Much of my knowledge about Australia came from a great friend I had made 10 years ago at one of my first jobs out of college. If not for Kate, anything I would have learned about Oz might have come from any of the lyrics I could discern in the Men at Work song “Land Down Under,” or maybe something I’d recollect from the movie “Crocodile Dundee.” But it’s so much more than the national icons we associate with it! Yes, there are cuddy koalas, cute kangaroos, and didgeridoos played in the Outback. And Sydney’s Opera House and the Harbour Bridge are even more breathtaking than you can imagine when you see them up-close. Yet for me, it was the combination of a cosmopolitan culture one side of the land – Sydney – and the awe-inspiring expanse of a still yet-to-be-completely-explored desert on the other, which made my trip there so incredible.

I spent two weeks in Sydney, home to the 2000 Olympics. I remember watching the opening ceremonies back then, thinking that one day I would have to make the trek to the other side of the globe because this place seemed like something special – and I was not disappointed. Some of the spectacular activities I set up for myself for my stay are truly worth trying. Here’s just a handful I highly recommend:

The Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb
I have a fear of heights. I don’t like confined spaces – but I don’t like large ones either. So I have issues. But several people I knew who had been to Sydney told me the sights you will see of the city from this viewpoint are unbelievable, and how much preparation goes into the “hike” makes it perfectly safe to try. So I did, and I am glad to say, everyone was right. The three-and-a-half-hour adventure takes you to the top of the bridge, which is 134 meters above sea level – a lot further up in height than my fourth-floor walkup. You can climb during the day or night. We went early in the morning and to see the entire city just a few hours after sunrise. Stupendous! I conquered my fear of heights and received a not-so-stunning photo of myself in the grey safety jumpsuit they supply you with. (Again, it was early in the morning, remember?) (www.bridgeclimb.com)

Hunter Valley Wine Tours
The Thursday of my first week in Sydney, we signed on for a full-day tasting tour in one of the country’s most renowned wine regions. We visited four wineries – The Rothbury Estate, McGuiggans, Tyrrell’s, and Iron Gate. Wineries in this region run the gamut from large exporters to small, family-owned institutions. We were treated to a nice variety of some excellent wines, which included lessons on the creation process and how to teach your palette what tastes to look for when selecting. There are numerous tour operators for day excursions. In addition, you can plan an overnight or two anywhere within the region. The tour operator we tried, which we found quite reasonable, was Wonder Bus (www.wonderbus.com.au).

The Blue Mountains and the Three Sisters
Gorgeous views of the countryside outside Sydney can be seen in the Blue Mountains, which are located less than two hours away from the city by car. You can also take a train or a bus to get there. They got their name due to the blue mist that rises from the numerous eucalyptus trees, which rests in the mountain air. Valleys of untamed woodland (what Aussies refer to as the “bush”), canyons, waterfalls, and native wildlife can all be found here. There are also unique natural rock formations like the Three Sisters. We had lunch at a place overlooking this landmark, which was an incredible sight to behold while eating a meat pie (favorite Aussie food for me!). There are a variety of places and activities to do in this region, so it’s best to log on to the Blue Mountains website to find what’s right for you. (www.bluemts.com.au)

Manly and Bondi Beach
Beautiful beaches can be found all over Australia – it is a country famous for that! Two of them that are just a ferry ride away from Circular Quay (the main hub of transportation downtown) are Manly and Bondi. Both offer lots of great little shops and restaurants to choose from, and both have sensational white sand and blue, blue waves that are hypnotic for those people like me who are born and bred in NYC and hardly ever get to experience surroundings such as these.

Where The Wild Things Are
I love zoos. Always had. Aquariums as well. Animals fascinate me, and what Sydney has to offer in this regard is exquisite. The Taronga Zoo, located right on Sydney Harbour, is simply gorgeous. The layout and diversity of species are pretty astonishing. They have all of the native animals known to their country – koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, Tasmanian devils, wombat, and crocodiles. You can even get a photo taken with a koala, as well as freely roam the kangaroo cage – which is quite experience to be had. The Sydney Aquarium also lets you check out – thankfully, behind very secure glass! – some of Australia’s most dangerous sea life (of which there is plenty). A visit to one or both of these spots is definitely worthwhile. (zoo.nsw.gov.au), (sydneyaquarium.com.au)

Darling Harbour
For some nighttime fun, explore Darling Harbour, which is accessible via a ferry, train, or monorail that provides great views of the city. We had dinner at James Squire and did a tasting of numerous local beers, which was very enjoyable for a girl who drinks Guinness but is always on the lookout to expand her drinking palette. There are a large assortment of restaurants and shops to choose from here as well.

Rock On
For those who like to experience a bit of the older country, take a trip to the Rocks, which is right next to Circular Quay. Walking through the streets there is very reminiscent to me of parts of Europe or Quebec. The architecture is dated (in a good way!) and warm. Some of the streets are cobbled stone and all of these Old World attributes are uniquely combined with plenty of upscale restaurants and stores like Louis Vuitton.

Sydney’s Soho
Paddington and the main street that runs through it – Oxford – is the equivalent to me of our beloved Soho. The streets are lined with numerous boutiques and cafes that are fashion and food forward. It was here that I got my new Australian ‘do at a salon called Suki (www.suki.com.au). This reasonably priced place had a décor that was stylishly simple, and its staff was so accommodating. They introduced me to a product line out of the UK called ghd (www.ghdhair.com). The products worked well with my stick straight hair and gave me some body I was desperately in need of – although I know the new ‘do plays a big part in this too.

Shop Till Ya Drop
In addition to Paddington, there are a number of super shopping places to check out in downtown Sydney. David Jones could be considered our Saks or Nordstrom (www.davidjones.com.au). They offer a variety of upscale clothing and cosmetic lines. Myer might be most closely related to our Bloomies. Quality as well, but slightly more mass market (www.myer.com.au).

And the Queen Victoria Building contains too many shops to mention, but is housed in lavish architecture and affluent surroundings that are not to be missed (www.qvb.com.au). Lastly, if you are a Sephora freak like me – take heart! The Australian counterpart can be found in Mecca Cosmetica (www.meccacosmetica.com.au). They offer all of your favorites – like Nars, Kiehl’s, Stila, and Prescriptives – as well as their own line of items.

About Face
So my last entry on the Sydney experience has to include something based on beauty – of course – and I did make a couple of cool discoveries. First of all, I took a quick site tour of the spa at the Observatory Hotel. This is one of the top-rated places to stay in the city, and with good reason. It is simply gorgeous and the spa the offers variety of facial and body treatments that are designed to rejuvenate and relax any weary world traveler. Dermalogica is among the product lines they use, in addition to an amazing line developed from ancient Aboriginal spirituality and healing traditions called Li’Tya, Spa Care from the Australian Dreamtime. (www.observatoryhotel.com.au).

Though Jurlique is likely the most well-known Australian skin care line, I encountered another one in my travels called Natio, which I found worked well with my over-sensitive skin. They offer skincare and makeup products as well as items for your hair (www.natio.com.au). Their three-step facial system quickly got rid of all the jetlag havoc that was wreaked upon my skin after my 13 hours of flight. And once my face was ready to move forward, I stumbled upon Napoleon Perdis (www.napoleancosmetics.com). He’s a well-known Australian makeup artist whose line of cosmetics has made an amazing splash overseas – his long black mascara is excellent. Coincidentally, after I made some makeup purchases from this line, I read in the newspaper that he is headed stateside to check out some spaces in Soho and Tribeca for store he plans to open here in early 2005.

Ok, so that wraps up the first part in our series of Stef’s Aussie adventure. Tune in next month, when we head to Ayer’s Rock and experience the Outback and all its wonder.

I had an epiphany at a sample sale! There I was, trying on this cute pastel plaid shrunken Chanel style jacket, at a whopping ten bucks, when I looked in the mirror and went, “Oh!” The jacket fit, looked cute, and is soo in for fall, but y’know I felt uncomfortable. I realized that even at that great price, I’d never wear it. I almost fell into the “But it’s on sale” trap. We all do it. We’re wandering around in a shop somewhere, having that must buy urge, and we see something really cute on sale. We try it on, it fits, we’re not that crazy about it and yet it’s ON SALE. It whimpers softly in the dark, because you haven’t paid any attention to it. You look at the item sadly, and think to yourself, “one day, some day, soon I will wear it.”

In the end you’ve wasted closet space, money, time and are now stuck with an item you’ll never use. Stop and think before you buy a sale item. If you find yourself staring at the mirror feeling slightly uncomfortable, walk away. It’s better to say no to something you really don’t love than buy something that will sob quietly in the corner of your closet at night, knowing it’s unloved and unwanted.
Here’s a quick update about Hannah Nordgen – seamstress and designer extraordinaire. She now has a website that’s chock full of information, pictures and other goodies that you can use. Check it out at www.hnordgrenatelier.com

If you’ve hit the stores or picked up a magazine, or even read my column last month, you’ll notice that the vintage look is hot. Not near a vintage shop? One is only a mouse click away Fashion Dig, www.fashiondig.com has everything from flapper frocks to 70′s Gunne Saxe dresses. There’s a local shop finder, online member shops, community and a vintage clothing expert who can answer any question you might throw at her.

Speaking of shopping on the ‘Net; you may want to check out www.PetEdge.com. There you’ll find kitty townhouses for $22.99, dog sweaters from $2.99, Bella pet carriers starting at $14.99.There’s tons of grooming and health items, and a variety of toys for your fur child.

School’s here, and you know that means new back to school stuff for the wee ones. If you’re looking for a fun and cool lunch box, check out these sites; www.wickedcoolstuff.com, www.themacbethcollection.com, www.getzooked.com, and www.pokkadots.com.

You’ll find unique, retro and amusing lunchboxes for big and little kids.
Lulah (www.lulah.com) has hand knit and cashmere sweaters for your future fashionista. Don’t forget that Halloween is just around the corner and it’s never too late to start planning your child’s costume. You can find Raggedy Ann and Andy, Wednesday Addams and other characters at www.halloweenstreet.com. Other neat costume sites are www.charliecrow.com and www.starcostumes.com.

Once the weather gets colder, you may want to spruce up your interiors. After all when it’s cold it’s nice to nest in a comfy, luxurious space.

What’s nicer than a duvet cover or bedspread that has charming floral appliqués is in a bright array of colors and is only $65 for Queen? A lot of chocolate! Or you could buy the matching curtains for $40 for one panel, or two panels for $75.00. Seriously, you may have walked by Dress-Shoppe a thousand times I the East Village and noticed the beautifully hand made clothing from India, but all along the walls and the back of the shop are the most lavish curtains, accent pillows and bedspreads this side of Pratesi. Silk embroidered curtains (think silver on white) are $100 each or two for $50.00. Accent pillow coverings start at $5.00 and if you don’t have a pillow to toss in, $10 and up get you the duo. Now’s the time to make your boudoir exciting, sexy and glorious so you can snuggle when it gets colder outside.
If you’re looking for after five, check the back wall. There I spied an exquisite floor length lavender silk skirt with embroidery you don’t see everyday. And the price…soo affordable darling.

Dress Shoppe
83 2nd Avenue (between E4th & E5th Streets)
212-228-1463 or 212-260-4963
Mon-Sat 12PM-10:30PM
Sunday 12PM–8:30PM

When it’s colder we need to take better care of our skin. The cold elements are just as damaging as the sun in summer. If you’ve been thinking about microdermabrasion, fotofacails, or laser hair removal head on over to the American Laser Center on 80 5th Avenue, suite 1607 between 14th and 15th Streets. The office is part of a national chain www.americanlasercenters.com. Every procedure is overseen by a doctor. Their permanent hair removal by lasers and skin rejuvenation (microdermabrasion) works just as well for darker skin tones as it does for fair skin tomes. You can use microdermabrasion to get rid of rosacea, age spots, telangasia, lesions and fine wrinkles. Their hair removal treatments have a two year written guarantee. If any hair grows in after the final treatment, they’ll remove it for free. Each body part (binki, back, chin, lip, underarms, lower legs) takes six treatments to get rid of unsightly hair. So, it would make sense to pay for six treatments, right? If it turns out that you need more than six treatments, you don’t pay for any additional treatments. Now that’s rare in the medical field. Call 1-888-645-3312 for a free consultation.

Need a hostess gift? How about a wonderful hand painted plate with dancing fishes, classic sun and moon, or a Moorish abstract? Check out Marrakech East-Importer of Fine Moroccan Crafts. Hanging metal chandeliers start at $75, hand painted goatskin lampshades are $100, those hand painted plates start at $35.00. And there are tiny coffee pots, Objet D’arts and lovely hand carved wooden tables as well.

Marrakech East: Importer of Fine Moroccan Crafts
434 East 11th Street, (between Avenue A & First Ave)
212-387-9630
Open Everyday 1PM – 10PM, but sometimes they have insomnia and are open till 1AM.

Willow Stream The Spas At Fairmont is a world-renowned spa with salons at all the Fairmont hotels, including Southampton, Turnberry Isle and Scottsdale. Not only are their spa treatments excellent, they’ve also come out with a wonderful line of products, Willow Stream Energy. Their energy line is perfect for the revved up life we lead in the fall. The scents used are lemongrass, ginger and sandalwood. I tried the lemongrass energy soap and have decided that I’m going to marry it. When I opened the box, I was transported to a lemon grove. The soap contains shea butter, lemongrass, ginger and sandalwood. It gives you luscious suds, washes off quickly and makes you feel refreshed and clean. After a hard day of shopping, I slipped into the tub using their ginger scented Hydrating Sea Salts. Aaah, relief! There’s also an Avocado Wrap; it’s body clay that’s applied to thin or drying skin. Smooth it in and let it go to work.

Just in time for the busy birthday season, Willow Stream has marvelous selection of gifts and gift packages. There are treatments for golfers, skiers, fashionistas, moms and babies and more. Take a look at their website www.willowstream.com for a full list of their complete line of products and treatments. It’s beautiful and informative.

When you climb down a short flight of stairs, you’re in vintage heaven at Centricity, 63 East 4th Street, 212-979-7601. There you’ll find everything from Vintage Pucci to neat tops by a designer who’s only sixteen. This small shop is crowded with (and I mean floor to ceiling) with vintage shoes, bags and clothes.

On the Upper West Side? Check out Columbus Vintage Boutique, 945 Columbus Ave, between 106th and 107th Streets, 212-280-2002. This tiny marvy shop has everything Brady to vintage furs and a wall of bags. After you’re done shopping, take a break at A. This tiny restaurant has all of NY raving with its mix of French and Caribbean cuisine. Be prepared to wait, it has very few tables and a huge crowd that adores the café. If you want vino with your meal, it’s strictly BYOB.
Can’t figure out if you want vintage or new? Head on over to Tahir, 412 E.9th Street, 212-253-2121. The store is an eclectic mix of modern young designers and vintage wear from Givenchy, Gucci and more.

Need a gift for your fav hipster? Check out Loftworks 300 Lafayette Street 212-343-8088 or wander a few stores down to Stackhouse 276 Lafayette Street 212-925-6931. Both shops have edgy clothing and accessories that you won’t see anywhere else.

When you’re getting dressed, the most torturous item to struggle into is pantyhose. You’ll wiggle your leg in, pull up, only to find that you’ve got the toes wrong. Or have you ever successfully put on a pair, only to look down and see the snag from hell? Use Air Stocking instead. Air Stocking Premier Silk are spray on stockings. With just one whoosh, you’ve got a pair of flawless gams. The air stocking comes in various shades, (natural, terra cotta, bronze and coco). It takes just a few minutes to spray on and lasts all day. One 4.23 ounce can has 20-25 days of great looking legs. If you want a sexy look for night, use their Jewel air stocking spray. You can wear it on a bare leg, or over one of their shades for a cool, glitzy glam look. You’ll legs will shimmer with thousands of sparkles.

This fall, fashion is all about glamour. It’s glam for day and extra pizzazz for night, which is wonderful for the diva in all of us. The next time you’re heading out for a party and really want to make an entrance use a PutOnPiece by Hair U Wear. PutOnPieces are the coolest hair accessories. Everything from hair bands to ponytails to falls, and they’re made with synthetic hair so people will think you spent major bucks getting those rhinestones or beads placed just so in your hair. I mean, why should celebs get all the fun? Try the Plush with jewels to a party and feel trés chic. Plush with jewels are short open curls that’s gathered together and attached to your head with a claw clip. The Strategically placed rhinestones along the hair make wonderful twinkles in the light every time you move your head. Check out the entire line and be the diva you knew was lurking inside of you.

Let’s face it; we’ve become hooked on the makeover shows we see on TV. I know I’d like someone to take me in hand and stop me from making fashion mistakes. If you’d like to get the assistance that you’d receive from a fashion, etiquette, speech and bodywork expert, but don’t to be seen on TV, you now have a choice. Yes, you can get all those experts to visit you at home, anytime day or night. How? By picking up UDefineU: Foundations of Grace and Elegance. It’s an instructional video series (DVD or VHS) that teaches you how you to become polished poised and sophisticated. Think of it as a “finishing school in a box.” You’ll learn how to carry yourself (poise and posture), foundations for a never-go-wrong- classic wardrobe, etiquette (so important for business functions), and how to speak correctly. In this competitive economy, it takes more than just a degree to get ahead, think of UDefineU as your secret weapon for any corporate or social event.

An expert in her field teaches each section. Maria Verdeja teaches posture and Poise. She’s a professional ballerina who danced in many lead roles including Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and Giselle. Ms. Verdeja also owns and operates her own school in Miami, Florida.

Joyce Sarandon teaches voice and Speech. Ms. Sarandon teaches at the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theater Institute, as a professional speech, voice and diction, monologue and dialect coach. She has also worked with On and Off Broadway productions and has taught in England and Australia.
Patricia Stephenson teaches etiquette. She is the president and founder of Patricia Stephenson & Associates, Inc.; it’s a professional image and etiquette-training firm based in Palm Beach, Florida. Her client list includes private clients, governmental agencies, large corporations, professional associations and colleges.

Fundamentals of Style are taught by Victoria Lopez-Castro, an haute couture designer with her own salon. Her designs have been featured in Italian Vogue, W, Harpers Bazaar and more. Her clients are celebrities and socialites from Palm Beach, New York and Europe. She trained and worked in Carolina Herrera and Fernando Pena, and Raoul Arango’s fashion houses.

The kit also comes with a handy purse sized mini-binder of style cards and a mini-poster style guide, and a reference guide with tips on posture, speech and etiquette. Now you can carry their advice wherever you go. To sign up for free weekly grace and elegance tips or to find out more about the product, go to www.udefineu.com.

de~luxe is a brand spanking new line of personal care products that are 100% ingredient driven. They won’t compromise on quality; they want to give you the best products that won’t break your budget. They’ve created everything from soaps to hair care to skincare. They have six scents; lavender, lemon verbena, melon, almond, vanilla citrus and rosemary mint. The soaps are triple milled with a vegetable base of palm, coconut, glycerin and shea butter. You can buy either an exfoliating or non-exfoliating soap. The scents are heady and the lather is rich and creamy, yet gentle enough for sensitive skin. There’s also a luxury aloe and glycerin body wash (I tried the melon), a foaming body scrub (I used the vanilla citrus) and a luxury body crème made of soy, milk protein, shea butter, ale and Vitamin E (tried the lavender). I spent so much time in the shower that my poor roomie was banging on the door to get in. But everything smelt so wonderful and the products were so amazing, that I had a hard time leaving!

de~luxe has also created three products that utilize the healing properties of shea butter. Shea butter is made from a fruit that’s grown in Africa. It’s long been known for its curative properties and is an excellent treatment for extremely dry skin. de~luxe has combined shea butter with lavender oil. Lavender oil has curative properties and can be used for everything from burns to insect bites. De-luxe claims that their shea butter products can be used on mild cases of eczema and psoriasis for an intensive moisturizing experience. I know that many people slather shea butter on their face and body to prevent wrinkles, get rid of stretch marks and maintain a healthy complexion. As I write this, I have de~luxe’s shea butter on my face. You know what? It’s not sticky. Go to www.truescents.com find where you can buy de~luxe products in your neighborhood.

If you’re entertaining at home or need a nifty hostess gift, look no further than Archipelago’s AB home Collection soy wax candle collection. There are eight welcoming scents; caramel, chocolate (has a hint of orange), expresso, vanilla (with a touch of apricot), amber (blended amber and sage), clove, juniper (has a touch of lavender) and lemongrass. The candles burn for 90 hours. They’re available nationwide or hit the web www.spashoppe.com.

How’d you like to meet Laura Mercier, Tracey Reese, and Michelle Smith of Milly, Vicky Tiel, Rebecca Taylor or check out trunk shows for Isaac (sigh) Mizrachi, Zac Posen, Michael Kors, Derek Lam and other hot designers? You can almost any day of the week at Bergdorf Goodman. October is overflowing with in store appearances by your favorite designers and the latest looks in fashion, accessories, jewelry and cosmetics. Simply go to www.bergdorfgoodman.com, click on events, walk through the door and enter the party.

Till next month!

I was 5 years old. My head was flung back, my eyes wide and bright. “I do believe in fairies,” I repeated like a mantra as Peter Pan flew through the air above me. This magical and mystical image has stayed with me throughout the years, and I’m guessing it has for Jean Shackleford as well. Jean is the creator and designer of hand crafted Paper Mache Fairies. These whimsical mini-sculptures of rice paper and glue are uniquely made. Each fairie is created with up to 50 assorted elements. Fabric, yarn, feathers, and other exotic trinkets come together to dress the fairy. The face is made of hydrocal; it’s painted, airbrushed, and then glazed to perfection.

But what make these fairies so special are their descriptive individualized tags. For instance, the Fairy Angelina is the guardian Angel-fairy who “grants all good wishes sealed with angel kisses.” Barbi, the “Swish and Wish Fairy,” is a snow bunny on the slopes who grants wishes on skis if you can keep up with her speed! Hint, “on the lift is the best time to meet her with ease.” Fairy Fiona is the Flower Fairy. “Better get your wishes ready soon, she grants your wishes at first bloom.” And Java Lena should not be asked to grant a wish before her first cup of Joe!

The designer of these precious trinkets is Jean Shackelford. She is a Southern California Native who has done illustrations for Random House, Sesame Street, Disney and Hallmark. The daughter of renowned watercolorist and past Disney animator, Bud Shackelford, Jean has always been surrounded by creativity and art. Her transition from the two-dimensional world of commissioned illustrations to three-dimensional crafts was met with great success. Jean’s work has been shown in galleries throughout the U.S., Japan and Europe. They can also be found in the homes of several celebrities.

To order one of these fanciful creations (which come with a cord for hanging), please refer to the contact information below. Even Captain Hook couldn’t resist these delightful gifts of imagination, beauty and creativity.

Jean Shackelford Designs
27566 Weston Drive Valencia, CA 91354
1-800-987-1118 (ph)
1-661-297-4026 (f)
jsdesigns@comcast.net

Also available at: www.beyonddimensionstoo.com

Most people I know have tried them. But have they seen results? And are those results what they expected?

At home teeth whitening kits are cheap in comparison to the cost of professional whitening services done by a cosmetic dentist. How do they stack up against the more costly competition?

The answer is different for everyone. It depends on your budget and degree of change needed. We turned to an expert in the field for the truth.

After 25 years in the dental field, including time spent as a former faculty member of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Steven R. Fox, D.D.S., F.IC.D, F.A.C.D., P.C., is a pioneer in the development of making formerly cumbersome tooth whitening processes attainable.

When someone looks at your face, they look at your eyes and teeth, according to Dr. Fox. This is why so many of us are willing to spend top dollar to make them look their best.

If you’re looking to whiten your teeth quickly, and noticeably, professional whitening services are the answer.
Dr. Fox stresses the simplicity of his preferred procedure, power bleaching. His process takes one hour, leaves teeth five to ten shades whiter, and can be done while watching a favorite TV show or DVD. First, a protective paste is applied to lips and gums to avoid the whitening gel from hitting them. Next, the whitening gel is slathered onto teeth, and UV machine goes to work. Slight tingling might be felt at times during the procedure.

After the whitening gel is removed, and reapplied for a total of three times, teeth are remineralized and a gloss is applied to make teeth shiny and bright. This process helps reduce the chance of tooth sensitivity. It is common to experience minor discomfort for a few days after the whitening. A couple of pain relievers should help alleviate sensitivity you may experience. It is a good idea to brush with sensitive formula toothpaste, in preparation for the procedure, and especially after.
To ensure color, custom trays are given to each client. These trays can be used every three months, for 30 minutes, to touch-up the natural fade of the initial whiteness.

The process is expensive, however, costing about $1250. At home treatments are considerably less expensive, Dr. Fox admits, but their results yield only a two shade difference, the results are not long lasting, and the process is often slightly complicated. If you are looking for near permanent results, porcelain laminates can conceal stains, as well as change the shape of the tooth. They are the best way to defeat color changes is what Dr. Fox refers to as the moving target.

Though the price sounds steep, $1500 per tooth, porcelain laminates can last approximately 12 years. Dr. Fox also provides several other dental services such as tooth-colored composite fillings, NTI-tss tension suppression systems to ease headaches and sensitive teeth, as well as Silent Nite snoring prevention tools.

To schedule an appointment, call 212.953.1544 or visit 317 Madison Avenue, Suite 1520.

Groucho Marx. Marlene Dietrich. Albert Einstein. Bette Davis. Frieda Kahlo. Madonna. What do all these celebrities have in common? Distinctive eyebrows. Stop thinking that eyebrows just catch sweat; they also frame your eyes, and define your entire look. That’s why it’s so important to have well-defined, nicely shaped eyebrows.
Threading is an ancient Indian art. A cotton thread is swiftly applied to unwanted skin, and the hair is twisted and sheared off by the thread. Your eyes may tear a little, but the redness disappears in as little as 15 minutes. The results will last anywhere from three weeks to a month. Best of all, it’s a very fast procedure.

The Perfect Shape is a top notch threading salon in Gramercy Park owned by Reshma Monteiro. She grew up steeped in Indian Beauty traditions and learned so much about skin care from her Grandmother and other female relatives.

A year ago, she opened up Perfect Shape in Gramercy Park and it’s been an instant success. There’s a steady stream of customers every day of the week. Women of all ages want to sit in one of her soft white leather chairs, look at the lavender walls and become chic and soignée.

Reshma says that you can easily learn threading, “but the real technique is learning how to shape the brow. That takes a while. It’s like an art. You can study for years and never get it.”

Keep in mind that anything can be threaded; it just depends on your pain threshold. One of the pluses about threading is that it doesn’t promote wrinkles. According to Reshma, “with threading, all we touch is the hair. We don’t pull the skin like with waxing. Whenever you pull skin, there’s always a chance that you’re breaking it down and wrinkles can start.”

Perfect Shape also offers facials. You can choose from aromatherapy, fresh fruit (papaya, lemon, oranges) or precious metal facials. The precious metal facials help rejuvenate the skin. You have a choice of gold, pearl or platinum. They use extracts of each metal or jewel in the massage cream. Gold is for oily to dry skin. For very dehydrated skin a platinum facial is the prescription. The Perfect Shape also offers traditional waxing as well as Henna Tattoos.
Reshma also owns Shapes Threading Salon on 39th Street by 6th Avenue. It offers the same services and is open the same hours as the Gramercy Park salon. Their number is 917-592-5306. A third salon is planned in the near future.

The Perfect Shape Threading Salon
295 Park Avenue South (between 22nd and 23rd Street)
212-473-7400
Mon – Fri 9:30AM – 7:30PM
Saturday 10AM – 7 PM
Sunday 11AM – 6 PM

Services:
Threading:Eyebrow $6.00
Upper Lip $5.00
Chin $5.00
Forehead $5.00
Sides $5.00
Full Face $25.00 (includes eyebrows)

Waxing:
Full Arms $25.00
Half Arms $15.00
Under Arms $10.00
Full Legs $35.00
Half Legs $18.00
Bikini Line $15.00
Brazilian $40.00
Full Legs $45.00
& Bikini

Tattoo:
Henna $15 & up
Black $20 & up

Facials:
Regular $45.00
Gold Facial $60.00
Aromatherapy Facial $50.00

What better way to escape the Republican National Convention than a three-day retreat to Canyon Ranch spa in the heart of the beautiful Berkshire Mountains? Nestled among the trees of scenic Lenox, Massachusetts, “the Ranch,” as it is called, was a bustling haven for many New Yorkers during my brief but thoroughly relaxing time there. Here’s a play-by-play of my much-needed respite for those interested in taking a breather from the stresses of city life.

Security was tight but Penn Station was all but empty as I made my way to the Albany-bound, all-reserved coach train. Armed with a backpack full of CDs and books I thought I would pass the two-and-half-hour train ride reading. However, the ride along the Hudson River was so beautiful that I spent most of the trip looking at the scenery. I turned off my cell phone determined not to check my messages until the train pulled back into Penn Station. I was met at the Albany – Rensselaer Station by a Ranch shuttle van. John, my driver, presented me with a bottle of water and a brochure that detailed all the events available over the course of the week. As it was only John and I on the ride to the Ranch (approximately an hour), he was able to fill me in on fun activities and daily living in the area. I was determined to tackle the High Ropes course while I was here; as it so happened, his daughter was one of the instructors.

At check-in I was given a Ranch tote bag, a Ranch water bottle that could be refilled at any one of many fountains located throughout the grounds, and a t-shirt (no small sizes) with the slogan “The Power of Possibility” printed on the front. My first excursion before checking into my room was lunch. All meals at Canyon Ranch are included in the price of your package. You are allowed to order as much as you want. Meals are made entirely of organic ingredients with absolutely no artificial sweeteners or colorings. They have salt and pepper available, but not on the table. Over the course of three days I tried to vary my menu as much as possible. The veggie burger was excellent, perhaps the best I’ve ever encountered. Not overly dependent on mushrooms or red peppers for its taste, it had a near-perfect consistency and just the right amount of flavor without being overly spicy. The almond-encrusted mustard chicken was also a big hit. The chicken breast was cooked to perfection, unlike most places that end up overcooking and drying out the meat. Stay away from the pizza (whole wheat crust). The crust was doughy and had a slightly tangy aftertaste. Sweets were a big problem. I’m a huge fan of anything sweet. Their fruit desserts, however, were wonderful – apple cobblers, blueberry tarts, etc. However, any desire for anything in the cookie/cake/ice cream department was left unfulfilled. The closest one could get to junk food is their “chocolate fudge” sauce, which is akin to watered-down Hershey’s syrup.

The rooms at the Ranch leave a little to be desired. They meet the qualities of any three-star hotel. My friend and I stayed in a suite, having the pleasure of two separate bathrooms, each fully equipped with a bathtub and shower. The room comes with the standard TV, DVD player/VCR and stereo. You can rent movies in the lobby – no on-demand stuff. Although perfectly pleasant, I wanted the rooms to have a more personal touch and not be quite so antiseptic.

Activities! The first class I took was a Basic Yoga class. Always take a Basics class whenever you practice yoga in a new environment with a new instructor to become familiar with the style of the class. The studio had practically floor to ceiling windows that looked out into the woods, giving the impression that you were practicing outside for an hour and a half. The class was personal and interactive; the instructor (Lea) came around to make basic adjustments to poses one might often take for granted. After this class I felt the need to work off the rest of my inner-city aggression, so I made my way to the gym. Fully equipped with all state-of-the-art equipment, the Ranch gym has everything you could want: full sets of free weights, universals, and every cardio machine known to man. I chose a treadmill that faced the woods and ran three miles. That was enough physical activity for one day, so I hit the sauna and then took a shower. My second day I took a shot at Canyon Ranch Yoga, which is an advanced Vinyasa class. The movements were fast and the poses were challenging. At the end of the hour and a half I was drenched with sweat and mentally and physically exhausted, but I still had a feeling of accomplishment for pushing myself to the limits.

One of the simple joys of Canyon Ranch is that you are encouraged to wear your robe everywhere. It is permitted in all locations, including the dining room with the exception of dinner. The men’s locker room has shaving stations, showers, towels galore, a steam room, a sauna, a whirlpool, an inhalation room (think aromatherapy and steam), and a cold bath. It also has a lounge area with chaise chairs so that you can read before any spa/salon appointments.

I had two massages during my stay. Massages are not included in your rate – it’s $110 for a 50-minute massage. So make sure to speak up if you want a deeper, more intense massage to relieve tension and loosen knots. Don’t forget to drink a lot of water after getting a massage. I did not drink enough after my first massage, so I wasn’t able to flush out all the toxins that were released inside my body. The result? I felt sick and very tired but was unable to sleep that night due to aches and pains. Don’t make the same mistake!

The second massage was given by a middle-aged woman. When I walked into the room she told me that she was a “medium pressure masseur” but would go deeper if I requested. I told her there was no such thing as too deep for me and she began. No sooner had she started than all my preconceived notions of middle-aged women masseurs were blown out the window. She found all the right spots and would not stop until each knot was thoroughly dissipated. The 50 minutes went by way too quickly. Not making the same mistake as the previous night, I drank two full glasses of water immediately following the massage and felt wonderful for the rest of the night.

The last spa treatment I had was a full body exfoliating scrub. Grape seed scrubs are good for us males who are particularly hair. Because of the sensitive nature of my skin the specialist also shooed me away from the salt sea scrub. With a firm but gentle hand, she made her way over my body with grape seeds, exfoliating dead or damaged skin and exposing healthy, new skin below. By the time she was finished (both front and back), I smelled like a wonderful new bottle of Bordeaux. The scrub was followed by a power shower (a Swiss device with fifteen strategically placed forceful shower heads). When I exited and said, “I want to take that home,” she laughed and replied, “that’s what everyone says.” The shower was followed by a soothing body rub with lotion to re-hydrate the skin. She recommended that I not shower or sweat for the rest of the day so that the lotion had time to settle. This entire treatment was only $110 and 50 minutes long, a bargain by New York City standards.

The most exciting activity that I took part in was the previously mentioned High Ropes course. Consisting of eight different “courses” you find yourself some thirty-feet above the ground climbing up through and in-between majestic trees on a high wire with nothing but a helmet and a safety line to keep you safe. More of a mental challenge than anything else, you only need to have the strength it takes to climb a ladder to complete the course. Mentally, you need to steel your nerves and not be afraid to fall. The instructors are encouraging and patient. When I reached the sixth course, I was practically in tears, hugging a tree with my life, while vainly reaching for a rope that was seemingly intentionally placed just out of reach. The instructors talked me through it and wouldn’t let me quit. The final “course” is an amazingly exciting zip line down the Canyon that makes you realize why Harrison Ford enjoyed being both Han Solo and Indiana Jones. This activity was an additional $200 and worth it.

Canyon Ranch is the ultimate spa retreat. You can do as little or as much as you want. In addition to the activities I mentioned, they also have daily hikes of varying levels, indoor/outdoor pools, tarot card readings, cooking classes, lectures on fad diets, lectures on sleep apnea, etc. Two nights and three days there with the activities I detailed cost approximately $1000 – not too shabby for a physically, mentally and emotionally rejuvenating experience. The staff is friendly and helpful. The environment is unparalleled. The original Canyon Ranch location is in Arizona. More info can be found on their website www.CanyonRanch.com

When I came back to the city, I’ve never had so many friends tell me how healthy and well-rested I looked upon return from a vacation.

“Ca-li-for-nia, here I come”….for some reason that’s the only part of the song I remember….”right back where I started from,” maybe?? Anyway, I just got back to where I started from – New York City, that is, and if it weren’t for the gorgeous summer weather hanging on to the Big Apple with dear life, I might’ve opted to stay in Ca-li-for-nia! Los Angeles is a sunny, laid-back, movie quoter’s paradise, and though I sat in an absurd amount of traffic and had no celebrity sightings for the 3 days I spent there, I still have to admit, “I love LA”.

By no means was the paparazzi following me around, but celebrity treatment is what I got when I arrived at Frida, a Mexican restaurant featuring healthy and authentic cuisine, and located in the heart of downtown Beverly Hills. The ambience was festive and colorful with lavish yet tasteful artwork imported directly from Mexico. With dim lighting, a sophisticated clientele and an extensive wine and drink list, Frida is ideal for dinner parties as well as the romantic date. Furthermore, a secluded bar area is equipped with an unobtrusive television featuring ESPN. But what makes the Frida experience so unique and satisfying is the food.

Having lived in Austin, Texas for a time, I have high standards for good Mexican; With one taste of their salsa, I knew Frida would go well beyond my expectations. I highly recommend the Resplendor De Mango – a salad tossed with mango, caramelized walnuts, grapes, goat cheese and passion fruit dressing. For an entrée, the Camarones Al Tequila was superb with its adventurous combination of flavors that typifies Mexican cuisine. I encourage you to save room for dessert – a challenging task, indeed, but well worth it! It might have been the margarita talking but the apple cake with caramelized bananas was by far the best diet buster I’ve had in awhile! Check out their website at www.fridarestaurant.com and be sure to make Frida part of your LA experience. Offering the best Mexico has to offer, it’s like having 2 vacations in one.

On my last night in LA, I made my way out of the land of Brenda and Brandon Walsh, and drove to Santa Monica, the sexy city for great night life, relaxing beach time and a fantastic ride on the Ferris Wheel. Located in a prime location on Ocean Avenue with spectacular views of Palisades Park and the Pacific Ocean, is “the jewel of Santa Monica” – the Georgian Hotel. Watching the gorgeous sunset on their serene veranda, I enjoyed a smooth glass of Cabernet, taking some time to relax before the exciting nightlife of LA got underway.

The Georgian Hotel, built in 1933, still retains the rich history of past decades. An elevator operator still greets the guests, the Red Griffin Room was once considered an actual “Speakeasy” and gracing the hallways have been the likes of Bugsy Segal, Clark Gable, and Rose Kennedy, among others. Designed with a combination of Romanesque Revival and Art Deco architecture, the Georgian, featuring 28 suites and 56 uniquely decorated guest rooms, is reminiscent of the quaint boutique hotels of New York City.

The historical aspects of the hotel truly add to the total Georgian experience. But not to worry – all modern conveniences and high tech amenities are incorporated to pamper all guests, whether they’re traveling on business or for leisure. Visit georgianhotel.com for more information and to make reservations.

With the exception of a seeing a Dodger game, my visit to LA was not the touristy experience I thought it would be. I never meandered down the Hollywood Walk of Fame, I steered clear of Disneyland, and I failed to purchase a “Star Map of Houses”. Back in New York City, I can’t tell you the last time I went to the Empire State Building, but I can tell you where the best hotel bar is in Soho and where to find the most authentic Mexican food on the Upper West Side. It’s nice to know I can do the same for Los Angeles.

Hello everyone! How are you? I’m wonderful, let me tell you why. My visit to the Benjamin Hotel and their Affinia Wellness Spa was scheduled prenatally for September 8. Brodhir Wayland Hoffman, “Brody” had other plans for me. I was to be sleeping in Roosevelt Hospital next to my beautiful new babe. That’s right, Brody decided to come early, the little angel.

I awoke peacefully at 3:00 A.M. on the morning of September 7. At 5:00 A.M. I knew that I was in labor. Brody arrived sweetly and gently at 12:30 PM, weighing 7.9 ozs (3 weeks early!). Today, on his scheduled due date, September 28, he is over 9 lbs, the healthy little piggy. God bless him. I will not go into details on the birth and delivery, you will hate me. Suffice it to say, the epidural worked wonders on my body. I relaxed right into it. The Benjamin Hotel visit came a few days late, but ooohh sooooo perfectly timed for my postnatal need to be pampered and coddled.

The Benjamin Hotel is an oasis of kindness and well being in this fast paced island of Manhattan. I am a Midwesterner by birth and genes and I can smell a fake a Finger Lake away. The Benjamin Hotel is the genuine article. I was greeted at the Benjamin’s Affinia Wellness Spa by a gentle and soft-spoken woman at the front desk. She told me that Leah, my massage therapist would be with me momentarily. Leah was equally sweet, but thorough and masterful in her skills. As my feet soaked in a pebbled lined, warm water bowl, nearby candles flickered against a warm-toned wall. Leah asked me questions to understand my needs. We were going to work on my labor-aching back with a myofascial massage (working the muscle and fascia/connective tissue). Leah, prenatal and postnatal certified, spent an hour with me. At the end of the session, all the aches were gone. I felt swaddled and cared for, the same way I cared for little Brody that morning.

Next, I met with Christy Griffin, she’s the Spa Director. We talked about the philosophy behind the spa and the products that are offered there. At the heart of the Benjamin Hotel lies the Spa. This is what the Benjamin and its Spa is all about. Their philosophies are not about fancy packaging, they’re about the inside stuff. The Spa was designed by a Feng Shui practitioner who utilized the calming and stimulating elements of warmth and fire. You are offered a Yoga Elixir to drink and a soft, pretty robe to wear. Lulling music flows through speakers while you sit beside glowing candles waiting for your treatments. There is no rush. Atypical to the rest of Manhattan’s frenetic energies and services, treatments are scheduled with 15 minutes extra, so there is time enough to really enjoy them. Treatments offered at the Wellness Spa include various massage therapies, skin care treatments, body rituals (i.e., urban detox wrap), spirit enhancers (i.e. scalp, hand treatments), personal touches (i.e., waxing), and day retreats. For a complete list of services, visit www.thebenjamin.com.

The treatments at the Affinia Wellness Spa are all about getting your chi flowing. They use Dr. Hauschka’s products in their skin care treatments. Dr. Hauschka’s line is “where science and spirit meet.” The skin care products embrace nature’s healing forces with ingredients like plant essences, extracts and oils. Using biodynamic methods, the WALA Heilmittel garden in Southern Germany maintains over 150 healing plants for the Dr. Hauschka products. A facial treatment with the Dr. Hauschka line is all about working with the natural rhythmic processes of the body. It stimulates cell renewal as it releases the toxins. This holistic skin care philosophy and product line of Dr. Hauschka is a signature of the Wellness Spa at the Benjamin.

The Benjamin Hotel has its own signature. The tipping Fedora. The original owner, Benjamin Denihan, who founded the hotel in 1964, tipped his fedora hat to clients when he greeted them at the door. The hotel is still family owned, and their entire line, the Affinia Hospitality Line of Hotels is known for its friendliness. It’s a very genuine, helpful, patient and old-fashioned type of friendly-ness. In a world where time is bargained out in high speed on the internet, I drank it up like a warm glass of milk for my tired bones.

I was invited back for a night of sleep at the Benjamin. Why would I want to leave my own bed on 42nd Street and travel across town to sleep in a strange room in a strange bed? Because the Benjamin Hotel is home to the world’s first Sleep Concierge. Her name is Eileen McGill. After much research on sleep and pillows, Eileen is the expert.

When you enter your room , you’ll notice a “Sound Sleep Pillow Menu.” There are 11 pillows to choose from. Perhaps your husband snores? Order up the “Snore-No-More” pillow, which reduces snoring to promote a deeper, more restful sleep. Maybe you are stressed? Order up the “Magnetic Therapy” pillow that reduces swelling and discomfort, relieving insomnia and fatigue. If you are a busy professional running around town all day, you can order the Benjamin Hotel’s “Executive Nap.” In-between the daytime grind and the nighttime schmooze; someone will turn down your bed and deliver a tray of chamomile tea, a sleep mask, and lavender oil. A wake-up call will arouse you an hour later. Wow! It’s almost like going home to your mama!

Well everyone, get to the Benjamin Hotel and their Wellness Spa for a visit for your own well being. Remember if you get the inside stuff right; the outside package will look beautiful. I walked in a 10-day post partum, sleep deprived mama with a soft squishy tummy, and I came out a beautiful, voluptuous, well-rested goddess!

Love, Mama

I am “pumped” (I couldn’t resist the obvious pun) to join the Beauty News NYC team and share my knowledge and findings in the health and fitness arena.

My passions are fitness, writing and acting, so Beauty News NYC is a perfect fit.

Image means so much in the Entertainment Industry and beyond. When you feel and look your best, your confidence comes across tenfold. Confidence and self esteem equals success in any field. There is no magic pill or secret regimen. A healthy lifestyle is the key component of the formula.

I believe it is important that you define your lifestyle and find activities and eating plans that fit into it, not dictate your life.

Exercise can be exhilarating, energizing, and fun. IT REALLY CAN! But first find activities that you enjoy, and get a feeling of accomplishment when you do them. Goals are vital to success; but you must set attainable goals. Don’t set yourself up for failure before you even begin. Take baby steps, giant steps will come with time.

My wish is that the Fitness Section be a collaborative endeavor between you, dear reader, and me. Let me know what you’d like to learn about and what you’d like featured. I, for instance have found that I enjoy boxing, Pilates, yoga and cycling. I’ll share my enthusiasm for these, as well as others I discover down the road. I’d really like to hear about your favorite activities.

Let’s share our experiences and our successes.

We will support and motivate each another. I look forward to our exciting partnership together through Beauty News NYC.

When I found the store for SCO, I walked in wondering if I was in the right place. It looked more like a cool, sleek minimalist bar than a skincare store.

Perhaps that’s the idea. The counter has a couple of steel stools and behind the walls instead of bottles of liquors were long glass tubes of no, not whisky, but infusions. Hmmm. Luscious liquids chockfull of goodies for your skin. So when the barmaid, I mean consultant, approached me, I was thirsty to knock back a few samples.

Welcome to SCO – Skincare Options
Every time I say SCO, I think of “Skoll,” the Swedish word for “cheers” or “to your health.” SCO is a flexible skincare line that can be tailor-made to suit the specific needs of your skin. It’s a really cool concept that’s all about healthy concoctions of herbal and natural ingredients that you can put into your moisturizer, eye cream or anything else you want to buy. As they call it, skincare solutions designed for you, instantly, at the counter.

How to create your own skincare regimen in the store
The cool thing about SCO is that there are various types of moisturizers to choose from. As Jeanna, the incredibly helpful consultant with the glowing skin explained, if your skin is on the dry side, pick the more nourishing, richer moisturizer. Not sure which one? Answer the questions below, and then they let you sample it on your skin to see how quickly it absorbs.

1. After you wash your face without putting anything on what does it feel like?

2. If it feels very comfortable, then you are not extremely dry and you are not extremely dehydrated.

3. Can you walk out of the house without using a moisturizer?

What skin issues do you want to address? The answers to the above will determine what formulation to use on your skin type. For me, it’s always the richer one, my skin being so dry.

Technology and nature infused together
Once you’ve picked the “right” moisturizer, you can pick the infusion you’d like best. There are twenty-four, pharmaceutical-grade infusions of natural extracts that are displayed in vials behind the counter. The list includes algae, aloe vera, almond, bergamot, caffeine, calendula, chamomile, cucumber, ginkgo biloba, green tea, juniper berry, lavender, lemon, milk protein, mushroom, papaya, parsley, peppermint, rosemary, soy, vitamins A, C and E, vitamin K and willow bark.

After assessing my particular skincare needs, Jeanna uses a pippetter to add vitamin K (for irritations), soy (for hydrating) and three anti-oxidant vitamins A, C and E to the SCO oil-free face lotion. Minutes later she hands me my custom blend in an amber colored jar with a label that has my name on it, the infusions and an expiration date. How efficient!

To help you decide which infusion you’d like to try, their knowledgeable skincare consultants can tell you the benefits of each one.

Ma, mother of SCO
Theresa Ma, founder of SCO, was born in Hong Kong and came to the United States at the age of six. She has always believed there’s a lot to be learned from the Eastern mentality and perception of beauty. “They seem to simplify the process by looking at the purest ingredients and knowing how each one works with another to give the best results.”

It is that very philosophy that makes SCO so unique. As a child, Ma herself suffered from severely dry skin, so she started developing her own formulations to achieve the “perfect complexion.”

With her in-depth knowledge of herbs and natural ingredients used in skincare, she began collaborating with three cosmetic chemists to develop her own line of products that she could customize with special botanical infusions.

Here’s just a selection of the ones I tried and love.

Keep on eye on caffeine
Eye creams are vital – especially when you hit your thirties. So try SCO’s Hydrating Eye Cream. Then choose the infusion that you need. If you want to get rid of puffiness, ask for some caffeine. Caffeine is a great diuretic when applied topically. It depuffs and firms up the skin. Or how about dark circles? Try vitamin K.

Whatever you want to address, they have something that’ll do the job, naturally of course!

Here’s another favorite, the SCO “Refining Face Scrub,” one of the most popular items in her line that not only removes all the dirt but makes your skin soft because the beads are made of jojoba oil.

Don’t forget your SCO SPF!
Here’s a clever alternative to those greasy SPF creams that protect yet clog your pores: SCO’s SPF 30, oil-free face shield. Smooth and transparent, this non-greasy formula blocks the face against UVA and UVB rays yet dries to a matte finish. What I love about it is the fact that it’s light enough to be worn under makeup. And for people with fair skin like me, this is a must.

Polish up on your body!
I use this every few days. It’s SCO’s Body Polish. I keep in the shower and I love the invigorating feeling I get from the beads. It removes dead skin while it moisturizes. Your skin feels rejuvenated and much smoother.

SCO makes Scents too.

SCO Eau de Parfume
Finally, a scent that makes sense. It’s really fresh, natural and a tad musky with its subtle blend of bergamot, white blossoms, amber, musk and citrus. Understated yet interesting.

SCO Scent Candle is probably one of the best candles I have. Not only do I love the design of the clear glass container, but the scent itself seems to embody everything that the line is about. Like the perfume, the aroma is subtle yet calming and fresh. Plus, its approximate burn time is 45 hours.

Go to SCO
Drop into the SCO store on 230 Mulberry St., in Nolita, (212) 966-3011
(They’re closed on Mondays!)
You can also call them toll-free at 866-966-SCO-8.

Or check out the SCO counter in Barney’s on Madison Avenue. You can order all SCO products online at www.scocare.com or www.sephora.com as well.

P.S. Samples of SCO products are available at the store, and you can assess your skincare needs from simply talking to them over the phone.