What would your vote be? Yes or no?

We found a thought-provoking article put out by Psychology Today that confirms those of you who’d vote YES.  It is true–your love life does affect your health!

Consider how closely your heart health (and more) is related to your love life when you read this excerpt:

The tone of your love nest factors into your medical status, too. Women in marriages full of hostility have more coronary artery disease than those in warmer relationships, while men in more controlling relationships (whether they are the dominator or the one getting bossed around) have more coronary artery disease than those in egalitarian marriages. Both situations likely activate stress responses, which are known to contribute to, if not cause, an array of ailments.

Soul mates can even develop the same afflictions over time—a condition in one spouse often places the other at increased risk for the same disorder. This may be true for cancer, stroke, arthritis, hypertension, asthma, depression, and peptic ulcer disease. One study shows that a person’s hypertension risk doubles when their spouse is diagnosed as hypertensive.

That’s probably because commitment typically leads to shared meals, activity patterns, financial resources, and social networks. Couples may also find themselves true partners in health by means of social control, in which one spouse tries to keep the other wholesome, and mood contagion, where one partner’s anxiety washes over the other and even takes a toll on his or her body: Men whose wives are upset by their work are nearly three times more likely to develop heart disease.

Communication is one of the most basic and important parts of any relationship.  When we pair up in a relationship, we often end up with one person being more expressive and the other being more prone to keeping feelings inside.  There is a benefit for those couples who learn to meet in the middle and communicate openly in a way that makes both people feel comfortable.  Consider what the article has to say about bottling up feelings inside and how that affects health:

…women who “self-silence” during arguments with their spouses are four times more likely to die over a 10-year period than their peers who express themselves. These women (23 percent of the wives studied!) may be bottling up anger out of fear of the husband’s reaction. But suppressing feelings clearly has a negative effect on physiology, probably akin to stress damage, though the exact pathway isn’t yet known.

Bet you didn’t know just HOW much that bottling up those emotions could affect you and your health! These insights (and the changes you might make in response to them) could dramatically impact your life and even your longevity.  If you’ve been ignoring poor communication for a long time, this Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to make a step in the right direction! For your happiness AND your health! If you are reading this as a single person, use this new info to choose wisely when you do find that special someone for keeps. Research shows that their habits, lifestyle and communication with you will ultimately affect your health.

Here’s to healthy bodies and love lives!

Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at Belladerm!

To send your significant other a little hint about what you’re REALLY hoping for this Valentine’s Day, click here and fill in the form! Make it easy for them and get something you really want! It’s a win-win! 

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Eyelash extensions have become a trend in the beauty industry. Long, luxurious lashes make you feel pretty and really play up your eyes.  But just because the process isn’t surgical, doesn’t mean it is safe or even a good idea at all.  Eyelash extensions are applied by gluing lash extensions to individual eyelashes, which can be very dangerous when you consider the fact that you’re trusting someone with a powerful adhesive and tweezers very close to your eye for hours at a time.

Another thing to note is that most face cleansers will dissolve the glue used to attach your extensions. Use the wrong cleanser and you could wash off your extensions completely, or even end up with all of your eyelashes stuck together in one big clump. Trying to remove the lash extensions before they fall off naturally is difficult to do without causing your natural lashes to fall out too. Add to this that they are expensive and need to be refreshed frequently. No thanks!

So, while some people are swearing by eyelash extensions as their new beauty secret, many are wishing they’d looked into LATISSE, which is a far better option and will grown your OWN natural lashes long and beautiful! Just think, when someone comments on your gorgeous lashes, wouldn’t it feel good to know they are your very own lashes, as opposed to some lashes that were glued on!

Belladerm has an exclusive special offer on LATISSE currently for all newsletter subscribers.  Click HERE to see our January newsletter and learn more about this great offer. May your lashes grow beyond belief! Here’s to feeling beautiful! If you’d like to receive our newsletter going forward, subscribe HERE.

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We want to wish all of our blog readers a very Happy New Year! Here’s to a prosperous, beautiful new year!

We’ve had a pretty mild winter so far, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun to escape the cold temps and head somewhere for a vacation in the next few months. Have you made plans? Don’t forget to also plan ahead for your beauty treatments to get your bod ready for the beach and pack your sunscreen! Remember, we also carry UVB accessories like hats and sunglasses!

If you are taking your family on a trip, these are some great places to consider besides the ever-popular Florida destination:

•  Turks and Caicos:  Nestled in the beautiful, exotic Caribbean islands, Turks & Caicos is a top contender in popularity  for families with children of all ages.   There are so many opportunities for families to unite, have fun together and explore a piece of paradise.    A fun, unique attraction is the Conch Farm  which is the only farm that raises conchs,  tour the Turks & Caicos Museum, go whale watching for the giant humpback whale, relaxing together on the white-sand beaches, swimming, snorkeling or scuba diving  as well as bird watching and enjoying beach barbecues.  Lots of fun in the sun!
• Bahamas:  As this popular family vacation destination is just a few short hours from the coast of Florida, your vacation travel budget can go far enabling you and your family to enjoy more fun together.  There are so many tours and activities available.  Some examples include dolphin encounters and swims, jet-ski adventures, kayaking trips, stingray encounters, parasailing, sunset cruises, snorkeling and scuba diving, native shows, biking tours, jeep tours, sub tours and glass bottom boat rides, fishing, sea lion encounters.  White-sand beaches, turquoise waters, ethnic cuisine and beautiful exotic flowers and warm climate all make this destination a fun and relaxing location to visit.
• Dominican Republic:  With at least 800 miles of coastline along the azure waters of the Caribbean sea located at the east end of the island of Hispaniola, Dominican Republic welcomes families who will find that the many all-inclusive resorts in the country are ideal for vacations.  Of course beach activities abound  with water sports like jet skiing, kayaking, river rafting, wake-boarding, water skiing, surfing and kite-boarding as well as day trips to visit the local national park, Ocean World Adventure Park for close-up encounters with dolphins, sharks and tigers,  horseback-riding and whale watching during the months of January through Mid-April.
• Kauai, Hawaii:  Kauai is the garden island in the Hawaiian chain.  You and your family will find an abundance of activities  that are family friendly.  There is so much to explore and do, for instance Hawaii Movie Tours, Captain Andy’s Sailing Adventures, the South Pacific Dinner Show, Kauai Zip Line Adventure, dinner cruise, helicopter rides, Kauai Children’s Discovery Museum, Koke’e Natural History Museum, visit some of Kauaii’s nine amazing and varied state parks.  Hawaii’s temperate climate draws families to vacation there year-round.
• Puerto Vallarta, Mexico:  Many exciting opportunities are available for your family to make memories together that will last a lifetime.  This area is one of Mexico’s most popular destinations where you can participate in a wealth of activities including day cruises, canopy tours,  relaxing on the warm beaches, horseback riding, sailing, mountain biking, hovercraft riding, an evening experiencing a true Mexican Fiesta, sea turtle encounter, sea kayaking, swimming with dolphins or sea lions, deep sea fishing or whale-watching.

Oh, and here’s a 2012 vacation fashion tip–bright hues are popular for those getaways right now.  Think clear, vibrant orange hues and striking bright pink shades. They will look beautiful with your sunless tan that you apply before you take off! Bon voyage!

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This time of year, even though it is fun and exciting, leaves most of us walking around feeling frazzled and sleep-deprived.  You have too much to do and just not enough time. Throw into the mix that you want to look glamorous for those multiple holiday parties you will be attending.  We have some answers for some common questions this time of year:

Q: I’ve had too many late nights recently and my complexion is looking a bit dull. How can I look like I’ve had an early night even though I haven’t? 

A: Add a hint of radiant light with glominerals Bronzers or Revision Intellishade. Apply these luminizers anywhere you want a subtle, natural glo that can instantly brighten your complexion. The perfect finishing touch! The Clarisonic is a great way to exfoliate your skin for a quick glow.

Q: I’ve got a few parties to go to in the coming week and I’m worried about oily shine ruining my makeup before the evening is over at these parties. How can I control the shine without caking on powder?

A: Dust your face with glominerals perfecting or finishing powder and finish with a spritz or two of hydration mist to set your makeup for the night. Tuck some oil blotting papers in your purse–these can be your best friend if you hope to avoid too much powder.

Q: I have quite a lot of larger, open pores.  Is there anything I can do to minimize my pores when I prepare for my holiday gatherings? I’m self-conscious about them. 

A: There are products available that will help reduce the appearance of larger pores.  One to check out would be SkinMedica’s Rejuvenation Toner or Obagi’s Pore Therapy.

Belladerm would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We are here to help you find solutions for YOUR beauty questions.  Stop in or call us today!

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We normally don’t spend a lot of time thinking about how to take care of our lashes–we just expect them to be fine without a lot of help.  With so many satisfied Latisse users out there now, growing long, beautiful lashes, it seems like a good time to think about caring for your lashes. Here are some tips:

• Clean your eyes thoroughly and gently each night. Makeup can attract bacteria and cause breakage to existing lashes. When cleaning makeup from eyes, first splash the face with warm water and pat the eye area gently with a cotton ball to remove as much makeup as possible. Follow with a commercial eye makeup remover and stroke the lashes gently with a fresh cotton ball to remove all traces of makeup.
• Consider applying olive oil to your eyelashes a couple of times a week. Do this by dipping a q-tip in the oil and gently brushing it onto your lashes. Almond oil or coconut oil can be used to get the same result, but olive oil is readily available. Apply the oil and let it sit with your eyes closed for a few minutes before rinsing with warm water. In addition, you may apply the oil before bed and leave it on throughout the night.
• Replace your mascara every three to six months. Mascara needs to be replaced more often, according to many dermatologists. Waiting longer may allow the mascara to harbor bacteria which can harm the lashes.
• Try using glominerals gloLash Thickener & Conditioner–a colorless product that nourishes, protects and conditions lashes. Green Tea fights bacteria and reduces inflammation, giving your eyes a reason to sparkle. Call or stop in to learn more about this product.

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Thanksgiving time is once again upon us! Who can pick just one thing to write about for Thanksgiving? We decided to do a blog with some variety for you.  Scroll down to see the different sections, separated by the brown ribbons.

First, an important note: We’re thankful for each and every one of our well-loved guests at Belladerm and thank you for continuing to trust us with all your aesthetic needs! We love serving you! We wish you a Happy Thanksgiving with your loved ones!

With the biggest shopping of the year on the heels of Thanksgiving, it seems much of the focus is on where to shop and what deals will be out there! It seems to be a big controversy this year with stores opening at earlier than ever times–even on Thanksgiving.  There are complaints and petitions and people are saying that it isn’t fair to ask employees to come in on a holiday for retail store shopping.  Where do you land on this issue? We’d love to hear your opinions and thoughts.  Are you someone who will be working at a retail location on Thanksgiving night? How do you feel about it all? We welcome your comments!

For those of you hosting a big Thanksgiving meal, this section is for you.  Here is a highly-rated stuffing recipe:

Minnesota Wild Rice Dressing

If you’re looking for an alternative to bread stuffing, this recipe from the National Turkey Federation is a great option.

Ingredients

• 4 Slices TURKEY BACON cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 Cup onion chopped
• 1 Cup celery chopped
• 1/2 Pound mushrooms sliced
• 1 Package (4 ounces) wild rice, cooked according to package directions
• 2 Cups bread crumbs
• 1/2 Pound TURKEY BREAKFAST SAUSAGE cooked
• 1 Teaspoon dried oregeno
• 1/2 Teaspoon dried sage
• Salt
• Pepper
• Directions
• Preheat oven to 325

Directions

• In medium-size skillet, over medium heat, saute bacon until almost crisp.
• Add onion, celery and mushrooms; continue cooking until vegetables are tender.
• In large bowl combine bacon mixture, wild rice, bread crumbs, sausage, oregano and sage.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper if desired.
• Spoon dressing into lightly greased 2-quart casserole dish.
• Bake, covered, at 325 degrees F. 35 to 40 minutes.

And, we’ll wrap up with a few fun trivia facts to get you thinking! 

Did you know that the most popular Thanksgiving dinner includes a menu of turkey, cranberries, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie? Then it’s only fitting that Americans raise over 256 million turkeys. The biggest producer of turkeys is Minnesota, followed by North Carolina, Arkansas, Virginia, Missouri and California.

Did you know that there are at least three American towns named after Thanksgiving dinner’s main course? There’s Turkey, Texas, with 496 residents; Turkey Creek, Louisiana, with 357 residents, and Turkey, North Carolina, with 267 residents. There are also eight places and townships named Cranberry, and 20 places named Plymouth, after the location of the first Thanksgiving. Like our very own PLYMOUTH, MN!

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While you are packing away your flip flops and strappy sandals into the abyss of your storage closet for yet another cold winter in MN…you are undoubtedly thinking about the shoes that will take their place in the closet.  That is, unless you have one of those impressive shoe closets where they can all happily coexist year-round! Good for you, if you do! What woman doesn’t want that?

If you’re like many of us, you are pulling open the containers of winter boots and shoes and you’re maybe less than excited to wear those same boots from 2 years ago, for another winter. You sure would have a spring in your step if you could cover your toes with some new shoes! But shoes can be expensive, you tell yourself.  Especially the stylish ones.  Plus, you have no time for shopping and you’ve promised yourself never to take your kids along on your personal shoe shopping adventures ever again.  EVER!  But wait–how about a website that learns your style preferences and hand-picks shoes you’d like AND every pair is under $40 and shipping is FREE!?? This is not too good to be true–it is JUSTFABULOUS.  You receive 20% off your first order, too.  Sound like something you should try? Probably! And your toes will thank you! Here are a couple of shots from their site so you can whet your appetite for shoe fun!

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We’re willing to bet you’d like to be seen as being confident and sure of yourself when you are meeting new people.  You may look polished (especially after you’ve been pampered by our staff!!) and have the latest fashion but you can’t forget to factor in what your body language is communicating about you! This can even tie into how much sleep you are getting because if you are feeling tired and sluggish, you are less likely to walk with a stride and are more likely to slump those shoulders.

First, let’s look at how you stand and walk.  An upright stance conveys confidence, strength, power and motivation.  Conversely, slumped shoulders with head looking towards the floor as you walk conveys a sense of uncertainty, uneasiness, weakness and a lack of self esteem. Try to keep your head raised squarely, as though it were being held upwards with a fine thread. We found an excellent article detailing importance of posture and the potential impact it could have on whether or not you get the job, too! You can find it here. Did you know this topic has been studied and it is very interesting! The January issue of Psychological Science tells all about studies that have been done.  Professor Galinsky and his colleagues conducted three experiments to see how power and posture work with each other. What they found surprised them: proper posture increases the levels of the feel-good hormone testosterone and lowers the levels of the hormone cortisol, which is linked to stress.

“I was surprised by the findings that posture was more important than position,” Galinsky said in an interview with the Star. “Posture doesn’t just affect how others view you but how you regard yourself.” Not only does standing tall affect how people perceive someone else, but a person with correct posture, in turn, gains more self-confidence and self-assurance, they found. In simple terms, posture breeds empowerment. “Posture does make a difference. How you sit and how you stand will have an effect on how you are perceived.” Galinsky also reported. Now isn’t that good to know!?

Next, consider how you use body language when you are in conversations. Eye contact is huge. Leaning in or moving closer to a person when they are speaking to you communicates that you are comfortable with them and are truly interested in hearing what they are saying. Do you do this?

Nervous habits can sure send negative messages, too. Watch for these nervous body language bahaviors and see if you can make some changes that will help if you catch yourself doing any of them:

• Constant throat clearing
• Nervous laughter
• Tapping fingers on the table
• Pacing
• Fidgeting in chair
• Crossing arms and legs
• Hands covering mouth when speaking
• Poor eye contact
• Sighing
• Weak, clammy handshake
• Fiddling with objects or clothing

Hopefully you’ve gained some new insight to help you be your very best and to ensure that others are seeing you as they should be!

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Every three minutes, another woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast cancer is the 2nd most common cancer affecting women and most families have been touched in some way by this disease.

The numbers are way too high, but you have the power to help change that. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  Pink is everywhere, but what can you do to make a difference?

Here are some practical ways you can get involved this month to rally against breast cancer:

• For those of you who love to bike: Breast Cancer Awareness Ride
• For those of you walkers out there: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

• For those of you with green thumbs: Plant It Pink
• For reminding others about mammograms: Pink Out Minnesota

Because we serve many women in our line of work, breast cancer is something that we know touches the lives of many.  Fighting cancer is a battle that never seems to end and wears you down.  A gift certificate for some spa pampering can mean a great deal to someone walking through a tough journey like that.  Keep it in mind if you know a woman near and dear to your heart whose spirits you’d like to lift.  We love being able to make an impact this way and will match any Belladerm gift card purchase up to $50 for someone near and dear to you.  That’s a $100 gift card for $50; we are glad to help you make a difference.

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Don’t miss this special event from 4 – 8 p.m. We are less than a month away now and we hope you’ve marked your calendar and called your friends. FIRST 50 GUESTS will receive FREE Gift Bags!  Arrive early to get yours! Join us for an evening of fun, relaxation and mingling! We are looking forward to spending time with you and there will be plenty of yummy food on hand! Appetizers will be provided by Three Squares Restaurant. During the Open House our expert staff will be offering free mini consultations and guests can enjoy special discounted prices for services and products purchased on that day.  Highlights of the evening will include:

• Mini-Make-up Consultations (compliments of GloMinerals)
• Meet the reps for our amazing products
• Laser Hair Removal- BUY ONE PACKAGE,  GET ONE PACKAGE FREE!
• 20% off all Skin Care Products (including Obagi and Skin Medica)
• Several prize give-aways
• 20% off treatments, services and packages

Also, our most popular special–BANK YOUR BOTOX! Attendees may bank up to 100 of units of BOTOX for only $10 a unit! Don’t miss out on this great savings!

So grab a gal pal and join us Tuesday, October 4th from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. for our Biggest Beauty Event of the Year!

Thank you to our partners who have made this amazing event possible:  Princeton Liquors, Juniper Boutique, New Reflections, Mark Michael Diamond Designs, The Oilerie and Three Squares Restaurant.

*If you’re not able to attend, call that day to reserve these great prices!

Don’t miss it, we’re offering the biggest savings of the year!

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