I had the fabulous opportunity to speak to Pamela Schein Murphy, founder and president of The R.E.S.T. Initiative. The mission of The R.E.S.T Initiative is not only to ease the chemotherapy experience through the application of complementary massage and bodywork, but more importantly, to add a positive and nurturing component to a process. Bliss Spas offer the R.E.S.T. Intenions Massage and Bliss will donate 20% of profits to the R.E.S.T. Initiative.

Miss Bliss: I see that relief, energy, synergy, touch are the four mantras that The R.E.S.T. Initiative is built on. What do these words mean to you?

Pamela: Each word is about bringing relief to patients going through chemotherapy. All four words have a positive, healing feeling to them. A feeling that The R.E.S.T. Initiative tries to bring to every patient we interact with.

Miss Bliss: What gave you the idea to start The R.E.S.T. Initiative?

Pamela: I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 and chemotherapy was by far the worst part of the whole experience. Not only does it make you feel unbelievably awful, the actual treatment is fraught with a tremendous amount of anxiety. On top of that, the treatments can be unbelievably long and there are so many people poking you, prodding you, and asking questions. I wanted to create something that would bring a healing touch to the process – to inject some wellness into something so focused on illness. And so, And so, The R.E.S.T. Initiative was born.

Miss Bliss: Well, I’m glad that you found some inspiration through that experience. The R.E.S.T. Initiative is a great cause! How can someone undergoing chemotherapy treatment access The R.E.S.T. Initiative for complementary massage?

Pamela: We’re currently offering complementary massages to patients undergoing chemotherapy treatments at the NYU Clinical Cancer Center. Our massage therapists are on site from 9:30am-6pm, five days a week. We’re hoping to expand to other cities in the coming years.

Miss Bliss: Awesome! So how can people get involved with The R.E.S.T. Initiative?

Pamela: Donations are always welcome. It costs as little as $15 to provide a complementary massage to a chemotherapy patient. Every donation helps, whether it’s big or small. Also, massage therapists who are interested in volunteering their time are encouraged to reach out to us by email at info@restinitiative.org.

Miss Bliss: Wow, just $15 can bring a complementary massage to a cancer patient?! I think I have $15 worth of change in between my couch cushions right now! What advice would you give to people who are currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments?

Pamela: I think it’s all about attitude. Staying positive is half the battle. I recommend focusing on the fact that the treatments are for a limited amount of time and will be behind you eventually. Try to remain positive and active and don’t let the treatments take over your life. Do what feels good to you-eat what feels right, sleep when you feel like it, stay active. Don’t put your life on hold for it.

Miss Bliss: That’s great advice. So now that your chemotherapy days are in the past, what brings you bliss?

Pamela: Bliss Spa, of course! A R.E.S.T. Intentions Massage or a Triple Oxygen Teatment keeps me looking and feeling glow-y!

Miss Bliss: I couldn’t agree more!

Want to learn more about The R.E.S.T. Initiative?
To find out more about The R.E.S.T. Initiative, click here
To donate to donate to The R.E.S.T. Initiative, click here

Q: Dear Miss Bliss,

If you are on birth controls pills does it makes your skin extra sensitive to the sun? or waxing in general? like if you get bikini waxing done b4 you are on the pill. Then can you still get it done after you start the pill?

Sincerely,
Waxing Poetic

A: Dear Waxing Poetic:

Birth control pills can make your skin sun sensitive… whether you wax or not! Add in strip wax, which exfoliates the top layers of skin and you have another factor contributing to skin sensitivity.

You can definitely wax when using birth control pills. I do all the time! Face, arms, bikini area…. and I am not blotchy with hyperpigmentation because I use sun protection daily on my face and whenever other body parts are exposed to UV light. So simply be sure to use sun protection daily… at bliss, we believe that daily sun protection use is a “must do” part of EVERYONE’s beauty regimen… whether you are on birth control pills or not! So wax away, my friend, and enjoy your smooth, fuzz-free bliss!

Bliss Kisses!
Donna

We received a great question about photostabilization. Yes, the sunscreen ingredients in Best of Skintentions are photostabilized. This opens the door to talk about one of my favorite skincare topics – sun protection. Just to clarify, SPF is a measure of protection, not an ingredient. If unprotected skin takes an average of 10 minutes to burn, and SPF 15 would provide 150 minutes of protection from burning. A sunscreen is a topical formulation intended to protect skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation from the sun. The active ingredients contained in sunscreens are chemical compounds that either reflect and scatter the harmful UV rays, or absorb them and dissipate their energy harmlessly. Photostabilizers are organic compounds that help to prevent the sun protection ingredients from degrading, thus losing their effectiveness in sunlight.

While photostabilizers are important for maintaining the effectiveness of a sun protection product, the best ways to protect skin from burning and aging are:

proper application – use adequate amounts of sunscreen; about 1 fl oz for the body and a stripe down two fingers for the face. Apply 20-30 minutes before sun exposure. Use sun protection every day.
frequent reapplication — reapply every 2 hours when outdoors; reapply more frequently when swimming or sweating a lot.

look for both an SPF and a UVA rating. Most sun protection products in the USA do not have a tested, demonstrated UVA rating; even if the package says UVA protection, if you do not see a rating and an established testing system on the label, you cannot be sure of the UVA protection effectiveness. SPF only measures UVB protection against burning rays. UVA are the aging rays.

Best of skintentions is a daily moisturizer with a megadose of botanical vitamins, minerals and antioxidants PLUS photostabilized, tested, demonstrated UVB and UVA protection. All at a very friendly $35. Woohoo!

Bliss Kisses,
Donna

Pop Quiz Friday!
Question: What do you get when you put 1,000 New Yorkers who are obsessed with microblogging on twitter in one room?

Answer: Not what you’d expect. I know what you’re thinking. You’ve got visions of thick-rimmed tortoise-shell square glasses, pocket protectors, and laughs fully-equipped with snorts. Well, there might have been some laughs w/snorts (guilty as charged).

What you get is 1,000 social media savy sexpots (including NY’s Most Eligible Bachelor all in one room who just so happen to have a passion for a world that revolves around the www. Even better-you get 1,000 New Yorkers who are all passionate about charity: water, and organization with a mission. Here is an exerpt directly from their website:

“The mission of Twestival.

Right now 1.1 billion people on the planet don’t have access to safe, clean drinking water. That’s one in six of us. Many communities in developing nations often have a plentiful supply of clean drinking water just below the ground, but no way to get to it. This is where charity: water and their partner organizations come in. Drilling a well can cost from $4,000 – $12,000 USD and many living on less than $1 a day cannot afford one in their community, even if the money is combined.

On 12 February 2009, 100+ international cities will be hosting a Twestival to bring Twitter communities together in an effort to raise money for charity: water. Twestival is organized 100% by volunteers around the world and 100% of the money raised from these events will go directly to support charity: water projects. By rallying together globally, under short timescales, for a single aim on the same day, the Twestival hopes to bring awareness to this global crisis.”

How amazing is that?

Not only did we congregate for a great cause, we partied like Rock Stars!

miss bliss @blissspa + natasha

The evening started out a little bit mellow as we met over some pizza. New Yorkers LOVE their pizza. This was my first tweetup and I totally crashed the party. Luckily, I was MORE than welcome.

Miss Bliss + Brettt

About 10 minutes after I did my little hello wave and said “um……….Twitter people?” We were talking and laughing like old friends.

It’s hard NOT to love a bunch of cool people with similar interested. Sure, we all tweet for different reasons, but we all eat, sleep, and breathe social media and FUN! I can’t remember the last time I had fun with a huge group of strangers.

Thank you to charity: water, all the volunteers (especially Jeanette-I hope that next year we’ll get some body butters in the goodie bags!), and sponsors for making this possible. An incredible cause and a ridiculous amount of fun.

Miss Bliss + Alex (NY's most eligibale bachelor!-so cute + so sweet in person)

I hope that SOMEONE will nominate the volunteers of the nyctwestival for our contest to win a $160 gift certificate to the spa!

Thank you all for a wonderful time last night!
Bliss Kisses!
Love,
Miss Bliss

PS-if you’re not yet following me on Twitter, click here to find me on Twitter

Q: Miss Bliss,

I was wondering if you could talk about the fat girl slim and love handlers products. There’s so many products like this on the market that aren’t very good. Most reviews I’ve read for fat girl slim have been fantastic. I was considering trying these products, but I was wondering if you could explain what makes them work.

Sincerely,
Hoping to be Fat Girl Slim

A: Dear Hoping to be Fat Girl Slim,

You have come to the right place, my dear! I would be happy to explain. , it’s time to de-puff, energize the skin, and smooth out those dimples!

FatGirlSlim
•energizes the skin
•stimulates skin surface to firm and contour with caffeine
•visibly reduces the appearance of excess fluid retention in skin layers

The active ingredient in FatGirlSlim is caffeine. Caffeine has a stimulating action which visually improves and minimizes the appearance of excess fluid retention that can become trapped within the skin layers, for a sleeker, smoother looking skin surface. FatGirlSlim is perfect for energizing the skin first thing in the morning. FatGirlSlim is very creamy, but doesn’t leave your skin sticky. You can still get out the door quickly in the morning while using FatGirlSlim!

If you missed Donna’s blog a few weeks ago, she went in-depth on how to really give cellulite a run for it’s money.

Note: We recommend using any cellulite treatment twice a day for best results.

If you’re looking for something soothing for night time, FatGirlSleep is a luxurious, velvety cream that works with the body’s nighttime restorative processes to diminish the appearance of cellulite. The key ingredient in this product is Sacred Lotus Flower Extract which addresses the 4 main causes of cellulite: fat storage, fat burning, water retention, and slackened skin. FatGirlSleep has essential oil of lavender to promote a relaxing, sleep-friendly environment.

We created a set so you can blast cellulite day + night.

When you make any purchase (except gift cards and e-cards) on blissworld.com during the month of February, we’re helping you tighten your belt (literally!) by giving away a free full-sized Lovehandler.

How does Lovehandler work?

Lovehandler is a light-weight gel formula that features:
caffeine has a stimulating action which visually improves and minimizes the appearance of excess fluid retention that can become trapped within the skin layers, for a sleeker, smoother looking skin surface

menthol has a long lasting, cooling, refreshing action on the skin surface, also known for its antiseptic and skin-stimulating properties, produces a toning, tightening feeling on the skin surface

creatine is an amino acid complex, naturally occurring in the muscles, that supplies and releases energy, and has a firming action on the skin surface. Often consumed by athletes as a performance enhancer, it acts like an energy drink for the skin!

So, Miss Hoping to be Fat Girl Slim, I hope this answers your question.
Miss Bliss’ Recommendation-
Try the all-day dimple dashing duo to fight cellulite day + night. During the month of Feb you’ll receive a free Lovehandler so you can try all three!

Bliss Kisses!
<3 Karen

Q: Dear Miss Bliss,

I am impressed to see that you are very preg savvy–Is there a moisturizer to go along with the above regime (thank you so much for it by the way!), without the ingredients that we should avoid?

Love,
Moisturizing Mom-To-Be

A: Dear Moisturizing-Mom-To-Be ,

Is there a moisturizer out there for you? Does Miss Bliss love lemon + sage body butter? The answer, if you didn’t know, is YES!

Thank you for the compliment, by the way. Although I’m not a doctor (nor do I play one on television), we have a fantastic team of experts here who are ingredient-savy and can answer the tough question, so feel free to bring them our way!

Now on to moisturizers safe to use while pregnant.
The top recommendation from several sources is pur~lisse’s pur moist hydra balance moisturizer is a true moisturizing hero during pregnancy. This non-greasy moisturizing marvel will quickly quench and drench skin with a blend of ultra-hydrating, soothing French marine plants that also fiercely fight free radicals and the formation of fine lines. Lotus Lupine Peptide Complex and vitamin E keep skin beautifully balanced and dewy.

Pur~lisse is every pregnant woman’s best friend-the blend of skin-friendly ingredients can alleviate commons skin issues associated with pregnancy and can be used as part of your daily skin regimen to improve tone and complexion. Also, every Pur~lisse product is
paraben preservatives-free, petrochemical-free, propylene-glycol-free, chemical color and fragrance-free, cruelty-free.

This moisturizer receives rave reviews from moms-to-be around HQ (and we’ve had many a Bliss baby born here in the past couple of years!).

Bliss Kisses!
<3 Karen

Q: Dear Miss Bliss,

I will be going on Spring Break 3/2-3/8. I’d like to get a two Brazilian waxes before I go since it’s been a while since I’ve been waxed. I’d like to get one within the next few weeks and then one 48 hours before I leave (2/28). When do you recommend I get the first wax?

Sincerely,
Waxing Poetic

A: Dear Waxing Poetic,

Where are you going on your trip and can I come, too? You’re mentioned that you’re going away in a few weeks. Six, to be exact. What I’m wondering is if you know about how long it takes for your hair to grow back post wax. Hair cycles can be a tricky thing. We can estimate that we see our regular clients about 4 weeks between waxes.

That being said, hair cycles vary from person to person. So you may need a wax ever three weeks while your friend, Sally Smith, needs a wax ever six weeks (lucky her!). Keep in mind that you’ll need some fuzz down there in order to get waxed right before your trip. Use your best judgment; there does need to be enough hair for the wax to grab.

Don’t forget that waxing is half the battle. If you want to soothe your skin post waxing, grab a tube of Bliss Problem Salved. This little 20-in-1 wonder balm is my BFF after waxing or shaving (hey, sometimes I don't have time to get to the spa!). Problem salved is purse friendly, travel friendly, and cures all sorts of beauty woes. It soothes freshly waxed skin (see: redness, sensitivity, post-waxing itchiness) and it great for a myriad of uses that will come in handy on spring break:
blisters caused by new flip flops
sunburn, but I'm sure you won't get a sunburn because you'll be wearing SPF, right?
tame fly away hairs after all those volleyball games on the beach
nourish cuticles after drying out your skin in the pool
.....and more.

Hope you have a wonderful time on your trip.

Sincerely,
Miss Bliss

Q:
Dear Miss Bliss,
My normally combination skin is experiencing the full “glow” of pregnancy. It has turned into a mess of blotchy redness and mega pimples. Any suggestions to whip it back into shape?

Sincerely,
Baby Bump and Blemishes

A:
Dear Baby Bump and Blemishes,

First of all, congratulations on your upcoming bundle of joy! You mus be very excited and we are very excited for you! Fabulous Foaming Face Wash, Daily Detoxifying Facial Toner, and Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask are all great choices.

1. Fabulous Foaming Face Wash will cleanse, exfoliate gently and refresh the skin with botanical extracts.

2. Daily Detoxifying Facial Toner is alcohol free and has anti-inflammatory Rosewater extract.

3. Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask will calm redness and take down bacteria that may be causing breakouts.

4. Purlissemakes fabulous products that are catered for all you Green beauties out there. They’re paraben-free, petrochemical-free, propylene-glycol-free, chemical color and fragrance-free, and cruelty-free

FYI – Ingredients to avoid when recommending products to pregnant ladies– salicylic acid, retinol, vitamin A, alpha hydroxyl acids, essential oils.

As always, we recommend checking with your doctor if you have any concerns about incorporating a new product into your regimen while you are expecting. Congratulations again!

Sincerely,
Miss Bliss

Bliss Kisses!-Donna

Q: Dear Miss Bliss,
Do you have a quick fix for really dry skin?

Sincerely,
Deeply Dehydrated

A: Dear Deeply Dehydrated,

I’m so sorry the winter months have you feeling more like a cranky crocadile than a happily hydrated human. If you’re experiencing dry skin on your face, I highly recommend using the youth as we know it moisturizer. The youth as we know it moisturizer is our best selling product ever and contains clinical levels of 10 active age-fighting ingredients. You can use this cream day and night on your face, neck, and under eye area!

If dry skin on the body is what’s plaguing you, our body butters are super hydrating without being greasy. They’re a fan favorite. lemon + sage is our signature scent. If you’ve ever been to one of our spas, you’ll get the fresh, clean scent of lemon and sage.

Guess what! If you’ve got dry skin on your body and face, our head to toe hydration set will have you hydrated in no time. This set includes full sizes of the youth as we know it moisturizer and lemon + sage body butter. Happy Hydrating!

Sincerely,
Miss Bliss

PS-Don’t forget to use code SHOP50* for free shipping and a free bliss blue tote!
(see blissworld.com for details)