The MOST important product for your skin, hands down…

There are numerous products out there that can make your skin look and feel better and many good habits that you can incorporate in your life to ensure your skin stays healthy.  But there is ONE thing that is non-negotiable for skin health and beauty: SUNSCREEN.  I still have clients that insist on getting a tan because it “makes them look better and younger.”  I am a very open-minded individual and rarely insist on anything.  But my opinion on this matter is one exception.  Getting a tan now means looking much older later. Simple as that.  Sun breaks down collagen and elastin, which are your skin’s main wrinkle fighters.  UV rays also cause skin to hyperpigment and produce those ugly brown spots.  Not to mention the risk of skin cancer, the most common type of cancer in the United States.  And don’t be mistaken.  Yes, you might just have to laser some bumps off your face and have some scarring to get rid of the cancer.  But that is if you are lucky. More and more people are literally dying because they wanted to get a tan.

It is so simple to avoid these health risks and to prolong the beauty of your skin.   Don’t ever step into a tanning bed!  Wear your sunscreen!!!  And wear it everyday!  Yes – Vitamin D is great for you.  But you only need a few minutes of sunlight a day to get your “fix.”

There are so many sunscreens out there.  I’ve included information from Epicuren’s line of sunscreens below.  There is one for everyone and every situation.

WHEN DOES MOST SUN DAMAGE OCCUR?

78% of all sun damage is caused during daily incidental, or minor exposure.  The majority of harm occurs when you are not even thinking about it.  Rain or shine, making sunscreen application a part of your daily routine will make a significant impact on your skin’s health while dramatically reducing visual premature aging.  Remember to reapply often when enjoying the sun for extended time periods.

HOW DOES THE SUN AFFECT THE SKIN?

Ultra violet rays directly radiate tissues and damage DNA causing inflammation and collagen breakdown.  This process inevitably results in premature wrinkles and aging.  Use a sunscreen enhanced with antioxidants.  Your skin’s health will be repaired and enhanced, while the SPF helps prevent further damage.

WHAT ARE UVA AND UVB?

UVA are the aging rays that penetrate the dermis, while UVB are the burning rays that cause more surface damage. Using broad spectrum (UVA and UVB) protection will help shield against both short term and long term damage.

WILL SUNSCREEN CLOG MY PORES?

Mineral sunscreen agents, like Zinc Oxide, and chemical sunscreen agents, such as Avobenzone, will not clog pores.  When formulated properly, effective sunscreens are non-comedogenic and should actually care for your skin.

IF MY MAKEUP CONTAINS SUNSCREEN, DO I NEED TO WEAR ADDITIONAL SPF ON MY FACE?

Absolutely.  The size of the pigment molecules in makeup is large.  These large molecules prevent an even, solid layer of sunscreen coverage on the skin.  Therefore, makeup with SPF does not provide adequate coverage.

staceyO studiO carries the Epicuren line of products and there is a sunscreen to fit any skin type and lifestyle.

ACTIVE SPORT TREAT SPF 30

This was my choice for beach weekends and water parks this summer.  It is water resistant for up to 80 minutes and is enhanced with moisturizers and antioxidants. This is a very popular sunscreen with the surfers out in California.

SILK MIST SPF 15

If you are concerned about chemicals, this sunscreen is super because the chemicals are encapsulated in silk proteins, so they never get absorbed into your skin.  The silk mist is also convenient because it is a spray-on.  It has a nice waterborne base and a silky feel.

ZINC OXIDE SPF 20

This is a transparent, mineral protection sunscreen which contains Epicuren’s fabulous enzyme complex, rose hips and Vitamins A, C and E.  Perfect for daily use.

X-TREME CREAM SPF 45

This is my favorite choice for everyday use because it also acts as my daily moisturizer and it adds a beautiful glow to my skin with a fabulous Brazilian Propolis and Olive Oil base.  Helps prevent and calm sunburn, windburn and dry skin.

Leaving for India

A look back from my trip to India back in June of 2012!

I’m leaving for India tomorrow.  I still get shocked whenever I hear myself telling someone. When I mention the trip to people, I often get a  funny feeling in the back of my throat, like someone is tickling me.  My eyes often water in response, and this has left me thinking.  Do I still want to go?  Am I crazy for going to India alone? (I’ve never even been out of the country)  Is it ridiculous to take off and chase this dream?  This has been a dream of mine for years, but now that it is here, it is just as dreamlike as ever.  I won’t believe that it is real until I step off the plane at 4 a.m. in Thiruvananthapuram, India on Wednesday.  I have imagined that moment a couple of times and I am very curious to see what really happens when I step into the night air of the land I’ve always wanted to experience. Will I weep, will I laugh hysterically?  I’m really not sure.

“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.”

The whole “not knowing” is part of the beauty of this trip.  I really have NO idea what to expect. Here is what I do know:  I’ll be going to Kerala, India for a 2 week program of ayurvedic immersion, to learn holistic medicine. Kerala, named one of the 10 most beautiful places in the world by NationalGeographic, is the southern tip of India and it is monsoon season. There will be one other participant (I hear she is from New York) and we will be led by Niika, an amazing woman from New Jersey.  Niika started Ayurveda Trip and Rasa Ayurveda after discovering this ancient healing art during a trip to India when she was 19.

“Dividing her time between East and West, Niika Quistgard is American by heritage, but proud to be an adopted child of India, too. A certified Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist, Niika has 13 years experience practicing, teaching and writing on Ayurveda–yoga’s sister-science of healing, happiness and vital longevity.” (taken from AyurvedaTrip.com)

Ayurveda is the traditional medicine of India, which originated there over 5,000 years ago. It is the first “medical system” in the world. Ayurveda emphasizes re-establishing balance in the body through diet, lifestyle, exercise, and body cleansing. While I am in India, I will be connecting with the spiritual culture of South India, and gaining a deeper understanding of my personal dharma of healing, receiving traditional Ayurvedic therapies so every person I work with can experience their own wholeness, taking hands-on courses in medicinal-oil and kizhi making, with medicinal plant identification and study and participating in sustaining living Ayurveda and her native plant medicine by connecting with Malayalee women and girls through The Muthashi Project to promote continued traditional medicine-making and therapies in local communities.

I’ve been obsessed with India for years: reading Indian novels, watching Indian movies, eating Indian foods, taking Indian dance classes.  Now that I am actually going to India, alone, I am anxious, excited, happy and overwhelmed. I am mostly grateful that I get to go on this adventure. I discovered this opportunity while reading a magazine for massage professionals.  There was a one sentence mention of Ayurveda Trip in an article I was reading. I was lying next to my daughter Tess as she slept and felt compelled to get out of bed to read more.  I got my cell phone and got back in bed to look up the program online.  After reading for about 5 minutes, I began to cry.  I knew in my heart that I was finally going to India. It was more overwhelming than anything else. I just KNEW that this was going to happen.  How I would save enough money, leave my business and most of all, be away from Tess for that long were all part of those tears.  I ended up staying up all night long – thinking, dreaming, crying and wishing, holding Tess as tight as I could.

I am going to India to bring back wonderful Ayurvedic techniques for my clients at staceyO studiO – Massage & Esthetics.  I am going to India to show my daughter that we can do anything we set our minds to and we can make dreams come true (even if our dreams make us hurt a little in the meanwhile, they are worth it).  I am also going to India to be still.  Anyone that knows me knows that I’ve had a a lot of big things happen in the past 10 years of my life.  A lot of triumphs, a good bit of tragedy, and every other emotion you can imagine sprinkled in there too.  Stillness and quiet are not a part of my life, at all.  I’m ready to be still for a little while so I can hear the answer to some questions I’ve been too loud to hear.

I know being away from Tess is going to be hard.  I also know that this trip is not going to be the standard stacey O adventure, where I will go and do wild and crazy things and come back happy and exhausted and jump back into work. There is something more to this adventure, something even better.  I think growth is going to be a big part of it. Growth is good, not always easy, but always good.

I just realized what that tickle in the back of my throat is.  The one that makes my eyes water when I talk about my trip.  It is joy, sneaky and subtle, but joy just the same.

New Epicuren Treatment at staceyO studiO – Valeur – Gentlemen’s Facial and Massage!!!

OK guys – I see plenty of you at staceyO studiO.  But about 90 percent of you come in for massage.  Massage is great – it lowers blood pressure, helps you sleep better, relaxes you and just feels REALLY good.  But did you know that facials can be just as relaxing?  My boyfriend was a facial AND massage virgin when I met him.  He now loves both, but actually picks a facial treatment more often than a massage when my busy schedule allows me to treat him.  We all agree massage is the bomb, but did you know the one thing you’re missing out on when you always pick massage over facials?  Glowing, healthy, younger looking skin!  To get some of you to step out of your massage comfort zone and try a facial, I’m adding a new treatment to my menu.  In honor of all the excellent men out there, I’m proud to introduce Valeur – Gentlemen’s Facial and Massage!

Valeur (French word for valor): Courageous, Brave, Heroic; these are the traits we celebrate in the men in our lives. This facial is a tribute to the classic gentlemen’s barber shop, where steaming hot towels and massage are staples of the experience.  A refreshing deep cleanse and thorough exfoliation lead to total relaxation as the stress and tension are worked out of your neck, shoulders and scalp. An exotic mix of precious oils such as Tobacco, Sandalwood, and Spruce are hand blended to create an aroma you will not be able to get enough of.

I’ll start by giving you a massage on the back-side of your body. Then I’ll flip you, do a face, neck and shoulder massage, cleanse, scrub and mask your face with amazing, world-famous Epicuren products, then do a massage on your legs and arms from the front. I’ll rinse you off and coat you in products for your skin type.  You will leave 75 minutes later feeling AND looking shiny, happy, and healthy!

In honor of Father’s Day, I’ll give you $10 off this new treatment during the month of June.  Tell your wife, children, etc. about this deal too.  They’ll get the discount when they buy you a gift certificate for the Valeur treament ($95, 75 minutes). Call me at (803) 348-5040 today!

Don’t forget to drink your water and wear your sunscreen!

You are what you DRINK!

It just so happens that my first blog attempt comes during a week where I have also been making my first juicing attempts. So why not create a healthy cocktail that is ideal for skin health? I spend so much time educating clients on ways to improve their skin texture, clarity and elasticity with products that we apply on the surface of the skin (I use the Epicuren skin care line, the best in the business, at staceyO studiO) – so why not give them some options to increase their skin health from the inside out?

We’ve all heard “you are what you eat.” Eating fresh fruits and veggies can make a huge difference in your skin. So what about drinking them? I decided to take the plunge into juicing after reading the book “The Raw Food Detox Diet” by Natalia Rose. I’ll admit, lifestyle changes are hard (I love a nice, cold beer and a hot pizza as much as the next guy and have no plans to start hating them any time soon) and I don’t intend to go totally raw at this point, but the book really opened my eyes about nutrition and how far I needed to go to change my eating habits. I want to feel better, look better, and most importantly, set a good example for my daughter Tess. I’ll admit, I ordered this book for a Christmas present for myself. Do the math and you’ll see it took me quite a while to make the first step and get a juicer. But I’ve dived in this week and am loving it. I felt a little nauseous after chugging the neon green concoction I made on the first morning.  I really think my system was just shocked by the influx of so many healthy enzymes at once.  But it is getting better every day and the energy I have after drinking my juice drink every morning is making the whole process worth it.

Back to skin – are you tired of having dull, tired-looking skin? When we extract the juice out of fruits and vegetables and drink it, our body is instantly filled with healthy enzymes.  Because our tummies don’t have to put any energy into digesting the nutrients (because of the juice form), the vitamins and minerals can go straight to work making us feel better, giving us fuel and increasing our vitality.  There is a lot of science behind this and I won’t go into all of it now (this is my first blog attempt after all), but trust me, it all makes sense.  It is now 11:27.  I’m going to walk away from the computer and make a juice drink that will increase my health, the health of my skin and increase my energy for the day.  Let’s see how long the process takes…

OK – it is 11:37 and I’m back.  Sipping, chugging and it’s gone!   Tasting better every day.  Today (as you can see in my picture above) my juice was a combination of kale, celery, romaine lettuce, collards, spinach, a lemon and an apple.  Really, I just throw whatever I have in my produce drawer of my fridge into the machine and start juicing.  My daughter Tess is even getting in on the action.  The low hum of the machine scared her the first day (she is four), as did the crazy looking green juice spewing out of the machine.  However, she is warming up to it and even told me it tasted good yesterday!  Three days in and we’re already making progress.

Juicing gives the body antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.  It also helps to clean out the internal organs.  Remember, our skin is the body’s largest organ and since many toxins escape the body through the skin,doesn’t it make sense that “better” insides would lead to “better” outsides?

Today, I just wanted to go with the ‘throw everything in the fridge’ approach.  But in future blogs, I’ll get more specific with my recipes, using specific fruits and vegetables for specific skin conditions.

Time to head in to staceyO studiO.  Please check my blog every few days for new posts on specials, new products and treatments at staceyO studiO, along with more skin juices and smoothies.  Remember to drink your water and wear your sunscreen!!!

I LOVE My Clients!

So last week I put out a post on Facebook asking people to share their good experiences at staceyO studiO. I was AMAZED at the response.  I am moved everyday by the support of my incredible clients.  It always reminds me of why I got into this biz in the first place – to make people feel good, look good and to share good energy.  I thought I would share a few of the responses.  xoxo

Stacey’s hands will melt away the stress! Just last week, I received an AMAZING massage from her!!! It reminded me a massage I received in Italy at a high-end spa. – Shana A.

Just booked another facial with Stacey Overstreet at StaceyO Studio. I started going to Stacey because she uses the same Epicuren products I fell in love with at the Grove Park, but Stacey’s facial far surpassed that of GPI. In addition to working wonders with my skin, she also erased a week’s worth of stress and anxiety in her session. Can’t wait until my facial next week! – Sydney H.

Stacey ROCKS MY FACE OFF in the best way! She makes an old face look new again and whenever I leave her I feel younger and cuter and I want to go dancing! She is the best Esthetician, she is knowedgeable, professional and she uses only the best products…not to mention she is super fun. – Emily M.

For massage and esthetics, StaceyO StudiO is the place for folks in the knOw. You’ll feel better from head to tOe. For real yO -Elan

Oh my goodness – if you have not tried StaceyO StudiO – you do not know what you are missing. Probably the best facials in town. Excellent, natural products are used. And if you want the ultimate relaxation – book a massage. www.staceyOstudiO.com go ahead and friend the studio! – georgette

I trust Stacey at staceyO studiO as my Esthetician. Her caring technique and approachable style make her my choice when I need a good back waxing  - ryan patrick kern

While Frieda may have looked good with a uni-brow, mine has been thankfully taken care of by Stacey Overstreet at www.staceyostudio.com.-  kathryyn van aernum

Columbia peeps~ Check out my friend, Stacey @ Gold’s Gym, she is great for all sorts of things~ Waxing those brows is one of her talents! Go see her! She’s great! – catherine savage

staceyO studiO – Massage & Esthetics is the only place where you can get the best massage and facial by the amazing and talented Stacey Overstreet! So proud of my fellow SEI alumni – heather centella

Shed evidence of passing years and erase footprints of our southern sun with the rejuvenating microdermabrasion series from the best esthetician in town, Stacey at StaceyOstudiO. I have loved alternating the microderm treatment with a relaxing facial. The best value for skin services in town! www.staceyOstudiO.com or friend StaceyO studiO – Massage & Esthetics. You will thank me when you see the results! – sally harding

I’ve had lots of facials in my life… but Stacey Overstreet was the first aesthetician that actually took the time to look at my face and recommend the best treatment for me… I had my first Microdermabrasion staceyO studiO – Massage & Esthetics and couldn’t believe how my skin glowed! Thanks Stacey!  - wendy nipper homeyer

Want to look younger? 14 years younger? This is the response I am getting from having chemical peels for the last three months. Friends from college say I haven’t aged. New clients think I am 21 or 22. Crazy… Call staceyO studiO – Massage & Esthetics for your fountain of youth. – carlie

need a good massage or skin treatment??? check out my friend stacey o’s website: http://www.staceyostudio.com/. she’s awesome awesome awesome!!! does a fantastic job and LOVES her work! located in gold’s gym forest acres. also, be sure to add her as your friend on facebook: staceyO studiO – massage and esthetics…. (AND she has a super cute logo by the way) – marjorie

Just booked another facial with Stacey Overstreet at StaceyO Studio. I started going to Stacey because she uses the same Epicuren products I fell in love with at the Grove Park, but Stacey’s facial far surpassed that of GPI. In addition to working wonders with my skin, she also erased a week’s worth of stress and anxiety in her session. Can’t wait until my facial next week!  - sidney heyward

Love StaceyO Studio in Gold’s Gym on Forest! Awesome facial and Stacey really knows her stuff. Can’t wait to go back! – taylor rider

Love, love, love staceyO studiO – Massage & Esthetics ! Stacey Overstreet is the best at taking the dirt & grime of the world off your face AND mind! – marcia rubino

Stacey O Studio, featured heavily on Columbia SC news reports about fighting aging with good skin care and soothing treatments, is run by one of the most amazing women you could meet. If you’re in Columbia, go see her. –  katherine roll

Don’t Order Your Drink On The Rocks, Order It On Your FACE.

Well – it has been a couple of weeks since my last post (and my first post ever). Glad you didn’t give up on me. I did not fall off the juicing bandwagon.  I have been juicing vegetables EVERY SINGLE DAY. And no, I’m not telling a lie. And no, my fingers aren’t crossed. Seriously. There have been 2 days in the last 2 weeks when I have been a bit tired (or had too much fun the night before) and didn’t feel like making the effort to wash, cut, juice and drink vegetables in the morning. But I have made myself do it every single day and don’t plan on stopping any time soon. There are many advantages that I plan on milking (or juicing, ha) for as long as possible.

First of all, the unexpected benefits – a cleaner kitchen and no “dead vegetable remorse.”  You might be thinking – WHAT? Let me explain.  My spa room at staceyO studiO gets a thorough cleaning every day.  I am a clean-freak when it comes to my work environment. When I do laundry for my massage table and a linen falls on the floor as I’m sorting, I immediately put it into the dirty pile to wash again.  I do about 2 loads of laundry a day for my spa so I can’t say the 5 second rule hasn’t ever crossed my mind, but I’m very particular about the cleanliness standards for my clients.  However- I’m not known as a Betty Crocker type in the home.  I like to cook, but I’m not the most domestic creature in the world.  One of my nicknames in Athens was Betty Rocker.   I like to do nice things for people, I like to entertain and I love to play rock music, but I can’t always guarantee that my dinners will be perfect (ask my boyfriend about the fresh organic burritos I made him on our first stay-home date that were left in the oven a little too long – like 5 hours too long.  The man ate the burrito – the 5 hour, overcooked, smoking, black bomb that you had to cut with a steak knife.  We’ve been together for over a year now – see why?)  I am a small business owner, Mom, and have a lot of fun things I like to do, so sometimes the dishes get put into the left side of the sink for the next day.  But since I’ve been juicing, I am much more strict when it comes to my kitchen.  I know that if the juicer isn’t perfectly clean and assembled for the next juicing and if any dirty dishes are left in the sink or on the counter (I need as much counter space as possible for all the chopping, etc) that the chance of something getting in the way of juicing is too high, and I’m not willing to risk that.  My kitchen has been cleaner than it has ever been, halleluia!!!  And getting to the dead vegetable remorse, ever gone on a health kick and filled your fridge with fresh vegetables and fruit, only to have the slowly rotting items ridicule you every time you open the fridge?  I decided to become a “shareowner” in Pinckney’s Produce this season.  For the first time ever, I’m getting fresh, locally grown produce that I pick up from Rosewood Market every week.  Things I’ve never even seen in their raw form before.  Beautiful, delicious, healthy, amazing, life-enhancing produce.  But if I wasn’t juicing, they would probably be leaving stains in my produce drawer right now. Enough said…

Now that you know about the weird, unexpected benefits of juicing, how about the ones that you hear about in health magazines?  Is it all BS, or is it true?  So far, my opinion is – it is TRUE.  I have more energy than I have in a while.  My baby/beer belly is shrinking and I have had a swarm of people telling me how great my skin looks in the past 2 weeks (I am an esthetician and I have taken care of my skin religiously for the past 3 years – sunscreen every day, great home care (Epicuren rocks) and routine microdermabrasion/peels, so yes, I do hear this often, but lately the skin comments have definitely sky-rocketed).  My conclusion  -the juicing hype is actually legitimate.

But this week, I wanted to give the non-juicing hippie the chance to reap the skin and health benefits from my experiments.  So I decided to try a smoothie. Smoothies are a non-juicers best friend.  Just dig out your margarita blender from last summer, dust it off and blend away.  Add a youthful glow to your face with this anti-aging blend of fresh ingredients that I bought last night for less than 10 dollars at Rosewood Market.

I concocted this recipe from ideas from a book called The Top 100 Juices by Sarah Owen.  I like the book because it has the recipes arranged by health benefit.  It also lists the health advantages of each ingredient.

Last night’s concoction was:

1 avocado, peeled and pitted

1 1/4 cups soy yogurt (I used soy milk)

1 tbsp. nori flakes

Blend the avocado and yogurt (or soy milk) until smooth.  Sprinkle the nori over and drink.

First of all, what in the **** are nori flakes?  This dark purple seaweed is the most digestible of all seaweeds and contains a ridiculous amount of nutrients to nourish the skin so it stays firm and smooth.  Avocados are a wonderful source of monounsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid and vitamin E.  These are perfect for hydrating the skin.  They also help stimulate collagen production, the body’s way of warding off wrinkles.  Soymilk contains vitamin E and magnesium, essential to repair cells and tissues.

Best of all, this recipe can be ingested or brushed on the face for incredible skin benefits.  Or do it the staceyO studiO way and do both.

Watch this video to see it in action – (parents, uncles, aunts, babysitters – BEWARE.  If there is a small child hanging onto your shoulder right now, please delay the video watching.  We don’t want to give them any ideas).      This link will take you to the 50 second video.

Don’t forget to drink your water and wear your sunscreen.  xoxo

stacey o.