BellaPelle Beauties Define Beauty

What is beauty? It's certainly in the eye of the beholder, right?

"To me, fair friend, you never can be old. For as you were when first your eye I eyed. Such seems your beauty still."

William Shakespeare

The staff at BellaPelle was a asked, "How do you define beauty? What's beautiful to you?"

Shelley, CEO and Founder of BellaPelle, said, “Inside beauty is the most important to me. Kindness and humility give an inner glow.”

Dulcinea, a waxing specialist at BellaPelle, thinks that beauty is embodied in a great laugh and a confident smile.

Keri, a former skin specialist at BellaPelle who was in town working at the studio for a few days before the holidays, said, "I am most drawn to people who have an inner beauty, if they don't have that, I seldom notice their physical beauty."

Beth, a BellaPelle skin specialist, said, "Beautiful to me is in a person's actions and how they relate to others."

Maddie, the studio manager at BellaPelle Skin Studio, said, "Being confident in yourself—inside and out."

Victoria, a studio coordinator at BellaPelle, seems to have a similar feeling as Maddie when it comes to what is beautiful: "Beauty is all about confidence! It comes from the inside out."


Comment and share what you think is beautiful!

Guest Post: René Furterer Hair & Scalp Treatments

30% Off Hair and Scalp Treatment at Atelier Emmanuel

We're excited to have our friends at Atelier Emmanuel do this guest post! It's a great time for it since BellaPelle Skin Studio has teamed up with them this December to offer you a fantastic beauty break for your skin and hair! Come in to BellaPelle for an Oxygen Treatment or Oxygen Plus Treatment and you'll receive a coupon for 30% off a René Furterer Hair and Scalp Treatment at Atelier Emmanuel.

Guest Post from Atelier Emmanuel

Who or What is René Furterer?

René Furterer, the company, is a subdivision of the French based pharmaceutical and cosmetics company Pierre Fabre. Their laboratories combine science and beauty, developing high quality hair care products that incorporate the latest scientific innovations. Their formulas are tailored to specific needs and provide visible effects.

René Furterer, the man, was a pioneer in improving the health of hair and scalp. He began a long time ago, when women were bleaching, treating, and styling their hair to death in order to look like Marilyn Monroe. Drawing from his roots in the French countryside, and the herbalist lore he was raised with, he sought to create products that would be of benefit to the style conscious client and salon.

In addition to a solid product line, René Furterer was at the forefront of creating hair and scalp services that are half spa experience and half therapeutic treatment. Atelier Emmanuel is proud to be one of the few salons in San Francisco to offer the full menu of Treatments first offered at their Paris Institute.

The René Furterer treatments help with issues such as balancing a scalp which produces too much or not enough oil, dandruff, hair loss or irritated scalp. The products used are chosen based on the needs of each person.

Treatment Categories

• Regeneration — provides relief for dry hair and scalp
• Nutrition — this one takes it up a notch to nourish and revitalize very dry/damaged hair and scalp
• Purification — cleanses and balances hair and scalp prone to oiliness. It also brings back lightness and volume
• Vitality — gives oomph and body to fine, limp hair
• Soothing — especially geared to sensitive or irritated scalp. A good choice if you experience irritation from your products or styling routine
• Hair Loss Programme — the hair loss programme has two versions. One addresses hair loss that is progressive and hereditary; the other addresses thinning hair due to stress.
• Anti-Dandruff Programme — designed to assertively address dandruff.

So what happens during a treatment? Read on to learn more!

Complete vs Express Treatment
The first thing to know is that there are two versions of the René Furterer Treatments, Complete and Express. The Complete Treatments last longer, deepening the benefits of the formulas used for your hair and scalp. They are also a fuller spa experience. The Express Treatments are a great addition to your blow dry or haircutting session. They give much of the same benefits and help maintain the health of your hair.

The basic steps of a Complete Treatment are:

1. Consultation
2. Scalp Care
3. Hair Care
4. Blow Dry

As a list, it sounds straightforward and not that luxurious — Which is, or course, why you should come schedule a session! We’ll get into more details below, though, which will help you get a better feel for these treatments.

Consultation:
With 50 products to draw from, the goal of a René Furterer treatment is to customize to the needs of your hair and scalp. During the consultation, the hair stylist identifies what treatment will better serve you. The natural and current state of your scalp, the quality of your hair, what hair services you generally get, and what your styling routine is — all these play a role in selecting your session products.

Scalp Care
Brushing, Scalp Treatment and Massage are the main parts of scalp care. These stages also maximize the benefits of the cleansing and treatment your head will receive afterwards

Brushing goes a long way to improving the circulation of our scalp. Ditto for removing dirt and sebum from our hair. In this case the stylists apply a little more technique than many of us do at home, of course. This will help treatments penetrate the follicle of the hair.

Scalp Treatment:
“Les beaux cheveux poussent sur un cuir chevelu sain, tout comme une plante sur un sol fertile.” — René Furterer

RF has long used this analogy from farming: for the plant to grow well, the soil must be healthy. By analogy, the scalp must be healthy, for beautiful hair to grow.

There are two options for this section. In brief, one is warming while the other is cooling. Each can be understood, in essence, as an exfoliating treatment for the scalp.

Complex 5:
Its concentration of orange and lavender essential oils increase microcirculation. When it's applied, you’ll feel your scalp tingle; this is the effect of the citrus extracts stimulating blood flow and exfoliating dead skin cells.

Astera is recommended for the client with a sensitive or irritated scalp. Where Complex 5 provides a warming effect, Astera cools, soothes and calms the scalp. This cooling effect is provided by essential oils of peppermint, eucalyptus, and camphor. Another ingredient, extract of Asteraceae (Echinacea), provides anti-inflammatory and healing benefits.

Scalp Massage:
The scalp treatment is applied to the root of the hair and worked in. It is followed by a massage protocol which helps the essential oils penetrate into the scalp. René Furterer has a set sequence of massage strokes which are applied. Bonus: This can take between 10 and 20 minutes of your session!

Hair Care
Remedy
This stage may actually precede or follow the shampoo and conditioner. This all depends on which protocol has been selected. For instance the RF80 and Triphasic, both treatments for thinning hair, are used at the end of the session. A steam bath of distilled water is used to help the treatment penetrate the hair follicle.

Shampoo
All the RF shampoos are bioactive. The preceding stages will have prepped your hair to soak the benefits of the shampoo. Your stylist selects one of these shampoos based on the consultation:

• Astera for very sensitive or irritated scalp,
• Carthame for dehydrated scalp and hair,
• Karite for very dry hair,
• Curbicia for oily hair,
• Tonucia for aging, weakened hair.
• Forticea shampoo for thinning hair, and to reduce hair loss.

Condition + Leave-in
Like the Remedy stage, a conditioner or leave-in will be used depending on the need of the hair. A steam bath might again be used, to deepen the treatment effect.

Blow Dry
Of course we don’t want you to leave with wet hair, so we do a simple blow dry at the end of your session. You can upgrade to a styling, if you choose. If you are getting a haircut that day, you can just transition straight into that!

Special recommendations
For specific hair care: clients who suffer from specific scalp and hair problems are advised to purchase the treatment products used during their session. These formulas should be used once a week to extend and maintain the effects.

For colored hair: It is not recommended to combine these treatments with same day color services: because color formulas usually contain ammonia that opens the cuticle of the hair, performing these service the same day could irritate your scalp and damage your hair. We advise you to first schedule your RF treatment, and then wait a few days to book your color services.

That's our rundown of the René Furterer Hair and Scalp Treatments. We hope that you're enticed to try one. You can always begin an Express Treatment, which will give you a feel for the benefits.

To schedule an Oxygen Treatment or Oxygen Plus Treatment at BellaPelle to get this great 30% off deal at Atelier Emmanuel call us at 415.362.6384 or request an appointment online.

• Purchase a Oxygen Treatment at Bellapelle and get 30% off Express René Furterer Hair and Scalp Treatment
• Purchase a Oxygen Plus Treatment at Bellapelle and get 30% off Complete René Furterer Hair and Scalp Treatment

December Beauty Break: 3 Gifts for You

'Tis the season for beautiful skin! BellaPelle has some wonderful gifts for you and your friends.

3 Amazing Beauty Breaks

1: Free $10 Gift Card For You

Refer a friend for a Bare Your BellaPelle Facial and you'll receive a free $10 gift card for BellaPelle Skin Care Products. As an incentive for your friend, they'll receive $30 off their facial! Great for women and men! Find out how to get this amazing gift!

2: 20% Off Any New Service

Receive 20% off when you try any BellaPelle service you haven't had before in January! Just call to pre-pay and schedule your appointment now!

3: 30% Off Hair and Scalp Treatment at Atelier Emmanuel

BellaPelle and our friends at Atelier Emmanuel have put together this beauty break for your skin and hair! Come in to BellaPelle for an Oxygen Treatment or Oxygen Plus Treatment and you'll receive a coupon for 30% off a René Furterer Hair and Scalp Treatment at Atelier Emmanuel. Find out more!

Beautiful Gifts

When looking for holiday gifts for friends and loved ones, consider the gift of beautiful skin! BellaPelle has a wide selection of skin care services and products that are great to give as gifts.

Supporting Our Community BellaPelle is excited to be hosting a holiday bash for the Business Association Italy America (BAIA) on December 7, 6 to 8pm and you're invited to join! This is a free event, but space is limited. There will be food and beverages, raffles and free BellaPelle product samples! Find out more and reserve your space! Holiday Season Hours BellaPelle will be closed on December 25 and 26, as well as January 1. We will be open on regular hours throughout the rest of the holiday season. Request an appointment time online or call us at 415.362.6384.

BellaPelle Beauties Favorite Things Post 6

For the 6th post in our 10-blog post series we asked the skin care specialists and staff beauties from BellaPelle tell us about getting dolled up!

What kind of activities do you always get dolled-up for? (Ex. dinner dates, special occasion parties, going to the doctor's office [who knows, maybe you do], going shopping, etc.)
Shelley, CEO and Founder of BellaPelle, said, “I like to get dolled-up for dates with my boyfriend and when I go dancing with my girlfriends. It’s a great time to try new make-up techniques and apply lash extensions!”

Dulcinea, a waxing specialist at BellaPelle, has a great attitude! She said, “Everyday is a day to get dolled up!”

Beth, a BellaPelle skin specialist, feels that any social event is a great time to get dolled up and look fabulous!

Maddie, the studio manager at BellaPelle Skin Studio who always look great, says she puts in some extra effort to get dolled up for special dinners, holidays, and parties.

Victoria, a studio coordinator at BellaPelle, said, “My family and I are total foodies so we all get dressed up and have a great dinner once a month.”

Christopher, a Product Specialist at BellaPelle, makes sure he looks dashing for parties, special dinners and cocktails with friends.

Comment and share what liked to get dolled up for!

November Beauty Break: 5 New Services

We're thankful for another wonderful year with all of our great clients and friends. We want you to be thankful that you've planned ahead for your skin care needs! We're heading into the busiest time of year at BellaPelle and appointment times will book up quickly. Remember to book your appointments now so you can show off your beautiful skin throughout the holiday season.

Request an appointment time online or call us at 415.362.6384.

Beautiful New Services and an Amazing November Beauty Break

At BellaPelle we stay on the cutting edge of skin care breakthroughs to help you have the most beautiful skin possible. We're so excited to announce 5 new amazing skin care treatments! Try them out now for luminous skin this holiday season!

A free gift for you! Throughout November, try one of our 5 new skin care treatments and receive an Urban Rainforest Serum. Your skin will thank you for adding this hydrating boost to your current daily hydrating lotion.

• Oxygen Treatment
  Our Oxygen Treatment is great for all skin types and ideal for individuals wanting to treat acne problems, as well as anyone wanting to fight signs of aging. Because of its powerful benefits, this treatment produces incredible results for individuals with Rosacea, Telangiectasia or sun-damage, and even improves the appearance of acne scars and brown spots. Our Oxygen Treatment gives you clear and luminous skin that also feels smooth and firm.
• Oxygen Treatment Plus
  This treatment gives you the same fabulous benefits as our Oxygen Treatment with the added boost of an enzyme mask. We'll also do extractions during the service when appropriate.
• Rosacea Treatment
  Our Rosacea Treatment helps reduce the visible signs of Rosacea including redness of the skin, inflammation and break-outs. It includes powerful botanicals that help to eliminate one of the common causes of Rosacea, the Demodex mite. It's anti-inflammatory vaso-constricting capabilities give instant visible results to the appearance of Rosacea.
• Repair Your BellaPelle Treatment
  Since we're all prone to "city skin", the damage caused by living in modern environments, this treatment can help everyone repair their skin to look beautiful! It's ideal for individuals wanting to repair sun damaged skin and other common skin damage that causes the skin to look aged. This treatment brings back the skin you once had and would like to achieve again without any down time waiting for skin to peel!
• Micro-current Treatment
  Our Micro-current Treatment is great for everyone and particularly ideal for individuals with generally healthy skin yet the signs of aging are creeping up on them. If you want to reduce the appearance of fine lines and tighten your skin for a luminous lift, this treatment is for you!

Learn more about these new services and request an appointment in November to receive a free Urban Rainforest Serum!

A Beautiful New Product

In September we introduced you to our amazing new Mighty Infusion. Now we've got another new BellaPelle Skin Care product to make your skin feel fantastic. Introducing Chiara Infusion: Pore Clearing Agent with Lilac Stem Cells.

Chiara Infusion packs a huge number of benefits into a little bottle. It's rich in essential fatty acids, which are extremely important for promoting skin suppleness and hydration for overall skin health. Antiseptic properties and ability to reduce oil production are just two of the amazing benefits of the lilac stem cells. Chiara Infusion also includes salicylic and lactic acid, which when left on your skin loosens up debris on the surface of the pore allowing oil to escape and the pores to be cleared. And its anti-inflammatory properties control redness and signs of acne.

Welcome to a New Skin Specialist

Please help us welcome our newest skin specialist, Rachel! Rachel loves helping clients feel great with beautiful skin. She received her esthetician's license so she could help her clients feel beautiful from the inside out. Whether it's waxing a perfect brow arch or helping pinpoint a specific skin care concern, she loves working working with people.

Thanks Giving Weekend Hours

BellaPelle will be open over the Thanks Giving weekend, with modified hours. We will be open from 8am to 6pm on the 23rd, closed on the 24th and open from 11am to 6pm on the 25th. Enjoy the holiday and we hope to see you at the studio!

How To Choose a Facial Service

Some skin studios offer more than others in terms of quality, expertise and environment. So what is the most important thing to consider when looking for a facial service? It depends greatly on what you’re trying to accomplish by having a facial.

Price is often a factor for people when considering where to get a facial and what type of facial to get. The highest priced facials don't necessarily mean the highest quality products or a skin specialist with the highest level of knowledge. However, do be cautious of extremely discounted facial services. High-quality products often do cost more and skin specialists with lots of experience and knowledge are well sought after by prestigious skin studios. Before deciding how much you can budget for facial treatments, consider whether you are looking at a facial to relax and be pampered or if you’re looking for a results-oriented treatment. These are very different experiences and offer dramatically different results. A relaxing facial may leave your skin feeling soft with a glow and your mind at ease while a results-oriented facial may require pre and post care, providing you with longer lasting effects.

If you want to relax and be pampered, you're range of pricing for good services at spas is generally wider. This is often something people want to do at a spa-style environment because the focus is more on peaceful surroundings and relaxing smells. If you're looking for real improvements in your skin--to look more youthful, clear and healthy--you might want to consider devoting a bit more in your budget to go to a skin studio that focuses on the health of your skin and real results for skin care problems.

The best way to choose a facial service is to review several skin studios that receive high praise from reviewers. When looking into where to go, don't consider price initially. Consider your personal goal in getting a facial--skin care results or just relaxing--and then read through websites and call the studios to find out what type of facials they offer. When you find a place that has received positive reviews and their service offerings meet your facial goals, then consider how much you can budget to meet your skin care needs.

At BellaPelle, we focus on helping clients reveal their most beautiful skin. We think of ourselves as a skin studio that offers micro-relaxation opportunities that will also give you high-quality skin and beauty services. Being located in the financial district of San Francisco, BellaPelle helps busy professionals who are always on-the-go get beautiful skin and expert beauty services when they have a few minutes to treat themselves. We choose to offer a bright, open lounge with snacks and beverages while you wait, with wifi and a feel-free-to-chat-or-talk-on-the-phone environment so clients can stop and catch their breath for a little down-time before they have to get back to their hectic schedule or they can get the skin services they want while they continue their busy day of conference calls or listening to podcasts. We don't just offer pre-packaged facials--we offer our expertise to help you choose services that will get the results you want.

Check out BellaPelle's skin services!

Raasta Ethical Fashion Trunk Show at BellaPelle

Nest is a nonprofit dedicated to alleviating poverty, empowering women and promoting peace through the successful creation of artisan businesses. Raasta Ethical Fashion partners with artisans in India to bring their beautiful fashions to you and they support Nest.

Click here to RSVP to attend or send an email to sf@buildanest.com.

Spark's Black and Pink Ball

Spark does some truly amazing work for the social good in health, housing, jobs, school and voting. They also throw some fabulous fundraising balls and support their efforts with dozens of events throughout the year.

Join Spark and over 800 members and supporters to dance the night away at the 6th Annual Black & Pink extravaganza. 100% of the proceeds support Spark's grantmaking program. Read more about the specific grantees who will benefit from the funds raised by the Black & Pink Ball. Not only will you have tons of fun at the ball, but you'll be doing something amazing for a lot of wonderful people.

Black & Pink Ball 2011

When: October 21, 7:00 pm - 1:00 am
Where: One Leidesdorff, San Francisco
Buy Tickets Now

Spark is a community of young professionals who are invested in improving the lives of women. They believe through education and strategic investment of social capital they can eliminate the inequalities that impact women around the world and in our local communities. In fact, they have made a major impact.

Spark provides opportunities to learn about global issues impacting women and to discover our capacity to change outcomes for women around the world. You can be part of the solution. Attend the ball and join Spark as a supporter.

BellaPelle Beauties Favorite Things Post 5

We're now at the 5th post in our 10-blog post series! In this series the skin care specialists and staff beauties from BellaPelle tell us about their favorite things. This time we asked these skin care professionals to tell us their secrets on healthy skin.

Other than skin care products and treatments, what do you do to keep your skin healthy
Shelley, CEO and Founder of BellaPelle: "I eat lots of 70% chocolate, take two fish oil capsules per day and go to pilates. The foodstuffs are full of antioxidants and the pilates keeps my core strong."

Keri, a BellaPelle skin specialist says she drinks lots of water, exercises, eats a clean diet with supplements, gets regular facials and tries to have a healthy emotional outlook on life.

Dulcinea, a waxing specialist at BellaPelle: "I'm up in the gym working on my fitness!"

Beth, a new member of the BellaPelle skin specialist team: "To keep my skin beautiful I drink TONS of water and stay out of the sun. These practices are essential to me."

Maddie, the studio manager at BellaPelle Skin Studio, feels that drinking lots of water and getting plenty of sleep really make a difference on her skin.

Victoria, a studio coordinator at BellaPelle follows Keri and Maddie in her efforts to keep her skin beautiful by drinking a lot of water.

Erika, another of BellaPelle's great studio coordinators, just recently started getting back in the habit of either making fresh vegetable juice or making nutrient-dense green smoothies for breakfast. "I'm mainly doing it for more sustained energy, but the vitamins and minerals being consumed also have some skin benefits as well."

Christopher, the new Product Specialist at BellaPelle keeps his skin healthy by avoiding direct sun for long periods and wearing sunscreen.


Comment and share what you do to keep your skin healthy!

If you need extra help to reveal your most beautiful skin, check out BellaPelle's skin services and product line.

Beauty In The Bag: Meet Shelley

Check out this very cool new website about beauty. Beauty In The Bag is a new website that "For All The Beauty News That's Fit To Click, Tweet & Post."

Since 2008 Founder and Editor in Chief Wendy Lewis has been the driving force behind BITB with a team of contributors who are navigating the aisles, counters and clinics to get the scoop on what's hot in cosmetic beauty. They have Beauty Gurus from all different types of disciplines that help keep you beautiful: Estheticians, Fitness Experts, Makeup Artists, Hair Sytlists, Nutritionists, Doctors, and many others.

Beauty In The Bag recently did an interview with Shelley Costantini, CEO and Founder of BellaPelle Skin Studio. Check it out and learn more about facials from an expert.

October Beauty Break

Pumpkins are great for more than just making jack-o-lanterns! They're great for your skin! You don't have to wear a pumpkin costume to get the incredible skin benefits of pumpkin. Whatever costume you decide on for Halloween parties, do some skin and beauty prepping at BellaPelle!

A Free Pumpkin Gift

Pumpkin-ize your facial this month with a free pumpkin add-on! Get a Bare Your BellaPelle Facial this month and we'll pumpkin-ize it for your specific skin needs. Loaded with natural acid and enzyme components, pumpkin is used in many skin care products. It's gentle on all skin types as a natural antioxidant, great for exfoliating and has vitamin A derivatives that will leave your skin silky, smooth and glowing. Pumpkin is particularly perfect for fighting signs of premature aging. Your skin specialist will talk to you about the best pumpkin add-on for your specific skin needs.

Request an appointment now!

Beautiful Podcast News

Check out the latest BellaPelle Podcast! This time BellaPelle CEO and Founder sat down with one of their new skin specialists, Lara, to talk about Beauty Bronzing. Listen in to discover why airbrush tanning, or as we like to call it, Beauty Bronzing, is such a great, healthy option to get that beautifully tanned looked!

BellaPelle Podcast 3, Beauty Bronzing Airbrush Tan

Need a fabulous looking tan to make your Halloween costume really great? Request an appointment for Beauty Bronzing at BellaPelle!

Warm Wishes to a Beautiful Skin Specialist

After many wonderful years with us at BellaPelle, Skin Specialist Keri is moving on to new things. She'll be moving out of the Bay Area to take her knowledge of skin care to other parts of the country. We wish Keri all the best in the future!

October Beauty Break

Get even more pumpkin for your skin this October. Throughout October get a Bare Your BellaPelle Pumpkin-ized Facial and get a free bar of pumpkin soap by Delicious Skin, one of our favorite local bath and body companies!

September Beauty Break

Marilyn Monroe once said, "We are all of us stars, and we deserve to twinkle." With September 23rd marking the first day of Autumn this year try falling for some glamour with BellaPelle Beauty Services and Products!

Beautiful News

BellaPelle online store now accepts credit cards! That’s right, we can now accept credit cards for all your product orders. Try it out now with this special offer: Be glamorous with 15% off BellaPelle GLA-Mour Cream when ordered online this month. Just use code GLAMOUR during checkout.

Beautiful New Product News

Introducing Mighty Infusion! A Time Reversing Skin Boost with Apple Stem Cells. Truly the most innovative and amazing product we've developed to date and we’re sure you'll see incredible results!

You'll be mighty amazed! This infusion is a breakthrough in aging prevention. No other product on the market has the energizing, anti-aging ingredients included in this formula. Mighty uses apple stem cells to reinvigorate aging skin and excite skin cells to actually act younger. It is layered with skin conditioners, brighteners, amino acids, peptides and anti-oxidants guaranteed to stimulate cell growth and increases collagen and elastin production. Mighty Infusion is great for all skin types, especially those wanting to look 20 years younger!

Your mitochondria (the energy within your cells) will benefit from this anti-aging support complex. Apple stem cell studies show incredible improvements in wrinkle depth and a protection against UV-radiation that causes skin to look aged.

We recommend that you use it generously on your face, neck and chest 1-2x per day using your fingertips in small circular movements or by tapping it in vigorously in the three areas.

In developing Mighty Infusion we worked closely with individuals testing the product. See the great things they have to say:

"After using this product for the first time, I saw a difference in the texture of my skin. Smaller pores, more even skin tone, and a glow to my face that I just didn't have before. I noticed it right away. The overall condition of my skin continued to improve as Mighty Infusion became a part of my daily routine. I love this product!" Many N.

"I feel like it's the best anti-aging home care product I can use on my skin (next to sunscreen) that doesn't have any acids or retinols—so it can be worn in day time with out sun-sensitivity." Jill B.

More Beautiful BellaPelle Staff News

In addition to Lara, who we introduced to you last month, BellaPelle has another new esthetician! Welcome to Beth.

Beth has always held a fascination and passion for diverse skin, interesting and different makeup, and feeling amazing from the inside out. In providing waxing and customized facial services, she strives to bring happiness to people by giving them the best results through skin care and wellness. She enjoys working closely with clients to meet their skin care needs and achieving desired results. Book an appointment with Beth, now!

New Product Specialist: BellaPelle is excited to announce that we now have a Product Specialist on staff. Welcome Christopher. After travelling to 30 countries, he now considers San Francisco his home. At BellaPelle, you will always find him looking dashing in black, with a smile on his face. Christopher graduated from the University of San Francisco and is an experienced sales professional. Prior to working at BellaPelle, he worked for Gump's and Elizabeth W. Outside of work he enjoys travel, dining in restaurants and reading biographies. Stop by the BellaPelle Skin Studio store today to talk with Christopher about the best products for you!

September Beauty Break

A glamorous Autumn offer for you! Schedule any BellaPelle Service on a Monday in September and receive double Star Points! Just mention this offer when booking your appointment.

Is This Facial Right for My Face?

The word "facial" has become a bit diluted in the beauty industry—sort of an umbrella term used for any time of a skin care treatment for the face. What few people realize, however, is that there are many different types of facials, or treatments, available. Some treatments include skin-condition analysis, steaming, extraction of clogged pores, massage, exfoliation, cleaning and clearing superficial debris from the skin.

Every type of facial may help you relax, but may not be the right type of treatment to improve your specific skin problems? Taking time out of your day to treat yourself to something relaxing is always beneficial, but not every type of facial is a pleasant experience. So why consider those facials? Well, choosing a facial treatment that will get the results you need for your specific skin issues is the real end goal and will be well worth it. It's best to go to a licensed Esthetician with plenty of expertise who can talk to you about your skin concerns and goals who works in an established skin studio or practice using the best possible products. That person will be able to help you better understanding of your skin and how to safely achieve the results you want. Just as with diet an exercise to maintain a healthy physique, it takes time to keep your skin healthy.

At BellaPelle our skin specialists are often asked about pre-packaged facials offered by many skin studios, salons or spas and how they will know what type of treatment to choose from a pre-packaged selection of facials. One way is for you to read through the menu for buzz words like acne, dry, mature skin and choose the one that suits you best. Another approach would be to select a facial by the allotted time. If you choose a longer facial service, you can ask the Esthetician to adjust the facial and customize it to meet your needs. A lot of clients choose a short facial and then, want to add in the different bells and whistles and there’s simply not enough time.

Some skin studios may offer what sounds like a pre-packaged facial, but is really a facial scheduling to customize the right types of treatments for your skin. At BellaPelle we offer customized treatments under the booking name of Bare Your BellaPelle and Bare Your BellaPelle Lite. Both of these facial services allow us to analyze your skin and talk with you to determine exactly which products and treatments will work best for your skin within a given appointment time. We'll also talk with you about skin care goals and what types of treatments and home products will help you develop a regimen that will give you the results you want.

Happy facials!

BellaPelle Beauties Favorite Things Post 4

For the fourth post in our 10-blog post series in which five of the skin care specialist and staff beauties from BellaPelle tell us about their favorite things, we discovered what they like to do to relax.

What's your favorite thing to do to unwind?

Shelley, CEO and Founder of BellaPelle: "Have a massage, lately Thai is my fave. Sometimes it feels as if they're pulling my limbs off but, I just try to breathe and trust that they know what they're doing!"

Keri, a BellaPelle skin specialist, also enjoys a message as the ultimate way to relax and unwind after helping clients find their beautiful skin.

Dulcinea, a waxing specialist at BellaPelle, is the resident party girl. To relax she enjoys having cocktails with friends.

Maddie, the studio manager at BellaPelle Skin Studio, takes a more subtle approach to unwinding from her work days by relaxing in a bubble bath.

Victoria, a studio coordinator at BellaPelle, follows Maddie's idea saying she enjoys relaxing in a nice hot bath. She also enjoys unwinding from a busy day by reading.

Erika, another of BellaPelle's great studio coordinators, finds that the best way to unwind is to lay around and snuggle with her puppy dog!

Comment and share your favorite ways to unwind!

August Beauty Break

Enjoying your summer? The San Francisco Bay Area is full of summer activities that are fun and great for keeping your body and mind in shape. Kayak on the bay, hike in Muir Woods, play ball in Golden Gate Park, then come to BellaPelle to shape up your skin!

Beautiful News

We're continuing to make every day count here at BellaPelle as we stick to our 2011 commitment of giving back to the community. In July, I had the great pleasure of volunteering with Spark to share my career experience with young woman at Oasis for Girls. Oasis For Girls cultivates generations of strong and creative women who realize their potential, live healthy lives and make a positive impact in their communities in an effort to support their mission: providing a safe space where girls and young women are inspired and empowered to become strong and creative leaders in their communities.

Join us November 6 and walk with the BellaPelle Beauties and The Beasts Team for the Farm Sanctuary's Walk for Farm Animals. For 25 years, Farm Sanctuary has relied on the Walk for Farm Animals to support its life-saving mission to protect farm animals from cruelty, inspire change in the way society views and treats farm animals, and promote compassion. Learn more, join the BellaPelle Beauties and The Beasts Walking Team or donate a few dollars to the cause.

Skin Specialists News

Congratulations to BellaPelle skin specialist Jill who has been accepted to nursing school! We wish her the best in her new career direction, and we’re still thrilled that she’ll be here at BellaPelle for her clients on Sundays.

We're also very excited to welcome Lara, our newest member of the BellaPelle team. Lara started on a career in the beauty industry in 1999 as a makeup artist in Los Angeles. Realizing her love for being creative and making people look and feel beautiful, she chose to become a licensed esthetician. Her career specialities include finding the right products and treatments for each individual and waxing, especially eyebrows. She loves to get her hands on someone who has never had their brows shaped before or who is recovering from a bad experience elsewhere!

Welcome, Lara!

July Beauty Break

Make your skin sparkle this July! Schedule a Bare Your BellaPelle Facial, or other facial, for July and get 15% off of BellaPelle Signature Skin Care Products you purchase on the day of your appointment.

Sharing Experience

I didn't always dream of being an esthetician, waxing artist and business owner, but I'm so thrilled that my life took me in this direction. Now, as a business owner and member of the Bay Area community, it's a privilege to be asked to participate in the Oasis for Girls Career Night to help inspire young woman towards career paths that are right for them.

I'll be sharing my positive experiences and challenges I've overcome as a volunteer through Spark. Spark is a not-for-profit organization (by women and for women) that brings ideas and funds to women all over the world in an effort to make real change in real women’s lives.

Oasis For Girls cultivates generations of strong and creative women who realize their potential, live healthy lives and make a positive impact in their communities in an effort to support their mission: providing a safe space where girls and young women are inspired and empowered to become strong and creative leaders in their communities. The career night event is just one of the fantastic programs they offer.

Sharing Yourself

Learn more, donate and find out how you can participate in future Spark and Oasis for Girls events.

Career Night With Oasis for Girls
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
5:30-9:30 pm

Donate to Oasis for Girls.

Learn more about Oasis for Girls programs to see how you might help them achieve success.

Volunteer for a Spark event and become a member.

Make a difference in your community and let the world see the beauty inside you!
Shelley Costantini

July Beauty Break

Make your skin sparkle this July! For this stars & stripes month, give your skin freedom from "city skin" with a Bare Your BellaPelle Facial.

With this fabulous facial, we can make your skin glow so brightly that you'll look like a star!

Beautiful News

Change is good, especially when it means terrific upgrades in our signature line of BellaPelle Skin Care products. The cleansers, hydrators, serums and other skin treats you've come to love have just gotten better. The technology used to develop and manufacture skin and beauty products is always evolving and BellaPelle is dedicated to staying on top of these advancements.

You may notice subtle changes in color or consistency in the BellaPelle Skin Care products. This is a good thing. The changes are due to reformulations and improvements to our raw ingredient suppliers who are using the latest techniques for withdrawing plant extracts and blending the new combinations to increase the quality and effectiveness.

We know you'll experience even more beautiful skin outcomes from these changes and we look forward to hearing your feedback.

More Beautiful, Cruelty-Free, News

BellaPelle is committed to being kind! We've just been given the 'bunny ears' seal of approval from PETA to show that no animals are harmed as a result of making BellaPelle products. This has been our commitment from the start and now we have a way to show it and encourage other companies to do the same. Look for the PETA cruelty-free bunny ears to appear 'before your very eyes' and know that you're making a difference when using our products.

Supporting The Bay Area

BellaPelle is excited to support San Francisco Magazine's Best of the Bay Area Party again! Check it out, looks like it will be a ton of fun!

Lush Lash Extensions For Less

Last month we were able to lower the price of our Lush Lash Extensions! We're still providing the highest quality service, just for less. So extend those lashes for some summer fun!

July Beauty Break

Make your skin sparkle this July! Schedule a Bare Your BellaPelle Facial, or other facial, for July and get 15% off of BellaPelle Signature Skin Care Products you purchase on the day of your appointment.

Rainy Day Deal Just For You

We are having such a good time chatting online with clients, vendors and everyone who loves their skin that we wanted to reward you with a Rainy Day Deal. That's right, middle of the summer and it's raining in San Francisco today!

The Rainy Day Deal

Get $5 off a BellaPelle Bronze Beauty airbrush tan! Book an appointment for any time from now through the end of July.

This special offer is for all of our social media friends. That's you! It is available if you call and book your appointment today (June 28, 2011). You can make your appointment for any day from now through the end of July, but you must call in to book the appointment today! Sorry, we aren't able to offer this for online appointment requests. Call us today at 415.362.6384.

BellaPelle Beauties Favorite Things Post 3

We've been exploring the favorite things of BellaPelle's beauties (skin care specialists and staff)? In this third post in our 10-blog post series, five of the beauties from BellaPelle share their favorite mani/pedi places. Check these out and stay tuned for more favorite places and things to do in the Bay Area.

Where do you go for manicures/pedicures?

Shelley, CEO and Founder of BellaPelle, likes to do her nails herself. As an expert esthetician Shelley knows the importance of using quality products on her skin. When it comes to beautifying her nails, she likes to do them herself because, "If I do them myself I can control the products that are being used and the cleanliness of the implements."

Keri, a BellaPelle skin specialist, sticks with her love of the short answer and simply recommends The Nail Shop.

Dulcinea, a waxing specialist at BellaPelle, says, "I love to have my nails done at anywhere that gives a good foot massage!"

Maddie, the studio manager at BellaPelle Skin Studio, has a bit of an obsession with nail polish. She loves the colors! When it comes to manicures and pedicures she likes to do them herself and I tries to give herself at least a manicure every week.

Victoria, a studio coordinator at BellaPelle, says, "My favorite manicure/pedicure place is called Tracii's Nails in Oakland. They give you the best massages while your getting your pedicure."

Erika, another of BellaPelle's great studio coordinators, likes to go to California Salon in the Inner Richmond district of San Francisco. She says, "Their mani/pedis last a lot longer than other salons, which is important if you're as careless as I am with maintaining a nice manicure!"

Comment and share your favorite places to shop in the Bay Area!

Catching Up on Beautiful Things

Hello to all our beautiful readers! Wow, we have been so busy that we haven't been able to share anything with you in much too long. But stay tuned! We have a lot of great things coming up.

What to Watch For

1. More BellaPelle Beauties Recommendations blog posts
2. News about improvements to the BellaPelle signature line of skin care products.
3. Cruelty Free Certification. You know us, we love animals! 
4. More details about new services in Oncology Esthetics services to help people living with cancer feel better in their own skin.
5. More podcasts! Gosh, we have so many topics to tell you about.
6. A new look for the BellaPelle Skin Care product line.

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to get real-time updates and news.

Thank You BellaPelle Beauties for the Support

This is a quick note to thank all of the BellaPelle clients and other friends of BellaPelle for supporting my Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Woman of the Year participation. The Every Day Counts campaign successfully raised thousands of dollars to support LLS and I'm so proud of all the donations, volunteer hours and general positive wishes.

The Every Day Counts campaign team would like to send a special thanks all of our sponsors and those individuals who attended our fundraising events. We had a wonderful time at all three of our events, which helped us get closer to our fundraising goals.

Today, June 2, is the very last day to donate to the campaign. Every bit counts, even just a few dollars. If you can contribute today, it would mean the campaign will have an even larger amount to help support the efforts of LLS.

Thank you,
Shelley

BellaPelle Beauties Favorite Things Post 2

What are your favorite things? Five of the beauties from BellaPelle share their favorite things in this second post of a 10-blog post series. From favorite places to how they spend their time, BellaPelle Beauties love to get out and about in the Bay Area.

Where do you go to have your hair done (cut, colored, etc.)?

Shelley, CEO and Founder of BellaPelle, says, "Atelier Emmanuel—I go to Claudia for color and Stephanie for cuts. The salon in general has wonderful energy and everyone is talented. And they're going to do the hair for the models at the Beautiful Things Fashion Show at BellaPelle on May 12. Everyone's invited to attend—it's part of the Every Day Counts fundraising campaign for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society." (Learn more about the campaign and get tickets for the fashion show.)

Dulcinea, a waxing specialist at BellaPelle, says, "I like Red Chair Salon for coloring. For cuts I go to Vim and Vigor."

Keri, a BellaPelle skin specialist, loves the short answers! She simply says: "The Cutlery."

Victoria, a studio coordinator at BellaPelle, says,"I go to Turning Heads in San Leandro. My beautician Zinelle is the best. She does it all!"

Erika, another of BellaPelle's great studio coordinators, says, "Jun's Beauty Salon. It's a small mom and pop type shop with a really skilled husband and wife team."

Maddie, the studio manager at BellaPelle Skin Studio, agrees with Dulcinea, "I always go to Red Chair Salon on Union Street. I get my hair cut by Kristin and colored by Chris."

Comment and share your favorite places to shop in the Bay Area!

My Skin Care Regimen: Shelley Costantini

Having a regular skin care regimen can help you stay dedicated to keeping your skin beautiful. My daily skin care routine starts in the morning, which is when I like to shower. Of course I use one of the BellaPelle Skin Care cleansers. Specifically, I use the BellaPelle Gentle Wash for my face and body.

Once I’m out of the shower, while my skin is still moist, I spray my face, neck and chest with Urban Hydrating Mist. Using this type of mist protects and strengthens my skin while keeping it moist longer. Then, while my skin is still wet, I apply my Mighty Serum and press (basically, smack) the serum into my skin. This serum is perfect for my type of skin, because it is energizing and is an anti-aging, firming treatment. As I get older that's really important for my skin. Mighty Serum is great for most skin types as it contains Epidermal Growth Factor and Tripeptide-3. I know, you're saying, "What are those?" Basically it's a peptide cocktail that stimulates cell growth and helps repair collagen.

Before it dries, I put on the BellaPelle Gla-Mour Cream. This cream gives my skin the perfect blend of moisture, firming, strengthening and nutrients.

I'm a make-up wearer. Many women today don't wear much makeup, and I don't wear a lot, but I do like the look of it on me. I wait 10 minutes before I put on makeup so that the moisturizer has time to penetrate into my skin. Of course, I use the BellaPelle Mineral Makeup Powder. What's great about it is that it has SPF 30 in it, so I can use that to protect my skin, and it's custom-blended for my skin color. I like using skin protection that is in my makeup since it stays on longer during the day and I can quickly touch up my powder to make sure my skin is protected all day, rather than using a lotion that I would have to reapply and then reapply my makeup.

Once I’m done with my make-up, I apply our Preserve 30 SPF on my neck and chest. I don't put makeup on my neck and chest, as most people probably don't, so I want to make sure these skin areas are also protected.

Then, I’m ready for the day! Work, fun and everything in between!

When I come home at night, I wash my face with Lighten-up Bar. This cleanser is a pigment inhibiter that helps reduce coloring damage that my skin may endure, even through my SPF protection. It's also an emulsifier with anti-acne benefits. After cleansing and rinsing I towel dry and splash my face, neck and chest with Damage Control Tonic, which has active antioxidants and L-lactic acid to refine and balance my skin.

Cleansing your skin at night is so important and something so many people don't do. With our busy lives it's hard to always do things that are good for you, but this one is so important for beautiful, healthy skin. You don't want the city grime and build up from the day to be damaging your skin all night.

Next, I mix Super Bright Complex and Vital C, along with Mighty Serum again and pat that mixture into my skin. While still moist from this mixture, I apply my Gla-Mour Cream and eye cream. All of this really makes my skin feel moisturized, renewed and fresh.

A couple times a week, I use Chiara Polish all over my face and body and stand in the shower for a couple minutes letting it rest before rinsing it away. It's a super-powered scrub has a medi-edge that makes my skin buttery soft. I also, use the Cherry Preserve and run around the house doing projects while it exfoliates all of the junk off my face, neck and chest. When I rinse it away after about 10 minutes it makes my skin feel smooth and looks clear and beautiful.

I do my best to remember to apply the Renewal AX because it has a complexed Retinol (Vitamin A) together with Glycolic Acid that really helps fight the signs of aging. But I can be forgetful—it’s not something I can use every day because I’m building a tolerance to it. Some people can use it daily but, it makes my face flakey because I have generally dry skin.

Cancer Patients and Survivors Invited for Some Skin Pampering

BellaPelle Skin Studio will be hosting a Mórag Currin Method Oncology Esthetics™ Training course May 8 through 10 and cancer patients and survivors are invited to receive skin care services by participating and Bay Area estheticians.

Blood cancer patients have special needs when it comes to treating the damage done to their skin by the medical treatments needed to fight the disease. Currin pioneered the development of a certification program for skin care specialists to learn to work with cancer patients and survivors.

The 3-day training is for skin care professionals who want to learn specialized techniques in Oncology Esthetics. An oncology RN and licensed esthetician instructor trained in the Mórag Currin Method of Oncology Esthetics™ will educate the estheticians, but they'll need to complete the training program by providing skin care services for a client. Cancer patients and survivors are invited to volunteer to receive safe skin care treatments that can help them feel more comfortable in their own skin.

Learn more and find out how to volunteer.

If you're an esthetician interested in taking the course, you can learn more at the BellaPelle website.

April Beauty Break

Spring is here; let's have a fling! Our favorite definition of fling is "a short period of unrestrained pursuit of one's wishes or desires." Sounds fabulous!

Beautiful News

Check out our latest podcast! Treating Your Skin Well 2011 Style, an interview with skin specialists, Shelley and Keri. Listen to our thoughts on what we've learned from history about taking care of our skin. We give expert advise on what you should do and what you shouldn't do any longer!

You're Invited!

My fundraising campaign, Every Day Counts, benefiting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), is now in full swing! Tickets are on sale for the campaign's 3 fabulous parties!

Mix and Mingle Networking Party
12 Gallagher Lane Art Gallery April 5, 2011, 6 to 9pm
Art, cocktails, networking, special guest and a celebrity! What more could you want? And it's all for a great cause. Come meet our event sponsor, Chelsea Autumn, star of "Millionaire Matchmaker" on Bravo, while enjoying cocktails and the beautiful art at the 12 Gallagher Lane Gallery.
Guest Bartending & Celebrity Guest
Otis Lounge on Maiden Lane April 6, 2011, 6 to 10pm
Discover the magic that is Otis, where the imaginary doors between SF neighborhoods are unlocked! Our Woman of the Year, Shelley Costantini, will be serving up the drinks and our event sponsor, Chelsea Autumn, star of "Millionaire Matchmaker" on Bravo, will give dating tips and emcee a bachelor auction. Ladies, come ready to buy a man! One bachelor will take his date to NY!
Beautiful Things Fashion Show and Cocktails
BellaPelle Skin Studio May 12, 2011, 5:30 to 9pm
Sip cocktails provided by Lillet, Solerno and Blue Angel Vodka while seeing the latest designs by Julia Panciroli, couture designer, Manika Jewelry, hair by Atelier Emmanuel and beauty services by BellaPelle. Guests will be able to participate in a raffle for great items, including services from Atelier Emmanuel and BellaPelle.

Learn more about the campaign, get tickets to the parties and make a donation.

A New Product!

BellaPelle Skin Care has added a new product to our skin care line: Preserve 30! After watching our clients sun protection habits and listening to their needs, we developed our new SPF product, aptly named, Preserve 30. It's full-spectrum sun protection against UVA/UVB light. Weve generously priced it to allow our clients to be a bit more generous in their application for fuller coverage. Preserve 30 is lightweight, soaks in easily and works well on almost any skin tone (good-bye ash!).

We've packed everything into the formula that we could, all the while maintaining its integrity. Preserve 30 contains light reflectors, light absorbers, antioxidants, chelators and a mild hydrator for clients looking for a one-stop-shop. We, of course, will always recommend an extra hydrator, however, with Preserve 30 you can skip it on occasion (wink).

April Beauty Break

Indulge your wishes and desires with a Spring Fling to facial-ize your body! Throughout April, book any BellaPelle Facial and get 15% off a Body Skin Treatment when you add it on with your facial service.

Your face loves the special attention of a facial, but skin issues don't just pop up on your face. Facial-ize the skin all over your body! Our Body Skin Treatment are great for all skin types.

• Bikini
• Back
• The Bum
• Hands & Arms
• Lips
• Laugh Lines
• Eyes

What We've Learned: Treating Your Skin Well 2011 Style

Check out the second BellaPelle podcast. This time, Shelley, CEO and Founder of BellaPelle Skin Studio, talks with Keri, another skin specialist at BellaPelle. Keri began her career as an esthetician in 1997—"My passion for esthetics evolved from my personal experience with problematic skin," says Keri. "Now I enjoy all facets of esthetics, but I am especially fond of facials and skin care, and I really enjoy helping clients find treatments that address their specific skin care concerns and bring out their natural beauty."

Shelley was excited to sit down this month and talk with Keri about what they've learned from history about skin care and how they apply their expert knowledge to teaching people to treat their skin well today.

BellaPelle Podcast 2, What We've Learned: Treating Your Skin Well

Listen to Shelley and Keri give their thoughts on skin care and what you shouldn't do to your skin anymore!

Listen to the first BellaPelle podcast and watch the accompanying video, and find great information about skin care and beauty on the new BellaPelle Skin Care Knowledge page.

Interview with a Skin Specialist: Bikini Waxing

Dulcinea came to BellaPelle Skin Studio after working as a freelance make-up artist and product specialist for a variety of cosmetic and skin care lines. She has a passion for helping others bring out their own unique beauty. At BellaPelle she's become an incredible waxing artist and is developing a loyal client following. She's constantly adding to her skin specialist techniques by learning new skin treatment methods. In May, she will participate in the Morag Curren Method for Oncology Esthetics™ certification training program, being held at BellaPelle, to learn to safely provide skin care services to individuals with cancer and other medical issues that affect the skin.

Whether it's make-up, waxing, facials or our other types of skin care treatments, she has the skill set and tools available to provide her clients with the best treatments and care anyone could ask for! Dulcinea's clients think the world of her. Abby A. gave Dulcinea a Yelp review:

"You must try this place, you must see Dulcinea, you won't forget it and you won't be sorry!"

Between clients, Dulcinea recently answered a few questions about bikini waxing.

Question 1: What is the reason you hear most often for people wanting to get a bikini wax?

Dulcinea: Most often clients look to bikini waxing because shaving tends to cause razor burns. Waxing leaves your skin feeling softer and smoother, avoiding painful and unsightly razor burns. I also often hear people say that they simply like how much longer waxing last compared to shaving. Waxing, as a hair-removal method, leaves skin smooth for a couple of weeks, on average, whereas shaving usually leaves you with stubble within a day or two.

Question 2: Is it really painful to wax the bikini area? Is there anything that can be done to limit the pain?

Dulcinea: I can’t lie; it can be a bit ouchy. But it really depends on the person's pain tolerance. What feels like a pinch to one person can feel excruciating to another. If you have a low to moderate tolerance for pain I recommend using a numbing cream. At BellaPelle we offer a prescription strength numbing cream that clients can purchase in advance of their first appointment. The cream is most effective if applied at home or work about an hour before their appointment. Clients can also arrive early—30 minutes before their appointment or earlier—to purchase numbing cream, apply it and relax. We offer clients free wi-fi, beverages and other little treats because so many clients want to do this.

Of course, the best way to ensure the least amount of pain when getting a bikini wax is to go to a professional with high-quality training and years of experience. Inexperienced providers, and people who aren't trained in specialty techniques, tend to cause people more pain than is necessary.

Question 3: What are the different styles of bikini waxing that you do at BellaPelle?

Dulcinea: At BellaPelle we offer a more traditional waxing, which we call our Babe-elicious Bikini wax and a Brazilian bikini wax. Babe-elicious includes removal of all hair outside the undies area. Oh, excuse me, I mean panties or bikini lingerie line area! We also offer an Extended Babe-elicious Bikini, which simply means we remove a little more hair around the top and sides of the bikini line.

Shelley, the CEO and Founder of BellaPelle, has made our Itsy Bitsy Brazilian Bikini waxing famous in San Francisco. Shelley teaches an Advanced Brazilian Bikini Waxing Techniques class, and of course, all of us here at BellaPelle are trained in these techniques. This is what makes the biggest difference with avoiding the ouch!

We also offer a Boy-zilian Bikini wax for men.

Question 4: People often talk about Brazilian bikinis, what exactly does a Brazilian bikini wax include?

Dulcinea: With a Brazilian bikini wax everything goes! We remove all the hair in the bikini area. The Itsy Bitsy Brazilian Bikini at BellaPelle usually includes removing all the hair, including the bunny tail. Some clients prefer to have us leave a strip of hair on top or not to do the bunny tail. We accommodate whatever they want.

We also offer the Itsy Bitsy Brazilian Bikini wax with something that has become really popular in the past couple of years, GlamourPuss. After the waxing we apply body gem designs. My clients love these. They can be fun and a special treat for a romantic situation. We have a variety of different styles.

Question 5: What's a bunny tail?

Dulcinea: Well, with a Brazilian bikini wax, all the hair is removed. This includes the hair that extends up along the line of their bottom. The hair in this area is referred to as a bunny tail. Again, this is one of those things where it's best to go to a professional waxing artist with advanced technical training to avoid pain, and for some people, embarrassment.

Question 6: Do most people who get bikini waxes also wax their legs?

Dulcinea: Some people do one without the other, but most of my clients do both, not necessarily at the same appointment, though.

Question 7: Do many of your clients have a problem with ingrown hairs after a wax?

Dulcinea: A couple of my clients have said ingrown hairs are an issue for them. I recommend they use a little of our Chiara Tonic II after every shower. We use it on clients here at the studio and many of our waxing clients love it. It really helps a lot with those stubborn hairs.

Question 8: How long does a bikini wax keep the skin smooth and hairless for most people?

Dulcinea: Everyone is unique, but I would say a bikini wax usually lasts about 2 and half weeks. At about 4 weeks the hair is long enough to wax again. We offer a price discount for clients who like to regularly wax if they come in within 4 weeks. The more regularly you wax, the longer it will last.

Question 9: What could you say to someone who is fearful of getting a bikini wax because it is such a private area of the body?

Dulcinea: I tell them it’s just hair on skin!

Get Tickets to the Every Day Counts Events!

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) has officially announced the 2011 LLS Man & Woman of the Year candidates! Congratulations to Shelley Costantini, BellaPelle Skin Studio CEO and Founder on her nomination.

Shelley's campaign is called Every Day Counts, because they do. Make every day count for yourself and for others. Participate in the Every Day Counts campaign by enjoying yourself at 3 fabulous events!

The parties will be a ton of fun. Drinks, food, art, auctions, raffles, fashion shows and networking! Join us for the fun and meet new people while supporting an important cause. Please pass these links on to anyone and everyone. The campaign will also be accepting direct donations starting April 1, but for now you can get your tickets to these events.

• Mix and Mingle Networking Party at art gallery
• Guest Bartending, Bachelor Auction & Celebrity Guest at Otis Lounge
• Beautiful Things Fashion Show and Cocktails at BellaPelle Skin Studio

BellaPelle Beauties Favorite Things Post 1

What are your favorite things? Five of the beauties from BellaPelle will share their favorite things in this first post of a 10-blog post series. From favorite places to how they spend their time, BellaPelle Beauties love to get out and about in the Bay Area.

What is your favorite place to shop for clothes in San Francisco/the Bay Area?

Shelley, CEO and Founder of BellaPelle, says, "Ambiance. I love this boutique. They have unique clothes that aren't overly priced.”

Keri, BellaPelle skin specialist, simply says, "Anthropology."

Dulcinea, a waxing specialist at BellaPelle, says, "I like to shop at H&M and Forever 21. I like cute clothes that don't cost a lot because I'm always ruining them by dripping wax all over!"

Maddie, the studio manager at BellaPelle Skin Studio, is someone who loves to shop. She says, "I have more than one favorite place to shop for clothes. In San Francisco I like to shop at H&M and Forever 21 and online at ModCloth.com, but these are just some of my favorite places to shop."

Victoria, studio coordinator at BellaPelle, says. "My favorite place to shop is H&M. It's right around the corner from BellaPelle. So convenient!"

Comment and share your favorite places to shop in the Bay Area!

March Beauty Break

March is National Women's History Month and March 8 is International Women's Day. Join the BellaPelle staff in celebrating women this month!

Check out the National Women's History Project. And find out more about International Women's Day.

Our First Podcast & Video

We're so excited! We just did a podcast with an accompanying video and we plan to do more. I had asked a friend of mine, who has podcast/video know-how, to help me make one for BellaPelle. Since she had never had a facial here before, we decided that she would be the subject of the podcast and video.

Listen and watch as my friend becomes a new facial client. She drills me on skin care practices in general, what to expect during and after the facial and how a Bare Your BellaPelle Facial can address her specific skin conerns. Listen and/or watch now: BellaPelle Podcast/Video 1, New to Facials.

Beautiful News

Every April through the first of June, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) holds their annual Man & Woman of the Year competition. Men and woman in communities across the U.S. do their best to out-fundraise one another for the titles of Man & Woman of the year. Shelley Costantini, CEO and Founder of BellaPelle Skin Studio, worked on a fundraising campaign last year for a friend who had been nominated. She found the experience of helping raise money for such a worthy cause to be amazingly gratifying.

This year, Shelley is honored to be nominated, herself! Her fundraising campaign, Every Day Counts, is in full planning mode with many great volunteers working to help raise money and awareness for LLS. The campaign goal is to raise $25,000. As part of this, they will be holding 4 events and everyone is invited to each of them. Check out the Every Day Counts web page on the BellaPelle website to learn more about the events, follow the entire campaign and donate.

March Beauty Break

All men and women are invited to help us celebrate women. Throughout March, come in for a Bare Your BellaPelle Facial (formally the Specialty Facial) and receive 25% off of all BellaPelle Skin Care products you purchase that day.

BellaPelle Does a Podcast and Video

BellaPelle Skin Studio is doing podcasts and videos! In their very first podcast you can listen to a new client as she talks with BellaPelle Skin Studio Founder and CEO, Shelley Costantini. They discuss skin care, in general, and BellaPelle's approach to customized facials. You'll also get a glimpse of what a Bare Your BellaPelle Facial is like. View the accompanying video to see clips of this client's actual facial.

Listen: BellaPelle Podcast 1, New to Facials

View BellaPelle Podcast 1 Accompanying Video

BellaPelle Mentioned In Top Skin Care Magazine

We're so excited to be mentioned in the January 2011 issue of Dermascope Magazine, the official publication of Aesthetics International Association!

"BellaPelle Skin Studio, a premiere skin car studio in downtown San Francisco, has become the first micro-relaxation spa in San Francisco. BellaPelle caters to the hardworking and hard playing lifestyles of people who live, work and play in the San Francisco Bay Area by offering premium skin care and beauty services that accommodate their schedules and busy lives."

Read the full article.

February Beauty Break

Love is in the air! Or maybe just some good, old-fashioned lust. Regardless, you'll want to feel sexy and smooth. So love the skin you're in with one of our Babe-elicious or Itsy Bitsy Brazilian bikini waxes! And remember to give some love to your legs with a luscious Stiletto Style Leg wax!

Lovely News

BellaPelle has been listening to client requests! This month we're introducing a change in our services. Don't worry, nothing drastic. We're simply providing our facial and body skin treatments the most customized way possible. Your skin is unique and skin treatments should always be specific to your skin needs.

We'll still be offering the same great facial and body treatments you love, with the same high-quality products, but we've made it easier for everyone to understand what each facial includes and how to book it. We've also lowered a few of the prices to help you stay beautiful during the tough economy! Check out the changes.

Best Brazilian in Town

7x7, a premier San Francisco magazine, named BellaPelle's Itsy Bitsy Brazilian the best Brazilian bikini wax in the city. Check it out.

Hearts A-Flutter

Make it a romantic night with the soft flicker of candlelight! Throughout February get 15% off of the Healthy Soy Candle in a beautiful glass jar. To purchase online, use coupon code FebBeauty during the Google Checkout process.

Beauty Deals: 35% off Brow Waxing Jan 24 ONLY

Tame your wild brow beasts with some BellaPelle Brow Architecture!

Make an appointment for January 24 and get 35% off Brow Shaping services at BellaPelle. Book appointment now! 

IMPORTANT: You must mention this Beauty Deal when you call for an appointment. Call 415.362.6384. You can also request an appointment online at BellaPelle.com, but you must reference this Beauty Deal in the "Special Requests or Comments" box on the final page of the online form.


Caterpillar to Butterfly Brow 
This brow treatment is great for brow first-timers and for those who wait past 4 weeks (or went somewhere else with disastrous results). 

The Simple Divide Brow 
For the undone look. Take your one eyebrow to two! Great for guys.

Beauty Deals: 30% off a Specialty Facial Jan 19 & 20

What a steal! A signature BellaPelle Specialty Facial for 30% off. It doesn't get any better than that.

If the winter dryness and quick Bay Area temperature changes have your skin bummed out, come in for a Specialty Facial on January 19 or 20 and receive 30% off. To receive this special please read the IMPORTANT note at the bottom of this post.

The BellaPelle Specialty Facial
Everything you need to look and feel fabulous is included in the Specialty Facial. We'll identify and target your personal skin concerns. This facial includes treatments to cleanse your skin and open your pores so that the facial treatment (mask or peel depending on what your skin needs) will be most effective. The Skin Specialist will:

• Conduct a Skin Scope analysis
• Determine your Fitzpatrick Skin Type Score
• Discuss personal considerations for your skin goals, including the amount of time you spend in the sun, foods you eat, your age, current health issues and products you use.
• Educate you in the care and maintenance of your skin to help you attain your skin care goals.

IMPORTANT: You must mention this Beauty Deal when you call for an appointment. Call 415.362.6384. You can also request an appointment online at BellaPelle.com, but you must reference this Beauty Deal in the "Special Requests or Comments" box on the final page of the online form.

Don't miss out! Request an appointment now for January 19 or 20.

Beauty Deals: 25% off Brazilians January 17

In honor of BellaPelle Skin Studio's birthday this month, and in thanks for our great clients who helped to get us named the "Best Overall Brazilian Bikini Wax" in San Francisco by 7x7SF.com... Drumroll please...

Get a famous BellaPelle Itsy Bitsy Brazilian Bikini wax January 17 for 25% off!

That's right, 25% off the Itsy Bitsy Brazilian Bikini wax at BellaPelle on January 17. Dulcinea will be the esthetician skin care expert on January 17 and she's amazing. Anna A. wrote this about Dulcinea on a yelp review.

"My esthetician, Dulcinea, was super sweet and totally professional. I have had about 100 brazilians, so I wasn't nervous about her seeing my lady parts, but this was my first time at a new location since I moved to SF. I have to say, being a pro at getting waxed, this was by far the best brazilian I ever had. hands down, Dulcinea and Bellapelle are not to be missed."

Check out what other clients have to say about BellaPelle!
Request your 25% off appointment for January 17 for an Itsy Bitsy Brazilian Bikini wax. Call 415.362.6384. You can also request an appointment online—be sure to mention this offer when you book online.