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The Freshman Ten:
Great Off-To-College Gifts for the Spa-Teen
by Jessica Skropanic
With the ever-growing number of young spa-goers, and the increase of mother-daughter packages and even a few father-son ones, teens are learning how to better care for themselves and are actively participating in the spa scene. Parents, grandparents, and other loving family and friends can give their spa-teen a royal send-off when he or she goes off to college. Here are a few ideas on how to give your teen a spa-grade good-bye.
1. Head to Toe Starter Kit from Burt's Bees
Any college-bound guy or gal would be well stocked for college with this fabulous collection - the Total Care Sampler - from Burt's Bees; a full-size assortment of many of Burt's Bees most popular items. It includes Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme, Burt's Beeswax Lip Balm, Citrus Facial Scrub, Burt's complexion soaps, and Burt's body lotion. The kit retails for about $15.00. | 
Buy now at DrugStore.com |
2. Burt's Bees Women's Cosmetics
Burt's Bees also has a selection of women's cosmetics, unisex hair care, and a whole line of men's grooming products that include a Citrus Spice Exfoliating Shower Soap, a Lifeguard's Choice Lip Balm, a Beeswax Lip Balm, Hand Salve, a Rosemary Mint Shampoo Bar, and Dr. Burt's Res-Q Ointment. Prices vary. Check out the Burt's Bees men's grooming section on the Burt's Bees web site at:
www.burtsbees.com.
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3. For Gals: Jane Iredale's One-4-All Kit
 Make-up in a backpack is a mess! The compacts break when textbooks are thrown on top of them, and a broken tube of lip gloss is a fright! Jane Iredale's One-4-All Kits make everything easier to carry, and the kit fits nicely in the pocket of most binders! The kit includes three eye shadows, two cream-to-powder eyeliners, two lip glosses, a cheek and brow color, a mirror, and a double-ended brush that is great for application, all contained in a thin gold-colored case. The kits come in Cool, Warm and Neutral shades, and contain no chemical dyes or preservatives. Retail is about $55.00. Check out www.janeiredale.com for more information, and see our Jane Iredale product review from the May/June 2004 issue of WSR.
4. For Guys: The Complete Skin Set for Men by Bullie
Bullie's Complete Skin Set is just about everything a young gentleman needs to look and feel dashing. The set includes Bullie's Cleanser, Close Shave, Post-Shave plus Toner, Moisturizer, Refinement, and Under Eye Restorative. The entire pack age is available at amazon.com for $130.00 (a $147.00 value). See our Bullie product review from the January/February 2006 issue of WSR.
5. Spa Treatments from Afar
You helped them get ready for school when they were little. Now you can give them a pre-semester prep at a local day spa to help them enter it with a bang. Most day spas offer gift certificates or take credit cards on-line or over the phone for massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, and haircuts and styles. If you want to help your teen make fast friends with his or her roommate, make it a friends' spa visit for two!
It's easy to find out if your teen's college town has a day spa close to campus. Online sites such as MapQuest and telephone directories can lead you in the right directing. Just Google the city name and the words Îday spa'. Once you know the name, contact the spa and ask if they have an online spa menu or can email you one.
6. Computer Blues Become Computer Oms
College isn't all parties and sleeping in: Many students struggle to hold down one or more jobs as well as carry a full load of classes. Why not give them a meditation or relaxation program to chase away the stress? Most laptop computers are equipped with CD and DVD players, and many programs can be practiced even in a tiny dorm room. Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble on-line offer a variety of meditation and relaxation exercises. I recommend the book-with-audio program Your Body Speaks Your Mind. See our book review at:
www.spareviewmag.com/16/bythebook.html .
7. Fit for Fitness
Let's face it: Without a scheduled high school gym class and a parent-regulated diet, many young adults tend to gain weight. To curb the real freshman ten, find a local gym via the Internet and purchase your teen a 3-month membership. Good habits for self-care can form early in adults.
8. Healthy Munchies: Party with Harry and David
Dorm cafeteria food is institutional food - with very few exceptions. For an alternative to dialing for pizza or hitting the junk food vending machines, give your teenager the opportunity to reach for a healthy snack from a gourmet fruit basket or care package. Harry and David offer the most delicious pears the staff at WSR ever ate - juicy and sweet. Visit the Harry and David web site for a huge assortment of fruit combination gifts at:
www.harryanddavid.com.
9. Yoga Classes
Another great way to de-stress, reenergize and keep in shape - yoga. Most towns have their own yoga studios, and many offer the opportunity to purchase packages of 5-10 classes. It's also a great way for teens to contact other members of their new community. There's something about doing yoga together that creates camaraderie.
 10. Spa-Grade Chocolate
Spa-grade chocolate is packed with antioxidants - and it's delicious! Featured in our November/December 2005 issue of WSR, Parisian chocolatier Michel Richart specializes in some of the best spa-grade chocolate on the market. Gift boxes range from $4.00 to $200.00, but there is also a gigantic Îchocolate vault' for $800.00. You can get more information or purchase chocolate at Richart's web site at:
www.richart-chocolates.com
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