Category Archives: BODY

Nope, Not Even Close To Being Sick Of Pumpkin

October 6, 2021

Pumpkin spice and everything nice – bring it on! Some of our Fall skincare picks, all starring, drum roll… pumpkin. And for good reason – pumpkin enzyme is a major powerhouse for all things great skin.

Banish is a line of effective and natural formulas created as an affordable solution for acne scars. Inspired by nature to reveal glowing skin, the Pumpkin Enzyme Mask is formulated with natural pumpkin enzymes and AHA glycolic acid to exfoliate and improve skin clarity!
WHAT:
  • Banish focuses on using effective and natural ingredients proven to repair the skin
  • Banish Oil is a Vitamin C serum made fresh to order each day in California.
  • All the jars and bottles are made with recyclable glass; all the shipping packaging is made with recycled materials that are FSC certified
  • Banish has their own recycling program for customers
  • The products reduce the look of old or new acne scars
  • Their mission is to banish the shame that comes with acne and scars, and built a community of people who spread skin positivity
This spicy detoxifying face and body polish is infused with a powerful pumpkin enzyme, crushed bamboo and jojoba microbeads to help cleanse the skin of dead cells. Skin will be left feeling silky smooth, soft and radiant, while combating visible signs of aging and being protected from environmental toxins.
This powerful, triple-action manual, chemical and enzymatic exfoliating treatment addresses a dull, aging, and congested complexion in three ways: exfoliates with Pumpkin Enzyme, reveals with Alpha Hydroxy Acid and polishes with Aluminum Oxide Crystals. Helps even the appearance of skin tone, smooth the look of fine lines and wrinkles and clarify to reveal skin that looks smoother, younger, radiant and revitalized. 

Who Misses Hand Soap?

October 5, 2021

Who misses a good ol’ fashioned bar of soap?

Yes, the omnipresent liquid, anti-bacterial soaps are imperative – I get it!  How wild is it that a classic bar of hand soap can feel reminiscent of pre-Covid times? I am craving the nostalgia of everything pre-Covid. Who would have thought that hand soap would give me so many warm fuzzies of simpler times?

This is why I keep a bar of my favorite Caswell-Massey bar soap next to every sink in my house.

I already have holiday gifting on the brain and this time I’m conjuring fun ideas of all things pre-Covid. The Caswell-Massey’s Master Collection Year of Soap keeps coming to mind. There is nothing like opening a stunning blue box of these beauties.

This gorgeous box allows you to try the most iconic soaps: sweet Almond, fresh Lavender, citrusy Verbena, invigorating Cucumber, comforting Oatmeal, warm Sandalwood, marine-inspired Newport, dapper Tricorn, rugged Greenbriar, refined Number Six, sophisticated Jockey Club, and spicy Woodgrain Sandalwood.

It’s $98 and you can grab it now right here:

A little history:

Caswell-Massey is America’s Original Apothecary and Perfumery, with historic, bespoke formulations enjoyed for nearly 300 years. Today, Caswell-Massey produces both new and archival recipes with modern, clean and sustainable ingredients and manufacturing methods to offer some of the finest American-made personal care products available.

Are Your Workouts This Hot Tough?

July 19, 2021

With all of the exercise fads that have come and gone over the years in Los Angeles, few have withstood the test of time. Heated Room, however, is here to stay and innovate. This new fitness studio located in West Hollywood will be sure to blow your mind and change the way you work out forever with its state-of-art infrared heating system that will help you feel that sweet muscle burn that will make you feel your best! 

Some of the benefits offered by this infrared heat system include: 

  • Clean heat helps to reduce the presence of any dust and allergens. 
  • Allows for pain relief while also reducing likelihood of any injuries during physical activity. 
  • Maximizes fat burn while boosting blood plasma and metabolism.
  • Sweating out toxins allows the skin to improve its own elasticity while also working as a natural antibiotic. 
  • Generally reduces stress and tension (both mentally and physically). 

At Heated Room, all of the classes focus on three main goals; core, strength and alignment. The classes are centered around many of the main principles of Pilates, with the intention of lowering the risk of injury or muscle strain, improving balance, control, stability, flexibility and more. Owner and founder – Raamy Fares spared no expense in bringing his vision to life. The sound system is world-class and has been imported from the UK and the machines are top-of-the-line. 

The goal of Heated Room is to offer an experience from each individual the moment they enter the building. With the help of architecture studio 64North, Fares was able to execute the design of the studio beautifully creating an immersive experience from the moment you walk in.

Lucky enough for Angelenos , the studio is now open and memberships can be purchased today. Here are a few different options for exercising at Heated Room: 

  • Monthly memberships starting at $300 USD
  • Heated Room class pass for $36
  • Rent a private Reformer Room for just $100/hr

Sculpt your body to its core. Energize and transform your front, side, and back with a rigorous class designed around traditional Pilates Principles.

Retrain your body and mind to work as one with targeted core movements and upbeat tracks in the heated room. You’ll leave feeling hot—and definitely not bothered.  

Light up every muscle with their heated, high-intensity mat pilates class. Move through concentrated sequences to tone and define legs, arms, shoulders, and seat.  These full body workout demands everything you’ve got to strengthen as you lengthen.

Connect movement with breath as you flow through Vinyasa sequences in their heated room. Stabilize your core and build fire. This isn’t exercise; this is body art.

Heated Room delivers structured classes that focus on your core, strength and alignment with the help of world class trained instructors. Fully equipped with all the necessities, the heated mat pilates room and their private Reformer room has everything you need to start sweating and transform your body!

Check out Heated Room’s website to see more pictures or view the class schedule! 

 

But Is Your All Natural Deodorant Also Mood Boosting?

May 26, 2021

Is it also gender-neutral, cruelty-free, aluminum-free, 100% natural, paraben-free, clean, clean-free, and packaged in a stunning sexy little roll on?

Didn’t think so. Clearly, you need mindalt in your life.

mindalt, elevates your mood with the proven science of essential oils. As someone who has 2 diffusers running at all times, this product is right up my alley.

No aluminum or anything toxic doesn’t mean it doesn’t work. With endless testing, mindalt learned that using fewer ingredients has nothing to do with deodorant being any less effective.

mindalt delivers a rich combination of ingredients that target mood, sweat and odor in multiple ways.  

The right combo of essentail oils = 4x the mood boosting power.

Each of their 22 specific essential oils have been scientifically proven to impact your brain’s nervous system and positively alter your mood state and wellbeing.

The power of 5.

Five powerful sweat absorbers,  five natural ingredients to attack sweat from different angles, from reducing pore size to wicking away moisture to absorbing wetness. Five potent antimicrobial odor fighters that stop the bacteria that cause body odor from forming.

Mood enhancing essential oils

Lemon: EWG Clean Rating 1
Boosts your metabolism and mood. That’s why it’s nicknamed liquid sunshine. Refreshing citrusy. Slightly sweet scent.

Bergamot: EWG Clean Rating 2
The triple treat and why Bergamot is found in all our products. Positive mood enhancer with antimicrobial properties that also helps absorb sweat. Fresh citrus scent with a hint of spices.

Sage: EWG Clean Rating 1
Steels against negativity and uplifts your mood. Smells balmy and herbal.

Vetiver: EWG Clean Rating 1
Balances your mood reducing irritability. Smells much like uncut grass with a woody undertone.

Sandalwood: EWG Clean Rating 1
Aids mental clarity and promotes creativity. A woody scent offset by floral, balsamic and sweet accents.

Ingredients that absorb sweat

Zea Mays: EWG Clean Rating 1
Corn starch, highly effective in the dampening of wetness.

Pullulan: EWG Clean Rating 1
Produced from starch and provides excellent moisture protection.

Citrus Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil: EWG Clean Rating 2
An essential oil with a surprisingly high astringency, allowing it to reduce or contract the size of sweat-producing pores.

Witch Hazel Distillate: EWG Clean Rating 1
Derived from steaming the twigs of the Witch Hazel shrub, this essential oil is an astringent that constricts the tissue under the arm to prevent sweat and also reduces moisture.

Silica: EWG Clean Rating 1
A mineral component of sandstone, it acts to soak up moisture from sweat.

Ingredients that prevent body odor

Propanediol: EWG Rating 2
Derived from the glucose obtained from corn, it’s a highly effective bacteria inhibitor (especially Gram-positive bacteria, most commonly responsible for causing body odor). Gentle on the skin. it causes no irritation and acts as a moisturizer.

Triethyl Citrate: EWG Clean Rating 1
A citric acid that prevents bacterial decomposition of sweat ingredients that directly cause body odor.

Glycerin: EWG Clean Rating 1
A naturally occurring organic compound that has strong antimicrobial properties.

Pentylene Glycol: EWG Clean Rating 1
Naturally occurring in sugarcane, it is a longstanding antimicrobial agent which helps stabilize liquids that don’t mix well. It is an emulsifier and therefore a good ally of Sunflower Oil, our emulsion.

Citric Acid: EWG Clean Rating 1
An organic fruit derived acid (from lemon or lime) that combats armpit sweat as it reduces sweat production.

OP+ also includes:

Polyglyceryl: EWG Clean Rating 1

Derived from vegetables this plant based antimicrobial effectively targets all the types of body odor.

Zinc Ricinoleate: EWG Clean Rating 1

Found in castor oil this odor absorber rather than merely killing bacteria, traps and absorbs odor molecules making them imperceptible to the odor receptors in your nose.

Ingredients that improve the product experience

Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower Seed) Oil: EWG Clean Rating 1
Sunflower Oil is the formulation’s key carrier oil that ensures the essential oils don’t lose potency on contact with the skin and are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. Works to make the essential oil combinations more effective and ‘bio-available’.  It also acts to delay the oxidation of Bergamot, our formula’s most versatile essential oil.

Tocopherol: EWG Clean Rating 1
A naturally occurring organic compound known to have Vitamin E activity, a potent antioxidant that helps prevent cell damage by fighting off highly reactive free radicals.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride: EWG Clean Rating 1
Made from palm. Beyond smoothing your skin, it helps agents bind together to make the mood enhancing essential oils longer lasting.

Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Juice: EWG Clean Rating 1
Aloe Vera is well-recognized to sooth and soften the skin.

Menthol: EWG Clean Rating 1
A crystalline compound found largely in Peppermint oils that provides a soothing and momentary cooling sensation upon application.

For example: Ingredients that maintain formulation integrity

Lecithin: EWG Clean Rating 1
Found in the tissue of plants, it is an emulsifier that extends the product’s shelf-life.

Hydroxyacetophenone: EWG Clean Rating 1
Found naturally in Cloud Berries, it is a preservative booster.

Phenethyl Alcohol: EWG Clean Rating 1
Occurring naturally in essential oil plants, it prevents or retards bacterial growth and in turn protects the product from spoilage. It is a natural preservative.

Sclerotium Gum: EWG Clean Rating 1
A big sugar molecule used as a thickening agent.

Xanthan Gum: EWG Clean Rating 1
An all-natural sugar molecule used in tandem with Sclerotium Gum, acts to stabilize our emulsions.

Glyceryl Oleate Citrate: EWG Clean Rating 1
A natural compound of citric acid and vegetable oils. It’s an emulsifier and stabilizer for water. It contributes to even the distribution of products during use, keeping the ingredients from separating.

SHOP for mindalt here! And check out their bundles. 

So What’s The Real Deal With CoolSculpting?

May 12, 2021

One of the toughest challenges for people who are trying to lose weight is getting rid of stubborn fat. Duh.

So the deal with liposuction is that it is also is one of the most dangerous cosmetic procedures around.  You’ve heard of CoolSculpting by now, a million times. Completely non-invasive and gets great results depending on what you’re trying to achieve. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of CoolSculpting so you can make a wiser decision.

Pros of CoolSculpting

There are tons of reasons why CoolSculpting could be a better option than liposuction for you. For one, you don’t have to go to a full-on clinic to get it. You can go to a medical spa like this one based in El Dorado Hills and the whole thing can be done on the same day. Convenience and lack of any discomfort is one of the top reasons why people go for the procedure, as is the minimal downtime required for recovery.

But the biggest benefit of CoolSculpting is that there is no incision involved. This means less pain (or none, in my case) and discomfort associated with the procedure afterward. This is also part of the reason why recovery is so fast. Also, there will be fewer chances of complications. With CoolSculpting, you could literally start working immediately after getting the procedure, while you may have to wait for a few months with liposuction.

Another great thing about CoolSculpting is you can see lots of clinical results. For most, you’ll see results just weeks after getting the treatment done. CoolSculpting works by selectively freezing fat cells under the skin until they die. But, the thing with fat cells is that once they’re gone, they’re gone forever. This does not mean that you can eat whichever way you want and never gain weight, but it will be hard to do so in areas that have been treated. So, as long as you stick to a healthy lifestyle, you should be able to maintain results.

Cons of CoolSculpting

While CoolSculpting is great, it isn’t perfect. One of the things you have to know with this technology is that it isn’t made for people who have severe weight issues. It is more for those who may have stubborn pockets of fat in specific places and want to sculpt the area.

You should also know that it has some side effects even if it’s not invasive. Some people have reported things such as redness in treated areas, bruising, loss of sensation, and more. Some have also reported some swelling. However, these side effects shouldn’t scare you out of getting the procedure done, since it only targets fat tissue and not the muscle or skin around it. In most cases, these symptoms won’t last long and will subside right after the procedure. However, there are times where they could last for days, even weeks. Note that severe cases are extremely rare, and the person you decide to work with will make a big difference.

Personally, I found that the sides of my legs where I had it done ended up uneven and a bit rippled.

How to Choose the Right Person for the Procedure

The first thing you have to do is check their credentials and expertise using the procedure. You want to know how long they’ve been performing it and whether they have some examples to show you. We would also suggest that you ask for a few references and follow up on them. Ask them how the procedure went and how helpful they were. Lastly, you want to work with someone who’s honest and with whom you feel comfortable.

Now that you know a bit more about CoolSculpting, you’ll be able to go in fully informed. Speak with a few teams and go for the one who’ll be able to prove their expertise.

Photos from Marina Plastic Surgery