(From left to right: Repêchage Corporate Educator Lauren Streeter, Repechage CEO and Founder Lydia Sarfati, Christie & Co. client, and Christie & Co. Salon ● Spa Lois Christie)

Thursday, May 3^rd, 2012- Repêchage CEO and Founder Lydia Sarfati and Repechage Corporate Educator Lauren Streeter joined Lois Christie, Owner and Founder of Christie & Co. Salon ● Spa for a special Mother’s Day skin care event!

(Repêchage Corporate Educator Lauren Streeter administering a Repêchage Hydra Medic Sea Mud Perfecting Mask)

To celebrate the mothers in the area, event attendees enjoyed complimentary skin consultations as well as event only specials on Lydia Sarfati Facial Bar Concept express facial treatments. Clients happily sipped on chardonnay and nibbled on watermelon while filling out some background information about their skin before their express facial treatments. The Repêchage Facial Bar Concept by Lydia Sarfati expands the opportunity for clients to experience facial services.  Event attendees didn’t need to disrobe or remove their shoes.  At The Facial Bar, clients sit upright, are draped with a cape similar to a hair service, and receive a quick conditioning or deep pore cleansing facial treatment in thirty minutes or less.

Sarfati was also showcasing the latest addition to her Facial Bar Menu, the New! Repêchage Biolight Brightening Glyco-Sea Glycolic Peel.  Taking a brief break from administering spa treatments, Sarfati presented the science behind the latest Repêchage skin care range. Repêchage Biolight includes innovative marine bio-technology and the latest in peptide research to recover skin’s luster and provide a youthful luminance that lasts. It is based on a multidimensional approach to skin brightening and even toning. With the latest clinically proven ingredients, the Repêchage Biolight range helps to reduce the appearance of hyper-pigmentation due to sun damage, hormones, post-acne scarring, and certain prescription medications. Christie &Co. Salon ● Spa client’s were able to learn the science behind the new range as well as ask the skin care guru about harmful and helpful cosmetic ingredients and treatments.

To top off the night of beauty, clients were able to enter themselves in a drawing including the Repêchage Biolight at-home care range as well as some items from the Repêchage Sea Spa Collection to prime the skin for the coming summer months!

For more information on Christie & Co. Salon Spa please visit www.christiesalon.com

For more information on Repêchage visit www.repechage.com  or call 1-800-248-SKIN(7546).

Although you are probably familiar with flowers ability to improve the esthetics of a room, you may not be as aware of their ability to improve the esthetics of the skin.  I am constantly on the lookout for the best ingredients the earth and sea have to offer and as powerful as they are beautiful, flowers provide an array of benefits for various skin types.

Red Clover 

As our lives change, so does our skin. Hormonal events such as pregnancy, menopause or aging can cause changes in skin thickness and moisture content, causing the skin to loose its youthful appearance. To help curb changes to your skin, you may not need to look any further than your garden. Red Clover, rich in plant hormones, is known to mimic a phytoestrogen hormone that helps stimulate skin thickness for the appearance of younger, plumper looking skin. In vivo clinical studies showed that Red Clover Isoflavons have the potential of reducing wrinkles by 37% in density and 20% in depth. When used in anti aging facial creams, this powerful blossom also helps to stimulate cell metabolism and increases protein synthesis by 99%.

 Bellis Daisy

At the moment, Bellis Daisy is my favorite botanical ingredient. Hormonal changes during our lives combined with summers spent in the sun can bring out hyper-pigmentation and sun damage in the skin. Today, we can help treat hyper-pigmentation with Bellis Daisy. It influences various pathways involved in melanogenesis by decreasing the production of Endothelin-1 (ET-1) it reduces the UV-stimulated induction of melanin biosynthesis. The binding affinity of melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) to its receptor and tyrosinase activity is both down regulated. When used in skin brightening products this flower is actually able to help treat hyper-pigmentation before, during and after it occurs providing even-toning and reduction of the appearance of age spots.

Chamomile

Chamomile has been used for centuries in teas for relaxation and as a treatment for fevers, colds, stomach ailments. Many of you probably already offer Chamomile tea in your spas, but what you may not have known, is that this tea is made from flower blossoms. Chamomile is an ideal ingredient to be used in skin care products to help treat various skin concerns such as acne, inflammation or irritation with its antiseptic and healing properties. Containing azulene, Chamomile is the perfect ingredient for a professional acne treatment to help reduce puffiness and cleanse pores of impurities. Chamomile also provides wound healing properties and is helps aid in cell regeneration which is helpful in treating acne, eczema, psoriasis, hypersensitive skin and allergic conditions.

It is amazing that such beautiful plants have the ability to help make our skin just as beautiful.  So next time you order flower arrangements for the spa, why not draw inspiration from the ingredients from the skin care you provide? That way when your client compliments them, you can tell them why you chose that particular flower!

What is your favorite botanical skin care ingredient? Tell me in the comments below!

“For Latina women (and men), looking good is a cultural imperative. Most women wouldn’t dream of leaving the house without lipstick.”[1] Not only are a majority of Hispanics concerned with their personal appearance, but they are growing in numbers. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are roughly 50.5 million Hispanics in the U.S. and the number is only going up which gives them control of “$1.2 trillion in spending power.”[2]

“Bringing customized skin care to our clients has always been one of our major focuses,” said Repêchage CEO and Founder Lydia Sarfati, “marketing is no different, we need to present our products in customized platforms so that our client’s know we are truly intoned to their needs.”

In addition to a Spanish Facebook page, the Lydia Sarfati Post Graduate Skin Care Academy is now offering classes En Español.

So if you hablar español check out the New! Repêchage Español facebook page! http://www.facebook.com/RepechageEspanol

For more information on Repêchage and the Lydia Sarfati Post Graduate Skin Care Academy visit www.repechage.com or call 1-800-248-SKIN(7546).

(From Left to Right: Jan Nordstrom-Arnold, Co-Founder of Creative Nail Design, Lydia Sarfati, Repêchage CEO & Founder, Dr. Brooke Carlson, Professor at FIT, Jean Hoehn Zimmerman, President JHZ Creative Management)

Thursday, April 19^th, Fashion Institute of Technology – Repêchage CEO and Founder Lydia Sarfati and Repêchage Executive Vice President Shiri Sarfati presented for Dr. Brooke Carlson’s Graduate Seminar in Advanced Topics in Leadership class which is a part of the Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing & Management Master’s Program at FIT.

Lydia Sarfati started from the beginning of Repêchage, from her roots as an Esthetician to her discovery of seaweed to her translating seaweed skin care into an international business. Lydia Sarfati is not only a skin care professional, but also a tenacious business woman, “You have to go with your gut instinct,” said Lydia Sarfati, “no matter what it takes, you have to stick with your original dream. If you stray or compromise you will never succeed.”

A graduate of the Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing & Management Master’s Program at FIT, Shiri Sarfati was excited to be returning to her Alma Matter to share her successes and struggles as a beauty executive. “If you can believe it, I was not welcomed with open arms when I started at Repêchage” said Shiri Sarfati, “As the ‘daughter’ I was faced with a lot of resistance and felt I had to work twice as hard to prove myself. It meant so much to me when I was able to establish myself as an asset to the company not only to my mother, but to my co-workers.”

Both Sarfati’s provided a unique outlook on the beauty industry. From Lydia’s “American Dream” story of building from the ground up to Shiri’s overcoming the task of creating her own name, the graduate class was enamored with the mother-daughter-duo.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOcMFjx_pYo

July 16th, 2012 - 9:30am -5:00pm - Join me and the Repêchage Professional Skin Care team at the beautiful Battery Gardens restaurant in New York City. Located right on the Hudson, this venue showcases an amazing view of the Statue of Liberty.

1-Day Conference will include morning and afternoon Presentations and Demonstrations including “Science & Senses - The Path to Salon & Spa Success!”. The event will also include the President’s Awards Luncheon, New Secret Product Introductions and Gift Bags!

Following the Event!

We will also be hosting “Hands-on Sensory Workshop” at the Lydia Sarfati Post Graduate Skin Care Academy at the Repêchage headquarters in Secaucus, NJ on July 17th, 2012 from 10:00am - 5:00pm.

Attendees will experience the regenerative benefits of a full body, sensory spa treatment as well as learn to provide its benefits to their clients.

Sign up today by calling 1.800.248.SKIN (7546) or by visiting our website.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=04vRGoSSCtM

Before swimsuit season gets in full swing, offer your clients a body contouring treatment. The Repêchage Peppermint Sea Twist^® Treatment is perfect! You don’t even need a shower in your spa! Plus, you can also use this treatment at your pedicure stations! Just wrap the bandages around swollen ankles and legs to help stimulate the circulation for your clients!

Make sure your clients use the Sea Spa Collection at home too. The essential oils in the Repêchage Sea Spa Mineral Bath Salts will turn your tub into a pool of tranquility! After bath time, smooth on the Repêchage Seaweed Body Cream. I take this with me everywhere I go. You can also sell the professional size to your clients to keep in their bathrooms!

The Repêchage Sea Spa Bubble Bath is also on special for May and June. Sulfate and paraben free, this bubble bath is so gentle I love to use it for my grandchildren’s bath time!

To renew and reveal in the spa this spring, we have the Repêchage Seaweed Facial Mask and the classic  Repêchage Honey & Almond Scrub in both the professional and retail sizes.  These make a great express spa treatment or the Seaweed Mask can be used as an add-on to other spa services!

For a renew and reveal at home, we have the Repêchage Rapidex Marine Hydroxy Acid Rapid Exfoliator with a complimentary C-Serum! The Rapidex is in wonderful, uni-dose packaging that takes the guess work out of exfoliating! Just swab it on and done! Use in conjunction with the C-Serum and you will have a gorgeous, soft complexion!

Make a wonderful Mother’s Day promotion at your spa with these fantastic specials. You should pamper your mother all year round, but if you haven’t been, Repêchage is your second chance!

(Repêchage  Corporate Educator Lauren Streeter with IECSC Show-goers feeling the warmth of the 4th Layer of the 4 Layer Facial)

April 22-24, Jacob Javits Convention Center, NYC – Big, bright and right in front, Repêchage Professional Skin Care stole the IECSC Show this weekend in New York City. Joined by their fearless leader Lydia Sarfati, Repêchage CEO and Founder, the Repêchage team introduced the latest in skin care trends as well as the New! Repêchage Biolight Collection.

Spa and Salon professionals got a peak at the latest skincare products and spa services which will be available at salons and spas nationwide. Repêchage debuted the New! Repêchage Biolight Miracle Facial with Glyco-Sea Glycolic Peel and the Biolight Beyond Brightening At-Home Care Products. Repêchage Biolight is the latest in skin brightening science with innovative marine biotechnology. This revolutionary new professional treatment and product line is a natural and effective method to help treat and help prevent hyper-pigmentation for brighter, more radiant skin.

(IECSC Show Attendees with Repêchage Educator Lisa Dominguez)

Lucky show attendees were also able to experience the Lydia Sarfati Facial Bar Concept. Applying Sarfati’s mantra, “Show, tell, and you will sell”, Sarfati created a recession proof plan to get customers to get involved with spa treatments.  “What the facial bar does is bring that facial out of the closet,” says Sarfati, “shorter, express treatments allow clients to experience more of the beauty services that are offered in the salon.”  No need to disrobe or remove your shoes as if you were entering a Japanese tea room.  At The Facial Bar, clients sit upright, are draped with a cape similar to a hair service, and receive a quick conditioning or deep pore cleansing facial treatment in thirty minutes or less. Show attendees couldn’t wait to jump in line!

(From left to right: Eric Lewine, Vice President – Sales & Business Development of Belvedere USA, Lydia Sarfati, Repêchage CEO and Founder, and Dr. Leon Alexander, President of Eurisko Design and Kelly McCarthy, PBA Education & Training Manager)

Sarfati wore two hats at the show, sharing time between the Repêchage Booth and the CIDESCO classroom. Hosting three classes including a “Business Building Workshop”. This panel discussion including Sarfati, Eric Lewine, Vice President – Sales & Business Development of Belvedere USA and Dr. Leon Alexander, President of Eurisko Design. The three industry gurus provided spa business tips including the science behind the senses, motivating your spa staff, and how to design an effective retail space to maximize spa profits. Sarfati also taught “Scientific Approach to Facials: Analyze, Diagnose & Treat All Skin Types” and “Classic European Facial Massage, Including Deep Penetrating Viennese Massage”. As Honorary Chairman CIDESCO USA, Sarfati travels the country educating beauty professionals on the benefits of a CIDESCO degree as well the techniques and protocols encouraged by this world-wide skin care organization.

(Repêchage CEO and Foudner Lydia Sarfati with her “Classic European Facial Massage, Including Deep Penetrating Viennese Massage” class)

To see where Lydia and her Repêchage team will be next, visit www.repechage.com or call 1.800.248.SKIN!

So how, in this fast-paced American culture, do you get the benefits of a thalasso bath in the shower? When I am on the go, I make very minute of my shower count.

(Photo Credit: www.daisywhitney.com)

I like to take a nice, hot shower and then finish with a cool rinse. The temperature of your water can have different effects on your body. 77°-95° Fahrenheit helps to stimulate the skin and finishing with a cool rinse, will help to improve your circulatory system.  Paying attention to the details will help you gain the most benefits from your shower.

I start my shower with an invigorating massage with a body exfoliator. If I am showering in the morning, I like to use a mint body scrub to help energize and revive my senses and get me motivated for the day. If I am showering at night, I like to use a mango body scrub. Mango is a natural aphrodisiac so it is perfect before a date night with your significant other! It amazing the effect that scents can have on your mood, so keep that in mind when you are choosing an aroma.

Follow-up with a seaweed body wash. Just because you aren’t taking a bath doesn’t mean you can’t get the benefits of the sea! Seaweed provides a wealth of benefits to the skin and you will emerge from the shower feeling clean, smooth and hydrated. Stay away from harsh sulfates and soaps which can leave your skin feeling dry and taught.

While I am letting the conditioner soak into my hair, I like to take this time to mediate with a positive mantra. I close my eyes and repeat in my head all of the things I am thankful for, my family, my friends, anything that comes to mind at that time. Whether you are showering in the morning or at night, this is the perfect way to collect your thoughts and calm the mind. Mediation has a wealth of benefits, and I recommend it on a daily basis.

Once you are out of the shower, follow up with a full body massage with a seaweed body cream to help your skin further reap the benefits of thalassotherapy. The cream will veil the body in moisture, leaving you touchably smooth throughout the day.

And voila! You are able to turn your shower into a bathing experience.

Do you take baths? Or do you shower? Tell us in the comments below!

A Repêchage Double Feature! Who doesn’t love a mother-daughter act? This special “Success Story” features Salon Inga Owner Inga Handing and her daughter Tanja Handing. Inga Handing serves as a Board Member and U.S. Delegate for Education for Life, represents TIGI as an Education Director, and is part of the NCA (National Cosmetology Association). Tanja is Salon Inga’s Salon Coordinator, Master Makeup Artist & Entry Level Stylist. Read on to find out how the family business started, and how Tanja almost missed her calling!

LS: What drew you to the beauty industry and what kept you in it?

Inga: I have been in the beauty business for 40 years in August and I have had my own salon since 1988. I grew up in Austria and I trained in an Intercoiffure program when I was only 15.  I know that seems young but that is just how we did it over there.  Luckily, by the time I finished my training, I felt that I had strong skills and I loved my career. I still love it today.

LS: So how did you get to the United States?

Inga: To make a long story short I was 22. I wanted to learn how to speak English and I wanted to see the world. Also, I had just had my heart broken and needed a change. My aunt lived in Tampa, FL and I decided to move in with her. Her neighbor was my now ex-husband. We had Tanja and decided to get a divorce, but I am very lucky, he is still a good friend of mine. I have been in Tampa ever since!

LS: Where was your first salon in the US?

Inga: This is the only salon I have ever owned (Tampa, Florida). I prefer to have a smaller staff, they are hard working and motivated and we can get a lot done together. I really trust my group.

LS: Tell me about your Associate Training Program? How do you benefit from training your staff from the ground level up?

Inga: I started it 10 years ago. It is a 9 month program where fresh out of school students start at the front desk in my salon. They learn customer service and the retail program at first, and then after 3 months they get a pay raise and move on. Then they are allowed to start doing waxing, manicures and pedicures. After another 3 months they focus on styling and cutting. Some people do it in 7 months and some do it in a year and a half.  I have found that after the program my employees are really confident and well rounded once they get on the floor.

LS: How did you come to find the Professional Skin Care Company Repêchage?

Inga: I am an Intercoiffure member and I always saw you, Lydia,  at different tradeshows and industry events. I have always been impressed with your empowerment of women. You are charming and successful, and so is your daughter, Shiri. It took me a couple of years to take it on but I finally got it. I was with another skin care company for 20 years. Repêchage has worked really well for us from the start and the support has been really great.

LS: What do you use on your face every day?

Inga: Biolight Cleanser and Toner, Vita Cura Opti-Lift Serum, Vita Cura Cell Renewal Serum. Plus! I have found a way to incorporate the Eye Rescue Pads into my post-run routine! I am an avid runner, and after my run I like to make myself a shake. I put in all the ingredients, start the blender, and pop on the Eye Rescue Pads! While my shake is mixing up, I just tilt my head back and wait. Multi-tasking at its best!

Tanja: Hydra Cleanser, Hydra Dew Toner, Vita Cura Cell Renewal Serum, Hydra 4 Day Cream and the Biolight Brightening Overnight Cream.

LS: Tanja how did you end up working with your mother?

Tanja: I grew up in the salon it was basically my day care, I just didn’t want to go straight into the business. I wanted to make my own way so I went to Atlanta. It started out great and then I realized I was sitting at  a desk everyday punching numbers. My mother and I went to a hair show in Vegas, and we were sitting there watching all of the sudden it just hit me. I thought “I know what I want to do”, and it is be in the beauty business! To be sure I was doing the right thing, I kept it quiet for 6 months and then I finally told my mom. I thought it was going to be a big surprise but apparently I was the only one that didn’t know it that’s what I wanted to do! So I moved back in 2009 and here I am!

LS: You recently just opened a second location in Germany! Congrats! If you could choose one other city in the world to have a salon, where would it be?

Inga: That is tough. I could imagine working in NYC! I would just really love a nice building and expand in Tampa, though. Nothing beats the sunshine!

Tanja: I love a lot of different places! I am a little bit of a city girl but I think I agree with my mom, I would love to expand the business here. There aren’t a lot of high fashion looks around here, but I would love to change that.

LS: Where to next?

Inga: We are going to work in Germany for a week and then we are headed to Rome for the World Congress for Intercoiffure! We are always on the move looking for new things to incorporate into our businesses!

To keep up with the ladies of Salon Inga, visit their website:  www.saloninga.com

(From Left to Right: Repêchage Export Executive / Purchasing Fiona Hallegua, J B Skin Care Pvt. Ltd. Co-Founder Jyoti Sapra, Repêchage CEO and Founder Lydia Sarfati, Repêchage Corporate Attorney Shiri Rosenthal, J B Skin Care Pvt. Ltd. Co-Founder Bikram Sapra and Repêchage Chief Operating Officer David Sarfati)

Repêchage is excited to announce a new partnership in India where they have formed a distribution agreement with J B Skin Care Pvt. Ltd. The ongoing goal of the partnership is to deliver serious skin care, but also to provide educational and business support to spas and resorts throughout the country.

Jyoti Sapra, J B Skin Care Pvt. Ltd Co-Founder and highly experienced and trained cosmetologist, who currently owns two high-end salons and spas in New Jersey. The Indian native has been using Repêchage products for over 10 years and immediately saw a need for this caliber of product in India. “Repêchage has always consistently given me amazing results, and my clients love the seaweed-based  facials. We are very excited to bring the highly reputed Repechage skin care products to India for the first time!” said Jyoti Sapra.

Jyoti’s husband and J B Skin Care Pvt. Ltd Co-Founder, Bikram Sapra will be managing the new distribution venture and the couple will be splitting time between both New Jersey and India.  “We are thrilled to be appointed as their exclusive distributor for India. Repêchage products are very beneficial in protecting the skin from the harsh climatic conditions in India, and we know it is going to be a huge success” said Bikran Sapra, “Already an international brand, I am excited to see Repêchage flourish in India.”

Repêchage is excited for the partnership as well, “Repêchage has seen tremendous success abroad,” said Lydia Sarfati, Repêchage CEO and Founder, “Beautiful skin translates into every language and I am excited to see how the Indian market receives our superlative treatments and products.”

For additional info and details about J B Skin Care Pvt. Ltd Co-Founder, please email Bikram Sapra at sapraintl@gmail.com

For more information on Repêchage , log onto www.repechage.com or call 1800-248-SKIN