Massage & Beauty School Guide

Reiki and Mud Wraps and Men's Spas...Oh My!

The ten hottest trends in spa and massage

Day spas now make up 80% of the spa industry, eclipsing the 9% of traditional resort and hotel spas. People no longer view the spa experience as a rare luxury getaway, but as a necessary antidote to the stresses of daily life, a way to heal their bodies and find peace of mind. And, of course, people want to look great too.

Spas for Everybody: Specialty Spas
More spas are specializing in response to increasing demand from men. Others are creating one-stop shops where spa-goers can make all their beauty dreams come true, including the discreet nip-tuck.

Men's Spas
According to the International Spa Association (ISPA), men now make up 31% of active spa-goers. Male-only spas are beginning to appear in major metropolitan areas like Chicago, New York City and Washington, D.C. At the same time, many co-ed spas are introducing spa treatments for men. According to the ISPA, men are more likely to seek treatments like deep tissue massage or other therapeutic treatments that "get work done." Read more...

Setting Your Sights on the Silver Screen

A day in the life of a celebrity makeup artist

Fleur Morrell has been a successful make-up artist in the entertainment industry since 1990. She has done print work, commercials, movies and TV series including "Tru Calling" and "In Justice." At the time of this interview, she was working nights in New Orleans on the set of "Black Water Transit," a new film by director Tony Kaye.

Background & Training
Fleur didn't set out to be a make-up artist. She moved to Los Angeles in the mid-80s and studied to be a camera operator. "In those days, there were no women in the business at all," she says. "It was extremely hard because I had to prove myself every time I walked on the set. There were a bunch of old union guys that just hated the fact that I was trying to break into the business. After a few years, I gave up. But I liked the film business, so I asked myself 'what else could I do?'" Read more...