Category Archives: GROOM

BRAZILIAN BLOWOUTS! To blow or not to blow? Liz Devin tells us how to find a safe stylist and salon.

July 20, 2012

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In case you haven't noticed there has been a ton of buzz about Brazilian Blow Outs and safety. Much to do is going around about the potential dangers of this so-called "toxic-cocktail" – and much of it is talk talk talk.  Several salons are no longer doing them and looking for safer alternatives.  Of course, as someone who loves a B.B. and even had one while pregnant (!) I had to look into this a bit more. 

First off, every single treatment I tried that is considered totally safe, as in formaldehyde-free, did not work. I wont name brand-names, but several of the keratin-like treatments I tried, only worked to slightly smooth the hair, and maybe only 20% and for a day or two.  They did not live up to their claims what-so-ever.  I don't doubt that are good for your hair, but in no way should you go in expected sleek, smooth and straight results. It aint happening. 

I decided to let Liz Devin, one of LA's top stylists and Brazilian Blowout specialists (she works out of the Andy LeCompte Salon in WeHo) weigh in on this. As she is doing them, problem free, and after having her do one on my this past week, I now know why. It's called: Ventilation and a Serious Top Notch Professional only.  The last blow out I had two years ago was at a very fancy shmancy salon, and the woman burned my hair so badly that Liz had to sadly chop it off, send me to Bed Bath and Beyond to buy a silk pillowcase and vow not to touch it until it totally grew in. (She also sent me to Denis for an amazing conditioning Keratin Rejuvination Treatment which helped restore it and protect it from breaking further).

Here is what Liz had to say:

 

When I do Brazilian keratin treatments I use four small fans. I have all of the windows open and the fans blow all the vapor out the windows. I provide masks for my clients as well as myself and my assistant. I also have two large air filters that are specifically for salon chemicals. 

It is your stylist responsibility to keep you, themselves and coworkers safe by knowing what chemicals they are using and taking the necessary precautions. 
When done safely, the treatments can be life changing. When not done safely and properly they can be a disaster.  

Make sure your stylist has taken a class and is certified to do the treatments. Many stylist simply watch a YouTube video and buy the products online. That is not ideal. 

Ask if the salon has windows for proper ventilation. 

Be sure that the treatment is done near open windows and or doors. 

 
Ask if the stylist has fans to blow the vapor away. 

 
Ask if the stylist has any air filters specifically for salon chemicals.

These are a few guidelines for you to use in deciding who is doing their best to do Brazilian keratin treatments safely.  

Good luck!  

Liz Devin

 

So that's that people. Please educate yourself on your stylist. OR, if you were me, just go to Liz and don't waste your time anywhere else. I had the best experience.  The fans were blowing away – I was given a protective clear eye mask – I did not smell one thing – She was quick and amazing and my hair is straight as a bone.  LOVE IT!!

 

THANKS LIZ!!  XOXO

 

 

Weekly Round Up! VASER, LIPOSONIX, NO CURE FOR BRAZILIAN BLOW OUTS, SOLEIL ORGANIQUE SUNSCREEN, ANATASIA’S SEE AND BE SEEN KIT.

June 25, 2012

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soooo many product and treatments to fill you in on – i don't know where to start.

 

1. so far, no replacement for the toxic-much-debated Brazilian Blowout. sorry peeps. so far i've tried 4 au-natural-chem-free attempts at hair de-frizzing and they all suck-ass.  so this week, thank you thank you, the brilliant LIZ DEVIN will be putting on her mask and flattening the crap outta my jew-frizz over at ANDY LECOMPTE.

2. the good people at the mucho famoso Dr. Peter Bela Fodor invited me in to try the VASER system – a non-invasive fat removal system. well, if you can wrap your head around this one – we only could do my underarms as it appeared that day that i didn't have enough fat in my mid-section and my thighs house metal hip replacements and we couldn't do the VASER near those.  so after a lovely lie down with the yummy warm massagy thing going back and forth on my arms like the best hot stone massage ever – the bat wings were measured and were 1/4 inch smaller. not bad! you are supposed to do a series of 4 or 5 treatments and this is supposed to be great for mid-section and thigh bulges. i am still freakin out over the LIPOSONIX i tried 6 weeks ago as they seriously is melting fat off my legs. wow. honestly, if you need to get rid of fat that spinning still has'nt touched in years, not up for anything invasive – this is IT. period, the end. it works.

 

3. a killler, organic, mineral sunscreen to protect your DNA from UVA rays is making me and my kids so happy. SOLEIL ORGANIQUE MINERAL SUNSCREEN MIST ($42). it makes putting sunscreen on fun. the spray is so cool – like a dry mist. absorbs quickly, smells amazing. in fact, we all can't get enough. and it's rated 45, water resistant, hypo allergenic, vegan and gluten free with green tea extract and eco sun complex. to die for.

 

4. if you're looking for a BRIGHT hot pink summer gloss – this is your baby. Anastasia's SEE AND BE SEEN set ($44) it comes with 2 serious almost neon pink and peachy glosses, a brow gel and duo eye shadow. summer glimmer at it's best.

 

5. tried a C02 laser two weeks ago. the motherlode of skin resurfacing. holy shizzy.  if you have a down week where you can look like you've been in a hard-core plane crash and have some hypo or hyper-pigmentation, acne scars or fine lines you'd like to see blasting into oblivion, this is the treatment for you. NOT for the faint of heart.  it hurts like a mutha (take the narco!) will frighten the crap outta your spouse, partner or kids, but crap it's totally worth it. i have the skin of a 2 year old. you CANNOT have just anyone do it! it's considered surgery (even though it's not technically, it's in office and you're up) and i only only only recommend DR. LEIF ROGERS and/or his P.A. VALERIE to perform it. not cheap either but if you have skin issues that you've been battling – this is for you.

 

 

 

Michael Gifford – amazing work with fillers at RR AESTHETICS

June 1, 2012

Thank you Rand Rusher for bringing such an amazingly skilled person, Michael Gifford, into your practice over at RR AESTHETICS!  I think I have seriously found my go to for freezer and fillers these days.

Now people don't have to wait and wait and w a i t for Rand's schedule to free up for a freezer/fillers session.  Michael trained exclusively under Rand's guidance and he is phenomenal.  Worked some serious magic on my this week with the tiniest bit of Perlane. Another set of magical hands to the already number one freezer/filler practice in LA.

YAY!

You will love Michael (and I think he's even a little less pricey than Rand, which is always nice, huh?!)

 

MICHAEL GIFFROD at Rand Rusher

www.randrusher.com/
RR Aesthetics offers a range of services for their clients looking for the latest in fillers, freezers and other specialized services. Providing services for patients of …

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 416 N Bedford Dr #204  Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 275-7263

 

 

new blow dry class at Yoshi Hair Studio in BevHills. learn to give yourself a great blow dry.

April 12, 2012

 

look what's being offered at Yoshi Hair Studio!
Founder Yoshi Hagiwara will be giving one-on-one blow dry classes where he will show the client step by step instructions on how to get the perfect blowout with their individual hair type. I know there is a whole blow dry bar boom happening (including Yoshi Hair Studio with Haute Air located inside the salon offering $35 blowdrys), but this is unique in that you get an individual class and for those who don't want to spend the $35-$40 on regular blow outs, this is a less expensive alternative.
Perfect for someone who doesn't really know how to do a great blowout on themselves but really wants to learn. (i personally suck at blowing. uh.  that sounded weird).

The class is $150 and includes the best brush for them, one product to finish the look, and time with Yoshi. 

Yoshi Hair Studio, in Beverly Hills. Located right on Canon Dr. (conveniently located across from a parking structure, for those of you familiar with the area) the salon is warm, welcoming, busy, yet intimate all at the same time. Yoshi only reigns over 11 chairs, but his menu rivals that of any Beverly Hills mega-salon with color, cuts and including Yoshi's Haute Air blow dry bar.

Yoshi Hagiwara

Yoshi Hagiwara has established himself as a force in the beauty industry and has built a reputation as one of LA’s most sought after beauty experts. After nearly 25-years at some of Beverly Hills most renowned salons, Yoshi opened the doors of his very own salon the Yoshi Hair Studio located in the heart of Beverly Hills.

Trained in Tokyo, Yoshi started working at a friend’s hair salon at the young age of 16. After relocating to the States, he worked as the training specialist and cutting stylist for Joseph Martin Salon in Beverly Hills. Yoshi left his post at Joseph Martin for Frederic Fekkai, where he worked for over a decade as Frederic’s head stylist.

Exalted by Los Angeles celebrities and socialites alike, Yoshi is known for his precise short haircuts and face-framing cuts that fit his clients’ lifestyle, face shape and individual personalities. In a quarter of a decade, Yoshi has worked with an extensive list of celebrity clientele and his work can be seen on countless television shows such as America’s Next Top Model as well as for some of the most acclaimed fashion shows including American Vogue.

 

Yoshi Hair Studio Staff

Yoshi Hair Studio

450 North Canon Drive

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

T.310.285.9910

 

a love letter to LUBA at “Ma Maison de Beaute” in WeHo

April 3, 2012

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For 15 years and a dozen bad breakups, one joyous wedding, the exhilarating birth of twin boys and the rapid decline of both my sanity and looks, Luba (that's "love" in Russian) Shapiro has always been there for me.  A gifted aesthetician (and mother of twins herself!), she's waxed, scrubbed, sculpted, plucked, exfoliated, squeezed, eyelash-tinted and primped me through the best and worst of times.   I thought there was nothing that Luba couldn't or hasn't done for me– follically speaking, of course.  That's when she told me about "dermaplaning" – a fantastic exfoliating technique involving a surgical blade and her confident touch.   It's true– in a certain light, I could be said to resemble Cornelius, the blonde ape from "Planet of the Apes" – but after an hour on the table, my complexion felt smooth as silk (and stayed that way for at least a month.)   Damn you, apes.  Damn you to hell.
love, Kayla
 
Luba works out of "Ma Maison de Beaute" –  a gorgeous one-stop boutique spa in West Hollywood.
 
Eyelash tints from $15, waxing from $10 up.  Dermaplaning runs about $100.   
8804 Rosewood Avenue  West Hollywood, CA 90048
(310) 385-0643