Posted by SylG | 3 Comments

Faux-Tox @ Skinsation Sunset Strip

Is Dr. David Cary Hansen from Skinsation on the Sunset Strip your dermatologist?? If so, you might want to check out this article, or if you live in the LA area, just turn on your local news.

“Hansen, who was arrested early Thursday, is accused of purchasing at least a dozen vials of Botulinum Type A from a company in Arizona in 2003 and 2004. The vials were marked “For Research Purposes Only,” according to prosecutors.” from LATimes.com

I would offer some sort of suggestion or something at this point, but with the economy going south, products being made in China and with who knows what, it’s kind of hard to tell what is going where. I really don’t know what to say. I’ve got friends who have been going to Dr. Hansen for botox with no bad results, I’ve got friends who have heard Dr. Marks uses faux-tox, I’ve got friends who have the BOMB breast augmentations from Dr. Jan Adams, and I have a friend who got scammed from NeoSkin. What is one to do? Hope for the best, I suppose. I mean it’s not like Dr. Hansen was offering bootleg botox at the nail shop, or a tire center – AND he is a medical doctor, a dermatologist at that! Want even more validation? Skinsation was even nominated for a MyFoxLA Hotlist!! Rick Dickert and Jillian wouldn’t send us to a shady Botox injector would they??? It’s a sad day when Good Day LA features back alley botox shops.

I’ve heard of cosmetic dental centers buying their Zoom! Teeth whitening machines off of ebay to offset the cost of the competition (remember when a Zoom! treatment used to cost $700 and now it’s less than $200) and I’ve heard of massage therapists being treated like sweat shop workers and double booking at Burke Williams in Sherman Oaks.

Again, I don’t really have any advice to offer at this point – I mean, do you just say forgetaboutit and just not go? Perhaps.

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Posted by SylG | 0 Comments

Pumpkin Enzyme Facial at Cosmetic Creations

Ok, I thought I had experienced a pumpkin enzyme facial before at Burke WIlliams, but after THIS one at Cosmetic Creations, I know with my heart and soul that I have NEVER ever had one of these before.

Remember when I posted about the Murad Vitamin C Facial feeling like napalm?? Well, it has nothing on the Pumpkin Enzyme facial peel. God bless anyone who goes through that burning and dire experience…it is pure pain. Shannon, my esthetician did a nice job of working overtime by hand-fanning my face while the facial stayed on for the first few minutes to help the sting factor. It was much more effective than the lactic acid facial that I have been going to Lynn for over at Nail Forum, although definitely not as relaxing or enjoyable. The end product was pretty amazing – my face is still smooth at 1.5 weeks later, and I do see the difference!

I might have to get it done every other facial though, because it really is a pretty intensive experience. For about the same price as the Nail Forum facial, I suppose you have to decide whether you want an effective facial, or a relaxing one, as that is really the only difference. It’s good to have options within 5 minutes of the homestead!

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Posted by SylG | 4 Comments

Milk & Honey Manicure @ PediSpa Northridge

This is my second time at PediSpa Northridge. Typically I go to Nail Forum in Porter Ranch, but I wanted something quick and easy with no waiting, plus I’ve been there for a pedicure before, so a manicure should be a shoe in too, que no?

So off to PediSpa. I selected the Milk and Honey manicure because they had a $5 off special. All together it was around $25 (including tip, the total ticket price came to $20). I’m not sure I will go back though. And here is why: My nails were not soaked. She quickly ran a scrub on my hands, not really massaging at all, just kind of slathering. After that, a rinse with a ceramic milk jug and pan was used to rinse off the scrub, which was a nice visual, but still, no nail soaking. Hot towels were put on my hands, and BOY were they HOT!

While my hands were wrapped in the burning towels, she cleaned up my cuticles by putting on some cuticle remover and nipping around. A quick buffing out was done to shape, and then she shoved a timer in my face saying ‘you get 5 minute massage starting now”. Hmm…ok. So she starts to mindlessless massage my hands with super cold lotion, and then wipe my nails off with rubbing alcohol, remove the towel, move to the other side (all while my timer is on) and put alcohol on my nails, do a quick mindless rub on my hands and then remove the towel and clean up. By this time, the timer goes off, and she grabs the towels and heads for the back. A quick polish later, and I am done – but the very next day, my polish is all chipped off! Major bummer. I guess next time, I will go back to my usual haunt, the Nail Forum.

And I’m still wondering where the whole ‘Milk and Honey’ description came in…at all? Or did I just pay for the copy on the brochure? THIS I would like an answer to…unless maybe it was simply a ‘Milk and Honey’ scented scrub that wasn’t really scrubbed on, or maybe the lotion was scented Milk and Honey? If you know, please, do tell!

On a positive note, the technician was very sweet and nice.

PediSpa Northridge
8980 Tampa Ave, Northridge, CA 91324
(818) 998-7826

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Posted by SylG | 0 Comments

Azulene Oil

Parissa has their blue oil that comes with their wax strips, and Aveda has theirs in a roller ball, but both are basic run of the mill Chamomile Oil which is said to hinder the growth of body hair. I’ve saved mine from Parissa, and have been using it after I shave my legs and after shower care, but besides ultra smooth skin, I haven’t noticed any hair growth hinderance. Aveda claims that theirs will “balance, restore and awaken” but I’m not too sure about that claim either. I’ll give it one more week and she what happens.

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Posted by SylG | 0 Comments

Sunny Wellness Center Granada Hills

I went in last night to the Sunny Wellness Center on a whim and had a pretty good massage. What I liked about this particular session that I didn’t get last session, was an intense reflexology exercise which was more therapeudic than I would have thought. It wasn’t a super-great feeling session like my last one, but afterwards I felt super energized and flexible – so that outcome was pretty nice & unexpected!

I still believe that this is the absolute BEST $25 bucks and 1 hour out of your time you can ever invest in!

The website just launched with added extras (which usually means higher prices in the future IMO). you can also make your appointment online and download a coupon for $5 off, which makes your hour foot massage only $20 bucks.

Here’s a quicklist of info that you should know:
- Although it’s called Chinese Foot Massage, it is a full body massage.

- You will be in a room full of other people getting massages kind of like in the mall

- You stay fully clothed – no need to be freaked out about that

- It’s not a pedicure, so you can wear whatever shoes you currently are wearing. You do soak your feet in the beginning, but only for relaxation purposes.

- You might want to bring an ipod, as it is kind of noisy with other therapists smacking and working on other clients, plus some clients bring their kids, and you can hear the traffic right outside the door, so whenever someone walks in, they bring the outside in with them.

ok that’s all folks – enjoy it!

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