Oksana Baiul, figure skater and Olympic gold medalist, attended the American Spa Expo on April 17-19 to represent Shira Esthetics, Inc. Baiul became a spokesperson for the Kenilworth, N.J.-based company in January. Her appearance at the expo was her first industry trade show with Shira.

Baiul, who claimed gold in the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, became familiar with the company’s products while having a facial five or six years ago at Lana’s Place salon in Cliffside Park, N.J.

Her role as company spokeswoman began with a phone call to Yair Nezaria, Shira Esthetics president. “The salon called Yair and told him how much I liked the products,” Baiul told SPA 20/20® at the American Spa Expo.

She has facials at least once a month, changes her skincare products seasonally and firmly stands behind the Omega-3 skincare line.

“You have to maintain your skin,” she says. “The figure-skating season is September to March, and I need good products for the cold weather.”

According to Baiul, plans are in the works to develop her own line of products with Shira, possibly by May 2006.

“I am going to Israel in May to promote the products,” she says. “It’s just the beginning.”

For more information, visit www.shiraesthetics.com.