GET GLOWING: Kalahn Harmon at Glow Medspa

I'm always looking for ways to make myself look and feel a little better!  As a woman in the South,  there are literally gorgeous girls everywhere you look.  I don't think I can even  think of one who is not beautiful.  I guess you could say it's almost a little bad for my self-esteem at times how pretty you all are!  I think the most important thing a woman can have is her own self confidence and self-esteem.  If something makes you feel more beautiful, I say go for it!  At the end of the day, you are the only person whose opinion really and truly matters. If other people don't like you because of something that has to do with your appearance, you definitely don't need them in your life anyways and I can promise you your life will be much better without them in it!  I've been feeling a little blah lately which is why I'm so glad I found Glow Medspa for a little... ok maybe a big pick me up!!  

Glow Medspa, owned by Dr. Jeffery Marvel, Tonia Gibson and Gail Hayes, is located in historic downtown Franklin in the most charming and sweet old house.  I actually used to work about 50 steps from there and I honestly never took a second look at it.  From afar it simply looks like a home.   I just so happened to be at one of my favorite coffee shops right next door and luckily one of the lovely ladies who works there, Leigh, invited me to come over and see it.  I was pleasantly surprised when I walked in and realized that this is actually a spa, not just a house, and definitely my kind of place.  The decor is welcoming, comforting & simply beautiful!  It helps that the staff is so friendly too. 

I was so excited to realize that this was the place that a lifelong friend and aesthetician,  Kalahn Harmon, is always raving about because she loves working there so much! I can tell you from experience if you work somewhere and still love it, it HAS to be a great place!  Kalahn set me up for an appointment and I left feeling more than fabulous.  I was honestly really impressed by everything, so I want to share with you all about my experience at Glow Medspa and talk about all the services I got done because trust me, you all need to know about this place.  It was like finding a hidden treasure! 

I want to start by saying it can sometimes be  a little awkward getting services done by a friend, but Kalahn actually made me feel like a client, she took everything seriously and I really appreciate that.  For example, I know sometimes when I have gotten my hair done by someone I know in the past I don't always feel as if I'm getting the full treatment that I'm paying for and deserve, which can lead to stress.  When you're going somewhere to be pampered that should NOT be the case!! I left feeling a million times better than when I walked in and was highly impressed with her level of professionalism. 

HydraFacial MD  & Dermaplaning

When I first walked in Ginger offered me wine, water or coffee, which let's be honest... it's always nice to be offered wine any time or place!  I decided to be healthy and go with water though which also impressed me because it was VOSS water and it made me feel fancy ;).  Kalahn had me change into a spa towel and dipped my hands in paraffin wax.  That stuff is the best! My appointment was on Friday, it's now Monday and my hands still feel so soft.  She had me lay down on what is like a massage table which was very comfortable and the temperature in the room was perfect.  She cleansed my face herself and before she began the HydraFacial asked me if I had ever had dermaplaning done.  Dermaplaning is a method of exfoliation that consists of gently scraping off the top layer of dulling dead skin cells in order to reveal a smoother, brighter complexion.  It also removes that annoying peach fuzz that you sometimes see when the sunlight is beaming down on you.  I was all in!  I was a little scared at first but definitely glad I added this service on!  You hear the word scraping and it sounds scary but I promise it's completely safe!  Next, she did the HydraFacial which was absolutely amazing and I wish I could get one every single day of my life!  

Great for all skin types, the HydraFacial MD® Treatment is not only highly effective at improving overall skin health, but also excellent for correcting fine lines and wrinkles, elasticity and firmness, the evenness of your skin tone and vibrancy, skin texture, enlarged pores, oily skin and the advanced signs of aging.  This multi-step treatment cleanses, evenly exfoliates and extracts to remove impurities and dead skin cells while at the same time replenishing vital nutrients including Antioxidants, Peptides and Hyaluronic Acid.  My favorite part was the  third step which was the extraction part!  Kalahn was able to remove something from my face that has been there for years and not even a dermotologist could remove.  Y'all have no idea how excited I was over this !! I don't get many breakouts, I have more of an issue with blackheads than anything and she was successfully able to remove them all!!  My second favorite part of this treatment was that I got immediate results and my face is still glowing 4 days later!  It was a pain free and super relaxing experience and I already want to go back!!  This service is $199 and you can add on Dermaplaning to a facial for just $50.  Dermaplaning alone is $85. 

 Eyebrow Tint & Wax

After we were done with the HydraFacial me and my face were feeling amazing.  It was then time for her to work her magic on my eyebrows.  I never realized the importance of eyebrows until Kalahn first did my eyebrows a few years back and she actually gave me some shape and filled them in some.  When done properly they can really help frame your face and make your eyes pop.  She tinted them, sort of like a dye for your eyebrows, but it basically just picked up the little baby hairs that were there making my eyebrows look a little more full without drawing them on like crazy.  I swear some girls these days look like they draw them on with sharpies and that's just not my style.  I was shocked the difference that just the tinting made.  She also waxed them and really took her time doing it.  I love them !! The eyebrow tint is $20 and the eyebrow wax is $20.  

Makeup 

Then we got to the really fun part, makeup!! I have always admired Kalahn's makeup.  Every time she posts a picture I secretly wish I had her skills!  Her makeup always looks flawless without overdoing it, almost like a natural look.  She was nice enough to list all of the products she used on me too for y'all! 

Neocutis Bio-Cream moisturizer

Cover FX Mattifying Primer

MAC Studio Fix Foundation in NW 25

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NW 20 blended with a moist Beauty Blender

Cover FX Illuminating setting powder

Anastasia Beverly Hills powder contour palette

Sephora Collection Banana Powder

Anastasia Beverly Hills brow powder in soft brown

MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NC15 under brows

MAC Painterly Pro Longwear Paint Pot all over lid

MAC shadow in Amber Lights & Creative Copper

Morphe shadow and liner from 35N palette

MAC Fix + Spray

Sigma brushes F80, E15, F10, P84, F35, E65, F75, E30, P86, E55, E25, F05

MAC brushes 239, 184

BECCA champagne pop highlighter

Shadow on inner eye is from the Tarte Energy Noir palette

Ardelle Demi Whispies Lashes

They're Real Mascara by Benefit Cosmetics

NYX Dewy Finishing Spray

Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray

MAC Soar Lip liner  

MAC Honey Love Lipstick  

Makeup application with lashes is $95.  

This is the look she created on me but please excuse my hair! I left there feeling beautiful, confident, refreshed and days later my skin is literally still glowing!! Everyone there was so warm and friendly.  They made sure to explain everything in detail, building my trust, and made me feel extremely comfortable.  I'm not the best at taking good care of my skin so I'm sure my skin probably loves me for finding Glow Medspa!  I will definitely be back!!  

They offer many more services such as Botox, Juveder, Restylane, Kybella, Micro Dermabrasion, chemical peels, many different kinds of facials, Microneedling, full body waxing and Coolsculpting !! They also sell various products such as Latisse, Glo Therapeutics and NeoCutis.  Visit their website at www.GlowFranklin.com and Kalahn's website is www.FacesByKalahn.com Check out their Spring specials below and tell them Native in Nashville sent you :)

I hope you guys go see them & love them as much as I do !!  Thanks as always for reading! XOXO- Amber  

6 New Ways to Look & Feel Gorgeous at The Hot Spa by Hot Spot Tanning

I bet when you all think of having a "spa day" you would never think having one at a tanning bed, right ? Yeah I wouldn't either, until now.  Hot Spot Tanning has always been my go to place if I ever need a last minute spray tan and where I have gone in the past years, when I tanned regularly.  Their locations are convenient because just about anywhere I've ever lived (yes, I'm a gypsy) there always seems to be a location nearby.  There are several in Murfreesboro(Memorial, Rutherford Blvd, Church Street, Rucker Lane) some in Smyrna (Almaville & Sam Ridley), even a Brentwood( Nolensville Road) and a Nashville( West End) location.  With my busy schedule, convenience is key!  I was lucky enough to get to try each of the new spa services yesterday & let me tell you, when I left, I felt ahhhh-mazing!  

Before I begin telling y'all about my experience with each of the spa services, I want to talk a little about the atmosphere of their location on Memorial Blvd. beside the Murfreesboro Athletic Club or the MAC.  This is their Hot Spa location but some of these services are offered at other locations too.  When you walk in, other than there being tanning lotion for sale behind the front desk, it doesn't have a tanning bed feeling at all.  Most tanning beds I've ever been to have been very bright and almost tropical feeling but this was very soothing.  Calming colors and the smell of essential oils were in the air.  I felt more relaxed as soon as I walked in the door. 

Here comes the fun stuff:

Blue Light Therapy:Acu-Clear 

This blue light therapy is Dermatologist recommended for people of any age with current acne breakouts or red spots.  It uses medical grade blue LED lights to kill bacteria that causes spots and helps to prevent new breakouts, regulates oil production , calms and relaxes you as well as minimizing any scarring you may have on your face.  I don't usually get breakouts too often but I tried this one so I could tell you all what it's like.  When you see the mask and put it on it looks like something out of a Black Eyed Peas video.  It was really futuristic and almost astronaut helmet feeling, but very lightweight.  They place it over your head and you sit in a massaging chair the entire time (20 minutes) , you even get to put your legs up and they get massaged too.  Very relaxing to say the least.  The room was also very comfortable, smells great and they even offered me a spa robe and shoes.  When I think about light therapy of any kind I would almost expect that it would hurt but it was completely painless and when I took the mask off it only made my face feel a little tingley and good. My favorite part was sending my friends snapchats, looking crazy.  None of them probably even realize it wasn't one of those crazy snapchat filters until now.  This service is $20 a visit.  

Lumiere Excel

 Anyone who is looking to slow down the aging process, correcting current aging effects such as minimizing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and blemishes , evening out pigmentation or someone who wants a painless, non-invasive anti-aging regimen; this is for you.   The Lumiere is a twenty minute treatment and again completely painless.  You sit in the same massaging chair as in the blue light therapy.  You wear goggles and when they initially turn on the red light it's very bright, even with your eyes closed, but don't worry it goes away after about ten seconds so don't let it freak you out.  This treatment uses red light LED therapy to restore radiance back into the skin, detoxifies, stimulates collagen synthesis and can even smooth out dry or rough skin.  The red light therapy is able to penetrate deeper than just the surface.  I really loved this treatment!  I somehow have the wrinkles of a 90 year old so I will be back. This service is $20 per visit and they can discuss with you how many you may need. 

  

Kwik Fit 

 The first thing I will say about this machine is that you stand on it for just 10 minutes and it's the equivalent of doing 30 minutes of cardio.  How can you can really beat that? I personally hate doing cardio so I was sold !! It's perfect for anyone who has a very limited amount of time to work out or someone who has physical limitations to workouts at the gym. It has vibrating plates that help with arthritis relief, restoration of balance, strengthening bone, weight management, blood sugar balance, sleep improvement and a healthier heart.  You will most likely feel silly on this machine, but you will definitely feel the effects when you get off! This is $10 a visit.  

Believe Bed: Red Light Therapy Rejuvination ​

The Believe bed is perfect for anyone wanting to add hydration back into the skin, relax muscles or improve scarring and uneven skin tones.  This one looks like a tanning bed but it's actually your whole body getting the benefits of the red light therapy.  This is more of an over all skin ehancing machine!  I have some scars I want to get rid of so that was the most exciting part of this to me.  It can fade scars or stretch marks and can reduce spider veins or broken capillaries.  This also provides several benefits for people with injuries or pain by reducing inflammation and pain, increasing circulation, restoring range of motion and can speed up the healing of wounds.  Only takes 15 minutes and $10 a session.  

Cocoon Wellness Pod "The Pod"​

I don't know if there are enough good words to say about this one !  I've never experienced anything like it or felt so good as I did when I got out.  This would be great for anyone who wants a quick way to relax, relieve pain or muscle tension.  This detoxifies the body, alleviates stress, helps with water retention , bloating and even cramps !! It combines heat, massage and magnetic fields to create a SUPER relaxing, healing environment.  You put on a sweat suit (this will make you feel like you're in a Missy Elliot music video from the 90's), which is extremely comfortable, then lay in a bed which your body will absolutely melt into.  It is almost like being in sauna, without the almost suffocating feel that comes with it because your head remains outside of the heat.  Your neck and  down will only be inside the cocoon and you are able to adjust the intensity of the massage speed and intensity on both your upper and lower body.  There are even little holes that your hands come through if you need to make any adjustments.  Being in "the Pod" you will burn up to 300 calories in just 30 minutes.  The temperature inside by the time you will be done with your session gets up to 170 degrees, which sounds crazy but it's abslutely refreshing.  If you ever get too hot you are able to get   I don't think I have ever sweated that much in my entire life.  I normally don't like to sweat at all but I guess there's a first time for everything.  I think I fell asleep a couple times, which I think most people do in there, and when I left there I felt better than I do after getting an hour massage that I pay between seventy to one hundred dollars for!  When you get out you will want to drink plenty of water(room temperature so that your body doesn't go into shock) which The Hot Spa provides you. There will be a towel to dry off your body, a cool wet towel for your face, spray deodorant and body spray so that you can freshen up.  This was actually heavenly and really helped out with my super sore muscles from working out.  I've had a pretty crazy week and it was just what I needed.  I highly recommend this! A session is just $35. 

 Vevazz

This system is good for anyone with trouble fatty areas, anyone who would like to get a jump start on weight loss, has cellulite, needs skin tightening or diminishing stretch marks. This LED system is designed to contour the body by losing inches off specific body areas such as the waist, hips, thighs, arms and neck.  You go to a series of visits to see a change but typically people will lose 2-4 pant or dress sizes in just 42 days.  The LED alters the fat in the cells and allows it to seep out from the cell into space where it can be processed by the lymphatic system.  The fat is either used by the body as energy or the body will process it out.  They place 8 pads on your choice of troubled fatty area ( I chose my stomach to try) for 7 minute treatments, so this is very quick.  I felt absolutely no pain at all, only little tiny pulsing.  When I heard about this originally I was also expecting it to hurt but nothing at all me feel the least bit uncomfortable.

The salon manager Mitzi as well as Jami both thoroughly explained every single thing I was having done and made sure I understood it as well as felt comfortable the whole step of the way!  They were extremely professional and I appreciated the fact that they believe in the services they provide.  Any of these services can be available at a lesser rate and you can even take a tour of them all, everything I mentioned except for the Vevazz , for just $49.99.  That is huge savings!! They also have an all access pass of those same services for $149 a month.  There are other ways to save money on the services by becoming a member there.  You can visit Hot Spot Tanning at http://hotspottanning.com/ or find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Hot-Spot-Tanning-208396012535145/ 

Everyone there is awesome ! I highly recommend going to check them out for yourself, especially these new spa services. Thank you as always for reading ! XOXO -Amber 

Top 10 Can't Live Without Beauty Products

Y'all know those products you find and you try out once, then can never live without them again?  No matter how much they cost you, you have to have them?  Well I wanted to share with you guys some of mine!!  Some of them are a little on the pricier side and I almost wish I never tried them, but it's too late now and they work perfect for me so here we go.

1. I will start with my most favorite makeup wipes in the history of ever.  You can buy them at Target and a pack of 45 will run you about $10.  I love the way they make my face feel and the smell is awesome!! The brand is YES TO.  I like to make them last so I actually tear them in half so I don't have to go back to Target so often.  You know how that goes, walk in for one thing (a $10 dollar pack of makeup wipes, leave with a new chair for your living room, 12 picture frames, 17 bags of candy, 5 new shirts for a grand total of $1542. Yeah, I try to stay FAR away.

2. EVO "Water Killer" Dry Shampoo.  This product will run you about $25 and its the absolute BEST dry shampoo I've ever found in my life.  I use to be the girl who had to wash my hair every single day, but lets be honest, who really has time for that?  I know if I have to make the decision between wash my hair or sleep an extra 30 minutes in the morning, I'm going with sleep, EVERY time.  I can go about 4 days until I have to wash my hair again.  This gives you body and fullness as well as makes your hair look and smell clean.  It's basically like magic.  I buy mine at Parlour 3 in Brentwood.

3. Strobe Cream from MAC.  I love this face lotion.  It makes my face shimmery like Edward Cullen, and I mean c'mon who doesn't love a good shimmer? This moisturizes and makes your skin more radiant.  I guess you can say it takes away any dull or tired appearance.  It brightens your skin with vitamins, green tea, andioxidants and iridescent particles.   So in a nutshell I would say it gives you a healthy looking glow, without even being pregnant. Ha . This is $33 for 1.7 ounces , so it will last you awhile !! 

4. Anastasia Beverly Hills contour kit (powder version) .  I bought mine at Ulta for $40.  This kit is amazing for contouring and highlighting, and quite frankly making my cheek bones look way cooler than they actually are.  I have the light to medium shade kit and it includes 3 highlighting shades and 3 for contouring. Using this can help emphasize your cheeks, jawline, nose and even your eyes.  A complete game changer !  

5 and 6:  Honey Love lipstick & Nightmoth lip liner both from MAC.  I actually tried this combination out by mistake and ever since I've been hooked.  When you see these next 2 pictures y'all are going to think I'm crazy but I promise people ask me what lip color I'm wearing almost every day. It is a nude lipstick with a very dark lip liner . And put together it makes (for me) the perfect shade of mauvey nude. 

7. "They're Real" mascara by Benefit.  This mascara is $24 and can be purchased at Ulta or Sephora.  I've tried a million different mascaras it seems and this is the one that works best for me ! It actually makes you look like you're wearing fake eyelashes. It seperates your lashes perfectly and makes them look super long. Not like tarantulas like other pricey mascara I have tried.   

8. "Burgundy times 9" eyeshadow palette by MAC. $40 I'm a BIG fan of eyeshadow palettes in general because I love a good bargain. When you think of how much this would cost if you bought all these colors seperately, your head would spin.  As I said in my last blog post I have green eyes and I really like to wear colors (when I wear eyeshadow) that make them pop.  Mauvey, pinkish or purple shades really do the trick ! I love this palette in particular because it has some shimmery colors and some matte colors and I like to change it up sometimes. My absolute favorites I wear are the top 2 on the left and the bottom middle.  

9. Frankie Rose "matte perfection foundation" in the shade neutral.  I was only introduced to this foundation Saturday and I'm already addicted. Same with my item number 10.  I've been getting compliments ever since I got it. I have heard things like "it's not as cake like" (yes apparently my face looked like dessert before) and "your face looks a lot more smooth".  It doesn't feel like I'm wearing a lot of makeup and it matches perfectly. So happy I found it!!  $33 and I think it can only be purchased online or at Parlour 3 in Brentwood.

10. Amazing Cosmetics "Amazing concealer" in light beige.   $42 and I purchased at Parlour 3 as well.  I have naturally very dark circles around my eyes and I can't ever seem to figure out how to cover them up!  This has actually done the trick!  I apply my foundation first and the concealer afterwards.  It's definitely the best concealer I've ever used. It says "The World's Best Concealer" right on the box & I like a company confident enough to put that right on the product!  Seriously where has this stuff been all my life !? 

I hope if you get the chance to try any of these amazing products you love them as much as I do and as always thanks for reading and sharing !! XOXO- Amber