Butter'd Up

If its not fashion at the forefront, then I'd have to say that its beauty in the lead as the most fretted about subject in Los Angeles. You can't throw a rock and not hit a plastic surgeons office or salon anywhere here...with that said, it brings me back into focus on my own beauty regimen. For years I have been a skincare junkie, taking many different routes to keeping my skin looking and feeling youthful. I have tried various different concoctions, from plain old soap n water (drying), to all Chanel skincare (lavish and luxe but too rich for my skin), to my current routine. It is based on using products of the most natural and pure ingredients or from lines in which they cull their ingredients from nature. And of course, human and animal cruelty-free. The products I use now I also wanted to have mutli-tasking functions as well. I have found that the less products I use, the better my skin is, and my well being. Find your regimen and stick to it. This is key; if you keep switching things up, your skin will get confused and show you just how (this is called acne)! And the two most important things in my regimen: rest and lots of water!!

Face:
Cleanser- Ole Henriksen oily skin cleansing gel
Tonic-Ole Henriksen grease relief tonic
Moisturizer- the roots 100% pure shea butter
Masque- Aztec Secret indian healing clay
Shave- MOP Leave-In Conditioner

Body:
Cleanser- Johnson & Johnson Baby Wash
Shave-MOP Leave-In Conditioner
Natural Sea Sponge and/or Yerba body brush
Moisturizer- the roots 100% pure shea butter

Hair:
Shampoo- Kerastase
Conditioner- Nature's Gate Herbal Conditioner
Styling- my own mix (Nature's Gate Herbal Conditioner mixed with Paul Mitchell Styling Glaze, quarter size amount daily)

Further product information:
Ole Henriksen  http://www.olehenriksen.com/
the roots  http://www.therootsproducts.com/
Nature's Gate http://www.natures-gate.com/
Kerastase  http://www.kerastase.com/
Paul Mitchell  http://www.paulmitchell.com/
MOP http://www.mopproducts.com/

-fgg

The Ultimate Suit

Ever since I saw the Chanel Autumn/Winter 2009 RTW show (alas, not in person but via video pod cast) I was struck by the sheer ingenuity and futuristic expression of the silk and cashmere geometric print body suit. My jaw dropped. I was struck by awe. It spoke volumes-both retro (print) and future (fabrication) time line straddling, the ultimate in body consciousness, sleek feline expressionism (who else better comes to mind but Catwoman)- this hot ticket item was/is perfect in pushing th Chanel brand into a new stratosphere. What also struck an interesting chord with me was "who is the Chanel client that would wear this body suit?" I'm sure she's not the classic older woman (the one who could afford the price tag). Perhaps her daughter? No kids, I think its her grand daughter! How genius actually. The body suit, with its strong aesthetic, really does cross all the age lines. I could definitely picture Betty Catroux wearing this (mixed with her YSL staples), or Ivana Trump (languishing around her apartment), or Rihanna (rocking the body suit on stage). We leave the target and its message to the designer himself. Lagerfeld clearly visualized his Chanel woman in this great look (perhaps this came to him in a dream?): she is timeless, she is fierce, she is chic, she is Chanel, she is woman.
-feelgoodguru
[photo credit: Style.com]

Commuter Chic

Only in an urban city can you spot real, living fashion in movement.
I spotted this very chic young woman today on the Rapid bus in Los Angeles. I absolutely love the pop color (and collar) of her leather jacket, her accessories (bangles galore), shredded denim, and her high ponytail.
Check her chic out and enjoy!!
-feelgoodguru