​I wanted to kick off my Esthetician’s Day Off series with what has become my favorite mask of the Skin Script line.  The Marble Berry Nourishing Mask.  Wait a minute, you’ve never heard of the Marble Berry? Not to worry, you’re not alone! Before I discovered this Mask, I had never heard of the Marble Berry either.  But I promise you, it is a very real fruit, and it is very unique. The first of this summer’s seasonal specialty facials at Cara B. Design & Wellness is the Marble Berry Nourishing Facial.  Obviously, from the title of the facial you can see that the Marble Berry Mask is the star of the show. However, this facial is customize-able (as they all are), by changing the enzyme used in the facial. ​The Marble Berry, scientifically known as pollia condensata, is a blue, iridescent berry that grows exclusively in Africa. The most magical aspect of this elusive fruit, is its color, which is the most intense color of any known biological substance. Yes, you read that correctly.  This berry is quite unique.  Possessing this intense color isn’t its only fascinating quality.  While the Marble Berry is not edible, it does possess various health benefits for the skin.  This fruit also contains polyphenol which provides antioxidant activity that is very effective at low use levels.​ What’s interesting about the Marble Berry, is that its beautiful, intense color isn’t due to pigment, however it’s due to something called structural color.  What is structural color?   It its simplest terms, it is the production of color by microscopically structured surfaces fine enough to interfere with visible light, sometimes in combination with pigments. ​This mask can be used on all skin types, including sensitive, rosacea, and pregnant women.  While it can be used on all skin types, it does have the following benefits:  anti-aging, softening, anti-inflammatory, improves barrier function, and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The main ingredient in this mask is the Marble Berry, however, it has a few other very important and effective ingredients. 1.  Thiotaine®, made using Ergothioneine (L) which is a natural antioxidant and amino acid that can aid the skin’s natural ability to prevent damage caused by UV radiation.  It does this partially by recycling vitamin C, and also ensures efficient energy production.  Inhibits tyrosinase. 2. Squalene, derived from olives, moisturizing, enhances skin’s natural barrier function, protective, and boosts skin’s ability to retain moisture. 3.  Cyanidin-3-Glucoside is a purified extract from the heart of Black Rice Bran.  This particular extract is high in antioxidant content, and also acts similar to an anti-inflammatory, which helps to keep skin soothed and clear. 4. Phenyl t-Butylnitrone, a Spin Trap.  It is a highly active oxygen and nitrogen complex.  It is considered an “intelligent” antioxidant because instead of destroying free radicals, it traps them, transforms them into useful oxygen, and then transports them back into the respiratory cycle.  This activity keeps the skin continually spinning the effects of aging away from your skin; helping to maintain hydration so that skin appears healthy, clear and more fortified. During the Marble Berry Nourishing facial, skin is cleansed, exfoliated, treated, and toned. To close out the facial, the Marble Berry Mask is applied to the skin for about 10 minutes. This particular mask is tremendously nourishing and leaves skin feeling as soft as butter! ​Schedule your Marble Berry Nourishing facial today by emailing carabdrescherlmt@gmail.com or calling 215-601-0840. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollia_condensata Skin Script Product Manual – Marble Berry Mask http://www.seedsofeaden.com/ornamental-plants-k7/the-marble-berry-pollia-condensata-b87.html http://earthsky.org/earth/brightest-biological-substance-reveals-its-secret Favorite

A few months back, I was lucky enough to see my dream come to fruition when the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology approved my application for an Esthetician Salon License.  My shop was finally born after years of hard work!  After intensive research and sampling various products, I finally settled on what has become my favorite skin care line that I have ever worked with.  Skin Script.  It is amazing!  The products are top notch, and the owner and staff are extraordinarily knowledgeable with the best customer service I have ever experienced.  In 13 years of experience, I’ve worked directly with the following professional skin care lines:  Dermalogica, Bioelements, Avance, & Guinot.  While these lines are each very good and unique in their own way, none of them provided me with that “wow” factor that a good, professional skin care line should provide.  Skin Script is different.  It’s an all natural, fruit based line that is not only high quality, but is affordable.  Finding a good quality, affordable skin care line is a tricky feat.  But Skin Script has accomplished it, with flying colors! My favorite thing about this line is the aroma that every single product releases.  Because it’s all fruit based, my studio often smells like a tropical island.  Seriously.  I’ve had clients tell me that during their facials they’ve felt transported to places like Jamaica, Mexico, Hawaii, and more.  I’ve heard comparisons to Pina Coladas, Margaritas, Mojitos, Mai Tais, and so on.  There are no added fragrances to the products, just the natural scent of the fruit.  Not only do these products smell amazing, but they provide excellent results for skin concerns such as: Aging, acne, clogged pores, fines line, age spots, melasma, hyperpigmentation and rosacea.  Yes, this product line is safe for rosacea and sensitive skin! Bear in mind however, not every product will be safe for sensitive skin or rosacea.   Over the next few weeks and months, I’ll be posting a Skin Script product every week and giving you an in depth description of its uses, ingredients, and benefits.  Feel free to post questions, and I’ll do my best to get back to you ASAP!  Join me on this super fun skin care journey and learn more about your skin and how you can help it!  I’m so excited to share my love of these products, and I hope you learn something new and exciting.  Favorite

The seasons are a changin’ folks!  Though the official start of spring is still a few weeks away, the spring weather is forcing its way in.  Finally!  The season of renewal is upon us, and with this change in seasons, so comes some changes in the service menu here at Cara B. Design & Wellness.  Back in October, I added facials to my service menu using a fabulous professional skin care line, called Skin Script.  As I’ve gotten to know the Skin Script product line better, I’ve been excited by the opportunity to create seasonal facials based on their limited edition seasonal products.  For example, they came out with a Cherry Enzyme and a Chocolate Mint Mask for the winter months, and just recently released their new Grape Enzyme for the spring months.  Various other products are available year round, such as the lemon zest enzyme, the raspberry peach enzyme, the strawberry spearmint mask and the goji berry yogurt mask, just to name a few.   While every Cara B. facial is customized to your specific skin care needs, the following specialty facials are only available for a limited time. Each of the specialty facials listed below are specially designed for particular skin types.  If you don’t like the sound of one of the facials below, or if you like one aspect of it, but not everything, never fear, I can change out the enzyme or mask to something that you’d prefer!  Check out the blog in the coming months when I delve deeper into the benefits of the ingredients in the products from this fantastic skin care line!   Spring brings new flowers with the anticipation of juicy fruit to follow. Fruit not only provides our body with nourishment, but also brightens our skin. Blending cherries with a yogurt mask, such as the Goji Berry Yogurt Mask will create a blossoming facial sure to brighten and hydrate the skin. Exfoliate and brighten the skin with the antioxidant and brightening benefits of the Cherry Enzyme. Contains 5% lactic acid, 5% mandelic acid, and 1% arbutin and 1% kojic. Perfect for normal and combination skin. It promotes deep hydration that protects from environmental damage while relieving the surface signs of aging. Arbutin and kojic provide extreme lightening capabilities. Goji Berry Yogurt Mask will nourish the skin with goji berry and yogurt resulting in a beautiful, healthy glow. The Vineyard Grape Facial is perfect for normal and sensitive skin and is comprised of a Grape Enzyme, and the Goji Berry Yogurt Mask. The grape enzyme contains grapes and papain for very gentle exfoliation. It promotes exfoliation and protection from environmental damage while relieving the surface signs of aging.  The Goji Berry Yogurt Mask contains Goji Berry which helps in rebuilding the skin by stimulating biosynthesis, fibroblast proliferation and by inhibiting MMP’s.  Anti-aging results can be seen by the reduction of lines and wrinkles in addition to an improvement in the skin’s elasticity.  Yogurt moisturizes, smoothes and stimulates cellular regeneration Lemons provide great brightening capabilities to our skin. When we add lemon to our drinking water, it helps to detoxify our body. Lemons are tart, and in small doses, bring great anti-aging benefits to our whole body. Blending lemons with a yogurt mask, such as the Goji Berry Yogurt Mask, will create a creamy, brightening and hydrating facial. Contains 6% lactic acid, 3% glycolic acid, 8% arbutin and 2% kojic. Perfect for normal and combination skin. It promotes deep hydration that protects from environmental damage while relieving the surface signs of aging. Arbutin and kojic provide extreme lightening capabilities. Goji Berry Yogurt Mask will nourish the skin resulting in a beautiful, healthy glow.   To schedule your facial (currently only at my Conshohocken studio), please contact me directly at:  carabdrescherlmt@gmail.com. Happy Spring!  🙂 Favorite

Welcome to Esthetician’s Day Off!  As a busy Esthetician, Massage Therapist, Educator, Makeup Artist, and Textile Artist, I don’t get a lot of days off.  However, on those rare days off I enjoy playing with my products and giving myself the treatments and services that I offer to others.  Not only is it a fun way for me to pamper myself on my very needed days off, but it’s also one of the best ways for me to test out my products and services for their safety & efficacy. I own 2 small businesses, Cara B. Design & Wellness and Cara B. Design Studio.  With Cara B. Design & Wellness, I work as a Licensed Esthetician & Makeup Artist, Licensed & Board Certified Massage Therapist, and Nationally Certified Massage Therapy Continuing Education Provider.  Under Cara B. Design Studio, I design and create unique wallets, handbags, diaper bags, and various other accessories with vintage and antique upholstery fabrics.  These 2 businesses keep me extremely busy and tremendously motivated. Check in with me each week (sometimes every other when I’m super busy) as I test out my various facials, body treatments, retail products, and more!  While most posts will focus on skin care, you may find a post here and there about massage therapy, muscle wellness, arts, and so on. ​Join me on my day off! Favorite