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MonaVie  just took in a significant investment from TSG Consumer Partners. While terms of the deal were not disclosed (other than TSG receiving a minority interes in MonaVie), this represents a pretty big move for both companies.

TSG is a private equity group with over $1B under management and have been involved in funding of high growth well branded companies. They are very familar with both cosmetics, food and health related companies.  Previous investments include: Arrowhead Mills, Terra Chips, Glaceau VitaminWater, PureOlogy, Smart Balance, Smashbox Cosmetics, Meguiar’s, Famous Amos, MET-Rx, and Mauna Loa Macadamia Nuts, among others. They are a well respected company and currently has over 1 billion dollars in capital under management.

Dallin Larsen, founder and President of MonaVie is thrilled about the partnership with TSG saying, “MonaVie just got stronger through our strategic partnership with TSG, and I’m excited because our distributors will be the beneficiaries,” Larsen also feels that the companies share basic core values of integrity and results, making the partnership beneficial to both.

Charles H. Esserman, President and CEO of TSG is a fan of MonaVie and its mission of using natural products and scientific research to create quality, healthy products. This is the first Direct Selling Company that TSG has been involved with and Esserman is thrilled, “With so many passionate and capable people working together, MonaVie has the potential to dwarf the growth of all of the brands we have participated in building. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for TSG, based upon the future outlook of MonaVie and its potential to help people on so many levels.”

Popularity: 3% [?]

Product Review: Nu Skin® Galvanic Spa System II

By Marion Schell

For those 30 something and upwards there is a new terrific little gadget in the market that allows us to age gracefully: I have known about the Nu Skin® Galvanic Spa System II for some time and just recently decided to obtain one myself.

The Galvanic Spa System II has been placed in the market by Nu Skin Enterprises and is available through independent distributors. The idea behind the Nu Skin® Galvanic Spa System II is that it allows individuals to have spa treatment in the comfort of ones own home. Using cutting-edge, patent-pending technology with the Galvanic Spa, no appointment is necessary to smooth lines and wrinkles, rejuvenate your complexion, revitalize your scalp and refine your body.

Galvanic Spa treatments have been around for more than 50 years in spas and salons. Professionals have used gentle galvanic currents in customised treatments to refresh and energize the skin. These treatments, through a gentle massaging action, help to focus cellular energy and enhance circulation.

Nu Skin indicates that the Galvanic Spa not only helps to smooth lines and wrinkles and makes ones complexion more radiant and rids impurities. On top of it, this little wonder also assists in toning the body (improves the appearance of cellulite and tones the arms, tummy and thighs) and revitalises the scalp (improves the thickness and restores fullness and shine of ones hair)

Application of the interchangeable heads:

Face Conductor – used in conjunction with the Nu Skin Galvanic Spa Pre-Treatment and Treatment Facial Gels. This smooth, broad conductor facilitates deep cleansing and leaves the facial skin soft, smooth and rejuvenated.

(1) Scalp Conductor – used in conjunction with Nu Skin’s Nutriol Hair Fitness Treatment. This comb-like conductor glides through the hair and maintains close cntact with the scalp to deliver the benefits of the treatment product to the hair and hair follicles.

(2) Body Conductor – three rounded nodes maximize surface area contact for wider coverage and better massaging action. To be used in conjunction with Nu Skin Galvanic Spa II Body Shaping Gel to give cellulite areas a firmer, more toned appearance.

Since I have not used either the scalp conductor or the body conductor I am unable to give my personal observation here. However, a friend of mine has used the Scalp Conduction with the Nutriol Hair Fitness Treatment and has improved volume of hair – and it appears slight improvement of his receding hair line.

Recently the company has introduced a newer version of the Galvanic Spa System II and the Galvanic Spa System II Executive. Both have a fourth conductor, the Focus Area Conductor. This flat, smooth, oval-shaped conductor is ideal to target small focus areas, especially around the eyes and mouth, delivering a more concentrated treatment. It is to be used in conjunction with the positively charged Nu Skin Try Face Line Corrector for enhanced anti-aging benefits.

How does a Galvanic Treatment work?

Step 1: The Pre-Treatment Cycle
For the Facial Treatment you have a monthly supply of 4 vials each of Pre-Treatment and Treatment Gels. One vial each is supposed to be used for your weekly treatment. Personally I like to have two weekly treatments and therefore use half a vial each per treatment. Note: if you are like me and want proof that this treatment actually works, you will - at least for the first few weeks - only treat half your face and later on ‘play catch-up’.

(1) Attach the Face Conductor to the unit.
(2) Cleanse and towel dry face and neck.
(3) Apply Pre-Treatment Facial Gel - smooth vial contents onto face and neck (and bust,
if you like)
(4) Program and perform treatment with the Galvanic Spa II Instrument as per instructions
(takes about 3 minutes)

Here is what happens during the Pre-Treatment Cycle:

the Galvanic instrument and the Pre-Treatment Gel are negatively charged. These negative charges repel each other, thereby driving the Pre-Treatment Gel into the skin. The Pre-Treatment Gel binds to impurities deep in the skin.

Once you completed the Pre-treatment cycle, wipe any remaining gel off your face before continuing to

Step 2: The Treatment Cycle
(1) Apply the Treatment Facial Gel and smooth vial contents onto face and neck (and bust. - don’t laugh, it works!)
(2) Program and perform the Galvanic Spa II Instrument for Treatment Facial Gel as per instructions (you can set the time between 1-5 minutes – I always take 5 minute treatments)

When treatment is completed turn the instrument off and remove any remaining gel from your skin. Then continue with your normal moisturising routine.

Here is what happens during the Treatment Cycle:

During the Treatment Cycle, the galvanic instrument and the Treatment Gel are positively charged. These positive charges repel each other, helping to deliver the beneficial ingredients into the skin.
The positively charged instrument attracts the remaining negatively-charged impurities from the Pre-treat cycle, drawing them out of the skin.

My personal experience

First I would like to state that my positive experiences may not necessarily be repeated with other individuals. I am not putting this information out to make any claims. I simply like to share with you the positive effects I have had with this little device. For me it has been the best investment I have made in a long time.

When I first received my Galvanic Spa I was surprised by the small package size. The device comes in a zipper carrier not larger than your average personal care kit.- great size to take with you when you travel. Standard contents are the lightweight fist-sized Galvanic Spa tool (batteries included), a stand and 3 different interchangeable heads for the device, a month supply of the facial pre-treatment (4 clear vials) and treatment gels (4 blue vials) as well as a set of instruction cards.

The treatment is extremely easy to perform. You start by cleansing your face, then apply the Pre-Treatment Gel and push the button on the device for the duration of treatment (For the Pre-treatment cycle the device will display one fountain symbol –negative charge- and the time chosen, for the Treatment cycle the device will show two fountain symbols –positive charge- and time chosen).

You need to moisten you fingers when applying the device to your skin. Glide the face conductor with gentle pressure across your face, neck and bust-line. Every 20 seconds the device will emit a beep. At the end of the timed cycle the device will beep twice indicating the end of the treatment.

Now you wipe off any remaining pre-treatment gel and apply the treatment gel across face, neck (and bust-line). Again, moisten your fingers and follow the contours of your face, neck and bust-line with the device. After completion of the Treatment cycle, again wipe off any excess gel and then apply your moisturiser.

The device is really easy to use – You can just follow the guidelines on the instruction cards. It is really just basic.

Following the treatments I notice that my moisturiser seems to be absorbed much more readily. Within 10-15 minutes my skin has a lovely glow, the skin is tighter and firmer.

Over the first month I treated only one side of my face. Since then there has been marked improvement of the lines around the eye and mouth area, around the line of my ear and my neckline. My treated eye area shows substantial improvement of the sagging eyelid.

A note to the girls: I would recommend this treatment on your cleavage line – you may notice a much younger appearance of ‘aging’ skin around this area.

The Benefits

The Galvanic Spa System II is AFFORDABLE . Compared to the thousands of dollars one would spend for traditional galvanic treatments at spa centers, this little gem is a cost-effective investment. The beauty is that the PORTABLE instrument gives one the freedom to enjoy a spa treatment at home, during break-time at work or wherever one may be.

Additional benefits to mention:

This little device provides self-adjusting galvanic currents and comes with interchangeable heads for the face, scalp and body.

It works synergistically with specially formulated products ensuring that the key ingredients get into the skin and in return provide revitalising, restorative and rejuvenating benefits.

The Galvanic Spa has also been clinically studied and is known to make existing skin-care regimen even more effective.

Additional information can be found here or here.

Target Audience for the Nu Skin Galvanic Spa System II:

Primary
• Skin – involved, image-conscious men and women aged 25 to 65 with an interest in spa quality treatment, however struggle to justify time and expense associated with visiting a day spa

Secondary
• Men (and dare I say women too), aged 25-65 who want healthy looking hair.

Additional Features

• Replaceable batteries – eliminates cords, adapters and dependence on electrical outlets.
• User-selectable polarity – increases the number of products that can be used with Galvanic Spa System II
• Flexible programme timing – accommodates a wide range of applications:
Face, scalp, body and focus area treatments
• User-friendly hand-held contact points – hand is in a natural, comfortable position
• Automatically adjusts to your skin – delivers the correct amount of current for the most effective treatment
• Two-year warranty – from original date of purchase

Complementary Products

• Galvanic Spa II Body Shaping Gel – works exclusively with the Galvanic Spa System II instrument and Body Conductor to target pockets of fat and toxins for a firmer, more toned appearance.
• Dermatic Effects Body Contouring Lotion – this product can be used with or without the Galvanic Spa System II instrument to help diminish the appearance of cellulite.
• Nutriol Hair Fitness Treatment and Shampoo – developed with patented technology, these advanced formulas remineralise the scalp and hydrate the hair with Tricalgoxyl, a clinically proven seaweed derivative.
• Galvanic Spa Pre-Treatment and Treatment Facial Gels – when your skin looks tired or stressed, a spa facial provided the revitalisation you need
• Tru Face Line Corrector – in the ongoing search for key ingredients that may be paired with the exclusive Galvanic Spa System II technology, the Nu Skin Enterprises Research and Development team has discovered a simple but powerful connection with Tru Face Line Corrector. When used with the positive current (two fountain) setting on the Galvanic Spa System II instrument, the positively charged peptide in Tru Face Line Corrector is more effectively absorbed into the skin, helping to deliver enhanced results. Use with the Focus Area Conductor to target lines and wrinkles.

Company issued Health Warning

Check with your physician before using the Galvanic Spa System II instrument or receiving a Galvanic Spa treatment if you are pregnant, have a pacemaker, are epileptic, wear metal braces on your teeth, or have a metal implant.

The Galvanic Spa instrument should not be used over an area with many broken capillaries or over an inflamed or open wound.

For more information on Nu Skin’s Galvanic Spa System II, please contact Marion Schell

Popularity: 11% [?]

SeneGence (Newport Beach, CA) introduced a pretty unique product called SeneCa Parfum ($60 1oz..  The interesting part of the new product is that it is a fragrance that claims to also utilize skin-enhancing ingredients.

This may actually be good for some people that typically have allergic reactions to applying any kind of perfume directly to the skin.  This new product by SeneGence includes SenePlex - the company’s “proprietary ingredient” that promotes new cellular growth which aides in the reduction of visible fine lines and wrinkles.

The new product, SeneCa Parfum adds to an increasing  line for SeneGence which has been helping htis smaller and lesser known company gain traction and distribution throughout the US, Canada and Australia.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Avon (New York, NY) announced the latest in a string of strategic deals with legendary Finnish textile and clothing design company Marimekko.  This latest announcement comes just one week after Avon’s deal with Emmanuel Ungaro which we covered.

Under the terms of the new deal, Marimekko will license its Unikko pattern to create a limited edition cosmetics collection.

“Avon is committed to the vision that all women should have access to great style and fashion. We’re thrilled to partner with global design powerhouse Marimekko - we are so impressed with their great reputation for creating fun, lively, fashion-forward designs. We feel confident that our customers will enjoy the merger of Marimekko’s energetic designs with the innovation of the Avon Color Brand,” said Geralyn Breig, Senior Vice President and Brand President for Avon Products, Inc.

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About Marimekko

Marimekko is a leading Finnish textile and clothing design company that was established in 1951. The company designs, manufactures and markets high- quality clothing, interior decoration textiles, bags and other accessories under the Marimekko brand, both in Finland and abroad. Marimekko products are also manufactured under license in various countries.

Popularity: 2% [?]