Spreading the Seeds
 Plantogen, a plant-derived, Australian-based skincare line, has formed a new partnership with Anew Pte, a leading spa distributor in Singapore, to offer its products to the ever-growing Asian market. Plantogen marked its debut May 16 at a VIP event in Singapore; the company’s products will now be available to businesses and consumers in Singapore, Malaysia and Cambodia, in addition to its current availability in the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Ireland. “We’re very excited about our expansion to the Asian market, and we feel this is a major growth strategy for the Plantogen brand,” says Elda Argenti, president of Plantogen.
Raising the Bar
The CA-based San Diego Beauty Academies—Poway Academy in Poway, Bay Vista in National City and Je Boutique in El Cajon—are raising the bar for beauty industry education by introducing advanced programs for several categories of instruction:
| • Former Graham Webb artistic trainer Diego Raviglione will be brought on board as artistic director for the hair program at all three schools. He’ll drive the haircutting and hairstyling curriculum, share insight on the behaviors of success, and encourage students to develop personal style. |
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| • The Poway Academy is launching California’s first certified Master Esthetics training program, which offers an advanced clinical esthetics and spa curriculum focused on the latest cutting-edge skills and techniques, including antiaging and acne care, skin evaluation, microdermabrasion and more. |
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| • All three academies will offer nail students the chance to take part in the nation’s first Spa Nail Technician program, a comprehensive 600-hour training course for “spa manicurists.” |
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| • Makeup artists can now take part in the Make-Up Designory (MUD) affiliate certification programs at the three academies. The intensified course covers traditional instruction, and adds features such as photo-shoot and portfolio work, special effects, runway techniques, trendspotting and more. |
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| From left: Jose Eber, Meehan, and Angelica Limcaco of Jose Eber Salon and Jesseca McNeill of the B.E.S.T Foundation/GSBA. |
B.E.S.T. in Show
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Paula Kent Meehan, creator of B.E.S.T., with Larry King |
On May 2, in Beverly Hills, CA, the B.E.S.T. (Business Education for Salons Today) Foundation celebrated the beauty industry during an evening that hosted high-profile guest appearances and sponsored discussion of future prospects for the nonprofit organization. Television icon Larry King joined salon industry leaders (who represented companies such as PureOlogy, Sexy Hair Concepts and Dermalogica); members from the UCLA Anderson School of Management; current and former Beverly Hills mayors, respectively, Jimmy Delshad and Tom Levyn; and members of the B.E.S.T. team to discuss raising the standards of business within the industry. The event served as a precursor to the Global Salon Business Forum & Awards held June 7-9, where celebrity salon owners Jose Eber (Jose Eber Salon) and Ginger Boyle (Planet Salon) helped form the Hollywood Salon Owner Panel to share the secrets of their success. For more information about B.E.S.T., visit salonbusinessawards.com.
Bravo, Businesswomen!
 Dermalogica founder Jane Wurwand was the keynote speaker at the 9th annual Bravo Awards, sponsored by the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), held in Moorpark, CA, May 11. Themed “Celebrating the Power of Women,” the luncheon hosted more than 200 female business owners courtesy of the Ventura County chapter of NAWBO. Wurwand, founder of The International Dermal Institute, challenged the audience to live and work in the present: “The balance ideal is something that works only for automatons,” she said. “The real answer is to be resilient when you lose your balance–because you will; to pick yourself up every time you’re knocked down; and to refuse to listen to the naysayers who tell you what you can’t possibly do.” After Wurwand’s rousing speech, Bravo Awards were bestowed on six female business owners who’ve proven their leadership skills. One winner was Melissa Yamaguchi, a partner in the Yamaguchi Salon and Coastal Day Spas family, who was dubbed Trailblazer of the Year.
Murad Mentions
 Murad has been honored in several major consumer magazines after its products were deemed some of the best in the industry:
• Lighten and Brighten Eye Treatment took home a Superstar Beauty Award for “Best Eye Cream” in Star magazine; celebrities such as Toni Collette were reported to use the eye-area rejuvenator.
• Self magazine named Activating Body Scrub as “Best Body Scrub” in its annual Healthy Beauty Awards.
• was named in the “Best Face” category of the Healthy Beauty Awards in Brides magazine.
 Name Change
The International Chain Salon Association (ICSA) has been renamed and repositioned as the International SalonSpa Business Network (ISBN). At the organization’s annual conference in Amelia Island, FL, May 20, president Paula Malloy announced the change to members, who are owners and senior management employees from multi-unit salon and spa companies. “This is an industry based on change,” says Malloy. “After surveying our membership, we learned the No. 1 benefit they desire and receive from the group is networking.” To that end, the newly named ISBN will launch a new website (salonspanetwork.org); introduce a members-only email Listserv that allows members to share opinions and initiate dialogue; offer quarterly conference calls; increase networking at the annual conference; and add new member benefits. For more information on ISBN, call 866/444-4272 or visit salonspanetwork.org.
Techno-Derm
To Distribute LPG
 Techno-Derm has acquired exclusive U.S. distribution for LPG Technologies from French company LPG Systems and has relocated the company’s headquarters to a Miami-based facility. As the inventor of Endermologie, a device that works to improve the appearance of cellulite, LPG works with connective tissue technology to develop equipment for spa, medical and other industries. Techno-Derm’s distribution plans and new headquarters in the heart of Miami’s financial and business district will allow the company to expand its market growth and product line, and offer enhanced customer service. “Our move perfectly complements growth initiatives for 2008,” says Michel Van Welden, Techno-Derm president and COO. “It signifies the continued growth and development of the wellness and beauty sectors at large.” For more information, visit lpgamerica.com or lipomassage-usa.com.
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