Waxing the Thing…

Posted on July 21, 2014 by Gigi in Beauty 2 Comments

waxing

Hmmmm…To wax or not to wax? I’ve been waxing for over 10 years, perhaps I should have opted for laser hair removal, but something about the permanent nature, did not agree with me- and I’m a chicken. I can’t help but to think about peeps I see at the beach with faded droopy tats from yesteryear.

In one week I will celebrate my birthday, and like an old vintage car I like to get a complete overhaul done, so I can start my new “birth” year off fresh. So I went for my “wax” and I started thinking about is it time for a new look? I thought about how when I go to the wax salon I never see any “mature” ladies–where are they? Is there a point when you wake up one day and say “enough”? Do you go back to the full “monty”? What if “its” gray or salt and pepper? Crazy thoughts I know. Is there a cutoff year? If you are getting those AARP membership cards is that a sign?

Before I can put to much thought into this, Mirisa my “waxer” calls my name. Mirisa and I have become close over the years, even though I only see her every other month, we talk about everything in those 30 minutes. I thought about asking her “how old is your oldest client?” but I was to scared that it might be me. You can’t help but to get close to someone who yanks hair out of your lady parts with hot wax, you become close, and once you find someone, it is not the type of service you want to have a new person every time. Perhaps I’ll get the nerve to ask her next time.

I check out and exit by a few “30” somethings waiting and I smile.

So what do you think? Is there a cutoff for waxing? Does it fall in the category of the older woman whose skirts are a little to short to pull off, or the top that is to low cut for a crepey cleavage, we all know when we see the “trying to hard look”. Or since it is a “private” area does it matter? I’m curious of what your thoughts are…

WAX

Gigi’s Wax salon: Wax 7924 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles 90046 (323) 951-9616 Mirisa is amazing!!!

Happy Monday,

XOXO,

GIGI

“I LOOK FAT IN THAT PICTURE”

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Gigi in photography Comments Off

I love photographing women. Initially I thought I would settle into shooting family portraits and maybe an occasional wedding. Starting a new venture at my age I knew I had to create a balance between my business and my personal life. I sort of have an addictive personality, once I latch on to something I live eat sleep with it nonstop. I was taking classes at school and online, so one day I stumbled upon a class with Sue Bryce and I fell in love with her work and her philosophy on photographing women and I was hooked.

Working

I have always been a magazine addict as far back as I can remember, tearing pages out and filling binders up with my favorite glossy images of models, interiors, food, places I wanted to go etc. So fast forward, while at school I connected with Elsy my partner and we formed PS Couture, we both were interested in doing editorial fashion inspired style shoots for our clients. The past 9 months have been incredible, I cannot begin to express the joy I experience when I am looking through my lens and I connect with a client.

I have learned so much about my “species”. Ladies we are controlled by this thing called “body image”, including moi. Perhaps it comes from seeing all these altered images in the media, or perhaps that aunt who always told you “hmmmmm do you need that extra roll?” or in my case my great aunt had my mom get me a girdle when I was 10…or maybe you had a friend who was a size “0” and when you were out together you felt as if you could be mistaken for her bodyguard.

When I look at proofs from my own sessions, the monkey brain zooms into to what I feel are my “problem” areas ie. “does the butt look to big?” “hmmm what about my midsection?” “Arms?” “Hair?” or lately a new one “Do I look Old?” After I tear myself apart mentally of course, I become happy and glad that I did the session and happy that moment of moi is documented.

We have shot over 70 ladies this past year, from 16 to 80, size “0” to double digits, straight to curvy, and the one thing we heard over and over is “I want to lose some weight before my shoot” or “If only I could lose ten pounds before my session”. Yes I too am guilty of this, and I know that with good posing and proper camera angle everyone can look gorgeous, but I still wanted to drop a few before my shoot.

GIGI

Yes there is photoshop and you can alter someone unrecognizable, but our aesthetic is more authentic so that a woman still looks like herself. I love finding beauty in everyone and we all have something that makes us special. I came across this article the other day that I found fascinating about photoshop and how this unaltered image was sent all over the world to photoshop artists and they were told to make her “beautiful”. Check out the link at the bottom.

These are a few of my favorites from some of our shoots, there are so many–

Elsy

Molly

camille

Zuko

Jacqueline

Stephanie

MAKEUP- A COVER UP?

Posted on October 9, 2013 by Gigi in Beauty Comments Off

As far back as I can remember I have always loved makeup. Sneaking in my sisters makeup bag, opening the little Mary Quant compacts, and dabbing my finger into the brightly colored pigments was pure magic to a 7 year-old. A few years later to my delight my mother became a Mary Kay lady, and I was her assistant, happy to carry the pink suitcase full of creams and powders. As a teen that’s when I discovered the department store makeup counter, and I have been an addict ever since, routinely updating my “face” with a new lip or another mascara promising even longer lashes. I even offer a beauty photo session in my business, 54 Couture where we have a professional make up artist as part of the experience, so when I came across this piece yesterday it was certainly thought provoking.

Here is the image, that sparked the debate.

Before and After

Some comments were adamantly against makeup, feeling that it contributes to “normal” girls feeling ugly, and some felt it shows the power of makeup and the art of applying it skillfully to enhance ones features. Read the thread here.

For my work, professionally applied makeup, combined with beautiful lighting, the correct lens and of course the “eye” of the photographer can transform and give every woman that A-lister photo session experience, which at the end of the day is just plain fun, and so far the clients have loved the experience and have gone out after the shoot.

Personally I love it, especially for special occasions. I’m not the person that wakes up looking for my “face” before I go outside, nor do I wear makeup to the gym, but I do love glam-ing it up for an event or having a nice “day” look when I’m out and about. I find it no different than hair color, or shaving ones legs, it is just another part of the grooming process that is a personal choice.

gigi before & after

Love this…

True

What do you think about makeup? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Xoxo,

Gigi

Before & After

Posted on October 4, 2013 by Gigi in Beauty, photography 6 Comments

gigi before & after

As you all know, I am passionate about my craft, I love waking up each day and capturing images that move me or make me chuckle. Sometimes it is something silly like a sign that has a double meaning.

tj maxx

Or this guy “rock climbing” the wall at Starbucks…

rock climbing…

Although I love taking pictures, getting in front of the camera, now that’s a different story. Yes, I do take lots of pics of myself, but there are many you don’t see, you know the ones you “delete” right away. For the most part, I’m in control of most of the shots, I “pass” the camera to one of the Reggies, and tell them how to take the pic.

So a couple of weeks ago I decided to be the subject, so I could see what a client feels like when a big lens is staring in their face. First thing I realized, being photographed is humbling, your whole person is being viewed by another, and you can’t help but to think about all your perceived imperfections. At first I felt vulnerable, exposed in a way, I was worrying about my hair, thinking about was my mascara to clumpy or did my body look weird and a host of other silly thoughts. I’m sure it may be different for actors, and models who are always in front of the camera, but I am speaking for those of us that can count the times on one hand that we have had our portrait done, and I am not counting the family photo shoots. We all have our “stuff” when it comes to being photographed–“my butt is fat”, ” I don’t like my arms” or “my stomach” the list goes on and on.

So after about the first 15 shots, I began to relax and trust my friend and take her direction, and soon I was feeling as if I was on America’s Next Top “Old” Model, it was actually fun. I let go and quieted the little voice in my head, embraced “me” and accepted this was who I was at that moment and it was OK. We are bombarded by photoshopped images every day, so we can’t help but to develop a warped sense of what we “think” we should look like. We all want to feel BEAUTIFUL. Many of us don’t even take pictures at all, which is sad, because one day you will look back and there will be periods of your life where you have no images just a fleeting memory.

While I love photographing families, my heart is shooting women, I love finding that sparkle in women who have been on the planet for a while, and have lived a little, those that may not have a perfect, perky 22 year-old-body, but there is something that comes through those eyes, a connection, and when that happens I am delighted. Offering an experience for women, where for a couple hours they can feel like an A-lister, and I can capture something special, my work is done and I am happy. Stay tuned…

Gigi After

Happy Friday-Have a good weekend! And BE-YOU-TIFUL!

XOXO,

Gigi

At My Age…

Posted on September 19, 2013 by Gigi in Aging, Beauty, Fitness, Well-Being 2 Comments

I’m going to be honest here. We live is a youth obsessed society, everywhere you look there are images of celebrities in the news, on the TV, FB etc., whether an update on Bey’s comings and goings or some Kardashian story, we are bombarded by these images.

Celebs in the news

BEY

Our “norm” of what a person looks like is an overly photoshopped picture that leaves a little remnant of what the person actually looks like in person. Digital images once uploaded and magnified expose any sensitive areas you may have or shall I say did not know you had…

Madonna Before and After

Most days I feel like I am holding on pretty good, considering I’m 5’4″ and 54. I inherited my father’s hair color gene, just a sprinkling of grey strands, which allows me to color my hair about every 5-6 months and wearing a curly “do” hides a multitude of sins.

Photographer Gigi

The body however, is something that needs constant monitoring. No more of the magically tight 20’s, or the taunt 30’s or the firm fine 40’s this is the “betta find your a$$ in a gym 50’s” or else ease on down the middle age spread road. Is there anything really wrong with that? Passing on the baton and settling comfortably in to a pair of spanx and a good bra? No. Not at all-but of course there are other benefits to working out other than the “I don’t like the body that I glanced at in the mirror” reason.

Spanx

And don’t throw in the dreaded “M” work…That blanky-blank will jack a body up until you outsmart it…My theory is that menopause has a timer that tries to tell the world in subtle ways that this body is no longer available for reproducing. Let’s try and plump it up just enough to take away that youthful hourglass figure, just enough so somebody may slip and call you “Ma’am”.

menopause

My car is a 2007 model, which is old by California standards, the moment the service light comes on I am at the dealer, never ever missing an appointment, that is how you have to be with these bodies, diligent. I have to do yoga or I risk stiffening up like the tin man, strength training-a must do especially since I was diagnosed with osteoporosis a few years back. Cardio, cardio and more cardio if you want to have some memory of a waistline, and finally the most important one of all-drumroll THE DIET!

Gigi yoga

You have to fine tune what you put in your body and know what works for you. I’m not here to preach the vegan diet, vs raw vegan or vegetarian sermon, because even those can wreck havoc on a body if not followed properly ie. we all have met the obese vegetarian who lives on macaroni and cheese and pizza. The only rule I want to share is “GRREN UP” Saturate your body with as many anti-oxidants as you can stand, from fresh organic produce-you will notice the benefits inside and out especially in your skin. Everyday I have at least one big glass of fresh green juice.

Green Goddess Juice

Of course there are skin care advances and procedures available, but I want to do everything I can holistically before I investigate those options. I know I owe a lot to my diet and protecting myself from our beloved sun.

botox filler injections

So Gigi’s advice to all my pretties:

20’s Have fun, but set up a foundation of being active

Gigi @ 25

30’s “twerk” the diet if you had bad habits in the 20’s, especially if you are starting to have babies

Wedding Day july 23, 1989 1 week before 30

40’s if you don’ get your shit together here, this is like the last hooray-lots can happen in this era

Gigi @ 40

50’s you can still be FAB, but you have to do the work No get our of jail card here, you will go direct to “fifty and frumpy”

50’s Gigi

60’s and beyond KEEP it MOVING and watch the diet, it is a lifetime commintment

The good thing is our bodies are truly amazing, with a lot of effort and hard work you can still get results and reverse the aging clock. Will you ever look 22 again? No, but you can be a damn good looking 50 something year old

So start today by making good choices or bumping it up a notch if you already have a good routine. I’m always trying to do something, whether it is trying a new workout or training for an event, anything to keep my butt moving instead of drooping…

So let’s toast with a green juice and move your body today!

Xoxo,

GIGI

THE SCENT OF A WOMAN…

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Gigi in Beauty 3 Comments

My Scents

As far back as I can remember I have always loved perfume, my first memory is a big bottle of Jean Nate that sat on a shelf on the back of the toilet.

Jean Nate

My older sister loved Chanel #5, which had a special place on her dresser. I would sneak and a dab a little behind my ear, imitating the starlets in the movies.

CHANEL

Tinkerbell was my first fragrance, all I remember about it was a blond fairy on the label and how I kept the box on my dresser only wearing it on special occasions.

Tinkerbell

Fast forward to my teen years, at the time the popular fragrances were Charlie, Love’s Babysoft, Hypnotique and Lauren, of course I did not want any of those, I saved my money from my $3.00 per hour job and bought a bottle of Joy by Jean Patou, I think it cost me about $85.00. Why? Because I read somewhere that it was made of really rare flowers and was considered one the the best perfumes at that time. So silly me spent about a week of wages on this perfume, and then to make matters worse I rarely wore it and then it went “bad”.

JOY by Jean Patou

Moving on to my 20’s I wore Anais Anais, YSL Opium, Bijan and of course who can forget Georgio? Those were the days before text messages, email, or twitter, I would write letters to BF’s and scent them with perfume, so romantic. Does anyone write “old school” love letters any more? I even remember getting a letter from a fellow that was saturated with Grey Flannel. Those were the days.

On my wedding day I wore Houbigant Paris Quelques Fleurs l’ original, my matron of honor Blaine gifted me with this fragrance at my bridal shower.

Wedding Day Fragrance

Early in my marriage my husband not realizing that I was a fragrance snob gifted me with a few fragrances from our local drug store. I recall giving the “fake smile” and reminding myself that it is the thought that counts, until one day I just told him that the perfumes I like are not available at our local drug stores or in our little town. Sorry. So he decided he would take perfume off his gift list and move on to something else. I went through quite a few phases , Coco Mademoiselle, Fracas, Donna Karen Cashmere, Dior Poison, Prada, bvlgari to name a few of my favorites over the years. Always dousing myself with something, not feeling complete until dabbed or sprayed my body.

Now I have settled on a few signature scents, not really keeping up with new ones any more, almost like I have finally settled on a few signature scents that I am happy with. I switch up with the seasons to keep it interesting, and these are the ones that are in my current rotation.

WINTER : Tom Ford Black Orchid- a luxurious, alluring, sensual fragrance- a combination of black orchids and spices. Love this one.

Black Orchid

SPRING : Bond Noho Nuit- “unapologetic, contemporary, fruity-floral, skin scent sexy avant-garde” I love this scent, I always get compliments when I wear it.

Bond Noho Nuit

SUMMER : Creed Virgin Island Water -fresh, citrus, caribbean, coconut, lime, hibiscus,ginger, ylang-ylang, sugar cane & rum. This scent reminds me of the islands when I wear it.

Creed Virgin Island Water

FALL : Serge Lutens Nuit de cellophane- jasmine, carnation, lily, warmed by lush milky almond, sandalwood & sweet honey. I discovered this scent about 5 years ago and have been wearing it ever since.

Serge Lutens

“Another way to take up more space is with perfume. I really love wearing perfume.”

Andy Warhol

I concur…

Do you have a signature scent?

Xoxo,

GIGI

Gigi’s Meanderings Around the Web #8

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Gigi in Web 1 Comment

My life is finally settling down a bit, and I will be able to post regularly. I am realizing the older I get, the faster time goes by. Tonight we celebrated my husband’s birthday with some dear friends, btw his birthday was January 7 it took almost 5 months to make it happen. I question are we really that busy? I decided moving forward I am going to make time to do the simple nothings that I enjoy ie. make raw vegan ice cream, curl up with a good book, pull out my knitting, work in my garden, work on my blog and just take time and slow way down.

I love perusing around the web checking out interesting tidbits. A little of what I discovered so far this week. I love Luther Vandross and miss him so much. I was amazed when I came across this sweet boy.

http://youtu.be/z39YKTM5VLM

Yes. A public school goes all VEGETARIAN! My husband is 7th Day Adventist and attended Adventist schools which were all vegetarian. This is major. Check it out here.

Do you meditate? I have never sat down formally and done “it”, but I want to start.

Love this bike rack …

Not sure if I would like this, interesting combo though.

Nice teen activity.

Interesting article, especially if you are a parent. “He could be my son”

I’m a Scandal fan, but I know this show is popular as well “Downtown Abby” I may have to check it out.

I am a beauty junkie. I have so many products a person could go in my bathroom and come out with a new identity. I love hair products, skin care, make up etc.. I have been reading about BB creams and CC creams, but after this article perhaps it is not something that would work for me.

One more thing take a moment and think about the things that really matter to you.

XOXO,

GIGI

LIVING A FULL LIFE-Looks like…

Where Does the Mind Go, When it Decides to Leave?

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Gigi in Aging, friendship 2 Comments

I have been incredibly busy these past weeks. Between traveling and shotty internet, my blog has suffered-but I’m back. I’ve missed coming to this “place” sharing my thoughts.

You don’t need to be a neurologist to recognize when someone’s “brightness” is slipping away. What I find interesting is the moment it happens cannot be identified. Was it Christmas 2012? Was it the first time keys were misplaced? Was that the beginning? hmmmmm… I’m in trouble!

I’m a girlie girl who loves being pampered, and the older I get the more pampering I need to keep this body running smoothly. My “beauty services” are necessary indulgences, that help maintain my sanity. For the past 18 or so years I have been trekking across town to the Westside once a week to partake in various appointments. Once I find a person I like I am a lifer, a dream client that will be there “rain or shine”.

I remember the first time I went to Jessica Nail Clinic, a friend of mine treated be to a manicure for my birthday. I loved my nails and was happy to find a shop that was into healthy nails and did not do acrylic nails, which were all the rage back then. Leni, my manicurist and I hit it off and I quickly snagged a “standing” appointment and have been going ever since. I developed a unique friendship with Leni, so much more than a client/service provider relationship. We watched our children grow up, shared our proud moments, our daughters graduations, medical school, marriage, grandchildren and our mutual love for Michelle watches. You would be amazed of how well you get to know someone spending an hour a week together year after year. As soon as I sat down she knew if something was wrong with me. We had a secret “eye” language that we would use when snotty rude clients walked in the shop. Leni shared my tears when I lost my brother, went through a pregnancy with me, and my significant birthdays, there were a few sprinkled in during that period. We became each others confidants, even though our worlds outside of the shop did not intersect.

I can’t pinpoint the moment I noticed something different, but slowly I observed this sharp proud Romanian lady slowly start to slip away to some strange space. At first it was little things like “do you want coffee?” I stopped drinking coffee years ago, but every week she would ask. Picking out a color became an ordeal, changing an appointment was almost impossible, thankfully someone would always come to the rescue. The ladies at the shop are like family, most of them came to this country from Romania. I had to pay attention to my manicure and help her keep on task with the various steps. Sometimes I felt as if I could feel her embarrasment for asking me questions over and over. I thought about leaving, and going somewhere else, but I couldn’t, deep inside I knew it was only a matter of time. My manicures suffered, but I could not abandon her at this point, even though I noticed some of her regulars disappeared.

So last week I cruised up to Sunset Plaza, stepped inside and did not see Leni. I was told that she got the “flu” and retired and would not be back. I was overcome with sadness, that quickly deteriated to a waterfall of tears. Leni was only in her early 60’s and just like that gone. Of course I pressed for an explanation and I got it. I was told that her last day at the shop she got so disoriented that she could not find her car, and they had to call her husband. She had been at the shop for over 20 years, all I could think about was no good bye, no farewell celebration, just gone.

My favorite Jessica color is “endure”. I will always remember Leni when I wear this color…

Do you have a special relationship with your hair stylist? Manicurist? Massage therapist?

Xoxo,

Gigi

Drive By- Blow Drybar

Posted on June 8, 2012 by Gigi in Hair 2 Comments

Today my daughter decided to drop in for an impromptu blowout at the drybar. I’m a curly girl now, but for many years I was a long-haired “straight” hair done weekly girl. A big part of my life revolved around a minimum three hour weekly ritual at the salon.

Drybar on Sunset

These no cuts, no color, 30 minute blowout, salons have been popping up all over the country. We were not sure how skilled the stylists were with African-American kinky curly hair, but for a flat fee of $35.00 regardless of texture, length or thickness, there was nothing to lose.Cheery but stylish, a yellow blowdryer chandelier, champagne and cookies, fresh flowers and hair style menus, Devil Wears Prada playing on the flat screen, a steady stream of women all ages – all this makes drybar a winning concept.

Blowdryer Chandelier

Yellow & White Roses

Drybar Menus

The menu hair styles were listed as “drink” names. The Straight Up – Signature blowout: Straight with body, The Cosmo – Lots of loose curls,The Mai Tai-Messy, beachy hair, Southern Comfort – Big hair, Up-Tini – AKA an updo, The Manhattan – Sleek and smooth (Amani’s choice) are the main styles with a few others that are combos ie. Cosmo – Tai.

Blow dry Amani

Amani

Flat iron-Amani

Drybar uses Moroccan oil products and offers “shots” deep conditioners for $10.00. Amani did not have an appointment and waited 15 minutes before she was in the chair. They are open 7 days a week, nice option if you have a red carpet event on a Sunday. Most clients were done in 30 minutes, it took about 50 minutes to do Amani’s hair. As I sat watching the process, an unsolicited client said to me, “Is that your daughter? I wish my mother had taken me to get my hair straightened, because I had the kinkiest, curliest hair ever!”

"The Manhattan"

Drybar 310 442 6084 8595 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood

Hours Monday-Wednesday 8-7 Thursday-Saturday 8-9 Sunday 10-7

beauty

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