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Beauty Breakdown: Dermalinfusion by Silkpeel
It isn’t a big secret that I’m not your average Esthetician. As a matter of fact, while attending Esthetics school, my instructors were sometimes baffled by the fact that I would not perform extractions. I found it ironic that I was being trained to heal skin through products and procedures; only to pierce, slice and press on it with a sharp instrument in the final moments of a treatment! Don’t get me wrong, I understand the value of extractions. Pulling toxins and bacteria from the pore is defi
Surviving Woolsey
“Oh no.” My friend, Jennifer crinkled her small freckled nose. We are flying down the 405 together, headed home after carpooling to a soothing yoga class. Traffic is flowing and it’s a beautiful California afternoon, in spite of the sun’s early fade due to daylight savings time. It’s 4:30 and the gold and orange hue of sunset is sweeping the landscape of the San Fernando Valley. “What?” “There’s a fire at Rocketdyne.” “Where’s Rocketdyne?” “Right by my Mom’s house.” This is a loaded answer. Jenn
Liberation Breathing
“What are you doing Thursday night?” my friend,Pam, asked in her sweet Texas drawl. “I don’t know...why?” “Come over and breathe with me. You’ll love it.” Had it been a different person, I may have passed on this invitation. My business is always busy on Thursday evenings, filled with clients wanting plump pretty skin for weekend parties and events. But this is Pam. Nickname: “Same Same”. Three years ago she spontaneously invited me to take a trip to China with her and it was an exceptional expe
Retreat from the Heat: My DIY Summer Spa Treatment
So far this Summer, I’ve created a variety of ways to survive the energy zapping brutal heat wave of Southern California: kayaking, matinees, Netflix binging, museums, live theater, perfecting a good cobbler recipe (future blog!) and going to the beach, of course. With temperatures on the rise, our skin is under attack. Heat, sweat, and air conditioning create a perfect storm that can cause dehydration, irritation, and breakouts. Here are a few suggestions that might help! Oily skin: In heated c
This is Me, in Haidakhan
When international travel opened up in February of 2022, I was excited about a trip to India I had canceled due to Covid. The flight was scheduled to leave Los Angeles on March 20, 2020, the very day we all went into lockdown. As soon as the word was out that India had opened back up, I booked my flight immediately. I needed to unravel the last two years of the Pandemic. Life had been so strange. I wanted to unpack and ‘reclaim my life’. During the lockdown, I kept sane (literally) by staying co
Microcurrent + Botox = Best Friends
As you know, one of my ‘go to’ treatments is providing outstanding results with the CACI Microcurrent. Microcurrent immediately contours the jawline, smooths fine lines & lifts the cheekbones. It is the ideal facial to have before a party or event. But did you know that Microcurrent can actually make injections look better? It’s true! Botox, Dysport & Xeomin injections soften the ‘Elevens’ (frown lines between the eyes), smooth crows feet and lift the jawline. All good, right? However, years of
Beauty Breakdown: Microcurrent Treatment
As an Esthetician, I like to stay current with the latest treatments. With the progress of science and technology, there is an abundance of fantastic options available! Trends come and go, and I watch with a shrewd eye to see which have "staying power." Over the last year, I heard a lot of buzz about Microcurrent (sorry, I cannot help the puns). This treatment works on two levels, the facial muscle, and the skin. It is a mechanical procedure that uses a low-level electrical current to ‘jump star
My Destiny With Cupid
Have you ever asked a couple how they met? I love hearing the details of that fateful moment, that spark of attraction when two lives have collided; never to be the same again. The answers vary: an awkward party, a relative’s wedding, a casual conversation in the supermarket line. No matter how dramatic or mundane the circumstances, most couples inevitably light up and become very animated when telling their story! They finish each other’s sentences, playfully contradict their mate's version of
Practicing Self Care
I recently had a conversation with an acquaintance who was overwhelmed, frustrated and fried. She felt her life revolved around taking care of others. Drive the kids to various sports, walk the dog, cook dinner, do laundry...repeat….”What about me?” she asked. “Who takes care of me?” I could see the desperation in her eyes. She was miserable. Although this woman never gets facials; she scheduled a monthly treatment with me. She also lined up a good massage therapist. “It’s time to take care of
Staycation 101
In a bustling world of responsibilities, deadlines and phone distraction, people tend to believe that relaxation is somewhere outside of our lives. As a result, we spend months filled with anticipation for that week long vacation, seldom fully recognizing the opportunity for leisure time within in our own home. Our home environment can sometimes be distracting, so it takes a shift in attitude. The first step is to allow yourself to put aside all of the chores and ignore messes. What helps me is
The Good, the Bad & the Ugly <br> Getting Real on Social Media
I recently had dinner with a friend who is concerned that her two young boys (ages 9 and 10) are rapidly approaching the age when the internet will be entirely accessible for them. I recalled the age when my three boys reached their teen years and the inevitable question surfaced: What is an appropriate age to, basically, hand over the world to these young minds in the form of a cell phone?” This is a loaded question. Trying to control the influence of the internet on young minds is like attempt
My Favorite Summer Skincare Secret
After the fires and this dismal rainy winter, I’m looking forward to summer fun! I appreciate the internal aspect of winter, but BBQs, beachin’ it & music in the park make me feel vibrant and more connected to my community. I love the warmth and the power of the sun, but I stopped sunbathing years ago! This alone has preserved my skin. Try it this year! Make it a #sunlesssummer and take note of the health of your skin in the fall. It will look smooth, supple, and younger!!! One summer with safe
DIY Dream Backyard
A few months back, I caught my husband rearranging the tools in the basement. This sent off the wife-o-meter. He was in trouble. In a bad way. You see, actors in Los Angeles spend a lot of time waiting around for auditions and jobs. In Tim’s case, he was between episodes of his current role portraying the Attorney General on the new hit Paramount Network series “Yellowstone", featuring Kevin Costner. I was keenly aware upon marrying an actor that I was dealing with a different breed of man. Duri
Beauty Beakdown: Treatment Pads
In the ever shifting landscape of the beauty industry, it can sometimes be overwhelming with all of the skin care products out there. How do you know if a product really works? You purchase it with the belief that this one will be the one...the elixir of the Gods! Before I was a licensed Esthetician, I had the bathroom drawer of shame. It was filled with bad ideas, impulse purchases, and, well...hope! We all have that drawer full of products we regret buying in the past. Plus, they were so expen
Closet Shopping for the Red Carpet
When my husband, Tim, showed me the beautiful invitation, my pulse quickened, and my mind began to race. I got a little nervous. It was a Vanity Fair red carpet event premiere party at Paramount Studios, featuring the new series “Yellowstone” starring Kevin Costner. Tim plays the Attorney General on the show, steering Costner’s family through a legal maze when a land dispute ends in murder. It’s an impressive cast with the likes of Gretchen Mol, Wes Bentley, Josh Lucas (among other recognizable
Baguettes, Van Gogh and...Ghostbusters? Adventures with the hubby at German Comic Con & Paris, F
“I’ve been asked to sign autographs at a Comicon in Germany.” Tim hangs up the phone and tosses it on the bed. “Oh really? Cool. For Star Trek? X Files?” “Ghostbusters.” “Wasn’t that, like 89 years ago?” Tim portrayed Sigourney Weaver’s Sine-Aid sniffing violinist boyfriend in the hit movie, sporting a bad mullet. “Yeah. I guess the movies’ still a thing in Germany.” “Oh, I’m getting in on this action,” I thought. I booked my flight that night. We were received at the airport in a tricked out Pe
Beauty Breakdown: Coconut Skincare
Every Autumn, Americans find it comforting to switch gears and do everything “Pumpkin”. Pumpkin facials, lattes, muffins, etc.…Allow me to redirect you from this comforting seasonal staple in order to focus on a beauty and health trend that stays fashionable during all four seasons. Coconut. I am COO COO for Coconut! Am I imagining it, or does the food and beauty market seem to present a trendier version of this ‘Elixir of the Gods’ weekly? It started with coconut water. Have you noticed that wa
How My Business Shape-Shifted for the Better
“We’re shutting down”. The text came through as I was closing my business for the day. It was a dark rainy day in Westlake Village and my final client for the day had left a few minutes prior. The rain drummed louder on the office window when another text came through. Something about toilet paper? I’m a small business owner in the 805 area. My boutique, Skin Evolution, has a loyal clientele and a lot of those clients have turned into good friends. My business created its own bustling community
Beauty Breakdown: Stem Cells
The Truth Behind Topical Stem Cells As you know, staying informed about new products and trends in the Beauty Industry is a priority for me. With science and technology moving at a rapid pace, I feel a keen responsibility to keep my clientele informed. The Stem Cell craze piqued my interest a few years ago and much has happened in that time! I found THE best Stem Cell serum available. Honestly, I feel like I hit the jackpot! Plant, Animal....HUMAN?? Let's break down the variety of stem cells tha