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Hair Styling

Our Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes – Fresh Salon Blog

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


It’s a favorite holiday for so many of us.  Thanksgiving.  No gifts, no debt, no decorations.  Thanksgiving is about gathering around the table and spending time with the people we love.  At FRESH, we’ll celebrate the day just like you… making memories with friends and family. 

Here are a few favorite recipes that we’ll share on this special November day:

From Tara:

My favorite dish is stuffing.  And I love it with apples and cranberry.  Adding these ingredients to traditional stuffing gives this iconic dish just the right amount of sweetness!

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From Regina:

Pumpkin Cheesecake!  It’s the best I have ever had.  My family loves it too!

Recipe:

  • 12 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 2 ¾ cups sugar
  • 2 lbs. cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 1 15 ounce can of pumpkin puree
  • 6 large eggs at room temperature, and lightly beaten
  • 1 tbsp. vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. ground ginger
  • ¼ tsp. ground cloves

From Emily:

I love good ‘ole Southern Homemade Gravy!  And on Thanksgiving, make my vegetables a casserole!  Our family devours them… for days!

35.227087
-80.843127

Our Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes


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Hair Styling

MY FAVORITE SCARF HACKS — Confessions of a Hairstylist

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence



Have you ever tried to create a headband out of a scarf and it refuses to cooperate? Here’s a hack for you that will not only make your scarf headband stay put, but also add a little flavor to the look! Just carve out 5-minutes of your getting ready process and follow these quick steps:

 

STEP 1:

Roll up the scarf to your desired headband width and secure it around your head, leaving the bulk of your hair underneath and some fringe around your face.

STEP 2:

Braid the bulk of your hair that is underneath the scarf in the back into a simple strand braid.

STEP 3:

Tuck the tail of the braid up, over, and into the scarf, creating that messy bun shape you see above.

*FINISHING TOUCHES*

Tie the scarf around the bun and spray a little Shine Spray to finish it off!

 

Want to watch me create this look!?

Click here to follow along and recreate this style with me! 




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Skin Care

My favorite LED Mask just got better: CurrentBody Series 2 review

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


There are two things I look for in skincare devices now: one, results (duh), and two, super easy to use. That’s why the CurrentBody LED Mask has been a staple in my routine for the past 2 years… until now.

CurrentBody released an updated version of their mask, aka Series 2, and boy are there a lot of great updates. I’ll go into all the details, share my results, and compare this to the Series 1 to help you decide which device is best for your needs.

Overview

What is it
An FDA-cleared, at-home anti-aging device that uses clinically recognized red and near-infrared light wavelengths to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and redness while improving skin texture and promoting a healthier, brighter complexion in just 10 minutes per treatment.

Available For
$469 on CurrentBody – get $46 (10%) off with code GEEKY!

Wavelengths
633nm (red light), 830nm (near-infrared light), and 1072nm (deep near-infrared light) with a total of 236 led bulbs

Irradiance
30 mW/cm2

Fluence
18 J/cm2

Size & Fit
Extended flexible silicone that now wraps the face better, with a full nose flap and additional chin strap for maximum coverage. The 3-way adjustable strap allows for an even better fit while still being comfortable.

Treatment Time
10 minutes for at least 3-5 times a week. Just clip the controller on to your pants/skirt/shirt and you’re free to move around and multitask!

Pain Level & Downtime
Still none!

Charge Hold
Once it’s fully charged I get around 10-15 uses. When the light on the controller starts blinking that’s when you need to recharge it.

A quick refresher on red light benefits

I went into details in my original LED Mask review, but red light has been shown to:

  • Increased collagen and elastin production
  • Improve wound healing.
  • Help with repairing sun damage.
  • Reduced inflammation and redness.

Specifically you’ll want to look for wavelengths of 633nm and 830nm, an irradiance of 40-150 mW/cm2 to prevent overheating the skin, and a fluence of 1.2 J/cm2 to 126 J/cm2.

Deep near-infrared light benefits

A major highlight of the Series 2 LED Mask is its addition of deep near-infrared lights (1072nm NIR), which I’ve only seen in one other mask that’s marketed for men. The idea is that since the 1072nm wavelength can reach more cells throughout the epidermis and dermis compared to other wavelengths4, so it should be better at penetrating men’s thicker skin.

Yes it’s as dumb as it sounds, because skin is skin, and deep near-infrared light can benefit anyone:

  • improved appearances of fine lines around the eyes and eye bags!1
  • improved skin texture (self-reported) 2
  • reduced wound healing time 2

Another study used both red light and near-infrared lights (the same 3 wavelengths in this mask actually) and saw improvements in wrinkles, UV spots, brown spots, and pores.3

The proof isn’t as robust as red light, and a lot of the studies done were for treating herpes, but what we do see is promising. Eye bags have been a pain point for me, so it’s so encouraging to know that CurrentBody has strategically placed their 1072nm bulbs right around the eyes to treat these first signs of aging.

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Veritace: Testing at every step

In addition to studies verifying the efficacy of LED on the skin, CurrentBody takes it a step further and tests to make sure the LED bulbs themselves deliver the effective wavelengths!

Each mask comes with its own NFC card that you can scan with your phone and see the exact tests your mask hardware went through. This is reassuring, because as we’ve learned with the whole Korean sunscreen scandal, what you see on the labels isn’t always what you get in your product.

How I Use The CurrentBody LED Face Mask

I typically use it as part of my morning routine, and it’s super simple. Just make sure your face is clean, put on your mask and turn it on, wait 10 minutes, then continue with your skincare routine.

Seriously, it’s that easy.

I’ll sometimes use a watery essence before the mask, but I’d definitely save your milky toners and more viscous serums for after. The only exception would be if you used CurrentBody’s Green Tea Serum that’s designed to be worn with the mask, but I didn’t find it to significantly improve the mask’s efficacy, so it’s totally optional.

My Usage Experience Compared to Series 1

I said the first mask was easy to use, but CurrentBody managed to make things even better by adding a much needed clip to the controller. Now I can prep food, do chores, walk on the treadmill, all without worrying about where to put the controller.

CurrentBody Series 2 LED Mask - view of the mask and the controller clipPin

The multiway strap is another update meant to improve fit, but I personally liked the single strap better. With the new thicker multiway strap it becomes even harder to wear my hair in a ponytail with the mask. Not a dealbreaker, just something I had to get used to.

As for the fit itself? Such a fantastic upgrade. I love that it hugs my face completely, and with the increased number of bulbs, every inch of skin is getting the red light benefits. No more awkward gaps on the side of the face or around my jawline.

CurrentBody Series 2 LED Mask fit compared to Series 1Pin
You can really see the difference compared to Series 1 in the bottom
CurrentBody Series 2 vs Series 1 MaskPin
Now with the lights on. You can see just how much brighter this mask is compared to the Series 1!
CurrentBody Series 2 LED Mask fitPin
An unflattering shot just to show how well the mask covers my face!

With the higher number of bulbs I do notice that the light feels harsher on the eyes. It also feels more strained when scrolling or looking at a screen. But CurrentBody thoughtfully included two eye inserts to help alleviate that. They make a huge difference, but I do wonder if they block some of the red light from reaching the skin around my eyes.

Overall the usage experience has been a huge improvement, and that’s so important for skincare devices. A pleasant usage experience is key to using a device consistently, which is key to seeing results. Speaking of which…

Effects On The Skin: Before & After

Similar to the Series 1 mask, my results are very subtle, maybe even more so since I was using the Series 1 mask regularly prior to testing Series 2.

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One main thing I noticed is that the areas under my eyes, specifically my tear troughs, have become less dark and noticeable. This was an improvement I never saw with the Series 1 mask, which makes me believe that the new addition of deep near-infrared lights around the lights really do work.

CurrentBody Series 2 LED Mask before and afterPin

I think there’s been some improvement in my skin tone as well, but I also use a vitamin c serum regularly so it’s hard to say if that’s from the serum or from the mask.

I’ll try to update this in 3 months if there are more significant changes, but I’m hopeful!

CurrentBody Series 1 vs Series 2 LED Masks

I’ve touched on all these improvements throughout the post, but here they are again in a much easier to read table format.

Series 1 LED Series 2 LED
Wavelengths 633nm and 830nm 633nm, 830nm, and 1072nm
Irradiance 30 mW/cm2 30 mW/cm2
Bulbs 132 236
Fit Flat flexible silicone shape with a single strap Contoured flexible silicone shape with a multiway strap and extender
Coverage Good, but the nose and chin area could use improvement. Excellent, thanks to the new nose flap design and the added chin strap.
Precision Highly precise Guaranteed precision as part of their new Veritace® product development process. Precision testing results are available for each mask.
Controller Single power button Single power button and a clip to easily attach to your clothes.
Price $380 $469

Obviously a lot of great changes, but if you already have the Series 1 or any other LED mask with similar specs, I don’t think spending another $400+ is necessary. The money could be better spent on other devices with different tech – microcurrent, radiofrequency, or even electroporation!

But if this will be your first LED mask, I 100% recommend the Series 2 mask. The improvements are absolutely worth the $89 difference!

Final Verdict

Pros

  • Contoured fit provides excellent coverage to ensure the light hits all parts of the face.
  • Super easy to wear while multitasking and moving around
  • One of the few masks with 1072nm wavelength to address signs of aging around the eyes
  • Each mask has been tested to ensure the precision of the LED bulbs.

Cons

  • The new multiway strap makes it even harder to wear with a ponytail
  • An expensive splurge if you already own an LED mask

Scores & Summary

  • Design
  • Comfort Level
  • Ease of Use
  • Performance
  • Price

It’s clear that CurrentBody put a lot of thought into developing this new version and taking customer feedback into consideration. I know all the pain points (which were few) I had with the old mask have been fix in Series 2, plus a ton of great additions that aren’t available in most other masks! For me the most exciting change is definitely the near infrared light around the eyes, especially since I’m starting to see slight improvements already. While I don’t think an upgrade is worth it if you already have a Series 1, I 100% recommend this Series 2 mask if you’re still on the search for an LED mask!

Article Sources

To keep my content accurate and trustworthy, I rely on peer-reviewed studies, articles from reputable academic institutions, and quotes from certified healthcare professionals to back my claims.

  1. Stirling, Richard J., and James D. Haslam. “A Self‐Reported Clinical Trial Investigates the Efficacy of 1072 Nm Light as an Anti‐Ageing Agent.” Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, vol. 9, no. 4, Informa UK Limited, Jan. 2007, pp. 226–30, https://doi.org/10.1080/14764170701400085.

  2. Jagdeo, Jared, et al. “Light‐Emitting Diodes in Dermatology: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.” Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, vol. 50, no. 6, Wiley, Jan. 2018, pp. 613–28, https://doi.org/10.1002/lsm.22791.
  3. Mineroff, Jessica, et al. “Male Facial Rejuvenation Using a Combination 633, 830, and 1072 Nm LED Face Mask.” Archives of Dermatological Research, vol. 315, no. 9, Springer Science+Business Media, July 2023, pp. 2605–11, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-023-02663-w.
  4. R Glen Calderhead. “Photobiological Basics of Photomedicine: A Work of Art Still in Progress.” Medical Lasers, vol. 6, no. 2, Dec. 2017, pp. 45–57, https://doi.org/10.25289/ml.2017.6.2.45.

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This post is sponsored by CurrentBody but all opinions are 100% honest and my own. This post contains affiliate links, and each purchase helps cover the cost of running this blog at no extra cost to you! Full disclosure policy

Jenny Wu

Jenny Wu

Passionate about science-based skincare. Tested hundreds if not thousands of products since my 20’s. Working
regularly with brands like iHerb, Ulta,
CurrentBody, and MedStar Health to share my knowledge and experience in all things beauty. Learn more.

Skin profile: 35+,
dry/combination, focused on well-aging, hydration, and a healthy glow ✨


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Embrace the Vibrancy: Pantone Color of the Year 2025 and Why You Should Wear It - Fashion Blog SXM
Plus Size Fashion

My Favorite Gifts This Year: Giving with Intention and Living with Purpose – Fashion Blog SXM

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


The holidays are here, and as I reflect on the season of giving, I’m reminded of the power of intentionality. This year, my focus is on gifts that hold meaning—ones that inspire joy, celebrate connections, and create lasting memories. Whether it’s the elegance of a timeless piece of jewelry or the experience of self-care and family togetherness, I’m choosing to give gifts that align with my values. Let me share some of my favorites this year and inspire you to give with intention too!

Panache St. Maarten is at the top of my list when finding that perfect gift. This boutique is home to exclusive brands like Qudo, Coeur de Lion, and Sif Jacobs, offering jewelry that speaks volumes. Panache’s collection is perfect for celebrating the women in your life, whether it’s a sparkling bracelet, a bold statement necklace, or an elegant pair of earrings. And if you’re unsure what to pick, you can book a styling session to make the experience even more personalized. Better yet, consider gifting a Styling Gift Card, allowing your loved ones to choose something that resonates with their style.

Another gift idea close to my heart is the gift of self-care. In the hustle and bustle of daily life, we often forget to prioritize ourselves. This year, I’m gifting spa days, travel vouchers, and even solo getaways to those I love (and maybe to myself, too!). These moments of peace and rejuvenation are invaluable—they remind us to pause, reflect, and recharge. Whether it’s a massage, a weekend retreat, or an afternoon of pampering, self-care is a gift that keeps on giving.

Of course, the holidays are about more than just material gifts—they’re about creating quality time with family. This year, I’m planning to gift experiences that bring us together, from cooking classes to family outings. These shared moments foster deeper connections and leave a lasting impact, reminding us why we cherish each other so much. Consider gifting something that facilitates these experiences, like tickets to an event or even a beautifully curated dinner at home.

As I plan my gifts this season, I’ve also realized the importance of timeless pieces—items that will be cherished for years to come. A piece from Panache’s collection fits perfectly here. With its attention to detail, craftsmanship, and exclusivity, it’s more than just jewelry; it’s a memory, a celebration, a story. Don’t miss the chance to shop for these meaningful gifts and make someone’s holiday truly magical.

To inspire intentional giving, Kerai Kreative Style is here to help you celebrate purpose and thoughtfulness. Visit our website to explore how we can help make your holiday gift special. Whether it’s a styling session, a Styling Gift Card, or a timeless piece from Panache, we’re ready to bring your vision to life.

This year, let’s make our gifts count. Let’s give with meaning, choose with care, and live with purpose. Let’s create joy, inspire gratitude, and share experiences that matter. Because at the end of the day, the best gifts aren’t just things—they’re the love, thought, and intention behind them. Start your journey to intentional giving today by visiting Panache St. Maarten or booking a session with Kerai Kreative Style.
Let’s make this season unforgettable. ��✨

Do not forget to stay up to date by following any of our pages on social media or visiting our website:
www.keraikreativestyle.com
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Or e-mail us for any queries via info@keraikreativestyle.com




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