Category Archives: GROOM

Ollie Belle Is The Acne Cover Dot That Actually Works

September 14, 2021

Peel, Set And Forget

If you are a mom, then you know about teen acne – There is nothing worse for a kid’s self-esteem – especially now, with in-person learning. (YAY!).

Enter the cover dot! And the line of acne dot’s by Ollie Belle is proving to be my teen’s top contender.

So what about us adults? Hormonal acne, maskne – we are not immune to the occasional flare-up!  Ollie Belle keeps my monthly pimples at bay. Hooray!

What is Cover Dot?

Cover Dot Acne Care is an adhesive that promotes fast healing of pimples, acne & small wounds. Acting as a second skin, Cover Dot contains hydrocolloid which creates the perfect environment for the pimple to heal and regenerate skin.

Maskne Duo: Fight maskne with a breathable mask & acne absorbing patch

 

Why Cover Dot?

With tapered edges, Cover Dot Acne Care is a thin & waterproof dot that stays in place & acts as a layer of skin to help heal acne and reduce scarring. Cover Dot was the first hydrocolloid acne patch to be made and sold in the United States.

Features

Heat and humidity, which increase oil production, are popular acne triggers. Try using these easy and effortless FDA-registered acne dots from Ollie Belle to absorb pus and oil. They will help reduce the blemish size and redness without any irritation.

Designed to cover and treat breakouts, the Cover Dot Acne Patches from Ollie Belle are great for subtly healing pimples and other facial wounds while out and about this summer. The ultra-thin patches are nearly invisible and will withstand the heat while supporting the skin…
A maskne duo with a reusable face mask designed to absorb excess moisture off your face. Bonus: It has phytoncide, which is an organic natural plant compound with anti-inflammatory properties. The material feels so soft on your skin and will *not* irritate it in any way! Huzzah!

Back To School With Botox Myths Busted 101

August 18, 2021

Researchers estimate that the global Botox market will reach 7.9 billion in 2026, after showing a post COVID-19 compound annual growth rate of 8.6%. These numbers show that the pandemic did little to slow the growth of the Botox industry, which is now shedding its image of exclusivity and achieving greater levels of social acceptance.

The normalization of Botox can be attributed to its increased affordability and the accessibility of information about its benefits, properties, and effects. Therefore, for the industry to gain complete mainstream acceptance, it’s important to dispel the myths and misconceptions surrounding Botox and other minimally invasive procedures.

Myth 1: Botox will freeze your facial muscles

When injected, Botulinum toxin type A, the drug that makes up Botox, blocks nerve signals from reaching facial muscles. The procedure, in effect, relaxes the muscles, and only limits movement within the targeted area. The rest of your muscles retain their full range of motion.

Myth 2: Botox injections are painful

Most people don’t feel any pain when going through the procedure. Of course, this can be different depending on the individual and their level of pain tolerance, but in general, Botox needles are too small to cause any significant discomfort.

Myth 3: Botox treatments are toxic

Botulinum toxin type A is considered a neurotoxin, but because it’s administered in small doses, it is generally harmless, and the risks are extremely minimal.

Online health and wellness website SymptomFind has many articles on skincare, and outlines that Botox injections are in fact safe. The treatment has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, and is a non-surgical and minimally invasive procedure that also serves as an approved treatment for chronic migraines, overactive bladders, and excessive underarm sweating. That being said, you need to ensure that a licensed professional administers your treatment, such as a physician or cosmetologist, to ensure the procedure is performed correctly.

Myth 4: Botox is permanent

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that Botox treatments last for about 3-4 months on average. Results vary, and it’s possible for the treatment to last longer (6 months), or shorter (2 months), depending on the individual. After that, the nerves regain their ability to send signals to the facial muscles.

Your body might even develop a resistance to Botox after a long period of repeated dosage. If you are worried about Botox losing its effect on your muscles, there are similar alternatives like Dysport and Xeomin. Xeomin also contains Botulinum toxin A, but unlike Botox, it contains no other additives. This reduces the risk of developing neurotoxin resistance.

Myth 5: Wrinkles will worsen when Botox fades

When the neurotoxin wears off, the facial muscles simply return to their natural state. Muscles can weaken after repeated dosage over a long period of time, but this does little to exacerbate the appearance of wrinkles.

Myth 6: Botox can be addictive

Botox contains no addictive properties or elements. It’s possible to develop an addiction to cosmetic procedures, but Psychology Today explains that these addictions are never caused by the procedures themselves. Instead, they are rooted in psychological issues like Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), which is a condition characterized by an extreme preoccupation with perceived physical flaws. The causes of BDD include genetics, experiences with abuse or bullying, or other mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and OCD.

The High-Performance Vegan, Non-Yoxic Hair Products That Work

August 17, 2021

Hairloss Happens and here’s why:

As we age, the anagen (growth) phase can shorten due to decreased levels of IGF-1 and microRNA31. Hair moves into the resting phase more quickly, causing excess shedding and thinning of hair. Also, as we age, our hormone levels change which often results in increased levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which can damage the dermal papillae, resulting in inflammation, reduced circulation and follicle miniaturization.

STRESS & LACK OF SLEEP: Anxiety, fear and poor sleep can cause cortisol levels to spike. Increased cortisol levels can cause hair to prematurely exit the anagen phase and enter into the shedding phase. Cortisol can also trigger proinflammatory cytokines, increase interleukin 1, 6 levels and cause weight gain.

POOR NUTRITION: A diet low in zinc, iron, vitamin A, B6 &12, C, D, E, biotin, folic acid and natural collagen boosters can also lead to hair thinning and loss.

‘DIRTY’ HAIR CARE PRODUCTS & ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION: Use of hair products containing synthetic chemicals, fragrances and silicones can damage & dehydrates hair while blocking pores, irritating the scalp and inhibiting healthy sebum production. Environmental pollution can also cause growth signals to weaken over time.

ENTER VEGAMOUR…. to restore hair growth

There are many factors that can contribute to poor hair health and subsequent hair fallout. Oftentimes, it’s a combination of two or more internal concerns that are further exacerbated by external issues such as environmental pollution or ‘dirty’ hair care and/or styling products.

Hair, like anything else that grows in nature, requires a healthy ecosystem in order to thrive. Therefore, any successful approach to hair concerns requires a holistic (or comprehensive) solution that not only addresses the symptoms of poor hair health (shedding follicles, irritated scalp, damaged cuticles, split ends, toxicology, etc.) but also the underlying causes (hormonal changes, stress, poor sleep, lack of essential vitamins & minerals, UV & environmental pollution as well as all of the horrible things we do to our hair like bleaching, dying, curling , straightening, washing and styling with harmful chemicals).

VEGAMOUR studied the most common causes of our most sensitive hair concerns and developed a truly holistic approach to hair wellness that incorporates powerful phytoactives in clean, vegan supplements, topical serums, hair care & styling products that work in tandem to help address both the symptoms and underlying causes of poor hair health & fallout.

They take an inside-out approach into consideration the health of the entire follicular ecosystem and works to promote a healthy environment for hair to flourish naturally.

The Hair Breakthrough: Karmatin™

Daily hair wellness from a non-toxic, 100% vegan ingredient that leaves hair smooth as glass.

What is Karmatin™?

Karmatin™ is an innovative, encapsulated vegan b-silk™ protein that replaces traditional keratin, a building block that occurs naturally in the hair. Many hair care products contain keratin, an animal protein that rinses away before it can repair damaged hair. But Karmatin™ bonds to the hair, nourishing it instantly for a glass-like feel. A true miracle and the hero ingredient in Vegamour’s shampoos, conditioners & masks, Karmatin™ deeply nourishes, repairs and protects hair from external aggressors like chlorine and sun, and keeps color vibrant without hurting animals or the planet.

Growth Without Compromise

Here’s what is in the formulas.

Synthetic Prostaglandins, Steroids

Finasteride

Bimatoprost

Isopropyl Cloprostenate

Minoxidil

Keratin

Safe, Vegan Formulas

Their formulas are clean, safe and healthy to use every day. There are no known harmful side effects or long-term health risks associated with anything we put in Vegamour products.

Vegamour products are cruelty-free (Leaping Bunny) and 100% vegan (Vegan Action), so they don’t hurt animals either.

Witness the growth.

Here is how hair works.

We dig deep into the field of molecular biology to create breakthrough processes and high-performance products that have been optimized for maximum efficacy. Each bio-active ingredient is clinically tested and incorporated into each of our formulas at the appropriate levels to achieve optimal benefits.

Cruelty Free Environmentally Conscious Makeup Now At CVS

July 29, 2021

Sorme

Here to redefine the drugstore makeup experience: Sormé Cosmetics.

I love nothing more than doing all my shopping at my beloved CVS. My purse, bag, whatever you want to call it, is always overflowing with their epic receipts. I collect the coupons like they are going out of style. Look, I love a  deal and finding ways to save on things we don’t need to spend a ton on. I can grab toilet paper, Fiber One cereal, a six-pack of Celsius, essential oils, gum for days, my menopause meds, my main squeeze – Prozac, and all the make-up goodies a woman needs.

With a 15-year-old girl who is more on top of makeup trends than we will ever be, I was thrilled to learn about Sormé Cosmetics. Their cosmetics line is formulated with clinically proven anti-aging peptides, natural antioxidant botanicals, sunscreens, and the finest color pigments available and it’s also cruelty-free (she is vegan) and environmentally conscious.

Some fun picks:

Lip Rescue Tinted Lip Balm & LipThick Plumping Gloss: hydrate lips while giving them a natural-looking color or for a more juicy look, add some plumping gloss on top.

-Fortified with Shea Butter complex, fruit acids, aloe vera and infused with antioxidant Vitamins A, E and F

Velvet Cheek Stick: an on-the-go beauty essential that will enhance your cheeks to achieve that perfect rosy, dewy glow (without having spent hours in the sun!)

-Dermatologically tested lightweight creams with vitamin E

Chubby Eyeshadow Pencil & Smearproof Eyeliner: incorporate a pop of color with a fun teal graphic eyeliner design or for the less artistic, a simple blue eyeshadow pencil enriched with Jojoba oil that glides easily over the lids and provides rich color pay-off.

-Vitamins C and E to nourish skin and Lecithin to prevent dryness

Optical Illusion Illuminizer Stick: a little goes a long way with this highlighter stick that helps illuminate skin with light-reflecting optics for an amazing glow and subtle shimmer.

-Skin conditioning formula with moisturizing Marula, grape seed and jojoba oils

Known as makeup that cares, Sormé’s philosophy revolves around enhancing natural beauty and protecting the skin while remaining environmentally conscious forming a brand that approaches makeup from a skin care point of view.

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!