I was recently invited to get a blow out at the 941 Brickell Avenue Trini in Private Location.  It's close to where I live–I'd actually noticed it a few months ago and made a mental note to check it out for my next haircut. I'd read a bit about the salon previously and was really excited to try it out. 

A bit of background: the founder, Trini, is a noted Parisian stylist with 20 years of industry experience.  She came to the States and built herself a beauty empire. She relocated from France to Miami in 2003 and her spa has several other locations, and not just in Miami–she also has two location in New York City and an academy!  If you want to learn more about the salon, visit the website: www.triniinprivate.com.

I really like her brand because her philosophy focuses on each woman's individuality.  Her stylists use their gifts to bring out your own personalized beauty.  They recognize that what works for one may not work for all and they work to customize their approach and tailor their work specifically for you.  (Case in point: does anyone remember when everyone had "The Rachel"???  I mean seriously…thank G-d Trini's people recognize and embrace individuality.)

As I walked in, I was greeted warmly by the super-chic yet friendly staff and offered something cold to drink.  My stylist, Gustavo Cagiao, gave me a tour of the salon.  The atmosphere is bright and airy with high ceilings and plenty of natural light, which gives it an upbeat, modern feel. I'd describe the decor as urban zen. The mood is mellow, yet vibrant.

There's a separate spa area in the back where the vibe is geared towards relaxation.  Gustavo explains that even the music is different from what is played in the front and designed to make you disconnect and float away.  He tells me that they offer an entire menu of spa services: they do massage, spray tans, waxing, manis/pedis, facials, eyelash extensions, makeup application, etc.  You name it, and they probably do it.  Their spa brand is Germain de Capuccini.  Another cool tidbit: they use an organic French makeup line: Couleur Caramel.  The spa is clean and spacious, and feels warm and private, not at all stark or clinical. 

Then Gustavo took me back to his station and got down to business.  He told me that he's been in the beauty industry for more than 20 years and came to Miami by way of Argentina.  He shampoos and conditions my hair with PHYTO products (which they sell right in house, along with L'Oreal Professionel products).  Trini holds the distinction of being the first PHYTO Concept Store to be opened in the USA, which is actually a huge deal.

  Gustavo told me he thought he should blow my hair out straight because that would work best for me and then proceeded to work very quickly and methodically.  Now, my hair is naturally really thick and super curly.  Whenever I go to a salon, I am used to the stylists yanking and pulling and breaking my hair while they wrestle to get it sort of straight.  I was so impressed with Gustavo–not only did he NOT hurt me or snarl my hair AT ALL, but it was seriously the straightest, and softest I've ever seen it.  I was so impressed with him that I booked him to do my hair before I go to a wedding at the end of June.  I also bought all the PHYTO products he used on my hair.  Anything that can make my hair feel actually soft and supple–there was no question I had to own it. 

Here's a pic of what my hair looked like after that I forced my then-boyfriend (now fiance!) to take.

When you leave the salon, they give you a single white rose.  This seemed appropriate to me–it perfectly encapsulated Trini in Private–elegant, unusual, and fresh.  I can hardly wait for my next appointment!!!!

This is the most serene hotel I’ve ever checked into. We’ve been here 1 hour and I have felt any stress I ever experienced melt away. Get ready to see more pics as me and Fiance explore the amazing property! So far, The Four Seasons has gotten everything right. This is my kind of Wilderness.

1/2 CROW PLANK

From Downward Dog, lift your right leg into the air. Bend the knee, and sweep it forward to your outer, upper right arm. Squeeze and hold as you round your back, firing the inner thighs, hip flexors and front abdominals.

Bonus: This is an excellent arm and shoulder sculpting pose too!

Beginners: Place the ball of your right foot on the floor, and/or the back knee down, but still engage the leg in and belly up.

Hold for 5 breaths, then return to Dog Pose and switch sides.

FLYING BUTTRESS

From Downward Dog, lift your right leg up behind you. Exhale, bend the knee and bring it into your chest as you round your back sky-high. From your core, spin onto your outer left foot, and step your right foot halfway up the mat in front of you. Lift your right arm to the sky and keep the hips lifting for a super side-waist sculpting pose.

Bonus: Play with lifting the bent leg's foot off the floor, and then ground that one, and try to lift the straight leg for an extra-credit inner thigh workout!

Beginners: Keep both hands down or place your left knee down on the floor for added support, but maintain the lift of your hips and waist!

Hold for 5 breaths, then return to Downward Dog and repeat on the other side. After your last Flying Buttress, come into Dog Pose.

DIVING WARRIOR

From Downward Dog, lift your right leg while you exhale and draw the knee into the chest, rounding the back and holding the hips high. Using your core strength, step the right foot to the right thumb. Ground your back foot down, toes facing slightly forward. Exhale, and use your belly to pull yourself upright with your palms together at your chest.  Inhale, curl inside your front knee and lengthen your chest. Exhale, pull up over your legs, twisting towards your back leg as your arms straighten and reach back into your side bend.

Repeat this wavelike motion 5-10 times for a full all-abdominal workout in one move.

Bonus: This pose transforms your legs, thighs and gluts along with your abs.

Beginners: Do this move with your back heel up and knee on the floor, and/or only wave as low or high as you need to keep your back comfortable.

 After your Diving Warrior, return to Downward Dog, then repeat on your left side.

When: Wednesday, May 19 through Friday, May 21. Daily 10am—6pm.

Where: 250 W. 39th St between 7th and 8th Aves, suite 1701 (212-382-1780)

It's a small world afterall! Two of my favorite companies have decided to collab! Disney + MAC = True Love!

Women's Wear Daily today announced that: 

With so much hype and controversy over sunscreen I thought I'd do a breakdown of the billion and one sunscreens I've tried this summer and while on my trip to Hawaii. My fiancee is pastey white as can be so we are always packing lots of sunscreen! But there is such a fine line between dowsing yourself in sunblock so you don't get sunburned, which can lead to skin cancer and then the danger of slathering yourself in chemical-filled sunscreen, right? The problem of course is that natural sunscreens don't always work as well (they may not blend right or leave you sticky).  And the winner isssssss….

My unhealthy favorite: Coppertone Spray

My healthy favorite: Burt's Bees Chemical Free Sunscreen

My least favorite: TOCCA sunscreen wipes. Do NOT waste your money on these!

Everyday favorite (Non-beach wear): Cosmedix Serious Protection SPF 28

Burt's Bees Chemical-Free Sunscreen:
Good: It's natural and you can feel safe rubbing it all over you and knowing you're not massaging chemicals onto you or your kids. Doesn't smell bad or sun-tan-lotiony. It stays on for a long time because it's kind of sticky…

Bad: It doesn't rub in so well. It stays a little white on your skin unless you rub really hard. Stays on a while, which could be good or bad…

Lavanila Baby Block:

Good: Very healthy, no parabens, and way less of the bad chemicals we want to avoid.

Bad:It doesn't like to rub in like many healthy sunblocks.

Cosmedix: Serious Protection SPF 28:

Good: Light and non-smelly. Good, healthy ingredients. Nice packaging. Not messy.

Bad: Not really for a day at the beach, more like for your walk to the work. Little on the pricey side but Saks Spa uses it for a reason. This is good quality stuff.

CosMedix Reflect SPF 30: 

Good: Light and non-greasy.

Bad: Not for a day at the beach either like its buddy above. It says right on the package.

TOCCA SPF 30+ Sunscreen Towelettes $8.00

Good:NOTHING except that they're portable. We took these on a hike and they were a white, sticky, disgusting mess.

Bad: These were horrible. They go on uneven and smell bad even though they're supposed to smell like blood oranges or something.

Pratima Neem Rose Face Sunscreen 30 SPF

Good: Easy to apply. Safe and healthy ingredients.

Bad: I got a little in my eye, but I'm an idiot.

Lavera Naturkosmetik Sun 15

Good: Relatively inexpensive and healthy ingredients. Can get at any local Target.

Bad: It came out a little separated so just make sure to shake it up. May have just settled from being on a plane and then in my suitcase.

Coppertone Liquid:

Good: Blends well, stays on a long time. Cheap cheap cheap! Can buy this anywhere.

Bad: Not healthy ingredients. Who the hell knows what goes in here…Seriously I was kinda nervous putting it on my skin. But I'm a nut…

Coppertone Spray:

Good: Easy application, rubs in very easy.

Bad: Sticky as all hell. And who the hell knows what they're putting in here. Definitely not a health conscious company.

Aveeno:

Good: It's not greasy and it's cheap and you can get it at the drugstores.

Bad: My face broke out but I did a whole lot of sweating so who knows why, can't fully blame the suncreen, it is oil free…

Disclosure: I received some of these for free to do a review, I honestly can't even remember which ones but probably about half I bought. That should tell you I'm giving honest opinions since I dont even know which ones I purchased.