TRENDZ the salon spa & beauty boutique's Blog
The History of TRENDZ
November 4th, 2009 • Posted by Alana Ficco • Permalink
5 years and counting...In 1994 I started beauty school with the thoughts that someday I would own my own business, not realizing what would come of my dream. Not long after beauty school I was hired at a salon called Shear Magic in Greensburg and that was the beginning of my career. I worked for Bob and Bob at Shear Magic for almost 8 years until one day deciding it was time to follow my dream and start Trendz. I was petrified to say the least. I wasnt sure if clients would follow me or if I would be starting over. To my excitement I never skipped a beat...Oct 17, 2001 I opened Trendz by Alana and all my clients were loyal and came with me to my own little 500 sq. foot salon. After a few months I hired my first employee and then it just kept growing from there until we no longer had enough parking or space. I purchased the building that houses TRENDZ in 2002 and we started demolition. What was ahead was a ton of hard work, sweat, many tears and very very long hours of cutting hair full time and trying to build the new TRENDZ in the mornings and late evenings. From tear down, to build up, ceramic tileing, painting, wallpapering, and decorating. You name it I either did it or helped with every single part of construction. I was very hands on to be able to afford what I had envisioned. My parents played a huge part in the building as well. Im a very detail orriented person so I wanted to be sure the details were there. After 1 1/2 yrs in contruction it was finally time to open the doors of TRENDZ the salon spa. It was so much more than I could have imagined. At grand opening, November 2004 we hosted about 400-500 people. Needless to say you couldnt move in our building but that was the kind of craziness I couldnt wait for. My dream had come true 10 times over again. I still look around some days and think I cant believe what I built myself. In 2003 TRENDZ the salon spa was voted #1 salon and #1 day spa in Westmoreland county. We won this award many times in the past few years. Very unexpectedly in 2007 I was diagnosed with a very rare spinal cord disease called syringomyelia. After a not so successfull spinal cord surgery this horriable diagnosis lead to the fact that I no longer can do my life long passion, cutting hair. Someday, Im hopeful that, I may be able to be back behind the chair but until then I continue to market, oversee and manage TRENDZ the salon spa & beauty boutique. I continue to attend classes, shows, & watch videos to stay ahead of the trends. In 2008 TRENDZ the salon spa added a boutique and we became TRENDZ the salon spa & beauty boutique. Im so happy to say that we have made it 5 years. Its been a long adventurous road (to say the least) but Im proud to say we have made it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to our past, present and future guests. Thank you to our extraordinary staff for your loyalty and expertise. It gives me great pleasure to think that we have positivly affected our guests life in some way through beauty and/or relaxation. We look forward to relaxing you for another 5 years.
Spa Party
September 26th, 2009 • Posted by Alana Ficco • Permalink
What is a spa party? Spa party’s have become ever so popular among brides and with wedding season upon us we have been filling our Fridays and Saturdays with many beautiful brides to be and the bridesmaids that help plan everything (at least we hope that’s how it is) One industry report rated spa parties as one of the top 10 requested services in spas. These parties range in price from 60.00 pp up to 600.00 to rent our entire spa for a few hours. Why not get pampered like a princess. A cost effective way for everyone is to get mini services (15-20 mins each) This helps each geust get 2-4 services done for a fraction it would normally cost. We light the candles, start the music, create the mood, even provide the tasty treats, if you choose, while you just sit back chill, laugh with your girls and ohh soo enjoy those m“ahh”ssages. Most popular on our list among the parties is the mini massages, manis, and pedis. Recently our ‘Services on Demand’ from Aveda have become more popular especially the 15min. exfoliation treatment. It’s easy on the wallet and magnificent on the skin. This treatment will give every member of the bridal party a glo for the big day. Even if you are applying your own makeup this exfoliation service will help your makeup go on like a pro did it. One thing we always recommend is to have your party pick a good variety of services so we can spread therapists out with all the girls. If everyone of 10 girls chooses a 30 min massage and we have 2 massage therapists it can take 4 hours just to complete those massages. One of the most asked questions I get is “Are we aloud to bring wine?” We don’t mind a bottle or so of wine or champagne but no liquor. We like it to be kept to no more than 1-2 glasses per girl and there must be a Designated Driver. This service is not provided by Trendz, it is BYOB. It seems to be that about one month to 3 weeks prior to the big day is the most popular time to host your spa party. Its ok if you and no one you know is getting married cuz we have many many other reasons for you and your friends can host a spa party. We even send you and your party home with a spa goody bag. We look forward to relaxing you before your big event soon.
Spa-ing during the 9 month S-T-R-E-T-C-H!
August 5th, 2009 • Posted by Alana Ficco • Permalink
Spa-ing during the 9 month S-T-R-E-T-C-H! Becoming a super-moma can be some stressful business. It’s the PERFECT time for a girl to check into a spa. First and foremost always consult your physician, dulla, or midwife. One very important factor is to be sure to tell your spa staff about your pregnancy as soon as you schedule the appointment and be sure to ask for a therapist well trained in pregnancy services. If you already have spa services scheduled, call the salon or spa and speak with them about upcoming appointments as you may need to have a different therapist or they may require a physicians permission to proceed. To Spa or not to spa? To color or not to color? Depending on whom you ask, your answer may be different. All Physicians have a different thought on the coloring process. I have a 18 month old and being a hair designer I wasn’t concerned at all. I did ask my physician to see what her thoughts were, and her answer was “color away!” And then she told me to be sure to get massages as well. I thought that was great that she recommended massage without me even asking. I have found that most salons and spas will tell you it’s completely safe but for many reasons they will advise you to consult your physician. When is it safe is another debate among salons, spas, and your prenatal caregivers. There is no evidence, my doctor said, to show it’s unsafe to spa in the first trimester but many people are concerned to perform services in the first trimester due to the fact that most miscarriages happen in the first trimester so of course business owners certainly don’t want to think a miscarriage would happen at there facility. Personally I had a very difficult first trimester and if it wasn’t for spaing I would have pulled my hair out. Massages, facials, and pedicures helped me stay sane. Some may say wait till the second trimester to be safe. If you decide to color your hair during pregnancy we always recommend you have a professional hair salon apply your color. Many dyes contain harmful chemicals, leads, and other metals such as compound Henna found in drugstore dyes. A salon will be trained on the color and usually have a much safer, gentler color than the leading over the counter versions, better ventilation, not to mention you get a moment to sit and be pampered. (enjoy it now, in a few months there may not be much pampering for mommy) The salon can even apply color off the scalp if you ask them. Are you still a little concerned? A highlighting process may be your answer. When using foils, when applied correctly, the color doesn’t touch your skin. Your hair itself that color is applied to is actually dead so color and or lightener (bleach) can’t be absorbed thru that dead hair shaft Always consult your physician before scheduling any spa services as there may be concern your physician or midwife knows about that your spa technicians may not. Your massages wont be the same massage your grown accustom to but if performed correctly they can really, really help so many things there isn’t enough room in this article to tell them all to you. Some of which a massage will do is alleviate tired muscles and tension, increase circulation, and reduce water retention. You shouldn’t lay flat on your back after the 4-5th month as this can cause lightheadedness. Some spa service must be put on hold during pregnancy such as hot hydrotherapy treatments, Saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, and hot body wraps. Deep Tissue massage especially on the legs is defiantly not aloud. but less vigorous massage strokes will still help you to deal with leg cramps, headaches, fluid retention, swollen ankles and other pregnancy-related aches and pains. But just because your pregnant doesn’t mean your stuck with only a pregnancy massage. An itchy belly is screaming…cream me!!! How about trying a facial for your belly? Your tummy needs more attention now than ever. It’s about to s-t-r-e-t-c-h this tummy facial will leave your skin feeling like your babies bottom and the better yet…it can prevent stretch marks. Can’t see your toes? Having a pregnancy foot treat is just the answer and can reduce swelling, and stimulate circulation. Be sure to ask questions, to the spa. Be sure the therapists are trained to work with pregnancy and just haven’t slapped a pregnant massage on the menu. Don’t hesitate to ask them what makes them skilled in that area? Ask what’s in the products they are using. Be on the lookout for products containing parabens, colorant and synthetic fragrances. And don’t forget about the so often forgotten about, 4th trimester. The 4th trimester lasts about 6 weeks after delivery. Although its not usually easy to get to the spa but you will need it after your body is now one again. This is a very important healing time to regain the elasticity of your skin and erase stretch marks. There is no other time in a women’s life when she deserves to be luxuriously pampered than when she is pregnant. And remember… Happy Mommy = Happy Baby Written by Alana, owner of TRENDZ the salon spa & beauty boutique in Youngwood, Pa www.trendzthesalonspa.com