If you follow me on Instagram then you know I just had a second treatment of miraDry at the Marina Plastic Surgery offices. If you have excess sweat or odor that gets in the way of everyday life, you may want to consider this permanent solution. Read my original post here from when I had the first treatment last year.

While the first treatment seemed to have reduced the sweat and odor about 75%, yeah, in the past few months, I’ve felt that the odor and wetness could be lessened even more, especially since I’ve been boxing 3x’s a week now. Come to find out, a lot of people need a second treatment and hardly any need a third.

And since I knew what to expect this time around, it didn’t seem as uncomfortable as the first time around. I mean, I’m still bruised and numb in areas under my arms but the recovery seems to be quicker than before. The pic below is 6-days post (sorry for the photo but to take it at that angle was hard!).

And look who is their hunky spokesperson is now! Meow.

Visit their website @ miradry.com for more info and of course to find a physician in your area that performs the service.

Disclosure: service was performed gratis for this review.

Imagine having to never buy or apply deodorant again? Yup, just like the picture says! Well I may have found something that can give you that freedom. It’s called miraDry and was created for those with Hyperhidrosis aka excessive sweating. Now I don’t have excessive sweat but I do have a, ahem, funk problem. Like I will wear a top for a few hours and I already know the armpits smell; cotton, poly, I’ve tried them all and they all have the same outcome, funky armpits.

Now I don’t mind my body odor smell and I’ve never noticed anyone move away from me because of it but I sometimes wonder. And then there’s shopping! I tend to shy away from most items that have to be dry cleaned, especially if they lie snug under the arms.

And I’ve tried every deodorant out there, the time-release ones, the clinical strength ones etc. The only one that seems to have been helping a little lately in the keeping-me-dry category was Fresh Sugar Deodorant Antiperspirant. 

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Face it, getting any kind of Botox or fillers requires someone who knows what they’re doing. I mean, do Botox parties still exist? I wouldn’t be caught at one of those getting a treatment; too fly-by-night. So for me, it’s all about referral like a dermatologist or eyebrow waxer. Every person has their own style and you just want to make sure you get one that knows what they’re doing. But if you don’t know who or what to ask, how can you find a good one for you? This is why I wanted to write this piece; to take away some of the mystery.

I recently had to opportunity to experience Cosmetique Aesthetics in Culver City, CA. And it came around at the best time as I had been asking around to friends to see who they have been using. I have had some Botox and fillers in the past but not on a consistent basis and the one woman I had gone to like once a year for the past 3 years left where she was, so back to square one.

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If there was one beauty treat you could enjoy on a weekly basis where money was no object, what would it be ? Mine would have to be a massage. I’ll take a good shoulder rub or foot massage anytime, anyplace. For me, it’s my major form of pampering, which is why I jumped at the chance to try one out at the Argyle Salon & Spa. Tucked discretely inside the famed Sunset Tower Hotel in West Hollywood, CA, they offer an array of services, from hair cut and coloring to manis and pedis to tanning and waxing. But the massage is what I really wanted to try and have you ever heard of a Four Handed Massage? It’s exactly what you read, four hands massage your knots and stress away. I never even thought something like this ever existed! It truly was 50 minutes of pure bliss ($240). My chi never felt so balanced.

I’ve been meaning to start getting facials on a regular basis so why not try one of their signature ones? Their HydraFacial is like getting three facial treatments in one – the exfoliation and resurfacing of Microdermabrasion, a chemical peel and then hydrations and extractions. And Jaclyn made sure to explain every step she was doing. My question is, why aren’t all facials comprised of all these steps as it seems like a no brainer when it comes to covering all the bases. Choose from 60 minutes for $200 face only or the same amount of time for the face, neck and chest for $225. The neck and chest are sooo important as they show the age too so don’t forget them when getting any treatment.

The Argyle Salon & Spa is located inside the Sunset Tower Hotel, 8358 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069. 310-623-9000. See more about their services on their website – argylela.com.

These services were gratis in exchange for my review.

As the drama continues to rage on with Brazilian Blowouts (calling it a BBO for the sake of this feature) or whatever name they are going by in your neck of the woods, more companies are coming up with alternatives to the nasty chemicals they use. I mean, I’ve heard of quite a few salons that are turning the other cheek until something solid comes down because it is a huge money maker for them but I’m hoping you will consider this one and this one as alternatives Because at the end of the day, anything that’s going to eliminate frizz, I’m down with.

I recently had the Keratin Express Blow Out over at the B2V Salon in Beverly Hills and this is considered  a friendlier version of the hair defrizz because it uses no harsh chemicals. But the drawback is that it only lasts up to 6 weeks. It’s also not going to set you far back as the traditional one as it’s only $100 and only take about 1 hour to do. So there are a lot of pluses for this one and very few minuses.

It an in-salon treatment that infuses natural keratin deep into the hair cuticle to smooth it so it not only keeps frizz at bay, it also makes strands really shiny. Essentially this chemical-free process is like a super conditioner that deposits protein back into the hair.

One thing to keep in mind – this hair treatment is not a straightener. I know the traditional BBO is also considered a hair straightener but this one for sure does not. I mean, when I had the BBO, I could put my hair on top of my head at night, wake up, let it down and no kinks but with this one, yup, kinks, but no frizz, so just something to make note of.

In order to keep locks smooth for as long as possible, pick up their Keratin Color Care Shampoo ($21/13.5oz), Keratin Color Care Conditioner ($21/13.5oz) and the Infusion Keratin Replenisher ($32/1.7oz, $41/3.4oz). And the brand just came out with a bunch of styling products like a Flex Flow Finishing Hairspray, Lock Launder Strengthening Dry Shampoo and a Volumizing Dry Shampoo Lift Powder that comes in three colors that I have on deck to try. Will keep you posted!

Find a salon that offers it in your area @ keratincomplex.com and book yours during your next lunch hour.

This service was provided to me gratis.

By now, we’ve all heard of the Brazilian Hair Treatment, or the other many names it goes by, and a lot of us have even tried it. And by now most of us have heard the backlash on the treatment because of dangerous levels formaldehyde and other toxic ingredients in the products used. Some salons are banning the treatment altogether and others are turning the other cheek because it is such a money maker. And I hear that this issue is going to the top, the FDA, but until then, how do you feel about it? Are straight locks more important that health? Before you answer that, how about if I tell you about an alternative that seems pretty darn safe and it’s Vegan.

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I’ve always been interested in any kind of eyelash innovations. I mean, I have my favorite mascara and I wear it with pride but anything that can make the beauty routine easier, I’m all ears. I was recently invited to try the latest buzz in makeup, LASHDIP. Here are the deets:

What It Is: A semi-permanent professionally applied lash coating that will last from 2 to 6 weeks.

Developed over a two year timeframe and tested extensively throughout the process for safety and efficacy, before launching at Ambra Chicago, LashDip is a safe and effective solution for women who want defined, noticeable, fabulous lashes. You can sweat, shower, and even swim with LashDip! The formula is hypoallergenic and nontoxic.

So how did it go? Click below to see!

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As I mentioned here a few days ago that I just tried a new kind of hair color from L’OREAL PROFESSIONEL called INOA (Innovation No Amonia). It uses an OSD Technology (Oil System Delivery) to open the cuticle in the hair instead of ammonia to color strands. And this system has 13 patents pending! You read right, 13! There are 49 shades available in 8 shade families.

It came out last year and never heard of it until now and I even saw a two-page ad for it in the most recent Allure magazine. So maybe it’s getting another push? Anyway, There are a few salons in LA that carry INOA but only a select few that carry the whole brand and have a station set up seen here. I was invited to try it at the Warren Tricomi salon on Melrose Ave here in Los Angeles a few weeks ago and I have to say I am pretty impressed.

West Coast partner, Mr. Kaz Amor, was my Colorist (he colors Lauren Conrad's hair) and I just put my trust in him when expressed my preference for a copper-ish kind of color. And he let me smell the formula before painting it on and wow, no smell! This totally is something I’m not used to!

So how is it wearing? It was pretty bright copper when I first left the salon and I did see some of the color wash down the drain after I washed it for the first time but I gotta tell you, what it has settled into is a really nice wearable shade of copper – not too bright and not too subtle. It’s supposed to last as long as those with ammonia and I think it will make it as it's almost been 1 month now.

And here’s an offer for SoCal readers - the first 10 people to call the salon @ 323-651-4545 in the next week get half off of their L'Oreal Professionel INOA treatment with Kaz Amor. The service starts at $146 (for single process) and the half off does not include a blowout.

Not in LA? No worries! Simply go to findinoa.com to pull up salons around you. Let me know if you try it out!

Disclosure: this service was provided free of charge.

Glycolic, Salicylic .. it can be kind of confusing when it comes to facials and what a procedure does and why and how. So I figured I would delve into this topic more when I was invited to meet with dermatologist Dr. Susan Evans of the Skincare Physicians of Beverly Hills for a treatment. Doing my due diligence and reading up on her, I see she has a lot going on! She has appeared on many TV shows like GMA, Oprah, the Dr. Oz show and just put out her second line of skin care products.  

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Remember this feature from last year with the new trend for the long-lasting manicure? Well CND’s version, called Shellac Hybrid Nail Color, is upon us. It's the same base coat, color, top coat then cure with a UV light type of process and the formula is 3-Free (no formaldehyde, tolune or DBP) like the other company I tried last year but did this Shellac live up to the hype? Click after the jump to see!

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