Melissa's Fun Skin Care Tips

Rice Water


The simple act of boiling rice for dinner can help you brighten your complexion!  Rice water contains high amounts of PABA, a natural form of sunscreen and Ferulic acid, a protection boosting antioxidant.  Allantoin, a chemical compound which retains moisture and encourages repair is also present.  Simply splashing the cold water onto your face and letting it air dry will leave you toned and radiant.

minimal beauty

We had some great fun on our recent shoot with photographer Alex Difiori. Our model Ariel's hair was wrapped in a tissue set, using a combo of products: Lulu Organic's hair powder, John Master's Shine, and Intelligent Nutrient's hairspray. Our Old City fav's: Minima provided the space and Sugarcube gave us some fun clothes to play with.

model: Ariel Leon Coeur
photographer: Alex Difiori
styling: Sarah Muhl/ Monique Mason
hair: Monique Mason
makeup: Kelley Hughes
Location: Minima

 

 

the price of feather hair extensions

Please take a moment to read this informative article about the popular feather hair extension trend and the effects it's having on the farming industry.  Our very own front desk jockey-Sarah Muhl researched and composed this educational piece for Very Glossy Magazine in hopes of spreading awareness about these feathers and how unethical the trend has become.

You can read the full article here
GET INFORMED!

Moko and Max green

Jolene Hart from Organic Beauty View spreads the word in this wonderful article about her discovery of moko and one of our favorite haircare brands, Max Green...

"During Fashion Week I expect to make lots of cool discoveries: new designers, makeup tips, style inspiration- you get the idea. But surprisingly, my favorite finds of the week happened to take place after I left NYC. My current home, Philadelphia, offers a number of trend-setting, organic beauty hotspots that feel quite ahead of the curve. A short walk from my apartment lands me at Juju Salon & Organics(one of Elle’s Top 100 Salons for 2009), an organic spa and salon duo, or Tierra Mia Organic Nail Spa, the nation’s first nail spa to use exclusively water-based polish, or at Moko (my latest discovery), a hip, green salon staffed by stylish, eco-conscious and organic-loving ladies in Philly’s Old City neighborhood. I was excited to find that Moko stocks a carefully curated collection of organic and natural beauty products; it’s a place where even a seasoned beauty writer can pick up a few new favorites. Which brings me to my next discovery: Scalp Rescue shampoo and conditioner from Max Green Alchemy. Even if you’re reading this post miles from the City of Brotherly Love, you’ll want to take note: Max Green shampoo is a must-try! Instead of sodium lauryl sulfate, it contains a coconut-based surfactant that lathers like a conventional brand- without the corrosive and hormone-altering health risks. And its conditioning partner contains the healing essential oils of tea tree, lemon tea tree, lavender, rosemary, geranium and macadamia seed oil to smooth hair without flattening. The staff at Moko swears by the set, especially for customers who haven’t yet acclimated to the non-foaming quality of SLS-free shampoos. I’ll definitely be using this line to convert organic hair care skeptics! Both the Max Green Alchemy Scalp Rescue shampooand conditioner smell softly herbal and, after my shampoo with Max Green at Moko, they left my long locks shiny and bouncy (the true test). I now know what I’ll be buying next time my shampoo bottle turns up empty!"
Writer :: Jolene Hart

 

Green on Display

Want to gain some insight into how moko was born and the materials used to transform our space from a retail store into the beautiful organic salon it is today? This article in the Philadelphia Inquirer features local businesses that were built or remodeled using eco-friendly materials and resources.  There is a lot to consider when modernizing a turn of the century store front.

Read the full article here

Good Life

Check out our first feature in Philadelphia Magazine,

Debut: Moko

By Ashley Primis

No wonder Monique Mason, owner of Old City newbie Moko, describes her gleaming, weeks-old shop as “holistic” — many of her services, from the 45-minute scalp therapy treatment ($55) to the Kelley Hughes-performed 90-minute ayurvedic balancing facial ($120), incorporate aromatherapy and massage. But Mason wants to make sure you take that newfound restored, relaxed, balanced and pretty feeling home with you, so she’s dedicated as much of her teensy space to selling top-notch organic and ­natural beauty products — like these soaps from 4mula, a nationally adored, Bella Vista-based, sweet-smelling bath and body line — as she has to those beautifying treatments. That makes this oasis more than just a spa, salon or shop — it’s an instant ­addiction.
55 North 3rd Street, 215-922-MOKO.

PHOTOGRAPH BY JEFF FUSCO

Coming Clean

wowee-what a sweet review from aroundphilly.com...

"Monique Mason’s new beauty haven, Moko, feels like our favorite Old City shops – eclectic wares artfully arranged within tiny storefronts staffed by extreme extroverts – but, like all the rest, it’s just different enough to stand out. For starters, the spa and beauty destination is eco-friendly, only stocking all-natural products on its very-limited shelf space. They’re the same tried-and-true lotions and potions used in Moko treatments like the ayurvedic balancing facial, which uses a blend of Indian herbs and essential oils to get skin back to good, and the detox scalp treatment, perfect for summer to rid tresses of nasty product overload. But before the pampering can begin, aesthetician Kelly Hughes meets with each client to analyze their diet, stress level and sleeping patterns before tailoring each service to meet their needs. You’ll want to lie about your obsession with chocolate croissants and how you wake up in cold sweats about work but do yourself a favor and fess up. She’s there to help."