Conscious Consumer Gift Pick - Sana Jardin

Have you heard about the term conscious consumerism? It’s when buying practices are driven by a commitment to making purchasing decisions that have a positive social, economic, and environmental impact. I appreciate what I’ve been seeing as I explore conscious brands as I get away from the clean and greenwashing of the beauty industry.

When I first find a new product I usually look them up on Instagram and sometimes I'll make it onto their website, but I’m glad I checked out Sana Jardin’s about section because I fell in love with her mission.

Our mission is to harness the power of commerce for social good. Sana Jardin is a socially conscious, luxury fragrance house. Our vision is to use clean and sustainable perfume as a vehicle for social impact and the economic empowerment of women. Sana Jardin is built on the principles of a circular economy - our alternative business model enables the women in our supply chain to become micro-entrepreneurs by up-cycling the waste products from perfume production.

We believe that if we’re innovative about the way we use commercial waste, we can recycle it for the benefit of the women at the beginning of our supply chain and help them to flourish and thrive.

At that point, I would get any fragrance from the site and hope for the best, but it gets better. She dives more into how she incorporates upcycling and circular economy principles to go beyond sustainability. As someone working on a similar project that I hold close to my heart, I hope this inspires more upcoming brands to think bigger on the impact they can have through their brand.

"The Problem: The female harvesters from the rural flower-growing region in Morocco, had limited access to work - just a few times a year, during the harvest. They also didn’t have opportunities for consistent employment due to their lack of skills training. In addition, 900 tonnes of natural and organic orange blossom waste by-product is created from the region.

The Solution: We aim to address these problems through our Beyond Sustainability™ model, which empowers the floral harvesters with the skills and materials they need to increase their wages through commerce, not charity. The model is based on “flower recycling” within a circular economy and illustrates that luxury business can be used to drive social change. We offer business skills training to the local women so they can develop and sell their own range of products; candles and orange blossom water - all of which came from the waste of perfume production. They receive 100% of the proceeds.

To facilitate this we partnered with Nest (a non-profit) and Les Aromes du Maroc, to establish a women’s cooperative in Morocco, where the women can produce and sell their products. 

If anyone married to me reading this is looking at what could be a great gift idea for our anny, my birthday, or Mother’s Day. . . look no further than this link to Savage Jasmine that I’m about to drop.

For everyone else, DM me on Instagram at @JasminePennamma and let me know if conscious consumerism is a principle you may have been practicing without knowing the term or if it’s something you would like to put into practice more now that you are aware of it. Can’t wait to chat with you! xx - Jasmine

3 Tips To Get The Most Out of Your Next Conference or Tradeshow

I've always loved conferences and tradeshows so I was dumbfounded to see how many people hated them at a woman in biz meet up the other week. I've always asked to be sent to conferences as part of the corporate companies I've been a part of in the past, but as an entrepreneur, I still go even though the only one footing that bill is me. I love attending workshops to stay on top of trends of my industry as much as I love speaking at them. Getting away to conferences is harder now between having to coordinate care and pickups for the kids and having work still need to be done even though I'm away since I’m not in sales anymore when it was easy to be ‘out of territory’ for a few days. On top of all of that, entry can be expensive and since I don’t have a corporation to sponsor my pass. I paid almost $2,500 just to get IN to one of these conferences last year alone, I need to be sure I am making the most of these meetings!

1. Have a plan of action. I look at two things when looking at what conference to spend my time at; what could I possibly learn and who could I possibly meet? The sessions may be something where I'm trying to master a new skill or it could be that there is a speaker presenting that I want to get connected with. In both cases, I'm researching the panels ahead of time before committing to taking time out of my day for any conference. With more digital tickets being available, sometimes I can also save on the price of the ticket plus travel by purchasing a digital ticket instead and watching sessions on my own time in the evening. Especially for industry meetings where it is great for me to get caught up on the information, but everyone in attendance is mainly another marketer like myself, I may not feel the need to network with people to collaborate with in person.

2. Give a compliment and start conversations. I hate talking to people out of the blue in 97% of life situations, but if I am attending something in person, I try and make an effort to meet some of the other people who view their business as important enough to be there too. I am not always the best at this because sometimes I get anxious about the emails I'm missing and spend the break typing up my notes from the last session or checking emails and social channels, but never once has anyone attempted to start a conversation with me with my head down over my laptop or phone. Unless I'm running late because I'm trying to chat with a presenter from the last session, I usually try and sit down early and strike up a presentation with someone sitting near me. I'm the worst at accepting compliments because I usually shrug them off and downplay my 'positive' with a negative. I'm trying to get better at that, but I'm great at finding something to give someone a compliment on and then ask what they do. After that being my ice breaker, I usually ask them if they've been to this conference before or what other conferences they recommend in relationship to what they do. At the end of the day, I'll try and do the same thing 'virtually' on social media by seeing who posted stories or photos with the event hashtags and geotags to see if there is anyone I may want to try and meet up with over one of the breaks.

Pro Tip: I don't post personally on Twitter much, but it can be a great platform to jump into these conversations in real time even more than Instagram.

3. Write it down and share the knowledge! I am an avid note taker, but notes don't do you any good if they are stuck in your 200th gold notebook that gets placed who knows where. I try and add each session on my phone in Google Docs. You are now more organized to be able to actually revisit those notes and take action from the meeting, use part of those notes as content later if you want to summarize what you are learning on social media or your blog, and if you work with multiple people it is great to be able to have a short summary prepared of your key takeaways to everyone can benefit from you being away while also showing the advantage of your company paying for you to go back again the next year.

What about you? Do you have any conference tips to share? I’d love to hear them or what industry you are in and your favorite conferences or tradeshows to attend. DM me on Instagram @JasminePennamma. The next one I’ll be at is VidCon, will you be there?

Skincare Holly Grail You’ll wish you started earlier

I have a ton of products, but my skincare routine like most things has been fairly minimal while I’ve been home. For anyone who has gotten out of a normal routine of wearing a retinoid because. . . . life . . . this is a good time to ease back into it. As a topical, it’s one of the most well studied anti-aging ingredients. As a former skincare rep selling Avene products to medical spas, I know this first hand because I had to walk around with a large binder full of retinoid studies almost ten years ago!  

For anyone unfamiliar, Retinoid is the term for all products with vitamin A. There are versions you can get in “over-the-counter” such as versions you find on Sephora or a drug store and versions you will get as a prescription from a dermatologist. While you may have heard about it as an ingredient to use to help prevent wrinkles, it does so much more including;

• Smooths skin’s texture

• Brightens skin

• Clears skin

I use Retinol now, but in the past I'd associate it with dryness, irritation, and flaking. This is why many people want to avoid it. When I was 23, I went to see a Derm in NY and asked her what the number one thing I could do to help prevent wrinkles was. She told me to start a Retinoid she prescribed for me, but don’t start it until I came back from my trip to Spain. I’d be between there and Italy for two weeks during the summer and she didn’t want me to start flaking and get discouraged. I also slightly remembered something she said to me about making sure to wear more sun protection while I was using it which went in one ear and out the other. Naturally, I heard fewer wrinkles and wanted to use it right away. My skin was a hot flaky mess by the time I got to Spain!

Retinol stimulates cell renewal to produce new skin cells so the new skin that develops is more delicate and thinner so cue fresh baby skin that also burned more easily. Here I was on the trip of a lifetime and I was flaky with a sunburn on my cheeks. I blamed the Retinol instead of my failure to follow directions and didn’t touch it again until almost 30 when I worked for a skincare company where I had to learn the science behind this ingredient and so many others.

If you’ve ever been afraid to start because of the dreaded skin flaking phase or don’t want to restart because you’ve had a flaky start like mine that was kind of awkward....these are two products I’ve tried which are both good for newbies or those with sensitive skin who have never felt like they could tolerate retinol.

Sente’s Bio-Complete Serum is an extremely gentle retinol combined with Vitamin C for a light, silky finish that is my absolute favorite. Avene also makes two extremely gentle versions so you are less likely to have to deal with flaking and dry skin. It has a creamier texture versus the light gel of Sente’s. Both brands are available online or at a dermatologist’s office as they are considered medical-grade skincare. 

Now where things get tricky is technically, Avene uses Retinaldehyde. It requires your skin to perform one less step to convert the active ingredient into retinoic acid, which is what you get with the Rx version from your derm, Tretinoin. I’m a little rusty with having to stay on top of their clinical studies and all their competitors, but the way I used to explain the difference is while the word "retinol" is often used, there are several versions.

So let’s separate the prescribed from over-the-counter versions. The Rx version, Tretinoin, is Retinoic Acid. It’s the only retinoid in its pure form that your skin can actually use. The other common over-the-counter versions (Retinyl Palmitate, Retinol, and Retinaldehyde) have to go through a conversion process to turn into Retinoic Acid before your skin can use it. 

The more conversion steps needed before a retinoid can turn into Retinoic Acid, the weaker and less potent it becomes, which is why the Rx version from your Derm is way more intense than anything from the store. If you are using “Retinol”, your skin has to perform two steps to convert it into Retinoic Acid. Since your skin is only performing one step to convert “Retinaldehyde ” into “Retinoic Acid”, the outcome is usually less irritation then Rx Retinoic Acid while being more potent than Retinol.

So if you are just starting out, you may want to start with Sente’s Bio Complete Serum and work your way up into Avene. As a skincare representative, I would usually say “start low and go slow” which means to mean start with the more gentle product and slowly add it to your routine. While you may be used to buying a new product and adding it into the daily rotation, with Retinols, you might start with just once or twice a week as your skin builds up a tolerance. I sold another line at the same time of mostly very active products based on Glycolic, Salicylic, and other acids at the same time so I always made sure to explain to avoid using chemical exfoliants on the same night as the Retinol. (This is one of many reasons it’s always good to flip your bottle around to the back and get to know your ingredients!) Just know no matter which version you choose, always use it at night, protect your skin with SPF during the day, and quit it altogether if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. 

It’s always worth experimenting to find a Retinoid product that works for you. Are you willing to give Retinoids a try now? I’d love to hear which one! DM me on Instagram @JasminePennamma to let me know!

Don't Miss These Aesthetics Conferences

Whether you're just starting out in the aesthetics industry or you've been around for a while, staying up-to-date on the latest trends, technologies, and networking opportunities is key to growing your business and expanding your knowledge. Attending conferences is one of the best ways to do just that. These events offer the chance to learn from industry leaders, network with like-minded professionals, and gain hands-on experience with the newest tools and technologies in the field.

If you're new to the industry, conferences are also an excellent way to get your feet wet, meet mentors, and hear about the newest breakthroughs that could shape your practice. As we head into 2025, these are the conferences that should be on your radar.

Octane’s Aesthetics Tech Summit
January 8-9, 2026 | Pendry Newport Beach, California
Focused on the tech side of aesthetics, this summit brings together experts to explore the newest innovations in medical aesthetics technology and offers incredible business opportunities for growth.

AmSpa, The Medical Spa Show (MSS)
April 10-13, 2025 | Wynn Las Vegas, Nevada
The Medical Spa Show is the leading event for noninvasive aesthetics, bringing together the top experts for specialized talks and educational tracks. It’s a great opportunity for newcomers to get immersed in the industry and for veterans to network with the best. Don’t forget to make dinner reservations ahead of time—this event is bustling!

Aesthetics Innovation Summit
May 1, 2025 | Coastal Harbor, Vancouver, Canada
For those looking for a one-day, high-impact event, the Aesthetics Innovation Summit connects entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders to discuss the newest technologies and market opportunities. This is a great way to get a snapshot of where the industry is heading.

The Aesthetic Meeting
May 7-10, 2025 | Vancouver Convention Center, Vancouver, Canada
The Aesthetic Society’s annual meeting offers invaluable networking and education, especially if you're starting out in aesthetics. Whether you're a physician, nurse, or practitioner, you'll find sessions on both the clinical and business sides of aesthetics.

Music City SCALE
May 14-18, 2025 | Grand Hyatt Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee
If you’re looking for hands-on learning and direct interaction with top instructors, Music City SCALE is a must. This conference includes live demonstrations and add-on workshops, making it perfect for both beginners and seasoned practitioners.

AAPS Annual Meeting
May 21-24, 2025 | Westin Copley Place, Boston, Massachusetts
The American Association of Plastic Surgeons hosts a conference filled with groundbreaking science, awards, and recognition. This event is a fantastic opportunity to deepen your understanding of the latest surgical and aesthetic techniques.

Vegas Cosmetic Surgery
May 30 – June 1, 2025 | Fontainebleau, Las Vegas, Nevada
Vegas Cosmetic Surgery blends surgical and non-surgical insights, with tons of exhibitors and networking opportunities. Whether you're interested in the business side of aesthetics or diving into new treatment options, this conference has something for everyone.

Cosmetic Boot Camp
June 19-22, 2025 | St. Regis, Aspen, Colorado
For those looking for a top-tier educational experience, Cosmetic Boot Camp offers live patient demos and hands-on workshops for a truly immersive experience. This is an excellent event for those eager to learn and perfect their skills.

The Aesthetic Show
July 10-13, 2025 | Wynn, Las Vegas, Nevada
The Aesthetic Show is one of the largest in the industry, covering everything from next-gen technologies to business management. This is a great place for anyone new to the field to learn from leaders in all areas of aesthetics.

Medical Aesthetics Conference
June 27-29, 2025 | Sheraton Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts
The Modern Beauty Con is perfect for those looking to dive deeper into the business of aesthetics. Learn about profitability, growing your customer base, and mastering the technical side of running a medspa.

Aesthetic Extender Symposium
August 21-24, 2025 | Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Miami Beach, Florida
For those looking to deepen their clinical skills and learn about new therapies, technologies, and procedures, the Aesthetic Extender Symposium offers cutting-edge education and networking opportunities.

Aesthetic Next 7.0
September 10-13, 2025 | Hilton Anatole, Dallas, Texas
Aesthetic Next 7.0 brings together professionals from every corner of the industry. With four days of education, live demos, and networking, this is an invaluable opportunity to level up your practice.

Global Aesthetics Conference
November 6-9, 2025 | Loews Miami Beach Hotel, Miami, Florida
Global Aesthetics is a must for anyone looking to learn from international experts and explore the latest treatments and technologies. This conference offers a wealth of knowledge that will take your practice to the next level.

These conferences will keep you ahead of the curve, whether you’re just starting in the aesthetics world or already a seasoned pro. Conferences are a great way to stay inspired, make connections, and keep learning—so be sure to mark your calendar for these upcoming events. I’ll be attending a few, and I’d love to see you there! Let’s continue growing, learning, and evolving in this exciting industry.

Speaker Diaries - Loews Miami During the Global Aesthetics Conference

As a speaker at the Global Aesthetics Conference, I knew this trip would be packed with exciting opportunities, but I didn’t realize just how much my stay at Loews Miami would enhance the experience. From the moment I stepped in, the hotel’s perfect balance of luxury and relaxation immediately stood out.

Loews Miami’s location also deserves a shout-out. It’s in one of the most walkable areas of the city, so instead of eating on the property, I took full advantage of the opportunity to explore Miami’s vibrant food scene. Each meal was a new adventure, from fresh seafood by the beach to finding a cozy cafe tucked away on a quiet street. It was the perfect way to experience the local flavor and add a little variety to my trip.

The service at Loews Miami was impeccable, too. The staff was attentive and made sure every detail of my stay was taken care of, which made a huge difference as I balanced the demands of the conference with some much-needed downtime.

I’ll admit, this was probably one of the most tired I’ve been at a conference—traveling from LA to Miami definitely took its toll, and the jet lag hit me hard. But the comfort of the bed at Loews Miami was a game-changer. After long days of speaking, networking, and absorbing everything the conference had to offer, there was nothing better than sinking into that incredibly plush bed for some much-needed rest. It was the perfect escape, allowing me to recharge and be ready for the next round of events.

Between the energy of the conference, the luxurious comfort of my room, and the opportunity to unwind in such a beautiful location, Loews Miami made on this trip unforgettable. I’m already looking forward to my next stay!

Girl Talk At The Four Seasons Silicon Valley

I’ve been doing hotel sleepover getaways since I was pregnant with my second child. It started at The Four Seasons in Westlake Village who has a “Let It Snow” package they do in December that includes a night in after their annual winter event that includes s’mores, ice skating, and a visit to see Santa.

Usually our sleepovers are all about a day of swimming, ordering dessert for room service, and falling asleep coloring in bed. This is the first time we traveled alone together so it was fun to pick a place I’ve never been and see a place for the first time though her eyes.

I’ve been in Los Angeles ten years now, but whenever my husband and I think about going to San Fran, it’s usually cold and after moving from the east coast.....that usually makes it a hard pass. Usually we go to San Diego after her birthday for “Kids Free October,” but this was the perfect time of year to head up here and explore by foot. We took the day slow with time to stop for good food (no we didn’t try the ice cream with chocolate covered crickets in my stories!) and playground breaks.

I remember when my husband and I did our first weekend away as parents at Bacara in Santa Barbara, I met a couple with two kids in high school. At this point, Alaia was just a few months old and I was getting ready to “retire in the room for the night” before fussy time hit while they were getting ready to start their night and go grab a table downstairs for dinner. It felt like I was a world away before I could see the world at nighttime again, but in our brief meeting, I loved seeing how close their kids seemed to their mom even though they were teenagers. I remember the dad saying their one tip was to take the kids off on their own sometimes to make time together alone with each parent. I never would have thought of that before (probably because of the massive mom guilt I feel when I do things with one child and not the other).

He said the special bonding that happens (when there’s no competition from the other sibling) created great memories for both of us. And after some of our time together away as she’s gotten older, I am glad I listened to that bit of advice. Even just the small ice cream dates or movie nights with her or her brother seem to strengthen our bonds. While we were cuddling in bed yesterday, Alaia said “I miss my brother today, but think I know why you wanted to go on a trip with just me. I’m important to you, aren’t I?”

Talk about melting my heart.

Moving forward I think what I want to do is make a travel scrap book for the two of them. I still have one of mine from high school. I’ll take something from the day like a ticket stub to tape to the page and at the end of the night, write out three things that stood out from that day that we did together. As a child, traveling with my family is some of my best memories growing up and probably part of the reason that the first thing I did when I graduated and moved to NY was start looking to see where I could book a tip overseas to. As a parent, I’m hoping these trips will not only make great memories for us, but make my kids feel special as individuals and let them know the world is a place full of adventure and experiences waiting to happen.

Speaker Diaries - Hilton Anatole Dallas During Aesthetic Next

My time at Aesthetic Next in Dallas was a whirlwind of sessions, networking, and sharing insights with fellow industry professionals. Thankfully, my stay at Hilton Anatole was the perfect balance of comfort and convenience, helping me recharge between the busy conference schedule.

The hotel is massive—perfectly suited for large conferences—but it never felt overwhelming. My room was spacious, offering the ideal space to unwind after long days of speaking. Honestly, one of the highlights was the bed. After traveling to Dallas, it was such a relief to sink into something that felt as comfortable as home.

While I didn’t have time to take a dip in the pool (a decision I instantly regretted), I couldn’t help but notice how incredible the Jade Waters area looked. If I had brought my kids, I know they would’ve loved it. It’s a fantastic spot for families, but a little hard for me to swing letting them take so many days off of school right as the school year starts since I had to arrive Wednesday night.

The hotel is in a great location—within walking distance of a Texas BBQ spot that quickly became a favorite because I NEVER usually go someplace twice in one trip. It was so cute with the carousel and outdoor bar. Coming from Los Angeles, I also couldn’t get over how cheap the drinks were! The combination of great food and a fun little attraction made for a nice break from the conference hustle.

Hilton Anatole really made this trip memorable. It was the perfect home base for a busy conference, and I’m already looking forward to returning during next year’s Aesthetic Next Conference.

Pack Up & Glow with Wander Beauty

#opperationsummerfriday is my forever favorite hashtag. Getting back into the swing of summer camp this year might disrupt the flow, but whatever afternoon I scoop them up early to hang will be a vibe.

With the extra time outside this summer, I’m so happy the days of chasing them down and tackling them to reapply sunscreen are (mostly) behind me. I left their SPF at home, but they didn’t throw shade when I threw them the one from my bag. They will thank me later for the skin health habits we are building now. Someday.

I hope 🤪

For me, as someone prone to hyperpigmentation, there’s no skipping SPF…beach day or not. Daily use of broad-spectrum sunscreens are an important step in helping to minimize the appearance of new dark spots or the worsening of existing discoloration.

So like many things, with hyperpigmentation, prevention is the best cure.

SPF used: @wander_beauty Pack Up & Glow
✨Mineral SPF
✨Antioxidants
✨Vegan
✨Leaves a glow

Check out our beach day with Wander Beauty here on Reels!

Morning rituals with Moringa

I love living in Los Angeles because no one gives me a second look when I want to order something that may be a little off the wall in other places like a oat milk chia seed pudding with a sprinkle of goji berries or bringing my own chlorophyll water. On an average day I’m always on the go so if I don’t know if I can make a pit stop, I at least know I’ve gotten in some kind of superfood in the morning thanks to the cabinet of superfood powers I have. Drinking concoctions made from superfood powders have actually been the easiest way for me to take advantage of their dense nutrition.

Moringa is a plant native to India which has been shown to be beneficial for the skin (like in this study). It’s oil pressed from the seeds have been shown to reduces fine lines and wrinkles (thanks to Vitamin C), build collagen (thanks to Vitamin A), and soothe inflammation (thanks to vitamin E).

Moringa has been used as food in poorer countries where malnutrition is prevalent as most of the tree is considered to be nutritious. In India, it is used in ayurvedic medicine, as well as served in many different dishes. Here in Los Angeles, I usually consume it in powdered form as I’ve never seen it available to buy fresh. Moringa powder is a true superfood that contains huge amounts of antioxidants, phytonutrients, minerals, vitamins and amino acids. It’s particularly high in vitamin C, vitamin A, and protein. The taste can be pretty strong like many of the ayurvedic herbs I take so I try to take them blended with some kind of smoothie or latte.

My favorite way to use Moringa in powder form is by combining it with Matcha for a plant-based latte. Here’s how:

Ingredients

1 cup unsweetened cashew milk (a little creamer plant-based milk choice)

1 tsp Moringa Leaf Powder

1 tsp Matcha Green Tea Powder

1 serving Collagen Powder

1 tsp Coconut Butter or MCT Oil

Optional: Monkfruit Sweetener (to taste)

Directions

Now the probiotic in the photo is a little misleading because i don’t actually combine this drink with it. At first I was, but my nutritionist let me know probiotics are better taken on an empty stomach so I usually drink this first thing in the morning with a glass of water and then continue making my drink once the kids are all dressed for school.

If your mornings aren’t as chaotic as mine, the suggestion the nutritionist made was to wait 30 minutes before consuming anything hot so it doesn’t interfere with the absorption of the probiotics. Once you are ready to make your Moringa Matcha Latte, combine your choice of milk heated with the coconut butter to melt it. Next mix in moringa, matcha, and collagen with your matcha whisk or electric tea frother like this to blend it all together. If you choose to sweeten it, add in the monkfruit or your choice of sweetener and this also becomes your “bullet proof coffee” replacement if you are doing intermittent fasting or keto. Pour into a mug and enjoy while hot (which I know can be a luxury if you are a mama with young kids)!

Now while in India, Moringa grows almost like a weed. I’d kill to have weeds like those here! My mom lives in India and her favorite way to get a bit of Moringa daily is by JUICING! So this Moringa Green Juice before a Ginger Coffee was part of my morning ritual while there. If I could get it fresh easily in Los Angeles, this would definitely replace Celery Juice as the Ultimate Green Juice! .

Ingredients

Fresh Moringa Leaves (not the stems)

Blended W/Water or Coconut Water

1 Lime

Directions

Take the leaves from the stalk and add to your blender. Add water or coconut water depending on if you wanted it sweeter or not. I preferred to just use water and then make it like a superfood limeinade which was really cool and refreshing with the intense heat in India. My mother prefered coconut water and then using honey as a sweetner.

If you make either of these, DM me on Instagram @JasminePennamma!

Speaker Diaries - A Business Trip at Fontainebleau Las Vegas

As an entrepreneur who spends some time on the road for work, finding a place that’s both inspiring and restful is essential—especially when business and self-care need to coexist. During my recent trip to Las Vegas for the Vegas Cosmetic Surgery conference, I had the pleasure of staying at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, a hotel that perfectly blends luxury with practicality, making it the ideal place for an entrepreneur like me.

As a speaker, the days were packed with networking, presenting, and absorbing all the latest in aesthetics. Between sessions, I was fortunate enough to retreat to Fontainebleau, a hotel where the energy of Las Vegas meets a sense of tranquility. Despite the packed schedule, I always felt recharged by the time I walked into my room, thanks to the calm ambiance and sleek design.

What I know my family enjoyed was spending their downtime at the pool, enjoying the sunny Las Vegas weather while the conference was in full swing. Initially, I wasn’t sure what the environment would be like for children, but now I know that Fontainebleau is not just an ideal destination for business—it's also a great spot for families. The amenities and relaxing atmosphere make it a perfect blend of work and play, and I can confidently say that I’d bring my kids back along on a future trip.

While my conference time was focused on learning, connecting, and engaging with industry professionals, I made sure to squeeze in moments to experience what the hotel had to offer. Whether I was grabbing a quick bite at one of their renowned restaurants, taking a moment to reflect by the pool, or enjoying the stunning city views from my room, Fontainebleau provided the perfect balance of relaxation and business convenience.

As entrepreneurs, we’re always looking for ways to optimize our time, and staying at a hotel that allows for a bit of work-life balance is a game-changer. Fontainebleau not only met my needs for a seamless business trip but also reminded me of the importance of carving out time for self-care—even when you’re on the go. After all, a well-rested mind is key to making the most of any opportunity.

Fontainebleau Las Vegas wasn’t just a place to lay my head during a busy business trip—it was a space that helped me recharge, reflect, and prepare for the next big opportunity. And next time, I’ll be bringing my family along again too.

5 Quick ideas For Summer Picnics With Kids

One of the best parts of summer is eating outside. We'll do picnics at home and traded park picnics for the beach now that it’s finally warm enough. I’ll pack up a few toys and we’ll just snack and play for hours. I've been getting bored with the same sandwiches and snacks I've been packing in the cooler months, so I've switched it up for summer.

As a quick hot day hack, once your food is all packed up, my kids will usually drink more water if it's cold so I bring their thermos with water and ice so it stays cool. If you don't have one, you can also bring partially frozen water bottles since they will melt a little in the heat. I'll also toss the sunscreen next to the cold bottles so it's cool and refreshing when we are reapplying it if we are hanging out for a while.

Enjoy! Tag me @jasminepennamma on Instagram if you end up trying any of these on your next beach trip. 

1. Strawberry Mango Salsa I haven’t been to Underwood Farms yet this season to pick strawberries because they were ripe late with the cool spring, but I’m already feeling the strawberry overload in my family. After a trip to Underwood, the farmers market, or Cosco, we always come back with way too many strawberries. Just add chips! I’ll also play around with adding a spoonful of honey some days because this salsa is mainly for the kids!

Strawberry Mango Salsa:
2 cups of chopped strawberries
1 cup of chopped mango
1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
3 tablespoons red onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 lime, juiced 

2. Salmon Tacos Never thought of bringing fish to a picnic? Great, me either. Fish tacos were the weirdest thing I ever heard of once I moved to Los Angeles, but I changed my mind after a friend introduced me to Malibu Seafood. It's hit or miss if the kids will eat salmon, but this is an easy meal for me to do if I'm in the middle of Keto and trying to cut down on carbs because I can sub the taco shell for a Jicama wrap or lettuce wrap. I cook my salmon in the oven and then cut into pieces to take with me. I keep the dressing simple with a little bit of avo and lime juice right before I eat it. 

Salmon:
1 1/2 lbs boneless salmon 
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tsp ancho chili powder
3/4 tsp ground cumin
3/4 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

3. Ginger Chicken Salad Bowl I'm semi-keto again this summer so I've been trying to mix up my meals so I'm not as bored as I was eating chicken and leaves all last summer. I still usually don't meal prep as I should so this recipe is totally easy for when I know I don't want to snack on all of my kid's chips or crackers while at the park or beach. It doesn't take me too long to cook up the chicken and red onions, and then everything else is tossed together with the baby kale as a dressing.  I'll put the hot chicken in a separate container and add on top of the bowl of salad once I'm ready to dig in.

Ginger Chicken Salad Bowl
2 ish cups of baby kale
1/4 cup red onion
2 chicken breast cutlets
1/2 teaspoon grated ginger
1 lemon, juiced
1 teaspoon sesame oil
¼ cup olive oil

4. Fruity Lemonade Everything is better in a mason jar including lemonade for the kids. I'll buy lemonade and toss in a few slices of lemon and strawberries or watermelon because the kids get a kick out of it even though it's so simple. 

5. Fruit Salad Cones If my kids eat nothing else, they will always eat a ton of fruit on a warm day so a fruit salad with whatever fruit I have at the time like grapes, blueberries, and raspberries are easy. I'll pack a waffle cone or bowl to serve it in and they are good to go. 

If you have a few kids hanging out, my daughter taught me this trick from a cooking class she took at camp. For fresh whipped cream to add to the top of your fruit salad cones, bring a mason jar filled halfway with whipping cream, a dash of vanilla, and sugar to taste. While you are scooping out the fruit salad, have the kids shake up the mason jar with the lid on. In 2 minutes of shaking, you'll have fluffy whipped cream!

Tag me in your IG Story so I can see if you have the kids make this one! It makes the Cutest video!

5 Mother's Day Gifts You'll Want To Add To Cart And Send To Yourself

For 99% of moms, we spend the majority of the year trying to figure out how to take care of everyone else.so we should be sure to remember to treat ourselves a little too! When I was a new mom, the one thing I wanted for Mother’s Day was a day away. My favorite places to stay was Monarch Beach which was close enough we could pack up everything I needed and throw in the car while being outside of Los Angeles enough to be a resort with grounds to walk on and play with the kids instead of being stuck inside a hotel. I just wanted to spend the weekend in a fluffy robe where I had no dishes to do and someone else picked up after us so the room was totally clean when I walked through the doors. It’s totally a bonus that these places also have Mother’s Day brunch because why wouldn’t I like a brunch in my honor?!

Now that the kids are older and life has gotten even more hectic with sports games or activities on the weekend, we’ve been keeping it local. A champagne brunch is always a great idea, but there are a few things on my radar that I think would make a great gift for any mom on the go or to gift yourself later if you wake up with a coffee mug for the 8th year in a row. Time to treat yourself for all those butts you’ve had to wipe, mama. You deserve it!

LOCAL WELLNESS FOODIE BOX | FLOWERS

I’m a sucker for beautiful flowers, but flowers, supplements, and sage?! Sign me up for this gift box from Valley Brink Road! There is nothing in this set that’d I’d want to re-gift. This is such an LA gift, but I LOVE it! If you’ve ever seen my IG Stories you know how obsessed I am with Moringa. (It’s also an ingredient in our new Skin Brew hydration ampule for our Dew & Go microneedling infusion stamp!) It also has one of my favorite brands, Foursigmatic (mushroom coffee is not as scary as it sounds) and a few things I haven’t tried yet that I’m curious to taste. For the most part, I just love flowers so ordering a delivery from Urbanstems or something similar is my go-to, but I’ve had my eye on these boxes long enough to want to splurge on one finally.

MASSAGE AT THE NOW

It’s so cliche to say you have to give in to some form of self-care, but I learned the hard way that you truly do need to give yourself some space. It’s a lot easier for me to say this now, but for the longest time, I thought self-care was so selfish once I entered #momlife. There was SO MUCH TO DO, always. Who had time to do things for themselves’? I also had terrible anxiety so I often convinced myself something terrible was going to happen at any moment so I didn’t even want to leave them with anyone else to be able to catch a break. Seriously. I was that mom that would wake up a sleeping baby to see if they were still breathing.

As you probably guessed, at some point after my second child, I hit a point of burnout so now I make it a point to set aside some downtime for things like a massage or facial. I don’t do either as often as I should because a) expensive and b) life, but I love the casual-chic massage boutiques popping up her around Los Angeles. My favorite is The Now because they have a few locations, incorporate CBD for when I’m going in because of pain vs just a random massage and I love that there’s a dose of woo with the crystals and palo santo. As a bonus, if you go in person to purchase the gift card, they have a boutique to include little things in a gift box and there is literally nothing that they’ve curated that you would go wrong with purchasing.

SMITH & MARA 14K Gold Topaz Suspender

For the first few years of motherhood all I wanted was mom jewelry. I asked for initials, something that spelled mom, my kid’s birthstones. . basic things like that. In my mind I thought that mom jewelry signaled to the rest of the world that if I was out in public looking disheveled and somehow without a child. . . it was because I was a mom. Now that I’m out of the newborn and toddler phase and able to put myself together again, I’m ready to get back to getting beautiful pieces of jewelry. Before kids, my style was really bold statement pieces, but after getting out of the habit of wearing that with babies that like to tug at shiny things, I’ve switched to more delicate pieces. This piece from Smith & Mara is the perfect mix of being delicate and fine while still making a bold statement.

CATERED FIT MEAL DELIVERY SERVICE

I’ve saved the best gift for last! When I was living in NYC, I always thought meal delivery services were for Hollywood stars. Over the past few years there have been several companies that have popped up that have been affordable, but it wasn’t until life with kids that I started considering it again. I’ll do a full review on Catered Fit because I’ve tried several services like Blue Apron and Plated, but this is my first time getting a delivery that is fully cooked already. Now that I’ve tried this, I don’t know if I could ever go back. to having to prep everything because for me, the reason why I’m ordering these meals is a convenience during really busy, hectic weeks. I also appreciate that Catered Fit has an emphasis on calories and meal plan type (vegetarian, paleo, etc) because summer is around the corner and my other subscriptions were pretty heavy on carbs and calories. I also usually do a juice cleanse from Pressed Juicery over the summer, but love that I can order it from here with the rest of my meals and save myself a trip.

The big advantage this company has for me is that they have KID MEALS!! Since they are individually portioned, I can order something specific to each kid in the same way I can order paleo for me and vegetarian for my husband. Last week I was in the middle of a launch which was SO HECTIC with late evenings and mornings that were busier than usual. Mornings are usually crazy between trying to make breakfast and lunch to send to school on top of getting everyone ready so having those meals already ready left me with so much time. I actually got to even enjoy my matcha while it was still warm. PRICELESS. This delivery service is the gift that keeps on giving.

If you have time to meal prep for everyone in your family, more power to you, but for anyone on the go like me, this will be your lifesaver! Jasmine Pennamma readers can get $25 off their first order of $145+ off Catered Fit meals using code AESTHETICINFLUENCER. Have you ever used a meal delivery service? What did you think?

Away at The W South Beach With Galderma

It had been nearly 20 years since I last stayed at a W Hotel, and honestly, I’d written them off in my mind. Back in the early 2000s, they were everywhere, constantly popping up in cities like a hot new spot, but over time, I’d come to see them as more of a party hotel with cheaper finishes. I’d never really thought of them as “luxury” anymore. But after my recent stay at W South Beach during an influencer trip for Galderma as a contributor to their Trends in Aesthetics Report, I’ve completely changed my mind—and I’d definitely stay there again.

The room I stayed in was absolutely stunning—pink and green with a perfect view of the ocean. The decor felt like the perfect mix of comfort and chic. And when I opened the door to my suite, I was immediately blown away. I should have known something special awaited me when I saw the gold doors with the giant lucite handle. But the suite itself was beyond expectations. It wasn’t just a room; it was a luxurious two-bedroom condo with a full kitchen, a movie room with a sofa pit, and my favorite part—an in-unit washer and dryer (because, as an entrepreneur, that’s a game-changer).

The living and dining area was incredible, with a soothing coral and sage color palette and a six-foot chandelier that added a touch of elegance. The suite had everything I needed and more, and the ocean views made it the perfect spot to relax after a busy day with Galderma.

As for the dining, W South Beach offers five on-property restaurants, ranging from classic poolside bites to Italian-American fare. While most of our meals were out with the brand, the standout for me was an old favorite, Mr. Chow. This legendary spot offers high-end Chinese cuisine with a cocktail dress code, white tablecloths, and an atmosphere that’s as chic as the food is delicious. The chicken satay? It’s honestly a life-changer—tasty and decadent, it’s something you can’t miss. I love that all I had to do was go downstairs and one of my favs was right in the same hotel!

This trip completely transformed my opinion of the W brand. What I thought would be a “party hotel” turned out to be the ideal mix of luxury, comfort, and style. Whether you're in town for business or leisure, W South Beach offers an unforgettable experience that I would absolutely recommend.

Community Service on MLK Day

By building upon the concept of 'a day on, not a day off,' we continue the impact and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in this generation and for those to come.

You never know how your act of service will motivate or influence the next person to give. After years of looking forward to MLK Day as a day off of school, I was inspired to get active on MLK because members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. are encouraged to engage in a day of service in our communities to “promote peace and community through love.”

Once babies came into the picture I took a step back from a lot including community service projects and volunteering. Being on our own on the west coast, I could hardly find time to take off and have a date night, let alone take a few hours without kids to volunteer.

Influenced by another mother at my preschool who led projects both in school and larger projects in Los Angeles that were simple enough my preschoolers could get involved with, it inspired me to find something I cared about that I could do as a community service project with my kids. We started our little beach clean up tradition last MLK Day and it’s a great social distant service project you can do with kids at any point in the year because all of our small actions can lead to a tidal wave of change. We spent part of our day dedicated to service for our community cleaning up our beach as we begin a week dedicated to democracy.

I posted a few MLK project ideas for kids from Pinterest in stories Friday on my Instagram page (See them on Pinterest HERE) as well as shared that California African American Museum had a full day of virtual events you could get involved with from home.

What will you do? Inspire others by sharing in your stories. Tag me! I’d love to see!

6 PRODUCT SWAPS THAT WILL CHANGE OUR WORLD

I talked a lot about #plasticfreeJuly in stories on Instagram last month . . . mostly how I wish there was a better name. (Same with zero-waste!) Both feel like such an impossible goal that you want to quit before you even try, but someone mentioned to just keep the ultimate goal in mind, “planet, not perfect.” Once I moved past feeling like I needed to be perfect, it was a good time to reflect on small choices I could make which had a lasting impact on our environment. It started this year with #veganary. I could be spelling this totally wrong, but it’s where you try to go vegan for the month of January. It was pretty easy while we were in India except being able to find milk alternatives because there was no Oat or Almond milk in the cities we visited. It was an extra-long process I’ve never repeated while back in the states because I don’t have a tool to easily gut a coconut, but we ended up making our own coconut milk to use to replace milk while we were there.

When I came back, I was moved to do a beach clean up for our MLK community service project and it was nice to see how much my kids really got into it. I showed them photos of what it looked like in areas of India where so much trash piled up which really motivated them to even be more mindful of any trash we could possibly make during our beach trips for the rest of the year. Seeing their enthusiasm as I began to incorporate more talks about our planet and sustainability, it kind of got me thinking about why I hadn’t made a conscious effort to thinking about it earlier. As a child of the 80’s I was really into saving the rainforest and concerned about acid rain. I remember having my parents cut up their soda plastic rings so they didn’t choke dolphins and asking to not use aerosol hair sprays so the hole in the O-zone didn’t get bigger. However, as I got older, I eco-friendly was no longer top of mind.

When it came to eco-friendly products, I really looked at them as the “all-natural” category. I wanted nothing to do with natural because natural meant it didn’t actually work or was for hippies.

When it comes to beauty and personal care, I still care more about paying attention to the total ingredient deck vs wanting to use only natural ingredients, but this year I’ve really been paying more attention to items being eco-friendly because they help me create less trash because they cut down on my need for using single-use items. I’ve gone down the rabbit hole this year about the unknowing consumption of microplastics (did you know you are probably eating a credit card size of plastic every week?) and how every toothbrush ever made is still on this planet because it takes plastic 10 bajillion years to breakdown. Because I’m someone who usually believes shopping is good for the soul, my first instinct was to toss out a ton of things in my house and swap for more sustainable items, but the whole point of thinking more sustainably is not to mindlessly create more waste, so I’ve been using what I have instead of stockpiling products as a self-proclaimed product junkie and buying trendy swaps just because they are cute.

So if you are in the market for reusable products that could help you contribute less plastic to the world, I’m doing a round-up of a few of my favorite finds. If this post helps influence you to give some of these things a try, just remember the best way you can be more sustainable is to use what you have so bookmark this post so you know what to try as you run out of what you already have at home. Lastly, stay off the zero waste hashtag on Instagram! I don’t want people who go a year with only making enough trash to fill up 1/8th of a mason jar to discourage you. I also don’t want you to feel hard on yourself if you buy reusable bags and forget to bring it with you. I bought my first one in 2004-ish when the “I am not a plastic bag” bag was floating in the hands of the who’s who of NYC, but I didn’t always remember it every time I needed to shop. Even now in California, I would forget my bag in the trunk 50% of the time, but that was 50% fewer plastic bags then I would have usually used. I don’t always take my reusable straws or need to use a restaurant’’s plastic cup when I’m out, but it’s about progress over perfection. Don’t lose sight of that.

Small steps can make a big impact, so here is the list of easy swaps!

CLOTH MASK

After my first flight of 2020, once I got back from India, I went to LAX and looked around to see that I was one of the very few people traveling without a mask. When I got to my destination to meet with friends who had flown in from around the country, everyone had a pack of masks with them so I grabbed a few for my flight back because it was already impossible to find at a store. It was still not a directive for everyone to be in N-95s, but after speaking to someone who was already quarantined in China, I felt better wearing one when out anyway. By February I had stockpiled a few boxes which I was glad I had when shutdown happened, but seeing that this was going to be part of the new normal, the first thing I ordered was cloth masks from China that I could wash like the ones I had for my children which I had ordered last fall to keep at their school after a fire evacuation. It was harder to find back then, but much easier now. Check out stores like Old Navy which sells a pack of 5 for $12.50. That’s perfect so you can wash between uses to help prevent Maskne or satisfy young kids that want to match their mask to their outfit!

BAMBOO TOOTHBRUSH

You may not be going somewhere every day right now, but we are all using a toothbrush. The toothbrush is probably one of the best inventions ever made. Can you imagine if morning breath was just . . . your breath? Gross. It’s the first thing I reach for in the morning, but remember how I said every toothbrush ever made is probably still here? That’s because it can take up to 1000 years to breakdown. Now think about this when I also tell you that there’s approx 1 Billion toothbrushes thrown out every year in the US alone. Considering I’ll go through a few toothbrushes a year, it feels silly for me to not switch over to a bamboo one. Here’s one that includes brushes for the whole family for $7 on Amazon!

PLASTIC FREE TOOTHPASTE

Now let’s chat toothpaste since you are using that every day with your toothbrush. I never really care about flavors enough to care about the brand (except when I was into the fancy Jasmine Mint when I was younger), but anything I get is always in a plastic tube. Fast forward to Indie Beauty Expo in January and one of the companies that stood out the most to me had nothing to do with makeup or skincare, it was about eco-oral care. Check out Georganics for plastic-free toothpaste and scroll through their tablets and powders which come in glass jars. I added their oil pulling mouthwash since I was on an Ayruvedic bender from my month in India, but they also have mouthwash tabs as well. I love that those products are not only free of plastic, but waterless as well!

PERIOD CUP

I thought Thinx was the grossest thing anyone could have ever thought about. In no way did I want to have period panties as a replacement for a tampon. Fast forward a few years and now I’m open to sticking a cup in my vagina. Again, I swear I’m not a hippie. I actually first saw these two years ago at a clean beauty shop, but it was too early for me to be open to this yet. So first of all, I was surprised to find out my regular tampons had ingredients in it instead of just being made from cotton. I looked into Lola which is organic cotton, but I ran into someone from Saalt at a beauty conference and had never considered switching to a period cup could replace up to 5 years of tampon usage. I have an IUD now and hardly ever get my period, but having this was great when traveling because my cycle was all over the place when I got my replacement IUD earlier this year. If you are someone who regularly gets their period, this product is a game-changer. I notice them commonly in the tampon isle at Target, but here’s a link to the brand I’ve tried, Saalt.

STASHER BAGS

So these two aren’t as big of a deal right now since we…no I. . . am homeschooling since we’ve been doing distance learning since March. (OMG I can’t even believe I’m typing that.) When school starts back up, the kids get lunch + two snacks like clockwork daily. Our school makes a big deal about asking to not send the kids with a ton of plastic bags, but it’s no denying it is so convenient. I had plastic containers I would reuse for everything until I brought my next item back from India, but these are great to stuff and seal food in even if we are just using it for going to the beach and the park now. Whatever I bought was just at Target, but Stasher Bag looks like a great option as well. Of all my swaps, these food-grade silicone bags are one of the more pricey options.

STAINLESS STEEL CONTAINERS

One of the swaps I’ve used the most while we’ve been home has been stainless steel food containers I brought back from India. Technically I would use them for school to replace my plastic containers, but my kids think they are really pretty so I use them for grazing bowls or to do picnics outside to break up our school lunch week (when it isn’t smokey out here.) Unfortunately in the states it seems more like a sustainability trend so I only see over-priced “eco-lunch boxes”, but I bought a ton of steel containers for under $20 in total. If you have an Indian market near you, they may sell it in-store cheaper then what you

Do one of these items feel like something you can switch to? Maybe you have another easy switch?

I’d love to hear what it is so feel free to shoot me a DM on Instagram at @JasminePennamma!

Black Female Founders In Beauty + Wellness To Support

Black Dollars Matter. That’s the actual title of the Nielsen report put out in 2018. “Black Dollars Matter: The Sales Impact of Black Consumers.” The report gets into how much we spend, where, and my favorite....the impact of Black Twitter.

Don’t sleep on the impact you have as a consumer and the ability to rally through social media influence. The Black consumer spends $1.2 Trillion dollars annually.

TRILLION.

$1.1 Billion of this is on beauty products with my favorite category, skincare, making up $465 Million coming right behind hair at $473 Million. I’ve been fortunate that my career in aesthetics has given me close proximity to people in a number of different medical-grade skincare companies which have resulted in enough gifted skincare where I haven’t really needed to purchase skincare in a decade 🤪, but when it comes to my hair.....I go through a bottle of conditioner a week (quarter size of product my ass) when it’s curly and I am constantly buying new products between myself and my daughter.

With such a heavy week, it’s been amazing to see the spotlight shined on so many amazing brands and be able to discover many new ones. As a female business owner at Aesthetic Influencer, I support many entrepreneurs, but today I want to use this space to highlight black female entrepreneurs in the fastest-growing segment of female business ownership, beauty and also wellness.

Here are a few women we can celebrate and support right now.

** See my Instagram post HERE to see the full list and be able to give the women and their brand’s a follow on Instagram!

 

@drkristianh of @blkandgrn

.

 

Here are also a few other lists if you want to discover and support additional Black-Owned brands!

68 Black-Owned Fashion and Beauty Brands to Support Now and Always

14 Black-Owned Vegan and Cruelty-Free Beauty Brands to Shop Right Now

Black-Owned Fashion Brands and Boutiques to Support Now and Forever

The Best Black-Owned Skin Care Brands to Shop Now and Always

41 Black-Owned Beauty Brands to Support Now and Always

Join Me Monday at Ethel's House for WFH Tips

These last few weeks have been a whirlwind so writing has been the last thing on my mind as I struggled to catch up between work-life and mom-life merging together. Their last day of school was March 11th which is crazy to say now that it’s May 1st. Although I have been used to working from home for the past decade, working from home with kids who also need to be schooled came with a whole new set of limitations and struggles. For those of you who may be working from home for the first time, I invite you to join me at Ethel’s House and revisit a few tips to optimize best practices for WFH. Sign up on their site to join me on Monday plus get access to kickbacks across wellness, culture, and care all year long with their digital membership. After spending a year at another co-working space, The Wing, I’m so appreciative to be able to take part in a space that feels like ‘home’ even if it’s only digitally for now.

I’ve also got you on Zoom call Glow Up tips so see you Monday afternoon!

how to create a sustainable post-valentines diy with your roses: Coco Rose Body Polish

In an effort to continue to challenge myself to try and live a more sustainable life, I wanted to find something to do with all of the beautiful roses I’ll have left over after Valentine’s Day. I’m 2 months in for my 2020 resolution where instead of making huge, abrupt changes, I’m simply looking at small ways where I can be less wasteful. I LOVE the Herbivore line and was impressed when I smelled Coco Rose because most rose products make me gag. Love the flower, but I usually hate the sent of Rose (and ironically, Jasmine) when used in perfumes and candles, As good as it smelled, couldn’t ever bring myself to pay almost $40 for a body scrub, but with my husband out of town for the week I was almost thinking about that being a nice treat to myself for Valentine’s Day weekend. My daughter ended up being home sick with a stomach bug so the last thing on my mind was ordering anything for myself.

By this morning it was the third night awake with my daughter. I was pretty wiped and wanted to do nothing but stay at home since I knew my plans to take them up to Big Bear since there’s no school tomorrow were over. I got up pretty early and figured I’d do a face mask and finally infuse some oil with Ayurveda herbs I brought back from India so started digging in the pantry for the oils. The suggestion was to infuse the herbs in coconut oil for at least a week, but I just realized I needed to do a substitution because while coconut oil flowed like liquid in the Indian heat, its a solid here so semi impossible to get the herbs to infuse with the oil. So while I have to double-check with my mom on another oil suggestion, seeing all of my coconut oil next to my Himalayan Pink Salt made me think of doing a Coco Rose hack with a few of my Valentine’s Day roses before they die. 5 minutes later, I had my own version of Coco Rose with only 5 ingredients from my kitchen: sugar, Himalayan pink salt, virgin coconut oil, petals of 2 roses, and shea butter.

Now here is where some of us will disagree about the ingredient base. There’s really nothing in here to make it smell overly like roses. I don’t drop in any rose fragrance or even a rose essential oil because I’m not a fan of “fragrance” in anything I put on my skin.

FRAGRANCE IS BASICALLY THE PROBLEM CHILD OF THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY

Coming from a career background of working with medical grade skincare brands and dermatologists taught me early that when I want an experience with my products linked to sent . . . burn a damn candle. This was one of my hardest habits to break. When I lived in NYC, my husband started his career working for Spa Finder and I had friends living the dream who worked for L’Oreal and Estee Lauder. I had access to every product and 5 star spa you could imagine, but had no idea some of those very things I loved the sent of were hiding chemicals in the name “fragrance” that were the source of countless cases of contact dermatitis, rashes, and even allergic responses like headaches.

When I first was hired by a medical grade skincare company and used their cleanser, I remember having a conversation with the marketing team about how well using a face wash with active ingredients like Glycolic Acid and Salycilic Acid worked for me, but it was too expensive not to have a sent experience when I used it. Couldn’t they make it smell like peaches or bubble gum? That’s when they told me they didn’t add fragrance to ANY items in their line because it is one of the first ingredients Dermatologists look for in a product when patients are having a reaction to something they are using. (Insert complete shock face).

This was 10 years ago. No one was talking about not using fragrances in products so I didn’t understand until years later when working with labs to develop my first skincare line that one of the reasons fragrance was basically the problem child of beauty was that it can hide about 5,000 fragrance-forming ingredients under one word - fragrance - on an ingredient label. Technically it’s a loophole under the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act of 1956 so a popular fragrance like Chanel No 5 wasn’t completely knocked off, but it can make it impossible for someone to figure out what they are having a reaction to when used in skincare and body products.

JUST BECAUSE IT’S NATURAL DOESN’T MEAN IT’S GOOD FOR THE SKIN

So this may be the point where you chime in and say, replace the fragrance with an essential oil. I’m going to challenge this one. I tend to avoid it in products that come into contact with my skin. This scrub is for the body which has thicker skin than your face, but one thing that has been common with all of the dermatologists I’ve worked with in the last few years has been them telling me they have had a dramatic spike in patients coming in complaining of inflamed skin. Many times when they have them come back with their skincare routine, they can trace it back to essential oils so it’s become a personal no-no ingredient for me when it comes to my skin. You do you, but I’m doing this without even a drop of rose essential oils. At most I would have played around with adding in some rose water I brought back with me from India, but it has such a faint sent that I didn’t think it would make a difference.

EVEN HOMEMADE BEAUTY PRODUCTS COME WITH RISKS

Funny enough, DIY beauty is usually on the no-no lists of many of my dermatologists which I mostly agree with. . . at least for the face. For this DIY, I’m just using it on the body and it won’t be anything that I store for long since there are no preservatives to keep the recipe stable for any length of time. In general, just because something is homemade in DIY beauty projects does not always mean it’s ‘safe’ as there are many products in our cabinets that can cause allergies or other problems once applied to your skin like Lemon Juice, Baking Soda, or Tooth Paste. Also, since you are not preparing it in uber hygienic conditions like in a lab, that’s another reason why I pretty much am only make what I’ll use up this weekend.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup Himalayan Pink Salt

1/4 cup virgin Coconut oil

2 Tbs Coconut Butter or Shea Butter

Petals of 2 Roses

DIRECTIONS

Take all of the ingredients and place them in a food processor and gently pulse to mix them all together. I used Shea Butter that I bought for a hair whip I make, but you can use coconut butter as a replacement. The pink salt + pink roses gives the body polish a beautiful pink color like Coco Rose without having to use any dye. I made some the kids could try without salt since they are always coming home with little nicks that could be irritated by the salt and without the roses so I wasn’t stuck cleaning petal pieces out of the bath tub all night. If the mix is a little dry, add in more coconut oil, one spoonful at a time. When finished, scoop the body polish into a mason jar and take it with you to the bathroom. It actually looks really pretty if you have any dried tea roses like these to add to the top, but since it’s just for myself, I didn’t bother. Done!

I’d love to know if you make this! DM me @JasminePennamma on Instagram or tag me IG Stories so I see!

New Finds At Indie Beauty Expo Los Angeles

Growing up was all about having brand affinity to large, corporate conglomerates owned by companies like L’Oreal or Estee Lauder. These days it’s the indie beauty brands are who are catching my attention and heart. In every category from makeup, to skincare, to sexual wellness, Indie Beauty Expo is the place for these often founder-led brands to be discovered by leading retailers and press outlets.

Indie Beauty Media Group built a platform with Indie Beauty Expo that is set to help independent beauty brands succeed. IBE was actually founded by a indie brand founder herself, Jillian Wright. She was a clinical aesthetician who created her own skincare line for her spa, but felt none of the current tradeshows spoke to her needs. Years later and an expansion that now includes Indie Beauty Expo in NYC, Los Angeles, Berlin, Dallas and London . . . it is safe to say she wasn’t the only one who felt that way. IBE has grown to include Beauty X for two days prior to the expo which is an educational summit focusing on business acumen and networking time for brand founders and leadership teams.

BeautyX Summit and UpLink will have it’s own review later for brand founders as I highlight it in addition to educational workshops at Foundermade, CosmoProf , and others, as I put together my list of top conferences and tradeshows new beauty and wellness founders should attend.

So what exciting new brands did I find at Indie Beauty Expo? I’ll have longer product summaries showcased throughout the year of some of the brands I am trialing, but here are 5 that immediately caught my attention that I think you should have on your radar this year.

KegelBell:

So I should save the best for last, but in case your attention span is only 8 seconds, I didn’t want you to miss this find. You have FaceGym to tone muscles in your face and now you have KegelBell, the gym for your vagina. No, the goal is not to have the world’s strongest vagina, but can you tone it? Well in just 5 minutes, 3 times a day, you can. However, why would you want to? Well I’ll skip past the benefits of vaginal rejuvenation and bladder leakage straight to what I think most women would be interested in, more intense orgasms. Yup, Kegelbell is FDA-registered, made of medical-grade silicone, and will give you more intense orgasms. If Equinox could promise that, I would have used the gym more often, lol. At $110 to try it out, it’s a steal compared to laser vaginal rejuvenation treatments claiming to do the same thing sold for an average of $3,000 in a package of three sessions at many of my medical spa clinics! I am very interested in the results and the results compared to some of these medical spa packages so be sure to come back in March during Woman’s Month for a full feature. For now, check out more info straight from the source, here. PS - Unlink the months you have to put in at the gym to start to see changes, you can see results from KegelBell in as little as two weeks!

Winged CBD:

Beauty has been going overboard on green with the inclusion of CBD. In a world where I feel like I couldn’t possibly hear about one more CBD brands, Winged CBD caught my attention with their story of being formulated specifically for women and their pregnant founder who was just full of light. I’ve sampled my share of CBD products so I almost wondered if their daytime CBD gummies was swapped with a THC batch because I was that relaxed. I have some other gummies and tinctures I’m sorting through, but will be happy to give this line a full review in the upcoming weeks.

Saalt:

So this was a category I was familiar with, but honestly had no interest in using. My sister Ashley Renne was in India with me at the beginning of the year and was raving about the product category during a conversation we were having about sustainability. When I first heard the same mentioned at Indie Beauty Expo, I just expected another skincare brand, but Saalt is a period cup company. It’s a reusable soft silicone cup worn internally like a tampon that collects, rather than absorbs, your period. They have a great FAQ page since I’m sure if you are anything like me, you have a million questions running around in your head about this. Thanks to my IUD I haven’t had a chance to try this yet, but the FAQ page does go over what to do if you want to use this cup if you have an IUD as well. One quick tip that one of their marketing representatives gave me before I jump to the next find that I’ll pass on to you . . . if the thought of a period cup makes you think “ick” out loud when you first heard it, save the first time you are going through the removal process for the shower while you are getting used to it. In the name of being more ecofriendly, I’m going to be giving this a whirl.

Orgaid:

Sheet masks are wildly popular, but these single-use skincare heroes can come at an environmental cost when you aren’t using a mask that is biodegradable. That’s why I loved that Orgaid’s three face masks are made with over 70% organic ingredients, free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and fragrance in addition to being biodegradable. You can’t beat being more green while getting your glow.

Georganics:

The best thing about Indie Beauty Expo is that they have so many great brands to explore that I got a chance to discover for the first time. The toughest part about Indie Beauty Expo? There are so many great brands to explore and not enough time in the day! Sadly I was rushing off to attend a talk and wasn’t able to make it back to the Georganics booth, but if this UK brand had some very interesting products in oral care. If you’ve followed my Instagram Stories, you may have seen my visit to see an Ayurvedic doctor while visiting India in January. One of the many new habits I brought home with me after that trip was using coconut oil to do oil pulling. I actually have a whole post planned on this topic and other Ayurvedic practices planned in the upcoming weeks, but here’s the short version of what oil pulling is. It’s an ancient Ayurvedic tradition of swishing oil in your mouth on an empty stomach for at least 20 minutes to improve oral, and in turn, overall health. The doctor advised to use sesame or coconut oil and this brand actually has an Oil Pulling Mouthwash made with virgin coconut oil like I’ve been using, but flavored with peppermint!

will DevaCurl damage push curly girls to go natural?

I have no idea how the news about Rio, the non-perm that made everyone’s hair fall out spread before social media, but between Tweets, Instagram Posts, and YouTube videos, the word is spreading between curly girls to toss out their products from DevaCurl. There are threads and Facebook groups full of people complaining that their hair is falling out or their curl patterns have been changed after extended use of the line. I’ll link to one of the latest articles here, but this is totally ironic given that a lot of us go ‘curly’ after wanting to stay away from getting our hair chemically relaxed anymore. However, for many of us who may start paying more attention to products we use in our home or for makeup and skincare . . . hair is usually one of the more overlooked areas. For anyone who has ever looked to start converting to clean hair care brands will tell you it’s one of the harder product categories to switch to and still find products that are performing. 

I’m in the middle of my clean/non-toxic journey with products. I don’t consider myself hardcore or someone who will be making my own products any time soon, and appreciate a safe synthetic as much as a natural or organic one. When it comes to skincare, I categorize myself as “Clean Clinical.” For the home, I haven’t tried vinegar and essential oils, but I have preferred brands like Honest and Seventh Generation ever since I was first pregnant because I freaked out thinking about the baby eating something off a floor I just cleaned with 409.

When first looking to start switching out products, I decided that instead of throwing out products and starting from scratch, I was going to look at only purchasing new clean beauty products to try as I finished my alternative. Hair was one of the categories I have been looking forward to the least because it’s already hard for me to find a routine I like so finding a clean line that can also perform sounds like it’s going to be a nightmare. Unfortunately in this case as someone who has a few products from DevaCurl, this is going to be an exception where I’m tossing products out and not waiting for a statement and testing from the brand. 

As I’ve been researching clean beauty, one study that I found disturbing is research published by American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology which confirms that women of color are being exposed to higher levels of beauty-product-derived chemicals like mercury, steroids and hormone-disruptors than white women. According to the report, Black, Latina and Asian-American women spend more on beauty products than the national average, yet we still have a long way to go with some personal care items like how “some of the hair lotions and styling gels contain ingredients of concern like parabens, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives and 'fragrance.” As this research came out in 2017, it was right after a report from the Environmental Working Group which found that 1 in 12 beauty products marketed to black women contained harmful ingredients. Yikes.

Finding curly products that I love for natural hair is already so hard that this is the one category I’m not looking forward to hunting down products for. I first started going natural in 2004 when there weren’t many options if you didn’t have a relaxer. Before going to Curves (a curly salon in Brooklyn which was later renamed Miss Jessies which you may recognize from the product line), before Carol’s Daughter opened on 125th street in Harlem, and before hearing about the infamous No Poo by Deva Curl at Ricky’s which was supposed to be the go-to shampoo for curly hair, I had to make my own products like gels from flax seed or creams from different oils and butters. I was actually THRILLED when I could just pick these products up from Target and never cared to inspect what else was in the bottle. 

I brought back a ton of Ayurvedic products back from India including hair products so I’m probably going to try a few of those before bothering with the time suck of mixing up a flax seed gel that only lasts a week or two.

I cleared out my products from Deva Curl last night, but here are some things you can do if you wanted to look into switching out items from the line or give the other products you use for your hair a look.

1. Start reading your product labels. Some chemicals like parabens are clearly labeled so you can skip over products that have them or aren’t listed as “paraben-free” while some things are harder to figure out because labels can hide ingredients under names like “fragrance” which is considered a trade secret in the United States. 

2. Use websites like Skin Deep by the Environmental Working Group or download the Think Dirty app to stay on top of brands and specific products that they have researched to check for known chemicals.

Now…..if I can be honest…. this Deva Curl drama drove me to finally download the Think Dirty app, but I’m really hesitant at looking into what they say about some of my favorite items. 😬 

Do you have curly hair and planning on switching any products out or have any products you swear by? DM me @JasminePennamma because I am going to clearly be on a product hunt!!