BEAUTY: Tata Harper at Exhale Spa

So every once in a while, we have a second to stop scouring the city for the hottest fashion items and can indulge in some of the finer things in life. This week, we attended the launch of the TATA HARPER skin care collection at EXHALE SPA inside the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica.

We were treated to a complimentary relaxation facial using the TATA HARPER products and the first word that comes to mind to describe the experience is…DELICIOUS.  Not only is the line 100% effective, it is 100% NATURAL…the organic ingredients come directly from the earth surrounding us, that means absolutely no toxins! The TATA HARPER collection is produced, manufactured, packaged and distributed from their 1200-acre farm in the organic farming belt of Vermont. HARPER uses the best flowers, extracts, essential oils, hydrosols, infusions, macerations and plants that provide skin rejuvenation, hydration, anti-wrinkle properties, radiance, vitality, elasticity and more. And trust us; the proof is in the luscious floral aromas that fill the air when using any of their amazing products. Our personal favorites are the Hydrating Floral Essence, Rejuvenating Serum, Repairative Moisturizer, and the Restorative Eye Crème. Book your appointment at EXHALE SPA to enjoy the TATA HARPER skin care line or if you can’t wait, you can purchase the whole collection online at http://www.tataharperskincare.com/

CALL EXHALE FOR AN APPOINTMENT:  310-576-7777

SERVICE: Passport to Prana

Lately in our downtime the warm weather has us planted poolside, lounging and eating backyard BBQ.  Working out can start to seem like a big commitment especially when getting out of town is the only thing on our minds. Yeah, we throw our yoga mat in the car hoping to get some STRETCHING in, but wouldn’t life be easier if we could just pop into a class nearby? Haven’t you ever wanted to check out different YOGA studios in your area, but didn’t want to buy a package at each and every one? The answer is yes, and PASSPORT to PRANA has got you completely covered. LLSLA has all the information you need:

Introducing Passport to Prana, an innovative yoga business that just launched in Southern California that lets residents dictate when, where, and how they’ll take their yoga classes for a fraction of the price.   

Passport to Prana offers aspiring yoga enthusiasts and gurus a first-class ticket to wellness at over 30 yoga studios around Los Angeles and Orange County.  Card holders are entitled to  take a single class at every participating studio in their area without having to pay costly drop-in fees.  Want to learn Bikram in Downtown today, explore the Anusara style in Sherman Oaks tomorrow, and then try Ashtanga in Santa Monica next month?  No problem.  Not sure what these yoga styles are or even mean?  That’s perfectly fine.  Passport to Prana lets the fitness curious become both tourist and travel agent.  Members completely customize their yoga experience…from schedule to area of interest to neighborhood to workout level.   

Each Passport costs $30, making the cost of each yoga session less than $1. (That’s less than the cost of a yoga mat rental!)  Like all Passports, this one has an expiration.  Los Angeles regional Passports are good through November 30, 2011 and can be purchased at http://www.passporttoprana.com/  and select participating studios.

Passport to Prana is the brainchild of securities attorney turned yoga instructor YuMee Chung.  Her goal in creating the company is to make yoga accessible to everyone regardless of economic background.  

Passports are available throughout Canada, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa Bay, San Diego and for the first time ever, in Southern California.

-Nicole Wool, Publicist
 Passport to Prana

BEAUTY: The ARTistry of Beauty

Skincare products that REALLY work?  Ah, do tell!

Whether you are young enough to splash your face with cold water, dab on a daily dose of moisturizer, complete with UV sun block protection and walk out the door OR you are easing into the decade that screams “AGE DEFIANCE “ products to reduce fine lines, wrinkles or puffy eyes (ugh!), it’s ALL ABOUT choosing the BEST product(s) for each of us, and then COMMITTING to the routine. There are thousands out there, but WHAT to buy and what really WORKS remain as the two key questions on almost everyone’s (men and women alike!) mind today.

When ARTISTRY skincare and cosmetics invited us to New York to “experience” its products,  I was skeptical, especially after hearing it was a division of Amway. But I decided to go, though I was not prepared for what was coming next.  I dressed for the Thursday night event, complete with my makeup carefully applied.  Little did I know that an hour later I’d be sitting with my cocktail, having my face stripped so that I could then receive an INTENSIVE SKINCARE RENEWING PEEL, topped off with Artistry’s Creme LuXury.   I was whisked around to meet Theresa Scanlon, the newly crowned Miss America, a beautiful, bright eyed 17 year old who told me she hoped to become a lawyer (Artistry, exclusively from Amway, is the scholarship and official skincare and cosmetic provider of the Miss America Organization). I was then introduced to Debbie Pinardo, senior research scientist for Artistry (one of over 500 in 89 labs who are actively involved in the “CLINICALLY PROVEN” results).  After getting to know more knowledgeable young women on the Artistry team, I left with a “goodie bag” in hand.  Did I notice a difference right away?  Not a chance!

It wasn’t until the next morning while attending an informative brunch,  I found out even more about both the 40-year old company with over $1 billion in annual sales AND its products.  I listened intently as the expert group  explained that Artistry  (sold in more than 80 countries and territories), is part of Amway’s synergistic relationship with another of its successful product lines, NUTRILITE  (currently the world’s leading global brand of vitamin, mineral and dietary supplements).  Only when we openly discussed “mitochondria” re-energizing cell re-growth, anti-oxidants , collagen rebuilding , spinach extracts and other natural ingredients that are grown on farms owned by Amway, did I finally “get it.”  It’s about COMMITMENT… both on the part of the company who takes a stand and backs its products 120%, and also for  those of us who decide to actually purchase and USE them without hesitation or procrastination.  But it’s really MORE about being PATIENT enough to sit back and WATCH the results, if any!  Only YOU can be your own best judge, not to mention a few comments from the peanut gallery!

Though I can honestly say I was considerably impressed with just about everything I discovered about ARTISTRY, the jury is still out on whether or not its products will WORK for ME!  I will use them post haste, stay dedicated and report back in a few months.  That’s all this writer, at this time, can promise.  But at least, I’m game enough to take the leap of faith and go along for the ride, hoping that I’ll not only feel better, but that the eternal “fountain of youth” will become even more readily at my disposal each and every day!  Hey, what do any of us have to lose?  Just those fine lines, wrinkles and puffiness around our eyes!  Hell, I say let’s GO FOR IT!!!!

BEAUTY: MAC Cosmetics

MAC Cosmetics has amazing and affordable holiday gift sets right now, perfect for any girl! Hurry up and get your hands on them before they sell out! MAC is also giving back this holiday season with their MAC AIDS FUND, supporting men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS globally. In all MAC stores you can help by buying holiday cards, giving 100% of its proceeds to the AIDS FUND. Not only do you leave the store with fabulous presents for yourself, but with the gratification of knowing you’re giving back.

Target

BEAUTY: Braid Parade

SERVICE: Makeup and GO!

Need the PERFECT IDEA for… a pre-shower indulgence, a wedding party, a personalized party for your daughter and ALL of her BFF’s, a Mother’s Day present, designer pillows for the home, sumptuous jams, antique tea sets, HOT little items for babies and beyond… OR even just some private “getaway” time reserved ONLY for YOU?

For a QUICK FIX, head straight to MAKEUP & GO/ BUBBLE  BAR (full make up or blow outs for just $35) for a one-stop PRIMPING and PAMPERING  experience that will keep you coming back for more, after just one visit. TRUST US…  If you have a special event already on the calendar, book an ONLINE appointment in advance; but if it’s on a mere whim or a spur- of- the- moment affair, walk-ins are always welcome…and that’s the REAL BEAUTY of this place! With no pressure to buy products and prices that promise to keep you smiling, MAKE UP & GO is revolutionary, even in Tinseltown!

13038 San Vicente Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90049
310.451.6253
www.makeupandgo.net

SERVICE: Deluxe Nail Bar

If you live within a 10 mile radius of Main Street in Santa Monica, chances are, you’ve dipped your feet in the pedi pool at Deluxe Nail Bar. Talk about glamour on a dime, this place is ALWAYS packed with FASHIONISTAS chatting up a storm next to one another while they lounge back on their hot pink cushion and sip Deluxe custom-made water bottles. You might be thinking, “this is sounding expensive“… BUT, do not fret, Monday- Thursday during the week you can get a FULL mani/pedi for just $25.00. Yes, we know, it’s Heaven on Main Street. Check out the five HOT HOT HOT colors for summer we have picked by OPI.

BEAUTY: Get Inked with Chanel

When Karl Lagerfeld sent his first spring 2010 look down the runway back in October, everyone stared in awe at the chain link tattoos wrapped around model Heidi Mount’s wrists. Then, just like that, VOILA! next down the runway came another model sporting a tattoo around the wrist and then around the thigh, each girl dripping in fresh ink of the infamous logo. Our first reaction was to grab a Sharpie and start doodling on our legs or for some of you brave souls, to head to the famous SHAMROCK SOCIAL CLUB here in LA to get some permanent ink. However, for those of you left with an ounce of sanity, the Chanel store on Robertson Boulevard in Los Angeles is selling a less painful wait to rock the Chanel logo this season… transfer tattoos! Purchase a set of five sheets for only $75.00, talk about BABULOUS!

SERVICE: The Babulous Blow

IF ONLY…IF ONLY…IF ONLY we could have someone come to our homes each and every morning to BLOW DRY our hair! For those of us who might be great with the ROLLERS, but just can’t get our hair STRAIGHT and sleek ourselves, “no matter how hard we try”…how about THIS for a revolutionary idea? The DRY BAR, has BLOWN into town and offers not only $35 blowouts, but ALSO drinks at Happy Hour on Thursdays to Saturdays from 5 to 9pm…great right before making the scene!  Also available, the “Brunch Blowout” on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 to 2pm.  The best  news?  NO APPOINTMENTS NECESSARY, but to be SURE of an opening at the EXACT time you’d like, book directly on its website. Hell, who WOULDN’T want to sip a glass of wine and savor the action while  while getting beautiful?  Not much magazine reading at this creative salon!

 The worst news?  They aren’t EVERYWHERE!  Will someone please wise up and open these ALL over the city, the entire United States, the whole damn world???? Pretty Please?!!!  (NOTE: At this writing, we did “hear” that Beverly Hills was next on its list of soon-to-open locations)

11677 San Vicente Boulevard in the Brentwood Gardens
www.thedrybar.com