May 16, 2006
Review:
Santa Barbara
[Click
photo to enlarge: Ken Cassidy, Keith West-Harrison, Andre West Harrison, Zahira
Coll, Skip Williams, Jaya Schillinger]
This year's Santa Barbara Beauty Expo
Business Summit had a great line-up, thanks to our host Ken Cassidy.
Saturday's keynote was by Dr. Bob
Keller on his research on gene therapy and the future of clinical skin care. Skip Williams shared
a wealth of knowledge on how your employee compensation affects your
bottom-line profitability. Keith
and Andre West-Harrison gave a humorous and informative talk on how to move
slow-moving retail items called Don't Put it
on
What tradeshow is complete without a
little shopping?
There were many wonderful companies there, but I was on the lookout for FUN
boutique items this year, since a few of my clients are looking for impulse buy
products in addition to their mainstay brands. I did indeed find some new
items, and bought some samples:
Chakra Masques by VB
Cosmetics
I bought a little sampler kit of 7 chakra masques in a small tube,
similar-looking to sparkle eye shadow powders. In fact, when I gave one as a
gift to my best friend Caitlin, she thought that's what they were. These are
much more fun and interesting. Each masque contains herbs, minerals, and is
color-coordinated for chakra healing.
Sensual Light
Massage Candle by Natural Selection
At first, I thought these were just the cool little candles in travel tins that
I already have. But then the salesperson (owner of the company!) encouraged me
to dip my fingers into the melted liquid wax of a lit candle. Immediately, I
noticed it wasn't hot…just nicely warm. Then she told me to massage some of the
melted oil onto my arm. Say what? Ok, I'll try anything. It's not like wax at
all! When melted from the flame, the "wax" turns into a liquid
massage oil. No wonder they come in sexy leopard-print tins! I got the vanilla
one, and it's yummy.
Buddha Baby
Shea Butter Stick by Natural Selection
I really liked a lot of things at the Natural
Selection booth, but again, I was looking for fun new things. These
handy little shea butter sticks are packaged in a push up tube, sort of like a
deodorant, and make your skin so soft! Shea butter is a super creamy skin
moisturizer, and this unique product in the "baby" line also contains
lavender essential oil. What a wonderful (and portable) skin treat! Although
it's marketed for children, I think it's a great way for adults to baby
themselves, too.