Hi Mamas! How are you? Good? Some tired? I know, I know. Sit awhile, put your feet up. We just got back from a vacation in Florida – did you know that vacation and mom is an oxymoron? Whew….it’s good to be home. Jax had a blast – and my tired feet have football field yards of home video of swinging laughter, sand-eating grins, ice cream dripping cheeks and water splashing hugs to use as callous balm. But don’t let me forget, I have some more special news. Our CVS test results came back – healthy, healthy new baby on the way. And yes, the gender results are in. What did you think? A girl? A boy? Well, another sweet angel boy is on his way to our home, God willing. Jax can’t stop stomping around celebrating. We are thrilled, elated, and so grateful. And some more good news mamas, I am heading into the second trimester and feeling much better, amen. Now let’s talk pregnant beauty, shall we?

After I crawl out from the dark tunnel of my first trimesters into the light, I like to bulge with beauty. Let’s start with skincare. Did you know that some of the same manufacturers of baby skin care products have some terrific prenatal treats as well. For us city mamas the best place to find these products is a quick visit to your neighborhood Sephora. Sephora has an entire section dedicated to babies and mamas, did you know that? Go check it out. I visited my Times Square location. And yes, in a beauty shop such as Sephora, it can be a little intimidating to march past all the makeup counters of teenagers waddling like a duck. So I didn’t. I pulled my jacket aside and pointed my already big belly out like a compass needle proud and strong, and sailed through like a mighty wind.

Website: www.sephora.com

Let’s start with Mustela – “skincare specialist for baby and future mother.” They have an entire line dedicated to pregnant mamas called “Mustela ™ 9 months.” Mustela skin care for babies has been around since 1950, and this line launched (thankfully) in 1999. This line of pampering prenatal mamas all contain a combination of Elastoregulator ™ – a derivative of Soya protein, chlorophycea (green seaweed extract) and other natural ingredients. The product line focuses on the pregnant mama’s special skin sensitivity and tissue distension during the prenatal months. All of the “Mustela ™ 9 months” are clinically tested by gynecologists, vein specialists, or dermatologists; tolerance-tested, alcohol-free, gently scented and safe to use throughout pregnancy and while nursing. The line includes: Stretch Marks Double Action (Pre/Post Stretch Mark), Stretch Marks Intensive (Focused on Post Stretch Marks Minimization), Specific Support Bust (hallelujah this product is for me ladies, breastfeeding took it right out of me!), and Instant Comfort Legs (I brought this to Florida). I’m sure my readers are a lot of mamas, but I’m calling out to the papa bears here! Mustela makes a wonderful gift set “The Maternity 9 Month Set” that features all these products – you want to promote understanding and compassion? Go get this right now for your sweet mama doing all that hard work so you can boast of a genealogy! And don’t forget to volunteer to rub some of these products on some nights – you might even find some sweet, sweet mama purrs in response…….mmmmh you know what I’m talking about papa bears.

Mustela takes care of their mama clients pre-natal and post-partum. Thank God someone is thinking of us after the baby comes along. I swear those first three months are very challenging for us mamas and all you ever hear is “How is that precious little one?” I kept my answers lighthearted, but honest – “Pissed to be out and screaming his head off, but I’m fine thank you.” Heeeee… humor was my best post-partum medicine. Mustela carries a wonderful product line called, “A New Life A New You” that contains both new mama and newborn products. For mamas, Mustela offers a Post Partum Body Restructuring Gel that helps to eliminate excess fatty deposits while stimulating the production of collagen to help improve the appearance of slackened skin. Amen. Since this is my second pregnancy I swear mamas, your old body never returns but your new body can look fantastic. Really. I liked it better. So did John. Oohh, la, la. They also carry Ultimate Hydration, an all-over body lotion that soothes, moisturizes, and nourishes dry or irritated skin. For breastfeeding mamas, you’ll love it. The dehydration you feel is total. You’ll want to drink the Atlantic Ocean through your mouth, eyes, ears, skin. And finally, this set includes a wonderful soap-free solution especially formulated for your newborn.

Website: www.mustela.com

Now for Erbaviva. Erbaviva is all about “nurturing with nature.” Erbaviva uses all natural and organic ingredients and promotes a responsible commitment to the environment. We pregnant mamas are especially connected in our emerging belly sisterhood to the big mama of all mamas “Mother Nature” herself. So, Erbaviva is especially fitting during our prenatal months. Erbaviva is also focused in aromatherapy. God knows, there was never a time when my nasal passages were so keenly perturbed and a little loving help there was much appreciated. Did I ever tell you mamas about my pregnancy with Jax when the first person who knew I was pregnant was my Aunt Mo out in California. I walked into her house and said, “Mmmhhh Aunt Mo, you baked some of your yummy chocolate chip cookies for me, you shouldn’t have.” And she responded by looking at me wide-eyed and with loving but firm conviction said, “You’re pregnant!” After all the trouble John and I had been having to get pregnant, I replied with equal, foot stomping conviction, “You’re crazy, why would you say that?” She replied, “I haven’t baked cookies in this house in a week.” Ten days later, and a nauseating distaste for my addiction to Diet Coke, the pregnancy test confirmed Aunt Mo’s homemade prediction.

Among their many wonderful products, Erbaviva has the right idea for pregnant mamas and papas with their Back Rub Oil. The Back Rub Oil contains calming Roman Chamomile. They even advise you that it is “best applied by a partner or friend.” Just what a worried or tired mama-to-be needs at the end of the day. These types of products are wonderful “connectors” for mamas and papas. There are times when after a day of work and an 18-month-old toddler the both of you want to be grumpy, and alone. But I believe strongly that these times are the critical times to connect. Somehow, anyhow. They also carry a Stretch Mark Oil with essential oils including rose and carrot seed. And a Mommy to Be Milk Bath (in sack or jar), containing lavender, lemon, and sandalwood. But remember mamas, not too hot a bath, just warm so we don’t overheat our incubators. Erbaviva also carries a wonderful pregnancy gift set that includes Mommy-to-be Milk Bath, Stretch Mark Oil and Back Rub Oil, all wrapped up in a natural fiber gift bag. You can put that on your list as well papas.
And Erbaviva did not forget about us post-partum either. Erbaviva again comes to the rescue with a calming, soothing oil – Baby Blues Massage Oil. For those weeks after delivery when you need a boost, a lift. This oil contains rose, bergamot and clary sage. Do yourself a favor and go out and get this one while you’re still pregnant. There are very few errands run the first few weeks, and if so, they usually have an item list covering the essentials like diapers. You will need this. You will definitely need this.

Website: www.erbaviva.com

Alright mamas, gotta close here. So happy to be out of the dark tunnel days. Perfect timing cause here comes spring. Here comes the sun, do, do, do, do. Here comes the sun, do, do, do, do. It’s alright. It’s alright. Do, do, do, do, do.

Love,
Mama

Alright mamas gather round close, I’ve got some very special news, God willing, we are going to be a family of four this September! Wow! Jax will be two years and three days old when his baby brother or sister is due to be born, and he is going to make one sweet, lovable, smart, role model of a big brother. I always thought John and I shared a love of the December holiday season but this is rather amusing, we’re like the Clauses making elves. We feel so blessed. Our first time around getting pregnant was not easy we were involved with infertility doctors and treatment centers and told we could never have natural children. Countless Frankenstein tests, grueling procedures, and two surgeries later and whooalaa, we are able to reproduce. Thank you God, Amen.

Ok, now that I have written my gratitude and shouted my joy, I still have to get through this pregnancy. This pregnancy, unlike my first, does not feel easy. Somehow with Jax, I felt sick, but never threw up. Somehow with Jax, I ate healthy and didn’t feel like my eating was out of control. Somehow with Jax, I had energy. Three at-bats, three strikes. So, sew buttons. Life for me has mostly been a body of water I have learned to boat upon. Rockier seas, call for different navigational skills and balancing, or just holding on till the wave finishes crashing. These past couple weeks, I have been holding on.

But as best I can, through the haze of sea sickness, I would like to talk to you about prenatal health, beauty, and fitness and help steer you around the waters of “pregnant mama” Manhattan. For example, fitness. I myself, when I feel able, like to continue a workout routine. My usual routine involves stretching and strengthening, cardio and weight lifting. Here in Manhattan, I belong to the Manhattan Plaza Health Club on 43rd and 10th Avenue. I love the facility; it is more of a lifestyle health club with a pool, tennis courts, sun deck, massage rooms, weight training, and classes. Ahhhh! There is no better mama timeout than a little jaunt in the hot tub on a Friday night with People magazine sweating beside me.

For moms who are looking for babysitting and onsite childcare, my gym does not provide this. But I did do some research around Manhattan and some gyms do. It seemed in my research that it was the bigger chains in Manhattan where a few of their locations provided this service. Of the ones I called Crunch, New York Health and Racquet Club, and New York Sports Club provide onsite babysitting. The nice thing about these larger chains is that you can belong to all of their locations by getting a membership. For example, I could belong to the Crunch on 42nd and 11th Avenue and use their 83rd street location for babysitting when John is out of town. Just call up their main sales offices or go online. New York Sports Club has a great online service at www.nysc.com that shows all gyms with babysitting by the icon finder of an alphabet block. Fabulous!

So when first embarking on my prenatal fitness routine, I checked in with my ob/gyn. Approved. Next, I went to my gym and worked specifically with prenatal certified physical trainers. They did stretching with me and showed my how to wiggle around on the exercise ball to stretch and strengthen my pelvic area. I had sciatic nerve problems and carpal tunnel syndrome in my pregnancy with Jax, so this exercise ball became my best friend. The trainers then walked me through the machines telling me which ones to use and which ones were not appropriate. They also lowered my weights in half. Then we talked about cardio. I found that my favorite cardio during pregnancy was walking. I love the fresh air when I feel nauseous, and when I get big, it’s a quick waddle but I get there. I walked a half hour to 45 minutes daily until the day I delivered Jax. But I felt good and that is the key. Every mama has their own voice telling them what is ok and what is not. Listen to yours.

A lot of mamas like to do prenatal yoga, so I checked out some of what’s available for you in Manhattan. The best, best bargain in the city is to get yourself the New York Yoga Passbook. Yoga centers can be pricey to say the least, especially if it is a supplement to your health club annual fees. The Yoga Passbook is available in New York at a cost of $69.00 and gives you 250 guest passes (good for once, twice, sometimes an entire week) to the yoga centers in Manhattan. You can get this by calling 212-808-0765 or going online to www.health-fitness.org.

Once you have obtained this book, there are many yoga centers with prenatal yoga available. Also available from this organization is a New York Fitness Passbook. Again for this minimal fee, you can get passes to health clubs all over the city and really sample where you would like to eventually get a membership. Fantastic for pregnant mamas in the Fitness Passbook are Maternal Dance, Maternal Fitness, and Aqua Mom.

What is very nice about prenatal yoga and fitness is that you can continue these programs after your child is born. There are available “Mommy and Me” Yoga programs. The Big Apple Parent Magazine has a lot of these type of programs advertised. This magazine is distributed all over Manhattan, especially in health clubs. You can also get it online at www.parentsknow.com. For example, Jax and I are going to take a swimming class together this spring. This has been an available class at my club for infants as early as six months. I love being in water when I am pregnant, I feel well, lighter. When you are checking out your prenatal fitness choices, a lot of clubs allow children to participate with their parents free of charge until they are around five or six years old. My club does. These are the questions you want to ask when interviewing salespeople about membership.

Finally, we cannot forget about the creme de la creme of prenatal fitness. The chocolate mousse, the banana brownie pie, the massage. When I was particularly sore, stiff, and yes, grouchy, I gave myself the treat of a prenatal massage. There is nothing that will make you feel so relaxed, so light, so cared for. I go to David Walker at my gym, MPHC, and he does members and non-members. Just call up MPHC at 212-563-7001. David is certified in prenatal massage. I always made sure when I put my very unsure, first pregnant self in anyone’s hands, they had the right training. Now that I am pregnant again, I am less unsure but still consult the experts. David uses tons of pillows and of course I can pick out my favorite music. A half hour or one hour later, I walk away a new mama. And I am sure Jax felt it, too. He just loves getting back rubs in the bath with a Lakon Herbal baby oil, which contains lavender and calendula. You can look up their wonderful products at www.lakonherbals.com.

Well, mamas, I cannot end without a story from my attic. When I was trying to get pregnant unsuccessfully, I had an infertility appointment and grabbed a cab to get there. I was sitting in the cab minding my own business when my cab driver garrulously and cheerfully asked me a hundred questions trying to engage me. I was so determined to stay in my self-pity rut. He asked me if I was married and I flatly continued with my one syllable answers, “Yes”. Then, he asked me if I had children. I could not stay flat, my whole person erupted into tears. My cab driver reacted very confidently. He said, “Oh, you just have to find your season.”. I answered weeping incredulously, “What?” And he continued, “Every woman has a season of fertility, children in families are born together in clusters, you just haven’t found your season yet, no worries.” I thought about my sister’s kids being born in October, my cousins all had birthdays in the summer, and so on. My self-pity finally broken by one of God’s wisest, unassuming angels. That night, for the first time in a long time, I laughed and cheerfully repeated the story to my husband, who laughed with me. Confidently I said, “Babe, we just have to find our season.” What medicine that a doctor could not give, and with that I will leave you mamas. Pregnant or otherwise, keep your laughter, and keep our new littlest one in your prayers.

Are you a Control Freak?
Constantly Stressed?
Commitment phobic?
Too sensitive?
Always looking for the Bigger Better Thing?
Need constant affection?
Do you have Obsessive Compulsive Beauty Product Buying Disorder?

If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, I don’t have a tall, dark handsome man for you but I do have a great new store to fit your needs. Callistà³: Fresh Soaps and Cosmetics just recently appeared in the Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, New York and already it has made quite an impression. This is due to their unique take on some of your old favorite things. A fresh-obsessed store, Callistà³ is run like a gourmet delicatessen. Their soaps sit in huge blocks waiting to be cut at your discretion; face masks and creams are refrigerated and freshly made, waiting in ice cream-like tubs; and the daily specials are written in chalk everyday. Also, as promised there is something for everyone.

For Control Freaks:
With 22 varieties of soap, odds are Callistà³ has more than one thing for you. In colorful shiny blocks they are sliced to order, and sold by weight so you have complete authority over your purchase. You say when, you say how much! Try a little bit of everything or stock up on your favorite. These hypoallergenic soaps made of essential oils, herbs, spices, flower extracts, fruits and honey are never animal-tested – only writer-tested. This writer’s personal favorite is Helen of Troy, a delicious concoction of rice grains, milk, cinnamon, vanilla and musk. The rice grains exfoliate, while the creamy mixture left my skin moisturized. Oh, and believe me, it smells and looks good enough to eat (okay in weakness I gave it a lick, and for your information it still tasted like soap). Another store favorite is Penelope, made with coconut oil, almond oil, peach oil and apricot oil, its bright pink color and wake-you-up scent smells like fruity daiquiris with fun umbrellas served on the beach (side note: the umbrellas do not contribute to the scent). Most of their soaps run for $17.50 a pound, so a regular size bar will cost you about $4.00.

For the Stressed Out:
Looking like brightly colored Easter eggs, Callisto’s oxygen balls are the key to turning your bathtub into your own personal spa. Pick from eight different varieties to match your mood or simply match your soap scent for a more complete aromatherapy session. Just drop yourself and your oxygen ball into a nice warm tub and let it fizz away. I used the Helen of Troy after a particularly stressful day and let my worries melt away and the essential oils and flower extracts soften my skin. Side note: The Helen of Troy oxygen ball is most effective as a de-stressor when paired with a full class of Chardonnay. At $6 to $7 a pop, they make a great gift and are definitely cheaper than a day at the spa.

For the Commitment Phobic:
No need to commit here, Callistà³ loves to give free samples because they know you will come back. Their yummy facial scrubs and masks are kept refrigerated at all times because they have a minimum amount of preservatives. I loved the Fruit Cocktail, it may look like strawberry yogurt but it passed all of my moisturizing tests: It absorbed quickly into my skin, left a smooth surface for my makeup, and it didn’t sting when I globed some into my left eye (it happens a lot). I also loved the Coco Scrub for weekly exfoliation. It left my skin soft and didn’t irritate, so try a little bit of everything and take as little or as much as you like. If you feel like you are becoming too dependant or comfortable with once product, mix it up and try another.

For the Overly Sensitive:
Callisto’s Liquid Gold line refers to its base ingredient Olive Oil, which was the center of Mediterranean cultures in centuries past due its multiple uses. For those who need to live life fragrance-free, the Liquid Gold line is a great option featuring shampoos, conditioners, toners and both day and night cream. I recommend check out the Olive Oil soap from their Liquid Gold Line. This soap is wonderful for dry skin and is stuffed with crushed olive pits for extra exfoliation.

Gimme the Bigger, Better thing:
I like to live on the edge, and I’m always looking for something better to come along. When I saw their colorful solid shampoos and body oils displayed like gourmet chocolates, my interest was immediately sparked. Imagine being able to travel without worrying about spilling shampoo and lotion all over your brand-new vacation clothes – at that thought I stripped naked and jumped in the shower to try it out. (I, of course, waited until I was in the privacy of my own apartment.) The shampoo was so easy to use, I just lathered my hair up and I was in business. In addition, they last longer than your silly passé plastic bottles because there is no wasted product. It’s best to use the solid body oils after the shower, or it takes a bit to warm them up. The body oils are also great for massages and come in a variety of flavors (ohh la la!) The shampoos retail around $8 a bar and the body oil range from $9 to $11.

For the affection starved:
Do you need a little TLC? The staff is not only knowledgeable, but they give you cute little bottles of water and mini chocolates while you shop. They are great at creating the perfect gift basket for you and even make creative party favors.

Finally:
Do you have Obsessive Compulsive Beauty Product Buying Disorder?
Oh well I can’t help you but I know this great store you should check out on the second floor of the Roosevelt Field Mall across from BeBe:

Callistà³: Fresh Soaps and Cosmetics
www.callistosoaps.com
516-746-5559
Open 10 to 9 Monday through Saturday
And 11-7 on Sundays

One of the hardest things to do as a man in New York City is finding a one-stop shop for all of grooming needs. The city is so chock-full of salons, barbershops, and $10 butchers that we are often daunted by the task of finding a place that does a good job and is both inviting and comfortable. More commonly we find a stylist that we like who works in a venue that we hate. Sounds familiar?

Fear no more. Simply put, Studio One 2 One has the entire package. If it were a woman, I’d date her. Owners and creative directors Mallory Rutledge and Mairead Gallagher opened the studio’s doors in late September 2003 in a quaint Upper East Side townhouse between Lexington and Park on 71st St. The studio is also home to talents Paul Romano (hair colorist) and Ernie Swain (stylist). The place is so discrete on the outside that you have to be careful not to walk past the entrance. Yet the friendly vibe inside is so inviting that you almost wonder why you didn’t instinctively gravitate through the doors.

The studio successfully combines cutting-edge sophistication in glamour and style with vintage social hospitality. There’s even an outdoor flower garden with high-speed Internet access where you can sip on a cappuccino in the seeming comfort of one’s home – perfect for men who want pampered treatment without pretension. In relation to its peers, Studio One 2 One boasts that 20% of its clientele are male – almost a third Ernie’s regulars are men, and Mairead has quite a portfolio of male loyalists herself. Despite the constant traffic flow of happy clients, the place oddly enough never gets crowded. The staff literally greeted all who walked in through the doors by their names with congeniality, without sacrificing attention on their immediate clients.

I had the opportunity to bring my friend Brian in as a guinea pig for a wash, cut, and style while interviewing Mairead (rhymes with “parade”). Mairead has an endearing Irish accent that is immediately disarming. Brian later confessed that after getting past the initial fear of walking into some place new with the prospect of walking out with a haircut that rivals Donald Trump’s comb-over, the staff made it very easy to sit down and enjoy himself. Even men who don’t take care of their hair on a daily basis are often wary when it comes to choosing someone or someplace to trust with their hair. Mallory and Mairead fully understand this apprehension and counter it with ease.

“Guys are more mechanical,” Mallory starts, “They want reasons for procedures and a description of the end result. Give them that and the rest should be easy.” Three hair-washes (a wash and rinse in the beginning and a final rinse at the end) and a blow-dry/style later, Brian reflected, “I can honestly say that they did a nice job. I didn’t have to lie through my teeth or feel that I have to run home and shave my hair off.”

More specifically, Mairead walked Brian step-by-step through what she was doing with his hair. She found out what he wanted, explained how to achieve the desired look, and casually explained how he can maintain this look on a daily basis without making him feel stupid. Brian has fantastic hair with a great shine and light texture. However, like most men, his hair is starting to thin as he gets older. Skillfully, Mairead cut and styled his hair while making it look fuller and more layered. Forget Rogaine or, worse yet, spray-painting your scalp. Feel free to forfeit all control into hands of these talented artists.

“It takes time and coaxing to convince men to adopt a new style that will give them a better look,” remarks Mairead, “I see too many men with cuts that are wrongly shaped to their heads. Not every man ‘gets it.’ Sometimes you have to pitch a better look while keeping men in their comfort zone.” Some of the studio’s male clients are becoming more adventurous with coloring but don’t know how to express it. It is important to know how to guide men through this new realm of experimentation. Enter Paul Romano. While Brian was treated like royalty, I had a small chat with Paul, who was equally low-key and, for the risk of sounding simplistic, cool. A large majority of Paul’s coloring work involves blending grays. He invented a special formula for coloring that enables men who are 50% gray-headed to get rid of some of the age-hairs while maintaining a perfectly natural look. The process is quick and painless, and the hair and roots grow out perfectly. In fact, retouching is done approximately once every three months. Not too shabby. Paul can also recreate the lightening effect on hair that happens when on the beach in the summertime so that you can rock your streaks year round.

One of the greatest advantages that Studio One 2 One holds over its peers is that it holds exclusive retail distribution rights to a phenomenal men’s product line called Vitaman. When Mallory and Mairead wanted to reach out to more men by finding a male-tailored product line that does not intimidate, they immediately fell in love with Vitaman, which has a distinctively masculine feel from the packaging down to the feel and aroma of the products. The line offers straight-forward, head-to-toe care with products that focus on shave, face, body, travel, hair, hairstyling, and sports activities.

The travel pack is great for the businessman constantly on the go. More specifically, the shampoo feels light, lathers well, and has a nice manly smell. It is also gentle enough to shampoo twice in one shower setting, given that men often put too much product in their hair and washing the hair twice will help remove excess product and restore shine. The conditioner, which only needs to be used about twice a week, has a cooling and tingling effect on the scalp. Mairead enlightens, “When a man can feel the effect of the product more, it makes more sense to him; it locks it in for him.” This will subtly convince him to use these products more, in turn encouraging better hygiene and grooming habits. As an added bonus, the shampoo and conditioner both have color protection for us males who dye or highlight our hair.The bar of exfoliating soap is one of Paul’s favorites; it has a cool shape and gives your body a nice overall scrub. He also likes the moisturizer healing balm which he explains is fantastic for post workouts and sports where one could receive scrapes and other injuries. The balm really covers, protects, and disinfects scrapes and burns without making you smell like a walking open bottle of cortisone cream. My particular favorite is the body moisturizer. Particularly in the winter time, certain areas of the face and body dry and should be addressed – for me, they’re the ears, upper arms, and hands. Many men often moisturize with their girlfriend’s or wife’s lotions that aren’t even appropriate toward their skin type. Vitaman’s body and face moisturizers are tailored to the body chemistry and skin tone of the average male. You walk away smelling fresh and manly, not like strawberry fields in the wake of vanilla clouds and summer rain.

Lastly, men of all hair types can use any of four different hairstyling products that range from light- to heavy-weight – gel, styling cream, pomade, and matt mud. For men who want to sport a particular hairstyle without feeling like they’re wearing Gumby on their head, Mairead recommends using the gel, working it into the hair from wet to dry (ie. after the shower, work it in, and then gently blow-dry). Then she used either the pomade or the matt mud to style. Important tips! Don’t forget that a little product goes a long way. Place a small bit in your palms and rub them together. Rubbing activates the product and assists in its distribution through your hair. Then gently brush the product into your hair. “A lighter hand is always best,” recommends Mairead, “Too much product will weigh down your hair and give it a heavy, lazy look.”

The combination of Studio One 2 One and Vitaman makes a powerful competitor in the salon/studio war for male clients. The setting is perfect for husbands and wives / boyfriends and girlfriends to have joint appointments and make an outing out of a grooming experience. The studio was recently reserved for a bridal party, but I see no reason why grooms can’t rent the place out, too. Hey, the patio in the back is perfect for tapping a keg while the groom and groomsmen get a minor makeover. What more could one ask for? Pass me another cappuccino.

Studio One 2 One
121 East 71st St
New York, NY 10021
For appointments: 212-439-9111

Services:
Men’s Hair Cut $100.00 & Up
Single Process/Flash $80.00
Highlights $150.00
Anti Curl $100.00

Vitaman Line:
Shave Crème $23.00
After Shave Balm $24.00
Body Cleanser $18.00
Matt Mud $20.00
Gel $20.00
Shampoo $18.00
Conditioner $18.00
Styling Crème $20.00
Skin Repair Crème $28.00
Exfoliating Soap $22.00

It’s not often I get entwined in other people’s life stories when I’m analyzing anti-wrinkle cream. But this time I did. And before you think, “oh no not another tear jerking drama”, save your Kleenex for Sex and the City…oops, it’s over, isn’t it! This is not just an interesting story with a happy ending. It’s one that could benefit your complexion, in more ways than one.

It all starts with a woman called Vinni – Vincene Parinello, the CEO and Creator of Hope Aesthetics. She lost both parents to cancer and was battling the disease herself when she became inspired to create her own line of defense. But never one to leave things to fate, Vinni believes nothing happens to anybody by chance. “Must’ve been angels working overtime to get me through these hard times” she explains. Apparently, Vinni, herself is the picture of health. I won’t reveal her age, but nobody can believe looking at her that she is XX years old, or rather young! That’s enough proof for me!

(For those of you who’s like to read more of the intriguing story of cancer survivors, go to http://www.hopeskincare.com. It’s well worth a read. And while I would love to focus on it more, my angels are remindingme to talk about the products and why they wore!)

A soup for your skin
Angels or no angles, Vinni certainly found a celestial skincare that definitely carries out miracles for your skin. By formulating her own natural skincare range, she was brought closer to her mother and her Sicilian grandmother, whose tales of the powers of herbs and fruits all came back to her. And with a lot of inspiration, she discovered the BHW Complex.™ A broth, or rather “a soup to empower your skin” made from spring water and organically grown fruits, flowers, herbs (including green teas) and vegetables. Mmmmm – a total treat for your skin. What makes this broth so special? The H20.

And, as Vinni tells me, it is the use of these vitamins in the BHW Complex that helps reduce inflammation in the skin that causes wrinkling and the aged appearance.

Now a rough nite doesn’t have to mean rough skin Let’s just say I did a bit of “damage” one night there lately. (Doesn’t happen often mind you!). Anyway, before stumbling into bed, I drenched my skin with Hope’s Answer (I’ll give you the question in a few mins.) and next day, I honestly couldn’t believe my skin. I felt like crap, but my skin was hydrated, soft and really nourished. Hold your horses. This doesn’t mean you can knock back as many as you want and not show it. But if you have skin like me, dry, delicate and needs rich emollient moisturizers, I’d highly recommend these products. I can only speak from my experience. I tend to believe that people with oilier complexions may not need the richness of Hope’s products.

All in the nose
Finally, I have to say from the second I opened the jar of HA products, I loved the smell. They remind me of another favorite skin range, the all-natural, all-organic line of Dr. Hauschuka. So if you think the price are a little steep, take a look at the ingredients. They’re natural, organic and carefully formulated. And remember it’s your skin we’re talking about here. So don’t be chintzy!

“Your skin is the reflection of who you are!”
The HA products. Here are the ones that worked best for me and that I’d recommend for anybody who needs a rich skincare, pure and natural, that helps defy wrinkles etc., but won’t irritate or aggravate the skin.

Face the angels… Illuminaire Enzyme Peel – 1.7 oz $65.00 (hmmm….fresh and minty) This is great for skin that doesn’t suffer from couperose (broken capillaries) or rosacea. It’s a mini facial peel. A non-abrasive one, that exfoliates dead skin cells to reveal, brighter younger appearing skin. Made again with the broth (BHW Complex), papain (papaya fruit enzyme), bromelain (pineapple enzyme), sea parsley, blue marine algae, all in a rich shea butter emulsion. It smells divine and more importantly, it works – the fruit enzymes reduce the appearance of facial discolorations, lines and improve skin clarity. Try it! You’ll see what I’m talking about…

Serum di Hope- 100% Natural – 1.7 oz $60.00
An intensive, restorative serum made with essential oils of Rose Hip Seed, Evening Primrose, borage, soybean, hazelnut, palmarosa, mandarin, lemon, lime, grapeseed, lavender, olive jojoba, sunflower, rosewood, and wheatgerm. Whew! No wonder it smells so delicious. Pat this directly on your skin after cleaning it, and you’ll notice how good your complexion looks next day.

Hope’s Answer – 100% Natural – 1.7 oz. – $125.00 (a bargain at that)
So what’s the question you ask? Well, this isn’t just a cream. This is the answer to all those outrageously expensive thick emollients that are filling the shelves, and are apparently made by Tibetan monks in Norway or God knows where. I’m sorry but half of them don’t work and all you women…what are you doing? Shelling out $250+ without even looking at the ingredients. Stop!! Wake up and smell the roses. If only they were made of roses. They’re full of deceptive, chemical-laden formulas that are not natural, or heavenly for that matter.

So Hope’s Answer is the answer to those types of creams and for skin that’s dry, rough, peely or taut. Especially in these frigid winter months. It’s got 5, yes 5, butters – shea, mango, cocoa, kokum and sal that melt into your skin to help bring back its vitality. And since it’s free of petroleum, it won’t clog or suffocate your skin. It’s the Crème de la crème of those expensive creams! Say no more…

Hope’s Glow Vitamin Firming Cream 1.7 oz. $66.00
Forget Dr. XXX and listen up. This is the Ester C complex formula you need to know about. It not only firms the skin, it helps reduce inflammation and redness. It’s No wonder so many celebrities make up artists use it as their “secret tool”. Here’s why. It also contains DMAE, to help defy aging skin. And it does. Lines are visibly smoothed away. But best of all, it does what it says, your skin just glows! Plus, those seducing aromas of grapes and vanilla…yummy. (That doesn’t mean you can eat it).

Bellissima Regenerating Night Cream, – 1.7 oz. $47.00 (bene, bene!! says Sophia Loren)
That makes two of us. Me and Sophia love this stuff. Maybe that’s because it’s loaded with lots of organic ingredients. It’s full of glycolic acid, evening primrose, borage and rose hip seed oil (nature’s vitamin C). And with 4 types if French lavender, it not only smells great, it’s wonderful for regenerating and softening skin. Prego!

Now here’s an easy 3 step recipe that’ll keep you glowing. Try it, it’s wonderful.
The 2 Day Glow with Hope Aesthetics.
Best time to do this is in the evening.
So relax, open a bottle of vino, and indulge in a little decadence.

(That’s one glass of wine and one big glass of water!)

Step 1: On clean skin, apply the Illuminaire Enzyme Peel. Apply it on cheeks, chin forehead and neck (if you like). Avoid eye area. Leave on for 2-5 mins. It may feel warm and tingly. That’s because the enzymes are working to digest the dead skin cells without any abrasion to your delicate skin.

Step 2: Apply 6 drops of Serum di Hope on your face and neck when skin is still damp. Pat serum into the skin. Gently massage the Serum into your skin, massaging for 4 mins. or longer. This is great for your skin. Apply a warm, wet towel over your face to help the oils penetrate into the skin. Remove towel.br>

Step 3: Follow with the Hope’s Glow Vitamin Firming Cream. This helps enclose the treatment into the skin. It acts as a sealer. Massage into cream. Then forget Conan or Craig. Get to bed. Sleep. And in the morning check out your skin. Now don’t you look radiant?! There are a lot of other HA products I could go on about, like the Angel’s Delight Dreamy Body Cream- 6oz, ($40.00). I use it after the shower everyday. Vanilla, Cocoa, Almond oil…dreamy, creamy, divine! And also the Angels’s Delight Body Scrub- 10 oz. $30.00. Wow!

Divine Inspiration Before I fly off, let me just give you a heads up. In April, I will be devoting my article on Hope’s latest product, “Dew It”. You’ll see why!

For more information about Hope Aesthetics and all their products, go to the their Facebook page. Or call 1-800-266-4799 for store location nearest you.

“Don’t call us, we’ll call you.” It’s a clichéd phrase I have yet to hear verbatim at this point in my acting career. But still, more often than not, they don’t call and I am faced with the inevitable rationalizing that follows any failed audition I attend. “I chose the wrong monologue.” “They cast someone of a totally different ethnicity.” “They didn’t like my outfit.” “They didn’t like my hair.” I’m aware these statements seem like arbitrary excuses used to coddle one’s ego in the face of rejection. But what if it WAS my hair? I’ll be damned if that’s what’s standing in my way of being Hollywood’s next star!

Fortunately, I now have the experts at Lepine behind me all the way. The salon is located on Madison Avenue at 61st Street amidst every top designer’s storefront; so needless to say, I felt like a celebrity getting ready for the Oscars upon entering the loft-like and spacious modern salon.

Lepine is known for creating new looks for each client, setting trends and giving personalized attention to satisfy individual needs. It was just the type of salon both myself and my acting career needed! I was introduced to Kim, the owner and founder of Lepine. Kim was extremely down-to-earth, and she immediately put me at ease. After my last hairdresser (from a not-to-be-mentioned NYC salon) made me feel like I was back in a junior high cafeteria of catty cliques, I was relieved to find Kim friendly, supportive, and easy to talk to. However, I didn’t want to do a lot of the talking this time around. I wanted Kim to tell me what I’ve been doing (or not doing) wrong with my hair all these years. Frankly, I was tired of watching celebrities change hair length and hair color virtually every other day while still managing to look great with each new style. I was tired of watching makeovers on an Oprah-esque show and saying, “Aha! That’s what kind of haircut and color she needed to look fantastic!” while wondering what would be done to make ME over. So when I met Kim, I knew I was in good hands and was excited to see what was in store.

After a brief mention to Kim that I was very fond of my long locks and would like to keep them that way, Kim started to cut…and cut… and cut. I’ll admit I was a tad nervous that my lack of styling ability and susceptibility to frizz could not control the layers and bangs that were slowly forming on my head, but I was not to worry: I already established a trusting relationship with Kim. I knew she wanted me to look my very best and help me land every part I auditioned for. I was even tempted to say, “Forget what I said about long locks. Go nuts. Give me one of those short and modern funky cuts I see in all the magazines,” but I refrained, knowing just how long it takes my hair to grow long again.

As she continued to snip off the chemically processed split ends of my hair (I had the Japanese Hair Straightening treatment done almost a year ago), we bonded like girls at a sleepover party. I asked her why my roommate could wear wide scarves stylishly across her forehead while I could not. She said my roommate must have a heart-shaped face (wide on top, narrow on the bottom), while I had a peanut shaped head (the complete opposite). Yikes! That was a bit tough (and embarrassing) to hear, and yet, I new that this information would help me make better hair-related decisions in the future. I asked her how celebrities are able change their looks so frequently, while the rest of us panic upon receiving a bad haircut. She explained that celebrities have hours to spend on their hair, have the money for good extensions to vary length, and have people on hand to touch them up continuously throughout a photo shoot. When a celeb dyes her hair a totally new color, it’s quite possible she is also dying her eyebrows and even her skin pigmentation to go with it! And let’s face it: A funky haircut needs a funky wardrobe, not to mention a funky personality to pull off the entire look. Who has the money and the energy for all this? It was nothing I didn’t already know, but hearing this information firsthand from someone with Kim’s experience made me feel better. At long last, Kim put down her scissors and explained that she would refine the cut when the hair was dry. That’s when she called the colorist over.

Upon meeting the fabulous Vara Pookie, I again felt at ease. Vara was spunky but professional. She applied the perfectly blended reddish highlights throughout the top of my very dark brown hair with ease and dexterity. Highlights look great on blond curls, for instance, because you could see the texture of the curls better that way. I, personally, prefer my hair to be straight, and I actually like the monochromatic shade of dark brown I’ve been sporting my whole life. However, like blond curls, hair on film needs to show texture. It’s a reality every actress must consider. With highlights, light can penetrate dark hair more easily, creating dimension, be it for television, film, or still photos. During my headshot photo shoot last year, for example, I had the brilliant idea of putting my hair up in a sporty ponytail. When I got the contact sheets back, it looked like I had a big Magic 8 Ball on my head. Fortunately, Vara gave me some subtle highlights that show off the movement and dimension of the hair, without diminishing my identity as a brunette. Perhaps now I can get that sporty spice look in my next set of headshots!

After a brief stint under the heating lamps, the foils were removed, the hair was rinsed and the highlights emerged. While Kim blew out my hair, I was given some helpful hints on how to straighten my otherwise curly fro:

1) Point the blow-dryer downward and run your fingers in a downward motion, pulling gently, to flatten hair.
2) Use your brush on damp to dry hair rather than on very wet hair.
3) Use different sized brushes/bristles for different parts of your hair and start by drying the front and sides thoroughly. Dry the back of your hair last.
4) The blow-dryer should have an attachment to further separate the hair from the metal piece at the front of the dryer, which can be very damaging to the hair.

When my hair was finally dry, Kim cut a bit more to even out the edges and then showed me the different products I should be using. Lepine carries a full line of hair products and accessories (i.e. a liquid wax which is very helpful in preventing frizz and also controlling shape).

It should also be noted that Lepine offers skincare treatments and services including waxing, pedicures, eye-brow sculpting and make-up application. Check out their website at www.lepinehair.com or call 212-355-4247 to book your appointment for a full day of beauty!

Even though it was way after closing time, Kim graciously showed me the many ways of styling my new look before sending me into the trendy nightlife of New York City. With my new cut, I can wear my hair curly, straight, up or down. I can part it in a variety of places and go easy or light on how many bangs I have. Who knows, perhaps I will gain the nerve to cut my hair off at the shortest layer I now have! Well, let’s take one step at a time, shall we? Either way, Kim and Vara have certainly helped me feel more confident when auditioning. I wouldn’t be surprised if the casting directors ask me where I go to get my hair done!

Recent history has not been good to brunettes. Brown hair has been synonymous with boring for too long. Classic Hollywood was known for raven-haired vixens like Elizabeth Taylor and Vivien Leigh, and now beautiful brunettes like Liv Tyler and Catherine Zeta Jones have brought dark tresses back into the spotlight. Just in time for this overdue revival, John Frieda has introduced Brilliant Brunette Haircare Products.

The John Frieda name is already known for cult favorites such as the Beach Blonde, Sheer Blonde, and Frizz-Ease lines. Now John Frieda has developed hair products designed especially for brunettes. These products were created to bring out the sparkle and dimension in brown hair, and enhance natural highlights without depositing any color. The shampoos, conditioners, and styling aids are suitable for every shade of brunette hair, whether natural, colored, or highlighted.

I, being a brunette myself, tried the products. First, I used the Shine Release Shampoo in the Chestnut to Espresso shade (it also comes in the lighter Amber to Maple shade). I am not often impressed by shampoo, but this one has the best honey-like texture and left my hair light and bouncy. It uses cocoa bean extract and silk protein to preserve the rich highlights in darker hair. The Light Reflecting Conditioner uses crushed pearls to illuminate and smooth hair.

The line offers several shine-enhancing styling aids as well. My favorite is the Satin Shine finishing crème, designed to be applied to dried hair. This product smoothed my flyaways and gave an extra shine boost without being greasy. Finally, the Model Control firm-hold gel tamed my wicked cowlick without leaving any dull residue or sticky clumps.

It’s time to be proud of being a brunette. Glamorous and sultry is the way to be! I mean, have you SEEN Monica Bellucci? Forget the hours spent every four weeks frying our tresses trying to keep up with the Legally Blonde set….healthy, gorgeous dark hair is where it’s at, and we have John Frieda to thank for giving us the recognition we deserve.

Find John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Haircare Products at http://www.drugstore.com.

“Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?” I’d say we all are, or rather, we each have the potential to be. Once upon a time, beauty seemed easy to achieve – preadolescence and acne, pre-college and packing on the freshman 15, and pre-menopause and prevailing signs of age (like wrinkles, age spots, and cellulite – yeah, you’ve read this story before). But a happy ending can be had, with or without Prince Charming. You can ride off into the sunset looking super sexy and sleek with just a few revisions to some of your old favorite fables – with, of course, the perfect product suggestions provided as well.

The Lips for True Love
So Sleeping Beauty is remanded to rest until “true love’s first kiss” finds its way to her room. That’s a sad state of affairs for her and the rest of kingdom, but what would be sadder still is if by the time her man gets there, her lips are totally lackluster – and less than desirable to lock with – because they haven’t been kept in good condition during her several years’ slumber. This is where BeneFit can really do her some good. Their Lipscription kit is a terrific twosome that takes on the tough stuff by providing Buffing Lip Beads to scrub away chapped lips and dry lines, and a Silky Lip Balm that is packed with Vitamin E and chamomile. The combination results in kissable lips that supercede smooth and silky, which would make any man storm the castle to save her. (www.benefitcosmetics.com)

There’s No Place Like a Holistic Home
When Dorothy went to Oz, she fell asleep as well for a little while – in a field of poison poppies. It wouldn’t have been so bad if she wasn’t on such a tight schedule to catch a connection to Kansas because the smell seemed to strike her as soothing. Poppies may not be whole-heartedly a holistic healer (especially if they are poisonous), but Dr. Hauschka’s brilliant line of bath oils are. They offer an amazing aromatherapy experience to suit your every mood and need. For an uplifting encounter that energizes, try the Lemon Bath. Seeking some serenity? Lounge in a tub of Lavender. Rosemary will warm you wherever winter winds – or witches – have worn you down. Spruce is a harmonizer for healing the heart and head. And Sage? Nurtures and revives those dolls like Dorothy who are always on the run. Which still confuses me to this day – why would she rather be in the mild Midwest when she could be enjoying the energetic Emerald City? (www.drhauschka.com)

Little Red Riding Hood Revealed
Do you want to know the real reason the silly girl in scarlet didn’t recognize the wolf posing as her beloved grandmother? Both of them didn’t take care of their hands, and so the aged appendages look so similar they had her confused. This problem could have been alleviated for either one of them if they had invested in a better philosophy – as in hands, the philosophy lightening kit for aging, spotted hands. Due to repeated environmental exposure (which affects those forest-dwelling types most especially), our hands handle a lot of use and abuse. This kit comes with the a.m. “Time On Your Hands” topical skin lightener with sunscreen and the p.m. overnight exfoliating hand and cuticle cream, which combined restores and reinvigorates the sensitive skin that surrounds everything we touch. It’s definitely a desirable item put in your basket of beauty. (www.philosophy.com)

Snow White and the Sleeping Peel
Envy can be evil. Just look at the lengths the Queen went to, to make sure Snow White’s beauty remained bound – hiring someone kill her in the forest, then after failing, giving her an apple that would take forever to digest because you pass out after the first bite! All of this could have been easily avoided – and a happy ending had for all – if she had just had access to Bliss’ Sleeping Peel Micro Exfoliating Mask. This marvelous facial fixer is super smoothing for the skin, busts blackheads, and has wrinkle-refining amino acid antioxidants. Recapturing her youth, instead of antagonizing an innocent, could have been her claim to fame. Instead, she died a dreadful death. (www.blissspa.com)

Goldilocks Slims Down With the Three Bears
She was nosey. We all know that. She invaded their house, broke a chair, fell asleep in the bed, but worst of all, she ate their porridge. That I found outrageous. To try a spoonful of everyone’s one meal seems a little selfish and over-indulgent. She must have packed on a few pounds from that process. My best advice for her? Try out the tangerine dream of Davies Gate Allspice Sweet Orange Firming Body Masque. The energizing citrus scent is coupled with the easy application of a smooth streamlining solution that goes on in a liquid-like form and dries within 5 to 8 minutes. After you rinse it off, skin feels significantly tighter because the masque conditions, firms, and hydrates – and that’s all the help she should be snooping around for now. (www.daviesgate.com)

Let Down Your Locks
Rapunzel had really long hair. Maintaining and managing a mane like hers couldn’t have been easy, and I’m sure the concept of running your fingers through it was the last thought on her man’s mind. Hanging it out the window and having someone climb up it must have done some damage. But if she had had a product like L’Occitane Shea Butter Mask, her strands might have been a bit easier to save and style. This product revitalizes and moisturizes dry and damaged tresses. Leave it on for 20 minutes after shampooing and your hair will look and feel heavenly. It can also be used as a grooming cream when blow-drying to smooth and tame fly-aways. A great investment for someone who has a heavy load to handle. (www.loccitane.com)

If the Shoe Fits..
Make sure you have feet that look regal enough to impress the royals! Cinderella slaved away on her soles all day doing hard labor for her less-than-loving stepmother. But once her fairy godmother granted her wish to attend the ball, things started looking up. After she left her glass slipper at the scene, we knew the prince would take home whomever’s tootsies fit it to a “T.” How horrible would it have been if her pedicure was less than picture-book perfect? She’d have no problem there if she had employed the services of Jaqua’s Feet Treats Kit. There are four new accoutrements in their Bakery Collection, which incorporates a true at-home spa experience with the delicious delicacies of a foaming Orange Vanilla Pumice Foot Scrub and Lemon Custard Body Butter. The kit comes complete with a nail file, “recipe for use” card, and a bonus sparkly flowered toe ring. (www.jacquagirls.com)

So what’s the lesson to be learned from these stories? Never take your beauty for granted, and buy in bulk if you find a product that’s magical in its make-up!!!

THE END

As far as fashion goes, I love the winter – fishing out my favorite shawly, ballerina-wrap scarf from the back of the closet, replacing last year’s socks with even more snuggly ones, and in a word, boots. But as the season lumbers on, I have to admit the thrill of layering upon layering starts to wear a bit thin. According to my calendar, bundling up ceases to be romantic, and begins to feel like a monumental drag, right around February 1. By the first of March, most women are already wistfully sliding their itty-bitty clothes toward the front of their closets, counting down the days. While the weather outside may yet be more on the cruel than kind side, it does seem that the sooner you visualize and expect the sweetness and ease of Spring, the faster it shows up. So whether you are simply looking forward to sunnier days, or you have been cursing the cold since November, here are a few of my favorite all-season products to smooth the transition and transport you directly to spring – a few weeks early (and not a moment too soon!).

Scenario 1: It is eight degrees outside, and you are walking home, an array of gear and grocery bags methodically balanced on your body. You thrust yourself through the front door of the apartment, which requires a little extra effort, as your legs are literally stuck to the inside of your frozen pants.

Knee-jerk Response: “I hate the day. I hate the cold. Warm weather has abandoned me, never to return.”

Strategy: Close door. Drop stuff on couch. Pet cat. Head immediately for bathroom, thinking to self: Of course there will be hot water. There is always hot water.

Treat: Soothe and detoxify skin with Aveda All-Sensitive Cleanser. Lightly formulated with rosewater, and no synthetic fragrance or color, this soap-free lotion is as effective in the summer as it is gentle in the winter. As an all-the-way sensitive girl, I can personally testify – it also doubles as a delicate shaving cream.

Scenario 2: It is 6:45 a.m. on your day off, and you have just woken up. Your plan is to leave your phone at home, head to an early yoga class, and spend the afternoon enjoying the city.

Knee-jerk Response: “No. This is the coldest day of my entire life. I shall hide under the covers until the sun is bright enough to heat my room, then bolt for coffee.”

Strategy: Be brave. Turn childish blanket away. With utter confidence, slink gingerly to bathroom, repeating to self: Shower. Shower. Sexy, springlike shower.

Treat: Roses are red, violet is you. Begin softening your soon-to-be-exposed arms and legs with Violetta di Parma Body and Hair Shower Gel. Its pretty floral fragrance lasts for several hours on skin as a light perfume (one of the best-smelling bath products I’ve ever tried). This mild cleanser is also a sweet shampoo – use it now to visualize/scentualize a new season; in your future travels, tote it around for en route spring cleaning.

Scenario 3: It’s Saturday night. You are dressed for romance, meeting a fabulous date for dinner at 9:00. But you are feeling rather less than glowing. The train station actually feels colder than standing in direct wind. You walk back up the steps to find taxi after taxi mocking you as they speed by. The time is 8:15. The current temperature: eight degrees.

Knee-jerk Response: “This is the coldest night of my entire life. The weather is evil. Cabbies are evil. The world is conspiring against me.”

Strategy: Relax. Duck into a small, trusted café. Slip into ladies room. Wash hands with warm water, saying to self: When I step onto Sixth, a friendly cab awaits me.

Treat: For refreshed skin and a calmer state of mind, apply a tiny dollop of Guinot Crà«me Pure Equilibre/Pure Balance Cream to center of palm. (My trick is to add 2 drops of water for even lighter moisture.) Rub palms together, and pat cream onto face, right over makeup or on bare cheeks. The healing properties of lavender oil in this cream will balance skin, whether winter-irritated or heat-stressed. Renewed and aromified – girl, you could catch two cabs at the same time.

Scenario 4: You’ve stayed up all night catching up on work, and this is one of those quiet nights when you could easily reward yourself with a little tlc. But you’re exhausted. And that bed is looking awfully inviting…

Knee-jerk Reaction: “No energy. Too cold. How I hate the evil winter. Must call it a night.”

Strategy: Wake up just enough to open bottle of wine. Sit upright, be still, and breathe for a minute (while your wine does). Then, find delicious read. Locate bathtub. As tub fills, sip wine luxuriously.

Treat: Sleep Well Tripled-milled soap by The Thymes. This beauty bar is blended with the same herbal oils (rose, chamomile, valerian) that help you sleep as herbal teas – but don’t worry, you won’t fall asleep in the tub.

The result: super-moisturized skin, sweet hibernation – and Spring just a few weeks away.

“Age defying,” “anti-aging,” “look youthful” – all promises of many night creams, peels, and facials. With products boasting ingredients from white tea, green tea, and ginkgo biloba (also known as Maidenhair Tree) to magnesium oxide crystals, Vitamin C crystals, and hydrogen peroxide, it’s difficult to figure out which ingredients actually combat the skin’s own axis of evil: the sun, pollution, and the natural aging process. As it turns out, the Fountain of Youth is as elusive as Saddam’s weapons of mass destruction.

The latest trend in anti-aging skincare is oxygen-based products. The theory is that oxygen will get to the cellular level of skin, therefore promoting faster cell renewal. Conducting a Google search will bring up pills, peels, creams, and facials. I know that oxygen is essential for healthy skin, but does oxygen in fancy formulas really work?

According to Dr. Jerry Whitmore, a biochemist for Robanda ™ Anti-Aging Skincare, “Most oxygen creams on the market are ineffective due to the fact that contrary to the claims they make, you simply can’t add oxygen from the outside of the skin in any way.”

Robanda ™ Oxygen Boost Night Therapy, $42.
Not tested on animals.

But Robanda recently introduced its Oxygen Boost Night Therapy cream, which utilizes a patented ingredient, Saccramyces Lysate that claims to aid cell respiration. The difference between Robanda’s oxygen-based cream and the others, said Dr. Whitmore, is this ingredient. “Using Sacchramyces Lysate extract has been proven to increase the completeness of the individual cell utilization of the oxyhemoglobin.” Soaking into the skin, this product helps in cellular metabolism. It does not contain hydrogen peroxide.

My skin is starting to show my age (thirty-something). My eyes appear haggard at times, my wrinkles are the houseguests that never leave, and with the wind that accompanies winter in the city, my skin has been dry.

I tested this cream every night for two weeks, and I have to admit that my skin looked smoother, healthier, and softer. The product was designed for all skin types and for those who want to improve the look and feel of their skin. While a cream like this cannot prevent damage due to sun exposure (as it does not contain any sun protection), it claims that it can “be used in the aid of restoring and rejuvenating the skin.” In my early tests, there was a visible difference.

Remède, Peter Thomas Roth, and Philosophy also offer oxygen-based creams, masques, and peels, which contain hydrogen peroxide.

Laboratoire Remède Oxygenating Active Amplifier, $70

Aside from home remedies, oxygen facials are now offered at exclusive spas around New York City. The spa treatments utilize an oxygen spray mist, typically with Vitamins A, C, D E and B-complex. The sprays are able to penetrate the skin, giving skin instant gratification and revitalization.

Bliss Spa offers an Oxygen Blast facial, $80 for 30 minutes. Bliss’s oxygenation treatment uses a “stabilized hydrogen peroxide emulsion and a liquid oxygen spray,” which aims to cure “post-flight, pre-date, mid-life” dullness.

Janet Sartin offers its New York Facial + Oxygen. At $160 for 90 minutes, it promises to jump-start “the dullest complexion.” Advanced Skin Care Day Spa offers a range of oxygen facials and therapies, from $20 for a 10-minute Oxygen Mist Therapy to $210 for the super-duper Oxygen Forte.

While some women prefer a more natural approach to fighting the inevitable, I say fight it for all your worth. Some people are still out on whether oxygen-based facials and products work better than Glycine-based products. Find what product is best suited for your skin type, and age gracefully, if at all.

As Katherine Graham (one of my heroines) once said, “No one can avoid aging, but aging productively is something else.”