Category Archives: Uncategorized

Lavanila Laboratories : Forever Fragrance Oils

December 7, 2011

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I have a long-standing love-hate relationship with perfume. I like the idea of finding a scent that's truly "me," but every time I get trapped in the plume of someone else's cloyingly sweet perfume (blech!), I swear off the stuff for good. To me, the best fragrances are deliciously subtle and preferably derived from natural ingredients. So despite my usual hesitation when it comes to scents, I was excited to try Lavanila's new alcohol-free Forever Fragrance Oils. Compact, concentrated and completely untouched by harsh chemicals, they are a joy to wear and slip easily into in a pocket or a purse. Pure essential oils are blended in a base of sweet almond oil for a super-long-lasting and hydrating olfactory experience. My favorite is the Vanilla Coconut–a beautifully beachy blend of young coconut, exotic Tahitian tiare flower and warming Madagascar vanilla bean–it's like an exotic mini-vacation in a bottle. 

New yummy scents:

Pure Vanilla

Vanilla Coconut

Vanilla Grapefruit

No petrochemicals, phthalates, propylene glycol, mineral oils, silicones, synthetic dyes, sufates or parabens.

$26 each at Sephora, Sephora.com and Lavanilla.com

– Amelia Glynn

 

Isabel Lu and Lucca Couture HOLIDAY SALE + FOOD DRIVE!

November 30, 2011

Lucca Couture-Isabel Lu Christmas Sale

WHO: Isabel Lu & Lucca Couture are holding a Holiday Blowout Sale and Food Drive
WHEN: December 9 & 10th
WHERE: 629 East 30th Street in Downtown Los Angeles
WHAT + WHY: Isabel Lu at $15-$40, Lucca Couture as low as $10-$30!  Bring canned food for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and receive $10 off your purchase! 

Please Santa, help a mutha out. Ring love from UNEARTHEN.

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oh my moses! happy fricken hanukkah to me!!

WHAT:: Unearthen - to die for creations like their Small Prism Rings.  

Perfect for me – earthy, misshapen and equisitely hand crafted.  

Tetrahedron pyramid shaped crystals snuggle up between your fingers.

In oxidized silver ($240) or rose gold ($270), and either black onyx or clear quartz for the prism.  Orgasmic.

Look at their signature wooden box tied with a velvet bow.  

So, hubby, I'll take the Mini Prism Rings too. 

Available at Bona Drag, $240-$270.

 

Wait! I think I want one of these!!!!

Yes, this is it…. 

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Alegenist Concentrated Reconstructing Serum

November 29, 2011

Algenist_Serum

Alegenist, a Alguronic Acid* based line of anti-aging skincare packs a serious punch. 

The line, developed by a team of biotechnologists from San Fran is loaded with the acid that does so many good things, it's like the Mother Teresa of ingredients (read below!). When I tested the Concentrated Reconstructing Serum, I did my very best to stick solely to the serum for a few weeks to test out its claims of brilliance with as much purity as possible.

I found that I needed a moisturizer on top of the serum to infuse my skin with some much needed moisture. It's chilly here in L.A. (what 70 degrees? Brrr!!) and my skin is as dry as ever. So, I mixed up my daily moisturizer from brand to brand to see how the serum did under my usual routine of, well, mixing it up. I will say, that besides a little boost of Xeomin two weeks ago and a brilliant Lamprobe session with Tina K or Belle Visage, my skin does look and feel taught, very radiant and a bit softer in the wrinkle dept. I imagine it's a combo of all these things and the Alegenist Alguronic Acid doing its thang.

I am psyched to keep going with my serum until I use every last drop and I think I will order (asap!) the  Regenerative Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 20 to apply on top of it to get the full one two punch from the product, as they suggest.  

I'm inspired!! 

*Alguronic Acid® is the tradename for a never-before-seen biotechnology discovery from a team of scientists in San Francisco. Alguronic Acid is a powerful regenerative compound produced by a specific and unique strain of microalgae that functions to protect and regenerate the single-celled organism in the harshest environments and conditions on the planet.

Tested for its potential anti-aging skin benefits, Alguronic Acid demonstrated the ability to significantly increase cell regeneration and renewal as well as elastin synthesis.  Furthermore, when applied to skin tissue models, Alguronic Acid demonstrated a significant inhibition of melanin production and significant protection from UV cell damage and DNA damage.

WHAT :: 

A smooth, advanced anti-aging serum formulated with a high concentration of the revolutionary ingredient Alguronic Acid to rebuild skin firmness and elasticity while restoring skin density and elasticity. Wrinkles are minimized and skin radiance is boosted.

  • REBUILDS SKIN FIRMNESS.
  • RESTORES SKIN DENSITY AND ELASTICITY.
  • BOOSTS SKIN RADIANCE.
  • MINIMIZES DEEP WRINKLES.
  • TIGHTENS AND LIFTS THE SKIN.

1 fl oz.   $95.00
MORE ::

Active Ingredients:

  1. A high concentration of Alguronic Acid: increases cell regeneration and elastin synthesis.
  2. Tetrapeptide-21: boosts collagen synthesis and reduces wrinkles.
  3. An algal-based alternative to retinol (vitamin A): increases skin density and reduces wrinkles.

Directions for use:
Following cleansing, apply the Concentrated Reconstructing Serum to the entire face morning and night.  For optimal results, follow with the Regenerative Anti-Aging Moisturizer or the Regenerative Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 20. Use only as directed.

The Concentrated Reconstructing Serum is:

  • Suitable for all skin types
  • Dermatologist tested
  • Non-comedogenic
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Not tested on animals

All Algenist products are formulated without:

  • Parabens
  • Sulfates
  • Synthetic dyes
  • Phthalates
  • GMOs
  • Triclosan

Ingredients: Water/Eau (Aqua), Dimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Niacinamide, Algae Exopolysaccharides, Tetrapeptide-21, Beta-Glucan, Algae Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit (Apple) Cell Culture Extract, Inula Crithmoide Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris (Bamboo) Leaf/Stem Extract, Glucosamine HCL, Pisum Sativum (Pea) Extract, Ergothioneine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Lecithin, Sorbitol, Xanthan Gum,  Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ceteareth-20, Sclerotium Gum, Propanediol, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Benzoic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Citral, Fragrance (Parfum), Phenoxyethanol.