Prevailing in Pink

Day spas and manufacturers are fiercely committed to winning the fight against breast cancer.

Dark, rich hues prevail in autumn months, but in the beauty industry, pink reigns proudly each October. Across the country, spas dedicate their own resources to raise money for a range of charities, including the prominent Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, which has invested nearly $1 billion to date to end breast cancer. More

Spa Moves

Ava Shamban, the featured dermatologist on the hit reality show, “Extreme Makeover” has opened Ava M.D., a 3,000-square-foot medspa in Beverly Hills, CA. More

Spa Gregorie’s in Newport Beach, CA, has added nutrition counseling to its “Wellness Rocks!” holistic program that already includes acupuncture, aromatherapy, hypnotherapy and Chinese herbal medicine. More

No doubt cast in a supporting role to several major talent agencies who recently relocated to Century City, California, Equinox Fitness + Spa (equinoxfitness.com) opened this March as an ultimate fusion between … More

Inspired by the serene landscape of Hilton Head, SC, Heavenly Spa by Westin opened its doors there in April, marking the fourth

Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas played favorable odds with the May opening of its latest spa retreat at the famed Harrah’s Casino and Resort in Atlantic City, NJ. Nestled near a glass-domed More

Buzz

From the avant garde up-dos that dominate fashion runways to classic bobs that keep clients loyal to the same stylist for years, the North American Hairstyling Awards, held July 15 in Las Vegas, honored some of the most skilled and talented in the industry.

Presented by the Professional Beauty Association in conjunction with Cosmoprof North America, the gala included a style presentation and tributes to Jim Markham, Hall of Leaders inductee, and Yosh Toya, Lifetime Achievement winner. It also recognized the skill and talents of stylists in the following 12 categories:

Master Stylist of the Year: Dusty Simington, Salon Gregorie’s, Newport Beach, CA
Hairstylist of the Year: Allen Ruiz, Jackson Ruiz Salon, Austin, TX
Salon Team of the Year: Pure, Montreal, Quebec
Editorial Stylist of the Year: Michael Arbor, The Loft Salon and Day Spa, Boston, MA
Student Hairstylist of the Year: Jess Zehnder, Aveda Fredric’s Institute, Indianapolis, IN
Make-Up Artist of the Year: Maria Nguyen, Milpitas, CA

NEWS FLASH:

Current statistics that support a surge in spa industry growth have been retracted by the International Spa Association (ISPA). The association issued a recall of its 2007 Global Consumer Report on Monday, citing a number of statistical and analytical errors associated with research conducted by an outside firm. Incorrect data includes the number of active spa-goers worldwide, the primary reasons for visiting spas worldwide, and the most popular spa treatments worldwide.

“Our members and the media trust ISPA and the quality research we deliver.  This cannot be compromised,” said ISPA president Lynne Walker McNees, who added that ISPA has terminated its relationship with the research firm. The association is also offering a full refund to anyone who purchased the report.

ISPA plans to begin immediate work on a “more comprehensive” Global Report. It will also continue to release data included in the 2007 ISPA Spa Industry Study. (At posting time, this data was planned for presentation at the ISPA Conference & Expo, held Nov. 12-15 in Kissimmee, FL.) McNees said ISPA has the “utmost confidence” in this study, which was conducted by another independent research firm.

Spa Brings Relief to Fire Evacuees

Across the nation, sympathy poured out to the residents who were evacuated from or lost their homes during the recent Southern California wildfires. In San Diego, scores of evacuees took temporary shelter at Qualcomm Stadium, where they received stress relief from the massage therapists and acupuncturists who donated their services. Dana Stallings, co-owner of relief participant Spa Velia, says the response was so overwhelming that some volunteers were turned away. More

People

Repêchage announced the promotion of Jennifer Matuga to West Coast regional manager. Her new position will include continued focus on the Repêchage and Maly’s West sales forces in the region. More

CND has promoted Kathleen Summers to director of key accounts. In addition to her experience as manager of salon and school development at CND, Summers brings her expertise as director of chain and spa businesses and manager of direct customer support. More

Ellen L. McGinnis has been named partner of the supply and consulting firm Spa Development International. McGinnis has more than 25 years of spa and hospitality experience, including her tenure at The Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa in Asheville, NC, where More

Old Edwards Inn and Spa in Highlands, NC, has appointed Sheryl O’Brien as director of spa operations. O’Brien will oversee treatment development and operations throughout the 25,000-square-foot retreat nestled at the foot of More

Shana Ominsky is the new director of spa and wellness at the Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, TX. Ominsky will oversee the Spa, Spa Salon and Fitness Center at the resort, which sprawls across 4,000 acres in Austin’s Texas Hill Country. Ominsky most recently served as the director of spa operations at the Claremont Resort & Spa in Berkeley, CA. More

Robin Jones will serve as director of the 21,000-square-foot spa at the Grand Del Mar in San Diego when the resort opens this fall. More