PRODUCT OBSESSION – SHINSO – Only avail SPA 415 in Bev Hills…

February 21, 2009

Holy Japanese brilliance.You know when you put something on, a cream, an essence, a facial treatment and you just KNOW it is working….Like, on the spot?!

Welcome to the ridiculously powerful world of SHINSO. In Japanese this means: DEEPER LAYER. 

Me loves!!

A friend introduced me to this product a little while ago to try it – before I started the PRODUCT OBSESSION posts. I was freakin out about it. If fact, it inspired me to think about posting about products. It was THAT GOOD.

The minute you put it on, you can literally SEE (I swear, it's even a bit freaky, in fact I have photos coming to show the before and after that within MINUTES occurs) a difference. And I am very skeptical of anything that would for one minute profess immediate visual results but there is something in this serum that contracts, lifts and tightens the skin. And you can see it happen. Wild!

Today I had the most awesome honor to meet the reps from Japan at a special event for the product hosted at SPA 415 the only place carrying and using the product in it's treatments. I met the founder, Kawasaki who formulated this extract over the past 14 years after having been diagnosed with terminal cancer. He went into a 'nature exile' and found a way to treat and massage the lymph nodes with botanicals and herbs that he combined in various ways over the years and her literally cured himself of cancer. The lovely owner of Spa 415 is Liza Lewis and she is lucky to be cornering the market on SHINSO because once the word is out people are going to flock to her salon to devour it…Hurry before there is nothing left!

Obviously here in the U.S. we can't even begin to go 'there', so he has marketed this essence and nutrient fortified mist as a beauty treatment to refine skin, created radiance, lift and hopefully what will become: Ageless Skin. 

The SERUM is free of any synthetic chemicals or clogging oils. It is formulated from 60 all natural and organic ingredients such as ginseng extract, mulberry bark extract, grapefruit peel, brown algae, honey, olive leaf extract and pueraria root. I'm getting hungry! Soothing, refreshing and moisturizing, I was told I can use it as EVERYTHING!!  To moisturize, repair, enliven, brighten, etc…

The MIST is a hydrating, refreshing, energizing lifting product. It smells like the most yummy rose bouquet and is made form deep-sea waters with 30 organic compounds and invigorating spa botanicals. A high-tech misting spray that protects, revitalizes and tones all skin types. Let's just say I have one in my bag and one of the passenger seat of my car….Oh, and one by my bed.

After I saw a before and after photo when Kawasaki worked the essence in to my neck and face I was on the phone with three girlfriends who are all now on my personal waiting list for the serum and spray. (I just made that up. In other words, I will get on the case to find out WHEN and HOW to get this!!)

415 No. Crescent Drive
Suite 110
Bev Hills, CA 90210
310.276.8018
I am OBSESSED!!

PRODUCT OBSESSION – LEAF & RUSHER SKIN CARE COLLECTION

February 12, 2009

So we all know that I worship Rand Rusher. 

Being a product junkie – obviously, as only a grooming junkie would be – I recently took the splurge and dove into the skincare line he developed with plastic surgeon Norman Leaf.

Uh, WOWZA.

First of all, everything is naturally blended, created with botanical and medical grade ingredients that don't strip the skin but infuse them with vitamins and peptides. Yum!

Of course I am an obsessive cleanser and I think I drench a cotton square and swipe my face with Witch hazel, like, 5 times a day. Not good. So I was drawn to the SKIN TONIC that Rand told me is not a typical toner at all, but rather a balancing tonic that revitalized, protects, firms, hydrate and exfoliates in one step. Let's just say, I'm hooked. Acid, alcohol free and PH-balanced with glucosamine, yeast and natural algae…It's like an elixir of the gods, totally refreshing not to mention it contains licorice (calming – me needs this mucho) and free-radical-fighting antioxidants. Well, the Witch Hazel is in the garbage.

Next thing, eye cream. I had yet to settle on one. Truth is, I didn't even have one. Just some samples here and there that I pick up. I'm always scared to take the plunge, because let's face it, they are pricey. Until now.

I sampled the TX EYES with DNAResolve last time I was there and literally noticed a difference ON THE SPOT. Perhaps it was the lightening agents that made things brighten and pop immediately…Of course on a deeper level I was drawn to the ingredients of this luxury formula: potent vitamins, botanicals, firming, brightening, repairing and strengthening agents, eye contour, fine line, dark circle and puffiness relievers…So I sprung for this too. I cannot wait to see what will happen in the next few weeks as the marine plankton and lecithin helps repair the damaged DNA helix by supporting the skin's natural repair process from UV damage (so scientific!). I trust Rand to shoot needles into my face. When he says he developed something that WORKS…I believe him. 

And hey, the price is not ridic either:

TX EYES: $91.00

SKIN TONIC: $50.00

“HAIRWAY TO HEAVEN” – SCALP MASSAGE HEAVEN!

January 31, 2009

You know when you get a massage and you wish they would just spend an hour on your HEAD?! Well folks, the gorgeous and rockin GAVERT ATELIER salon in Bev Hills just added the most magnificent treatment to their spa (eyebrows, waxing, make-up, mani-pedi's, nails with Niki Le) menu. It's called the NIGOMI HAIR SPA offering the ANMA SHIATSU TECHNIQUE. And it is brilliant. The only bad part is when it ends and you have to come back to reality. That part sucks.

This newly renovated loft meets Zen salon (2 floors, 4000 sq. feet!) not only has top stylists (I had a wicked blow-out from super hottie Jason) is the only salon in town to have it's own HAIR SPA LOFT!

I was dying. You float upstairs and take off all jewelry and shoes and stuff. First, Emi, the adorable woman with amazing hands, worked some divine smelling oil into my hair. Oh my god. Then I was seated in a ridiculously perfect chair that  Mr. Gavert told me took 4 years to design and cost around $12,000. It was better than any Tempurpedic or Aeron chair – ergondynamic bliss.

What happened next is basically a blur because I was high as a kite from this deep, therapeutic treatment. There was Emi and her skilled pressure point massage, gentle but firm pressure gliding from the scalp to the end of each small section of hair, there was lots of hair conditioning and washing, there was hand moisturizing massage. I only awoke to catch myself snoring. It felt like I was under anesthesia. What is so cool about this is that it's almost better than getting a full body massage as you are in and out in an hour and don't have to get all undressed and all that. It is also invigorating, because after you 'come to' the scalp was so artfully tended to you are actually energized.

It's just plain old science that 70% of the nervous system is in the head, so this uber-relaxing massage activates neural pathways to the brain, stimulating unused brain cells and awakening cellular intelligence. Um, I have a plate of that please!

The Japanese-inspired salon, all natural wood and warm tones, with specialty teas and infusions (including Mariage Freres, the haute-couture of teas) offered upon arrival make the entire experience from beginning to end a Zen-like, serenity on earth experience. Please, now, breathe with me …ahh…..!

I even left with a Omamori, A Japanese good luck charm. Sweet!

The price is totally reasonable ($95) and I think this is my new fave girlfriend birthday gift. Perfect for two peeps to chip in and buy for a friend, or anyone who deserves a little something that is extra special. Now my old 'full body massage' gift feels outdated in comparison.

Run, don't walk your head to this place now! You so deserve it!

GAVER ATLEIER
9666 BRIGHTON WAY
BEVERLY HILLS, CA

HOURS: 8 AM TO 5 PM TUES, WED, FRI
THURS 8 AM TO 8PM
SAT 8 AM TO 4 PM
SUN 10 AM TO 4 PM

310. 858. 7898

PRODUCT OBSESSION – NARS ORGASM BLUSH

January 22, 2009

Found it! The blush of a lifetime. I've been looking for that perfect rosy, pink blush when I spotted it, on a fellow pilates trainer taking a walk on the treadmill next to me at Swerve where we both train peeps.

I was immediately taken with her rosy glow. Of course, being the Grooming Junkie, I knew it was not from that little hike she was taking.

What on earth color is that on your cheeks? It's downright radiant!

I know, she said. Everyone compliments me on it …

Only a grooming junkie would see this as a compliment and not an outing.

Nars Orgasm, she said. The powder, not the stick. And it looks brilliant on EVERYONE, no matter what the skin tone.

Well, I was off to Nordstroms in a matter of moments where I was told that yes indeed, the powder lasts longer than the stick. 

Let's just say I feel complete. It's exquisite. If I was not so neurotic about my skin, I would even put it on before exercising. But heaven forbid I clog my pores. It really is that pretty, like putting on sexy lingerie or a new dress. It makes me feel girly and feminine and if I can do that in two strokes – I'm in heaven.
You can find somewhere to buy it here:

Groom that SPACE!

January 5, 2009

With all this grooming for success there was one thing in my life that was in desperate need of grooming – my apartment. A mumble jumble of books and baby crap, I needed help figuring out how to excavate the peace and beauty that I knew was in there…somewhere.

And this happened in spades with the help of FENG SHUI expert KIM COLWELL of the Shambhalla Institute. 

Ok, so there was another good reason I went the Feng Shui route. A friend of mine said she met her husband when she had her bedrom Feng Shui'ed for romance. AHA! So why not give a try, right? 

Kim was incredible. We spent the first hour talking. She got to know me a bit, where I am emotionally, in my career and romantic worlds. We then started working on my space which she said was 'heavy mental' (great name for a band right?). We went through each room, showing me where the energy was blocked, stuck, and what we needed to do to move it. I had a little list of things to get too that would help facilitate this. I won't get into the details of what I did but let's just say I have a brand new space!! Space revitalized!

It is beyond incredible. Kim is like a psychic space clearer. She literally worked some major magic all based on her years of experience. Wait 'til you see her resume and background…well, enough said…

Contact

Los Angeles: 323.309.2945 
Orlando: 352.638.2617 
Vancouver: Please contact us via email below

Email:
kim@shambhallainstitute.com

Shambhalla Consultation

This comprehensive hourly consultation combines the following Shambhalla modalities:

  • Feng Shui to create a harmonious, warm, inviting atmosphere that nurtures a sense of well-being. Suggestions are given to enliven the chi or energetic feel of your space.
  • Space Revitalization to edit, re-arrange and revitalizeyour existing space using economic design solutions for great organization, personal style and flow. We explore your personal blocks and life goals and offer strategies to set up your space to strengthen self-identity, motivation and focus.
  • Shamanic Astrology & Medicine Wheel of Peace toset up your space with specific colors, elements and objects that support you in terms of your personal astrology.

Cost

$160 per hour