Category

Massage

February 1, 2022
7
hand choosing nail polish

WHY DO MY NAILS CHIP SO MUCH MORE IN WINTER?

By | Beauty, Fashion, Health | No Comments

Even with gellack on, have you noticed how much shorter your manicures last in winter? From chips, shattered nails and even the entire gellack polish coming off in one piece, manicures just don’t last as long. Why is this?

The main reason for chipped or even shattered nails in winter is the cold. Our nails are so much drier and more prone to damage.

During cold weather, the nail plate becomes dehydrated, resulting in peeling and splitting nails, which fray at the edges. As a consequence, the nails may break and become more fragile, and can easily catch on clothing. You can chip a nail from doing the slightest thing, even with gellack.

The reason gellack can lift and slide off in one piece is also connected to this, we use more moisturizers and oils in winter, which in turn makes the nail bed greasy meaning gellack doesn’t bond as well.

Here are a few tricks to help make your manicure last a bit longer in winter.

  1. Don’t soak the nails before a manicure – soaking them can distort the nail and when you paint over this, it then shrinks and causes the polish to chip.
  2. Don’t forget to push back the cuticles, if you get polish on the cuticles it peels more easily and will ruin your manicure
  3. Use a cuticle oil – while oils and moisturisers can cause lifting of the polish, it will help to keep your nails healthy. It’s important not to use oil based products on your nails before applying colour. Make sure to cleanse the nails before applying colour, using an acid free primer can help with this issue.
  4. Rubber gloves! Don’t do washing up or use cleaning products without putting on some rubber gloves, the hot water and chemicals will weaken the gellack.
  5. Don’t cut your nails between manicure appointments, this will cause the seal to break, which can result in lifting and peeling of the nail polish.

Your Glow Concierge

January 7, 2022
7

FACIAL MASSAGE │ KEY BENEFITS│HOW TO IMPLEMENT INTO YOUR DAILY ROUTINE

By | Beauty, Massage | No Comments

For many, life has in part become a never ending quest to find the magical pill that will keep their face and neck young forever. We google what products celebrities are using, jealously ask our fitter friends, and hopelessly buy every cream that promises to make us look as if we were 20. 

But what if the secret is not the creams and serums themselves? Does the way we apply our daily skincare actually matter? Continue reading to find out how facial massage works and what benefits it has to offer if done regularly.

BENEFITS

As with any massage, applying pressure to the tissues activates the lymphatic system, which is responsible for clearing away toxins. Even a couple of minutes of massaging movements can already have a mild effect on strengthening your immune system and removing excess waste and water from the face. 

The facial massage works like a wake-up call for muscles and tissues under the skin. As a result, they start working harder, which shapes the facial oval and makes the skin look firmer and fresher. 

Moreover, there are so many mental benefits to this treatment. It is great at decreasing signs of anxiety and make you feel fresher afterwards. If done with oils known for their relaxing qualities, for example lavender, facial massage calms down and facilitates falling asleep. 

CAN I DO IT AT HOME?

The best thing about this technique is that it can be easily implemented into your daily routine. Take the serum or cream that you use daily and spend more time massaging it into the face. This will both activate the facial muscles and facilitate the absorption.

Having this treatment with a professional once a month can be an effective addition to your own efforts. It is also the time to ask for some tips or new techniques that will help you address the areas of concern. 

HOW TO DO IT?

Facial Massage is an amazing technique, but don’t start with it just yet. The direction of the movements is the most important part. Often the advice you can find on the internet will turn out to be fraudulent, showing you the techniques that will do more harm than good. 

We recommend booking a facial massage and asking your provider about the right ways to do it, before starting to do it on your own. 

Glow Concierge providers Caterina and Eleftheria both have many years of experience in this area. After a 45-minute session, you will not only look fresher but will be equipped with all their advice and expertise to transform the way your face looks.

November 20, 2021
9

COMMON MOISTURISER MISTAKES

By | Beauty, Health | No Comments

Do you sometimes find that your moisturiser just doesn’t seem to be doing the job? You’ve bought a new, much hyped product, and you don’t get what all the fuss is about?

One common mistake is to moisturise when your skin is dry, your skin should be clean and slightly damp for the best results. Damp skin will help lock in the moisture, it really needs to penetrate the skin which it won’t do if the skin is dry.

Make sure you apply the moisturiser with clean hands! Sounds obvious, but I bet it’s something you forget occasionally.

Do you apply your moisturiser as gently as you should? Often we slap it on quickly and give it a quick rub, the skin on your face and neck is very thin and more sensitive than the rest of your body and needs to be treated accordingly.

Don’t forget your neck and décolletage, ensure you rub it in with an upward motion. The skin here is just as delicate and thin and a facial moisturiser will work better than a body one.

Does your moisturiser contain any harmful ingredients? All the marketing will of course say no, but maybe you need to check. Sulfates for example can actually dry out your skin in the long run, literally the opposite of what you’re trying to do.

We love Dermalogia products at Glow Concierge, try a facial with Laura to see how you like their products, or you can order directly with Dermalogica and take advantage of your Glow discount of 10% using the code glow10 (code is case-sensitive)

Your Glow Concierge

November 13, 2021
9

WHAT IS REFLEXOLOGY │THE HEALING TOUCH

By | Health, Massage | No Comments

During a reflexology session, the therapist applies pressure to different points on the feet, hands and sometimes head. The theory behind it is fairly simple, each point on the pressure area corresponds to a part of your body. Ancient Chinese believed that by touching the feet and palms of the patient, the therapists could send their energy to the “ill” part of the body and heal it.

In the 1890s, British found another explanation for the magical effects of reflexology. The scientists discovered that nerves run through the whole body, all the way from the skin to internal organs. Moreover, our body tends to adjust to the outside factors, which includes the gentle touch of the practitioner. Therefore, as soon as the body feels the warmth and calm energy of the therapist’s palms, it sends

Whatever explanation you prefer to believe, it’s a proven fact that reflexology is a great relaxation technique used by masseuses, chiropractors and physical therapists all over the world.  

BENEFITS

A study concentrating on patients with lymphatic system impairments examined the effects of reflexology on their condition. Significant improvements in fatigue and pain levels and their quality of sleep were found.

Based on the findings of the British scientists, a reflexologist’s touch may help to calm the central nervous system, promoting relaxation and also improve one’s mood and reduce stress.

MINI REFLEXOLOGY

Foot massage is just perfect to combine with other treatments or to use as on opportunity to chat with friends on the side. On demand, Glow Concierge Offers 25min Reflexology sessions to supply your Spa Event or Girls Evening.  

Reflexology is a treatment equivalent to the full body massage, and in certain cases can bring even more benefits. This therapy can be easily performed in your home as well as in the office and brings the patient in a calm state like no other.

From Eastern Aargau to Zug and Frauenfeld, our providers offer this miraculous treatment wherever you are. Still need an encouragement? Try it out with a special 5% discount promocode REFLEXOLOGY5 and don’t forget to share the results by leaving a review.

Your Glow Concierge

October 2, 2021
6

HOW WE CHOOSE OUR PROVIDERS

By | Beauty, Food for thought, Home, Massage | No Comments

Glow Concierge works with beauty, wellness and fitness providers around Switzerland. We entrust these people with an important mission – to provide a good first impression of the brand. How do we make sure then that these individuals get it right?

YOUR FIRST CONTACT

Our every partnership starts with a test appointment. Rosamund, the founder and CEO of Glow Concierge, created this brand first and foremost because SHE needed these services. Whichever provider you book, you can be sure she had a treatment with him/her before.

It is important to us that you receive only the best quality services. That’s why Rosamund not only tests the providers herself, but also tries to get a treatment with them once in a while to check if everything is according to Glow Concierge Standards.

YOUR SAFETY FIRST

Allowing strangers in your home can be a little nerve wracking. Glow Concierge possesses information about each provider at all times. In more than three years of our existence, there were no major incidents. One thing we always ask people who are still having reservations is, do you have someone who cleans for you? Do you often give this person a key? Are you often out when they are in your home? If the answer is yes to any of these questions then there’s no need to think any further!

PROVIDING THE SPA EXPERIENCE

Glow Concierge was created with an idea that you can combine the comfort of your home with the pleasure of being in a salon, leaving out all the unnecessary and somewhat frustrating parts like looking for a babysitter or searching for a parking spot.

All our providers receive Glow Concierge Towels, which you are very welcome to use! As soon as you’ve made yourself your drink of choice, you will be surrounded by fluffy white towels, and all the equipment you would normally find in a salon. Andrei even goes as far as to turn on a relaxing playlist during your massage.

EARNING YOUR TRUST STEP BY STEP

We hope this article has helped you to understand Glow Concierge better. Should you have any more questions, we’re always ready to respond to them in the comments below.

Your Glow Concierge

September 25, 2021
10

PREGNANCY MASSAGE

By | Health, Massage | One Comment

Carrying a new life is a happy but challenging time for any woman, but it is not always stress free. We’ve talked with Joanne, a trained pregnancy massage specialist, about why she decided to learn this type of massage and which benefits it brings.

Prenatal massage is a technique very similar to the Swedish massage, which focuses on long, sweeping strokes, avoiding direct pressure on the body. This massage puts the needs of the future mother first, concentrating on the areas which are most swollen or sore. Pillows are often used for support, as the massage can also be done while lying on the side.

This is what Joanne says about the benefits:

“A pregnancy massage is so beneficial in many ways as firstly it helps you to relax and take some time out for yourself. This is really important for both you and your baby as your baby can feel if you are stressed, so the more relaxed you are, the more relaxed your baby will be.”

Joanne is a mother of two beautiful girls, so she definitely has experience with what a pregnant woman might need. When Joanne went through the whole process of her body changing, she decided to learn the pregnancy massage technique to help other women.

“Secondly, it has many benefits on your body by reducing tired swollen limbs especially the legs and feet and the blood flow is automatically increased, leaving you feeling refreshed and energized”

Improved blood flow brings many benefits to the body. Releasing the tension in the nerves and muscles the massage helps blood circulate actively in the regions where it couldn’t before, reaching all the vital organs as well as your brain.

“I finish the treatment with a face and scalp massage, which again is so beneficial as there are many muscles in the face and head that are often neglected and can lead to tension headaches.”

If you can do one thing for yourself during your pregnancy- treat yourself to a massage because you are special and you deserve it!

Your Glow Concierge

&

Joanne

September 17, 2021
10

HOW TO BEAT THE HOLIDAY WEIGHT GAIN

By | Fitness, Health, Home, Nutrition | 2 Comments

We’re almost three weeks into September – exactly the time when your mind has already forgotten all about your last vacation, but the body is left to sort out the consequences.

Whether you hopped on a flight to your favorite spot, or staycationed closer to home, we definitely all indulged in that extra bowl of pasta and glass of wine this summer. To get you back to feeling your tip top best, here are our weight loss tips.

  1. Drop the soda… and the wine. Get back to basics with the good stuff, water. Try drinking warm water eight times a day – it acts like a dishwasher for your digestive system, cleaning out all the gunk and toxins as it goes.
  2. Take a break from stress. Stress hormones are brilliant at storing fat! Great when we were cave people, but terrible for modern day weightloss. We want to reduce the body’s instinct to produce the stress hormone. When stress can’t be avoided, make sure you give your body a reset with something calming like a hot bath, restorative yoga or meditation.
  3. Bring back breakfast! As tempting as it is to skip a meal, its actually counterintuitive for losing weight. Having a healthy breakfast featuring protein, fiber and healthy fats will keep cravings and snacking at bay as it stabilises your blood sugar.
  4. Make home cooking fashionable again. This is fundamental for weight loss success. Not only does this control your portion sizes, but it means you know exactly what’s going into your meal. There’s no chance of hidden additives, non-organic ingredients or secret sugar.
  5. Move your body. Increasing your daily activity isn’t just about calories burnt – it helps manage stress and boost your mood. Getting in those sweaty work outs is amazing, but don’t forget to have fun. Dancing to your favorite songs is just as effective. Remember to have a little protein after your workout to aid muscle repair.

Daisy Quin – Yoga Instructor and Nutritionist from LA

September 10, 2021
6

AUTUMN SKIN DRYNESS

By | Beauty, Health | No Comments

Is your skin experiencing a summer hangover? It often happens that, as the humidity of the air lowers in the autumn, the skin starts losing its fresh summer looks and becomes dry. In this article, we’ll see how we can help our skin adjust to the new cooler weather.

In autumn, not only our skin but also our bodies go through some adjustments. The immune system suddenly gets more factors to fight with and less support from the sun. Therefore, the skin barrier can get quite fragile, resulting in the increased sensitivity and dryness. Moreover, the “damaged” barrier can let more pollution and other external aggravators deeper into the skin – increasing the chances of inflammation and redness.

Here are some tips to help you reinforce your natural skin barriers:

1 CLEANSE

Life in the city is not easy on our skin. Even in Switzerland, you can find some pollutants that would eventually settle on the skin. Cleaning the natural dead cells as well as the accumulating “debris” ensures that none of your pores is open and ready to receive the next cream or serum. Cleansing cream or milk fitting to your skin type is a great choice to nurture the skin while cleaning it.

2 MOISTURIZE

Changing temperatures can exhaust and dry the skin. Moisturizing brings in that extra vitamins, oils and liquids that the skin might be missing. It’s important to remember to choose the moisturizer fitting to your skin type. Choose lighter creams if you tend to have oily skin. Vogue suggests “looking to ceramides and lipids to prevent moisture loss and retain hydration…”. Such moisturizers “create a layer over the skin and stop water escaping”

Creams with Vitamin C are also great for brightening dull-looking skin and hyaluronic acid for an instant hydration hit.

3 EXFOLIATE

Scrubbing is perfect for removing dead cells, improving blood flow and smoothening the skin. But don’t run to your favorite mechanical scrub yet. Your skin is already damaged by the weather, and strong rubbing is the last thing it needs right now. They will only create micro-tears and damage the natural barrier even more.

In autumn, go for some professional chemical scrubs with acids. Of course, great caution is needed while using acids. But they are perfect for polishing the skin and making it smooth. Lactic acid is a great chemical exfoliant, as it hydrates at the same time as exfoliating. And mandelic acid works great with acne-prone skin and fights inflammation.

It’s best to consult with a dermatologist or with your facial provider before going for acidic skincare. They can tell you what your skin needs and help find the products that may not be on the pharmacy’s shelves. It’s also crucial to use the right rebuilding products after exfoliating.

3 WEAR SPF EVERY DAY

If you don’t feel the sun it doesn’t mean it’s not shining. The damaging UV rays can reach you even if it’s not 30 degrees outside. Include a cream or oil with an SPF factor against UVA and UVB rays to protect yourself from micro ageing symptoms and skin cancer.

4 EAT HEALTHY

Our skin reacts to both outside and “inside” factors. Taking extra care of it while you feel stressed or don’t eat healthily is important. Autumn is a great season for eating fresh, local vegetables and fruits. Support your skin from the inside out, and maybe it’ll not react as aggressive to the changing temperatures.

A refreshing or highly moisturizing facial once a month can reinforce your skin barrier and keep it balanced. Our Providers know a great deal about skin products and can always consult you on your personal needs during the treatment.

Your Glow Concierge

TOP AUTUMN FACIALS FROM ANDREI:

Firming Vitamin C Facial – Vitamin C stimulates the production of collagen fibers and protects the cells from free radicals, regenerates cells and prevents excessive skin pigmentation. Fights dull-looking skin and reinforces its natural glow.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Facial– A relaxing, non-invasive treatment which is recommended for everyone, no matter the time of the year or your age. It has a regenerative effect on the on your face and neck wrinkles, it hydrates the skin, reduces spots, and it gives you a glowing, healthy looking complexion. Glow Concierges Favorite!

Therma Vital Mineral Facial – A treatment recommended for all skin types, including acne and sensitive skin. Using an abundance of vitamins and mineral, this treatment quickly detoxifies, hydrates, revitalizes and regenerates a dull complexion, sensitive or problematic skin. A great booster in winter and autumn.

For any facial with Andrei, you can choose between a foot and hand massage or a neck and shoulder massage while the mask is on.

August 28, 2021
10

NEVER HAD A MASSAGE BEFORE?

By | Fitness, Health, Massage | No Comments

Many view massage therapy as unnecessary or a last resort in case of injury. Moreover, undressing and letting somebody touch your curves can often be the main reason for not getting a much-needed massage. These feelings result in people suffering through stiffness in the back or even impaired blood circulation for years.

The benefits of massage therapy are well known and do not really need repeating. The problem, however, lies in their underestimation as well as the unwillingness to see the preventative effects of massage. If you never had severe muscle pain, migraines or burnouts, it is easy to dismiss the necessity of treating your soul and body.

2021 American Massage Therapy Association

According to the American Massage Therapy Association, almost half of all massage consumers got their last treatment for health and wellness reasons, while the other major part needed the therapy to reduce stress and treat anxiety.

The chart above clearly demonstrates which symptoms drive Americans to discuss the possibility of massage treatment with their doctor. Most of these patients are experiencing muscle pain or migraines, which in most part could be avoided if only they used the massage as a preventative therapy.

WHERE TO START?

As odd as it sounds, getting your first massage can be stressful. The main thing to remember, however, is that all masseuses are people. They do their job just like any other person. Our clients often feel very surprised by the friendly and calm personalities of the providers. And this is exactly how it should be, as the main and only job of the masseuse is to make you feel at ease, almost as if you were lying in your bed at home. (Wait a second… with Glow Concierge it is actually the case😉)

For you first ever massage, treat yourself with a light Lymph Drainage Massage. It is aimed at stimulating the lymphatic system and improving the blood circulation. It is perfect for removing old blocks in your body and making you feel like a new person.

August 21, 2021
9

EFFECTS OF THE SUN ON ACNE-PRONE SKIN

By | Beauty, Health | One Comment

Living with acne is NOT easy. It’s a life full of trying to find out what’s good for you and what makes you look like a teenager going through puberty. In fact, many people believe the sun calms down their acne. But there’re also ones who are convinced sunlight is not good for their skin. So which one is it?

This article is only about the relationship between sunlight and acne-prone skin. To find out more about the general effects of the sun and the UV rays read this article.

Positive effects of the sun

As we get tanned it can often seem that the condition of the skin gets better. The blemishes are not seen as much and everybody’s happy. Speaking of being happy, when exposed to the sun our bodies produce serotonin – the “happy hormone”.

Sun radiation also has an anti-inflammatory effect. In the right amounts, it facilitates regeneration and repair. The need for protection from the UV rays makes our skin readjust and adapt to the changing conditions, which can often be beneficial.

It is quite easy to get distracted from your skin condition under these circumstances. The sun temporarily dries out our skin and it feels like the perfect effect. But what happens inside the skin?

Negative effects of the sun

So, you’re in a good mood, enjoying the warm days, forgetting to put the sunscreen on…. What can go wrong? Acne-prone skin is usually oily, meaning it produces too much sebum and overreacts in situations where normal skin would not. When exposed to too much sunlight even oily skin can get dry. In response to that the sebum-producing glands under the skin go into overdrive leading to blemishes.

It has also been proven that excess sun exposure can disturb the natural process of dead skin cells being shed. As a result, excess sebum does not find its way out and accumulates in the pores, creating camedones.

The bottom line

As good as it might seem in the beginning sun can be damaging for the skin. The anti-inflammatory effects do not last long and after they stop you really start seeing all those clogged pores and blemishes.

Sun protection is crucial for any kind of skin but even more so for the acne-prone one. We recommend choosing mineral-based sun protection, as it does not penetrate the skin, shielding it from the UV rays and not changing the pH levels.

Consulting a professional once a month can also be beneficial. Even a short visit for a cleansing facial can become filled with worthless advice on skincare and your personal needs.