Monday, June 27, 2011

Super Steal on Jergen's Natural Glow

Last summer, I made no attempt to gain any pigmentation in my rather pale skin. Actually, I don't think I've tried for color in years. Inspired by 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic's post on Jergen's Natural Glow and having prior experience with it (erm, that would be that mention of years ago), I ventured out to my local Rite-Aid at 9pm on Friday night (apparently, I have no social life)*. They are currently running a lovely special: buy a body Natural Glow product (Express included), and receive the Healthy Complexion Facial Moisturizer free. I opted for the body Natural Glow in Firming. Express formulas tend to scare me; they are quicker potentials for disasters.

BUT WAIT!

This gets better: there were coupons stickered on to some of the bottles for a dollar off. When I got up to the register, the cashier gave me not only a dollar off the Natural Glow, but also the Facial Moisturizer (that was free!). I ended up paying $6.99 for $17.98 worth of products! YAY! You better believe I am going back today to see if they (hopefully) have more bottles with the coupons.

My crappy iPhone photo.

*Along with no social life, I like parenthesis way too much.

Disclaimer: Quite obviously, this was purchased by me.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Word of the Week: Duo-chrome

Being that I'm quite the newbie to beauty, I stumbled across the word 'duo-chrome' over at All Lacquered Up the other day in her coverage of Chanel's Fall 2011 collection. The polish in mention was Peridot. It is a gold/green color depending on the way the light hits it. Essentially, it reminds me of pewter.

Duo-chrome: A metallic nailpolish that is two different colors and/or a blend of two colors depending on how the light hits it.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment

I have uber-long hair at this point. We're talking nearly waist length and starting to get into that weird territory where you look like you may be possibly Pentecostal or Seventh Day Adventist (although, my lack of skirts should dismiss that theory). Next week, I have an appointment to get my hair cut and color. In the meantime, I do what I can to keep good care of my Rapunzel-status hair.

The Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment is part of an extensive line of hair products featuring ojon oil. Ojon oil comes from the nut of the American palm tree and is sourced primarily in Central America. Interestingly, ojon oil has always been known as batana oil, but was renamed in the late 90's when it was introduced as a commercial product. Ojon is the word for American palm in the local indigenous dialect (batana being the Spanish word). I'm tickled by the idea of returning to the original word for an item.

The creamy pomade turns to oil instaneously via body heat.

While I like what I have researched about the Ojon company, this isn't a product for a fine-haired person (like me).

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Under Ten: Trader Joe's Virtuoso Lip Balm

For all you lip-lickers out there, Trader Joe's Virtuoso Lip Balm is the second most moisturizing lip product I've come across thus far (first place: Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm). I have a nervous habit of unconsciously licking my lips when under stress at work. I don't even realize it until the next morning when my poor little lips are parched and taut.



While I love my lipglosses, I prefer just basic shiny, silky, smooth balm for everyday wear. Virtuoso glides on slick and doesn't have any waxy qualities(which I hate). In addition, it comes in a chapstick tube, which is much more convenient for applying than the lip balms that are in tins. They retail for 2.99 for a 3-pack here in California; which means they come out to be less than a dollar each!

Beyond the physical preference of the product, the ingredients are nifty too: Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Beeswax, Organic Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E, Essential Oil of Spearmint, Shea Butter, Rosemary Extract, Organic Comfrey, Organic Calendula, Organic St. John's Wort. This equates to the lip balm being comprised of 50% organic materials. Did I mention it is also SPF 15?

Disclosure: I purchased myself... over and over.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

It's Father's Day...

When starting this project, I realized that part of my lack of knowledge regarding beauty had to do with upbringing. My mother isn't particularly girly and while she is always sporting lipstick (and rocks it!), I don't think I've ever seen her use anything other than light eyeliner and Clinique's skincare line (I have sweet childhood memories of seeing the bottle of yellow cream on the counter in the bathroom). I never received a primer on how to take care of my skin or how to apply makeup. My mother never pushed being effeminate on me, to which I appreciate fully as an adult. Thanks to her, I don't feel the societal obligation to wear makeup to run errands.

My father was quite the opposite in his approach. Women must be dainty, sweet and presentable. I vividly remember him braiding my hair as a child and always commenting on how a woman should look. Long hair was good; heavy eye makeup was not. The red lipstick that I became fond of (and still am) at 15 was a major point of contention. My father and I tend not to see eye-to-eye on a lot of things, but there is no doubt he has influenced who I am. In honor of Father's Day, a short list of how my father has had a hand in my aesthetics:

Saturday, June 18, 2011

About Me

What is Aesthetic LA?

Aesthetic LA is a spa and beauty blog with a Southern California approach; primarily focusing on the Los Angeles region. In my own research, beyond Yelp and other similar review sites, I've found a lack of information out there regarding spas and salons in Los Angeles. There are so many wonderful establishments here, yet virtually no news and information regarding them other than nationally-based sites with short blurbs. Gasp! A void space on the internet? Someone has to rise to the challenge to fill the gap!