“If you’re like most women, you’ve been on a never ending quest for perfect skin- or even just good skin- since adolescence. It’s frustrating pursuit to say the least, filled with one disappointing (and expensive) miracle solution after another. Why is it so hard to get good skin? …” writes founder of the organic skincare line S.W. Basics, Adina Grigore in her recently published book Skin Cleanse.
Skin Cleanse is a perfect guide for everyone with sensitive and reactive skin and anyone who wants to make their skin look happy and calm. This is a must-have for anyone interested in switching to an “all-natural” routine and holistic way of resolving skin problems.
Grab your copy of the book, get it signed, and talk healthy skin with Adina this coming Saturday (6/13) from 2-6PM at the Brooklyn Groove (102B Nassau Ave). Continue reading →
Illustration by Libby VanderPloeg - herself on the right, and Adina Grigore on the left
Greenpointers is excited to present a joint interview with two Greenpoint residents and business owners who recently collaborated on, and published, a book – a partnership they told us originated from this very website. We had to find out more.
The book is called Skin Cleanse: The Simple, All-Natural Program for Clear, Calm, Happy Skin. Adina Grigore, founder of skincare brand S.W. Basics, wrote it, and asked local illustrator Libby VanderPloeg to illustrate it. It was published last week, just ahead of S.W. Basics’ March 1st launch in 500 Target locations nationwide – a huge accomplishment for a small business with a commitment to natural ingredients.
(sponsored) Can you believe it has been one year since Brooklyn Groove (102B Nassau Ave) opened in Greenpoint? It’s been said that retail stores are disappearing and soon everything will be delivered by drones. This might is true for computer parts, but not for beauty products. Brooklyn Groove’s customers want to touch, smell, sample and talk about their skincare products with the added benefit of making friends at the store’s fun events. (Last time I checked drones are not BFF material.)
Brooklyn Groove sells the best quality beauty products because it searches for hard to find, organic, natural cosmetics. They knows your health is important to you, which is why they offer the most pure and unprocessed skin care products you can find anywhere. The selection is growing and now they carry the best organic lines on market such as: RMS Beauty, Vapour Organic Beauty, Dr. Hauschka, REN Skincare, CV Skinlabs, Sopwalla, 100 % Pure, S.W. Basic, Griffin Remedy, Ecobrow, Angel Face Botanicals, Meow Meow Tweet, Badger, Acure. And next week they will be receiving Intelligent Nutrients.
Celebrate Brooklyn Groove’s 1 Year Birthday this Saturday, November 15th. They will offer FREE mini facials with Dr. Hauscha products from 12-3pm. (Please book in advance.) Special guest Rachel Winard, the founder of Soapwalla, will be in the store talking about her inspiration for her organic skincare line after quitting her corporate job to start her own business. If you haven’t tried it, her natural deodorant is a bestseller!
And don’t forget the complimentary wine, free makeup consultations and real people.
She put up with you your entire life (not to mention MADE you alive) so you clearly owe her more than a phone call and a mass produced greeting card.
Mother’s Day is this Sunday, but don’t worry, you still have plenty of time. We’ve put together this Greenpoint Mother’s Day Guide so you can keep the shopping local and still shower her with awesomeness. We are making this REALLY easy so don’t phone it in this year. Your welcome. Happy Mother’s Day! Continue reading →
Free yourself from the toxic chemicals you put on your skin everyday at a Beauty Liberation Party this Saturday from noon-8pm at Brooklyn Groove (102B Nassau Ave). Spring cleaning beings with your body, so throw away those harmful synthetic cosmetics and come to this non-toxic skin care party with lots of freebies!
Try natural beauty products, score a complimentary (that means FREE!) makeup consultation and check out a presentation of flawless long lasting airbrush makeup at 7pm. All brides-to-be (and your entourages) are welcome! Wait, there is more…
Enjoy a free mini facial and take your chance in a raffle to win prizes like cosmetics sets or brunch for two at Raizes, Greenpoint’s new Portuguese restaurant.
Not to mention there will be complimentary wine carefully selected by Vine Box and get grooved away with music by DJ DLP! Healthy make-up was NEVER this fun before.
February 13th, Valentine's Fete at People of 2morrow
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, one of our favorite new vintage shops in Greenpoint – People of 2morrow – is having a Valentine’s Fete this Thursday 2/13/14 from 6-9pm. Support local artisans at this warm festive gathering and shop for you lover or your fine self. Continue reading →
This facial could not have come at a better time. My skin and brain were feeling stressed.
A facial seemed like a good idea, but a facial on Nassau Avenue? I don’t have a regular place. Past facials had been vacation indulgences or afterwork in Manhattan. I’d say I have enjoyed about half, some were awkward or rough, some effective and satisfying.
At Freckle Salon, I received one of my best facials from Ania, owner and skin care expert, who started in Poland then worked for many years at a salon in Soho. But Ania and her business feel at home in Greenpoint. At first the name threw me off, maybe because I grew up being called “Punky Brewster,” but Ania explained that freckles are natural, just like the products she uses, a hybrid of organic ingredients plus modern skincare products, like Dermalogica. Plus, she hates all the beauty salon names out there; Freckle stands out and is memorable.
I walked in and said, “this place is nice,” and a friendly customer getting highlights said, “and so are the people!” She was right.
What Freckle doesn’t have that salons in the city do is that weird, “I don’t know what to do with myself because this place is so eerily zen I feel uncomfortable” – vibe. Ania talked to me like a neighbor.” The chatter from the main room was comforting, rather than the “calming” music in most spas that makes me want to run out with half my robe on.
And Ania never left me wondering, what is going on? In Manhattan I always suspect the facialist is working on someone else at the same time because she will leave for minutes that feel like hours. But Ania was always there massaging my shoulders in the downtime.
She started by cleaning then massaging my face with coconut oil that felt and smelled great. At home, she explained, food grade coconut oil is great for massage. The steam on my face was really calming and the perfect temperature. Aside from a scrubby exfoliant she used a neat ultrasonic peeling device to remove dead skin cells. After more massage and hot compresses, it was extraction time! She wasn’t one of the sadists who get OCD on every single pore until you are writhing in pain. She prepped my skin so well that when squeeze time came, it was a piece of cake. Then she used another device, called high frequency (pictured) to kill bacteria. And she let me take a cool picture of it with my fisheye! Last, a soothing mask.
When I left my skin was calm and felt great; not red and blotchy like some of the facials I’d received. I felt totally de-stressed and my complexion was bright.
Try a facial or one of the many other professional skin or haircare services at Freckle and save that swipe on your metrocard. You can get a Soho facial right here in Greenpoint.
Freckle is your local skin and hair salon, where nature and technology are blended to bring the best and most effective skin and haircare.
Get ready for Christmas!!!
Freckle is offering a 15% discount for any Dermalogica product or, better yet, 20% discount for Dermalogica when combined with any Freckle’s skin care treatment. Just say “Freckle loves Greenpointers” when at the salon.
