OMGGGGG remember the Phyto Universe post I wrote? Well, even if you don't, the Phyto Friends & Family Sale is happening now.
Get all of the products you've ever wanted! Think I'm kidding? *Ahem* the PhytoSpecific Relaxer (normally $60) is now $48. Now imagine the discount you'd get on the other products.
That is, of course, until the sale ends on Wednesday, 6/29! Shop the sale now...thank me later.
Style Coalition hosted The Royal Treatment, a super-fun Lierac & Phyto event for top beauty and fashion bloggers. As I walked into the impeccably decorated lounge, I noticed the scent of fresh gardenia wafting through the air. Kinda' perfect since I'd just watched "Lady Sings the Blues". And you know, Billie Holiday wore a gardenia in her hair...and...well, the scent was dope.
Plus, since it was the day of the royal wedding, the ceremony played in the background throughout the afternoon.
I enjoyed a brilliant massage, featuring the new jasmine and gardenia-infused Lierac Sensory Oil, which hydrates for 24 hours and can be used on face, body, and hair. It's a unique oil because when it's added to water, it doesn't just become a gross glob at the top of the water; it creates a milky-moisture paradise (try saying that six times).
With slicked-down bangs (this is exactly why I won't show you the pic of me) and utterly relaxed corps, I reached for my yummy jasmine-enhanced drink.
The other girls experienced the Phyto Scope (Since Phyto Scope and I were up close and way-too-personal with my scalp a week earlier, I sat that part out); they also got their "'dos, did" by hair stylist extraordinaire, Yves Durif. I walked away from Style Coalition calmer, more beauty informed, and royally treated. Take that, Kate.
You guys, I just had the most incredible Shaunequa in Wonderland beauty experience. Follow me down the rabbit hole as I tell you about my afternoon at Phyto Universe.
The Ambiance
Though I'd gone to Phyto Universe for a party, I somehow missed the beyond-tranquil, flora-fauna sanctuary that it is. I was greeted by a bevy of smiles and multiple beverage requests. Impressed, I sat in the waiting area and then I saw Ron.
The Stylist
Ron Williams is walking Southern charm. That's the first thing. He has done the tresses of the "Gossip Girl" and "America's Next Top Model" casts, journalist Jackie Reed, and a bushel of beauty editors. That's the second thing. With over 15 years of experience, Ron uses a scientific approach to train stylists around the country on retexturizing curly hair (i.e. relaxers, redefining curls, etc.). That's the third thing.
Oh and you know how your stylist vaciliates from you to other clients? That's not the Phyto way. Ron finished with his client, escorted her to the lobby and then my surreal hair experience began.
The Phyto Scope
Phyto Scope was crazy cool. It magnifies the scalp, follicles, and hair strands by 200 times. In short, I saw the good, the bad, and the rather embarrassing. Among product build up and a cringe-worthy amount of dead skin cells, I saw one strand of hair was in a knot. Ron told me that was the first time he'd seen that. My response: "Cooky girl...cooky hair. What can I tell ya?" Here are a few examples of what you might see depending on your hair type.
The Treatment
After Ron analyzed my hair, he created a conditioning cocktail specifically for my needs. Since I was also getting the Phytorelaxer (which Ron customizes to your hair's curl pattern), we didn't aggravate my scalp with exfoliation--gently brushing the hair to lift dry skin cells (dandruff) and product build up, but that's certainly part of the traditional cleansing-conditioning treatment.
Relaxer girls, the Phytorelaxer is egg & soya based so it doesn't do the damage that typical lye and no-lye relaxers can do. Plus, it doesn't stink or burn; as I've mentioned before, I have the most sensitive scalp EVER.
After I walked over to the next room, Ron promised I wouldn't have to get up again until it was time for me to leave. "This is a relaxation day. We come to you". And that they did. When I sat in that chair, the washing bowl was rolled over to me. Then the steam treatment thingie came around as the plant protein-based, Phytospecific Vital Force mask conditioned my hair. Though by miracle, a glass of water appeared by my side as my scalp and face pores luxuriated in the steam.
Finally, with a rinsed-out hair mask, the blow drying commenced. I walked out with soft, bouncy hair and a head full of tips, tricks, and Ron's mantra, which I feel like tattooing on my face. He says, before applying anything to your hair, ask yourself, is it going to: HYDRATE, NOURISH, REPAIR or RESTORE? If not, think twice before using it.
A jet-black Marchesa evening clutch adorned with tiers of ruffles and a bow. A Beauty.com gift card. 17 deluxe "red-carpet-ready" samples. All of this can be yours with a $150 Beauty.com order starting today.
And we're not talking about boring "why'd-they-include-these-samples" samples: Urban Decay, Origins, Bliss Spa, Bare Minerals...What am I doing typing all of this?
Here's the rundown:
1. Juice Beauty® Reflecting Gloss in Organic Fig
2. Urban Decay™ De-Slick in a Tube
3. Fekkai Advanced™ Brilliant Glossing Shampoo
4. Nick Chavez® Amazon Infinity Mist
5. Exuviance® Rejuvenating Treatment Masque
6. Borghese Crema Saponetta Cleansing Face & Body Bar
7. Origins Checks and Balances™ Frothy Face Wash
8. GoSmile® Touch Up® Watermelon Mint
9. Laura Geller Wonder Wand Eye Brightener
10. Darphin PREDERMINE Firming Wrinkle Repair Serum
11. bareMinerals® Original Foundation in Medium Beige with Brush
12. Bliss® FatGirlSlim™ Skin Firming Cream
13. Dr. Dennis Gross™ Alpha Beta® Daily Face Peel
14. Clean™ Warm Cotton Eau de Perfume
15. Jonathan Product™ Finish Control™ High Shine Aerosol Hairspray
16. Phyto™ Phytocitrus Restructuring Mask
17. Beauty.com $10 shopping card
This year, I find myself doing the unspeakable: leaving town during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week (it's only a day trip, but I'm pretty sure a fashion god is crying somewhere in heaven). The good part is, as I prep for my trip, I have some free time on my hands today to partake in a little New York Fashion Week action.
So I'll be heading to a few shows, going home to change, and hitting the town for Fashion's Night Out. Check me out on Twitter to stay up on the latest. Remember my last post about me and my crew hitting up Fashion's Night Out? Here's the tentative schedule for tonight. Meet us out if you're around!
First stop:
We're going to Henri Bendel for the Frederic Fekkai-Marchesa event. The Fekkai-Marchesa teams will be recreating red carpet looks donned by Hollywood starlets for real women.Olivia Palermo will help to style the red carpet looks.For $75 you get a professional-quality digital and print picture of yourself donning an award-worthy look put together by a personal dresser. Proceeds go to the official FNO charity.
Second stop:
The peeps at Phyto, Lierac, and Caron are putting together a FNO event, which will feature scalp analyses, product samples, and champagne. And seriously, my crew and I have never met a free glass of champagne/sparkling wine/hard cider that we didn't like.
Third stop:
We'll make our way to the Charlotte Ronson, "I HEART RONSON" event. Charlotte Ronson and Michelle Trachtenberg will be offering styling tips as FNO guests peruse the JCP-exclusive collection. On the 1s & 2s? DJ Samantha Ronson, of course! After partaking in that and obvi, washing down "Fashion Eats Cupcakes" sweets with Hob Nob wine, we'll move on.
Fourth stop:
I'll be on the look out for super-gorgeous Sessilee Lopez who's to host a fete in honor of her Modelina magazine cover. There will be cupcakes and bebidas there as well and like, we can't be rude. We will also join the crowd, which will view IRO's and Erickson Beamon's collections. Maybe we will win the one-of-a-kind pieces from the designers!
Fifth stop:
DVF is partnering with HP and Refinery 29 for the DVF + HP Experience Lounge . I'm sure at least one of us will slip into the photo booth in our Refinery 29-styled outfit.Can't wait to see what else is up their ridiculously chic sleeves.
Last stop:
Teen Vogue-ASOS Block Party! We'll join the crowd and check out some great boutiques on Bleeker St.
Note: There is a very strong chance that we'll add places as we go along. Check us out on Twitter. If you're out, holler. If not, just peep us and see how much foolishness we get into and how many fantabulous fashion girls and boys we see. I'm shooting *haha* to take pics of really cool looks I see out.
As you know, my laptop is in "the shop". I feel such separation anxiety. This must be how my mom felt when I went off to summer camp. That said, I have so much to tell you and will try my best to get it all into two posts. Last week I went to a Phyto Bastille Day-themed event. It was so much fun: a live band, hair Q&As, French lessons (I rolled in too late for those), and vino...wait that's Italian, isn't it? Dang I should've gotten there earlier. Anyways, I walked off with some great information, which I tweeted from the event. Not yet following me? Watchu waitin' fo', Willis?! I can't wait to use the goodies I scored like Phytojobo Hair Mask ($38).
Oh-oh-oh let me tell you about the Blogging While Brown event I attended. I met up with some cool peeps from Twitter: Miss Kitty Bradshaw, Melissa from O So Chic, Makeup Artist Kim Porter, The Fab Chick, and more! Nichelle Stephens from Pepsi We Inspire organized the event and I'm so grateful that I was a part of that special evening.
