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Sun-Kissed!

Product Review: Supergoop! Gradual Self-Tanning Sunscreen Mousse

We were heading to the Dominican Republic and were more than a little excited. Resort reservations were set. Plane tickets were booked. Passports were rush-renewed. Some swimsuits and warm-weather outfits were purchased. Arrangements were made for kitty-cat care. Baggage and carry-ons were lined up by the front door. A car service was already scheduled…and then the super-storm hit!

We knew some planes would still be able to make it out. Unfortunately, ours wasn’t one of them. There’d be no pina coladas poolside, no ocean breeze, no looking for shells or learning how to do the flying trapeze. No toes in the sand, snorkeling or catamarans. And just when I thought all was lost I realized I could still get the healthy-looking glow I wouldn’t be getting on the island. Though I might not feel the benefits of a relaxing vacation, I would at least look it. A self-tanner is all it would take. I was wary of anything that might make me orange-y or too tan. I was concerned about streaking and awful smelling lotions. I had heard about Supergoop! Gradual Self-Tanning Sunscreen Mousse and thought it could be what I was looking for…it just might do the trick!

All self-tanners are not created equal. If you’re looking for natural-looking color Supergoop! is head and shoulders above the masses. Before bed, I applied a thin layer and woke up to a light golden glow that looks completely natural and sun-kissed (not sun-baked!). No product was left behind on my white pillowcase or sheets and I really like that this product gives you broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection, antioxidants and has a hint of a fresh green tea/cucumber scent in a paraben and oxybenzone-free formula. If you want more color just reapply for a deeper glow.

To purchase: Supergoop! Gradual Self-Tanning Sunscreen Mousse, $38 at supergoop.com.

(photography courtesy of seafolly.com and supergoop.com)

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Opening Ceremony’s Fall/Winter 2014 Runway Nail Look

I’m crazy about this cool runway nail look: the negative space diagonal nail design mani created by Naomi Yasuda for essie. Clearly, the inspiration behind the nail look for Opening Ceremony’s Fall/Winter ’14 collection was the asymmetrical clothing in rich green, blue and gray tones.

essie nail products used: “first base” base coat, aruba blue polish, go overboard polish, master plan polish, “good to go” top coat

To get the look:

  1. Apply first base base coat to clean, filed nails.
  2. Once dry, apply one coat of aruba blue, go overboard or master plan (depending on color preference) to the pinky on left hand and ring finger on right hand.
  3. Next, apply preferred polish shade at an angle across each additional nail and fill in the space to make a diagonal design (each nail from the thumb to ring finger should have a different ratio of color to natural nail).
  4. Finish with good to go top coat.

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photography courtesy of essie and vogue.

Trend Alert: New Nail Look

I love the black with white tips mani Jin Soon Choi created for Tess Giberson’s Fall/Winter 2014 Runway Show — a modern take on the french manicure.

To do:

  1. File and clean nails, removing all traces of polish.
  2. Apply a base coat like JINsoon Power Coat base coat.
  3. Next, apply two coats of dark gray/metallic black nail polish. Let dry. (Jin used a shade from her upcoming JINsoon Fall/Winter 2014 Tess Giberson Collection)
  4. At tip of the nail, apply a thin arc of white. Jin used JINsoon Kookie White.
  5. Finish by applying a shiny top coat such as JINsoon Top Gloss.

JINsoon products available at sephora and sephora.com.

JINsoon at Tess Giberson Fall/Winter 2014

 

Baby Your Skin…Literally!

Have I mentioned my little beauty vice?  I’m addicted to taking hot showers two to three times a day. Nothing else warms me in quite the same way but this “habit” of mine was taking a huge toll on my skin. It was very dry, but the additional hand-washing throughout the day and not always wearing gloves when outside had turned my hands rough, red, old-looking, seemingly beyond repair…not attractive or healthy at all!  And then I tried Mustela Stelatopia Moisturizing Cream. It’s a miracle cream –after just one use my hands were fixed! They were soft, smooth, supple and even-toned. Did they look this good before?

This cream is different than anything I’ve ever used. It’s rich and light (if that makes any sense) — it goes on creamy but almost feels slick like a gel as I rub it in and it quickly nourishes and soothes dry, moisture-depleted skin. I’ve been using it on my body and hands and my skin is back to healthy and really soft! It contains Mustela’s patented Sunflower Oil Distillate, which improves skin barrier function with an ingredient that’s concentrated in tocopherols, phytosterols and essentail fatty acids without any proteins so it’s even safe for those with nut allergies.

Mustela’s Stelatopia line was developed to meet the specific needs of eczema-prone skin and though I don’t have eczema, my skin was very dry and this cream got the job done like no other cream that came before it. The moisturizing cream is rich enough for me for everyday use and I love the way it penetrates easily without leaving any greasy feel, but if you or your children have extremely dry skin that’s irritated or suffer from itching and/or eczema there’s also a balm with a richer, thicker texture, Mustela Stelatopia Lipid-Replenishing Balm for Extremely Dry Skin/Excema-Prone Skin. It also contains the patented ingredient, is gentle enough to be used on the face and body of infants, babies and children and it’s even been awarded the National Eczema Association seal of acceptance.

If you’re familiar with Mustela, you might know they’re the No. 1 baby care brand in Europe  and their Dermo-Pediatrics Stelatopia line is formulated to handle the needs of babies’ more vulnerable skin but if you have dry, sensitive or eczema-prone skin I know these products will work for you, too. I’m sold!!!

To purchase: Mustela Stelatopia Moisturizing Cream, $22 at drugstore.com,  Mustela Stelatopia Lipid-Replenishing Balm, $22 at drugstore.com.

(photography courtesy of Pinterest and Mustela)

Quick fix for Dry Lips

It’s cold out there!!! Give your lips some love with the nourishing shea butter and soothing jojoba oil infused eos Smooth Sphere Lip Balm, $3.29 at EvolutionOfSmooth.com and drugstores nationwide.

I love the look-at-me shape and fun, delicious flavors! Apparently, so do a lot of people…Miley Cyrus, Kim Kardashian and even the Broncos’ Von Miller are huge fans!

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Get Gorgeous Glowing Skin!!!

Product Review: GlimmerSHEERS, $28 at beautyaddicts.com.

beautyADDICTS has a cult following and with good reason…the products are pretty spectacular! Just ask celebs Zooey Deschanel, Sharon Stone and Zoe Saldana to name a few. I love their GlimmerSHEERS, the ultimate makeup duo designed to highlight the eyes, face and cheeks. Containing skin-healthy ingredients like Green Tea and Jojoba Oil the Glimmer side adds a sun-kissed, luminous glow, the Sheer side makes your skin appear dewy. When combined, it’s out-of-this-world gorgeous!!!

You can use them alone or together to customize your look. I particularly like Express (a golden shade) for my lids and cheeks and I use Seduce (a silvery hue) to make my eyes sparkle by adding it to the inner corner of my eyes. I also like it on my browbone and the bridge of my nose. There’s also a rosy-hued “Motivate” and a lilac-y Glow.

It’s a great everyday look but as with any illuminating product the key is not to overdo it — a smidge too much and you can look greasy. Apply just a bit to the top of your cheekbones, your browbone and down the bridge of your nose. For evening try it on the inner corners of your eyes for some sparkle. Perfect!

 

GlimmerSHEER by beautyADDICTS, $28 each at www.beautyaddicts.com.

 

New Fragrance Find!

Product Review: Finn & Co. American Beauty White Sand and Black Sand Fragrance Oils. 

The verdict? You’ll love them!!! They both smell really, really beautiful but they evoke very different moods. And the packaging is amazing — rollerball tube applicators make them easy to transport for touch-ups throughout the day. I just toss in my bag and apply when the mood strikes.

After 9/11, Creator/Designer Meg Spencer made a life change and moved back to Maine where she pursued a more holistic educational path than the one she had been on. She became a licensed esthetician and eventually worked with organic oils and custom blends. Knowing that scent is a powerful memory trigger she was inspired by her happy childhood of days and nights spend on Nantucket and the coast of Maine.

The Fragrance Oils:

  • White Sand is light and clean. Honeysuckle, mandarin and a touch of salt blended with jojoba and apricot seed oil will have you imagining yourself, hair pulled back, face warmed by the sun, playing outdoors. Think fresh, natural and sporty, maybe climbing some sand dunes or paddle board in hand…even if you’ve never done that a day in your life.
  • Black Sand is sensual, it’s warm, musky, sexy. Sandalwood and warm vanilla blended with jojoba and apricot seed oil will bring to mind a warm, moonlit night, sandals in hand and a barefoot stroll on the beach. One whiff and you’ll see what I mean.

Finn & Co. White Sand or Black Sand , $42 each or $72 for the gift set at www.thefaceoffinn.com. To see a list of retailers in your area, click here.

(photography courtesy of Finn & Co. American Beauty)

 

Win a Makeover from LIVE with Kelly and Michael!!!

This is the contest of a lifetime!!!

If you or a friend could use a makeover you’ll want to enter “LIVE’s Look as Young as you Feel” Make-Over Contest. Simply submit an entry on “LIVE’s” website, Facebook page or by mail at “LIVE with Kelly and Michael”/ Makeover Contest,  7 Lincoln Square, New York, NY 10023. You’ll need to describe an upcoming special event for which you need a makeover and include a photo of yourself. The deadline is February 6, 2014.

From the entry pool, a team at LIVE with Kelly and Michael will select the top three most-deserving entrants, who will travel to New York for their hot, new look plus a shopping spree. There, they’ll meet with “LIVE” fashion guru Lawrence Zarian, who will transform their wardrobes and Clairol Color Director James Corbett for a great new hairstyle. All three finalists will appear on “LIVE” during the week of February 24th to show off their new looks where viewers will vote to determine the grand prize winner. It will be announced on Friday, February 28th on “LIVE.” The lucky grand prize winner and a guest will be treated like A-Listers with exclusive seats at the Academy Awards red carpet and VIP tickets for “LIVE’s” After Oscar Show.”

Now that’s a contest!!!  Good luck!!! xoxoNancy

For more details click here.

(photo courtesy of livekellyandmichael.dadt.com)

 

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.

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