We can’t all have sables and yachts but we’ve all got ladies to shop for this season and sometimes they fall decidedly into one of two categories – he keeps a list you know and knows if you’re naughty or nice. Whether it’s Hanukah, Kwanza, or Christmas, the holidays are nearly in full swing so we’ve gathered a list of fun gifts your favorite angel, or devil, is sure to love.

For the good girls we have some wholesome treats -

Clean Eau de Parfum and Soft Body Lotion by D’Lish, available at www.beauty.com, are modeled after that “just stepped out of the shower” fresh scent and they smell incredible. Orange, sweet lime, pink grapefruit, rose geranium, and white musk comprise the fragrance. The moisturizer is great because, unlike a lot of companion lotions that just smell good, this not only packs the great fragrance but contains shea butter, sweet almond oil, vitamin E, and aloe vera to keep your well covered and demure body silky smooth.

Rosehips and Lavender Fresh Linen Water by Archive, www.archivebath.com & www.vickery.com, is simplicity at its classiest. A subtle soft scent in a beautiful 35 oz. glass apothecary style bottle, complete with rubber stopper, this linen water is perfect for the rinse cycle of the laundry and for ironing all those crisp shirts your favorite pillar of purity is known to don.

Sure to please anyone on your list is Stila’s Delux Confections Assortment, www.stilacosmetics.com. Packaged in a candy box this is truly sweets for your sweet. Two eyeshadows, a cheek color, lip color, lip polish, 2 all over shimmer powders, and a cr譥 bouquet candle all fit in the colorful box and are great for travel. How could she resist?

If you haven’t smelled Laura Mercier’s Creme Brulee candle, www.lauramercier.com, then you simply have not lived. A delicate blend of caramel, French vanilla bean, white musk, peony, rose, and jasmine this candle is amazing and will fill her home with sweetness for 40-50 hours of burn time. It comes packaged in a pretty organza bag and seriously, this is a great smelling candle.

Now, you know the bad girls are going to have their fun with or without you.

Marshmallow and Cocoa from Urban Decay, www.urbandecay.com, are edible body shimmers. Yes, you can lick them off. Yes, they are tasty. Yes, they will get you into trouble. “Taste my neck” is generally enough to get things started. The shimmers on their own, a glistening white for Marshmallow and a champagne beige for Cocoa, are beautiful and Urban Decay only makes these at holiday time so hurry to pick one up.

Tarte’s mini cheekstain set, www.beauty.com & www.tartecosmetics.com, can help you maintain that “flushed” look with three different options. Mind you, it’s your business how you got that look in the first place. “Flush” and “Tickled” are shades of pink and red while the limited edition “Puttin’ on the Glitz” is a clear with gold shimmer. These blushes are water and glycerin based, oil free and stay on through a long night of..reading..the Bible. Or whatever else you choose to do.

And speaking of other things to do, how many times have you gotten a massage from your loved one and ended up a greasy mess at the end? Shobha, www.shobhathreading.com, has a brand new warming massage oil called Chandana which, aside from being grease-free, is my new favorite smell. Infused with sandalwood (which is what Chandana means in Indian), cinnamon, patchouli, ginger, and clove oils, it smells amazing. The formula is water soluble, heats to the touch, and is sure to get things literally hot and
steamy.

Valley of the Divas Lip Gloss Palette from Too Faced, www.toofaced.com, is perfect for all those makeup addicts. Six great shades of gloss infused with avocado, passion fruit, aloe vera, and tea tree oil are sure to please in a choice of “Beauty Binge” (pinks, berries, and mauves) and “Lip Trip” (fawns, mochas, and peaches). These are little dolls Patty would approve of.

Dirty Girl’s Everyday Spa Day Mini Kit from BlueQ, www.band-its.net & www.blueq.com is great for those girls who have a lot of “sleepovers” at “a friend’s house”. Filled with bath salts, body mist, moisturizer, lip balm, and a notebook to keep track of your exploits, these kits are also available in Queen, for the regal, Wash Away Your Sins, for the repentant, and Total Bitch for.well, you don’t have to sign the card, do
you?

Finally, you’ve either been very, very nice or very, very naughty if you end up with a tower of 12 shimmering gift boxes flowing with ribbons from Haven Spa in NYC, www.havensoho.com, 212-343-3515. Their “Comfort and Joy” holiday gift package contains 12, yes we said 12, individually wrapped spa gift certificates as well as deluxe spa gifts in each box. From facials, to massage (ask for Rebecca), to a chocolate body wrap, and more this is truly the gift that keeps on giving all the year through as well as being extremely unique.

So give or receive – tis the season! Happy Holidays!

Ok mamas, I couldn’t leave you in my last article with just fresh, ageless looking skin. I know they use us for IVORY soap commercials and the “pure” look. But, we mothers are also ravishing beauties with creative, dramatic looks. And beauty like anything worth having requires a little work. I know, I know, that last statement makes you laugh after all your work with your little one’s colds and teething pain this season already. I myself have been to Jax’s pediatrician 4 times in the last few weeks. But there is nothing that feels so good next to an arm wipe full of baby snot, than a peek in the mirror to find Lancome’s Rouge Sensation Brown Sugar Velvet lipstick is still going strong! So, I went back to the counters at Herald Square Macy’s, the Lord & Taylor at Aventura Mall, Aventura, Florida and Bal Harbor Shops, Bal Harbor, Florida for you mamas, and this time let’s talk makeup.

Lancome Delicious
I went to back to the counters with armfuls of baby oatmeal smears and my mama goals. Remember, timing is key. Mothers have none. So, the makeup has to be simple. Lancôme was not only simple but deliciously mama-friendly. First, their choices for foundations and concealers. I am a normal-combination skin, and I like looking tan. The thought of scheduling a 10 minute tanning booth when going to pee poses a challenge is ludicrous. So for day-time I prefer to use their Soleil Flash Bronzer with Pure Vitamin E (ahhh it feels lite, lovely) on the face with touches of Photogenic Skin Illuminating Concealer SPF 15 around the eyes and a quick brush of Photogenic Sheer Pressed Powder for the nose. Finally, for the perfect, I just have that natural, healthy looking tan look face (yeah, right!), Lancôme’s Star Bronzer Bronzing Powder SPF 8 for Face and Body. For evenings, when my husband and I go on date nights (absolutely, positively necessary!), I pull back on the bronzer products and use the Dual Finish Fragrance Free Powder for my base with more of a dramatic color on the cheeks that I found wonderfully in their Blush Focus line.

I Spy with My Little Eye
My eye makeup during the day is the critical focal point but can’t be too heavy. I kiss my son so much that no matte lipstick in the world stays without re-application. So not so colorful lips must be offset with carefully accented eyes. I love Lancôme’s long-lasting Le Stylo waterproof eyeliner with the sponge tip applique. Soft, but utterly stated. After that follows their waterproof Definicils mascara. I tend to not wear eye shadow during the day, but for evenings mamas their new Divine Holiday Collection is simply divine!!! Wow! For lips, day or night, I love to outline my lips with their Le Crayon Lip Caramel liner, and fill in with their Rouge Sensation Brown Sugar Velvet (Velvet means matte to Lancôme). But evenings, when I want to attract my big Daddy’s “juicy” kisses, I throw on a little of their Juicy Rouge line ­ lip-licious!!!! Finito ­ oohhh, and thanks Ginny down in Aventura MMall, Florida. Ginny’s been with Lancôme 14 years and she is a quintessential counter lady- brava, brava!

Estee Lauder ­ UH OH
Unfortunately ladies I cannot rave as easily on the Estee Lauder line. I am surprised. I love their skin care products but they just let me down on the makeup. They do a fine job on the foundations and concealers. For my skin type I use their Equalizer Smart Loose powder #2 with their Lucidity Concealer #2. When I asked at the counters of Saks, Bal Harbor about their self-tan products, they did not have testers or samples, so I can’t comment on those too well. And by the way Estee, you might want to do a surprise visit at your Bal Harbor counter ­ yikes! I could do a whole article on that alone, but I’ll be fair and stick to the makeup. So for a gleam of the sun, their Amber Bronze Duo Pressed Powder does the job. I do like very much EL’s 2 mascara choices for day and evening. Estee Lauder has an Illusionist line for day and the Magnascopic line (thicker, fuller) for nighttime. But when I asked about which is waterproof, I was told that they only had one waterproof mascara and the others were “water-resistant.” So double-check mamas, because I for one, need to have waterproof. As my son swam out the birth canal he left behind his angel-dust that sprinkled my heart and if I ever cried before, that is nothing like the waterworks now. (Baby angel dust when sprinkled on the heart will increase the aorta valves to double size). Their Automatic Eye Pencil is the product for EL I can swear by. They too, have a double-ended pencil and soft sponge for fixing smudges and rolls on like a dream!

EL’s Lip smacking? More like Lip cracking
What most disappointed at the EL counter were the lip products. Their newest product out is the Vinyl gloss stick and while yummy to look at is absolutely unrealistic for mommies. It is so yummy looking that my son tried to eat it and liked it!! It is just gummy, gummy, gummy! When asked if theey carried any mattes, I was declined. The Artist’s Lip Pencil literally crumbled on my lip line it was so dry. So for creamy, colorful full lips that won’t drip, smudge, crack or become your child’s next snack, pass on EL mamas!

Queen Elizabeth, of course
Elizabeth Arden continues to be regal, elegant. My big critique with our dear Queen Elizabeth is her hard-to-navigate, hard-to-find personality. Now, I know the royals are discreet, but this lady is a mystery. Elizabeth was at Macy’s and Lord & Taylor but was not found at Saks and Neiman’s. Also, their website feels quite tricky. There are no online consultations so you need to be product savvy before entering the site. The only product button is for “new” products. If you are ambitious and tireless, and insist on leaving no stone unturned, you might go to the “shop” button which says “shop for fragrances”, and there you can pull up their line of products at say Dillards for example and find new and continuing products. A workout of royal proportions!

Difficulties aside, once you encounter Elizabeth, their counter people are exquisite. For their makeup, I stayed incredibly simple but stunning. Instead of using foundation at all, I went with their Sheer Lights Illuminating Tint Moisturizer with SPF 15. A tinted moisturizer, with suncreen that acts like a foundation ­ now that’s delivery mamas! Combine that with their Bronzing Powder Duo and a light brush of their Loose Pressed Powder on the nose, and you’re a healthy looking mom-on-the-go!! Their Defining Mascara works nicely but again, check on waterproof if that is a concern. The nice thing here is that the Defining mascara line for Elizabeth is geared towards sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. I am both. At 10 p.m., my eyes start to dry out and if my mascara is harsh, it can be a painful experience. The eye liner choice for me here is their Smoky Eyes Powder Pencil in Espresso. Again, the dual sponge tip ­ muy muy importante! Their eye shadows I found to be satisfying but basic ­ try their Eye Shadow & Compact ­ a real bargain.

“Lips Only” Please
Now Elizabeth has got the right idea on the lips. For Lips, their Lip Definer is a crème lip pencil with a dual sponge tip end for cleaning up the smudges. Just like eyes, if you want your lips to be full, beautiful, but exacting, this clean up sponge tip is wonderful. I have seen too many lips look like a clown’s lips, including my own, and it’s a disaster. My husband will not take down a series of pictures of me with smudged lips ­ arrgggh! Someday when he is on a business trip I will have to say I broke the glass and frame while cleaning. And finally, Queen Elizabeth’s wonderful lip choices in their new Color Intrigue line or their Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant SPF 15 stick. I couldn’t decide which I liked better so I had to get both! The Color Intrigue line was having a buy 1 get 1 free special so I ended up with quite a bouquet of color for my lips at this counter. Last little secret on Elizabeth – royal though she may be, she’ll make you a cheap date! Compare the three lines and this little royal gives you a bang for your buck!

What’s in Mamas Stocking this Christmas
Ok Mamas, here’s what’s going on my list for Santa: Elizabeth Arden’s Sheer Lights Illuminating Tint Moisturizer with SPF 15 and Lancôme’s Star Bronzer Bronzing Powder with SPF 8. Touch those products up with Lancôme Photogenic Skin Illuminating Concealer SPF 15 around the eyes and a quick brush of Lancôme Photogenic Sheer Pressed Powder for the nose! It seems like a few products but once applied, I need no re-applications all day even after a hundred snuggles and kisses. This combination of products takes me right into evening if a date-night makes the calendar. The Estee Lauder eye makeup makes Santa’s list next. First Estee Lauder’s Automatic Eye Pencil. Then the Estee Lauder mascaras. Illusionist by day and Magnascopic by night. Now, believe it or not ­ I didn’t take off the Illusionist before applying the Magnascopic. I used Illusionist lightly for daytime and then for nighttime did a re-application using Magnascopic ­ magnifique! To dramatize the eyes for nighttime date nights or even a candlelight dinner for three or four or god bless the patron saints of five and up ­ Lancôme’s Divine Holiday Collection of eyeshadows. For mommy kisses all day, I pick the Elizabeth Arden Lip Definer with smudge tip, and Lancôme’s Rouge Sensation Brown Sugar Velvet (the only matte I could find, God bless Lancôme). Mmmh? Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight!

I’m signing off here mamas with an extra special holiday message. Since you do so much to make this season special and even remember the distant aunt of your husband’s side of the family that is in a nursing home in Atlanta somewhere ­ don’t gyp yourself. Since you are Santa™s greatest helper, let yourself be divine this season! That’s all and amen sister. Have a blessed holiday. I myself will be glittering under our tree in my Lancôme Holiday Collection of Eyeshadows that goes so well with my new baby blue, cowl neck sweater from Mossimo, making ginger cookies out of 100 year old heirloom cookie cutters – imagine that!

Take care, see you in the New Year. Love, Mama

December is here with a vengeance! In New York, this means cold, bitter, windy air outdoors and dry, parching heat indoors. These climate changes can wreak havoc on our sensitive lips, leaving them resembling an arid desert wasteland. Not a pretty visual is it? Well, if chapped lips are painful to look at, they’re even worse to kiss. Many men do take care of their lips by applying copious amounts of petroleum jelly that makes their lips look like collagen surgery gone wrong. Others use a warped sense of logic by stating that ChapStick, Blistex, and the like leave their lips feeling drier than they were before, hence choosing not to use any lip moisturizer at all. Lastly, there’s a third group of men that have the notion that lip balms are too feminine and give their lips an unnatural shiny glow (or worse yet, glittery). Well, if men want to cuddle up and make some lovin’ with a significant other in front of a fireplace or another romantic setting, it’s important that they take care of their puckers lest they find themselves snuggling alone.

Actress Jodi Fung came out with a fantastic product that I immediately fell in love with upon application – Lipp Lube. She founded Lipprication to market the only matte lip balm known to currently exist in the market. Trust me, I’ve looked. Now I also swear by Burt’s Bees and Kiehl’s lip balms, but both products have a consistency and shine that isn’t exactly my cup of tea. Lipp Lube, however, takes the cake – talk about invisible armor for your lips. The amalgamation of sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, vitamin E oil, and cocoa butter moisturizes lips without the shine. In fact, even after several glasses of juice, a chicken pot pie, a double espresso, and a glass of wine, I still felt Lipp Lube working to protect against chapping and heat irritation. Unlike most lip moisturizers, Lipp Lube stays on your lips so that you don’t stamp perfect impressions of your smackers on glassware. Who ever heard of a non-greasy super moisturizing lip balm until today? As an added bonus, the lip balms smell good and taste great. They’re presently available in three flavors: Cherry Flesh, Rum Butter, and Cream Soda. The container is lightweight, small, and discrete. A little dab on your finger also goes a long way, so you get a lot of bang for your buck (presently $13.50 each).

Women will love Lipp Lube for the flavors, moisturizing protection, and the cute, reusable container. It also acts as a fantastic foundation for lipstick and other lip enhancers. However, the product is geared towards men who want healthy lips without the radioactive glow. Celebrities that regularly use Lipp Lube include Henry Simmons, Heather Graham, Claire Forlani, and Josh Coxx. Quite a few pro athletes swear by the product, including NHL players from the LA Kings, Atlanta Thrashers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Colorado Avalanche, as well as a few NBA and NFL ballers.

The only downside to Lipprication is that it does not yet offer lip balms with SPF protection. However, Ms. Fung has proved herself to be a genius when it comes to innovation, so I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Lipp Lube flavors with added sun protection in the near future. So guys, you no longer have any excuse to let things slide. Don’t be “that guy” with gator-lips; keep your puckers smooth and supple.

Lipprication
11685 Picturesque Dr.
Studio City, CA 91604
Phone & Fax: 818-985-3583
www.lipprication.com

No, I don’t know what the expression, “The Bees Knees” means, so don’t ask me. What I do know is that it is used to describe something one has a good feeling about and I definitely have good feelings about all of the Burt’s Bees products. All of the products are natural, packaged in minimal and mostly recycled or reusable materials, and do wonderful things to your hair, skin, and lips. Now that winter is here and weighing down on us heavily, breaking peeling and chipping away at our summer and fall-kissed bodies, we must fight against it, rallying our troops of fine products to protect us against weapons of cold air and frost and reconstructing our forts from the damage they have done. We need new means of moisture from head to toe.

This is where Burt’s Bees comes in. I use the products as my own little secret weapons. The following are some suggestions:

Avocado Butter Hair Treatment
It may be thick, gooey, and green, but don’t let that stop you. Made for damaged, chemically treated, or brittle hair, it coats every strand in its wonderful scent. Although I never touch my hair dryer (too much effort), I still have brittle hair and therefore, decided that I could still give it a try. I’m a sucker for avocado anything. After one use, I could feel the difference. No, it’s not a conditioner and is to be used even before shampooing, but combined with my usual shampoo and conditioner, this one little tube has saved my hair from the winter devil. The ingredients in this wonderful product are 99.25% natural, consisting of vegetable glycerin, olive oil, oat protein, avocado oil, orange oil, lanolin, sweet almond oil, water, tocopherol (vitamin E), nettle extract, and rosemary extract, fragrance, all of which promote hair growth and health. Tell me about it. P.S. It can also be used to style your hair. Fantastic, right?

Marshmallow Vanishing Cream
Rose water, sunflower oil, stearic acid (vegetable fat), mango butter, vegetable glycerin, beeswax, natural flavor, grapeseed oil, rosehip seed oil, tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), marshmallow extract, willowbark extract, calendula flower extract, rosemary leaf extract, fragrance, sucrose stearate (sugar emulsifier), tocopherol, beta carotene, xanthan gum (natural thickener), sodium borate (natural borax), glucose & glucose oxidase & lactoperoxidase (sugar and natural enzymes) make up this luscious product. I have to admit, I, too, have no idea of what half of the ingredients are, but marshmallow root has been used for hundreds of years to tone facial skin. Although the moisturizer is not as light as some might want it to be, it does do the trick.

The gooey goodness was worth the glow it left on my face. I now like to use it at night and in the morning. I had the driest (I’m serious) skin in the creases of the sides of my nose (don’t pretend like it’s never happened to you), and with the vanishing cream, the dryness vanished within two days. P.S. Even though it smells great, with its marshmallow and mango, I wouldn’t advise eating it. What would be the fun in that? Beeswax Lip Balm This is honestly the best thing that has ever happened to my lips and will be for yours. If you’ve never heard of this product, come out of the cave you live in and join the world of smooth lips that will leave your significant other wanting to pucker up to you for years to come. The balm comes in either a tin or a tube. I prefer the tube, simply because the tin is a bit hard to open. After using lip medication, I enjoy that tingling feeling without subconsciously thinking that it’s ripping off my lips. Made of beeswax, coconut oil, sunflower oil, tocopheryl acetate & tocopherol (vitamin E), lanolin, peppermint oil, comfrey root extract, rosemary extract, Burt’s Bees lip balm is my favorite and will remain to be my favorite as long as they keep making it.

Coconut Foot Creme
I was a dancer and therefore, my feet are super ugly. No, I mean grotesque. After getting out of my wonderfully relaxing bath in which I followed directions in using a pumice stone to grind off all of my disgusting dry skin, I lathered on the amazing smelling coconut foot creme with ease, smiling all along at the thought of my newly softened tootsies. After rubbing the yummy goodness all the way up my calf (I got a bit carried away), I put on some socks…Okay, not just any socks, the cutest yellow socks with little embroidered bees on the sides. The best part: They come in the package…no joke! I woke up this morning and immediately ripped off the socks. I saw a 200% difference in the softness of my feet. Here’s the kicker: My hands were even softer than my toes. P.S. Next time, (tonight, no doubt) I am going to go grandma-styles and sleep in gloves!

I’ve always been skeptical about the whole hair “salon” experience. The idea that you walk into a place with scissor-handed people eagerly waiting to get a chop at your tresses has always scared me. And that you step out feeling a million dollars was just a far-fetched notion held by insecure women who divulge their personal problems on their hairdresser like they’re unloading their laundry. It just never worked for me. Until I saw Kino.

I walked past the window of this small, gallery-like place for weeks wondering if it was going to be a new bar, an artist cybercafé or another new Japanese vinyl store. After all it’s the East Village where everyday, even on my street, (10th St.), new places are popping up all the time. It’s incredible how the street has changed in the 4 years I’ve been there.

“Stu, Stu Studio”
It was a hair salon started up by Toshi Kino. Though somehow “salon” doesn’t seem the right word, so let’s call it a hair studio. Designed by his Japanese friend Taka, the interior is perhaps the best expression of Kino’s vision of hair. “I didn’t want anything over the top. Something simple, balanced and understated.” Just three black leather, swivel chairs, with white covered walls and the name “ONIK” in red spelt backwards so it reflected “KINO” in the mirror. The design alone tells you this is not an “in and out’” joint. You go and stay therefore as long as it takes.

Less is more.
It’s this minimalist feel makes you feel like you’re the center of attention, the single focus in the mirror, the canvas for the artist, which is exactly what Toshi Kino is.

Just watching him trim, cut and style hair is fascinating. Holding the scissors at an angle, he cuts the hair wet, then dry so he can fully understand the texture of your hair. When I asked him about his technique, he replied: “It’s depends on how I feel.” But with over 6 years training in Tokyo, you can’t help thinking it’s that inherent Japanese passion for precision that makes his cut so perfect. All Toshi divulges is, “how much I cut is unimportant. How much is left is.”

The mane man of the runways
From Gisele to Heidi, Toshi’s works on famous tresses of many of the super models. Even more impressive, he works with the likes of Odile Gilbert, one of the world’s most innovative hair stylists, as well as, Garren (Henri Bendel) and Michigan hair guru, Jimmy Paul, the celebrity stylist to famous heads like Debra Messing and Jennifer Aniston.

But name-dropping is not Kino’s style. He can’t remember any of the models’ names he’s worked on or all the designer shows he just did for the recent Prét a Porter and Haute Couture fashion shows in Paris. (He’s worked on shows for Jean Paul Gaultier, Olivier Theyskens, Marc Jacobs and tons of others. I found that out from an old resume he gave me!).

“Hair is fashion”
He’s more interested in talking about hair. “Hair is fashion” and as result he’s always looking at styles, what’s out there, what artists are wearing, what young people are inspired by and what he can interpret from the streets and absorb into his work.

Creativity vs. Convenience
Toshi understands the fast life in New York. “Paris is where you can really create. New York is different.” Most New Yorkers are so busy, so inundated with work, the gym and other things, they don’t have time to blowout their hair every morning. So Toshi cuts around this fact.

On my first visit, I asked him for something that would suit my personality, something like me, low maintenance, “messy”, that “just out of bed” look, but versatile enough so I can put it up, down or any way I want. That’s what he gave me and each time I go back, he does something subtle, but a little different each time.

Can’t get no satisfaction
It is this drive to do something different each time that challenges him everyday. He’s not happy to just cut n’ color and have a nice little business. “It’s all about change.” Everyday I look to do something different. Try something new. It’s not that I’m a perfectionist, but I always want something more. Something original.”

Get a head start
So if you want something new, something original, something younger, check out KINO. And experience the Japanese art of cutting. I’ve recommended him to my closest friends and sisters. They won’t dare step into another “hair salon” again.

And the good news….hair cuts start at $60+ and up and hair color starts at $60+. This is extremely reasonable when you consider highlights alone can cost $120+.

Plus, as I mentioned earlier, he takes the time to show you all the different ways you can change your hair for all your different moods. Finally, a hair stylist who really understands women!

For a holiday head rush this season, head to KINO – it’ll change your hair and idea of a “hair salon” forever.

KINO
241 East 10th St., (bet 1 +2Ave)
Phone: 212-475-6826

I fake it. I’m confessing once and for all that I don’t rely on blush or getaways to Miami to look healthy in the wintertime. A few years ago, I made the discovery that 20 minutes in a tanning bed on a gray day in February left me feeling and looking like I had spent a day at the beach. For fear of being called out for this Georgette Burns concept of beauty, I hid this occasional habit from all but my closest friends, and allowed everyone else believe that I have a naturally olive complexion. But now that fake tanning has become acceptable behavior north of New Jersey, I’m coming clean. However, I realize that if this vanity is to continue, I’ve got to find a safer option, so I went to Brazilian Bronze Glow Bar to research spray-on tans.

Treatment day: I popped into SoHo’s Brazilian Bronze Glow Bar and was met by Sally Blemkey-Tchassova, a former professional ballroom dancer from England. I stood in a small, curtained-off space wearing nothing but a paper g-string (this is an option for the more modest of clients), while Sally used an airbrush to carefully apply her own tanning concoction to my body. The advantage of having someone perform this service for you, as opposed to using a Fantasy Tan automatic spray booth, is that Sally took special care to distribute the tan in a natural-looking way. For example, she made my stomach slightly tanner since stomachs tend to be a shade darker, and she also took the time to apply liquid latex to my finger and toenails so I didn’t walk out with orange nails. Considering that Sally has sprayed the bodies of J. Lo and Britney Spears, one could feel a little insecure standing naked before her under a harsh light, but Sally is careful to make you feel as comfortable as possible. After less than 10 minutes the spray session was over and I was led into another tiny room where a fan and a hairdryer finished the job in several minutes. When getting this treatment, be sure to bring loose-fitting clothes to wear home afterwards. The tan takes about 8 hours to set, and I recommend leaving yourself a light schedule in the hours following. You won’t look like a freak, but you won’t look completely normal either. After washing, the resulting tan is supposed to last about 5 days.

1st day: When I woke up the next morning, I showered off the excess spray and was left with a very pleasing tan. I glowed all the way to a breakfast meeting, to the bank, and to work, and essentially spent the day giving out the Glow Bar’s phone number. One co-worker xeroxed all the information I had about the treatment for his wife, who’s a skin cancer survivor. The results were as natural as a fake tan can be, and the general consensus was that I was not orange.

Day 2: Sally recommended that while I have the tan, I not scrub my body too hard, and I definitely had to lay off my beloved loofah for a week. So I noticed on the second day that the tan was disappearing in places that got a lot of washing, namely my hands and face. By that night I realized that I had subtle white splotches around my forehead and eyes, areas that, as it turns out, I rub when I’m under stress.

Day 3: The tan on my face continued to fade as I used astringent each night, while my neck and the rest of my body remained very tan.

Day 4: My face was now snow white, but the tan on my body was still going strong.

Day 5: I had to loofah my neck and arms because I had an important meeting to attend and my skin was beginning to look the shade and texture of a stucco wall.

Conclusion: The Brazilian Bronze treatment is amazing, but due to its inconsistencies in the days following the first, I think it’s best for a special occasion such as a wedding or party (unless you don’t shower, wash your hands, or touch your face). When it starts to get blotchy, an abrasive material like a loofah should even it out. For more information visit www.brazilbronze.com or to make an appointment call (212) 431-0077 or email sally@brazilbronze.com .

When I was thirteen, the inevitable fate of adolescence came upon me. Mercifully, the hair trends of the late 1980′s saved me from being the victim of teenage ridicule. With no more than four strands of hair sprayed high into “the wall” above my head, I was left with a substantial set of dark brunette bangs to cover my acne – the horrific proof of one going through puberty. When my mom suggested I get a facial, I enthusiastically accepted the offer to experience what I thought to be a luxurious spa treatment. But alas, this facial was not to be the least bit relaxing. I can only imagine the hideousness that the facialist witnessed under the magnifying mirror as she picked and squeezed her way across my hormonally charged forehead. I vowed never to receive a facial again and opted instead for a dermatologist and a tube of Retin-A.

Fast forward 10 years: I’ve since reneged my original vow, and subsequently relived the trauma of my 13th year time and time again at various Manhattan salons. But, for whatever reason, I was strangely optimistic when making my way to the reputable skincare spa, Mario Badescu a mere two weeks ago. The staff at MB was quite gracious and never once winced upon seeing the less-than-perfect skin I presented to them. After ogling the numerous signed photographs of celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Sarah Jessica Parker thanking Mario Badescu profusely for “everything,” I couldn’t help but feel vaguely like a celebrity myself – desperately seeking refuge, relief and anonymity in this gem of a spa found hidden off 2nd Avenue on 52nd Street, in a residential area of Manhattan. I was escorted to a private room in a designated section of the spa, away from the hustle and bustle being caused by new (and in my opinion unnecessary) renovations.

Perhaps my optimism played a part, but the Mario Badescu facial is hands down the best facial I’ve ever gotten. Not only is their famous European Facial an extremely reasonable $65, but they also add some small touches that make all the difference in the world. For example, the hand treatment is like the extra side of salad dressing that your waitress gives you without adding an annoying 50 cents to your bill. My hands, chafed from the extreme change in weather, were immediately slathered with a rich moisturizing cream and placed gently into toasty warm gloves for the duration of the facial (and they later emerged from those gloves feeling softer than ever before!). I practically fell asleep when Maria, my wonderful facialist, left me and my face alone to “steam.” Upon her arrival back into my consciousness, Maria created a relaxed atmosphere by massaging the creams and lotions not only into my face, but into my tense neck and shoulders as well. Cleansing my face thoroughly with only the best products for my particular face, Maria prepped me for some major work to be done. Sans tools (as is the rule at MB), she picked and squeezed her way across my substantially broken out chin-line as aggressively as the facialist did back when I was 13. But I was a trooper this time. I had been through the discomfort of bikini waxes and electrolysis by the time I was 25 – a few minutes of painful blemish control was nothing in the name of flawless skin, right?

It should be noted that Mario Badescu makes skincare their priority. Although they offer all the same types of services as other spas (i.e. waxing, massage, manicures etc.), their exceptional (and very reasonably priced) line of products for every need and every skin type is what makes MB so unique. Maria knew exactly what types of cleansers, toners, masks, and special treatments to use on my face based on my particular skin problems. She recommended that I have another facial in no more than 3 weeks in order to keep the skin clean and rid of bacteria. Those with better skin than me could wait a bit longer. But I have to say, getting a facial here (or any other treatment for that matter) was so wonderful, I can’t think of a reason not to come back as soon as they have an appointment open (which, ironically, could be 3-4 weeks considering how popular MB is). A seaweed treatment, used to disinfect and revitalize my skin, tacked on another 20 minutes or so. All and all, the facial, along with any of the extra treatments one might opt for, is a bit of a time investment. However, the experience is certainly worth the wait.

After my facial, I’ll admit to being a bit aghast by my appearance. Even though Maria gave me fair warning, I was still surprised to see what seemed like more blemishes on my chin line than I had when I walked in that day. But seeing the glow and clean landscape of the rest of my face made me very happy (and rest assured, my entire face looked fantastic by the next morning). As with each of MB’s clients, I was immediately ushered into the product room to discuss my future skincare regimen. I’ve always felt that my skincare specialist should have flawless skin in much the same way that my personal trainer at the gym should have a fantastic body. Wendy had just that. I was looking at her canvas of clean, glowing, make-up-less skin and listening to her say that we have the same skin related issues. So, needless to say, I swore to do whatever she told me to do – and that’s just what I’ve been doing for the past two weeks to great success. I begin by cleansing my face with the Cucumber Enzyme Cleanser and following up with the Special or Regular Cucumber Lotion/Toner (depending on my level of breakouts). I use their oil-free moisturizer under my make-up and end my day with the miraculous Buffering Lotion to reduce breakouts and redness overnight. About twice a week, I use the Acne Mask or the Healing & Soothing Mask. I also recommend their Hyaluronic Eye Cream (for the sensitive, extra dry skin around the eyes) as well as their famous Drying Lotion (for those white-head emergencies).

Granted, the products I mentioned are designed to keep my acne-prone skin under control, but I have no doubt all of their products are just as effective. You can purchase products, as well as gift packages and certificates, easily from their website – www.mariobadescu.com. If you’re still clueless about what to get “him” for the holidays, MB has a great line of skincare products and spa treatments designed just for him! And why not treat yourself to one of their luxurious spa packages for the holidays? You deserve to feel like Jennifer Aniston for a day, don’t you?!

As a girl, I always dreamed of having an Ugly Duckling makeover. My cou would transform into a long spell of smooth, luminescent alabaster. Of course, reality set in, and I began to experiment with haircuts (a shag works wonders) and necklines (no crewnecks, please) to make my tiki hut look like an ivory tower. Today, I’ve finally grown to love the connection between my head and shoulders. That is until a recent well-known fashion magazine’s “age issue” ran a photograph of a plucked chicken to represent what time can do to this beauty asset.

Is this womankind’s fate, a flabby piece of pre-KFC poultry? Yes, aging causes skin to loose its youthful fullness, but we’re not turning into Perdue roasters anytime soon. In Ageless Beauty, dermatologist Steven Victor writes that when women reach their forties, the skin of the neck begins to loosen “because the collagen and elastin fibers become less organized and weaker. In addition, the layer of fat beneath it decreases, and the muscle structure begins to break down.”

Although there’s no way to turn back the hands of time, you can help preserve your pillar of beauty using the following expert advice.

An Early Start
According to Lia Schorr, founder of her eponymous Lexington Avenue day spa and Institute of Cosmetic Skin Care Training, there are a number of factors that can affect your neck’s appearance. Heredity, your daily regimen and extreme dieting can all leave you with prematurely sagging skin. Lia stresses “prevention at an early age” for an eternally alluring cou. By using a neck cream, you can help maintain the area’s hydration and elasticity. She advises using a moisturizer during the evening for “the best absorption.”

The Crèmes de la Crème
So, what to look for in your dream cream? With over 35 years of experience as an esthetician, Lia believes that a proper neck moisturizer “smoothes and pumps up the skin,” “leaving a great glow.” It should feel “totally moisturizing” and “never drying or tightening.” To firm and bring back skin’s natural resiliency, she recommends toning ingredients like copper or seaweed extract.

Whether you’re looking for a starter cream or an advanced lotion, BeautyNewsNYC suggests that you try these top-of-the-line products.

For all skin types:
Clarins Extra-Firming Neck Cream This intensive moisturizer helps smooth premature wrinkles and lines. $65 at www.macys.com

Sisley Botanical Throat Cream
From Sisley’s nature-inspired skincare line, this silky, light crème contains Rhatany and Lady’s Mantle extracts to minimize the appearance of fine lines. $127 at www.neimanmarcus.com

Estée Lauder Resilience Lift Extra-Firming Revitalizing Mask
This high-tech treatment is perfect for giving skin a quick boost. Sweet almond proteins form a matrix while a powerful blend of moisturizers cushion and hydrate dull skin. $38.50 at www.esteelauder.com

For mature or damaged skin:

DDF Cellular Revitalization Age Renewal
With firming copper, “cell-nourishing” phyto-estrogens and vitamin B complex, this cream gives mature or damaged skin a hydrating boost. $125 at www.ddfskincare.com

Living Right
To boost your neck cream’s benefits, Lia suggests that you follow these cardinal rules.
1. Abstain from smoking.
2. Drink moderate amount of caffeine and lots of water.
3. Sleep seven hours a night or more, and deal with stress through exercise and yoga.

Lia’s lifestyle is her secret to an eternally youthful appearance. If you’re looking into cosmetic surgery for the stretch of skin between your head and shoulders, she believes that neck lifts are only ideal for women over 45 and those with extensive sun damage.

Tools. The word conjures images of my dad’s old toolbox in the garage that got used every now and then. Wrenches, hammers, screwdrivers – you name it, it was in there. It didn’t hold too much allure for me so who knew that years later I would have my own toolbox—and I consider mine just as essential to keeping a peaceful household. Makeup brushes are my tools of choice and sometimes it’s hard to know which ones to get and what will work the best for you. There are literally hundreds to choose from so I’ve narrowed down some of my favorites, trying to veer away from the old standbys. These are brushes from tried and true lines and from lines that you may not be too familiar with. However, they all have one thing in common they’re all quality and worth their cost.

And before we get into specifics, cost is a big thing with brushes. They can be expensive. However, if you are spending money in a department store on cosmetics, to get their full potential, you need some quality brushes—because q-tips are not going to cut it. Realistically, this is an investment and you don’t have to do it all at once (and it’s holiday time so make a list and give it to someone who loves you). Good brushes should last you years if you take care of them properly. And just what does that entail?

To be the best mother hen to your brushes you should give them a bath regularly, once a week is ideal. You can use your shampoo or face wash because your skin is already accustomed to them and they won’t irritate you. In my opinion, you don’t need to buy a brush cleaner unless you’re a makeup artist needing to clean brushes quickly at a shoot. When you wash them, if you really want to baby them, you can even condition the natural fibered brushes. It sounds silly, but it will keep them soft and extend their life. After you’re done, lay them out on a towel over night. If you stand them up straight in a cup then water can seep under the casing over time and cause it to come undone. Not good if you’ve dropped a lot of money.

So okay, now you’re a pro in the care department, and you just need to know what you should look at. We’ll start with your face.

If you’ve never used a brush with your liquid foundation it might sound like a gimmick but it actually gives you flawless coverage and keeps your fingers clean. Paula Dorf’s Foundation Brush, www.pauladorf.com, is made of a synthetic fiber you’ll be hearing about a lot called taklon. Taklon is ideal for liquid agents because the bristles don’t absorb the color but deposit it directly onto your face, thereby wasting less product. Paula’s brush is excellent because it’s a good size, has a nicely tapered head, and feels gentle on the skin.

I also really like taklon brushes in dealing with concealors. La Bella Donna, www.labelladonna.com, makes a great one that basically looks like a really big eyeshadow brush. It does an incredible job of smoothing out concealor to be very sheer or can allow for more coverage depending on how much blending you do. You don’t have to work a lot with this brush to look bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, which is preferable because you’re generally in the undereye area where you don’t want to do a lot of pulling.

For blemishes, broken capillaries, and other very specific areas I like to use a tiny brush that allows me to be precise. Kevyn Aucoin’s Concealor Brush, www.kevynaucoin.com, is made of pony hair and has a tapered head that you can use to dot the problem area.

That line also makes an incredible powder brush that is my new favorite. The Large Blush and Powder Brush is made of goat hair and does an amazing job. You can get a very sheer application or very heavy depending on your preference with this brush. It isn’t too soft or hard, has a nice weight, and feels silky smooth on your face. The Lucite handle is a deep burgundy color and will look beautiful on your vanity.

Shu Uemura, www.beauty.com, is famous all over the world for their brushes and if you bought any one of them it would be a worthy investment. One of my favorites is the 14H Large Angeled Pony Hair Halbert Brush. It is a quality blush brush that’s on the thinner side and allows for specificity. All of Shu Uemura’s brushes are hand tied and cut and will last you for years.

If you like a little bit fluffier of a blush brush, Becca, www.beccacosmetics.com, has a wonderful line of raccoon brushes. They take the softest hair from the tail, no animals are harmed, and the wood used for the brush handles are renewable-resource plantation grown wood. Their #14 Contour Brush is perfect for creating a youthful glow or for contouring cheekbones.

For bronzing you want a brush with a wide head in order to avoid the orangey streaks. Nars’s Bronzing Brush, www.sephora.com, is useful because it has a good bristle length and count which allow for even coverage of bronzer. No one will know you didn’t really get down to Miami over the weekend.

If you’re wanting a little shimmer on your cheeks for a night on the town, it’s fun to use a fan-shaped brush, and Benefit, www.benefitcosmetics.com, makes a good one. Their Sheer Powder Brush is perfect for getting just a hint of shimmer on your skin as opposed to looking like afive-year-old who played in mommy’s makeup drawer.

Whew! You’d think that that would be enough wouldn’t you? No, no, you’ve got other features that we need to accentuate. You really can’t go wrong with most eyeshadow brushes as long as they’re not too rough on your skin.

For a general wash of color I really like Kevyn Aucoin’s Medium Eye Shadow Brush. It has soft bristles that give a nice distribution of color and blends very well into the crease.

www.maccosmetics.com, 275 Medium Angled Shading Brush is made with natural fibers and is a great pick. Soft and rounded, this makes for easy contouring in the crease. I also always grab for my Urban Decay, www.urbandecay.com, taklon Blending Brush repeatedly. It moves the color and doesn’t absorb all the pigment like some brushes can. AND, they’re currently on sale on Urban Decay’s website so go take a look.

For very specific “hits” of color or for diffusing smokiness, Bobbi Brown’s, www.bobbibrown.com, Blending Brush is wonderful. It can be used to throw a little spice in the center of the lid, which opens up the eye with some shimmer or color, and can smooth out deep colors for a pretty smokey eye.

When you’re dealing with crème eyeshadows, aside from fingerpainting, I find it best to work with all or partially synthetic brushes for the same reason we discussed taklon being effective with liquids. It won’t absorb your color or gunk up and MAC’s 242 Shader Brush is a terrific option since it is a firm blend of natural and synthetic fibers.

When it comes to lining your eyes there are a few schools of thought, angled, flat, and “smudger” brushes..I myself feel most comfortable with angled brushes, but to each his own. Paula Dorf’s Angle Liner Brush is made of taklon so it’s soft and isn’t too thick so you can draw different widths of lines.Trish McEvoy, www.trishmcevoy.com, has incredible brushes and everyone copied her #11 Eye Definer/Shadow Liner Brush. The flat top allows for very precise lines and varying degrees of thickness. Smudger brushes can be used to get clean lines but they’re also really effective at softening pencils and eyeliners in general. Becca’s #07 Fine Eye Liner Brush is made from extremely high quality sable and allows for contouring and blending.

If you get the clumpies in your mascara you might want to invest in a mascara comb. The plastic ones don’t do a thing to cut through waxy mascara, what you need is a metal lash comb. Tarte, www.tartecosmetics.com, makes a good one and has a handy lash wand ‘which is great from taming brows as well’ on the other side. Obviously since you’re putting tiny metal prongs near your eyes caution is a must, but it separates lashes like nothing else and you can pile on the mascara to have lashes for days.

When it comes to lip brushes, I want something I can carry in my bag that won’t get gloss all over everything, isn’t too hard or soft and floppy. Lip brushes are honestly quite a delicate balance. Prescriptives, www.gloss.com, Lip Brush fits those requirements perfectly. It’s retractable, sturdy, and allows even the deepest colors to be painted easily.

Since makeup should be fun and girlie, Tarte’s French Tickler (keep it clean here people) is a must. Made with pink feathers and a purple handle this is the ultimate in femininity and is perfect for body shimmers. The feathers diffuse the shimmer better than anything else I’ve found and you can still wash them like you would a normal brush—chickens get rained on too, and they dry just fine.

If all of this is just too much, Paula Dorf, Trish McEvoy, Stila, and MAC, among others, all make wonderful 4-6 piece brush sets that are generally under $100 (especially at the holidays). If you’re needing something for far less than that, check out Sonia Kashuk’s line at Target. Both sets of “tools” are necessary and screwdriver in one hand and powder brush in the other, you can go out and conquer the world. Or at least fix the sink and powder your nose at the same time. Happy hunting!

It is that magical time of year again! The holiday season is here, and everyone is full of excitement. Beauty is everywhere you look, from the store windows to the icy night sky. So why don’t you join in on the festivities with some of this season’s most enchanting looks? Below are few examples of what you can do to light up your spirits.

Precious Metals
Gold and silver are in abundance this year. You can add holiday sparkles into your beauty routine for an unexpected, but still sophisticated look. Line your eyes with Estee Lauder’s Artist’s Eye Pencil in Golden Star Writer, and highlight the inner eye corners, brow bones, and cheeks with the limited edition StarBright Crème Patina for Face for an allover golden glow. If you want your lips to make the statement, the Pure Color Crystal Gloss in Silver or Gold Sparkle will do the trick (http://www.EsteeLauder.com). Just remember to use caution when playing with glitter – go overboard and you will look like a tinsel accident. If you want to play it safe, try Clinique‘s holiday nail polishes in Gold or Silver Shimmer (http://www.clinique.com).

Snow Fairy
This holiday, anything is possible. If you feel the magic, create an ethereal look with delicate washes of color. These shades are charming and feminine. Start with Molton Brown’s Eye Wear Gloss Watercolour in Enigmatic (a beautiful transparent purple, at Barney’s). Take your makeup up a notch with Sue Devitt Studio’s Starlights Clear Water Eye Shadows (http://www.sephora.com). These great new shadows go on wet, but dry to a rich, pearly finish. If you will be traveling this year, bring along Elizabeth Arden’s Crystal Ball Color Kit (at Elizabeth Arden counters). This kit is full of rosy shades for lips, eyes, and cheeks, plus a smoky purple shadow and a sparkly highlighter.

Color Theory
Spread some cheer with color! Have some fun and experiment by splashing it on wherever you please. Biotherm’s Play On Eyeshadows come in very wearable shades of green, plum, and blue (http://www.Biotherm.com). Try lining along the upper lashes with a stiff eyeliner brush in one color, and then beneath the lower lashes in a different color. Finish with a generous amount of black mascara and a rosy gloss. Do you want another kit option? Stila’s Winter Ice All Over Crystals Palette (http://www.gloss.com) has you covered with creamy shades of blue, pink, green, lavender, silver, and gold. Don’t worry about sticking with only one color. The shades are sheer enough that you won’t end up looking like a clown (or an elf!).

Classic Beauty
When in doubt, go with the old stand-by: sophisticated glamour. A polished look never fails. You know the drill: smoky eyes and a perfect mouth. If you need to update your ladylike palette, try Lancome‘s new Colour Focus Palette 4 Ombres EyeColour Quad in 4Romance (http://www.lancome.com). With the combination of nude, white, and charcoal shades you can create a glamorous look. Add on Nars’ eyeshadow in Night Breed (a very dark shadow with a touch of sparkle) for a sexy edge (http://www.sephora.com). Finish the look with Bare Escentuals’ Decadence Lip Palette. With five classic colors to mix or wear alone (lip brush included), your mouth can go from daytime peach to nighttime red in the blink of an eye (1-800-227-3990).

Hope these hints are helpful, and Happy Holidays!