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Using a Personal Stylist: Not Just for the Rich & Famous!

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“I have nothing to wear!,” said every woman, ever. It’s the age-old story of girl meets dress, girl falls out of love with dress, girl does a complete wardrobe overhaul. But what if you hate shopping? Live in yoga pants? Can’t seem to break out of your t-shirt and jeans uniform? 

Enter: your personal stylist. Once reserved for celebs and the ultra-rich, personal stylists are now as accessible as your cell phone!

Seriously, it’s a new decade. Time to improve your confidence and put your best, cute shoed foot forward. Here are just some of the ways you can expect your life to change when you use a personal stylist.

What does a personal stylist do?

Before we go into detail about the life-changing art of personal styling, let’s first get you acquainted with the process.

The main goal of a personal stylist is to get your wardrobe in tiptop shape. They’ll help you identify your personal style and put together ready-to-wear outfits that fit your lifestyle.

First things first, what’s the state of your closet? Your personal stylist will usually start by helping you sift through your current wardrobe. During this process they’ll be able to identify holes to fill and encourage you to give away anything that isn’t up to par.  Afterwards, a personal stylist will often do the shopping for you. Other times you might accompany them so they can get a better sense of what you’re drawn to. In either case, you’ll probably start with basic and essential pieces, and with their help, build different outfits for different scenarios.

Most people think that personal stylists are slaves to trends and will make you conform to the new “in”. What they don’t realize is while yes, they are equipped with knowledge of todays looks and the trends of the seasons, personal stylists are PERSONAL. They are there to not only there to pick and buy your clothes, they are there to boost your self confidence so that you can walk through town with your head held high knowing that you look good.

Now that you know a bit more about how personal styling works, here’s why it works!

You’ll Spend Less Time Shopping

Can’t stand crowds? Does the idea of digging through racks and stacks of clothing make you want to tear your hair out? Let your personal stylist do the hunting for you. That’s what they’re there for. Even in today’s day and age of online retailers and shopping it is easy to get lost in poor quality items and millions of fake promotions. The stylist is geared and equipped to navigate the sales, the trends, and even the mess of Black Friday shopping.

You’ll Never Miss a Sale

Everyone loves a bargain. Personal stylists keep tabs on all the in-store and online sales. Be it a flash sale or end of season clearance, you’ll be the first to know.  It is their job to learn what brands are your preference and then to find you the best deal on those brands.

Your Clothes will be Tailored to You

Whether you have your clothes tailored to fit your frame, or simply want outfits that are “tailored” to your lifestyle, a personal stylist can easily orchestrate both. Your stylist is there to understand your body type and sizes. They then use you as a blank canvas to keep you up to date in the latest styles and trends while making you feel and look good in clothes and styles that are meant to fit you.

You’ll Get Out of the House Faster

Never be late to meeting or date again. Well, at least not because of outfit indecision. A personal stylist will help you construct grab-and-go ensembles for every occasion. These template outfits can be used time and time again or customized for the occasion.

You’ll Feel More Like Yourself

It’s true that the clothes don’t make the person. However, when you feel good about yourself, it shows. Your clothing is ultimately an extension of your personality and communicates so much to the world. The stylist will make sure that you are ultimately comfortable with yourself in a new look. If you are ready for a change and decide to turn things upside down, they will be there to help. If however you decide to just change up small things or just want to experiment with new styles, you will have access to you an educated opinion and keen eye for fashion.

With a personal stylist in your corner, you don’t have to be a fashion expert to look like one!

xoxo,

Gina

Click on the stylist tab on ginasplatform.com or on the Gina’s Platform mobile app to find a personal stylist near you.

Gina Rivera

Gina Rivera

Beauty Icon and Expert

Gina Rivera skyrocketed to success when the company she founded in 2007, Phenix Salon Suites, became the fastest-growing salon suite company in the beauty industry. With more than 300 locations nationally and international expansion occurring in the UK, Entrepreneur Magazine named Phenix Salon Suites a Top 500 Franchise list seven years running.

    Massage: Which Type Is Right For Me?

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    The human touch is a powerful thing. For the last 5,000 years humans have indulged in massage for a variety of mental and physical health benefits. Different cultures have perfected their versions of the therapeutic rubdown, adding various techniques in the process. 

    Today, massage remains one of life’s most universally enjoyable experiences. There are hundreds of variations to choose from, so picking the right type of rubdown can be painfully overwhelming. We have consulted with massage therapists on what type of massage is best for different needs and different pains that you may be experiencing.

    Don’t stress. Ahead are ten popular massage types and a little guidance to help you get the one you’ll most enjoy.

    Best Massage for First Timers – Swedish Massage

    Swedish massages are the most common form of bodywork – and for good reason. This ‘best all around’ rubdown  helps with a host of healing properties from improved circulation and relaxation to decreased muscle tension and joint pain. This is best experienced as a “full body” massage to dissolve your built up tension.

    Best Massage for Relaxation – Hot Stone Massage

    Sore muscles are best soothed into submission with a hot stone massage. The masseuse uses flat, warmed rocks to loosen muscles through heat transference. The combination of stone and hand kneading will melt mental and physical stressors.  

    Best Massage for Tension Relief – Deep Tissue Massage

    If you have seriously tense muscles, and a high pain tolerance, a deep tissue massage may be the perfect remedy. This technique focuses on the deepest layers of your muscles and connective tissues. It’s a hurts-so-good type that will likely leave you sore after. Talk with your massage therapist about the best practices and activities to reduce the tension and soreness that may creep back in.

    Best Mood-Lifting Massage – Aromatherapy Massage

    Essential oils are said to emit mood-elevating properties. When these concentrated plant extracts are used in an aromatherapy massage, it can be a mood-altering, anxiety-relieving experience that lasts long after you leave the table. Ask your massage therapist about which oils and scents are right for the mood of your choice.

    Best Massage for Knots – Trigger Point Massage

    Does your back pain feel like it’s radiating from one particular spot? A professional trigger point massage could help “untangle” you by using a technique that micro-targets myofascial pain. This type of massage is very similar to a deep tissue massage. It mostly just targets specific areas of your body that are plagued by knots.

    Best Massage for Athletes – Sports Massage

    Sports massages take their cue from Swedish and deep tissue massages. They’re designed to help athletic types improve their performance while treating the soreness and pain that comes from being super active. This massage tends to be more firm to release the strained muscles that come from exercise and physical activity.

    Best Fully Clothed Massage – Shiatsu Massage

    Not sure you want to completely disrobe in front of a total stranger? Try Shiatsu massage. It hails from Japan and is known for increasing the body’s natural energy flow. Practitioners make rhythmic gestures over your clothes, using just their hands and palms to increase your comfort levels.

    Best Rejuvenating Massage – Thai Massage

    If you’re a yogi or simply love the feeling of stretching your muscles, definitely try Thai massage. During this interactive spa session your masseuse will manipulate and extend different parts of your body, using different parts of theirs. You’ll leave more flexible and energized without having to do any of the work yourself. A word of warning as more than likely if this is chosen as your first therapeutic massage you may leave more sore than when you first came in. Be sure to limber up and drink plenty of water!

    Best Spiritual Massage – Ayurvedic Massage

    Ayurvedic massage is part of a 3,000-year-old medical practice that began in India. This full body treatment is paired with ancient techniques and oils that are said to have spiritual properties associated with them.

    Best Massage for Specific Injuries – Neuromuscular massage

    Neuromuscular massage is a cousin of the trigger point technique. It’s best for treating things like pulled muscles, back spasms, and lower back aches. It’s also good for helping heal soft tissue injuries by improving blood flow and oxygen levels.

    If you are pregnant, especially in the early stages, some massages could be dangerous for your baby’s health. Please consult your doctor as to the best time to pause and resume your massages as some prenatal massages can be extremely relaxing and great for your mental state.

    Ultimately, massages are supposed to be relaxing. Next time you find yourself stressing about which type to choose, consult this guide to make sure nothing rubs you the wrong way.

    xoxo,

    Gina

    Click on the Massage tab on ginasplatform.com or on the Gina’s Platform mobile app to find a massage professional near you.

    Gina Rivera

    Gina Rivera

    Beauty Icon and Expert

    Gina Rivera skyrocketed to success when the company she founded in 2007, Phenix Salon Suites, became the fastest-growing salon suite company in the beauty industry. With more than 300 locations nationally and international expansion occurring in the UK, Entrepreneur Magazine named Phenix Salon Suites a Top 500 Franchise list seven years running.