Here at SFR we are proud to be working with Sea of Spa, one of only three brands in the world to receive the prestigious “Israel Dead Sea Product” certification.

Dead Sea mineral salts are highly sought after for their healing powers. They are well known for their therapeutic properties but what you don’t know about them is that many products that claim their benefits either contain a negligible amount of them or contain salts that have been treated and processed, there by removing most of the beneficial properties.

Sea of Spa products are made in Israel, home of the Dead Sea, and only use authentic Dead Sea salts and minerals. Their Black Pearl line combines the beneficial effects of Dead Sea minerals with the beauty enhancing qualities of black pearl powder and red seaweed. This rejuvenating combination of ingredients makes the Black Pearl products unique and very effective.

For a limited time only when you purchase Black Pearl facial products you will receive a FREE Luxurious Black Pearl Hand and Nail Cream ($27.00 value) with your purchase. All of this plus FREE SHIPPING to anywhere in the USA. Hurry while supplies last.

With all of the responsibilities that we have today, being able to quickly get the things that you need without leaving the house or office has become very appealing. Along with all of that convenience is a certain amount of risk but you don’t need to be put off by it. Here at SFR we’ve assembled a list of things to look for when shopping online that will help keep your experience safe and satisfying.

1. Site Security -
When you visit a website you want to make sure that it is a safe place to enter your personal information. Online sellers try to make this as easy as possible for you to discern. You want to look for security logos that certify the site as secure. You will often find them in the header or the footer of the home page.

2. Feedback -
Most websites will have a place for you to read feedback and reviews from previous buyers. This can be a great tool when trying to decide on a specific model or brand. Product reviews will often list helpful information about the practicality or effectiveness of a particular item.

3. Images -
When choosing a product it’s important to be able to see the details of the item. Good images are key. If the image is too small for you to get a good look at the product or if they don’t look professional you might not want to take the risk. The more you know about the product before it arrives to your doorstep the better the odds are that you will not be disappointed with your purchase.

4. Return Policy -
When you buy online you don’t have a chance to look the product over in person so it becomes very important to know the details of the return policy. It’s easy to gloss over the fine print in a rush to complete your transaction but a little bit of research now could save you a big headache later. The return policy should be easy to locate and understand. If it’s too difficult to find or too convoluted you might want to shop around a bit more.

5. Warranty -
Most electronics and bigger ticket items come with warranties. It’s a good idea to find out the details of that warranty ahead of time. It’s important to register your product. When you open up the box and see that little card it’s easy to set it aside in your excitement to try out your new purchase. Most warranties require that the product be registered. It’s good practice to take the time when you first receive your product to go ahead and fill out the warranty card and send it in.

6. Shipping Costs -
One of the main reasons that people hesitate to buy online is the idea that you are paying extra for shipping. There are a lot of great companies out there who offer free shipping promotions. On top of the fact that online prices are often quite a bit lower than in store prices, a free shipping promotion is an excellent deal. Make sure that you enter your address correctly. If you are having your item shipped to a PO box keep in mind that there are certain carriers who don’t deliver to PO boxes. If you aren’t going to be home during delivery hours and you don’t trust the safety of having your package left on your porch make sure that you request a signature upon delivery. If you are buying internationally it’s important to factor in the customs fees that you will be required to pay when you have your package imported.

7. Delivery Time -
Another reason people don’t like to buy online is that they don’t want to wait for their products to arrive. You’d be surprised at how quickly you can receive your package if it is shipped with the right method. USPS Priority mail only takes 3-4 days to arrive anywhere in the USA. Make a note of the location of the company you are buying from. Even though the store is online the shipping address may be near by. If the company is shipping from a nearby state you will most likely get your package a few days sooner than if it’s being shipped all the way across the country or overseas.

8. Customer Service -
If you aren’t sure about a certain company or product don’t hesitate to call or write and ask a few basic questions. If the company is a good place to shop they will be more than happy to help you with a number of things including which model would work best for you, navigating the site, estimates on time in transit to your particular address etc. Good customer service goes a long way

9. Payment Method –
A lot of sites are allowing customers to use third party payment systems such as Paypal. Paypal is a well known and trusted payment service that gives customers some added protection. Check to see if the site you are ordering from allows this type of payment as it can give you an added sense of security.

10. Gift Wrapping –
Shopping online can be a life saver during the holiday seasons. You can avoid the mall crowds and get something for everyone on your list without leaving the house. You can have their packages sent directly to them. Look for websites that offer gift wrapping options. Keep in mind that shipping during a holiday week will cause your shipment to be slightly delayed. If you need your package to be delivered by a certain date and you are unsure about holiday delays don’t hesitate to call or e-mail someone at the site. They will be able to tell you what your options are as far as delivery times during the holidays.

The first day of school will be here before you know it.  Accessories are a great way to revitalize your look without over-spending.  We’ve made a list of some affordable yet stylish accessories that can be worn by students of all ages.  Save big with these deals on accessories that won’t break your bank.

1. Adjustable Decorative Headbands ~
   They come in sets of two colors so that you can mix and match them throughout your wardrobe.  Choose between four different designs (Flowers, Hearts, Chain or Oval) The adjustable backing makes them a sure fit for any head size.
2. Variety Pack Claw Clips ~
   They come in a pack of 6 different colors so you can mix and match them to suit your wardrobe. Their unique vignette design is very stylish and the wood grain finish gives them an added flair.  They can be worn in a variety of ways.
3. Leopard Print Scarves ~
   These imported leopard print scarves are an affordable way to dress up any outfit.  It can be worn as a shawl, a belt, or headband.  They come in four different shades (orange, tan, yellow and white) of leopard print.  They are very affordable yet high quality.

Here at SFR we all have our favorite products. We thought it might be useful to share with you our personal staff product reviews.  We understand that individual reviews and feedback become very important when shopping online. We hope you find our list helpful. Feel free to add your own reviews and comments.

1. Swisa Beauty Dead Sea Mineral Shampoo
   One of the owners of the company uses this product. She says it adds both body and shine to her hair. It has no parabens in it so does not dry the scalp at all. It also smells great.
2. Le Angelique Heated Eyelash Curler
   Our customer service representative swears by this product.
   She says that she used to spend a lot of money on fancy mascara to no avail. She was happy to learn that this inexpensive tool made all the difference. She uses it before applying her mascara and it lasts all day. Even the simplest no-frills mascara will suffice when used along side this eyelash curler.
3. Swisa Beauty Dead Sea Rainbow Salt Souffle
   Our office manager uses this salt soufflé to nourish and exfoliate dry skin.  She says that it has a pleasing light citrus scent and works well to moisturize and smooth out her skin. It’s affordable and the bright colors look great on the shower shelf.
4. Groovy Soundmaker Machine
   We decided to break from our normal inventory of hair and beauty products to add this useful gadget. The owners of the company put their little boy to sleep every night with the peaceful “white noise” setting.  Use it at home or bring it with you when traveling and you don’t have to worry about outside noise. It really helps to get a full nights sleep. It has multiple sound settings.
5. Swisa Beauty Body Butter
   Our in-house IT expert has very discerning tastes when it comes to fragrances. He uses the Swisa Milk and Honey Dead Sea Body Butter because it has a sweet and subtle fragrance that is not overwhelming.

Why wear colors off the shelf when you can create your own signature look?
Bella Pierre has an extensive line of shimmers and glitters that can be worn ‘as is’ or mixed with a variety of mixing products to create something completely new. Don’t see the exact shade of lip gloss that you’d like? Make it yourself. Not only is it fun to experiment with but you can get a variety of products out of just one shimmer.
Match your makeup to your outfit. Match your eye shadow to your nail polish. The possibilities are endless.

They have several kits to get you started and they come with how-to dvd’s so that you are not just getting the product but tutorial as well. They have a variety of kits which contain tones for your specific complexion. Whether you want something “Vibrant” or something a little more “Natural” they have something for everyone. If you aren’t sure which color you’d prefer get a 9 stack. Save by buying them in batches.

They also have quite a few brushes. Each one is designed to help you expertly apply the powders to different parts of the face. The “Fan Brush” has a unique tip designed for seamless blending. The “Shadow Brush” is angled to allow you to apply liner accurately.
The 10 piece brush set has a little of everything. The 4 piece travel set fits nicely into your purse and contains the essentials.

The products are Paraben free and provide SPF protection.
Conventional foundation is made with 90% fillers and 10% color pigment. Fillers such as talc, oil, preservatives, dye and fragrances are the number one cause for break outs and skin irritations. Mineral foundation avoids the use of Talc, a common product used in conventional foundation which has been shown to be a carcinogen. Mineral Foundation is made with all natural ingredients such as Mica, Zinc Oxides, Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide. These are minerals all mined from the earth and they go through a process. They are coated and treated and then micronized to get the different colors. Unlike conventional cosmetics, mineral powders allow your skin to breath, not locking in toxins and waste.

Here at SFR we are excited to announce that we now carry Amika.
Amika is an advanced line of styling products that will allow you to quickly and easily create professional quality results no matter what your hair type or desired style.
Amika is usually sold exclusively through another website but we were able to get a great deal on two of their best products.

We now carry the Amika Prostyler in Silver or Gold:

1 inch Tourmaline Ceramic plates
Nano technology
Floating plate technology
Infrared heat
Swivel Cord

This ultra premium flat iron combines three different cutting-edge technologies in one styling tool.

The Ceramic plates embedded with Tourmaline create high concentrations of cuticle smoothing negative ions and heat that is distributed evenly throughout the plates.

Nano Silver Technology keeps the hair moist while removing harmful bacteria which can cause damage.

Ultra light weight floating plates allows you to use a variety of styling techniques.

The product is great, the manufacturer is great, the packaging is gorgeous, and the price can’t be beat.

We think you’ll love these new products as much as we do.

Mother’s Day is fast approaching and we’d like to suggest some great gifts for the mother(s) in your life. In honor of these special ladies we are offering 15% off on all Sea of Spa products.

 These high quality products are full of ingredients to sooth and pamper her. There are three specialty lines to choose from so you can pick the one that best suits her style.

Would she prefer Black Pearl?
Among other anti-aging ingredients this line also contains precious pearl powder. It’s revolutionary complex is very effective at reducing the signs of aging.

How about Alternative Plus?
Rich in vitamins A C E and F, this line also contains pure almond and olive oil. It’s rich and beneficial formula keeps skin nourished and healthy looking.

Maybe she’d prefer Snow White?
These luxurious bath and body products will help her relax. Their soothing fragrance and silky feel will leave her looking and feeling great. The gorgeous packaging makes this a perfect gift.

Regardless of which product suits her best you can feel good about getting it for a bargain. Use the coupon code “md2009” and receive 15% off.

We hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day.

Image Courtesy Of : http://www.myspace.com/missywerner

In honor of the Grand Opening of our new facility we are having a warehouse sale.

On Saturday, April 25th we’ll be offering lots of discounts and specials on our top selling brands:
Sea of Spa, Swisa Beauty, Corioliss, Cortex, Epilady, Velluto Del Mar and many others…

This is the perfect opportunity to get your Mother’s Day shopping squared away. We are even giving away free gift bags so you don’t have to worry about wrapping them when you get home. If you are in the area stop by, have some tea and snacks, test out the products and leave feeling good about getting such a great bargain.

SFRproducts
3095 Kerner Blvd. Suite X,
San Rafael, CA 94901

Remember it’s Saturday April 25th,
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

We look forward to seeing you there.

Image Courtesy Of : http://www.forestbooks.com/pages/shopping.htm

Do You Want to straighten your hair for style or manageability, but not sure about the potential damage?  If you’re wondering whether or not you can safely and attractively straighten your hair, the answer is yes.  You just have to do it right.  Here are some basic hair straightening tips that’ll help you minimize damage, prevent breakage, and maintain the healthiest hair possible.  Let’s take a look.

There’s a lot of information out there about taking care of your hair in general, and about straightening in specific.  It can be really hard to tell which ones are for real.  However, if you take a little time and learn about your hair and its structure, you’ll soon be able to tell the true tips from the myths.  For instance, if you’ve heard that it’s possible to prevent heat from damaging your hair in any way, you’re in for an unpleasant surprise.

While there are lots of things we can do to soften the blow, heat styling will always cause some amount of damage.  That’s why those of us with curly or wavy hair should avoid hair straightening on a daily basis.  Too much use of a heat styling appliance will cause dryness and breakage, because we’re using heat to change the nature of our hair!  However, that doesn’t mean that the occasional use of a straightening iron means permanent problems.  Just choose your straightening days carefully, and use other methods to control unruly hair on ordinary days.

Regular deep conditioning can do a lot to help your hair recover from occasional hair straightening.  Just remember that there’s no such thing as a product that will completely fix your hair.  So called hair repair products simply use an outer coating of silicone to make the damage seem to disappear.  They can’t remove it entirely.  If you straighten with a hair dryer, remember that a strong air flow is more important than a very hot one.

Colored hair is more likely to be damaged by straighteners, too.  Both bleaching and coloring and heat styling are hard on hair.  Together, they do more damage than they could alone, making your hair even more fragile.  You can use a straightening gel and a flat brush along with a dryer on a very gentle setting to get a less wavy result if you prefer to color your hair.  That’ll reduce breakage and frizz, though both coloring and straightening aren’t ideal.

Straightening isn’t the miracle that some people claim, but it’s not the end of your hair, either.  If you do it carefully and take extremely good care of your hair, you’ll get the least damage.  Just don’t rely on hair straighteners on a daily basis, or you could start seeing bad side effects.  Remember - your hair is pretty delicate, and needs quality care.

Image Courtesy Of http://www.newlookhair.com.au/services/straightening/

Are you looking for the healthiest, best looking hair possible?  A lot of people are, but their daily hair care routines are actually damaging their locks beyond repair.  The vast majority of hair care products make your hair look good on a short term basis, but when it comes to long term, healthy hair, they’re not a great idea.  Even a small change in your routine could make a big difference in how well your hair resists splits, flyaway ends, and other damage.  Let’s take a look at some of the top hair care secrets you could be implementing in your life.  The difference they make is incredible.

The first thing you need to do is think about the type of hair you have.  Very fine, straight hair will require different care than coarser, curly hair, or anything in between.  The oils and conditioners that make curls look their best will weight lighter hair down and make it look dull and lifeless.  Over frequent washing can turn waves and kinks into a ball of puffy frizz.  Think hard about your hair type.  Make sure you’re paying attention to what it’s really like, not assuming it can turn into the type you wish you had.

Once you know what your hair type is, you can figure out what kind of washing schedule and methods you should use.  That’s right - different people should wash their hair with different frequency.  For some, every other day is fine.  For others, this leaves hair frizzy and dry - washing less often and simply making sure that the hair isn’t oily or dull is all that’s needed.  If you wash every day, there’s a good chance you’re causing a lot of damage by stripping out your natural oils.  You might even be making your hair oilier!  That’s because over washing makes your scalp produce even more.

Remember to comb your hair carefully before you wash, to get any tangles out.  Wet hair is far more fragile than dry hair, and if you comb after washing, you’ll get a lot more breakage.  Use a comb, not a brush, and start from the bottom.  Work your way up to the top, and don’t pull knots out.  That just results in broken hair and split ends.  Be gentle - after all, the ends of your hair could be up to several years old.  People with very long hair could have ends that are five years old or more!

When it comes to cleaning your hair, remember to pick a mild product with high quality ingredients.  There are lots of great options on the market, and plenty of products that are actually bad for your hair!  The best way to choose the right one is to learn what the ingredients in hair care products are and what they do, then read your labels.  Remember - just because a shampoo says it’s right for your hair doesn’t mean it will be. Use a small amount of shampoo right on the scalp - don’t pile your ends up and squish them around.  That’ll just cause tangles and dry out the ends.  Shampooing twice in one shower is overkill.

Don’t forget about the conditioner.  These products add in a little healthy natural oil, since even the best shampoos overdo it a little.  Even simple, pure coconut oil can make a great conditioner if you use it in small enough amounts.  Remember that products that promise to “repair” or “smooth” your hair are probably using silicone derivatives for it.  They’ll make your hair slick by coating it in silicone, but they can’t really fix broken strands.

Image Courtesy Of http://www.hairstylestalk.com/