Staff Highlight: Misty Hardin

  We are very pleased to have Misty Hardin join us on staff full-time at Urban Sanctuary! Misty is a very talented esthetician who has been doing facials, waxing and make-up in Athens for several years. She knows the Naturopathica Skincare line very well, loves make-up, is very passionate about skin care and giving personal service. It shows.

Misty, what attracted you to the skin care profession?

I used to have really bad skin and was very self-conscious about my face. It really affected my social life. I was actually diagnosed with rosacea and I also had a lot of acne. When I finally got up the nerve to have my first  facial, I was 23. I had been discouraged about my skin for so many years by then, and I said to the lady, "I don't think you're going to be able to do anything about my skin because it's just so bad." The woman doing my facial said, "Of course I can help! Your skin isn't that bad." She was so encouraging, Dena Lafera, an Athens celebrity as it turns out!

I was really surprised at how much better my skin looked and felt after just one facial. The redness and irritation went down a lot! I felt so much better about my face and more confident in general... That's when I thought, I really want to do this for people - I could totally help people.


Where are you from, and how did you end up in Athens?

I'm from Gwinnett County and I grew up in Barrow County. I started driving to Athens every day for work after I graduated from the Atlanta School of Aesthetics. When I lived in Crawfordville, it used to take me an hour to drive to town each day to work and then I turned around, and did that drive again every night. After putting up with all of that driving for about a year and a half, I finally moved to Athens.

How do you like living here?

I love it! I love being close to everything. Living in Crawfordville, it took me 30-60 minutes to get to any stores.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I love to shop for clothes. I hang out with my family and my boyfriend a lot. We watch a lot of television. I listen to a whole lot of country music. People give me a hard time about it, but I just love country music.

Who do you like to listen to?

Alan Jackson, Reba, Rascal Platts, Eric Church, Hunter Hayes and Dolly Parton

What are your favorite TV shows and movies?

First 48 and Dance Mom 5. Also, The Notebook and Paul

     Misty gives an amazing facial. She loves doing make-up applications and has many years experience with make-up services dating back to her department store job years before she went to school for Esthetics. Her extensive knowledge of problem skin care coupled with her sweet and gentle personality make Misty a fine esthetician. Unwind at Urban Sanctuary. Have a facial, make-up application or waxing service with Misty. Call 706-613-3947 to get on her schedule. Misty works Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Treat yourself!

The Incredible Healing & Beauty Benefits of Seaweed

Seaweed is detoxifying, nourishing and renewing.

     Seaweed has been used as a health and beauty agent throughout the ages. Seaweed body wraps, baths and facials have been popular in spas for several decades. In addition to providing countless health and beauty benefits, seaweed puts people in touch with the infinite healing and rejuvenating energy of the ocean. It's just lovely to be able to experience that for those of us who live inland.

     At Urban Sanctuary, we currently offer a full-body seaweed mask and wrap. We will likely bring in other seaweed skin and body therapy offerings in the near future, due to seaweed's amazing healing properties and its rich mineral content... Here is a list of some of the main health and beauty benefits of topically applied seaweed, as well as the essential vitamins, minerals, amino acids and trace element contents.

Seaweed Applied to the Body in a Mask or Wrap:

• smooths and softens the skin
• eliminates dead skin cells
• heals psoriasis, eczema & dry skin conditions
• heals acne
• stimulates the body's metabolism
• facilitates the absorption of nutrients into the body
• facilitates the elimination of toxins and wastes
• facilitates recharging of the body's own systems
• stimulates circulation
• combats skin irritation and inflammation
• helps slow the aging process
• protects the skin from harsh elements and pollution
• is instrumental in maintaining a healthy body and skin
• promotes an enhanced sense of well-being and focus
• energizes the body

 
Seaweed is packed with more than 60 essential minerals and trace elements, including:

• iodine
• potassium
• calcium
• magnesium
• phosphorus
• iron
• zinc
• manganese
• selenium

Seaweed contains many vitamins essential to maintaining healthy energy and youthful skin:

• A1
• B1, B2, B6 & B12
• C
• E
• K
• pantothenic acid
• folic acid
• niacin
• essential fatty acids

     A seaweed body wrap creates an amazing exchange for your body. Your pores open up and release sweat and toxins during the treatment. With the release of these toxins, pent up tensions, negativity and stress are also released, freeing you to experience a wonderful "letting go". The seaweed also facilitates the absorption of  countless nutrients into your system, stimulating your metabolism and recharging your entire body. The result is smooth, supple skin, a recharged body and feeling brand new.

     A series of 4-6 weekly seaweed wraps is ideal from a skin & body conditioning standpoint. Anyone wanting to jumpstart their metabolism will enjoy great support from a series of seaweed wraps. Wanting to recover your skin from harsh elements in the air and water? Try four seaweed wraps over a period of 4-8 weeks. If you are focused on detoxing from caffeine, nicotine or anything else you are trying to purge from your system, a once or twice per week series will be very instrumental in your detoxification process...

     Our wraps include a dry brush exfoliation to prep the body for the mask. You may choose to pair your seaweed wrap with a salt scrub instead of the dry brushing. This is a good combination. Choose from our aromatherapy salt scrubs selection on the Scrubs, Mud and Seaweed page on our website. We have body scrub choices ranging from energizing and detoxing to deeply relaxing. Seaweed wraps also pair well with 30 or 60 minute massages and facials. Consult our service menu for options and pricing.


     Whether you choose to schedule a seaweed wrap as a one-time treat or a series, you'll benefit from the nourishing and healing effects of this marine wonder. Call Urban Sanctuary at 706-613-3947 with questions or write to candice@urbansanctuaryspa.com. 

*** Seaweed wraps are contraindicated for people in the acute stages of sunburn, those allergic to iodine or seaweed, people on heavy doses of medication (check with your doctor if you are not sure about your medication's interaction with seaweed) and women who are pregnant.