In recent years, Korean beauty treatments have gained a great deal of popularity around the world. Commonly referred to as ‘K-Beauty’ there are quite a few skin regimens that have become famous for their effectiveness. The K-Beauty blackhead method is one of these regimens, and might just be the perfect solution for you if you are struggling with skin impurities and blemishes.

Here at Carisma Spa, we want to make sure you know about current beauty trends that are proving successful, so I’ve compiled a short guide that summarises the K-Beauty blackhead routine.

Skin impurities like blackheads form when your pores or hair follicles get blocked by dead skin cells or excess sebum. They can also be caused by a build-up of bacteria, especially if your skin is irritated or damaged by the weather, for example.

This is why it’s important to use a skincare routine that also reduces excess sebum production, moisturizes and restores skin, and purifies your pores. This way, the underlying cause of the problem is addressed, to make it less likely that these impurities will form again.

​Various versions of the K-Beauty blackhead method exist, ranging from a 3-step method all the way up to a 10-step method! These routines can be condensed down into the main steps below:

Clean Your Canvas
Make sure you start your skincare routine with a clean face! This makes it easier for products to reach deep into your pores since you’ve helped them out by removing some surface oil and dirt from your skin. Try and match the cleansing product you use to your skin type, whether it’s dry, aging, combination or oily skin. If you prefer (or your skin varies in dryness/oiliness) you can use a product that’s suitable for all skin types.

Open Your Pores
Next up, wipe your face with a gentle cloth soaked in warm water. You can even microwave a wet cloth if you prefer, but be careful not to burn yourself (or the cloth)! The warmth opens up your pores and makes any products you use afterward more effective.


Optional: Use a Face Mask
Face masks are a great tool to correct and reduce skin impurities. If you use this routine often, make sure you only include a face mask once or twice a week though, especially if you prefer peel masks or have sensitive skin.

Masks reduce future sebum production and help clean dirt and oil out of your pores, especially if they are designed to target build-up in your pores.

Look out for masks that contain charcoal or clay since they’re more appropriate for tackling impurities. Avoid peeling masks altogether if you have sensitive, damaged, or irritated skin since they can make these problems worse. Try out a gentle face mask if you have these skin concerns.

Use a Cleansing Oil
Surprisingly, an oil-based cleanser is great at dealing with excess oil and impurities! Oil-based cleansers do a great job when it comes to dissolving blackheads, so rub a little cleansing oil over your face for 2-3 minutes, paying special attention to your nose area, or any area that is prone to blackheads. 

Rinse your face with a little bit of water, and rub your skin again (some cleansing oil should still remain). After a little while, you can fully rinse your face and the clogged pores will be rinsed out as well.

A pleasant advantage to oil cleansers is that they won’t leave your skin feeling over-cleansed or tight after your skincare routine.

Apply a Serum
After this intense cleansing routine, make sure to replenish your skin’s moisture. Serums are especially useful since they tighten your pores, helping to prevent skin cells and oil from building up all over again. You can find serums for dry skin, aging skin or uneven skin that has discoloration.

Heavy moisturizers should be avoided at all costs to prevent blocking your pores all over again, so opt for a gel-based or lightweight moisturizer if serums aren’t your thing.

Remember, moisturizing your face also means your skin won’t enthusiastically produce excess oil to replenish the moisture itself!

This K-Beauty routine is becoming well-loved all over the globe for its effectiveness. It’s definitely worth trying out if you want to tackle impurities, or even simply wish for a routine that provides deeper cleansing than your current skincare regimen.

Staying healthy doesn’t have to involve boring meals or unpleasant protein shakes. We at Carisma want you to enjoy your journey to wellness, so here are 5 amazing smoothies that support your health goals while tasting amazing!

Add to a Blender:

• A chilled cup of freshly brewed green tea
• Half a Cup of Yoghurt
• A cup of raspberries
• A tablespoon of honey
• Half a Cup of Ice

Blend until smooth and enjoy ice cold deliciousness!

​Consuming foods containing antioxidants has been suggested as a way to counter cell damage, reducing the chances of diseases like cancer, eye diseases, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes. Antioxidants can be found in a lot of fruits and veggies, and this first smoothie is full of them. The Green tea is packed with antioxidants and boosts your heart’s health.

Blend Together:

• A handful of frozen cherries
• A chopped kiwi
• A cup of almond milk
• Some chia seeds

Blend until smooth and you have a smoothie that will supercharge your energy! This is a great smoothie to start the day with, or use as a pick-me-up. 

The cherries and the kiwi will add a lot of vitamins and antioxidants to your diet, while almond milk is a low-fat way to improve your calcium intake. Chia seeds are loaded with nutrients and even contain Omega-3 fatty acids!

Blend Together:

• A quarter cup of frozen strawberries
• A quarter cup of raspberries
• A quarter cup of blackberries
• Half a cup of Coconut Milk
• Some spinach leaves

Blend together, and you have a low carb snack. This smoothie is also a great light breakfast, if you aren’t a fan of cereals.

Berries improve your blood sugar, are great for your skin and help fight inflammation. Just like the spinach in this smoothie, the berries are also packed with vitamins but have a very low amount of calories. Coconut milk helps with your energy levels, improves your digestion and helps your heart health.

Blend Together:

• 300ml of milk, water or yoghurt
• 2 scoops of vanilla protein powder
• A cored, chopped apple (preferably with the skin still on for even more of a health boost)
• 2 tablespoons of almonds
• A handful of uncooked oats
• A sprinkle of cinnamon

Blend until smooth and enjoy!
​
This smoothie tastes like a delicious apple pie, but without the unhealthy part! It’s packed with protein, making it a great pre-workout incentive or a post-workout reward. You’ll be looking forward to exercising in no time.

Not only does it contain the protein you need for your workout, but the yoghurt will boost your immune system while the apple and oats will give you a great dose of fiber.

Blend Together:

• A cup of frozen blueberries
• Half a cup of your favourite berry juice (pomegranate and cranberry are great)
• Half a cup of ice
• A tablespoon of chia seeds
• Half a peeled banana
• Half a pitted avocado

Blend until smooth and enjoy a clear, focused mind.

This is a great way of taking a short break from work or studying, and improving your focus at the same time. This smoothie is also loaded with vitamins, protein and antioxidants to improve both your physical and mental wellness.

​We at Carisma hope this article has given you some delicious smoothie ideas! If this has given you a craving for some fresh fruits, you may enjoy our Spa & Lunch packages that even include a voucher to use at Kofi & Kale (where you can even try a whole range of smoothies)!

​Losing your job is a distressing experience that can be hard to get over. If you have lost your job due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s important to realize that you are by no means alone. Millions are in your shoes and will be searching the job market in an attempt to relaunch their careers. This competition is bound to be fierce, yet it may surprise you to know that the best course of action, right now, is to not jump right back into the workforce.

Using the time you now have on your hands to focus on yourself and determine the career you now want to pursue is the best option for someone in your shoes. Immediately after losing your job, it can be difficult to determine what you should do, but rest assured that there are preemptive steps you can take to launch a better career in the future.

​One of the first things you should do after losing your job, regardless of whether or not it was due to the pandemic, is revamping your skillset. Unless you already worked in a tech-intensive field, your skills are likely out of date for the future of work. Technology is a driving force of change that is automating industries all around the world. In the near future, there will be no worker more valuable than those that hold the knowledge of maintaining technology.

To that end, revamping your skillset to be more tech-based is one of the smartest courses of action after losing your job amidst the pandemic. There are a number of easy online degrees that you could pursue in your free time which will give you a new skillset based on technology. Besides the fact that these courses may better prepare you for a new career, they will give you important soft skills for the future of work.

As discussed by Skillcrush, tech skills can make you a better problem solver and a better leader overall. Couple this with a knowledge of technology and it’s clear to see why you may be favored over the competition that immediately chose to try and dive back into a changing workforce.

​Staying on the topic of revamping your skillset, attending a highly rated bootcamp is a great course of action. As far as being proactive goes, coding bootcamps are the best option to consider when setting up a new and long-lasting career. Coding has been around for years, but the skill has led to entire fields being created around it.

It goes without saying that this is an important skill for anyone to learn. In fact, they are teaching this skill lightly to kids as young as elementary school. In order to compete with these future employees, learning some knowledge of the various coding languages now can set you apart from other workers.

There is nothing wrong with gaining additional education and taking the time to do so now may help you later down the line.

​Regardless of how long you held the job you just lost, getting an up-to-date resume and cover letter ready to go should be a priority for you. As far as your resume goes, add all your relevant skills and work experience. Brush up on how to properly craft a cover letter and focus on describing yourself in an appealing way. Obtaining more education in a tech field via an online degree program may come in handy at this point as you can describe yourself as a capable learner able to adapt to technology.

Besides just revamping your cover letter and resume, consider taking a career quiz to see which job may be the best choice for your unique skill set. Try to match your skills and interests to a field that has a high level of growth in the next ten years and consider picking up a job in that career path.

​The recent pandemic has made it clear that no industry is safe from disruption. Additionally, more likely than not, technology will lead to another disruption in the near future. In order to overcome these detrimental disruptions, prepare now by getting yourself ready for the future of work. Use this job loss as an opportunity to grow your career in a different direction that can improve the longevity of that career. Get ahead of all these disruptions, rather than struggle to overcome them, and you may find yourself in a better position than ever before. 

A spa day at home can be as simple as having a soothing soak to ease tension from your muscles after a very stressful week. We all need time for self-care to unwind and relax from our everyday life and one way to do that is with a relaxing spa treatment. There is nothing as great as a time-out to clear your head, and reduce stress.

At Carisma spa, we help you reach your full potential through our famous journey of relaxation and rejuvenation either with our spa experience or beyond the spa. This is why we will be sharing tips on how you can create a perfect spa day at home; from the basic preparations for your pamper day to the 17 steps for the perfect home spa treatment.

Before you can have a spa day, you need to ensure the necessary preparations have been put in place to start the day off on the right foot. No matter how busy you are, you need to treat yourself on special days to refresh and re-energize your body.

The basic preparation before your pamper day includes:

1. Cleaning up your home a day before: Take at least 15 mins to tidy up your home and make sure everything is in order when you wake and prepare for your spa day. This makes you feel more calm and relaxed. Also, get rid of any sign of work from the room you will be staying in, empty your dishwasher, water your plants, and do any household chores.
2. Preparing for phone and email free day: Your spa day is all about you, so you have to clear out your schedule. Ensure that you do not have tasks piled up from work, and you have informed everyone in the house about what you will be doing to avoid unwanted interruptions.
3. Gathering all the items you need for the perfect spa day: Take time to ensure you have a few things ready so you can start your spa day the moment you wake up. 
4. Not pressuring yourself to do things: Do what you feel like doing. A spa day is generally for you to relax and take care of your body, so don't feel pressured to stick to any schedule when you wake up. Remember, spa day essentials are all about relaxing in the best way possible.
5. Sleeping In: Sleeping in will make you feel instantly refreshed. Try to avoid hitting the snooze button too many times and make sure you get between 7-9 hours of sleep to wake up feeling well-rested. This way, you start the day off on the right foot; feeling refreshed instead of groggy.

Your home spa environment is a place for you to recharge and revitalize. So you have to ensure you create the right atmosphere that is conducive to self-care, rest, and relaxation.

If you seem to have a little trouble answering the question: “What do you need for a spa day?”, you can find a checklist based on the Feng Shui principles below to help you create a harmonious spa day atmosphere in and around the home :

• Candles: Preferably  natural beeswax candles as they are non-toxic and non-polluting
•  Fresh, clean cotton towel and face cloths
•  Scented sheets and pillows with aromatic mist: Ensure your bread spread has a gentle and simple pattern
•  Plants or fresh flowers: Real, not artificial
•  Heater: Ensure it is in a safe place away from water and fabrics
• Incense
•  Premium quality essential oil
•  Fragrance-free body oil 
•  Music: Choose a subtle soundtrack. You can play the same song in every room in perfect sync.
•  Refreshments

Now that you have what you need for a spa day, it's time to nurture and care for yourself.

​You can escape from your usual routine with spa day treatments like Massage, spa & sauna, facials, body care, manicures and so on. There are so many different home spa treatments you can give yourself. 

Here is a simple DIY routine you can use to give yourself a rejuvenating self-care treat whenever you please:

Body Care
1. Draw a Hot Bath:  Fill your bathtub with water of the right temperature. While filling your tub, dim the lights and light some candles. Help yourself relax by:

• Pouring yourself a glass of wine, juice or some infused water
•  Playing Chill music
•  Lighting some incense
•  Set out a fluffy towel or bathrobe

2. Add essential oil and other ingredients to your baths: This enhances your bath and gives you the benefits of aromatherapy. Feel free to add anything that can help you relax like; bubble bath, bath oils, and bath bombs, among others.

3. Try a skin mask: Apply a skin mask, let it sit on your skin for a few minutes and rinse it off. It leaves your skin feeling refreshed and smooth.

4. Massage your sore muscles as you soak: Take time to knead your muscles with your fingers to loosen yourself up from the sore muscle you have acquired from work stress.

5. Exfoliate your skin: Use an exfoliant and body scrub that you love and apply. Exfoliating after a soak is a great way to diminish blackheads and peel off dead skin. Exfoliating leaves your skin feeling soft, smooth and healthy.

6. Dry your skin and apply a nourishing lotion: After your restorative bath, pat your skin dry and apply a moisturizing lotion to your arms, legs and torso to seal the moisture in. After that, put on your bathrobe and give your skin time to absorb moisture.

Face Care

7. Exfoliate your face gently: Use warm water and a washcloth or a facial brush to scrub the dead skin off your face. Ensure to use your washcloth or facial brush in a gentle circular motion as the skin is sensitive and could stretch and wrinkle if handled roughly.

8. Facial steam: This helps relax you and open your pores. You can add a few drops of essential oil or any kind of herbs that appeals to you. Then place a towel over your head for 10 minutes to trap steam and breathe in deeply through your nose.

9. Apply a face mask: A face mask can be relaxing. It can also make your skin feel lovely. The most natural solution is to use a reviving mask with clay from a store. You can, however, create a simple facemask at home with a few ingredients.

10. Moisturize your face: Use a soothing day cream from a store or facial oil on your face to trap in the moisture from your facial treatment.

Mani and Pedi

11. Remove your old polish: Use an acetone-free nail polish remover if possible to remove old nail polish from your toe and fingernails.

12. Soak your fingers in warm water: Soak your fingers in a bowl of warm water for five minutes with your nails immersed. This softens your nails and cuticles to make them easier to shape.

13. Trim and file your nails: Use fingernail clippers or scissors to shape your nails to a crescent shape and round off the edges so your nails look professionally trimmed.

14. Push back your cuticles: Gently push back your cuticles with a cuticle pusher or an orange stick. Be very gentle to protect your fingers from infection. 

15. Apply your nail polish: Make sure your nails dry completely between coats to prevent smudging. A good manicure has at least three coats: a base coat, a coat and a topcoat. The best method for painting your nails neatly is to paint one stroke on either side, then fill in the middle.

16. Soak and exfoliate your feet: Soak your feet for some minutes in a tub or a bowl filled with warm water. Use a callus shaver or any other instrument to remove dry skin

17. Trim and polish your toenails: Shape your toenails with clippers. Make sure you round off the edges to prevent ingrown toenails then do a three-coat pedicure.

Are you too scared to visit the spa because of your nails? Spent the summer biting, chipping, and ultimately ignoring those nails of yours? 

Well, you’re in luck - as many nail conditions can be avoided through proper fingernail care. We are here to offer some guidance on how to ensure stronger nails that will stay healthier in the long run.

There is something refreshing about having strong, pretty nails - it’s like it unveils a new level of confidence inside of us. So check out our steps to regain that nail confidence, so you can stroll into the spa for your next manicure in a tip, top shape.

Use Cuticle Oil
As part of your regular routine to maintain healthy nails, it has been suggested that moisturizing cuticles will help to retain strong and beautiful nails. If your nails are prone to breakage then using cuticle oil to add some moisture could help prevent damage.

Moisturise Often
If your hands are prone to damage as well, it could be that they just need some extra moisture too. Try to ensure you have both cuticle oil and hand moisturizer at your desk to use daily. When you are also applying hand lotion, make sure to rub just a little bit extra into your nails so they are fully moisturized.

Cut Nails Appropriately 
When trimming your nails, ensure to use sharp manicure scissors or clippers. Trim your nails straight across, then round the tips in a gentle curve. Similarly, don’t try and bite your nails when you don’t have time to cut or file them. Always cut them carefully and this will help them retain their strength.

Try Biotin
Medical experts have suggested that the nutritional supplement biotin might help strengthen weak or brittle fingernails; Including Dr. Kleinsmith, who commented that people with especially weak nails may benefit from the B vitamin.

Wear Gloves
Avoid washing clothes or dishes without wearing gloves, as you will be exposing your skin to hot water and harsh chemicals that can irritate or dry out your hands. Most detergents contain chemicals that help to remove grease from your dishes or stains from your clothes. If you use these liquids without gloves, the chemicals will remove the natural oils from your skin, subsequently making your skin dry out. 

Outside of the kitchen - and come winter - our hands are prone to being cracked and battered by the changes in elements and winds. The best solution here is to wear leather gloves that act as an additional layer in terms of protection.

An additional way of getting your nails done is by leaving it to the professionals. The primary goal of having a manicure or pedicure is to ensure you are maintaining healthy hands and feet. If they are lacking in moisture and your nails are starting to go brittle, then book yourself a spa visit and let the professionals get to work!

By visiting your nail spa often, you will help to enhance your nail health and keep your hands looking young. As the skin on our hands is quite thin, it doesn’t age as well as other areas of our body.

Finally, as well as just keeping your nails strong and healthy, a manicure or pedicure is also good for your own personal well-being. After having a manicure, your feet and hands will both look and feel amazing. These treatments will also help to reduce stress, as your body will calm down, relax and blood circulation will increase whilst you undergo the treatment session.

Are your nails in need of a little tender loving care? If so, leave it to us and we’ll let you relax and unwind whilst we tidy up those nails.

With numerous nail treatments here at Carisma Spa - from manicures to pedicures to gel nails or french manicures - we’ll let you choose your preferred style and we’ll get to work on treating those nails of yours. 

Once your nails are in tip-top shape, why not extend your spa day to a day by the pool, or relax and unwind with one of our massage treatments?