Complexions Spa Owner Denise Dubois Featured in Skin Inc Magazine

admin  -  August 20, 2012  -  0 Comments

Complexions owner Denise Dubois was recently featured in Skin Inc Magazine’s article “Skin Care Professional On Path to Success”; to read the article on SkinInc.com, click here.

“From the beginning, I would never have dreamed I would be where I am today,” says Denise Dubois, president and owner of Complexions Spa for Beauty and Wellness in Albany, New York. And each measured step Dubois has taken since her first foray into makeup artistry—along with her hunger for education, love of skin science and entrepreneurial spirit—has led her down a path to success. “I wanted to be a makeup artist and, in the early 1980s in New York, you had to have a cosmetology license to be a makeup artist, so I went to cosmetology school,” explains Dubois, who graduated from Europa School of Cosmetology in Schenectady, New York, in 1983. After landing a job at a small, family owned hair salon in Schenectady, Dubois decided to take the next step in her education, studying makeup artistry at Christine Valmy in Manhattan. “The course I took was esthetics and makeup, so that’s where I was first introduced to real skin care,” she says. After earning her certification in skin care and makeup, Dubois decided she wanted to be fully licensed, so she attended the Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics in Woburn, Massachusetts, where she graduated with the highest honor in the class, receiving her license in 1984.

When she finished her esthetics training, the salon she was working for in 1985 offered her the opportunity to open a single skin care room. During her experience at the salon, Dubois said, she learned the fundamentals of business success. “The people I worked for had strong work ethics, and it was a great experience for me. They were very good at customer service; the quality of service they delivered to clients was exceptional. They were really good role models,” says Dubois.

Her next step, in 1987, was with a skin care franchise that offered her a position in which she opened a location in the area. That step only lasted for a few months. “It wasn’t how in envisioned myself working in the skin care industry,” she says and, later that year, opened the doors to her own business—Complexions Professional Skin Care, a 1,500-square foot location in a strip mall. “When I opened my business, there were no freestanding skin care centers in my area. There were only a handful of places that were hair salons just starting to offer skin care services. It was an emerging industry,” Dubois explains. “From the get-go, I focused on educating clients and combining that with retail, making sure what they used at home complemented the professional treatments.” During this time, Dubois was moonlighting in a plastic surgery center, as well, learning about the medical spa side of the industry. Complexions’ first location lasted six years.

When the opportunity presented itself to move into a 4,200-square foot location across the street, Dubois snagged it, convincing a renowned yoga center in the area to move into the adjacent space, providing a full-service wellness facility. Ten years later, says Dubois, the business was bursting at the seams. When the time came to renew her lease, Dubois said she didn’t have a good feeling about it and had her eye on a space on a major area street that was occupied by a fabric store. After approaching the owner about her interest in the location, the owner said she wasn’t ready to leave. However, right before the lease on her current location was due, Dubois received a phone call. “One day, she just calls me and said she was ready to sell. It was the best phone call!” says Dubois, who purchased the 8,000-square foot location—only to level the building. “I wanted to build a green facility, and I just knew it was a complement to the spa industry to be able to offer services in an environment that supported the wellness philosophy,” she says. With much planning, Dubois was able to build the facility in a way that allowed it to be awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification for new construction from the U.S. Green Building Council. When asked whether this was a profitable decision for the spa, Dubois explained that going green catapulted her business to the next level, attracting employees and clients drawn to an environmental lifestyle, as well as reducing utility bills by $10,000 per month and receiving a variety of lucrative incentives for going green.

Now known as Complexions Spa for Beauty and Wellness—which uses skin care brands Footlogix, Obagi Medical, PCA Skin, SkinCeuticals, YonKa and Ytsara—the business combines a green philosophy, as well as medical spa services, lending to Dubois’ constant progression in

The Therapeutic Medi-Pedi Treatment

admin  -  August 20, 2012  -  0 Comments

By: Denise Dubois, as Featured in Skin Inc Magazine

How many steps per day does the average American take? A study conducted by pedometer researcher Catrine Tudor-Locke, PhD, and published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise in 2004, showed a wide variation in the 200 women and men who participated. The men in the survey took an average of 7,192 steps per day and the women in the survey took an average of 5,210 steps per day.

The average person endures several hundred pounds of pressure on the feet on a daily basis, and walks four times the circumference of the Earth in a lifetime. Your feet get you up in the morning and out the door for your busy days, and yet, they tend to be one of the most neglected parts of the body. Approximately 85% of the population have foot or foot-related problems. It is imperative that the skin, the largest organ on the body, remains healthy in order to perform its main function, which is to protect against injury, infection and the entry of bacteria. This holds particularly true with regard to the feet.

A therapeutic pedicure focuses on addressing the health of the feet and conditions ranging from simple dryness to more severe conditions, such as those resulting from diabetes and fungus. In the case of diabetics, even ordinary problems can get worse and lead to serious complications. Foot problems most often happen when there is nerve damage, also known as neuropathy, resulting in the loss of feeling in the feet. Nerve damage can also lead to changes in the shape of the feet and toes. Poor blood flow or circulation can make feet feel cold and be less able to fight infection. In severe cases, it can lead to foot ulcers, and even amputation.

It is not mandatory for a client to see a physician before having a therapeutic pedicure. A trained and licensed skin care and nail professional should not work on individuals who have open wounds or sores on their toes or feet, or a visible infection due to ingrown toenails. If any of these conditions are present, refer the client to a physician for appropriate care.

A therapeutic treatment focuses on the greater need for extra foot care rather than just a feel-good experience. Clients are looking for solutions with results. To properly perform this procedure, it is highly recommended that a licensed nail technician obtain advanced training in podology beyond their basic education. Conditions that a therapeutic pedicure should be able to address include persistent dryness due to poor circulation, callousness from weight and improper gait, fissures from excessive dryness, fungus of the nail and skin, cold feet and excessive perspiration that can also lead to foot odor.

Marketing and retail

The Therapeutic Medi-Pedi Treatment can be introduced by hosting an educational healthy feet spa party. Consider inviting a local podiatrist to the event to give an informative presentation about various foot conditions. Following the presentation, clients should be offered a complimentary foot evaluation and a 20% discount if they book an appointment that evening for the treatment. Clients are looking for solutions to their foot challenges, and this treatment gives them the results they need. It is imperative to recommend a supportive foot treatment line for at-home maintenance and optimal long-term results.

A supportive foot treatment line is more than a feel-good, fragrant cosmetic skin care line. The line used should be specifically developed to address a variety of skin and nail conditions with proven results that are backed by science. It should address the health of the feet and issues from simple dryness to more severe conditions, such as those resulting from diabetes and fungus. The products should be simple and easy-to-use for clients, as well as skin care and nail professionals.

To maintain and enhance the results from the service, recommend follow-up home care. Use a recommendation pad and write out exactly what the client should use and how it should be applied at home. Bring the products to the pedicure chair and put them in the client’s hand as you are explaining their benefits.

It is also crucial for receptionists and booking attendants to ask the appropriate questions when answering the phone to identify if a client would benefit from a therapeutic pedicure versus a traditional spa pedicure. These questions include the following.

    • Do you have a particular concern with your feet?
    • What are your goals with this appointment?
    • Are you looking for a traditional spa pedicure or more of a treatment to address a particular concern with your feet or nails?

This allows the appropriate treatment to be recommended. A therapeutic pedicure is not a fluff-and-buff type of treatment; it is more clinical and does not include the use of scrubs, masks or paraffin.

Benefits for better health

Providing a therapeutic pedicure allows the skin care and nail professional the opportunity to aid in the client’s pursuit of health and wellness. A classic spa pedicure addresses appearance and feels great; however, a therapeutic pedicure’s emphasis is on correcting specific conditions with benefits that can translate into better health.

February is National Heart Health Month; How Going to Complexions Spa can Help Your Heart

sean.davies  -  February 21, 2012  -  2 Comments

Thinking on surprising your special ‘someone’ to a spa treatment this month for Valentine’s Day? Nice idea─and, it may do them more good than you even realized.

heart-healthy

It’s no coincidence that National Heart Health Month falls in the same month as Valentine’s Day. Several of Complexions’ spa treatments, such as massages, manicures/pedicures, and even facials, can actually help clients de-stress and relax, which in turn could help the health of their heart.

stethA variety of medical studies have linked chronic stress to heart disease. Additionally, social interaction, such as the personalized treatment you receive at Complexions, can also help reduce stress levels.

There is a message here as we collectively celebrate this month of “love,” and that message is keeping in mind the importance of the overall health of our loved ones.

2011 Holiday Season

admin  -  November 1, 2011  -  0 Comments

We are all ready and waiting for the kick off of this year’s holiday season!  We’ve teamed up for the big start with America Express small business shopping program! On Saturday, November 26, American Express will reward their card holders who register their card with a $25.00 statement credit when they shop at a small business that is registered with American Express.

We will launch our holiday gift card promotion by offering an additional $20.00 with every $100.00 gift card purchased and a $20.00 gift card along with a spa at home gift set worth $50.00 for a total of $75.00 with every $200.00 gift card purchased. The American Express promotion coupled with our gift card promotion is a great opportunity for our customers and to inaugurate the holiday season!

Happy Holidays!

Keep informed about specials, promotions, and holiday happenings by joining Complexions on Facebook or following us on Twitter!

There’s Something New at Complexions Spa, and it Seems to be in the Water!

admin  -  May 13, 2011  -  2 Comments

Every once in a while something new comes along in this industry that is a “game changer,” and really exciting to me personally to be able to offer to our valued clients. Our new Oxygenated Water is one of those things. I invite you to read more about this new and exciting water technology below and come to the spa and try it out soon!

Dating back to the ancient Romans and Greeks, bathing rituals and ceremonies performed in water were thought to purify the body and mind. Complexions Spa stays true to its belief in health and healing through water by announcing spa-wide use of a new water technology, exclusive to the Capital Region at Complexions Spa, called Transcutaneous Oxygen Therapy.

The process, in which water is infused with large amounts of oxygen that enters the skin thus bringing elevated tissue oxygen levels (350 percent) immediately, is clinically proven to:

  • destroy bacteria and fungus
  • reduce inflammation
  • detoxify
  • help reduce fine lines and age spots
  • invigorate fatigued muscles while increasing energy/vitality and circulation
  • diminish symptoms of psoriasis, eczema, diabetic sores, and acne

Oxygen is universally recognized for its significant health benefits as it’s a powerful detoxifier and a key ingredient in natural age defying therapies. This healing water has recently been incorporated into all skin care and body treatments, manicures, pedicures, hydrotherapy tubs, spa steam rooms, as well as all of Complexions Spa’s drinking water. The professional oxygenation systems were provided by virtue of Oxygen Pur Spa®. Visit them at www.oxygenpurspa.com.

To fully experience the benefits of this oxygenated water, Complexions offers a new, exclusively designed treatment properly named, “Fountains of Youth.” This three-hour treatment immerses your body in oxygenated water pulsating from jets in a musical-like rhythm penetrating deep through the skin, tissues and into the bloodstream. The water’s healing benefits jump into action eliminating toxins and stress, and leaving your body cleansed inside and out. The treatment also includes ‘cupping,’ in which small suction cups are used to balance and improve and unblock the flow of qi, or life energy, which travels throughout the body in channels called meridians.

Lastly, Complexions also proudly offers a patented oxygenated skin serum that harnesses the healing power of dermal oxygen transfer clients can use at home. As part of a daily regimen, this serum delivers the benefits of oxygen to skin cells and optimizes cell repair to keep skin looking radiant by regenerating and visibly toning skin tissue. It reinforces the therapeutic effects of professional treatments by also reducing fine lines and age spots and rejuvenating the complexion.

COMPLEXIONS SPA VOTED IN THE TOP AS BEST DAY SPA BY METROLAND READERS

sean.davies  -  March 18, 2011  -  2 Comments

ALBANY, N.Y. – Complexions Spa for Beauty &Wellness in Albany, NY, is proud to announce that it was voted in the top as “Best Day Spa” recently in Metroland’s Readers’ Choice Poll 2011.

Every year Metroland conducts this Readers’ Choice Poll, which includes everything from best area restaurants, to best bands, then calculates and compiles all votes, and announces the top three winning businesses in each category based on their readers’ responses.

“We are honored to be named in Metroland’s Readers’ Choice Poll as it’s very important to us that people in this area think of Complexions as a day spa of choice,” said Denise Dubois, Complexions Spa owner. “Every day we strive to provide top-notch spa services and products to our clients with fine detail paid to customer satisfaction. This award illustrates that those efforts have been noticed by the great people in the Capital Region.”

For more information about Complexions, and their full list of products and spa services, visit their website at www.complexions.com.

Sauna Therapy

admin  -  January 14, 2011  -  1 Comment

A WORD FROM DENISE…

Sauna Therapy

Sauna, a Scandinavian word, is an ancient form of dry heat therapy that has been used around the world by many cultures throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, Central and North America. It is considered by many to be a cultural and medicinal component of social interaction and health maintenance.

Modern sciences have consistently studied the health effects of saunas for decades, and in fact, have a very strong case that it can be used in the management of heart related conditions, according to a published article in the Journal of Cardiology.*

At Complexions we have separate woman’s and men’s locker rooms offering steam and sauna therapy in each. Our Spa Membership offers unlimited use of these amenities in addition to our relaxation lounge, rain showers, organic tea bar, and more. When you come in for services you are welcome to use these amenities at no additional cost.

If you think sauna therapy may be right for you, practice due diligence and discuss this treatment option with your health practitioner, then contact us about a Spa Membership. Please read below to learn more about the health benefits of sauna therapy.

Yours in Health,
Denise

How Saunas Work

The basic idea of sauna therapy is to heat your body several degrees. Saunas can dramatically improve circulation and relieve internal congestion. It is also said that by heating the body it helps destroy bacteria, viruses and some tumors. In addition, it assists the body in detoxification by ridding harmful toxic metals and chemicals, radioactive particles, and other toxins.

The effects of a sauna session occur in two phases. The first phase, which usually is within the first ten minutes, induces light sweating as your body temperature remains approximately at basal level of 98.6 degrees. The body dissipates the extra heat by increasing circulation, shunting blood to the skin’s surface, and sweating. The benefits of phase one of a sauna session include:

• muscle relaxation, which leads to increased overall body relaxation
• enhanced flexibility of tendons and ligaments
• minor pain relief
• improved oxygenation and dilating the peripheral blood vessels
• relieving internal organ congestion

After about 10–30 minutes in the sauna, the body enters phase two. During this phase your body can no longer dissipate the heat of the sauna and your body temperature begins to rise. Your heart rate and sweating increase as blood is more forcefully shunted to the surface. Some of the greatest benefits occur during this phase, which include:

• improved circulation due to the heart rate increase
• increased body temperature is said to hasten the death of weaker cells

The Benefits of Saunas

• Relaxation and Meditation─The warmth of the sauna heat relaxes the muscles and nervous system.

• Health Maintenance─Weekly sauna sessions enhance circulation which nourishes the glands, detoxifies the system, cleanses the skin, and offers many of the same benefits received while exercising however requires much less exertion.

• Healing─Spending 30 minutes, several days a week, is believed to be a very powerful and safe healing modality. It decongests the internal organs, assists circulation, heals infections, and may help other body systems as well.

After a sauna session your body temperature may remain elevated for up to 15 minutes. It is recommended to take a cool shower and to rest for ten to fifteen minutes to give your body the opportunity to restore to normal temperature.

*References taken from Sauna Therapy for Detoxification and Healing by Lawrence Wilson, MD.

Complexions Wins Small Business Award 2010

Denise Dubois  -  March 17, 2010  -  1 Comment

Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber Names Small Business Award Winners

by: Paul Quirini

The Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber’s Small Business Council will present this year’s Small Business Awards at the Desmond Hotel & Conference Center in Albany on Wednesday, April 21 during a Special Breakfast Forum with best-selling author Rich Gallagher.

The Chamber’s Small Business Council will recognize two small businesses for business success. The Small Business Awards breakfast is the culmination of a process that began in February, when nominations were accepted.

Fenimore Asset Management is the corporate sponsor of the Small Business Awards. The event begins with check-in at 7:30am, followed by breakfast at 8am and the awards presentation and keynote speaker. Registration is $25, and the event is open to the public. To register, visit http://acchamber.org/events.aspx.

Small business Award categories and award recipients include:

Small Business of the Year Award
Complexions Spa for Beauty & Wellness

Complexions Spa for Beauty & Wellness is committed to making its clients not only look, but also feel, their best by focusing on their health, as well as the traditional “pampering” aspects for which spas are generally known.

The spa is registered with the U.S. Green Building Council and is the first Gold LEED certified spa in the country for new construction. Due to owner Denise DuBois’ substantial energy reductions, the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) awarded Complexions with a bronze plaque and $31,000 in grant funding.

DuBois has adapted Complexions’ business plan and philosophy over the years, evolving from the luxury-only mindset to a strong emphasis on health benefits, wellness and de-stressing. Today, the spa’s business continues to prosper, with double-digit growth annually.

Complexions recently partnered with MatterofTrust.org, a charitable organization that has lived the mission of linking ideas and sparking action to improve the environment. This new partnership will specifically assist MatterofTrust.org in making oil spill hair mats from salon hair clippings.

The spa was recently named a “Salon of Distinction” by Salon Today Magazine and was one of 13 recipients of the Energy STAR Small Business Award in 2008. DuBois and her staff have also embraced social networking, using Twitter to “tweet” about last-minute appointment openings that may have otherwise gone unfilled, providing clients the opportunity to enjoy service almost immediately, if they so desire.

“It is an honor to be named Small Business of the Year, as this is a testament to all of the wonderful people who work here and our loyal clients,” DuBois said. “We’ve worked very hard to grow our business over the past 22 years, and I’m grateful to receive local recognition for our accomplishments.”

Holiday Gift Cards

Denise Dubois  -  February 10, 2010  -  0 Comments

Complexions Spa Gift CardInteresting statistics fresh from our spa analytics software: year to date services and retail sales are up 10% at Complexions despite the weak economy. I think this has a lot to do with our focus on wellness and customer service. What’s more, as of September 30th, we’ve experienced a 29% increase in spa gift certificate sales….with the average gift certificate price increasing from $92.36 to $93.24. For the month of December 2008 alone, the average gift certificate sale was $95.00. Spa gift certificates have always been one of our most popular gift items during the holidays – I think that more and more people, from Albany, NY to New York City, find the very real health benefits provided by our spa therapies to present significantly more value in comparison to other gift options. Giving either yourself, a friend or family member an experience that decreases stress, increases energy and leaves you feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and revived is really one of the most thoughtful, helpful things you can do.

Attending ISpa this year in Austin, Texas offered me quite a bit of insight and inspiration into the range of gift card packages I plan to offer our clients both online and in store. That being said…..I am still evaluating several different gift card strategies to make the 2009 holiday season our best quarter ever while at the same time providing customers with ever more value and even better service.  The recent update to our online gift card app opens up several new email-related specials for us that I think our most active customer will love.  If you have any suggestions, by all means, let us know in the comments. I look forward to hearing your ideas!

Complexions Partners with Matter of Trust by donating hair clippings

Denise Dubois  -  January 22, 2010  -  0 Comments

Complexions Spa for Beauty & Wellness in Albany, NY, the nation’s first gold-level LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified new construction spa, has recently partnered with MatterofTrust.org, a charitable organization since 1999 that has lived the mission of linking ideas and sparking action to improve the environment.

Matter of Trust - Oil Spill Hairmats

This new partnership with Complexions Spa will specifically assist MatterofTrust.org in making oil spill hairmats out of salon hair clippings swept off the floor and previously discarded. Because hair is a natural absorbent fiber, the clippings are used to create oil spill hairmats and help contain disastrous petroleum spills. The hair is stuffed into tubes (booms) made from recycled nylons and used for emergency oil spills around the nation. The mats are also extremely efficient for oil drip pans, machinery, pipelines, and even as booms for storm drains.

“There are more than 370,000 hair salons in the U.S. and each salon collects conservatively about one pound of hair a day. Right now, most of that goes into the waste stream. Imagine the positive environmental impact if more salons donated their hair clippings to this great effort,” said Denise Dubois, owner, Complexions Spa & Salon. “Being a LEED certified spa we are always looking for ways to protect and improve our environment. Therefore, the opportunity to team-up with MatterofTrust.org was a very natural fit for us.”

“Thanks to spas and salons like Complexions donating their hair clippings, we are encouraged and optimistic about our ecological future,” said Lisa Gautier President and Executive Director at MatterofTrust.org. We are very fond of this planet and respectfully consider her to be a Matter of Trust.”

Complexions Spa earned Gold certification in May of 2009 under the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED rating system for new construction. Complexions Spa saves more than $10,000 annually in utility bills with its energy-efficient measures. The greenhouse gas savings is estimated at 56 tons annually, the equivalent of the co2 emissions from the electricity use of nearly seven homes for one year.

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2nd Annual Holiday Open House

Denise Dubois  -  December 6, 2009  -  1 Comment

This year we held our Holiday Open House on Thursday December 3, from 5:30 until 8:30. Last year, as well as this year, we directed our attention to the needs of the Capital Region’s Ronald McDonald House. We asked that guests bring an item from the Ronald McDonald Wish List. In exchange we gave guests the service of their choice for 20% off. You should see our office…. it’s over flowing with items. Last year we needed a van to bring everything over to the house. I think we will need to do the same this year! With the support of other local businesses, we were also able to have an auction which raised additional money for the Ronald McDonald House. We received amazing raffle items from Creo Restaurant, Hannoush Jewelers, Circles Clothing Store, The Palace Theater, Hudson Valley Winery, Mark Thomas Men’s Clothing, Albany’s Desmond Hotel, and from our vendors including Skinceuticals, Yon-ka, Y’tsara, Kneipp, Moraccan Oil, OPI, and more. We are so grateful for the wonderful generosity from our fellow local businesses and vendors. Without their help we would not have been able to do so much for the House.

Approximately 75 people attended the event. We also sold “snowflakes” which we will continue until the end of the month. They are being sold for $5.00 and displayed throughout the spa reception area. Guests enjoyed holiday makeup applications, hair styling, moisturizing paraffin hand treatments, Yon-ka facial hydration, chair massage, reflexology, neck trims for the men, and of course wonderful food and jolly drinks. Madison Fruit Garden also joined us and offered their fabulous chocolate covered fruits! Yum….. everyone needs to buy a box to celebrate the holiday season.

All in all, I think the event was a terrific success. The Complexions Spa Community never ceases to amaze – especially when called upon by such a wonderful & worthy cause. Many thank yous to all who join us that evening. Your generosity will surely help make the upcoming Holiday’s a bit more bright for many local families.

On a related note,  we are planning a special Men’s Spa Night for February… We did this last year and it reception was quite strong. We’d like to team up with another charity that promotes men’s health, but haven’t figured out who that will be yet, so if you have any in mind, please let me know.  Of course, as our planning continues, we will keep you POSTED.

In the meantime, enjoy the snow that just fell & have a wonderful holiday season!

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Holiday Open-House SPARTY for Ronald McDonald House of Albany

Denise Dubois  -  November 30, 2009  -  0 Comments

Complexions Spa Holiday Open House Party for the Ronald McDonald House

Please join us Thursday, December 3rd anytime between 5:30 & 8:30PM for an extra special holiday sparty in support of the Capital Region’s Ronald McDonald House. Along with an amazing assortment of top-shelf sample services & treats (see below), the night will feature the following promotions:

  • Raffle tickets for Holiday Gift Baskets teeming with amazing products from all our incredible vendors. 100% of all raffle-money raised will go directly to the Ronald McDonald House of Albany.
  • Fill out your very own Complexions Wish List and be entered into the end-of-night drawing for a $100.00 Complexions Gift Card! Simply tell us what skin, body and hair care products you’d like and we’ll send a little letter off to your special someone that let’s them know precisely what you’d love to be given. Think of it as Holiday shopping made (a bit more) simple.

Please also note that healthy food, delicious drinks, chair massages, body polish demonstrations, holiday make up application, hair consultations, deep moisturizing paraffin hand treatments, the all-new Lucas Spray Hydration for skin, neck trims by our barber and perhaps even more will be available to all who attend.

To RSVP, please call the front desk at *518-690-0616* and/or let us know via our Holiday Open-House Facebook Event Page. Tickets are free (yay!), but space may be a little limited so if you could let us know that you are coming ahead of time, that would be greatly appreciated :)

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Couples Massages Are Popular Right Now, But Why?

Denise Dubois  -  November 10, 2009  -  7 Comments

On Friday we received more calls from people looking to book a couples massage than we did any other service we offer. Some were looking for openings on Saturday – which was entirely reserved – so we had to unfortunately turn people away. Couples aren’t always what most think of believe it or not. Of course we have requests from husband and wife, girlfriend and boyfriend, but couples are often times also mother and daughter, two good friends, a bride to be and her fiance or even brother and sister. It’s a wonderful opportunity to relax and spend some quality time together.

Couples Massage - Complexions Spa, Albany NY

Any of the massage treatments that we offer can be done in the couples room (it’s simply performed on our heated massage tables side by side). In that suite we also have a wonderful top-of-the-line SANIJET Hydrotherapy Tub. This tub has jets that are removable and can therefore be sanitized completely between uses.  If you’re like me and wondering what “complete sanitation” actually means, SANIJET guarantees “hospital-grade disinfection”. This “pipeless” technology makes it ideal for a spa setting that does a lot of traditional hydro-therapy treatments. Best of all, our couples massage guests can relax in the tub before or after the massage soaking in a wonderful herbal bath that’s both relaxing & therapeutic!

One of our most popular treatments for couples is the Javanese Beauty Ritual, but Friday’s bookings actually show a preference toward the therapeutic deep tissue & relaxation massages. I’ll ask a few of the couples why when they come in this week. Many are new clients, so perhaps they just wanted to get their feet wet with menu items that are a bit more familiar? During special times, like Valentine’s Day, we’ve had to extend our hours to allow maximum use of our couples room. In fact, we’ve even moved two massage beds in our single rooms in an effort to maximize our availability for couples wanting to share the experience together.

Massages don’t always have to be solitary experiences. In fact, sharing the massage experience with a good friend or significant other has an uncanny ability of creating wonderful moments in time that can be treasured and warmly remember for many years to come.

Suffice to say, our next expansion for Complexions will most definitely include another Metta Couple’s Suite to satisfy the growing demand for this experience.

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Are Spa Gift Cards Going to be the Gift of the 2009 Holiday Season?

Denise Dubois  -  October 21, 2009  -  0 Comments

Complexions Spa Gift CardInteresting statistics fresh from our spa analytics software: year to date services and retail sales are up 10% at Complexions despite the weak economy. I think this has a lot to do with our focus on wellness and customer service. What’s more, as of September 30th, we’ve experienced a 29% increase in spa gift certificate sales….with the average gift certificate price increasing from $92.36 to $93.24. For the month of December 2008 alone, the average gift certificate sale was $95.00. Spa gift certificates have always been one of our most popular gift items during the holidays – I think that more and more people, from Albany, NY to New York City, find the very real health benefits provided by our spa therapies to present significantly more value in comparison to other gift options. Giving either yourself, a friend or family member an experience that decreases stress, increases energy and leaves you feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and revived is really one of the most thoughtful, helpful things you can do.

Attending ISpa this year in Austin, Texas offered me quite a bit of insight and inspiration into the range of gift card packages I plan to offer our clients both online and in store. That being said…..I am still evaluating several different gift card strategies to make the 2009 holiday season our best quarter ever while at the same time providing customers with ever more value and even better service.  The recent update to our online gift card app opens up several new email-related specials for us that I think our most active customer will love.  If you have any suggestions, by all means, let us know in the comments. I look forward to hearing your ideas!

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Help Fund Breast Cancer Research with Pink Hair Extensions & Pomegranate Pedicures

Denise Dubois  -  October 5, 2009  -  2 Comments

National Breast Cancer FoundationOctober is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and all of us Complexions ask that you join us in our annual drive in support of the National Breast Cancer Foundation. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 212,000 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in the USA in 2006, adding to the 2.3 million women in the U.S.A. with a history of breast cancer.

From now until October 31st, Complexions will be offering two different ways for you to help fund the fight:

  1. Pink Hair Extensions For Hope Extensions ($10.00 each) – Your donation will be given IN FULL to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Each $10 dollar donation includes the application and removal of one Pink SO.CAP.USA Hair Extension!

  2. Pink Pomegranate Pedicure ($70.00) – With $15.00 of each & every service going directly to the American Cancer Society, this delicious 50 minute treatment using Eco-Friendly Complexions Pomegranate rich in anti-oxidants. The Think Pink Pomegranate Pedicure is a special, super-healthy treatment that makes you feel good from the inside out, pampering your toes while giving back to an important cause.  What’s more, the first 50 to donate get a special free gift and one pink ribbon nail art!

Our goal is to better last year’s amazing results of over 100 hair extensions and 200 pedicures – I think we can do it, but we’re definitely going to need a lot of help spreading the word. Check back in for a weekly update of how we’re doing as I think Kim & Mari will be posting a running tally of our progress :)

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