Category Archives: WELLNESS

SOMME INSTITUTE – closing out the year with this gorgeous skin care line

December 22, 2010

 

Somme-thumb-500x300-48681
I've been blabbing about rounding out the year with a "BEST OF" post – featuring Groomed L.A.'s top picks on all our fave subjects.  Looks like this tired mama 'aint getting to it.

But I did want to go out with a skin care bang and one company I lost it over this year was Somme Institute.

I was sent their line and told to use it exclusively for 5 weeks.  And I tried my hardest to, which is tricky when sampling skin-care is what I do.  But I did my best to use it as my primary line and the results were stunning.  I heard nothing but:  Holy crap, your skin looks amazing!  What?  You just had a baby?  Your skin looks insane!  And more of that sort of stuff. Not kidding.   Yes, I did a VI PEEL or two but I am quite certain, it was my diligent application of this 5 step process ($298), daily, that sent my skin into a gorgeous, glow-y universe.  

The stylish, minimal, modern packaging is clearly and cleverly designed with giant color dots and once you get going there's no thinking about what product comes first. You simply get the colors in your head and then you can grab the right one in your sleep.  It's that easy.

Ok, here's the deal:  Somme Institute has developed and patented a revolutionary and radical new technology called MDT5 (Molecular Dispersion Technology).  Containing free radical fighting anti-oxidants, MDT5 allows 5 highly engineered essential vitamins (A, B3/B5, C, and E) to penetrate the inner skin layers in their active forms at high concentrations. These free-radical fighting vitamins are bound in a scientific matrix of polypeptides that target specific skin cell receptors permitting Somme Institute to benefit the skin by:

• Delivering intense hydration and moisture
• Repairing sun damage and discoloration
• Smoothing fine lines, wrinkles and crepiness
• Increasing the density of the dermal matrix
• Increasing skin elasticity with continued use

This unique formula penetrates deep within the skin without oxidizing or losing potency when exposed to air or light.

The result is the most profound visual changes in skin texture, radiance and overall appearance ever achieved in cosmetic history without a prescription.

THE 5-STEP PROCESS INCLUDES:

Step 1: Nourishing Cleanser (non-foaming/non-irritating)
Step 2: Transport (gentle exfoliant)
Step 3: Serum (with Vitamin C)
Step 4: A-Bomb (moisturizer with Vitamins A and E)
Step 5: Double Defense (SPF 30+)


 READ MORE ABOUT IT AFTER THE BREAK

 

continue reading

INA CRYSTAL SKIN CARE REGIME – HIMALAYAN CRYSTAL SALT IS THE HEART AND SOUL OF INNER NUTRITIONAL ALCHEMY

November 3, 2010

Why is that everything from the UK reeks of fabulousness? 

Take the super-luxurious skincare line INA CRYSTALS.  It stands for INNER NUTRITIONAL ALCHEMY. First off, the entire line (skin & body products) works to detoxify the body while feeding the skin with trace elements and minerals to repair and rejuvenate. It gets your glow on while being totally paraben, synthetic solvent and petrochemical free.  

The White Gold line is built upon Himalayan White Gold Crystal and 84 (YES 84!) natural earthly mineral wonders. It's purpose: to encourage the skin to self-generate back to its natural alkaline state. A dip in a bath with a few scoops of White Gold Detox Bath Crystals ($85 for 35.2 oz) will not only feel amaazzingg but also detox, deep cleanse, heal, improve blood circulation, reduce fluid retention, helps with minor skin problems and irritations, (wait…take a breath…there's more) and is even a natural post-natal therapy to help eliminate toxins and medicine administered in childbirth. The minerals are absorbed through the cells, sending the body  into self-healing mode. Hang on, did I mention it helps add luminosity to skin and improve tone and texture?  Oh, did I forget that you will melt away in heavenly waft of basil, fennel and juniper essential oils?

Uh, yah. If you're a bath freak like moi, this is a no-brainer.  Put it on your holiday list and start sending it around.  This is a premiere gift for the holidays.  The packaging is uber-elegant and makes me think of the Waldorf hotel in the 70's for some reason.  It's tres classy.  Took my dip today and already thinking this might be the only way to start the day from here on in.

Rounding out the line is the White Gold Restoring Night Serum, the Day Moisture Cream, Face Wash, Purifying Face Mask and my fave so far as I love to spritz, the Radiant Skin Tonic. The divine smelling Face Wash with little crystals in it, is running a close second.

To find a store that carries this magical stuff, check out their website…

http://inacrystals.com/

Ina-4-step_crystal_facial_regime

TRUTH IS IN THE EYES by OLE HENRIKSEN

October 6, 2010

How many times have you had this exchange — a good friend looks you in the eyes and before you’ve even said a word, she asks, “What’s wrong?” You reply, ”How’d you know?” Without words, gestures or any empirical information other than your gaze your friend knows because “the truth is in the eyes” and that is the apt name of Ole Henriksen’s breakthrough new treatment gel designed for the eye tissue where most creams and potions refuse to tread.

Honestly if the eyes are the seat of emotional communication then the skin framing them is pretty damn important, yet I estimate that 99.99% of all of my product contains the phrase “avoid direct contact with the eye area.”  The problem — this is the part of the face that is the first responder for showcasing stress, aging, um slight mental imbalances, fatigue, environmental irritation and any number of other issues.   So, what’s a girl to do?  We can’t exfoliate and pamper this area that needs it most.   Of course, Mr. Henriksen, who takes a very philosophical approach to his skin care, understands that how you frame the art is as important as the art. TRUTH is revolutionary in that Mr. Henriksen has found a formulation of Glycolic Acid (AHA) and Lactic Acid that is gentle enough to use on the delicate tissue under the eye.   Now you can gently exfoliate this skin and along with the Vitamin C clear the way for a brighter under eye appearance.   TRUTH also contains micro algae that firms the skin and boosts collagen production and a rice bran protein that strengthens the tissue and improves circulation, which will help eliminate the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. There’s also a strong moisturizing component thanks to an ingredient called saccharide.

My under eyes have been looking very grim due to some health issues and a fair amount of tears but after 3 weeks of using TRUTH I’m very happy to report that my under eye skin is noticeably brighter.   When a product actually works, I fantasize about spreading it over my entire body, which with treatments is an expensive fantasy as my body is large and treatments come in small containers. I compromised and gave myself a little piece of my fantasy and put TRUTH on my nose as well as under my eyes. I figured they were connected. And yes, my nose is looking very fine thank you. Old red pimple mark from last outbreak – gone. Enjoy.

Xx, Alison

0.75 oz. / 21 g  |  $65

 

TruthIsInTheEyes

KK AYURVEDA – Alison reports on this line and somehow I’m obsessed…

September 27, 2010

Close your eyes and
imagine that the person you trust most in the world, who is smart and diligent,
thoughtful and purposeful, perceptive and inquisitive decides to go on an epic spiritual
and health journey and bring all of the information she learns from years of
research and inquiry and experimentation back to you distilled and filtered
into usable form.  Now open your
eyes and gaze upon the glory o
f Karen Klutznick and KK Ayurveda and that’s
exactly what you will find.  Karen
was a fancy business lady with an MBA working in big time real estate
development, but after a serious health crisis, in her recovery, Karen
discovered Ayurveda the 5,000 year old Indian medicine practice that seeks to
restore balance through diet, meditation and spiritual practice.  Following an Ayurvedic diet and
practice so changed Karen’s life and state of being that she gave up her career
and moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico to study Ayurvedic medicine in a two year
program with world renowned
Dr. Vasant Lad at the Ayurvedic Institute. She is now a certified ayurvedic practitioner
with the express mission of helping others manage changing from one way of life
to another more healthy way of life just as she has done.

 

True to the spirit of her
practice, Karen’s skin care line evolved from making product for her own
use.  She is an early adopter,
trying every (and I mean EVERY) line that comes out, studying ingredients and
taking the best from western and eastern traditions to forge a hybrid routine
that has resulted in what I have seen up close and I must say is museum quality
skin. Go on her website and take a look at her picture!  She’s completely open about what she
uses and always recommends products in her monthly newsletter.  Or you can email her
(KK@KKAyurveda.com) and do email consultations.  When you have beautiful skin, people naturally ask you what
you use so she began bottling her concoctions and sharing with friends and so
on and so on until the full line was officially launched.  She adds products all the time as need
arises or requests come in.  A
young friend needed a product to take to camp this summer and Bug Bites and Boo
Boos was born.
  Another friend
requested a natural hand sanitizer so let there be
Natural, Non-Drying Hand
Sanitizer Spray.

 

Of course, the line is
streamlined because Karen insists that products multi-task when possible.  Take the cleanser – you can use the
cleanser straight up to remove eye make up and then with water to wash your
face.  Brilliant!  Then the
Frankincense-Neroli Cream is
both an eye cream and a face cream. I thought Frankincense was just for ceremonial
use in the Catholic Church but apparently it’s a phenomenal anti-wrinkle
treatment and was used in ancient Egypt to preserve the Mummies!  The Anti Aging Serum contains Jojoba
Oil, which Karen tells me is really a wax, and is the natural ingredient
closest in structure to human sebum. 
It is so balancing that you can put it on dry skin or oily skin and the
jojoba will work it out.  There’s
tons more information like this and many more wonderful products so you need to
go to the website at
www.kkayurveda.com and check it out. 

 

Karen also tries to adhere
to the ayurvedic goal that you shouldn’t put anything on your skin that you can’t
ingest.  So, when you see the first
five ingredients in her products, you’ll note that you can both pronounce all
five and eat all five ingredients. 
Even the preservatives— like black willow bark– are natural!  She’s formulated very simple and clear
morning and evening routines and I promise you won’t be confused about what to
use when or have conflicts about which product gets layered first. Karen also
studies aromatherapy so the products smell divine.  I’ve been using the Anti-Aging Serum, which has the most
glorious geranium scent.  Ladies,
go seek the wisdom.  Maybe changing
your skin is the first step to changing your life. 

xo, Alison

                                    
Sm skincare 

Sm eye cream         

Sm AA Serum                    

ZO SKIN HEALTH by Zein Obagi, MD. – Natasha reports…

July 27, 2010

THE WONERFUL WIZARD OF ZO…

 

After a lifetime of summers under the golden California
sun, my complexion pretty much screams for some much needed time in the shade.
Lucky for me this summer’s skin trend – thanks largely to Twilight and Lady Gag
— is all about pale, translucent, tan-free skin. If only I didn’t suffer from
dull sun-spotted skin this would be a dream for my fair European kisser!

Introducing ZO SKIN HEALTH by Zein Obagi, MD. At the
recommendation of a friend, I started with the line about 6 weeks ago and I can
honestly say, I see a change. A wonderful, conversation-stopping change. My
skin-tone is even, my crow’s feet are smoother, and my discoloration has been
dramatically reduced. I look younger. I feel confident. I’m turning people on
to this system DAILY.

There’s a lot of science behind these products, but what I
was most shocked to read is that ZO Skin does not include traditional
moisturizers. Instead, the Rx-inspired line boasts deeply nourishing creams
that support the body’s natural collagen production and time-released vitamins
to stimulate the skin and create a firmer, brighter complexion. Whatever the
method, it works!

My favorite products in the line are the OSSENTIAL GROWTH
FACTOR SERUM
and the OCLIPSE SUNSCREEN AND PRIMER SPF 30. But it’s all good.
There’s even an ultra-rich hand cream to use at night containing retinol (to
diminish brown spots) and shea butter and avocado oil (to lock in moisture)
since, the Dr. believes, the back of your hands reveal not only your age, but actually
make you look older than you are. Tell that to the vampires…

 

Available at Obagi Skin Health Institute and Nordstrom

xo Natasha

 

www.zoskinhealth.com

 

 
Zo_skin_care_products