Filing your nails properly is the first step in a quality manicure, however, if done incorrectly can damage your nails and make them weak. Here are a few nail salon-approved tips for filing your nails expertly from the comfort of your home.

Wash your hands with soap and water.

Put a towel on a table to collect nail dust or clippings. 

If you intend to take some length off of your nails, clip them first. Clip straight across the tip of the nail, leaving a square edge. Also, make sure to leave enough length in order to shape your nails with an emery board.

When filing your nails with an emery board, hold it at a slight angle at one corner of your nail. Lightly stroke it from the corner to the center of your nail. Repeat this step several times, remembering to keep the pressure light.

Then hold the emery board at a slight angle at the opposite corner and repeat, stroking from the corner toward the center of your nail.

Do this with every nail.

Buff your nails if desired with a nail buffer to make them shine.

Gather up the towel and discard nail dust and clippings.

Wash and moisturize your hands and arms.

These are a few simple nail salon- approved tips for filing your nails in between manicure and pedicure visits at Athena Salon and Spa. If you’re ready for a professional spring manicure, call them today at 970-223-0273.

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One of the best ways to take a break is to indulge in spa services. By merely indulging in massages regularly or even a facial or mani/pedi, you are investing in your spiritual and emotional health. Athena Salon and Spa is a premier Fort Collins spa that knows how to make you feel beautiful and relaxed. With an array of spa packages to choose from, you can be sure that you and your loved ones are feeling pampered and relaxed on a regular basis.

There are a number of reasons why you should regularly visit your premier local Fort Collins spa but here are the top 3 that we gleaned from a recent blog post on Giavanne.com. 

Stress Relief

Finding ways to deal with stress and relieve that feeling of the world on your shoulders is good for your health. Stress can cause tension, irritability, inability to concentrate, and a number of other physical symptoms like headaches. Regular trips to the spa can help to ease stress and all of the symptoms that go along with it.

Blood Circulation

There is an array of massage techniques such as hydrotherapy, rain drop, heat therapy and massage therapy that can actually help improve circulation which helps in the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the cells.

Overall Wellbeing

Relaxation is shown to lower heart and respiratory rates. In addition, clinical studies have shown that massage therapy reduces anxiety and depression and also promotes better sleep, more energy, flexibility and overall vitality.

For all of these reasons and many more, spa services and massages are just the thing you need in order to relax, slow down, feel good and really appreciate your life. And it’s for these reasons that you need to call Athena to check out their spa packages and schedule a massage today!

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According to a recent blog post on Sheerbalance.com, men and women both can benefit from manicures and pedicures equally. Here is a list of reasons why men should absolutely indulge in manicures and pedicures.

Sexy Factor – When men take pride in how they look, most women find it to be appealing. Taking it to the extreme and being obsessed about one’s looks isn’t attractive for men or women, but taking pride can be sexy. 

It Feels Good – When manicures and pedicures come with some sort of massage component it feels amazing, for men and women both.

Stress Release – Taking an hour out of your day can give a man some down time to relax and take his mind off of pressing issues he has to deal with. And by the way, stress release is good for your heart too!

Healthy Feet and Hands – When getting a pedicure, dead skin is exfoliated away which can help to diminish calluses and dead skin build-up. Cuticles are also cared for during a mani/pedi session which can eliminate painful hang nails.

Soft Touch – Getting manicures and pedicures promotes soft skin on the hands and feet. Men have a tendency to let the skin on their hands get tough. Softer skin means softer touch which makes happier men and women both.

These are only a few reasons why men should also indulge in manicures and pedicures. If you have a man in your life that might appreciate the best manicures in Northern Colorado, call the spa and beauty experts at Athena Salon and Spa in Windsor today to make an appointment!

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Athena Salon and Spa, is a Windsor Salon that understands how busy women are and how empowering even the smallest act can be in making women feel more beautiful and confident on a daily basis. Mascara is one of those salon products that takes just a second but can make a huge difference.

In fact, mascara is one of the most essential and versatile makeup products that many women own. It can be worn alone to create a subtle effect or combined with other makeup to create a more striking look. It just depends on how you feel.  

So how does one go about choosing the best mascara for their look and lifestyle? Good question. Here are some ideas.

Waterproof vs. Water-Soluble

Water-soluble mascara is easy to remove without eye makeup remover. This helps to minimize rubbing the eyes which can lead to sagging skin around the eyes. Waterproof mascara is a good choice for athletes such as swimmers.

Color

Try choosing a mascara color based around your hair color. If you’re a brunette try a black mascara to bring out your eyes. If you’re fair-haired, try brown mascara for a more natural look. Also, don’t be afraid to play with colored mascaras, just make sure it’s appropriate for the occasion and the outfit.

Brush

Choose the mascara brush according to your preference. A straight brush can be used to coat the hard-to-reach corner lashes. A curved brush makes it easy to coat more lashes at once.

For more makeup tips and tricks make an appointment with an Athena beauty salon professional. Athena will help you create the look you want with the time that you have available.

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In addition, Athena Salon, Spa, & Wellness recycles, are energy efficient, and use an array of biodegradable or reusable products. In fact, they are the only Eminence Green Spa in the Northern Colorado area. Not sure what that means? Check out this video created by Eminence that takes you on a tour of Hungary to show you how Eminence Organic Skin Care products are beautifully hand-crafted.   

Eminence products not only naturally enhance your beauty, but also your well-being through their extraordinary products. They provide the healthiest and most effective skin care products and are committed to protecting the future of the planet through their green practices.

If you’ve been looking for a soothing and natural day spa experience, call Athena today.

You also won’t want to miss their Eminence Treatment Workshop on Saturday, May 11 at 12, 1, 2, or 3. A hands-on class that will educate clients and guests about how to properly cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize and properly utilize Eminence salon products. There is a reservation fee of $10 that can be applied to purchase and guests will receive a complimentary gift if they bring a friend.

Seating is limited so call Athena at 970-223-0273 to reserve a spot!

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For sounding so similar, what’s the difference between these two ingredients?

Both are considered retionoids which are made from vitamin A and promote faster skin cell turnover. They come in prescription form and in a number of over-the-counter products and help with the buildup of dead cells in your skin’s pores and promote the growth of healthy skin cells. Retinoids are some of the most proven and powerful options for treating skin care issues such as acne or aging. 

Retin-A is the brand name for a prescription form of Vitamin A, also called retinoic acid or tretinoin, it is manufactured by Ortho Dermatologics. Specifically it is Vitamin A in its oxidized form and is usually prescribed to clear up acne, lessen fine wrinkles, fade dark spots, or smooth sun-damaged skin.

Retinol is simply another word for Vitamin A and can be purchased over-the-counter in cosmetic products and vitamin supplements.  Vitamin A is also found in a number of foods such as carrots, pumpkin, and squash. Retinol is a less potent form of Vitamin A.

Neither retinoids nor retinols should be used by breastfeeding or pregnant women.

If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of using organic products, how to steer clear of harmful chemicals, as well as how to properly cleanse and moisturize your skin using organic skin care products, you won’t want to miss Athena’s Eminence Workshop this Saturday, May 11.

Understanding the difference between Retinol and Retin-A is only the beginning.  Seating is limited so guests are asked to call Athena at 970-223-0273 to reserve a spot at this revolutionary and beneficial educational event.

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To help their customers improve their skin’s vitality, Athena Salon and Spa is offering a unique experience. They are hosting a hands-on class that will educate clients and guests about how to properly cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize their skin using Eminence salon products. Eminence is a handmade organic skin care line from Hungary. Students will learn the benefits of using natural, organic products rather than harsh, over-the-counter and pharmaceutical brands that may contain harmful chemicals. 

The Eminence Treatment Workshop will take place on Saturday, May 11 at the Athena location at 7791 Highland Meadows Parkway in Windsor, CO. Attendees can choose from four different class times including 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. There is a reservation fee of $10 that can be applied to purchase and guests will receive a complimentary item if they bring a friend.  Seating is limited so guests are asked to call Athena at 970-223-0273 to reserve a spot at this revolutionary and beneficial educational event.

Eminence Organics is carried by Athena and will be used during the workshop.”Eminence has come out with incredible products that are active and show amazing results,” explains Athena owner, Angela Lund. “This skin care line is not only a healthy option for the skin and body but also for the environment.”

“We want to educate guests on the benefits of this line. There is a misconception that organic products are not as active as pharmaceutical products, but Eminence has developed an incredible line with their natural retinol alternative being 8% more active than pharmaceutical retinol and Eminence’s natural retinol alternative has no negative side effects.”

For more information on this event visit Athena’s website at www.spaathena.com.

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From organic bananas to organic household cleaners, people are discovering that buying organic is much healthier for you inside and out than most traditional products. Making sure that our faces and skin is being treated with soothing and natural ingredients is important when it comes to maintaining a healthy and beautiful complexion.

According to Globalhealingcenter.com, if you want to protect yourself from the harmful ingredients that are used in most commercial brands, it’s important to browse your options of organic skin care products and makeup.  Being an informed customer is half the battle. Once you’re familiar with some of the dangerous ingredients, as outlined in our previous post, and you’re aware of what natural ingredients you need to be looking for, then purchasing healthful items becomes much easier.

Usually when reading labels on skin care products the ingredients are listed in descending order according to the amount of ingredient that is in that specific product. There are a number of ingredients that are present in many types of skin products such as emollients, humectants, emulsifiers, surfactants, and preservatives.

It’s important to note, however, that these essential ingredients are available in both synthetic and natural versions. Synthetic versions can be harmful, whereas the natural versions are much healthier. By simply researching the product in question, you should be able to identify if the ingredients are natural or synthetic.

If you’ve been searching for the best in organic skin care and salon products, make sure to visit Athena Salon and Spa, Windsor’s premier beauty salon. They offer an array of natural and organic product lines and can help you establish a healthy skin and hair care regimen. Call Athena today at 970-223-0273.

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Organic skin care and makeup is another realm that is quickly gaining popularity. Making sure that our skin, especially our delicate facial skin is being treated with soothing and natural ingredients is important when it comes to maintaining a healthy and beautiful complexion. Athena Salon and Spa, a premier Windsor spa understands the importance of natural ingredients on our skin. They have an array of natural salon products and spa services that moisturize and rejuvenate naturally and steer clear of harmful toxins or other ingredients.

According to a recent blog post on Globalhealingcenter.com, Government regulations allow virtually any ingredient to be used in the manufacture of products that we use daily on our skin, hair and nails. The FDA establishes the regulations and standards in the US regarding the manufacture of drugs and food. The problem is that they do not pay as much attention to skin care or makeup products as they should. This has allowed for very harmful chemicals to be used in creating mass-marketed skin and spa products. Some of the harmful ingredients found in traditional products often include mercury, dioxane, ammonium laureth sulfate, isopropyl, polyethylene glycol, etc. 

Toxins like these are absorbed easily by the skin, however, the body has no way of ridding itself of them. Therefore, they have the ability of remaining in your body potentially damaging organs throughout your body.

How scary is that? Does it sound like you would want any of those ingredients even close to your delicate skin?  This is why it makes complete sense to not only pay attention to ingredients in salon products, but to make the extra effort to only use products that have a healthy and natural ingredient list.

Athena Salon and Spa understands the importance of a healthy and natural ingredient list when it comes to skin care and salon products which is why they offer  a number of organic and natural product lines including Eminence Organics, Farm House Fresh (a vegan and gluten free line), Eufora (using certified organic aloevera for it’s base, sulfate and paraben free), and Alfaparf color (with no amonia options).

In this blog series, we will continue to delve deeper into the benefits of organic skin care products and techniques in order to help you make better decisions and product purchases that are not only good for your skin but will also enhance your natural beauty.  Stay tuned for our next post that will explain how to read product labels and what to look for in organic skin care and makeup products.

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However, color-treated hair does need a bit of extra TLC to not only help preserve the color but to help replenish your hair’s natural moisture due to the harsh chemical dyes. Color-treated hair looks beautiful but without the necessary care can quickly resemble dry, brittle horse hair.

Here are some tips from Athena, a premier Windsor hair salon when it comes to maintaining shiny, healthy, color-treated locks.

Use shampoos, conditioners, and other salon products that are specially formulated for color-treated hair such as Eufora products available at Athena Salon and Spa. 

Use a deep-conditioning treatment once a week. Dyed hair is easily stripped of its natural essential oils and only a deep moisturizing treatment can help restore shine. Make sure to coat your entire head in the treatment, leave on for 10-15 minutes and then rinse thoroughly.

Try a hot oil treatment monthly as well. These treatments can be purchased from a local drugstore or your hair salon may have some suggestions as well. The oils from these treatments will be absorbed into your hair and can help smooth and flatten the hair cuticle making it shiny and soft.

Comb your hair with a wide-tooth comb to minimize breakage. Color-treated hair already runs the risk of being brittle and brushing it with a brush can often put too much stress on it causing it to become thin or break.

Apply quality leave-in conditioners to your hair after every shower. By simply spraying a leave-in conditioner onto your roots and tips, you can help hydrate your strands daily and also help lock in your hair color.

If you have any other questions about how to achieve the color-treated look you’ve always wanted or want to know how to best take care of existing hair color, call the beauty experts at Athena Salon. They will help you look and feel your best!

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