Dear P. Willow,
It’s finally spring and I am planning a trip to the beach in a couple of weeks. Let’s just say, I have been in full hibernation this winter! My skin is so pale, and I haven’t waxed in weeks…
Before I leave for my trip, I really need to schedule a full body wax and a spray tan at RAW! Should I get waxed before, or after I get my spray tan?
Sincerely,
Beach Bum
Dear Beach Bum,
First of all, I am so jealous of this beach trip! Think about me when you’re catching those waves and indulging in endless crab legs…
At WAX, we are faced with this question ALL the time! Thanks to our wonderful neighbors at RAW organic bronzing studio, clients can finally get a spray tan that looks natural and free of harsh chemicals. We always suggest waiting at least 24 hours after getting waxed to be spray tanned. This is to avoid irritating the skin that has recently been waxed. Waxing after getting spray tanned will result in lifting the color, and nobody wants a splotchy tan (whether it’s real, or not…)!
xoxo,
Photo by Jason Travis
So much has gone on at WAX this past January with all of the exciting new renovations that it’s a relief to find ourselves starting anew. New month, new outlook, new addictions! Typically February is all about boxed chocolates and stuffy winter wear, but this year I feel it’s much different. Don’t get me wrong, I still get excited about a box of chocolates and a good peacoat, but this time it’s all about planning ahead for spring. You could even say, I’m addicted to it….
Here are some things that have been (and will continue to be) on my list for the month of February:
1.) Vintage Brown Ankle Boots: I could easily forecast this as a life-long addiction at this point, but it started when I found the most comfortable flat, brown, lace up vintage ankle boots on Etsy.
My overly obsessive shopping days are over (along with my early twenties), so now when I find something I like, I like it to death. Here’s where I bought mine: Granny’s Bootery
2.) Tanglewood Farms: Three words: Miniature, farm, animals. ’Nuff said. Google it. Go there and get blind sighted by cuteness.
3.) Éminence Strawberry Rhubarb Masque: I love to use this as either a mask, or as a bi-weekly scrub. The texture is gentle enough for sensitive skin, and has saved my skin from break outs on many occasions.
4.) Organic Gardening: With all of this premature spring weather, I have been itching to get my raised bed plans all in order. Never having made a true attempt at cultivating a successful garden, this year feels like my year (to not be so lazy). Along with my planning, I have been perusing the Georgia Organics website regularly for tips, organic seed resources, and updates on the local food movement in Georgia.
5.) Turquoise, bones, and feathers: I realize the Native American, bohemian vibe is a bit of a trend right now, but I seriously can’t get enough of these natural elements. Whether it’s in jewelry, art, or used as an embellishment, I’m into it. However, as with all things, I feel it’s important to be conscious of ethics over vanity. If you’re looking for awesome cruelty-free feathers, check out the Friendly Feather Shop. They make great gift wrapping flair!
If there was ever a time to hone in on the handcrafted spirit, I feel like this holiday season is it. This year is all about the conscious gift. Whether that means the amount of money being spent (or not being spent), the practice in which something is made, or it’s country of origin; it is more important now than ever to focus on how you treat your dollar. Plus, it makes for better, more thoughtful gifts!…and isn’t that the point?
Unless you’ve been living under a rock of bliss and utter isolation from all things media, I feel it’s safe to assume that we are all painfully aware of our nation’s current financial state (or lack there of). For years, boundless credit lines made shopping for our loved ones a sparkly, department store breeze (and let’s not forget about treating #1!); leaving in the not so distant future the heavy burden of repayment……mega bummer.
Sure, you could just make all of your presents (would it be offensive to break out the ol’ potholder loom?), but let’s be serious. Most of us don’t have the time to make all of our loved ones a special gift (even if they really do LOVE potholders). What is one to do, if you want the convenience of browsing the internet in your PJs, and the originality of a piece of art? That’s where Etsy.com comes in: An e-commerce site focused on handmade or vintage items, as well as art and craft supplies (BRILLIANT!). I’ve compiled a list of my favorite shops on Etsy, as well as favorite local shops in the Atlanta area. There is nothing more fulfilling than paying someone directly for their hard work , and getting a beautiful, one of a kind product in return.
But seriously folks…when it comes down to it, who would you rather support? The more we keep our mullah close to home, the more our community thrives, and that’s always more fulfilling than an Indonesian made cable knit sweater from McTarget-mart.
Garden Hood: A beautiful garden center in Grant park complete with friendly staff
Ninainvorm Ceramics: Redesigned vintage ceramics made in the Netherlands
Leah Duncan: Original textiles and home goods based out of Austin, TX
City Issue: Mid-century and vintage modern furnishings in Inman Park
Corduroy: Orignal art and ceramics by Jen Ray, based out of Atlanta
Cacao: Handcrafted artisan chocolates by Kristen Hard based out of Inman Park
Young Blood Gallery: An independent showcase for indie artists and crafter in Atlanta
Highland Row Antiques: Affordable vintage, retro and modern goods in Poncey-Highlands
Switch Modern: The premier modern furniture and accessories showroom in Atlanta
WAX loves food. Whether it’s eating food, cooking food, or shopping at the farmers market, we love to talk about food. So, of course we had to post some of our favorite recipes in leu of Thanksgiving (the holiday of FOOD!!! and other stuff…). Have a wonderful holiday!
Gratin Dauphinois
Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie
Collard Greens
Roasted Turkey
Orange Sweet Potatoes
Pumpkin Cheesecake
WAX is a little divided. While natural deodorant usually means less waste, skin soothing essential oils, and no preservatives, there’s a few of us that truly prefer an anti-perspirant. Even though an all natural deodorant may be better for the earth, what about the OTHER ‘environmental impact’…. you know, the stink factor??
Since there has been much controversy over the toxicity of aluminum in anti-perspirants for the past few years, some of us would just prefer to stay on the safe side. As more research is conducted to find links between the use of heavy metals in deodorants and Alzheimer’s and breast cancer, it is yet to be proven that the aluminum and parabens have detrimental effects…. is it worth the risk?
We’ve put together a little list of some of the best brands that we’ve found, and all for different reasons. While we may not be able to provide any scientific conclusions, we can certainly tell you which ones seem to do the trick:
Myka: Vichy 48 hour Antiperspirant for Sensitive & Depilated Skin ($12 at amazon.com)
“I’ve tried the natural things and they just don’t work for me. I have a tendency to sweat a lot under my arms and I find that the natural products don’t help me in that area. This deodorant is brilliant – keeps me nice and dry (even in a silk shirt!) and because it’s hypoallergenic, alcohol-free & perfume-free it works great for freshly waxed underarms.”
Leela: La Vanilla ($18 at Sephora.com)
“I know, I know. The price point seems a little steep for a deodorant, but for me it’s totally worth it. It’s aluminum and harsh chemical free, and it keeps me fresh and dry all day long. All of the scents are based on vanilla (clearly…), which makes for a nice subtle fragrance. I love this deodorant, and $18 for a bare necessity (that works!) that will last me 3-4 months is OK in my book.”
Misty: Homemade deodorant (about $5 for one stick)
“I recently started making my own deodorant at home. My handmade deodorant is free of chemicals and preservatives, and so far, it’s been really great at keeping me fresh all day long. It doesn’t prevent sweating, which doesn’t bother me. I feel like you’re suppose to sweat. As of right now, my most favorite scents are: Lime and Basil (everyone seems to like that one the most) and Blue Camomile with Eucalyptus and Geranium.”
Regina: Suave with Olay ($4 at Target)
“When I look for a deodorant, I’m looking for one that smells good. I love Olay products, so this one is my favorite. I don’t have much of a sweating problem, but at the end of the day I might feel a little funky. This deodorant isn’t all natural, but it works for me because I really like the scent.”
Let me first start by stating that I am NOT a product junkie. Don’t get me wrong, I love great beauty products (I have definitely been known to drop $200 at Sephora, no problem), but these days, every penny counts. When it comes to buying make-up, body care products, or even something like toothpaste… I’m squeezing it’s little tubey neck for every last drop!
For the past month and a half, I’ve been doing some testing on a couple of different toothpastes, and let me tell you….it has really sparked a toothpaste enthusiast inside of me that I never even knew existed! Along my paste testing journey, I’ve also been using the toothbrush from Acca Kappa’s BIOCETA line: made from a biodegradable material derived from cotton, and boar hair for the bristles. Love it!
First up is Couto toothpaste: Efficacy: A+ Taste: B+ Design: A+ Price: $8.00
Originally created in 1932 by a Portuguese pharmacist who was looking to treat the overwhelming amount of gingivitis cases around him, this great toothpaste hasn’t changed much since it’s earlier days. It’s vegan, made without creepy ingredients, and tastes…… like licorice. While I did enjoy how clean my mouth felt while using this toothpaste, I am not a huge fan of fennel flavoring. This would be my only criticism, but that’s just my personal taste!
Next up is Marvis toothpaste: Efficacy: A+ Taste: A+ Design A+ Price: $10.50
Imported from Florence, Italy, this little gem has somehow gotten me wrapped around it’s….uh, tube? Not only is it amazing to use and covers all the dental hygiene, tooth and gum care elements, but it comes in awesome flavors. Ginger mint? Are you kidding me?? Not to mention, it’s beautifully packaged and looks amazing on my sink. I’ve even kept the box….
For $10.50, you might think that’s over the top for toothpaste. Even for a non-junkie like myself, I may have to agree with you a smidge. But really, isn’t it worth it to have a super effective toothpaste that makes your mouth feel like it’s relaxing in a day spa in Florence, Italy for a few minutes, twice a day? My mouth says ‘yes please!’.
It’s July, it’s obscenely HOT…. but no matter how ridiculous the thermostat gets, there’s one thing that I know for sure, and that is: Summer time = FUN time. When I’m not busy making sure things are running smoothly at WAX, you can usually find me clutching a cold drink on a friend’s front porch, or crashing my neighborhood pool (wearing about 3 inches of sunscreen, of course).
Every season has it’s list of ‘must haves’ and ‘must dos’ (such as large brimmed sun hats and trips to the sandy coast). This month, I have a few personal obsessions that have made my life of work and fun easy breezy:
- RGB nail polish in Mink- You can’t go wrong with a taupe-brown neutral for anytime of the year, and this shade by RGB is my current fav. It also helps that it’s free of harsh chemicals, which is always an essential for me with any beauty product.
- Greens Plus Energy Bars- These bars are a total life saver! Forget sugary power/granola bars that have more junk than good. These bars are the perfect snack to keep you going whenever you get into that mid-day rut, and they are exploding with antioxidants.
- Underarm waxing- I am officially addicted to underarm waxing. I KNOW! I know….It’s been almost 2 years since I started at WAX, and I’ve never ventured to the pits. I have been missing out.
- Marvis Toothpaste in Ginger Mint- I never realized how much I could love a toothpaste until I tried this little gem! Not only is it super effective, but the packaging has a great retro modern design that looks lovely in my bathroom!
- The Grant Park Farmers Market- I look forward
to this every Sunday. After coffee, my dog Maebe and I take a stroll down to the market to pick up some fresh bread and lots and lots of peaches! Perfectly ripe, and locally grown…..we’re totally addicted.
Leela is our magnificent manager and graphic designer extraordinaire. She’s the person you talk to when you book your appointments and who often helps to squeeze you in for those last minute waxing emergencies. On top of that she’s also Myka’s assistant which pretty much makes her queen of everything… As Manager, Leela fulfills a wide range of duties at WAX, including making sure every client has a fabulous waxing experience from the moment they set foot in the door! While she has a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature, Leela has always had a passion for visual arts and graphic design. When she’s not busy providing excellent customer service, running errands or designing graphics for WAX, Leela indulges in reading fashion magazines, cooking and snuggling with her beloved French bulldog Maebe.
If you could have anyone be your personal stylist, who would it be? The ghost of Alexander McQueen in collaboration with Stella McCartney. I need the edgy combined with elegance.
3 things that people wouldn’t necessarily know about you: 1) I was born in a church 2) my nickname is ‘Bear’ 3) I hate blue cheese.
Your spririt animal, and why? The Sun Bear. They seem like they’d be pretty cool to hang out with.
Personal soundtrack: Outkast, The Love Below
Last 3 purchases: Starbucks Pumpkin Spice latte, a green trunk from the thrift store, vintage alligator cowboy boots.
Find out more about Leela here.
