Category Archives: GROOM

Sundara Holistic: Skincare + Healing + Ayurvedic Principals

November 8, 2015

What does it mean to be beautiful? How does one achieve that aura of well-being, that radiant glow? We all want to possess these intangible qualities. The ancient tradition of Ayurveda teaches that inner and outer beauty are intertwined. In order to have beautiful skin, we must nurture the dhatus, or body tissues. Some pepole insist daily yoga is the way forward and helps you flourish from within. Many women have completed 300 hour yoga teacher training india, in order to be able to help other women embrace their aura of well-being. Other women have argued that different beauty products help us connect with ourselves and achieve our intertwined outer and inner beauty.

This is the introduction into the beautiful and thoughtful creation of Sundara Holistic, founded and created by Kiera Nachman. I had the pleasure of meeting Kiera at Wanderlust LA a few weeks ago and instantly fell in love with everything she brings to the table. And she brought it all.

Presenting the Sundara Holistic skin care oils based on the Ayurvedic doshas, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, also includes a gorgeous Vedic moisturizer (which smelled heavenly) as well as a eye cream and lip balm. All Natural. All Goodness. All Divine.

Now, I am all for natural. But I, like most women am quite skeptical of slathering OIL on my face. Wouldn’t I break out? Shouldn’t I be dabbing thick creams with my ring finger like the lady showed me at Nordstrom’s? Isn’t oil just too, well… oily? The answer in short…NO.

This is NEXT LEVEL on All Levels. If you want to take your skincare and lifestyle to a whole new plane of health, Sundara Holistic is a beautiful experience of healthy skin care and self care. Each oil is specially infused with Reiki vibrational healing and mantra, while made with top of the line essential oils and holistic ingredients. I am enamored with the Vata oil that has moisturized my sensitive skin, the scent (like stepping into a delicious spa!), but most importantly, the overall experience of Wellness that makes me feel like an all natural goddess. I absolutely love putting something on my skin (and into my system) that is the highest quality of natural beauty care.

sundaraholistic.com for more…behold the amazing shop!

xx, Cristy

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Life Coach 101 – Start with Chad Cryder – Your Gay BFF

November 2, 2015

I first heard about Chad Cryder, “empowering the feminine energy” (and more!) when a girlfriend held a dating workshop led by him, entitled something to the effect of Dating Workshop for Women led by your Gay BFF. Loved the title. Missed the workshop. I hear it was amazing. I decided I had to meet Chad. I will admit to having an impression in my mind of a super flaming queen giving me blow job tips. Well, I was (thankfully) totally surprised when we had our first Skype session. Chad is grounded and far from any stereo-type. Chad is very manly, man, despite having honed a deep connection to the feminine psyche. But most importantly, he is a professional at what he does….

I bounced over to his website and loved all of these questions: Of course the answer is YES to all!

♥ Have you ever noticed that you seem to be repeating the same pattern?

♥ Have you felt that others bring out the worst in you?

♥ Do you feel manipulated but can’t stop it from happening?

♥ Does it feel like you’ve become paralyzed because nothing seems to work?

DON’T FORGET THIS!!!

Learn to break the patterns that hold you back from living your best life
Move beyond old ways of thinking to experience a more fulfilling life
Learn that love is a choice to accept, embrace and honor our differences
Learn how the muck of life are lessons in disguise
Live a life that encourages your strengths
Find your passion in life, love, and community
Gain insights by using your passions, desires and needs to live an empowering life
Learn to break the patterns that have kept you in chaos
Learn how to observe your life and patterns from a position of strength
Unlock and release the perspectives that haunt you
Know how to shake off the negativity
Stop the confusion that slows you down by unleashing your innate superhero

So, I decided to book a few sessions with him to dig deeper into my blocks. He is fantastic. He speaks my language. His approach is the perfect balance of esoteric spiritual and pedal to the medal action.

His credentials are impressive and they are growing by the day:

“I am a relationship coach, PhD student, author, workshop presenter, speaker, and gay BFF. But more importantly, I’m a listener, teacher, and empathetic advisor who can help you navigate the world of relationships. I am an honest yet tender coach. And while I enjoy walks on the beach, a good book, and my cats, I hate rainbow farting fluff that mucks up a real conversation and an honest connection.

There are two types of relationships that focus on – relationship with self & relationship with others. In my 8+ years of experience working with individuals and couples, the biggest issue starts off as a problem with our relationships with others.”

So far we had a few sessions to get to know each other and find my hot spots so to speak. This last week, he talked about our lives being a “play” – pre-written, that we enter into upon birth and “improv” our way through. But everyone has their set role – except us. What I took from this was, we have something to learn from every relationship we are in. Every SHITTY (yes, even the shit ones) are “pre-mapped” so to speak, to give us the lessons we need to learn in this lifetime. Chad talks a lot about energy, love, meaning and purpose. So far it has not been “work” intensive (though I have a bit to bang out for our 9 am Skype tomorrow).

For now – learn more and book a session for yourself with Chad here

I can’t wait to report back, when I have knocked a few more doors down within myself!

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HydraFacial MD

November 1, 2015

HydraFacial MD®, voted as the #1 facial in New Beauty Magazine and spotted in Forbes, In Style, Marie Claire, and OK! magazine. The HydraFacial MD® is a multi-step in-house facial that deeply cleanses while delivering vital antioxidants to skin. Are you ever apprehensive to try a new facial? If so, we’re definitely on the same page. HydraFacial MD® takes the guess work out of trying a new facial. Have we mentioned it’s only 30 minutes with no downtime, discomfort or pain? It’s the treatment you can trust to get results.

Flavia tried one at Dr. John Diaz’s office (465 N Roxbury Dr in Beverly Hills) and had this to say:

Lorn-Nicole was extremely well-versed in the process and walked me through every step. I definitely got the feel that she truly believed in the product and the treatment process by how passionate she was about it!

She quickly yet efficiently identified my skin’s needs and got right to work. The HydraFacial’s steps were all very soothing and calming, which was exactly what my skin needed after a horrendous emotional breakout recently! All of the serums she used felt and smelled wonderful, and the heated red light felt especially therapeutic.

The 30 minute process makes it a nice pick-me-up skin cleaning which can fit in to a busy schedule that so many of us have these days – a plus for those who are weary of hitting the spa because of the typical time span ideals.

Lorn-Nicole was so friendly and sweet, and I felt comfortable talking to on a deeper level which is always nice in contrast to the usual platitudes we can find ourselves awkwardly engaging in at times during such encounters as these.

Watch this video to learn more.

Dr. John Diaz’s office (465 N Roxbury Dr in Beverly Hills)

Call 424-278-2214

xx Flavia

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Bring on the Brows with Toppik

October 29, 2015

I was really excited to try the Toppik brow building fibers because I’ve had very sparse eyebrows my entire life. I envy women with the full, natural brows, the kind that are so effortlessly alluring. My eyebrows were so thin that I even broke down and got “3D natural looking permanent eyebrows” last year in an attempt to omit the eyebrow drawing process all together from morning routine. But even with permanent makeup I am still not completely satisfied. Being a perfectionist and all, I am still resorting to filling in the light spots every day anyway.

I’ve tried it all before, pencils, cremes, gels, gel pencils … You get the picture right?

Enter Toppik: To begin the Toppik process, you apply the brow shaping wax with the angled end of a the dual end brush (included in set) and apply where you want a little more fullness. Easy enough.

Next you dip the rounded end into the “Brow Building fibers” – made of keratin, for a natural look – and lightly dab onto your brows for the fullness and definition you desire.

Viola. Brows.

All in all it was an easy process, and although it was my first time, I didn’t have any mishaps, and I know that as I get a little more assimilated to the process, I could probably reach my “brow goals’ in a matter of two to three minutes.

This is heaven-sent to me. I’ve had days where drawing eyebrows made me late to work! Yes, I am one of those women who just take their brows really seriously. Don’t judge me.

I played with two different shades, medium brown and dark brown and both look very natural. I used the dark brown and it blended in superbly with my sad, hardly-there baby brows. I am a happy camper.

Definitely give Toppik a try if you’re tired of the unnatural or “drawn in” eyebrow look, especially if you don’t have much to begin with!

XO Flavia

FACTS: $19.95

WHAT IT IS

The Toppik Brow Building Fibers Set makes even the thinnest eyebrows instantly thick, full and natural-looking. Brow Building Fibers last longer than eyebrow powder and look more natural than eyebrow pencils or gels. This 3-piece kit includes a brow wax to shape eyebrows, Brow Building Fibers and a custom dual-end brush for wax and fibers application, making this the best eyebrow makeup for full, natural-looking brows.

WHAT IT DOES

Learn how to shape eyebrows correctly with this 3-piece eyebrow kit. The Toppik Brow Building Fibers Set has 3 key components that make this groundbreaking brow set unique.

Brow Conditioning Wax sets and defines the shape of your natural brows
Brow Building Fibers adhere to brows, fill in patchiness, and give brows long-lasting thickness and color
The Dual-End Brush ensures simple and precise application

WHAT ELSE YOU NEED TO KNOW
Available in 3 versatile shades that work with nearly all brow colors. Brow Conditioning Wax is made with nourishing Mango, Shea and Cocoa Butters to condition the skin and brow follicles. Avocado and Jojoba Oils also add moisture and help tame unruly brows. Brow Building Fibers are made of colored keratin protein, the same type of protein that is found in your hair. They have a natural static charge that binds the Brow Building Fibers to your hair, creating a completely natural look and feel.

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Arcona bringing it with pumpkin extracts to new fall skincare

October 21, 2015

I love all things Arcona. And this fall skincare is good enough to eat. (But don’t!) Smells divine, feels amazing.

ARCONA Pumpkin Body Lotion
· $35; Nordstrom.com
· This highly active body lotion is infused with pumpkin extracts and glycolic acid to improve tonal quality and elasticity in the skin.

Details

A pure and natural, highly active body lotion infused with pumpkin extracts and glycolic acid helps improve tonal quality and elasticity in the skin. Excellent for regenerating and repairing sun-damaged skin.

How to use: Apply a thin layer evenly to body once a day. Use sparingly. Benefits are cumulative with regular use. Temporarily discontinue use and consult your ARCONA therapist or a professional if excessive irritation occurs.

ARCONA Magic Pink ice
·     $42; Beauty.com
·    ARCONA donates 25% for every magic pink ice sold to cancerandcareers
·   Daily hydrating gel moisturizes deep within the dermis without clogging pores, to protect against environmental damage and leave skin fresh and dewy.

Details

All Skin Types

Arcona will donate 25% of Magic Pink Ice proceeds for the month of October 2015 to Cancer & Careers

Daily hydrating gel moisturizes deep within the dermis without clogging pores, to protect against environmental damage and leave skin fresh and dewy. Moisturize skin with white cranberry complex, hyaluronic acid and mucopolysaccharides. Neutralize free radicals with a proprietary mineral complex of beta-carotene, vitamins B-5, C and E. Clarify skin with anti-microbial totara extract.

Like all products in ARCONA’s skin therapy regimen, Magic Pink Ice is cosmeceutically formulated with pure, natural ingredients, cold-pressed in small batches to keep them fresh, active and super-effective. For optimal results, we recommend using this product within six months of opening. change may be immediately noticeable; however, full benefits are derived as skin is brought into balance by regular use.

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