real essential oil and not just scent.

Have a great weekend,

Anne Keefe

Borage Oil aka Borago Officinalis

If you want a product that is designed to make your skin incredibly soft, you should look for one that contains Borage Oil.

Borage oil comes from a plant. This plant is a wildflower, sometimes called starflower. It is a relatively large plant with star shaped, bright blue flowers and it is found wild in almost all parts of the world. It is a well-known herb that has been recognized and used for over 1500 years. The Roman historian Pliny writes of the virtues of borage and it is suspected that borage leaves, steeped in wine, was the mysterious nepenthe elixir that Homer writes of, which causes absolute forgetfulness when drunk. In the middle ages borage leaves were commonly brewed into a medicinal tea.*

Clinically, borage oil has been shown to be a very effective agent for treating skin disorders and for alleviating the inflammatory symptoms associated with these disorders. For everyday use, borage oil has been shown to be very effective in treating the redness, inflammation and moisture loss associated with dry skin.

This fabulous ingredient which is in our Men's lotion currently is best known for its ability to soften, soothe, and re-condition the skin. It is truly marvelous as a carrier oil and is equally superb for addition to body care products. It is considered useful for sensitive skin.

*Grieve, M., A Modern Herbal (Vol 1) Dover Publications, NY 1971 p.119.

Dandelion-Not so much a pesky weed

Organic Dandelion has been under-appreciated, overlooked, and forever maligned.

Considered by most to be a pesky weed, EclipseSpa is here to set the record straight and raise Dandelion up to its well deserved glory.

As a wild plant that has not been cultivated like most others, dandelion retains its high mineral content and passes this onto us in a highly bio-available form. Having originated in Greece, its botanical name comes from the Greek words “disorder” and “remedy”. It has blown itself into the four corners of the world and today is used as a thousand year old remedy for breast cancer in China, a cure for AIDS in Toaist Herbalism, and in Costa Rica is sold as a remedy for diabetes.

Dandelion contains chemicals called eudesmanolides, which are found in no other herb. Other components include sterols, flavonoids, and mucilage. These are all highly revered antioxidants, preventing the degeneration of skin cells and DNA.

A key to anti-aging is preventing free radical damage. Dandelion kicks free radical booty and is why we include it religiously in our body care products. Next time you blow its parachute-tufted seeds while making a wish, take a moment to say thank you to our faithful and humble skin care servant….Dandelion.

Aromatherapy Tip: Studying for Exams

If you are studying for an exam and need to be more alert, or need help remembering what you are studying, use aromatherapy. All the essential oils in this recipe help with mental clarity and memory.

Mix together:

5 drops of lime essential oil
5 drops of rosemary essential oil
5 drops of spearmint essential oil
1 tablespoon oil (olive, almond, etc.)

Before you start to study massage the formula on the back of your neck and shoulders. On the day of your exams, take a cotton ball, dip it in the essential oil formula and place in a zip lock bag. Bring this to class and inhale deeply the aromas before and during the exam.

Blog Contest: Name Our New Candle!

I thought I would have a little fun and give-away one of our new candles that has not been named yet. The contest is to name our new candle. I am going to lend a hand and explain a bit about the essential oils in the candle. The candle is a blend of grapefruit, cedarwood, geranium and oakmoss essential oils.

This candle smells truly amazing!


Grapefruit: From the citrus family. Has an energizing and uplifting scent
Cedarwood: The scent is woody. Promotes restful sleep and reduces anxiety and tension
Geranium: The scent is rose like. Known to be a stimulant and mood uplifting
Oakmoss: The scent is earthy-mossy. Kind of comforting and grounding. Used in Witchcraft for Money Spells! ( I am not joking )

Keep these in mind when thinking of a name. The names of our other aromatherapy candles are: Clarity, Inspiration, Harmony, Balance and Calming

We will run the contest until April 17th and pick a winner over that weekend.

Thank you for participating,

Anne Keefe

Clean the Home with Aromatherapy

Unfortunately, space that we live in must be cleaned on a regular basis. That has been the necessary but pretty unglamorous job that has fallen to wives and mothers historically. Husbands and fathers have been getting into the cleaning routine in the last few years as more and more wives and mothers are working full time outside the home.

In the past, very harsh chemicals were regularly used to eradicate germs, dirt and odors. Today, younger generations are becoming more and more aware of the way these harsh chemicals affect their families and the environment in which we all live.

Many modern-day households use nothing but ‘green’ cleaning products. These are products that are made from natural ingredients that are safe for use around kids and pets and are also biodegradable and harmless to the environment. Many household have quit buying cleaning products that contain harsh chemicals altogether.

Some households even make their own cleaning products using natural ingredients like baking soda and vinegar. While it is true that almost every cleaning job in the home can be accomplished by using one or the other of these natural products, there isn’t a nice clean scent left behind once the cleaning task has been accomplished.

Once households that are very concerned about avoiding the use of harsh chemicals in cleaning products discover the essential oils that are used in aromatherapy, they never look back. Many of the scents of the essential oils are used in commercial cleaning products. They are what give the products the nice clean smells of pine and lemon for example.

You don’t have to give up nice clean smells when you switch to natural cleaning products. You can enhance the cleaning and disinfecting properties of natural cleaning products by adding essential oils to them and get that nice clean smell as a bonus.

Tea Tree oil is a good example. Tea tree oil has a medicinal scent that is sharp and practically screams clean AND disinfected. Add just a few drops to that vinegar/water spray that you use to clean the bathroom. Tea Tree oil is a disinfectant that will kill germs in your bathroom and leave a nice clean scent behind.

Eucalyptus is another essential oil that is a disinfectant. Adding a few drops to your wash will kill dust mites in sheets and pillowcases and leave behind a nice clean scent as well.

The essential oils of orange, lemon and pine all have cleaning properties. You can add a few drops of orange or lemon to a little olive oil and make furniture cleaner that is next to none and have a nice clean scent to boot. Pine essential oil can be added to water used to wash floors and other surfaces. The scent will be wonderful and you get added cleaning and disinfecting as well.

Just because you want to be environmentally correct and just because you want cleaning products that are natural and safe to use around kids and pets doesn’t mean that you have to deny yourself the pleasure of clean aromas.

Have a great weekend,

Anne Keefe

First Day of Spring

I absolutely love Spring. In Northern CA, the hills are green, the birds are singing, and the trees and flowers are blooming. I love Spring.....I planted herbs and zucchini this week in honor of Spring. I planted Thyme, Marjoram, Sage, Italian Parsley, Rosemary, Oregano, Chocolate Mint, and Zucchini. I plan on planting tomatoes next month, and if there is room, I want to plant cilantro and mint. I hope to avoid costly expenditures later this spring and summer by growing my own herbs. I love to cook, and find buying herbs very expensive in our grocery stores or farmers market. Saving money is always a good thing.....

Spring brings an excitement and freshness to the air. I want to work with scents that are uplifting and refreshing too. This week I made grapefruit, lime, and chocolate bath bombs for a local spa. I hope to get some up on my website this weekend if I don't pre-sell all of them. Currently, we have lime bath bombs available. They smell so yummy, you practically want to eat them!

I am going to leave you with a quote that I thought fitting to our present day:

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome. ~Anne Bradstreet


Have a spa-licious weekend,

Anne

Candle Making

 

The last couple of Sundays have been candle making day. I have always loved making things. When I was a child my parents bought me a candle making kit. I remember my dad and I sitting at the kitchen table making candles. I specifically remember the glass cutter that came with the kit that we used on a old wine bottle. We cut the wine bottle basically in half used it as our candle container.

I'm pretty certain the wax used in the 70's was paraffin which is not healthy for you or the environment. Thankfully, we can all enjoy healthier candles these days that also support the soy farmers. EclipseSpa candles are free of toxins and scented with pure essential oils. Check out our new line of aromatherapy candles that are relaxing and stimulating.

In Feng Shui, candles will illuminate and enlighten a space, alter a dark corner and enlighten your inner spirit.

Candles also provide us with eco-friendly light and comfort. I love lighting a candle in my office while I am working. I suppose it makes sense that I would do this, but is does enhance my work experience. Will it enhance yours? That is the question.

Have a great day and week,

Anne Keefe

Relax at Home...Sleep Better

I am always preaching about relaxing and rejuvenating at home. With the economic road so bumpy, it is more important than ever to take time to create a spa experience at home. Whether that is lighting soy candles for eco-friendly light and comfort, or taking a hot soak before bed for a better nights sleep.

We are not immune to stress at home ourselves. With basically two new businesses still finding its legs, there are still some stressful days and evenings.

A couple of weeks ago my husband was very stressed and feeling down in the dumps. It was a Friday night and he was tired from a long week and stressed. I got out my soy candles and put them around the family room, lit them, and turned out the lights. You could almost feel the stress leave my husband in a Whoosh. Within 15 minutes, the aromatherapy scent was filling the room and my husband was much more relaxed and feeling happier.

Last night I wanted to test a new natural fragrance in our bath salts I am contemplating and thought I would treat myself to a hot soak. While the tub was filling, I got my book and a fluffy bath towel, washed my face, and then got into the tub. I've written in previous posts about how water temperature heals and how water therapy has been used for centuries. Ever hear of the saying "taking the waters". I felt so wonderful after my soak. My skin was super soft and my muscles were much more relaxed. I lathered on some lotion I made and got into my bath robe.

The most important area I want to emphasize is that I slept like a baby. For the 20 minutes I spent in the tub, it translated to 8 hours of blissful sleep. Today I heard on the news that more prescriptions for sleep were written in 2008 than ever before. Take a hot soak..its almost free....I would rather see people addicted to hot soaks than to pills.

The moral of all this....you need to find ways to create an environment of peace and tranquility at home, and treat your body to the healing waters in your tub or shower in these extreme times of uncertainty and stress.


Anne Keefe

Uplifting Lemongrass

Lemongrass, one of my favorites, originates from India and is widely used as an herb in Asian and Caribbean cooking. Lemongrass brings its tempting aroma and skin- caring properties to the spa and spa products.

Lemongrass is also used as a medicinal herb. Rich in citral, the active ingredient in lemon peel, lemongrass is said to aid in digestion, as well as relieve spasms, muscle cramps, rheumatism and headaches.

Candles, soaps and fragrances capitalize on its fresh scent. And as a natural ingredient that normalizes overactive oil glands and features a heavenly aroma, lemongrass is used as a component in spa services and products.

In the kitchen, although normally used in small amounts, the entire stalk of the grass can be sliced very fine and added to soups. Its bulb can be bruised and minced in a variety of recipes. I love going to Thai restaurants and having soup with lemongrass in it.

A treat for both the palette and skin, lemongrass offers an escape from the everyday. Its clean, crisp flavor and scent complement culinary delights, comforting beverages and soothing spa products. Give yourself a lift with a spa product that contains the heavenly scent of lemongrass.

If I were a flower.........

This is fun, just let your imagination flow. If you were a flower, what type of flower would you be and why? Having trouble picking one, write more than just one.....

I'll go first............

If I were a flower, I would be a red rose because they are soft and pretty and smell amazing. I had red roses in my wedding bouquet,and remember the day when Michael sent me dozens and dozens of roses before he moved in. That is why I made some bath products with the fresh scent of red roses.


Okay, now your turn...........

How to Relieve Tired and Puffy Eyes

An inexpensive way to reduce puffy and fatigued eyes: Tea Bags

For people who suffer every morning from puffy eyes or have to cover the bags under their eyes, apart from purchasing expensive cosmetic creams to reduce the symptoms perhaps it is wise to try out one of the oldest natural remedies: a couple of tea bags. If you consider it, it is at least worth the try, as your eyes are, apart from the windows or your soul, also the focal point of your face. Thus, you should take good care of them and devote the necessary time to reveal their own special beauty. Having tired, baggy eyes can add years to your age, while sparkling ones can brighten your face and give you a more youthful appearance. Remember that it is vital to care for the delicate area around them and tea or tea bags can help you reveal the best set of eyes.

Just like when you are feeling tired you reach your kitchen's cabinet to grab some of your favorite tea brand and relax, the same should your reaction be in case you wake up in the morning and witness the symptom of puffy eyes in your bathroom's mirror. Chances are that if your body is tired your eyes will show it. Swollen, red or puffy eyes are indicators of fatigue and it is important to be aware of the fact that the black tea bags you place into your favorite mug can also offer your eyes immediate relief.

The restorative effect of black tea is so apparent that it will surprise you how quickly this simple process can reduce your problem and its occurrence. From the night before, you should boil water and put two tea bags in it like you would if you were going to make tea. After brewing for 5 minutes, take the tea bags out and ring out the liquid. Next, place both tea bags into your kitchen's freezer. You need to have them cool, but not frozen. Keep them in the freezer for 10-15 minutes and then take them out, lay down, relax and put the tea bags over the puffy ears over your eyes. Leave them there for approximately another 10-15 minutes, turning them over half way through. Afterwards, remove the tea bags and dispose of them. Then rinse your face with cool water to remove any tea stains. Make sure you rinse off any residue carefully with a cold damp tissue or face cloth.

In addition, warm tea bags might be more relaxing on a cold winter day, and it has been found to reduce under eye puffiness just as well as the cold tea bags. If you do drink tea often you can begin saving the two wet tea bags from your tea pot while they are still warm, but not hot! Then you should again select a comfortable spot in your home, be it the bed, the couch or the floor. Place a towel where your head will be resting to prevent leaking and staining. Lie down, place one black tea bag over each eye after closing your eyes first and relax for just five minutes. Deep breathing will increase your oxygen intake while you rest and promote increased energy levels.

You'll be amazed at how much wider open your eyes will feel and how quickly soreness will be reduced. This simple, old-fashioned home remedy is a true gift. There is always the option of buying special eyes tea bags from your local pharmacy or on Eclipsespa.com but any black tea bag works just as well and is certainly more economical.

Natural Skin Care for Winter

The cold and blustery winter months are upon us and for many that means problems with their skin. Whether you suffer from dry skin all the time, or your skin becomes chapped from being outdoors in the wind or from forced indoor heating,or any other number of skin issues, I'm sure you wished there was a cure for what ails you.

Did you know there are actually many ways that you can care for your skin, naturally without having to purchase anything from your local drug or department store? That's right, you have the ability to do your own skin care regimen at home for pennies, because most likely you already have everything that you need right in your own home.

Some ways that you can care for your winter skin naturally include:

Exfoliating: Especially if you have dry skin, exfoliating that old, dead skin can help allow moisture which you need to get into your pores once you have ridden them of those dead, flaky skin cells. To exfoliate you will need a physical agent like ground walnuts or apricot hulls, or an enzyme, which basically eats dead skin cells. There are even foods that are rich in enzymes which you can use to create your own at home mask to use in the process of exfoliation. These foods include pineapple and papaya. Milk also has fatty acids that mildly exfoliate. This is why the traditional milk bath has been so popular.

To create an easy inexpensive natural exfoliant, mix sea salt with olive oil. Smoothe in while standing in the tub and rub your skin gently,then rinse in the shower. You can do the same with sugar - not so great to eat, but awesome for your skin! Add a drop of your favorite essential oil to make it a spa treatment and relax you.

Eating: Yes, something that you already do on a regular basis if done correctly can change your skin. For example to help dry skin, include foods in your diet that are rich in fatty acids. Some of these foods include salmon, olive and coconut oils, avocado, and nuts. Incorporate these into your daily diet to see what a difference they can make. What may look like dry skin may even be eczema or a rash caused by food allergies, so be alert to that possibility too.

Make Your Own Treatments: You can also make your own at home masks and treatments to treat other skin issues. Some common combinations are oatmeal, honey and water to create a mask, or avocado and honey. Smear these on your skin, allow to dry and then rinse them off.

A simple honey treatment to moisturize your skin and make it glow? Pat two drops of honey on your face after cleansing, while still damp. Your skin won't be sticky with such a small amount.

Skin care is important to the health of your skin as well as your appearance. It's best to care for your skin as naturally as possible, so why not try these options for caring for your dry winter skin.

EclipseSpa's organic bath and body products will also make taking care of your skin easier without some of the mess. Try our wildcrafted shea sugar scrubs to exfoliate, soften and smooth your skin. Our lavender scrub is on sale right now for $9.99 ($20.00 off) Easy to use in the tub or shower.

Try either our loofah or sisal sponge for dry exfoliating. Take the dry sponge and gently rub around the dry areas of your skin such as knees, elbows, legs ect. Aftwards, apply the sugar scrub (homemade or ours) to your skin. rub gently, rinse. You will be delighted with the results.

EclipseSpa Launches Affiliate Program

We are excited to announce the launch of EclipseSpa's affiliate program!

An affiliate program pays you commission when you market our products.

When your friends, customers, acquaintances, etc. makes a purchase using your affiliate link you are paid a 40% commission on the completed sale.

Your affiliate link is www.eclipsespa.com/YourName. Some of the ways you can use your affiliate link are:

A. Comment on blogs and leave your name and affiliate URL

B. You are able to build a category text link such as "mens grooming products" and market the link in your emails, on blogs, newsletters and your own website.
C. You can place a banner which we have created for our affiliates in your emails, newsletters, blog or website.

We have more information on our website on the affiliate Frequently Asked Questions page in addition to a sign-up page.

It doesn't cost anything to become an affiliate. We reward you for marketing/selling our organic bath and body products.

Be part of an exciting trend of Spa at Home Tonight products.

Thank you,

Anne Keefe

Chemical Ingredients to Avoid in Skincare Products

Many women today use a wide range of skincare products. These products might include cleansers, moisturizers, toners, and shampoos and they might be used several times a day throughout most of their adult life. Women have come to rely on these products and spending on them has reached unbelievable levels. But do most women ever take the time to read the ingredients listings on these beauty products? Do they know what they are using and if they might be putting potentially dangerous ingredients on their bodies? Most women probably do not. It may never occurs to them that ingredients considered unsafe might even be used in the products offered to consumers.

Unfortunately, there are many skincare products on the market that have questionable and dangerous ingredients. Some of these ingredients include synthetic fragrances, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or SLS, Phthalates, and Parabens.

But what are they and why should they be avoided?

Parabens are preservatives put into beauty products to extend their shelf life. They have no benefit to us…only the manufacturing company. They do in fact have adverse effects for us though, including estrogenic qualities. They have produced abnormal hormonal effects following application on laboratory animals, particularly males, that resulted in decreased testosterone levels and other varied abnormalities. They have also been found to accumulate in the breast tissue of women with breast cancer.

Phthalates are a group of chemical compounds that are basically used as plasticizer(substances added to plastics to increase their flexibility). It is hard to imagine that we need plasticizers in our skincare products but you can find them in cosmetics, soaps, and various lotions. High Phthalates doses have shown hormonal activity in animal studies and have resulted in damage to the liver, the kidneys, the lungs, and the developing testes.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or SLS for short is an ingredient that gives a product like a shampoo or facial cleanser its foaming ability. Most people equate cleaning ability with the amount of suds or bubbles created, so companies use SLS to give us the impression that it is an effective cleanser. SLS is a known skin irritant and when companies test new healing ointments or crèmes, SLS is the irritant they first rub on the skin to irritate it so they can then see how well their new product works to heal the inflammation. SLS can infiltrate the eyes, brain, heart, and liver with potentially harmful effects according to the journal of the American College of Toxicology. SLS can cause rashes, eczema and other skin irritations. Even more shocking is the fact that some products containing this ingredient are labeled as “natural” or organic because SLS is a detergent derived from coconut oil.

Synthetic perfumes or fragrances can contain hundreds of chemicals. Some, such as methylene chloride are carcinogenic and others might cause headaches, dizziness, coughing, vomiting and skin irritation.


These ingredients hardly sound beneficial or even appropriate for our skin care needs. So what can you do to avoid these dangerous ingredients? First, read the ingredients labels carefully and search for them online to do some research into negative effects. Find out exactly what they are and what they do before you put them on your skin. Second, find reputable companies that offer organic and 100% natural products. This may be a tall order since there is no regulation for organic bath and body products in most countries. Ask around and you will be able to isolate ethical companies using safe ingredients.

Third, try making some of your own skincare products. When you make your own you know exactly what is in them and you can feel comfortable that they are safe.

EclipseSpa products do not contain parabens, sulfates, phthalates, or harsh synthetic perfumes in their products

Apple and Thyme Martini

makes 4 servings

Ice
10 ounces of Vodka
6 oz apple juice
1/4 Thyme simple syrup (recipe follows)
1 large apple, peeled
4 fresh thyme sprigs

Chill 4 martini glasses in the freezer.

Fill cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, apple juice, and the thyme syrup and shake for about 10 seconds. Divide among the 4 chilled martini glasses.

Using a melon baller, scoop out small balls of apple. Place 3 balls of apple and 1 sprig of thyme in each glass for garnish. Drink immediately!

Thyme Simple Syrup
1 cup sugar
5 large fresh thyme sprigs

In a saucepan, combine the sugar, thyme, 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, reduce the heat, and simmer until the sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes. Take the pan off the heat and cool the syrup. Any extra cooled syrup can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 1 week



*From Giada's Kitchen. A recipe book I recieved for Christmas

Win a Romance Package

In honor of Valentine's Day EclipseSpa is going to give away a Romance Package that contains 4 lavender vanilla soy candle votives, spa music, our lavender vanilla grapeseed massage oil.. All created for a romantic evening.

To Enter (Official Rules):

1. Comment here on what was your most memorable Valentine's Day

2. Get an additional entry by signing up for our monthly
newsletter (if you are already signed up - just leave a comment here).

Contest begins today 1/27/09 and ends on 2/4/09 at midnight (EST).

Note: We will contact the winner via email to get a shipping address

What's Your Fun Bath Tub Story?

I have a fun bathtub story I thought I'd share, in hopes that you might share yours as well. The subject came up recently when I was buying a Christmas gift from Anne Keefe. We laughed, and thought it would be fun to share the story with you, so here it is:

I was once hired from the bathtub. Yes, you read that correctly, I was offered a really great job, while my new 'boss' was taking a soak. I knew this was the beginning of great things! I called her to discuss the job, and she said she was in the tub and did I mind? I didn't and we have a great conversation, and she ended up offering me the job. Last Christmas, I wanted to buy her a gift, and immediately thought of Eclipse Spa, as I'd liked the products I bought for Christmas the previous year. As I was filling out the gift card information to give to Anne, I realized it needed some explanation. I told her the story and we both had a good laugh.

So, do you have fun bathtub story? We'd love to hear about it. Send in your comments or email them.

Press Release: Let Inspiration Fuel Your Burning Desires

Skin Care for Men

It is not just women who are concerned about the appearance and health of their skin. Men also want to have good looking skin, free of rashes and dry areas. Good looking, healthy skin can help give a man’s face an attractive appearance. There are tips and products that can help men keep their skin looking good or in some cases to significantly improve the health and look of their skin.


The skin of males contains about fifteen percent more oil than does the skin of women and men also typically have larger pores than women, thus men have a tendency to get dirtier skin. For skin care for men, some experts recommend that men perform a deep cleansing on their skin on a daily basis in order to keep the pores clean and give the skin a pleasant appearance. Avoid using cleansing products filled with chemicals and deodorants. These products might cause skin irritation and they will end up clogging your pores.


Scrubbing and Moisturizers

Recommendations for skin care for men include providing your facial skin with a beneficial scrubbing which will eliminate dead skin cells and give your face a smooth appearance. Avoid scrubbing products that contain rough substances such as seed extracts or small grounded pieces of nuts. These products will actually cause harm to your skin. Skin care for men includes using a quality moisturizer and choosing products that do not contain chemicals or only very small amounts.


Skin care for men also includes applying a moisturizer to the face after shaving as well as after cleansing the skin. Moisturizers applied after shaving should not contain alcohol or a heavy amount of fragrances since they can aggravate the skin. As men get older they might want to use astringents as well as toners that contain glycolic or alpha hydroxy acids in order to maintain their skins’ elasticity. You should purchase products that are not sensitive to light.


Sunscreen Protection

Using sunscreen as part of a skin care for men program is essential. It is recommended that you use a sunscreen product with a SPF of fifteen or higher. The sun can cause brown spots to form and can make your thin wrinkles and lines look worse. Also, exercising can help you maintain good looking healthy skin since exercise stimulates the capillaries. Make sure you get the recommended amounts of vitamins E and C and avoid smoking cigarettes. These are some of the skin care tips for men that can keep your skin healthy and looking good.

About the Author:
David Yu writes about Weight Loss and Skin Care . He has personally reviewed many of weight loss products and consider these products to be effective, then bring them to you at ==> www.tip4lady.com

Charitible Giving Campaign

For those that know me, they'll tell you how much I love animals. There are some days I would prefer to talk to the animals than to people, but then that would be just plain rude.

I decided for January we would donate $1 for every shower gel sold this month to ARF. ARF is where we adopted our dog Macauly who has transformed our lives.

ARF is a Animal Rescue Foundation in the Bay Area (California)that saves dogs and cats who have run out of time at public shelters and brings people and animals together to enrich each others lives. ARF strives to create a world where every loving dog and cat has a home, where every lonely person has a companion animal, and where children learn to care.

I am passionate about saving animals and have plans to foster some kittens this year. Animal Fosters are desperately needed at ARF. I think we are seeing animals in need of rescue due to economic difficulties in some households.

Please help us to help the animals by making a shower gel purchase this month.

Our shower gels are organic, and enriched with plant based ingredients known to soften your skin, leaving it more youthful looking rather than stripping and drying out your skin like other soaps and bath gels do.