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Heliocare

It’s cold and it’s snowy and I’m talking sun protection. Why?

Damaging UVA rays are around all year. They trigger the release of free radicals and can age your skin significantly. Sunscreen protects your skin but most people don’t apply during cold or cloudy weather or they don’t apply enough, miss spots or fail to reapply. That’s where a little insurance can come in handy. In addition to your usual topical sunscreen containing at least SPF 30 I highly recommend you get some added protection like Heliocare, a natural anti-aging oral supplement with antioxidant effects on the skin. Antioxidants help eliminate free radicals before they have a chance to do damage. Heliocare contains Polypodium leucotomos, an antioxidant extract shown to help maintain the skin’s ability to protect itself against sun-related effects and aging. It helps eliminate free radicals produced by sun exposure. Less free radicals means younger, healthier skin.

Heliocare, $29.99 at drugstores nationwide and walgreens.com.

Review: The Woodhouse Day Spa

I was recently invited to experience the The Woodhouse Day Spa in downtown Summit, NJ. It couldn’t have come at a better time. I was stressed, had knots in my shoulders and had lost my inner calm and my outer glow — turns out this little window of “me time” was the cure-all I needed.

I was greeted by Chuck Marr, the warm and welcoming General Manager, who offered me a choice of teas from my favorite brand (Harney & Sons) and directed me to the changing room where I slipped into the coziest robe I’ve ever had the pleasure of wearing and a comfy pair of Sensi Spa Sandals. In the Quiet Room down the hall my tea was waiting and I was given a heated, herbal neck wrap. Being a new guest, I filled out a brief form of my personal preferences and health information.

After a sip or two of tea I realized I was already relaxed. The plush robe, subtle aromatherapy, low-key spa music and the Quiet Room (dimly lit and furnished in pale hues, luxurious chairs, chaises and couches, plus healthy snacks for the taking) had done the trick…and I hadn’t even had my treatment yet. Clearly, they knew what they were doing!

My therapist, Luba, greeted me and led me to a private room where she worked her magic during my Advanced Anti-Aging Facial with a Microdermabrasion Facial Enhancement which included cleansing, extractions, toning, strategic massage, glycolic acid, microdermabrasion, skincare plus a shoulder, head and foot massage. Not only was I left glowing but I felt pampered, taken care of and nurtured…like I’d been at a destination spa for a week rather than a day spa for less than two hours.

After my treatment I was introduced to Veeran and Madhuri Reddy, co-owners of the spa. They excel at attention to detail and live and breathe the Woodhouse philosophy of “give your guests one step beyond what they need.” Mission accomplished!

You can even bring a little bit of your experience home…the Naturopathica products (known for being extremely gentle and super effective) used throughout the treatments are available for purchase as are the robes, tea, aromatherapy and more. This is more than a day spa, it’s a sanctuary…and I plan on becoming a regular!!!

The spa is open for business so feel free to book now and enjoy your treatments before the official Grand Opening on Saturday, February 8, 2014. For more information, to book an appointment or inquire about special packages: The Woodhouse Day Spa, 420 Springfield Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901 (908) 608-1120. Click here for their spa menu.

Biggest Beauty Trend Right Now? A Bold Red Lip

Red Lips are a massive trend! This classic red carpet staple grabs attention for all the right reasons. Just ask Drew Barrymore, Sofia Vergara, Zoe Saldana, Jennifer Lawrence, Taylor Swift, Lupita Nyong’o and all the other major players that chose bold, red lips at the 71st Annual Golden Globes.

Physicians Formula’s Celebrity Makeup Artist, Joanna Schlip, shares her expertise on getting red right and making it last. She says it’s all about starting with smooth lips, choosing the proper red shade and layering your color.

Prep: Start with a smooth slate. Exfoliate lips to remove dry skin which can be exaggerated with red. Make your own lip fix with 1/2 tsp of moisturizing honey and a pinch of sugar. Gently rub over lips to exfoliate.
Layer: For staying power, begin with a go-with-everything lip stain like Physicians Formula Sexy Booster Sexy Glow Glossy Stain in Red, $9.95 at physiciansformula.com.
Color: After your stain has set, layer your red lipstick on top and you’re good to go for hours of eating, drinking and what-not. It’s crucial to choose a shade that flatters your skin tone. If you’re fair (like Taylor Swift) opt for a blue-based red like BareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in Call the Shots, $18 at sephora.com. If you’re medium-toned (like Jennifer Lawrence) try a bold, brick hue such as Make Up For Ever in Red Brick, $20 at sephora.com. Darker-complected girls will look great in bright, orange-based reds. Try Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Raven, $28 at sephora.com.

(photography courtesy of Pinterest)

The Must-Have Body Shaper!

Right on the heels of the holiday season comes the first of the year’s many awards shows for those in “the industry”–The Golden Globes. Once again, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler rocked it! They gently and not-so-gently poked fun at the celebs in the room driving home the point that they’re all only human. But, for being so close to the holiday season, the majority of the actresses in that room sure looked great in those gowns. Maybe they didn’t indulge as much as some of us, but maybe they did. And if they did indulge maybe their little secret is the Almighty Cincher by Amia.

If you have a special dress you’d like to squeeze into or want to rediscover (or find for the first time) your hourglass shape, this body cincher can help you do it in an instant. It will dramatically whittle your midsection so your tummy is gone, gently support your spine and lengthen your torso to relieve back pain and some users even report a 1-4″ reduction in their midsection from wearing it for 8-10 hours a day for 30 days.

But beware…it’s snug! So snug that if you’re between sizes and want to breathe I highly recommend you size up when ordering. Give it a shot. You’ve got nothing to lose, except a few inches!

Almighty Cincher by Amia, $54 at www.hourglassangel.com or www.amiashapewear.com.

Finally…an at-home trainer you’ll actually use!

Recently, I was at a Joyus.com event that featured different stations for beauty, fashion, fitness and other lifestyle products. If you haven’t heard of Joyus.com you’ll want to check out this online shopping site that helps you find great products via 2-minute videos. At the event one product really caught my eye: the Joyus Elliptical Trainer.

The Joyus Elliptical Trainer is a low-impact cardio workout with a resistance knob so you can make it as challenging as you want. You can work in forward or reverse to target different muscles and it also has a monitor that tells you how many calories you’ve burned, how many steps you’ve taken and the elapsed time, plus it’s sized right to store easily under your desk, bed or on your closet floor. It’s even light enough to tote from room to room.

Since I’ve been hibernating a bit more than usual (hello Polar Vortex!) I’ve been putting off my usual outdoor run. Luckily, my new elliptical trainer arrived before too much damage was done. When I need a quick break from the computer I’ll do it in 15-minute intervals or I’ll put it in front of the tv and before I know it my show is over and I’ve gotten my workout in. Even the kids have been sneaking in mini workouts without even realizing that they’re exercising…they think they’re just having fun! Shhhh…I won’t tell if you won’t.

To purchase: Joyus Elliptical Trainer, $125 at joyus.com.

Pantone’s 2014 Color of the Year?

Though I know I’ll still be wearing Emerald (Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2013) in 2014 you can expect to see lots of bright, gorgeous, Radiant Orchid! This new “it” shade–a purple with fuchsia and pink undertones–flatters most skin and hair tones and is already saturating the market in beauty, fashion and home decor. Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute says “it inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health,” and she goes on to describe this flattering-for-all shade as “surprisingly versatile.”

Whether you’re a purist and will stick with Radiant Orchid as is, or you prefer purple, pink or fuchsia, you’ll have lots of choices. Check out some of my favorites, and get ready to turn heads.

Shiseido Lacquer Rouge in Diva, $25 at shiseido.com. Liquid lipstick with intense color. It’s moisturizing, non-bleed and has a gorgeous lacquer-like finish.

Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Orchid, $26 at sephora.com. Glides onto lids easily (no tugging or pulling) and really brings out the green in my eyes.

Laura Geller Beauty INKcredible Waterproof Gel Eyeliner Pencil in Purple Rain, $20 at Ulta.com. Highly pigmented color won’t smudge, smear or run.

Sinful Colors Professional Nail Enamel in Dream On, $1.99 at walgreens.com. An inexpensive, easy way to be on-trend!

Voda Swim “Sports Illustrated” Bikini in Fuchsia Shimmer, $66 (top), $44 (bottom) at vodaswim.com. Called thus because it was featured in Sports Illustrated! It doesn’t get much sexier, for those who find themselves poolside.

Proenza Schouler Mini Pouch Crossbody Bag, $1325 at Saksfifthavenue.com. If money is no object, this crossbody is the must-have bag of the year!

H&M Fleece Top, $29.95 at hm.com. Because you want to look good while working hard for that body.

(image courtesy of Pinterest)

Top 10 Beauty Products for 2013

If it’s good enough for David Letterman, Amazon and Billboard it’s good enough for The Beauty Wall! Here, my Top Ten Favorite Beauty Products that I wrote about this past year…
Tarte Glamazon Lipstick…because it stays put for hours.

Dermalogica Skinperfect Primer…because flawless looking skin is always in style.

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage…because nothing covers as well while still looking natural.

Cane + Austin Miracle Pad…because why look older when you don’t have to.

Lamas Botanicals Pumpkin Spice Polish…because it cleans, sloughs and polishes and it smells amazing.

Lather Vanilla Bean & Shea Soap…because it smells sooooo good.

Korres Shower Gel…because this is way better than the next best thing.

Arrojo Defrizz Serum…because frizzy hair should be someone else’s problem.

Ouidad Wave Create Sea Spray…because on some days less is more.

21 Drops…because it helps cure whatever ails you and the packaging is so damn cute.

In 2014 I Resolve to…

2013 flew by in the blink of an eye and I’m so grateful for the resolution I made last year–Just Do It. It might not sound like much of a resolution to you, but to me it was a life-changer. Instead of talking about what I want to (or know I should) do, my brain goes right to “just do it.” When I thought about starting The Beauty Wall, it’s Just Do It that got it going. When I come up with excuses to skip the gym or go for a run Just Do It gets me off the couch. When I’m afraid to try something new or procrastinating Just Do It serves me well and inspires me. I highly recommend you try it yourself.

This year my resolution is a little different. I’ve been under a bit of stress (who hasn’t been!!!) and I find that marathon book-reading or hours-long Facebook or Pinterest sessions can help calm me and keep me from thinking about things too deeply. It does the trick but the downside is that I’m not living as mindfully and in-the-moment as I could be.

In 2014, when I’m with my family and friends I want to really hear what they’re saying and appreciate our time together. I want to soak up as much joy from each moment that’s possible. I want to experience more…so this year I resolve to Be Present.

What’s your resolution?

xoxoNancy

Sticky Shoes!

I’ve discovered a genius product that I wish I’d found years ago. Sticky Shoes shoe tape is a double sided super-strong adhesive tape that keeps your shoes right where they’re supposed to be, securely on your feet!

No more slipping and sliding out of heels that are slightly big. Simply peel the backing on each double-sided strip and and firmly press down on the inside heel portion of your shoe. Done! Those shoes aren’t going anywhere you aren’t. Walk, skip and run with confidence–you won’t leave those shoes behind!

Sticky Shoes, 12 pairs/$8.95, www.stickyshoes.com.

(photo, courtesy of Pinterest)

These are a few of my favorite Things…

Are you a “wait-until-the-last-minute” kind of shopper? If so, you can still make someone very, very happy! Here’s what I’m hoping to unwrap:

Sweet Dreams One taste and you’ll be hooked for life! Nordstrom Makers Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels, $20 at nordstrom.com

Rock On Diamonds, sapphires, chalcedony and white gold. Hey…a girl can dream. Nam Cho Blue Sapphire Armor Ring, $6,825 at fragments.com.

To a Tea When a good friend went to China she gifted me with the most delicious fruit and flowers tea. So delicious in fact that I wouldn’t share and was heartbroken when my stash was gone. It took me a while but I found tea just as wonderful. Washi Tin, $12.95, Rock Sugar $8.50 per 16 oz. and Opus Rouge Rooibos Tea, $7.98 per 2 oz. at teavana.com.

Face Time Ultra-plush, high-performance makeup brushes in a pretty silver box. It CosmeticsLimited Edition Luxe Blurring Micro-Airbrush Brush Collection with Stand, $59.50 at QVC.com.

Warm Up Because cashmere is always in style and vertical stripes never hurt anyone’s figure. Aqua Cashmere Sweater, $106.53 at bloomingdales.com

Twinkle Toes Gold silk velvet, leather and Swarovski crystals adorn these flats worthy enough for any royal. Emma Hope’s Regalia Ballerinas, $498 at anthropologie.com.

Let It Snow I’m coveting these snow globes because they work with any decor and they’re just as magical now as they were when I was a kid. Snow Globes, $13-$17 at www.westelm.com.

Play On For the child in all of us. Striped Ukulele, $29.95 at paper-source.com.

Smooth Operator My husband would love this…there’s something very James Bond about a luxury shave set. Jack Black Luxury Shave Set, $200 at getjackblack.com and Nordstrom.