“Ma Neesh Ta Na?” – Why is this night different from all other nights? It’s a question we asked at every Passover Seder, but the sacred answer was to be different this particular year, and I guess I hadn’t yet received the memo. Our traditional blue Master House Coffee Hagadas somehow transformed into colorful librettos of New-Age Jewish poetic diatribes. Was I seeing things? Or was “Ma Neesh Ta Na?” now curiously answered with the statement, “Because this year, everyone has a date….everyone except Stephanie.”

As I sat at the “kiddie” table, sandwiched between my newly engaged brother and my cousin’s unacceptable non-Jewish girlfriend, I felt more pressure to find a date to this holy dinner than I did to eat the nauseatingly revolting, yet seemingly delicious home-made Kefiltah Fish on the plate in front of me. Where did I go wrong? How did my brother, having never lasted in a relationship for more than a month, finally acquire the title of fiancé, while I was left idly by, pining after non-committal, ass-slapping corporate lawyers who inevitably broke my heart? Most people consider me a great catch. Well, most people at that table do. Granted, I was surrounded by my mother and various relatives who can’t help but see me as a smart, attractive, outgoing and passionate 26- year-old woman. But that aside, I am all those things – and then some, damn it!

Most Seders discuss the 10 plagues. But I felt as though I was suffering the torturous fate of some 11th plague as my family bombarded me with countless ideas on how to meet men, date men, hold onto men and ultimately marry men. That’s when my cousin, Jared, a mere tot at 24-years of age, spoke up over the dull roar. “Why don’t you just try J-date already? Not to sound like a bad public service announcement on peer pressure or anything, but everyone is doing it. My friends from work have made it into a little project for us all – we’re having so much fun with it. We have photo shoots at the office and everything! Look, you don’t have to show your picture or profile to anyone – you can just ‘tease’ the people you’re interested in and see if anyone responds.”

So, after the last verse of Dayanu was recited, Elijah made his entrance just as my entire family made their exit from the dining room and into the computer room to surf the net and view my “prospects.” After seeing an absurd amount of people I knew from High School and knowing full well how many married couples came out of the use of this particular site, I agreed to at least look into this phenomenon while at work the following week.

I had always thought meeting people in New York City would be easy, considering there are like, a gazillion of us living here – but no. The hottie I ogled on the subway got off at 77th Street, and I have yet to run into him ever again. The preppie I bummed a cigarette from at Luna Park introduced me to his girlfriend later that same evening, and the great dancer at the wedding I went to without a date, turned out to be a distant cousin!

I had already been set up with all eligible bachelors known by my married girlfriends. Furthermore, my few remaining single friends were clutching onto this now diminishing resource of bachelors for themselves. It wasn’t as though they were jumping at the chance to introduce me to any of their potential future husbands. I was the competition, for G-d’s sake! A flashback to Carrie Fisher saying to Meg Ryan, “Don’t wait too long… or you’ll spend the rest of your life knowing that someone else is married to your husband,” was the final straw. It was time to take action.

Disclaimer: I am Jewish and I hope to marry a Jewish man someday. I’ve dated outside of my faith numerous times, but still hope my soon-to-be-met soul-mate is, in fact, Jewish. I don’t mean to alienate anyone or keep the non-Jews from enjoying this story. So, if you’re at all offended, may I suggest thinking of Charlotte and her husband on Sex and the City or watch My Big Fat Greek Wedding (again)? Ok, moving on….

As skeptical as I was about the idea of Internet Dating, I had to admit, it had its pluses. As a struggling actress working a full-time job, my free time was limited; and dinners with my married girlfriends as well as rehearsals for plays took up most of this time. The chance of meeting Mr. Right on any given night in any given bar were bordering on zero, especially with alcohol and cheesy pick-up lines affecting the results. But what lay before me on my computer screen were thousands of guys from which to choose. I’m a huge believer on the “spark theory,” and I agree with the masses that chemistry is vital in any lasting relationship. However, let’s face the sad truth – a spark is meaningless without the “credentials” for lack of a better word. Said male might not ultimately be a girl’s Mr. Right, but he has to at least “look good on paper” for her to date him in the first place.

J-Date’s system allowed me to weed out all of the smoking, cat-loving, unemployed, vertically challenged men. To boot, everyone using the service is Jewish (perfect for my predisposition to fall in love exclusively with the Non-Jewish male population), and everyone is (supposedly) single! I created my profile, making myself sound like the girl every guy apparently desired (i.e. a girl who can look good in both a cocktail dress and a pair of jeans while sustaining a non-superficial conversation). I made sure the profile was “hidden” from the public so as not to be the subject of scrutiny from people I know (mainly, my now married ex-boyfriends surfing the site merely for fun). Finally, I psyched myself up by exclaiming to myself, “Let the Teasing Begin!” To be honest with you, it was sort of fun. Coming to work each morning to check my email account filled with potential J-dates was exciting, to say the least. I actually looked forward to it. At one point, I became slightly obsessed and like any good stalker, I checked my email at home as well. I emailed back and forth with a few of my handpicked gentlemen, and even got around to sending them my picture (thanks to the Xerox guys at work who scanned it into the computer for me).

But I still hadn’t told anyone I was doing this. Why? I’m not sure. Everyone was encouraging me join the online dating bandwagon, if I hadn’t already. Some of my married friends were even envious that I had this option available to me when reflecting on their own sporadic dating experiences throughout their single days. My only explanation was that as confident as I was, and as desperate as I was not, I still felt like I was giving into a stigma that would follow me forever, even if I ended up meeting my future husband on the street randomly elsewhere. My rationale going in was this: If I find myself in a serious relationship with someone as a result of this, I’ll divulge my dirty little secret to the world. If I don’t, then no one will have to know that I ever had to resort to this method of dating madness.

And for two months, I didn’t have to say a word, for my J-dates were dismal. I wanted to scream, “TMI (Too Much Information)!” to my first J-date who told me about his biological father who was put in Bellevue Hospital for attempted suicide and insanity, two minutes after we sat down at the bar. I met a comedian who was great up until he asked me if I was “a screamer” during sex. He wasn’t “joking.” But, no matter… Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, back to the keyboard, I would go. I still had 40 teases left to use before I’d have to shell out money for the service. And as for my inquiring friends still basking in the dark, I would simply tell them that I had been set up on blind dates by non-mutual friends. I would just fail to mention that I was, in fact, the non-mutual friend doing the setting up.

That’s when my mother called me and demanded a Mother’s Day gift. She didn’t want slippers, or a bathrobe this year. Oh no. She wanted me to register on GreatBoyfriends.com. She had seen it discussed on Oprah and The Today Show and thought the concept was fantastic. Basically, a girl recommends a guy, like her ex-boyfriend, for instance, for the site. It’s done in the clever, kitschy style of one of my favorite magazine’s advice columnist, E. Jean – who happened to have created GreatBoyfriends.com. It was definitely a pain in the ass to scroll down and find the Jews, but I did manage to contact about 10 potential “great boyfriends.” Again, I told my friends about this very trendy and cool website, but left out the part about my personally registering for it.

My first date from “great boyfriends” was with Steven. He was a talented pianist as well as a successful litigator, recommended by a girl who looked as if she could’ve easily been my friend. FYI, the daydreams I was having about these guys throughout this whole experience were quite vivid and optimistic. But, needless to say, because I was, by this point, living proof of the saying, “so many men, so little time,” I was hardly disappointed when my daydreams about Steven went up in smoke the second I saw him face to face. It was obvious why the picture on his profile was so blurry, but it didn’t matter. I was meeting Josh the very next night.

Josh’s online picture had me AND my mother swooning. So I was excited upon discovering that in person, he was, in fact, extremely attractive and had this amazing personality, to boot. He was smart, funny, successful, passionate, Jewish, and living (alone) in a beautiful one-bedroom apartment conveniently located around the corner from me. After a lovely first kiss, I was definitely optimistic. On our third date, we were to meet up with his friends from college. The following conversation ensued…

“Did you mention to your friends how we met?” I asked him outside the bar.

He replied, “Well, I said we met at a coffee shop (the place of our first date) on the Upper East Side (where we both live).” “Perfect. I don’t know how I feel about telling everyone about the whole Internet thing yet,” I said. “I agree,” Josh concurred, despite the fact that he, having been put up on the site by someone else, comes off looking fine in this situation.

A fourth date and a fifth date followed that evening. Josh would call me frequently during this initial month of our courtship proving that eventually, he would, in fact, be a “great boyfriend.” During one of these phone calls, this particular conversation took place… “Guess who called me today,” said Josh teasingly. “Who?” I asked, not knowing why I felt my stomach suddenly drop. “E-Jean from GreatBoyfriends.com!”

“Really,” I replied, still recovering from the nausea I experienced upon hearing his reference to the site out loud for the very first time and reminding me of our little secret. “She wants us both to do a segment for Entertainment Tonight! I’m not sure if I’m into the whole notion of going on national television, but think about it. It could be fun, however humiliating it might be for both of us.” To which I replied, “Well, let’s sleep on it, but I’m pretty sure I’m gonna end up saying no. Did I ever tell you about the time I posed for a spread in a nationally circulated fashion magazine only to be misquoted, mis-sized and well, mis-photographed….I’m still trying to live that down…”

I was fairly certain Josh was going to decline the offer, but when we met up the following evening, his interest was renewed. I was still leaning towards no, if only to avoid a fight with my friends who would be upset that I hadn’t yet told them about how I really met Josh.

The next day at work (a half day since it was a Friday in the summertime), I received phone calls from E. Jean (2x’s); Sue, the producer of Entertainment Tonight (2x’s); Josh (3x’s); my parents (???x’s) who wavered nearly as much as I did in their advising me on the situation; and of course, my boss (???!!!x’s), who demanded that I actually get some work done that day. I barely had time to breathe, let alone make a wise decision. It must have been a combination of E. Jean’s hyperactive peer pressuring, my parents subliminally telling me to do it because it’s “something funny to tell the grand-kids” and Josh’s P.C. answer of “Please feel no obligation to do it, it’s not that important to me,” – but by noon, I found myself agreeing to do the shoot against my better judgment.

I was told to wear something “very Charlotte from Sex and the City.” Knowing full well that my closet contained nothing of the sort, at exactly 1p.m., I dashed out of my office building and rounded the corner to Saks Fifth Avenue. I had bee-lined right for the Marc Jacobs. With no time to spare, bargain shopping was not an option. Two of the three dresses I tried on fit perfectly (thank G-d I was feeling thin that day!). I decided to take both of them and return one later – my roommate would choose which one I would ultimately wear. The clock was ticking. I scrambled to the first floor of Saks to get my makeup professionally done by the woman at Trish McEvoy. After telling her about the ET segment I was going to shoot in (Sh*#!) the next hour, I think I actually inspired her to try online dating herself! And as the makeup melted off my face during the trek to my apartment, I realized that as mortifying as this whole scenario could be, there was a part of me that thought 1) not everyone can say they’d been on Entertainment Tonight, and 2) maybe if people see someone like me using such a service, perhaps they might try it themselves! It was as though I were being charitable – I was helping rid the world of the Internet Dating Single-hood Stigma!

When I arrived at Carl Shurz Park, the location of the shoot, Josh looked hot (both literally and figuratively) wearing a sweat-soaked white button down shirt and dark blue jeans. I looked very hip in my straight-cut, strapless lime-green summer dress dotted with tiny pink flowers. I couldn’t tell you exactly what either of us said in the interview – but I do remember saying something about the irony of telling nobody about my dating exploits to telling the entire nation about them in true Karmic style.

I’ll admit part of me is relieved the segment never aired. But all and all, it was fun and my mom even offered to reimburse me for the dress I ended up wearing for the shoot (love that Jewish guilt!). I’m glad I finally gave into my secret temptation to try the online dating phenomenon. Not only has no one so much as batted an eyelash upon hearing how we met, but Josh and I are very much in love and awaiting our fast approaching one-year anniversary. There’s also a seat waiting for my “great boyfriend” at my family’s Passover Seder table. “Ma Neesh Ta Na?” I think we all know this year’s answer to that question!

After a super comforting Dixie Eggs brunch (complete with grits) this past weekend, I stumbled upon my find of the season. There it was…soft, supple, and the most beautiful shade of turquoise I’ve ever seen that didn’t come from Persia.

Without a moment’s hesitation I made a b-line for the door. When I stepped through, passing under the sign that read Village Tannery, I immediately realized, this isn’t your average bag shop. There were greens and pinks and all shapes and sizes of the finest quality leather bags. No logos, no status symbol padlocks or embossed lettering, just impeccable craftsmanship

Memo, part owner of the shop, came out and greeted me with a huge, affectuous smile. He encouraged me to pick up the bags, feel the leather, inspect the workmanship. Yeah, he knew I had my eye on the turquoise tote. He explained that he buys top of the line pelts in every color (the turquoise is one of a kind girls, so don’t even think about it). You can then choose your color, your design, your pattern…any different color trim you like, even the lining is custom made to your specifications. I knew the price tag was going to send me for a loop. Wrong!

Memo and his partner have two locations. The Bleecker Street store has been open since 1973, and this shop on Great Jones (just off of Broadway) has been open since August, when they moved their shop of 15 years, from Astor Place.

My conversation with Memo revealed even more positives. He educated me on different types and grades of leather and pointed out which ones work best for different bag styles. He advised me that he could remake any bag you have. For example, say you inherited this great envelope and you want another one in red. Simply bring it by and Memo and the gang will hand pick your red leather for you and, upon your approval, give new life to the beloved design. Typically, the turn around time on a custom bag is 1-2 weeks but they have been known to work all night like cobbler’s elves and turn out special pieces in 2 days.

If you’re still reading, after all this, and not in a cab headed down Broadway, just let me finish with this: There is a lifetime guarantee on every bag. Yep, every part of the bag is guaranteed. You break a zipper; they repair or replace it. That ought to be just enough to have you bag girls out there Finding Memo.

Village Tannery Locations:

7 Great Jones (between Broadway & Lafayette)
212-979-0013

and

173 Bleecker St
212-673-5444

email contact: VillageTannery@aol.com

It seems like everyone today is obsessing over their teeth. The average consumer is literally bombarded with teeth whitening strips to bleach to “magic” whitening gum and toothpastes to that stupid commercial where the girl is smiling so blatantly in front of her friends with practically radioactive-whitish blue teeth. Even past issues of this beauty website focused on teeth whitening services from BriteSmile. But listen up guys, it’s not an unknown that good teeth with a nice smile is one of the most important features that all women look for. However, it doesn’t matter how bleached your teeth are if your pearly whites are more crooked than Enron’s Kenneth Lay. If you’re worried about walking around with metal in your mouth, then braces may not be an option. And don’t fool yourself with those tooth-colored braces that are just as obvious as the metal ones with the added bonus of silently saying to others, “yes, I’m self-conscious about my braces.” If you’re a sales-side banker, marketing exec, consultant, press agent, entertainment manager, etc. that works with clients and/or the media on a regular basis, then braces truly are not an option in careers where appearance matters.

Now there’s a solution.

In 1998, the FDA approved the marketing of Invisalign, a proprietary method for straightening teeth using a series of clear, nearly invisible, removable appliances that do not rely on metal or ceramic brackets and wires. Though more than 100,000 patients nationwide have undergone Invisalign treatment, on April 1, Invisalign Wall Street (111 Broadway) will be the first and only office in New York dedicated to treating patients with Invisalign technology.

The office, designed by award-winning architect James Papoutisis, sports cutting-edge technology, emphasizing how Invisalign is boldly going where no orthodontists have gone before. The entire office is practically paper-free, from online medical forms to finger scan check-ins to digital x-rays, and has been designed to expedite client services so that busy clients can check-in and out within 15-20 minutes. This is probably the most efficient medical office I have ever seen or heard of in existence today.

I had the opportunity to speak with both Dr. Jennifer Salzer and Dr.Jessica Lynn Greenberg, both who are highly acclaimed among their peers in orthodontics and have numerous honors and awards to their names. The good doctors were introduced to Invisalign right at its inception.

“Adults come in all the time with different lists: crowding, spacing, overbites. As soon as you tell them that braces are the solution, they rule out that option and leave,” comments Dr. Salzer. The aligners are made from a polymer plastic that looks like a bleaching tray, but thinner and transparent. You literally can’t see it. In fact, I had no idea that Dr. Greenberg had the aligners on until she popped the aligner binding her top teeth out of her mouth. She adds, “With this new technology, people can straighten their teeth and no will ever know.” The aligners snap on to teeth just as a glove fits on a hand – only more securely. On the very outset of treatment, it can be tricky to get the aligners in and out since they completely cover the outside and inside of your teeth.

Dr.Salzer continues, “They’re comfortable – no wires or brackets cutting the interior of your mouth. Unlike traditional braces, the movement on your teeth is very gentle. You experience a low-level constant sensation rather than sharp pains. Eventually, many even forget that they have the aligners on.” Also unlike braces, when you talk it doesn’t sound like you have a mouthful of grapes; clients experience very little to no speech impediment. How about hygiene? When I had braces, not only did I get bristles on my toothbrush stuck on the metal brackets, but my teeth slowly yellowed due to the sheer fact that I couldn’t brush as thoroughly. With Invisalign, you take out the aligners whenever you eat, drink anything other than water, or brush your teeth – flossing clearly won’t be a problem.

The cost of Invisalign treatment is roughly the same as a stint with traditional braces – roughly $7K-10K for a typical year’s treatment. Some insurance companies allot a certain amount to orthodontic work, which usually includes Invisalign services. I recommend looking into your dental plan regarding your insurance coverage.

Now, I was a little skeptical regarding the abilities of Invisalign technology. Is it a small-time appliance that can only correct minor problems like orthodontic relapse? Dr. Salzer counters, “Almost all traditional orthodontic cases are candidates for Invisalign. We can make crowded teeth straight, close spaces, correct rotations, and even widen smiles. With certain cases like skeletal discrepancies where the jaw is not in position or other severe cases, we may do a combination of braces and Invisalign. ” Dr. Greenberg adds, “Surgical cases and impacted teeth are beyond Invisalign capabilities. With impacted teeth, the patient actually needs traditional braces to help pull teeth out of the upper and lower jaws. Invisalign may not completely help bite correction in severe cases, which can only be corrected through surgery or extraction anyway.” All in all? Most people are candidates for Invisalign, and I saw actual patient charts that proved that is the case.

Convinced yet? With that said, Invisalign is a great product for adults who already had braces and suffered orthodontic relapse because they stopped wearing their retainers. Invisalign also works just fine on patients with porcelain veneers or caps. As is recommended with traditional braces, patients need to have all of their permanent teeth before treatment.

An average treatment takes about a year to complete. A client gets a series of aligners where each subsequent aligner gradually moves teeth to the desired position. Using 3-D computer technology, each aligner is precisely calibrated and manufactured for each stage (every two weeks). Clients are given three sets of aligners on each visit; therefore, with the exception of the first couple of visits, you spend about 20 minutes at the Invisalign Wall Street office every six weeks. So the appliance is great for us guys who always complain that we have too much to do in too little time. Even the office hours are flexible to accommodate your busy work schedule.

Aligners are durable. Out of over 500 patients treated, Dr. Salzer recalls only one patient that has actually chewed through one of his aligners (must’ve been an I-banker or a telecom auditor). Since aligner stages are digitally recorded, broken or lost aligners are easily replaced to your exact specification with just a call (or email) to the Invisalign office. With traditional braces, a detached metal bracket could require half-a-day’s worth of time spent traveling to and waiting in an orthodontist’s office.

The first office visit includes the cool finger print scanner, which then records you into the Invisalign server system. Side-view and panoramic frontal digital x-rays are then taken with low-radiation equipment. Unlike traditional x-rays, there is no processing of film required. Images are received immediately so that Drs. Salzer and Greenberg can proceed with a comprehensive diagnostic on the spot. Digital high-quality color photos of your smile and the interiors of your mouth are also taken. Then you sit with the doctors to take super-accurate upper and lower impressions of your teeth. The best part about this is that while you’re in the chair, you have a large, flat-panel screen in front of you with high-speed Internet access to help keep you connected with the latest stock quotes, the latest nipplegate, or the latest Bennifer drama stories. Then the doctors discuss with you precisely what you want to achieve through the Invisalign treatment. All of this happens in the first visit and takes about an hour – talk about six sigma efficiency. The second visit takes about 30 minutes, since the doctors have to explain how to care for and insert/remove your aligners. A nifty 3-D rendering of your teeth, which can be rotated for the best viewing angles, show exactly what your teeth look like now and the series of movements you will go through until you achieve the final result. Then it’s the standard 15-20 minute visit every six weeks.

Now you might be saying that you have had braces before and that your teeth were perfect for a while before they started to shift. Drs. Salzer and Greenberg do all they can to prevent orthodontic relapse. At the end of treatment (again, about a year), they bond thin, wire retainers behind the front, upper and lower teeth that keep teeth straight and static. A night retainer is then worn while you sleep to keep the back teeth in place. Dr. Greenberg advises, “We do not recommend removing the retainer wire. The removable Invisalign retainers are recommended to be worn at night for at least one year and then we advise that it’s best to wear them longer. Teeth are likely to shift throughout life and retainers are our best tool to prevent teeth from shifting and getting crowded again.”

Downsides? There really aren’t any. You just need to be diligent about wearing your aligners and taking them out when you’re eating and the like. Additionally, your teeth will shift slightly if you don’t wear your night retainer, as is the case with all forms of orthodontic treatment, though the wire retainers help keep the front of your teeth straight. Lastly, aligners could become discolored if you smoke with them in, but that’s just plain common sense. Frankly, I found all the positives of traditional orthodontic treatment and then some added bonuses without any of the negatives of metal-mouth. Win-win situations are hard to come by in life. In a year, you’ll pretty much spend only about 3 ½ hours in Invisalign Wall Street’s super-efficient, high-tech office. I’ve spent more time waiting on line at the DMV. Don’t pass up this fantastic, affordable opportunity to improve your smile, your business image, and your self-esteem.

Invisalign Wall Street
111 Broadway, near the corner of Thames St.
The Trinity Building. 17th Floor
New York, NY 10006
212-871-9835
http://www.invisalignwallstreet.com

The birth of Zia is almost similar to that of grunge band Nirvana, or even Bill Gates in his garage working on his first software. It all began in a small apartment in San Francisco in 1984. Just two girls making all sorts of concoctions to create all natural, organic products.

Twenty years later, they have 60 employees and over 70 products. So what’s the secret to Zia’s success? What keeps Zia going and going?

Duh!

For starters, their philosophy is pretty logical: for a product to make the skin look good, the product must be good to the skin! Hence all the natural ingredients and the care they take to use only the best quality ingredients in every thing they make. And, they work.

Say “allo” to aloe

Here’s something you should always have in your fridge. Forget about food, stock up on the essentials. Buy a big bottle of Aloe Vera. It’s amazing stuff. You can use as moisturizer, a soothing lotion for dry irritated skin, and it’s fabulous for cuts, grazes and sunburn.

OK. Now back to Zia. Need a face wash that really cleans without erasing your face? Try Zia’s Aloe & Citrus Wash, 6 fl.oz, $18.95. This refreshing cleanser is a non-oily cleanser with an invigorating blend of aloe vera and citrus extracts. Plus, it’s free of soap and sodium lauryl sulfate*- that’s something we should all be looking for on the labels of shampoos, soaps. etc. Apparently, Jennifer Beals (“FlashDance” leg-warmer, Jennifer) can’t live with out it!

Need something for dryer skin, like me? Try Zia’s MoisturizingCleanser, 8 fl.oz. It’s a light milky cleanser that removes makeup. And it’s loaded with vitamin E and essential fatty acids and natural sugars to give parched skin a drink…of water that is! I love it.

Watch your Toner!

When your skin is as dry as mine, I usually skip the toner. But here’s one that’s so refreshing, I keep it in the fridge (right beside my aloe!) and use it every time I want to spritz my skin. Ultimate Tomoing Mist for Normal/Dry skin, $18.95.

They call it a facial tea, and with its blend of antioxidants and super-hydrators I can see why. There’s red raspberry, vitamin C and other natural age-fighters that work to neutralize damage. As well Dr. Salmonhead’s (Perricone) DMAE – which visibly firms skin and smoothes fine lines – apparently!

Mask your indulgences

You were out till 4. AM! Drinking, clubbing, drinking. OK. It’s over now. So stay in tonight, rent a DVD and give your skin a treat. Try The Oat Milk Detoxifying Mask for dry or sensitive skin. You’ll love its rich yet lightweight texture that cleanses, detoxifies and tightens your pores as it calms dry, parched or sensitive skin. It’s the oat milk that helps draw out impurities (liquid ones only!) and restore moisture while relieving irritation and redness. And there’s also natural vegetable proteins with aloe vera and white tea to hydrate and nourish thirsty or delicate skin. OK. Problem solved, but this doesn’t mean indulge. Abstain – at least for a day or two!

In your eyes (well around them, really)

So your face is looking good. But what about those puffy eyes? Forget the cucumber or teabags. Try the Essential Eye Gel – firming treatment for tired or puffy eyes. Once again, aloe and antioxidants help fight damage and improve skin health. And it’s great for sensitive skin.

It’s like Buttah!

Don’t you love all these new body creams that are made from delicious ingredients that make you want to eat them? Well here’s another one. Zia’s Body Butter – a luscious cream that’s made with shea and mango butters to lavish your skin with moisture. They also use organic botanicals including aloe, chamomile and ginko biloba, as well as green tea, rosehip seed and essential oils. Hmmmmm. Yummy! You’ll feel like a little baby again!

Much more than skincare…
Zia isn’t just about skin. They also do and cosmetics and sun care protection. Something I want to check out in the future. But start with the skin. I think you’ll love ze results!

Where can we get it?
Well, you have a few options. You can find most of their products in health stores all over the city. I went to

Vitamin Shoppe (on Union Square East), or you can go directly to their site, http://www.zianatural.com and call 1-800-334-7546 for assistance. They’re very knowledgeable and helpful folk! But better yet, go to http://www.uncommonscents.com, there’s a sale on – 15% off all Zia products!

Get them now, before ze sale is over!

*Never heard of sodium lauryl sulfate? Hmmm, well here’s a quick definition. Sodium lauryl sulfate is a high volume synthetic chemical used in consumer products and regulated as a pesticide. A suspected gastrointestinal or liver toxicant, sodium lauryl sulfate can be drying and harsh for the hair and cause eye irritation, allergic reactions, and hair loss.

It was inevitable. My best friend’s engagement to her boyfriend of seven years came as no surprise to anyone. It was a long-awaited happy occasion for all and yet, still, a part of me dreaded it. You see, one of my ex-boyfriends would be on the guest list for her upcoming engagement party. I’ve managed to avoid him for four years now and this party would mark the end of that streak. It might as well have been my 10-year high school reunion. The pressure was on – I needed to look fantastic

After a couple of minor breakdowns, a few journal entries and some serious hours of Pilates, I was more than emotionally ready. And of course, a romantic evening with my very loving current boyfriend was exactly what I needed to remind me of just how much I was unnecessarily freaking out about this. After all, it’s been years. I’m totally over it. I’ve moved on. Gosh darn it, I did find love again! But come on, all you Romy and Michelle fans can understand my plight, right?

I began my reunion makeover about a month before the big night. Thirty days seemed like the perfect amount of time. Anyone could stay disciplined about anything for a few weeks, and it was just enough time to produce some tangible results. So, I did what any rational female in this situation would do. I lost 10 pounds. I also religiously cleaned my face and applied a mask twice weekly with some amazing products (see my article on Mario Badescu). I was cutting it close, but about one week before, I dragged my mom’s credit card and my almost 10-pounds lighter body to Bloomingdale’s. I bought a fabulous outfit—a pretty pink chiffon halter by Laundry and winter white striped pants by Kenneth Cole. Did I mention the weather forecast said snow? Oh well. There was no time to dwell.

Before I knew it, the morning of the big event was upon me. Fortunately, I had an appointment with the-be-all-end-all of confidence boosters…The Ted Gibson Salon. With a limited budget of time and money, I had to be selective about what necessary final touches I was to make in this ultimate glamorization process. I decided that the following needed immediate attention: hair, makeup, nails and eyebrows. Suffice it to say, Ted Gibson (both the man and the salon) made me feel like a million bucks the second I walked through the elevator doors and into the spacious loft which was under the influence of what I imagine to be some serious Feng Shui. This new and exclusive salon is sure to have the chicest Manhattanites talking! New York City designer Kimberly Peck created a calm and intimate yet sophisticated and modern oasis. I felt so cozy sipping Chardonnay on their chocolate brown leather banquette, wrapped in a thick satin robe and surrounded by white-washed walls softly lit in pink.

Ted Gibson has said, “Every woman wants to feel sexy, desired and special. I really listen to what they have to say and bring out their most beautiful self.” Well, I must say that everyone at the Ted Gibson salon aims to do just that. Feeling as pampered as Angelina Jolie (one of Mr. Gibson’s many famous clients), I received a complimentary hand massage while David, my talented hairdresser, brought my hair to a most lustrous shine. David used the brush, iron and dryer with such care and grace, it was almost as if he was doing yoga and tai chi while styling my hair! I practically floated over to Sasha, the manicurist, and within minutes, I felt like I had known her for years. As the aromatherapy cuticle oil rejuvenated my dry winterized hands, I felt relaxed yet excited for the evening ahead.

In addition to being stylists to the most famous actresses and runway models, Ted Gibson and his business partner Jason Backe are recognized internationally as top educators for the Aveda Corporation, and they use their skincare products exclusively. Their makeup artist, Zahra, is adorable and clearly passionate about what she does for a living. A perfectionist at heart, she shaped my eyebrows beautifully. My eyes never looked so wide and bright, and the many people who complimented me in the weeks following most certainly agreed with my observation! My makeup was flawless as well. Having been professionally made-up for one too many bridal parties to look like a clown, I usually opt to do my own makeup. But Zahra’s work made me rethink that notion. The light pastels she used got me psyched for the spring and made me feel feminine and pretty. Her application was precise but innovative. She was half-surgeon, half-artist.I was particularly intrigued with her use of Aveda’s eye shadow palette. For instance, she used a shimmery light tan hue to highlight my cheekbones and a glittery pink cheek color on my eyelids.

A tour of the rest of the salon, revealed two pedicure stations, a waxing room, a facial room and a VIP room for private use by celebrities. “Some day,” I mumbled under my breath, “Some day.” But in the meantime, I’ll take feeling like a celebrity and being treated like one by the gracious, sophisticated and friendly staff at Ted Gibson any day!

In less than a month, my hair was shiny and straight; my hands smooth and polished; my brows plucked and arched; my makeup feminine and flawless; my outfit stylish and one-size smaller than usual. But more importantly, I was also happy with life, in love with my boyfriend and excited for my best friend and her fiancé. Keeping those last three things in mind was what really made me feel beautiful the day I saw my ex-boyfriend and everyday thereafter, for that matter. A trip to the Ted Gibson Salon didn’t hurt either.

Ted Gibson is a full-service salon located at 184 Fifth Avenue (between 22nd Street and 23rd Street) on the 2nd Floor. Call 212-633-6333 to make an appointment.

Is your scalp irritated? Grab your shampoo bottle and let’s get to the root of the problem. Because a common ingredient found in many shampoos, soaps, toothpastes and detergents is also a known irritant. Sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS, is a synthetic agent that, depending on its concentration, can penetrate the skin and it could be the culprit if you develop rough rashes, redness, or itchiness on your head. It dries the skin, stripping the skin’s surface of its protective lipids. SLS is also the bubbling agent found in these products.

We tend to associate bubbles with cleanliness. “It is a fallacy that you need to have foaming bubbles to get it clean,” said Dr. Ron Shelton, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology. Dr. Shelton is a board-certified dermatologist and is certified in dermatologic cosmetic surgery by The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.

It’s also important to note the difference between an allergen and an irritant. People can develop allergies to something, said Dr. Shelton, and they must be avoided, regardless of concentration. An irritant is a chemical, and depending on the concentration, being exposed may or may not cause a reaction.

Ingredients:

8 oz : Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfat

Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide MEA

Lauryl Glucoside

Polyquaternium-22

Cetyl Triethylmonium-Dimethicone-Copolyol Phthalate

Vitamin B5, Dimethicone Copolyol

Polyquaternium-10

Propylene Glycol

Maiden Hair Fern Extract

Polygonum Multiflorum Extract (a.k.a. Ho Shou Wu)

Vitamin E Acetate

Vitamin A Palmitate

Chamomile Extract

Rosemary Extract

Yarrow Extract

Lemongrass Extract

Fragrance

Methylchloroisothiazolinone

Citric Acid

Most manufacturers list ingredients on the labels. If SLS is one of the first ingredients, it will have a higher concentration. If it’s lower on the list, you might be better off, said Dr. Shelton. If the skin is irritated, find products where SLS is listed lower (less concentrated) or SLS-free.

But SLS isn’t the only common irritant found in shampoos. Triethanolamine (TEA) and diethanolamine (DEA) are often on labels as compounds, such as TEA-Sodium lauryl sulfate.

Look for alternatives. Sodium laureth sulfate, oletin sulfate, and decyl glucoside are gentler. Take extra precaution with babies and children. A recent study out of the University of Georgia Medial College indicated that “SLS penetration into the eyes…showed long-term retention in tissues.”

I’ve read, but never tried, that adding antioxidants, such as Vitamins A or C (powder form) to shampoos with TEA or DEA can neutralize the irritants. Look for products made with herbs, coconut oil and natural ingredients. Aveda, Aubrey Organics, and Kiss My Face offer SLS-free products. Try brands that are carried at health food stores.

If soaps, shampoos, toothpastes or detergents irritate your skin, it’s best to consult a dermatologist. It’s important to read the label of any product, because what you don’t know could harm you.

I have sensitive skin. I feel like a wuss just saying it, but I’ll scream it out. I HAVE SENSITIVE SKIN, everybody. Now, with that said, I have found the perfect line of skin care for my poor epidermis. Sonya Dakar, the problem-skin specialist, started on a mission to cure problem skin over 32 years ago. With a plethora of products for acne, anti-aging, discoloration, scarring irritation and maintenance, she has succeeded in helping many become more self confident about their appearance.

Although I’m not one for spending too much time on daily routines, I have learned that an extra 5 minutes is worth it. Because of the amount of products available I had to pick and choose my battles. Alright, it sounds complicated to use a certain amount of products in the morning and night and then some three days a week, but you get used to it, I promise. The following is what changed my skin:

SOYA WASH. I’m not much of a Britney fan, but I am a fan of the facial cleanser that Sonya created specifically for the celebrity’s skin. The “not a girl, not yet a woman” had that not-so-fresh feeling (as I’m sure you can imagine by the amount of makeup mixed with sweat that sits atop her face from venue to venue) and Sonya solved the problem with the use of this gentle soy product. This product actually feels like it’s moisturizing while cleansing. Soy, known for being a healthy food, contains linoleic acid, which is used to repair damaged skin cells while improving the skin’s elasticity. This isn’t science class, girls, so I’m not going to explain how. This product should be used at morning and night.

IRRITATION RELIEF. Have you ever wondered how it is that you can go through your daily regimen of facial cleansing without first preparing your skin of all the products you’re about to apply? Ok, maybe you haven’t, but it’s a good question. How is it that we can put a bunch of stuff on our faces daily and then assume that a cleanser, mask, and moisturizer will somehow heal them? Dakar’s Irritation Relief prepares your face for the rest of the cleaning process. It is at this point in my daily process when I get to feel that tingly feeling that everyone waits for to tell her that something is working. The cream is infused with bacoba monniera, an antioxidant believed to help prevent irritation and relieve the skin from it. Also in this awesome product are marine extracts, used to soften the skin and reduce symptoms of irritation such as redness. Who woulda thunk that the sea could be so useful? Ok, I did too, smartypants. Anyway, read the directions, honey, you leave it on. Don’t rinse. Wait two minutes and then use…

ENZYME PEELING CREAM (EPC) Pumpkin and Cardamom, you say? Huh? It’s a peeling mask…and a cream. Pumpkin enzymes and cardamom help to eliminate blackheads, dry skin, and well, grossness. The peeling masks that I’m used too are the ones that I try to peel off in one piece. It becomes a game for me to see the biggest piece that I can take off. You don’t get to play that game with this one, folks.

Used at night three times a week, the cream dries and then you rub it off. With tiny little pieces flaking off, it now acts like a scrub as you rub the rest off in circles with warm water. Ok ok, we’re getting there. It’s fun to do all of this, I swear.

BLUE MASK. Much like the EPC, this mask is unlike others. When I think clay mask, I think of the hardening feeling when you get to see all of the little lines in your face and wonder how it is that you feel so young, yet when covered in green or blue slime, don’t seem to feel it. Because this line is meant for sensitive skin, this mask does not harden on your face. It’s more of a moisturizer that lifts impurities from the skin. With a lot of the same ingredients as the irritation relief, it tones the skin while calming the senses. The mask is also to be used three times a week in the p.m.

HYDRASOFT LOTION. Everyone needs a moisturizer. This one has no weird additives or sweet smelling scents because remember…it’s for sensitive skin! I know, I know, everyone wants to smell good, but just use a perfume (pick one from our fragrance issue!), you don’t need to have your fave smelling like fruit. The lotion works as an anti-inflammatory aid and is ph balanced for moisture.

SPF!!! Use it! That’s all I have to say. Ever scared that your face is going to grow older before the rest of you? UV Rays are year-round, your skin should be protected as often. For more information, read the Sun Facts in the Sonya Dakar June 2002 Newsletter. The website also offers a waterproof sunscreen, but remember that using a “waterproof” cream does not mean that there is no need to apply it again after a romp in the swimming pool.

Whew. Ok, I’m done, I think, Yes, No, Yes, I am. Now I understand all the celebrity hype when it comes to Sonya. Stars like Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, Kirsten Dunst, and Britney thank and praise Sonya for her skin care lines every day. If you’re skin is not so sensitive and you have other problem skin or just need a proper maintenance regimen, I highly recommend these products. Not only is my skin less discolored, but looks clearer…in the pimply sense. I even got a compliment over the weekend :)

How good does that feel? I don’t know about you, but I’m trying the Drying Lotion next. It’s Sonya’s miracle and can be heard about on the Hollywood scene. Have you ever seen Drew Barrymore with a zit? No, really, think about it.

Website: www.sonyadakar.com

Hallelujah, a skincare line that respects the wisdom of your skin. Combining a holistic sensibility with sensuous floral and herbal ingredients, Dr. Hauschka Skincare simply and luxuriously cooperates with skin – rather than fixing, fighting, or using “anti-” methods. Whether troubled by a temporary condition (dryness, break-outs, sensitivity), or maintaining the skin’s natural state of good health, Dr. Hauschka’s formula is the same: small amounts of gentle but intensive products, regular use, and beautiful results.

The morning routine consists of a cleanser and toner, plus a light day cream or sunscreen before facing the day. Dr. Hauschka discourages the use of creams at night, reasoning that while you sleep, your skin finally has a chance to breathe and detoxify, and bare skin does it best. An exception is made for the Rhythmic Night Conditioner, which is applied in place of a toner, and treats the skin overnight, addressing irritation or imbalance.

Below is a quick run-down of several of the everyday products, all of which I tried and loved. (For the record, the weather during this period made absolutely no sense – freezing one day, sixty-nine degrees the next – and none of this vexed my regimen. If anything, Dr. Hauschka distracted me from the weather, with its fragrant and soothing little potions).

Cleansing Cream
Essentially, this is a very mild exfoliant that leaves a moisturized feeling rather than one of “scrubbed.” Like many Dr. Hauschka products, it features rose essential oil as a main ingredient, as well as sweet almond oil. It smells delicious. The tube will probably strike you as rather small, but you need so little cream to do the job (“one half inch” the box says, and I probably used less than that). I think it would last a good month or two, and may cause you to question why you ever thought you needed a huge blob of cleanser on your pretty face in the first place. With the entire Dr. Hauschka line, there is a consistent approach of “less is more,” allowing the skin’s natural processes to proceed.

Facial Toner
According to my product description, this toner “minimizes pores, strengthens elasticity and leaves normal, dry, and sensitive skin firmed and energized.” I do concur. During my crazy Two Weeks of All Weather, I had all three of these skin types, plus oily skin on the suddenly-warm days. Unlike most toners I have tried, this one felt like it was actively reviving my skin, and it did so regardless of its sensitivity that day.

Rose Day Cream
I had heard the rumors about this product, the reports of celebrity love. Everyone from Madonna to Cate Blanchett reportedly adores the Rose Day Cream, and now I understand why. Infused with a high concentration of rose and rose hip oil, this cream is rich and nourishing but doesn’t just “sit there.” It melts into your skin in minutes. A tiny drop protects the entire face, and it smells so, so delicious. Prepare to fall in love… Dr. Hauschka features a variety of soothing masks, treatments, hair and body care products, and a line of Decorative Cosmetics. You can find them at salons, Sephora and health food stores like Wild Oats and Whole Foods. Learn more about Dr. Hauschka at http://www.drhauschka.com.

The sandals come out, the windows go up, and whistles on the way to work become daily with the swish of your skirt. Spring has sprung and though there is a certain thrill in buying a whole face full of cosmetics for $10 at the drugstore, seasonal shifts allow for a regime change in the old makeup drawer. The “big” department store lines are big for a reason, and you can expand your typical spring look with some of their great new products and old standbys.

Working from the skin out, Awake’s Hydro-Touch Foundation, www.awakecosmetics.com, is a great sheer option. Containing 70% water – yes, 70% – this foundation nourishes winter dried skin and won’t dry out itself because of its airtight compact. Gingko Biloba improves skin tone, Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, and ivy tightens pores. The line acknowledges all skin tones and the formulation is great for all ages.

New from Laura Mercier, www.lauramercier.com, is their Secret Brightener. Coming in a pen form, this is one of those wonder products used alone or under concealer. It brightens dark circles, reduces shadows, and minimizes discolorations boosting your inner radiant self. Light is reflected away from any dark areas and the Secret Brightener also nourishes and protects your delicate under eye skin. It’s great because it isn’t heavy or hard to work with and gives an even skin tone complimenting the water-based foundation.

Cheeks can be youthful and fresh or defined and sophisticated. For the former option Paula Dorf’s “Ballet” Cheek Color, www.pauladorf.com, is great blended into the apples of the cheeks. It gives long-lasting pigment and a little goes a long way.

Once the sun goes down you can spice things up a little bit. Chanel has come out with their limited-edition Joues Contraste Duo to help you out, www.chanel.com. A blush and a highlighter make up the duo and the lighter shade is beautiful along the cheekbone, right under the eye, to contour and illuminate while the copper pink blush shade adds the perfect flush to your skin. The color is great because it works on most skin tones and delivers on the quality you’ve come to expect from Chanel. Use a fluffy blush brush to get a nice and even distribution of color and you can go sheer or build to intensify.

Eyes are my favorite, and there are so many fun new things out this spring to play with that can take you outside of the regular pastel spring shadows. One easy thing to throw in your makeup bag is Guerlain’s limited-edition Terracotta Loose Powder Kohl in Secret Glow, www.guerlain.com. If you aren’t familiar with the Powder Kohl’s, they’re loose powders that are high in pigment and last all day. Secret Glow is a pearly white shade that looks gorgeous on the inner corners of the eyes. It’s a trick makeup artists use all the time to illuminate and brighten the area, making eyes appear more open.

If you’re willing to walk down a new path with shadows you should check out Lancome’s new Colour Focus Palette 4 Ombres in “Calypso”, www.lancome.com. The colors are amazing – a sheer gold, a brown, a bronze, and a turquoise – and the patented Jetfine technology allows for intense pigments that blend beautifully and are long-lasting. You can use the colors wet or dry, and the turquoise is great as a liner if you’re not feeling terribly adventurous.

For a more dramatic evening out, Stila has new Smudge Pots that are unlike anything you’ve ever seen before, www.stilacosmetics.com. Not a powder, cream, or liquid, these are more of a gel that have an ink-like concentration and can be used as a shadow or liner (use a synthetic brush when working with gels, creams, or liquids). The cap is airtight to prevent drying, and the color really stays put. “Plum” and “Gray” are great alternatives to a black smokey eye.

With all of this eye drama it’s best to keep the lips nice and simple, and Bobbi Brown has come out with two new colors in her Creamy Color Gloss that are perfect, www.bobbibrown.com. “Bare” is good for lighter skin and “Caramel” for darker, both providing creamy rich color with high shine. They’re not too intense in color and work well on everyone

And now I have to throw a shout-out to the fragrance that I am newly enamored with for spring. I was thrown completely off because I cannot stand bananas in anything and never really enjoyed their smell before, but Comptoir Sud Pacifique’s Vanille Banane, www.lusciouscargo.com, is amazing!! They combined vanilla pod with banana cream, banana leaf, orange, clove, and white rum and the result is delicious. I still love my Jo Malone Orange Blossom, but we’re trading on and off lately.

So take a chance and go outside the lines of what you deem spring to be, whether it be with a new shade or fruity fragrance. Who knows who might be whistling at you next?

Listen closely: the importance of mascara is second only to lipstick. In the summertime, all that’s necessary on a perfectly sun-kissed face is a little mascara and lip gloss. Therefore which mascara you choose to coat your lashes with is an important, life-hinging decision. Dedicated to protecting you and your lashes at all costs, BeautyNewsNYC.com gives you a rundown of a few new ones:

Yves Saint Laurent Luxurious Mascara for a False Lash Effect:

A false lash effect indeed. I have to say I’m a little disappointed. I expected more of YSL. The mascara looked very clumpy on my lashes and I felt like Tammy Faye Baker after one application. Not my thing. As for color, I liked the subtlety of the #4 Dark Purple. It was hard to differentiate from my usual black except in certain lights. As for the #3 Bright Blue and #6 Navy Blue, it’s hard to tell the difference between the two. Surprisingly I think the bright blue looked better because it was more effective in darkening my lashes. I can’t explain this scientifically; it’s just what happened.

Estee Lauder MagnaColor Maximum Intensity Mascara:

Easy, marketing people. The one thing this mascara lacks is intensity. It was the most ineffective of the mascaras I tried. The wand was too narrow, too straight. I’m partial to curved wands so as to equally and evenly distribute the mascara in one go. I’m a busy woman! Sure they have lots of colors, but don’t we all mostly use basic black anyhow? So there has to be something special about the mascara to stand apart from the others. This one just didn’t make the cut.

Bobbi Brown Lash Glamour Lengthening Mascara:

The “fake lash” look seems to be what a lot of cosmetics giants are striving for these days. This mascara markets itself as unapologetically dramatic. It is created from a special silicone, water-resistant blend for smooth application. “Don’t be afraid to brsh it on both top and bottom lashes,” Bobbi comforts us on the press release. I’m normally not. Should I be? It goes on well, not as clumpy as some of the others I tried, and stays on for a few hours before the flaking starts. Yep, flaking. The one drawback to having huge gorgeous lashes using this formula is that half of it ends up on other parts of your face after several hours of wear.

Shiseido Mascara:

Mascara just got more complicated: the Shiseido Mascara Base is a conditioner to be applied underneath your coat of mascara. It reminded me of Lancome’s lash conditioner, a creamy ivory concoction. The specially manufactured “mix brush” combines regular fibers with hollow fibers to guarantee smooth distribution. This Base supposedly curls the lashes as well. The waterproof Distinguish Mascara contains formulas to moisturize your lashes while highlighting them. It definitely lengthens but I felt like I had just a few very long lashes, instead of a full lash line. I guess if you’re blessed with full but not so lengthy lashes, this is the one for you!

Awake’s Stardom Escalate Lash Mascara:

The Escalate Glide Formula boasts its innovative ingredients such as Almond Oil, Vitamin E and Watercress extracts to give the lashes a glossy finish…and lives up to the hype. The Escalate Brush is curved (A+!) with a thin end to assist the application to those tiny little lashes in the corner of your eye. This is a great concept because that can be a troublesome little area when putting on mascara. Post application the lashes look…well…wet. Super black with the slightest bit of “just applied” gloss. Now we’re talkin!

MAC Fibre Rich Lash:

Claiming nylon fibres that attach themselves to your lashes as you apply this mascara, MAC claims this will make your lashes extremely full. Sounds fun, but beware that this tends to make for clumpy lashes. Even the initial ad campaign with Liza Minelli close up with garrish eyeshadow and VERY clumpy lashes. Does anyone actually strive for this look? MAC people…what were you thinking?

Then there is the home run. Dior’s Maximeyes Mascara:

It goes on creamy, it doesnt flake. It left me with full and long lashes that curled upward. This mascara produced results in no time. I loved the chubby full brush that tapered to a point, it coated the lashes very well, no matter how small. It dried quickly, and didn’t leave my lashes feeling brittle afterwards. That’s what I call a home run.