I used to be an avid Aveda hair care  user before our personal recession-woes hit and I was left without income.  I got to learn more about their makeup, skin care and Pure-fumes before the get-together and was thrilled that my amigas would get to experience the Aveda all-around goodness I was already a fan of.

We met at the Aveda Experience Center in Century City where stations were set up for consultations.  Elisha and Howie from the brand new The Establishment LA salon in hipster Silverlake were there to show us tricks and tips to care for our hair.

One of the most popular stations was the Pure-fume one where each of us received our own personalized perfume made with pure essential oils.  We each took turns sitting with the specialist, closing our eyes, and taking deep breathes as different scents were put under our nose. We chose our favorite one through a process of elimination and got to take home a small bottle of it.

It felt delicious to get our hands treated to a deep exfoliating scrub and a heavy dose of much-needed moisturizing.  I kept hearing the same comment over and over from the ladies:  “My hands have never felt this soft. I wished they could do my whole body right now!”

I always have the hardest time deciding which skin care products to use on my face.  Should I attack the wrinkles, the discoloration, the dryness, the loss of elasticity, etc, etc…It felt great to be able to sit down calmly with an expert to get some real advice as to what is best for my skin and my daily lifestyle without feeling it’s a hard sell.

It’s not a party without a winner, and one of the guests won this over-the-top basket full of Aveda’s Summer Essentials.

Since no one should leave a great party empty-handed, every guest received one of these gift bags as un recuerdito from Aveda.

The goodness spills over and you can also receive a recuerdito–Aveda sample–if you go into a store and tell them this Secret Word:  11Summer

It is super secret, but you can totally share it!!

Disclosure:  I have been compensated to experience the Aveda products and tell you about it, as well as to host a local event.  All opinions are my own.  Nothing makes us happier than to work with brands we already know and use.

Considering how much help I need in the summer-care arena, I was thrilled to accept an invitation from Aveda, one of my favorite beauty brands, o learn more about their Summer Solutions and receive a complimentary consultation on hair, makeup, scent and skin care.  I really, really needed to hear their recommendations because a change in routine is definitely in order.

Aveda Scent

The first thing most people say about the Aveda stores and/or concept salon and spas is how amazing it smells in there.  The air is infused with all the natural oils and aromas they use in their products. They also have an extensive line they call Pure-fume which includes scented soy candles, essential oils, personalized perfumes and Chakra body mists.

Few people know that many years ago, when I lived in Mexico, I ran a small aromatherapy store in the mystical town of Tepoztlán.  Back in those–my hippie days–I was intro the chakras, Ayurveda, oils, cleanses, meditation, yoga, etc.  When the Aveda advisor showed me their line of Chakra body mists, complete with cards explaining the energy and properties of every chakra, I was immediately transported to those lighter days.

I closed my eyes and let my sense of scent choose which one of the seven Chakra aromas I was needing.  We chose #4–The Heart Chakra. Don´t we all always need a little Heart? I bought it and now my whole house smells like Heart.

Aveda Makeup

I used to be good with makeup and spend tons at it, but no more.  I always stick to very, very basics and cannot decide on one line I like that isn´t loaded with chemicals and isn´t over-the-top expensive.  I had been an Aveda hair care customer for years, but never ventured into their makeup line.  I was happy to put myself in expert hands and learn more about it and how to best apply it.

I was most concerned about finding a good foundation, concealer and eye shadows.  We found that my skin loves the Inner Light Mineral Light Foundation and concealer the best!  The foundation gives me just the coverage I want for day and I can make it stronger for nighttime just by wetting the sponge.  I also love that Aveda is conscious of  waste, so they sell responsible packaging compacts that you can reuse and refill whenever your shadows or foundations run out! That also helps keep the price of the foundation reasonable at $22.50.

Aveda Skin Care

My new Aveda skin care ritual

Our skin is our largest organ. Did you know that? Sure you did. But, how often are you conscious of what you put on it?  Think about it this way, what goes on your skin should also be able to go in your mouth. Disgusting, right?

Aveda is committed to creating products that are plant and flower based so they are as good in you as they are on you.  Loving their philosophy and commitment to it, I am now sold on their Enbrightement skin care line.  My years as a sun-worshiper are finally showing in the forms of discoloration and sun spots on my face. The Enbrightenment line was suggested by my Aveda advisor to improve my skin´s clarity and reduce sun spots. Apparently, I should start to see results in two weeks if I use it night and day!

Aveda Hair Care

Ah, my hair!  One year it´s straight, the other it´s curly, then it´s long, then short..but always a shade of brown!  Four years ago, when I was pregnant with Camila, I had lowlights on my hair and the only products I trusted to apply on my scalp were Aveda´s.  Since then, I´ve been a fan of their Be Curly products and now, thanks to my advisor´s suggestion, am using their Smooth Infusion Style Prep, just happens to be one of their most popular products.

I also learned that the Aveda Sun Care Hair products can help protect my hair from the chlorine, salt and sweat build up that comes with summer-fun, while also giving it a water-resistant UV shield. Oh, and how conveniently cool and practical is the Hair and Body Cleanser (pictured above)?

The Aveda Glow & Secret Word

And this, my friends, is my Aveda Glow

If you want to try the Aveda goodness for yourself, go into your local Aveda store location, mention the secret word “11Summer” and receive a free Aveda sample.

The Giveaway

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to the winner:  Brittney!

Revitalize damaged hair instantly with the power of plants. A powerful plant-based hair care system formulated to protect and help repair even the most overstressed tresses: Damage Remedy™ Restructuring Shampoo, Restructuring Conditioner and Daily Hair Repair are clinically proven to instantly repair hair damage.

Aveda will send one lucky winner the following prizes (ARV: $72):

• One (1) 8.5 fl oz Damage Remedy™ Restructuring Shampoo (USD $24)
• One (1) 6.7 fl oz Damage Remedy™ Restructuring Conditioner (USD $24)
• One (1) 3.4 fl oz. Damage Remedy™ Daily Hair Repair (USD $24)

To enter all you have to do is visit the website (Aveda.com/video), watch a “How To” video, then come back to this post and leave a comment letting us know one thing you learned from the video.

That’s all you have to do to enter this giveaway. If you want to up your chances at winning, this is how you can get additional entries (only after you’ve completed the step above):

**Please leave a separate comment for each so we can count them and avoid mistakes.

1.Tweet the following: “I just learned how to ___________________ with @Aveda and couldn’t be more excited! #AvedaSS”

2. Subscribe to receive blog updates and subscriber-only content via email and leave us an extra comment letting us know you did so or that you’re already a subscriber. Make sure to leave the comment using the same email you subscribed with.

3. Like SpanglishBaby on Facebook and join a thriving community of parents.

This giveaway ends Tuesday, June 21 at midnight PST and is open to U.S. residents over 18 years of age.  Check out the Giveaway Rules.

Disclosure:  I have been compensated to experience the Aveda products and tell you about it, as well as to host a local event.  All opinions are my own.  Nothing makes us happier than to work with brands we already know and use.