New wax line offers organic alternatives
Austin-based waxing salon the Waxing Studio recently unveiled a new organic waxing line specifically developed from natural sources that is also chemical- and fragrance-free.
Owner Jodi Holtz has 23 years of experience in the waxing industry and opened her first waxing location six years ago. Now with two locations in Austin, one in Cedar Park and another in San Marcos, the Waxing Studio has become a go-to destination for those looking for an attention to cleanliness and a professional hair-removal experience.
Holtz, also a mother of twins, had an unexpected setback when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008. Receiving a cancer diagnosis changed her mindset on what kind of salon chemicals she was exposed to. She tried looking for something organic but couldn't find anything to meet her expectations. Holtz believed that because she had started a successful waxing business, she could start an equally successful organic wax line.
She sought out a well-known manufacturer of beauty products in Italy and traveled there to work closely with scientists. The organic wax Holtz helped develop is free of colophony, doesn't leave a sticky residue on the skin and is strong enough to remove downy fine hairs. The avocado milk after-wax serum and menthol after-wax lotion help soothe the skin naturally.
Holtz estimates her and her team of aestheticians have performed 100,000 waxes in the past six years of business.
"We're all masters of what we do. We specialize in waxing; that's what we're the best at," Holtz says.
Holtz, whose cancer is in remission, wants others to be aware of what they are putting in or on their bodies.
"We want to offer our customers a holistic, natural way of living, and we believe everyone deserves that." Holtz says.
The Waxing Studio has four locations in the Central Texas area: 3601 W. William Cannon Drive, No. 125, 775-2169; 2110 S. Lamar Blvd., 284-6000; 1335 E. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park, 528-5099; 306A Edward Gary St., San Marcos, 512-392-8005.
Visit www.thewaxingstudio.com for more information.
— Courtney Sebesta
Austinite's imaginative floral designs in Houston
Heading to Houston this weekend? Take some time to visit one of Austin's talented floral designers who will be creating unique flower arrangements at BHLDN in the Highland Village. The Byrd Collective's Ashley Bailey has developed a unique background in event and floral design from her experience in Houston, New York and Savannah, Ga.
Bailey's signature feminine, romantic arrangements and bouquets look like they were just picked from the flower garden and are a perfect match for the vintage style of BHLDN wedding gowns.
Placecard crafting begins at 4 p.m. followed by the floral and design workshop at 5:30 p.m. Bailey's arrangements can be purchased throughout the day. If you can't make this event, start planning for her encore appearance July 29.
10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and July 29. BHLDN, 4056 Westheimer Road, Houston. RSVP to houstonapps@bhldn.com. 713 -599-1917, www.thebyrdcollective.com.
Happy birthday America, with style
Who says you can't celebrate America's birthday by pampering yourself and flashing a little style?
Sue Patrick has just the accessory for patriotic women and girls. Brighton's Americana Bracelet is silver plated with red, white and blue Swarovski crystals in the pattern of a flag. For each Americana Bracelet sold, Brighton will donate 50 percent of the cost to children's art programs across the nation now through July 30. $48. Sue Patrick, 5222 Burnet Road. 452-7701, www.suepatrick.com.
Austinites Sherry Holdridge and Vanessa Morgan recently launched an all-American shopping website Ohsay USA based out of Austin providing a marketplace featuring gifts, toys, household items and more, all made in the States. www.ohsayusa.com.
Mecca Gym and Spa is offering a "Red, White and Bliss" treatment in honor of the Fourth of July. Featuring a pedicure and facial consisting of cleanse, scrub or mask and hydra infusion. An LED treatment is also included to eliminate signs of redness and to reduce sun damage. 524 Lamar Blvd. $140, add a manicure for $40. 381-2680, www.meccagymandspa.com.
Let your skin take a refreshing trip to Hawaii
If you don't get a chance to jet away to Hawaii this summer, at least you can feel and smell like an islander. Malie Organics, a luxury spa and beauty product line, helps you get into the summer season with its seasonal Hawaiian Mango Nectar and Coconut Vanilla collections. Malie Organics uses Hawaiian indigenous flora and coconut oil and antioxidant-rich mango to create its natural and organic lines.
Malie Organics is available at Futurenatural, 4500 Steiner Ranch Blvd., No. 1811. 386-1452, www.futurenatural.com. For more information on Malie Organics, visit www.malieorganics.com.
Outfit your tablet or phone like a star
LuxMobile Group has teamed up with Target to design iPhone 4, iPad and Kindle Fire cases in bright colors, polka dots, stripes and other designs for a limited time this summer.
Bringing fashion to mobile accessories since 2004, the company has worked with celebrities such as Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and Britney Spears on different mobile accessory case lines.
The Mobilexpressions line consists of 18 accessories ranging in prices from $24.99 to $39.99. Mobilexpressions cases are available at Target and at www.target.com.
