the myShobha.com blog

updates from our team about hair removal & other super cool stuff. var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-20711495-2']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); var sc_project=5926926; var sc_invisible=1; var sc_security="7037d5af"; var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-20711495-2']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();

[myshobha-blog]

how to have a great brow day everyday

by: aja m.

we all know the power of having a great brow day, now imagine that feeling everyday -  sounds almost too good to be true, right? brow tinting gives you an instant & long lasting brow boost all the while minimizing the amount of daily maintenance, brow gels, pencils & powders needed for achieving your brow goals.

how does it work?

much like hair coloring, brow tinting is the process of temporarily tinting your brow hairs to create thicker, more youthful looking brows! our brow tint formula is made with natural plant extracts – perfect for all of our natural product junkies. it’s also great if you’re sensitive to traditional hair color.

how often should you tint?

generally speaking, we would recommend every 4 -6 weeks however, everyone’s face cleaning regiment is a little different so it all depends on the types of cleanser you use & how often you exfoliate. if you hit the gym pretty regularly or find yourself a little sweatier than most, then tinting every 3-4 weeks is best.

why you need this brow game-changer

you can finally cut back on the multiple brow products in your current beauty routine & just stick to using pencil (or literally #wakeuplikethis). remember brow tinting only adds color to the hairs & not any spaces you may have in your brows. plus, it’s perfect for staying glam while camping, swimming, or going on vacation.

*special offer* to all of our first time tinters – add-on the wow factor to your brow threading appointment for only $10 (up to $35 value)

if you'd like to schedule an appointment or have any more questions, please feel free to contact us by giving us a call at 212.931.8363 or schedule via our online portal:  https://sho20875.na.book4time.com/OnlineBooking/! 

[myshobha-blog]

win a Shobha Laser Hair Removal Service!

by: aja m.

did you know? entering to win a complementary laser treatment  is super simple.

3 easy steps to enter:

# 1: find a Shobha Location near you.

# 2:  walk, strut or skip right up to the front desk & look for the fishbowl labeled “enter your business card for a chance to win.”

# 3: drop your business card in the Shobha Fishbowl & ta-da!! you’ve just entered to win a complementary Shobha Laser Treatment!

easy peasy, right!? so next time you're in for a visit, make the most of your checkout experience by dropping your business card in our fishbowl for a chance to win! it's a sea of possibilities #cantresistagoodpun

good luck & “may the odds be ever in your favor” 

[myshobha-blog]

how-to be fresh-faced in 5 minutes (the Shobha Way)

by: aja m.

beauty sleep is a major key to looking your best when you have meetings to attend, errands to run, & after work for drinks with friends. sometimes we find ourselves up way past our bedtimes binging on our fave tv shows causing us to do to bare minimum in the morning - however, your beauty routine should never suffer! here are our quick & easy beauty tips to look bright, glowy, & like you’ve got your stuff together (even when you don’t).

ready. set. glow!

step 1: start off with a freshly washed face

if you’re in a rush, grab a rosewater freshening cloth to wipe away any leftover makeup from the day before.

step 2: pick a stick foundation & apply it

stick foundations are the ultimate mess-free way to quickly cover the largest parts of your face. plus, you can easily apply it while on-the-go.

start by swiping your foundation on the areas that need the most coverage (i.e your cheeks, forehead, chin & any problem areas). then, grab your makeup applicator & begin to blend out for a flawless complexion.

step 3: conceal, conceal, conceal!

we love bags that match our outfits, but not the ones that sit under our eyes. make sure to use a full coverage concealer & conceal/highlight the key points of your face; under your eyes, bridge of the nose, chin & forehead. for a little more of a glam, use a concealer 1-2 shades lighter than your skin.

step 4: pick a multi-purpose product to apply as blush & lip color

the au natural rose gold highlighter is a perfect duo-purpose crème product that will add beautiful color to your lips, cheeks, & highlight areas! If you want to share your glow with your co-workers, you can layer a crème highlight on top of your new rosy cheeks. we love the au natural crème highlighter in original gold.

step 5: mascara & brows

while a bold brow is definitely on our must-do makeup list, sometimes we don’t have the extra time that it takes to achieve that look. as a speedy alternative, reach for the cocokind organic brow balm in your beauty bag. it is the fool proof way for filling in your brows & you can even use your fingertips to appy it! if you find that you have a minute to spare, then we suggest using the ecobrow to dab, fill & blend to perfection. lastly, apply mascara only to your top lashes & you’re good to go!

[myshobha-blog]

new silicone makeup sponge at Shobha SoHo!

by: aja m.

major psa** the newest beauty tool sweeping the internet is right here at Shobha SoHo!!

if you haven’t heard, perhaps because you’ve been weathering winter under too many blankets, there’s a brand new beauty tool in town -- & all of twitter on the internet. made completely of silicone, this applicator has makeup lovers everywhere dying to get their hands on it. some of them are even resorting to extreme measures like using their bra inserts as a dupe (special thanks to nikkie tutorials’ #boobieblender tutorial).

ladies, save your “chicken cutlets” for what they are meant for, we’ve got the silicone magic right here at Shobha!

5 reasons why we love this silicone sponge!

1. since this mini makeup chicken cutlet (aka bra insert) is non-porous & made out of silicone, it does not soak up all 3 pumps of foundation we often generously use for our flawless face routines.

less makeup wasted = more money to buy more makeup!

2. it provides a super flawless finish when blending in cream or liquid products. 

pro-tip* if it makes a weird noise when patting it against your face, that means you’re doing it right! using it in swiping motions may cause a streaky look (no bueno).

3. it only takes 5 second to clean with just soap & water or a makeup removing wipe.

to our fellow clean freaks, you’ll save a ton of time vs. cleaning your brushes &/or beauty blender & have a germ-free application every time!

4. it fits easily in the palm of your hand. super small in size, it takes up less space in our beauty bags & perfect for on-the-go situations like jet-setting to warmer places this winter (even if that’s just while day dreaming on your ride to the office).

5. it’s life time expectancy is over a year which is 4 times longer than its ever so popular rival, the beauty blender.

so no need to join that *out of stock* waiting list & pay extra for shipping; we’ve got them at Shobha SoHo along with other amazing natural beauty products that will transform your 2017 beauty routine.

[myshobha-blog]

8 frequently asked laser hair removal questions, including why winter is laser’s best season!

does laser hair removal still seem magical & mysterious to you?  if only you had nyc’s best hair removal professionals to answer all of your very hairy questions (cough* Shobha*cough)… wait – you do!  we put bets that if you keep reading we’ll answer at least one (if not many) of your questions about getting lasered.

plus, if you make it to the end, you’ll learn why it’s best to start laser treatments now!

#1 q: what type of laser is used at Shobha?

a: after researching, human guinea pigging & discovering that not all lasers have been created equal, we opted for the best of the best – the cynosure elite+!  our laser equipment offers both the yag & the alex lasers, as well as a cooling device to provide the most effective results for the broadest range of skin & hair types, including even darker complexions!

all of our Shobha Laser Specialists are licensed & have received 100+ hours of training to ensure you receive a safe & effective treatment every.single.time.

#2

q: do you offer any laser specials?

a: the short answer is YES!  check out this blog post dedicated to saving money on laser à http://tinyurl.com/savemoneyonlaser

#3

q:  what Shobha locations offer laser?

a: Shobha Laser Treatments are available for face & body (including the bikini area) now at Shobha SoHo, Shobha Columbus Circle & Shobha Dupont Circle. stay tuned as we have plans to expand to other locations as well!  email us at [email protected] if there is a specific one you want!

#4

q: i have my first laser appointment tomorrow for the bikini area, what should i do before my visit to prepare?

a: shave the night before or the morning of, as it’s always best to shave the area within the 24 hours before your appointment. & remember, the closer the shave the better. for bikini services, leave the any areas where you want to leave hair unshaven.

#5

q: what can i expect after my first treatment?

a: laser hair removal is a great way to reduce hair growth for the long haul, eliminate targeted hairs for good, take care of bumps & ingrowns & have stubble-free smooth skin. after your first treatment you will notice the hairs start to fall out over the next 5-30 days. this will happen gradually. after the first 48 hours we recommend exfoliating to help along the process, using a washcloth or Shobha® Exfoliating Cloth on the area when bathing & shaving.

#6

q: why do I need multiple sessions?

a: humans are hairy! there are approximately 3,000 hair follicles per every inch of the body. fortunately, not all of your hairs are active. with laser, you'll need multiple sessions to get the most effective results as the hairs need to be in the active hair growth phase (anagen phase) to be targeted, which varies hair to hair. since not all of your hairs will be in the anagen phase at the same time (even if you see an actual hair) it is important to receive multiple treatments for the same area.

#7

q: i have always wanted to permanently remove the hair, but i’ve heard that laser doesn’t work on blonde hair. is this true?

a: while we do use the industry leading, top-of-the-line laser equipment specifically for hair removal, it is true that some hair colors are not able to be treated effectively (e.g., platinum blonde, white, grey & some strawberry blonde shades).  to properly assess if laser would be a good option for you, we suggest you come in for a FREE, 15-minute consultation. simply schedule your visits at myShobha.com or give us a ring 212.931.8363.

*****question of the season****

#8

q: when is the best time to start my laser treatments?

late fall & winter are the best times to rev up your laser sessions if one of your summer goals is super smooth skin for carefree, scantily-clad days. during these colder months you won’t have to be as strategic about your sunbathing routine which leaves more time & flexibility for your new laser regimen.  (side note: if you have sun exposure, we have to go easier on the laser levels to protect your skin, which means less effective treatments, more treatments – & thus more mullah.)  

still have other questions?  here are some quick links for additional info:  

frequently asked questions

services

prices

[myshobha-blog]

title: 3 must-have products for your flawless 2017 face

by: aja m.

happy new year!!!

we are so happy to be leaving 2016 behind us & ready to conquer 2017, starting by putting our best faces forward… literally. we’ve collected a few of our fave complexion products to help you show 2017 who’s boss (which you can grab at any Shobha Salon). check them out down below!

every flawless face begins with healthy skin & the powdery goodness that is this product will surprise you & transform your skin in all of the right ways. cocokind’s organic ultra chlorophyll mask is rich in antioxidants that are key to healthy & supple skin – without having to drink some scary, chalky-tasting, green juice! it even purifies the skin, unleashing your own radiant, natural glow.

all you need to do to activate the magic is add water - & like oatmeal you can have if your way – super thick or more on the liquidy side.  we find, the thicker you make the mask, the tighter, more facelift-y effect you get, making it super good for oily skin! if you don’t find yourself constantly blotting your face for oil, or your skin is just a little drier these days – because winter - use less of the chlorophyll mask powder & more water to get the perfect consistency for normal to dry skin.

*pro-tip* instead of adding water to make your mask mixture, you can add coconut water, honey, avocado or even milk for extra added benefits to your skin!

in order to take on 2017 equip yourself with a kick-ass foundation & concealer duo. au naturale’s crème concealer & crème foundation are designed to diffuse the appearance of blemishes, under-eye circles, hyperpigmentation all the while providing pure & natural coverage. au naturale also has a wide-array of colors for every skintone, which is pretty much the equivalent to finding a unicorn – naturally formulated makeup that works & isn’t just a handful of light to medium shades!?. yes.

lastly, for our fellow ingredient-conscious folks, these products are formulated without gluten, parabens, fillers, animal by-products, synthetic preservatives or toxins. double yes.

*fun fact* because their products are all-natural & the longer you own the au naturale crème foundation the thicker & more full-coverage it becomes - hello two foundations for the price of one! triple yes.

[myshobha-blog]

scrub away last year, bring in the new!

by: aja m.

scrub away the troubles of 2016 & enter the new year as a new you! our newest body scrub at Shobha will leave your skin soft, heavenly scented & extra supple to take on 2017. let’s have a warm welcome to bodhi handmade soap scrubs!

in the short amount time that the bodhi scrubs have joined the Shobha scrub squad, they’ve already become one of our favorite go-to scrubs. they are made with volcanic ash (aka pumice) so you are polishing your parts until you rinse (volcanic ash doesn’t dissolve away like salt or sugar). & they come in amazing scents such as plumeria, lemongrass & a lovely lavender!

be sure to snag one before our holiday promo is over & get a $20 Shobha Reward every $100 spent until 12/31.

[myshobha-blog]

exciting new brow products at Shobha!

by: aja m.

major psa! we’ve got new brow products at Shobha that will take your brow game to the next level!

for all you natural ingredients-loving beauty junkies, we’ve got some amazing new brow goodies in our Shobha Salons! so next time you’re in for an appointment, be sure to try out these new products - trust me your brows won’t regret it.  keep scrolling to find out the goodness behind these new brow gems.

embrance your inner hollywood icon & her brows, with the ‘ladies’ of ecobrow from marco ochoa! with shades named after timeless beauties like marilyn monroe & sharon tate, how could you really go wrong?

“the ecobrow defining wax, is marco’s own mineral-based, smudge-proof, paraben-free brow line. nylon gives this hybrid wax/gel its luxuriously smooth texture & long-lasting, cream-to-powder finish. the unique ecobrow formula blends & diffuses easily into the brow hair, & contains silica for oil absorption as well as nourishing vitamin e.”

all you need to know about cocokind brow balm in 5 words: it makes your brows grow!

yes, you’ve read us right!

“cocokind’s organic full brow balm delivers key nutrients & antioxidants to hair follicles, improving circulation & promoting thick & healthy brows. slightly tinted using organic raw cacao powder, it is suitable for all hair colors & helps create full brows with increased definition. naturally thick brows that are make-up free? yes please!”

[myshobha-blog]

purepose trunk show at Shobha SoHo!

by: aja m.

don’t miss out on today’s trunk show with purepose at Shobha Soho 11:30am - 2:30pm! purepose is a handcrafted all natural skin & hair care line specifically designed to help redefine & strengthen the evolution of cosmetics! they’ll be selling some of their best goodies & teaching the importance natural products made with a clean purepose (pun intended). 

you can find them on:

instagram - @purepose_usa

facebook - @purepose2016

www.pureposeusa.com

& just in case you missed last weekend’s trunk show with feather & bone, then here’s your chance to check it out on insta! 

A photo posted by Feather & Bone (@feather.bone) on Dec 3, 2016 at 8:45am PST

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fitness friday appreciation post: work outs for the holidays!

by: aja m.

thanksgiving is the holiday where counting calories in a non-existing factor (calories don’t count when you eat the same as everyone else, right?). in honor of the post-turkey food babies some of us may now have, we’ve got 2 pretty unique workouts to shed some of those unwanted lbs! plus, we’ve got the hookup for some exclusive discounts for you to give them a try! 

A video posted by Louis Coraggio (@trampoleannyc) on Nov 10, 2016 at 8:19am PST

trampolean - 37 w 26th st 9th floor ny, ny 10010 (located at stepping out studios) exclusive offer for the Shobha Family: 

1.     50% off your first class (save $16.50)

2.     $55 off a 5-class pack (use code: Shobha5)

3.     $100 off a 10-class pack (use code: Shobha10) 

expect a solid 50 minutes of core stabilizing, calorie-burning bouncing! even if you’re a newbie to the workout scene, trampolean is the jumpstart (pun intended) you need because it doesn’t take any formal training! to keep you on your toes – literally – you rebound barefoot, you’ll also get some mini cardio breaks where you work with resistance bands & small weights (yes, every minute counts towards your fitness goals).

but wait, there’s more… the playlists; they’ll keep you motivated with different decades of music which have been intentionally selected to help you keep up with the physical demands of the class (dare we say, they may even distract you from how hard you are actually working? because they do.). throwback thursdays are our personal fave classes where you get to flashback in time & bounce to the beat of a blend of popular & motivating music from the ‘80s, ‘90s or ‘00s hits. 

btw, it’s okay if you feel silly-slash-spastic doing it, chances are you’re doing it right! (& even if your form isn’t textbook, you’re still working on your fitness, so it counts). 

fun fact: some of the biggest celebrities from #beyonce to #brittney spears have rehearsed at this same space, stepping out studios!

mongoose bodyworks - 594 broadway #904, soho, ny 10012 (just a few floors above Shobha SoHo)

mongoose bodyworks with halle is truly a unique experience that works out muscles you didn’t even know you have, seriously. working with a megaformer, bodywork sessions with halle clarke seamlessly combine neuro-muscular therapy (nmt), cranio-sacral therapy (cst) & polarity therapy - which are all basically big, scientific words for a fitness program that makes you feel good, while toning & lengthening ALL the muscles. these sessions also help target areas of physical pain, tension or discomfort & they are just plain perfect if you are looking to unwind & relax (& who can ever get too much relaxation?! no one.).

[myshobha-blog]

hello holiday savings & december salon hours!

by: aja m.

In hopes of getting a headstart on your 2017 hairless happiness goals, be sure to check out our deals & news page to stay in-the-know about ALL the promotions we have this gifting season, plus check on our updated hours at our Shobha Locations for the end of the 2016.

also, in case you didn’t already get our memos, make sure you are up to speed & taking FULL advantage of our Shobha App holiday reward promo (the one where you earn a $20 reward for every $100 spent using the Shobha App for in-store purchases - hello savings!).

download the Shobha App & start saving today: 

google play store 

itunes app store

*this holiday promotion is valid for in-store purchases between 11/25 & 12/31/16 at all Shobha Locations, check the deals & news page for more details.

[myshobha-blog]

our holiday promo is finally here!

by: aja m.

this year we are changing it up a bit – as in our holiday promotion. the rewards are limitless & in the palm of your hands (literally). earn $20 for every $100 spent using the Shobha App for in-store purchases. so get ready to score extra rewards, because this promo starts today!

here’s how it works:

1-download the Shobha App:

google play store 

itunes app store

2-use your Shobha App to pay for any & all visits at Shobha Locations until the end of this year. 

3-enjoy your rewards & more hairless happiness in 2017!  (no further calculations needed, we’ll tally the total amount spent between 11/25 & 12/31/16 for you & apply your total reward to your Shobha App account on 1/3/17.)

3 ways to take advantage of this holiday promo – big time:

stock up on your favorite service with a 3-pack or 6-pack (they never expire & you already save $$$)

add a gift card to your account (gift cards don’t expire & you can keep them on your account to easily use whenever you’d like)

shop our boutique for natural beauty products (we just added a bunch of new ones & they make great gifts!)

*this holiday promotion is valid for in-store purchases between 11/25 & 12/31/16 at all Shobha Locations.

need more convincing? when you download the Shobha App, you immediately get $5 off your first purchase!

3 ways to spend your rewards in 2017:

 stock up on even more packages  (again, they never expire!)

try a new service (with your free reward, it’s a free treat of hairless happiness)

pamper yourself with new, natural products that really work  (we’re talking scrubs, brow enhancers & vegan concealers, to name just a few)  

[myshobha-blog]

let this holiday be a smooth (&hairless) one!

by: aja m.

insider info: be ready to reap the rewards of our upcoming holiday promotion, download the Shobha App! available for both iOS or android devices. holiday promotion details to be revealed on friday (11.25.2016). in the meantime, enjoy $5 off your 1st in-store purchase made with the Shobha App! 

allow us to share the first gift of this holiday season – more hours to achieve hairless happiness. yup, you’ve heard us right! we’re giving the gift of time which means we’re opening earlier & closing later to allow you to squeeze us into your busy schedule (because we know how hectic it gets this time of year). so take your time & book online or give us a call to make your appointment for whenever it’s convenient for you! 

friendly reminder: all salons are closed thanksgiving day. gobble, gobble.

[myshobha-blog]

the Shobha Rosewater Freshening Cloth Singles are back!

by: aja m.

Shobha® Rosewater Freshening Cloth singles! these ultra compact, perfect for grab-&-go accessibility, fan favorites are back in our salons, on shop.myshobha.com & we couldn’t be happier. 

for just a buck, you can stash these in your purse, wallet, desk drawer, fridge – the possibilities are really endless. (as you already know) each cloth is made of velvety-soft bamboo & feels luxurious on the face, body & bikini area. plus, each cloth is super juicy, loaded with soothing ingredients along with our signature rosewater scent (made from only essential rose oil, that also happens to be healing source of vitamin c) that’s been known permeate our salons.

in case you needed a reason, other than them being back, here are 3 fun uses: 1. use as a book mark! 2. put ‘em in a bowl as a calorie-free treat for you next girlfriend gathering (friendsgiving anyone)? (our 20-count value pack  makes this as easy as opening the bag & pouring in a bowl #yourewelcome) 3. take care of your secret santa nice & early this year, gift a few along with a Shobha Gift Card (they’ll all go to good use)

[myshobha-blog]

Shobha Diwali Celebration 2016

by: aja m.

did you know? diwali (dih-vah-li) is a south asian celebration, also known as ‘the festival of lights’. during this holiday, it’s tradition to share sweets with family & friends which is why we brought the Shobha Fun to our salons this past weekend!

keep scrolling to check out pics from our Shobha Salon Teams.

Shobha SoHo!

Shobha FiDi!

Shobha Columbus Circle!

[myshobha-blog]

hairless happiness playlists on spotify

by: aja m.

A photo posted by filmfirstreviews (@filmfirstreviews) on Dec 6, 2015 at 9:25am PST

even thought it was already over a decade ago(!!!), the ever-so-popular scene of steve carell from the 40 year old virgin, when he gives kelly clarkson a shoutout, is still burned into our brains (ouch!). if you’ve ever visited a Shobha, you know that it was a heavily dramatized version of what actually goes on during a wax – even for guys.  breathe easy knowing that we take extra steps to keep your hair removal anxieties at bay while helping you achieve your smoothest skin ever. & no, our secret techniques do not involve 3 of your best buds wincing at your distress.

getting the pre-appointment jitters is normal when it comes time for your wax, you know, the kind that can start spiraling you down a rabbit hole where we find ourselves pondering silly questions like "is my waxing lady judging me?"

fyi, she isn't.

so for all the nervous nancy's or just great music lovers like ourselves, check out our new hairless happiness playlists in hopes of keeping you in a happy place while we take care of “your business.”

our fall 2016 spotify playlists, along with our other editions, are separated out  by moods: click here for chill & click here for happy!  can’t decide?  follow us on spotify so you can relive your fave Shobha Playlist at home, work or on the walk/drive/train ride to your appointment.

i mean what's a better healing agent for a stressful situation, like your first brazilian, than music?

[myshobha-blog]

gift $10, get $10 - NEW on the Shobha App!

by: aja m.

now let’s repeat after me: buh-bye annoying coupon codes. the best part of sharing hairless happiness with your friends via the Shobha App is that you instantly get the $10 credit right in your account! here’s the skinny on what happens:  

 when your friends use your link to download the Shobha App, they'll get an exclusive & automatic $10 reward.  yup, it'll just be there ready & waiting for them to use.

after they officially checkout using the Shobha App for the first time, your $10 reward will be ready & waiting for use in your Shobha App account. that's right no more codes or emails to search for, just automatic rewards for more hairless happiness.

just 3 easy steps

step 1: download the Shobha App (on your iOS or android phone).

step 2: click ‘invite your friends’ from the main menu.

step 3: tweet, facebook or email your friends with your special link!