Ballymoon Introduces An Innovative Christmas Shopping Experience

Christmas shopping brings a lot of anxiety, pressure and inevitability – some very stressed individuals who find themselves struggling with “what to buy and how much to spend, can I afford it” syndrome. Out of stock or out of that size – tired irritable children are all too familiar to Christmas shoppers.

Ballymoon, producers of high quality beauty and skin care products, can’t agree more that this stress is not good for our bodies, mind or soul. Therefore, they decided to give the gift of pampering to their clients each year with the ultimate shopping experience.

“We are always looking for ways to make our clients feel better about themselves – physically, emotionally and spiritually. We have committed ourselves to brining back the simple essence of serenity into people’s lives…we simply want to give people an opportunity to pamper themselves,” said Fran Agar, Ballymoon Co- Owner.

On November 6th, 2005, Ballymoon will be hosting its 5th Annual Customer and Christmas Appreciation event. The event is being held from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Earl Grey Golf Course in Calgary, Alberta and it’s an event that Ballymoon clients hold close to their hearts.

“People should start preparing and shopping in November. Although it might seem early, people who have their shopping done early reduce the stress associated with Christmas shopping and in turn can spend more time spending it with friends and family. We also want to make the Christmas shopping a joyful experience not an ordeal,” stated Agar.

Clients are invited into a Christmas wonderland featuring Ballymoon products. They are showered with pampering complimentary spa treatments by a variety of practitioners, refreshments and appetizers. All guests are welcome to bring friends so they can mingle and reminisce with each other and look together in a non-pressure environment.

All clients are designated with a Ballymoon representative who is available to answer any questions they might have about the Ballymoon line. All representatives have extensive knowledge of Ballymoon’s premier quality naturally based beauty products and therefore can compliment products towards each individual’s unique characteristics.

Ballymoon realizes that during this season, it is also necessary to give to those who are in need. Ballymoon supports the Youville Women's Residence (a charity devoted to helping abused women) and asks for attendees to bring a "new" inexpensive toiletry or gift (i.e. lipstick, toothpaste etc.).

Ballymoon is a mother and daughter owned company. Fran Agar (mother) and Colleen Willoughby (daughter) took a class together in 1996 out of a passion for aromatherapy. Their interest increased and they started training and taking courses extensively in the beauty and skin care industry.

Ballymoon’s product line includes: women, men, children and baby products. Their products can be bought on-line at www.ballymoon.biz, select trade shows, retail stores and by phone at 403-995-1598. Registration for Ballymoon’s 5th Annual Customer Appreciation & Christmas event can be done through their website at www.ballymoon.biz.

Benefits of Facial Brushing

You can easily enhance your facial exfoliation process by using a facial brush. Facial brushing helps remove dead skin, smooth and stimulates circulation. By stimulating the circulation in your face, your skin tone will improve and help firm the skin. Your skin will become softer and smoother!

Every time you use it – it’s like a mini facial massage! It’s a fabulous way to spoil yourself during your daily facial cleaning routine.

Ballymoon’s facial brush uses natural bristles that are soft enough you don’t have to worry about damaging your skin or it being too harsh.

For optimum results, follow these 4 simple steps. Once you start this routine, you will not want to miss your morning skin pampering.

Step 1: Remove your make-up with Ballymoon's Cleansing Gel and then cleanse with Ageless Essence Ballymoon Daily Microfoliant. Use a small amount on damp fingertips and rub gently in an upward circular motion over wet face & neck then wet your facial brush with warm water and massage your face for about 2 minutes. Rinse well with warm water & pat dry. Save time and improve effectiveness by doing this in the shower every morning!

Tip: Keep your facial brush in optimum shape by rinsing it after use and air-drying it.

Step 2: Spritz with Ageless Essence Ballymoon Exquisite Rose Tonique. Deeply breathe the magnificent scent of the sweet-smelling red roses that created this tonique.

Step 3: Apply Ageless Essence Ballymoon Intensive Anti-Wrinkle Serum gently under and around lined areas of the eyes, face and neck.

Step 4: Using short, firm strokes apply Ageless Essence Ballymoon Days Crème (with fingertips). Do not stretch the skin or rub. After, gently tap area with fingers for half a minute.

Beautiful Fall Skin

As the fall days approach, your skin is reacting to the weather also. Your skin is starting to get thicker in order to protect your body from the cold - much like animals fur thickening up. And since we are not as lucky as the bear to go into hibernation, a few simple things will keep your skin smooth and soft.

Dry skin brushing is one of the best things you can do for your skin. When first entering the shower or bath, without the water running, on your dry skin brush upwards towards the heart (where possible), legs first, then arms and torso. (By doing this in the shower or bath, you will alleviate the mess made by dry skin brushing).

Do not use this brush for the face; it is far too harsh. Try it for several weeks and you will be amazed at how velvety-soft your skin becomes. Dry Skin Brushing not only exfoliates dead skin cells, it stimulates circulation and helps to clean out the lymph system, resulting in firm, healthy skin.

Try out Ballymoon's Amazing Dry Skin Brush for your skin!

For your face, you can enhance the exfoliation process with using a facial brush. At least three times a week use a facial brush along with Ballymoon's Daily Facial Microfilant.

Our facial cleanser is formulated with Colloidal Oat Extract, (a complex mixture of phytochemicals including flavnoids, saponins and other bioactive compounds). Stated simply it is a natural cleanser with potent anti-oxidant properties which helps to reduce redness and calm skin irritations.

In addition to the Colloidal Oat Extract, we have added Essential oils, natural cleansers, Avocado, Jojoba, Vitamin E and Sea Minerals - Creating a daily cleanser so kind, so gentle and so extremely effective in cleaning. You will notice the difference after the first use.

How To Host A Baby Spa Party

The birth of a baby is a lifetime change and relationship like no other. The process of it all can be quite daunting also. Becoming a parent is a transforming experience and not only can it leave you exhausted and overwhelmed it can also be lonely. Thank goodness for baby groups!

Baby group activities can include journeys to the library, zoo and the pool. It can be a simple outing even just to the park. Or you might want to try one of the newest and most popular baby activity – a baby spa party!

Babies and children don’t keep track of how many different places you take them. All they want is love, nurturing, time and to be taken care of and a baby spa party is a great way to bond with your baby and other parents and caregivers.

Here are some great ideas on how to host a baby spa party. Baby spa parties work best with no more than 6 – 8 babies and parents or caregivers. You can even just host the party for you and your baby.

If you know of someone who has just had a baby also – this is a great article to pass on to also enhance their new bond with their baby.

Step one is to set the mood in your home

Keep the lighting comfortable but not too dark.
Play your baby’s instrumental lullaby music in the background softly.
Use lavender essential oil around the house. Either in a diffuser, a liquid potpourri burner or let a pot simmer on the stove ¾ full of water and add 10 drops of the oil (keep on low and watch that the water doesn’t boil away).

Step two is to get your home comfortable for all babies

Place out baby blankets for all babies that are attending in a circle and spread them out.
Place a baby book and a small toy at each blanket to keep the babies entertained after their massage (use your own baby's toys, blankets and books, you don't need to go buy new stuff).
Keep your house warm but comfortable (temperature is a key element for massage).
In the middle of the circle have a few bottles of baby massage oil for passing around and a few towels to wipe off excess oil.
On each blanket place a copy of the Benefits of Infant Massage and Massaging Your Baby.

Benefits of Infant Massage
Enhances loving bond with baby
Increases sense of acceptance, respect and trust
Eases symptoms of gas and colic
Promotes longer and deeper sleeps
Helps strengthen and regulate baby’s digestive, respiratory and circulatory system
Relaxes both baby and parent
Provides time to share
Provides quality time
Promotes parenting skills

Massaging Your Infant

Infant massage is best done when baby is quiet.
Keep massage under 10 minutes.
Maintain as much eye contact as possible and describe the massage to your baby.
Warm infant massage oil by gently rubbing oil between your hands.
With baby facing you – hold baby’s ankle and stroke up the outside of the leg and around the thigh. Use thumbs to make small circles up the legs toward the heart.
Massage the soles and tops of the feet in circular movements with your thumbs
Use the same technique for arms as you did for the legs.
Gently massage baby’s belly in clockwise direction with your fingertips or the palms of your hand.
Turn baby over onto belly and massage up the back, with one hand on either side of the spine. Never put pressure directly on spine.
Avoid massaging face and hands, to minimize risk of getting oil in eyes or mouth.

Step three is to have appropriate snacks and refreshments.

For newborn babies offer mothers healthy snacks such as fruit, veggies, cheese crackers. Herbal tea, juice and water are also the best beverages to serve. Some mothers may be nursing and just may not even have time to eat. A simple glass of tea will be extremely appreciated.
If the babies are older and are eating offer finger food, again, select good food choices. Small pieces of cut-up fruit, tiny crackers, little cubes of cheese and mini yogurts are all great selections. (Don’t serve any kind of nuts or anything really hard or sticky). Remember babies are just learning to eat and their eating habits require monitoring.

Step four is to have your scheduling set.

Baby spas are best done after babies morning nap so they aren’t too fussy.
Once guests arrive, get everyone settle around in the circle.
Offer the guests any refreshments and ask them to get their babies into their diapers (re-check to make sure that your house is comfortable and warm).
Once everyone is settled, have the parents or caregivers read the massage page. If they need guidance be sure you are familiar with the massaging techniques so you can offer help.
Pass around the bottle of massage oil and have the parents or caregivers start the massage.
Have everyone speak quietly to the babies and use facial expressions throughout the whole massage – this can continue for around 10 – 15 minutes but no longer.
Wipe off any excess oil on the babies on towels and then get the babies dressed. Consider throwing the clothes into the dryer quickly (to keep the babies warm) – just remember who is whose.
After all the babies are dressed, let the baby play with the toy provided and have the parents softly read the baby book to them. Remember babies are little sponges and are taking everything in. At this point the babies have had enough and you don’t want to over stimulate them.

Step five is to have some fun and relax!

Invite your guests to share in your refreshments and beautiful food you have prepared.
Share in your experiences about being parents, laugh and relax.
To really impress your guests, use Ballymoon’s Angel Wings Massage Oil. It only uses Apricot Kernel Oil, Vitamin E and pure Essential Oils, as this will not clog babies’ pores.
Create a spa bag for the parent and baby.

That’s right a spa bag not a loot bag or goody bag.

Include a travel size baby barrier cream, travel size body butter (for parent or caregiver), baby soak envelope (for diaper rashes) and a spa salt envelope (for parents or caregiver). Ballymoon will even put it in a nice little bag for you.

Your guests will be sure and talk about this for a long time. And your babies will love the experience.

Celebrate Your Birthday

It's great to get specials on your birthday - and why not! It's your day! A cool way to receive deals on your birthday is to find places that have birthday programs in effect - whether it be a free dinner, discounts etc. Check out this birthday program and sign-up to receive birthday deals:

http://www.ballymoon.biz/birthdayprogram.htm

Speedy Nail Fix

SPEEDY NAIL TREATMENT: If you don’t have the time to give yourself a manicure, do the next best thing and clean up your nails and cuticles instantly with this nail & cuticle treatment. You will get groomed hands fast.

Nail & Cuticle Treatment

·2 tablespoons of Grapeseed Oil
·2 tablespoons of Jojoba Oil
·3 tablespoons of Olive Oil
·3 tablespoons of Honey
·5 Vitamin E capsules (you will have to break them open)

Mix all ingredients and apply. It will make a few batches but can store it in your fridge to use the next week.

Fighting Sleep Deprivation

There is nothing like a good night sleep. Waking up refreshed and ready to start the day!

However, for many with sleep disorders, the thought of going to bed can be an aggravating experience. The more they try to fall asleep the more aggravated one becomes with tossing and turning. And then there is the sleep deprivation that falls into place the next morning.

There are many sleep aids that can help one fall asleep. But, perhaps trying some simple routines might be better than medication.

Try sipping a cup of chamomile tea before bed to help you relax
Turn off the TV if you have one in your room
Sleep with the window open (the fresh air is extremely good for rejuvenating you)
Place drops of essential lavender oil on the corners of your pillow before you go to bed

And keep up with pampering your mind, body & spirit - try at home spa treatments before bed, relax (put thoughts aside – go to bed knowing that you did your best today even if you didn’t accomplish everything you wanted) and keep up a nighttime routine.