Category Archives: WELLNESS

Dr. Barbara Sturm “Blood Cream”

July 8, 2016

In this day and age of eternal youth and beauty, I found a gem in Dr. Barbara Sturm. I recently met this German, pint sized powerhouse scientist and renowned beauty doctor, famous for her Hollywood A listers and international clientele, in Los Angeles. She’s developed a unique line of skincare products that combine medical expertise and cellular healing substances designed to slow down the aging process and keep cells younger longer. Dr. Sturm believes in maximum results with the minimum number of products.

That’s why she created her signature “blood cream” a.k.a. MC1 cream. It’s a holistic, effective face cream made from a patient’s own blood which naturally contains proteins and growth factors that reduce inflammation and stimulate the healing process. It claims to reduce the signs of aging by building collagen, shrinking pores, reducing wrinkles, relieving inflammation and clearing up skin conditions like psoriasis and other common complaints. It’s free of mineral oil, fragrance, and parabans.

The concept is based on the understanding that a person’s blood cells have a natural ability to heal the body without the stress of using foreign substances. She asked if I’d like to try it and I eagerly agreed. She drew blood, surprisingly pain-free, and the next day my $1400 custom “blood cream” was ready for pick up. Along with that, she also gave me her Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Ampoules. A favorite of Jada Pinkett Smith, it’s designed to diminish fine lines, boost elasticity, and make your complexion firmer. I’ve been using both for about two weeks now and have happily been able to ditch the topical steroid cream I had become addicted to for so many years. MC1 has a substantial, creamy consistency that absorbs nicely into the skin, not greasy. Its meant to be used both day and night. I’m really looking refreshed, younger and natural. It’s like my skin is breathing now. The texture is firmer and I have a more youthful tone. Well worth it if you want to indulge.

Dr. Sturm is not a fan of make up and believes women look much younger with less make up and naturally radiant skin. She told me that she wanted me to lay off of the make up since my skin was great. We’ll have to see about that!

While Dr. Sturm’s proprietary MC1 cream is available exclusively to her patients, she has created a high performance skin care range that harnesses the power of Pursulane to address the signs of skin aging. The line is currently sold on Net-a-Porter and will launch at Violet Grey in September 2016.

XX LD

Share This

Sulwhasoo Skincare And Facial at Neiman Marcus

June 26, 2016

I was recently introduced to the number one Korean skincare line, Sulwhasoo at Neiman Marcus. My skincare routine was working out just fine. Or so I thought.

Sul-Wah-soo means “Snow Flower Supreme” in Korean. The name is a celebration of a woman’s beauty and inner strength. Its a high end luxury holistic skin wellness regimen which is drawn from the healing powers of Korean Herbal Medicine. Their philosophy is based on the belief that the body undergoes internal changes every 7 years and at each milestone, vital energies begin to taper and fall out of balance whereby the skin becomes prone to dehydration, dryness and vulnerable to the aging process. Using traditional Korean methods, indigenous medicinal herbs are blended together to balance the inner energies of the skin and thus contribute to a healthy complexion.

Only in the US for the past 6 years, I figured I’d jump at the chance to try this holistic approach since Asians are considered number one innovators in skincare. I was invited to receive a Sulwhasoo traditional facial inside the spa at Neiman Marcus.

My wonderful esthetican Claudia explained that the brand concept was to bring balance back to the skin and fix the root causes of anything wrong with it. Its governed by the process of fermenting and growing ginseng in various ways, depending on the purpose and potency, and then used to revitalize, brighten, and restore collagen to the skin. She also explained that there were no extractions necessary in this facial.

She started out with an ancient royalty traditional pressure point soft cloth massage that was scented with one of 6 essential oils designed to revitalize, rebalance and help the brain focus. I chose sandalwood.

Ok. This was the absolute Best Facial Of My Life.

My skin has never looked so radiant, luminous, dewy, glowing even. Dare I say perfect? Hell yes. I LOVE this brand. I was excited to leave home with the Timetreasure Perfecting Water, designed to deliver hydration and clarification to the deepest layers of the skin, and the best selling, Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream, a corrective treatment that penetrates deeply to revive damaged youth-depleted complexions.

Be prepared to dig deep in those pockets and pay top dollar but it’s worth every cent. Who even knew this gem of a find was hidden in Neiman Marcus. Ladies get over there today and try this for yourself. You will NOT be disappointed.

XX LD

Share This

SkinClinical Extreme Healing Treatment by Dr. Harry Glassman

February 26, 2016

While the sun is out and Spring is literally around the corner, winter skin is still very much a reality. Luckily, SkinClincal Extreme Healing Treatment ($39) is here to get us through the last month of damaged, dry or cracked skin.

There are literally 101 different ways (for real!) to use Dr. Harry Glassman, M.D.’s collagen producing cream —be it prepping your hands before hitting the slopes, moisturizing dry elbows, treating adult eczema, giving a little TLC to your cuticles or simply looking for an extra boost to your skin’s microcirculation, cell regeneration, and natural collagen production — SkinClinical is a one-stop shop for treating Winter Skin. Throw it in your purse and go!

It’s no surprise Dr. Glassman came up with such a miracle cream considering he has been practicing plastic surgery in Beverly Hills for the past 30 years. I loved this product so much I threw some questions Dr. Glassman’s way and here are his answers — After all, he’s the expert!

Why did you decide to create SkinClinical?
We brought together a group of physicians, scientists, physicists and engineers with one goal in mind – to develop science based solutions to complex skin conditions.

What makes SkinClinical special?
SkinClinical is unique in that we are aiming to transform the health and beauty of skin using proven science and a high level of confidence in the efficacy of our products.
Tell me about the SkinClinical Reverse Anti-Aging Light Therapy?
Reverse is a home use hand-held LED device which emits four wavelengths of LED: three red and one infrared. It has been clinically proven to decrease fine line and wrinkles and to increase skin firmness, texture and elasticity. What distinguishes it from other home use LED devices is that it has been engineered to produce a higher energy level than that of other home use devices. It emits 5x the energy of its competitors and is comparable to LED devices used in med-spas and dermatologists’ offices.
How are you unique in the city of LA?
We are unique in that we have brought together professionals from several disciplines of the sector to work together on skin care solutions.

What is the Fountain of Youth?
Peace of mind and SkinClinical.

What are Dr.’s orders for flawless skin?
Avoid the sun as much as possible, especially during the peak hours of 10:00am-2:00pm. Do not wash your face with soap. Do not use harsh topical chemicals. With the help of a professional, adopt a skin care regimen that works for your unique skin type and be open to change as your skin changes. Do make sure to get enough sleep. Do not smoke. Do not sleep in your makeup. Finally, genetics play a huge role albeit you cannot pick your parents!

What diet produces the best skin?
I always suggest to live a healthy lifestyle. Drink green juices and eat vegetables rich in anti-oxidants. Eat fish rich in Omega 3 fatty acids often, drink plenty of water, buy organic when possible, avoid sugars and synthetic foods, avoid fried foods, limit dairy products and enjoy alcohol consumption in moderation. I also suggest avoiding foods that contain fructose and white bread. They have no nutritional value and increase the risk of metabolic syndrome and diabetes. That is by no means a perfect list but rather the rules that I follow.

XX Natasha B

Natasha Barrett

Having traveled the world in her formative years, Natasha is proud to call Los Angeles home for the past twenty, most recently dedicating herself to representing buyers and sellers from The Agency’s Brentwood office. Her array of experiences both abroad and domestic have contributed to an extremely diverse network of contacts that altogether make Natasha an incredible resource. Known for her client-centric approach, Natasha has worked with many of LA’s high-profile individuals, including designers, writers, directors as well as fashion and entertainment industry professionals.

[email protected]
310.874.2302

Share This

The only scrub you need this winter: Svelta Luxe Coffee and Raw Sugar

February 8, 2016

Svelta Luxe Coffee & Raw Sugar Body Scrub $48

Highlights

Smoothing Sugar
Toning Coffee
Moisturizing Oils
Delicious Cardamom Scent

What It Is

SVELTA Luxe Coffee & Raw Sugar Body Scrub leaves your skin silky, supple and invigorated with 100% natural, ultra-nourishing botanicals. Our body scrub is perfect for all-over exfoliation, before using SVELTA Tan, for post tan maintenance, or for any time you want soft, glowing skin.

What It Does

Raw Sugar polishes away dead skin without irritating while Olive Oil softens, Coffee tones, and Cardamom adds a delicious, luxe aroma.

What’s Inside

SVELTA LUXE coffee and sugar scrub contains only natural coffee, sugar, oils, and cardamom

Share This

This Facial that will change your face and your life (inside and out)

January 31, 2016

Are you interested in a Transformative Mind Body Healing that takes place on a cellular level to restore deep wellness from within?

Sadie Adams, the founder of Take Care Center for Body Mind Regeneration (in downtown NYC and Venice Beach and she performs in-home treatments seasonally in the Hamptons and year round in Los Angeles county) has been sharing her insights about movement and consciousness for over 17 years. Her studies in anatomy at The School for Body-Mind Centering™ and in Ayurveda and Yoga Therapy at the Ayurvedic Institute have led her to focus on regenerative therapies. Sadie draws upon science, technology, ancient wisdom and intuitive awareness to support healing and increase human capacities. Her community of clients and practitioners greatly influence her work. She believes that conscious relationships, sensitivity and presence are essential in the process of healing and evolving.

I entered Sadie’s space with some understanding that this would not be your ordinary, run-of-the-mill facial experience, but I had no idea what I was in store for. The process, as I studied the micro-current machine was much more than words can explain. During the MICROCURRENT face and body treatments, a fine electrical current, strategically applied, enhances a healing environment and safely brings tissues to a younger, healthier function. The facial applications are sub sensory, while the gentle rhythmic patterns of microcurrent can be applied to the body to organize, strengthen and clarify the fluid membrane balance, tonifying tissue. The treatments are non-invasive, non-thermal and incredibly relaxing. They stimulate the body’s own natural healing process to help counter the effects of sun damage, aging and acne prone skin, without any pain or discomfort.

Sadie’s integrity and commitment to this work, along with her skillful guidance, allowed me to go deeply into a restorative savasana for both mind and body. I could feel my subtle body wake up to the re-organizing of cell tissue and a profound sense of peace come over me. Though she was working on the surface level of my skin, this process dove far down into sub layers, calling upon healing from within. More importantly, through this work, I felt ancient traumas (a vicious dog bite to my face, a head-on car collision, old “mean girl” slurs from high school) dissolve and move away from my consciousness. It’s as if I was releasing external forms of my understanding of “beauty” to allow a more authentic and truer sense to come forth. The imprint of being a Broadway star for so many years (and all the makeup that ensued) naturally fell away.

Sadie’s expertise in the treatment process unveils profound healing, as she holds the space with her wisdom and guidance to move through any obstacles that may be emotional, energetic, or unconscious. On top of all that, my skin looked smoother and more radiant than ever before! I recognized a true sense of wellbeing from my face that went beyond the surface landscape.

Sadie’s work is mindful and exquisite. She is a conscious facilitator and expert practitioner for inner beauty to rise forth when layers of blockages have been released. Like the evolution a snake undergoes in shedding her skin, this work deeply transforms one’s inner and outer self to True Beauty.

To find out more, go to: takecarespa.com

XX Cristy Candler

Share This