Simple Math

Here’s a confession….I’m a nerd. I think in terms of equations, numbers and algorithms. Years after my schooling the Pythagorean theorem (remember a2 + b2 = c 2 for triangles?) still makes perfect sense to me. I know you’re wondering what the hell this has to do with beauty but hang in there with me. So let’s move this mathematical thinking to our perception of beauty. What + what = radiant, youthful, healthy skin? I will just toss out a few ideas and you tell me which sounds right. Luminous? Dewy? Hydrated? Energized? Remember option D on the multiple choice tests which standed for “all the above” and it was always the right answer. Well this time is no exception. So the next part of this multi-step math problem is what universal product provides these elements?

Answer: MAC Strobe Cream! This one stop product rivals any algorithm or theorem. Supercharged with potent botanicals and vitamins including my all around favorite, a power shot of green tea, this moisturizer/luminizer/clarifier (it pretty much does everything) revives dull, fatigued skin. Delivering hydration and continuous antioxidant protection this multi-tasker instantly illuminates skin with iridescent particles while bolstering skin's own defense system for longterm radiance. Mix with your AM moisturizer (if you're not a foundation wearer) or add as a booster to your foundation to give your skin an freshening. Notice as the iridescent particles interact with all types of light to diffuse imperfections and energize skin. This is unquestionably the magic marker that hides the long night you may have had and gives your skin much needed tlc with a side of instant gratification.

Usage tip: For an extra awakening/energizing effect, store the cream in your fridge. Then when you apply the cool temperature will immediately tighten skin and restore your rosy glow. Use the cream to help highlight your features by applying to the bridge of your nose, above your brow bone, along the line of your upper lip and along your cheek bones.

The result: Think of this as the morning latte or espresso for your skin!

Eating Your Cake

What do you think of the term "fake it till you make it?" You see I've never been a person to fake anything...I've always come from the school of thought that it's the real thing or nothing (afterall I think we all know how to spot the fake Louis' and Cartier's). But ever so often there comes a time where the most prideful of us need to bend our strong convictions for that exception. In this case the exception would be tanning. The reality is we all love that bronze beach goddess color but know the hazards of tanning (wrinkles, sun spots, sagging, let me know when you get the picture). But luckily shade patrol doesn't equal a chalky white color. With the plethora of self-tanning products available an enviable sun inspired glow is just a bottle away. The key? Your technique. Like all things there's a right way and wrong way of doing it.

How to Fake a Natural Tan

1. Exfoliate! This helps remove dead skin cells for an even base.

2. After towel drying apply a thin layer of body moisturizer paying special attention to drier areas like the elbows.

3. My favorite self tanner is St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Lotion because it gives a true "bronzed" color versus the orangey tinge more often achieved through self tanners. A word to the wise, this lotion will give your skin a deep tan so if you are fairer or want more control over the color I suggest St. Tropez Gradual Tan Mousse. The mousse has a lower amount of DHA (the molecule which interacts with your skin to develop the color) so the tanning effect will be more mild. Apply the product from the bottom up starting at your legs and working up to your chest and arms. Smooth onto skin and apply with long, firm strokes. Avoid rubbing in which could lead to streakiness or darker spots. Systematically apply making sure to never miss a spot (which includes gently applying to tops of feet and back of hands) and blend carefully. Remember the goal is to look sun kissed so no bare spots! Side note: I never like to apply self tanner to my face...rather I think this is an effect better left to makeup. That way you can contour, define and bronze in a controlled manner. We will cover this soon.

4. Don't put any clothes on for at least 10 minutes to let the product properly dry and when you do finally clothe avoid whites which could show some rub off of the tanning product. Shower 4 hours later at which time your bronze color should be fully developed.

Usage tip: If you do end up with streakiness or dark spots take a lemon and gently rub it over the area to help smooth out the color. Apply the self tanning lotion once a week or the mousse every other day to maintain your color. If you want to deepen the tan apply more frequently.

The result: Bronze goddess sans the sun induced wrinkles and age spots...I think they call that having your cake and eating it too!

Certified Discreteness

Don’t you just love to keep people guessing? In the overly exposed, reality show centric society we’ve become it seems only normal that the stranger in the Starbucks line should know about that weird rash you can’t seem to get rid of and how your match.com profile is getting more hits than the latest celeb sex video (note to everyone please maintain your spa voices when you’re on the phone in public places including the train, elevator and coffee lines….no one really cares to hear about your problems). I think it’s time for a countermovement: something discreet yet sinful, covert yet headturningly intriguing. And what better place to start this coyness than with your lips.

Think an egg shaped sphere that rivals any new I-gadget, contouring perfectly to hands with the softest touch. Donned in the runway’s Spring/Summer pastel colors, it could be more of an accessory than a lip treatment. I’m of course referring to the eos (standing for evolution of smooth) Smooth Sphere Lip Balm. Available in 4 mouth watering flavors (cause afterall we do taste our lip products), the perfectly round balm snuggles the lips enveloping it with rich, emollient butters (shea) and oils (coconut, olive and jojoba) for thirst quenching essential moisture. Lips transform from crackled and dehydrated to soft, pillowy smoothness. Certified organic (with the exception of the newest addition, the Lemon Drop with SPF 15), these paraben- and petrochemical-free will make even the most skeptical fall head over heels in love (just be prepared to hear where’s that other lip balm…you know that cool, round one?). And just to keep you guessing, I saved the best part for last at $3.49 a pop you not only need to buy every flavor (I love the Summer Fruit) but need one for every essential place (your bag, car, desk, nightstand).

Usage tip: If you like to apply a lipstick for color layer this lip balm under it to reap the benefits of both worlds. Apply when lips feel dry and at the very least every AM and PM to nurture your puckers.

The result: Your lips will never feel so smooth, so soft, so voluptuous but I never kiss and tell!

Opal

There are certain statements or questions that simply do not warrant an answer under any circumstances. My all-time favorite is when people tell you how tired you look. How do you even respond to that? “Thanks?!” One of the telltale signs of fatigue is under eye bagginess/puffiness. It’s a quick indicator that for some reason or another overstretched with responsibilities and under indexed on tlc. The beauty of beauty? (Catchy, huh?) We always have a fun, techy gadget or product to save the day.

Just off their blockbuster launch of the Sonic Care Cleansing Systems, Clarisonic has introduced a new offering but this time for your eyes. The Opal, cleverly shaped like a luxurious stone begging for you to touch it, is comprised of two parts. The top, if you will, contains their proprietary Anti-Aging Sea Serum and is applied first to the eye area. The bottom contains a small round head that when turned on gently vibrates as you move it around the eye bag area. Helping the serum penetrate into the skin, the sonic massage helps boost circulation to reduce puffiness while giving your eyes a pampering soothing experience. Think of it as a massage for the eye area. Between the serum and the sonic head, the eye area is hydrated, firmer and depuffed. Is it worth the $245 price tag (by the way? I’m not so sure…you can buy one of the many eye rollers on the market for a fraction of the price and get the same benefit. But I will say the micro vibrations were quite a treat for my eyes, it was a calming pre-sleeping treat (and I got the most skeptical person to agree)!

Usage tip: Try on clean eyes before applying your eye cream. Be careful to not use it around the eye socket, a vibrating eye ball is good only for the horror or sci-fi books. Follow with an eye cream. It’s not emollient enough to hydrate the eye area.

The result: Bags be gone! Take that Ms. You Look So Tired!

Eavesdropping

I'm all about respecting people's privacy and allowing for personal space, a trait that has been groomed by my time as a New Yorker where space is a rare commodity and rude/unaware people seem to be abundant (please note it is not ok to jam your yoga mat on top of others just cause you showed up late!). But every so often something salacious happens that you simply cannot help yourself and you end up succumbing to the eavesdropping temptation. Case in point as I walked home from my jog yesterday a couple were walking their dogs and the wife was letting her husband have it..."Why don't you help a bit more? You know I haven't gotten more than 5 hours of sleep since Monday! And frankly it's making me look any younger so if I look old it's all your fault!"

While I found her ease to publicly display her martial problems on a busy intersection a bit interesting, I understand where she's coming from (side note: I'm known to be a bit of a sleeper myself. Read: don't try to deal with me unless I've gotten my 8.5 hours of sleep), there's a significant amount of validity to what she's saying. It is during the sleeping hours that your body has a change to repair, recover and regenerate. That's why it's called beauty sleep. While you're off dreaming about Mr. Right and the beautiful kids you will have your body is repairing sun (photo) induced DNA damage, synthesizing essential proteins such as elastin and collagen and treating any inflammation (ie. breakouts). And in case you haven't heard you need between 7-8 hours of zzz's nightly no ifs, ands or butts. Have trouble sleeping? Try spraying some lavender essential oil on your pillow (my go to choice) or lull your body into sleep mode with a relaxing bath or a cup of warm milk and honey (it really works). If plump, smooth, wrinkle-free skin isn't enough of an inspiration to hit the sack, studies show that when you get less than 7 hours of sleep your body produces more of the stress hormone, cortisol, which encourages your body to store fat leading to weight gain...do I see you heading to bed?

Usage tip: There's nothing more unattractive than pillow lines that can cause collagen and elastin breakdown leading to wrinkles. Opt for silk pillowcases that help skin retain moisture, leave hair tangle free and skin lineless!

The result: Look in the mirror the next time you get a good nights rest...your skin is plump, radiant and youthful! This is the cheapest tool in your anti-aging regimen!

Flawless Inspiration

There are certain rituals, end of the day destressors if you will, that we eagerly look forward to. Regardless of how many times your boss says "we should do this" instead of what she really means ("you need to take care of this") you count on these self-soothing acts. For me it's the few moments I spend lovingly admiring my new orchid plant. With 8 blooms and 5 on the way, I watch mesmerized by the pristine white petals glistening like fresh snow and the perfect asymmetry right down to its reproductive organs (no smirking!). The truth of the matter is we are a society obsessed and appreciative of flawless perfection. We want our faces plump like a babies, smooth like silk and radiantly even toned like the orchid petal.

Here's the reality: a funny thing called aging and environmental/lifestyle aggressors makes this a daunting task. Any cellular facial injury from photodamage (sun exposure) to a breakout can leave spots or hyperpigmentation on your skin. The cruel irony? Studies have shown that these skin discolorations can add up to 10 years on your perceived age. So the moral of the story is skin needs to be luminously uniform. Up until recently there weren't too many safe efficacious options. The gold standard was bleaching products with hydroquinone, an ingredient linked to cancer. This is until Skinceutical developed their Pigment Regulator. Working three ways, this treatment lightens existing hyperpigmentation while shielding skin from future spots. Now these discolorations are a result of melanin, skin pigmentation molecules, clusters so the Regulator blocks your skin from producing excess melanin (preventative), prohibits it from travelling to skin surface (preventative) and breaks up clusters (corrective). Clinically tested against the derm lightening choice (4% hydroquinone) this miracle worker was found to be as effective in reducing hyperpigmentation. Now that's results! With kojic acid, emblica (otherwise known as Indian Gooseberry) and an exfoliating blend; discolorations are corrected, skin radiates with even luminosity.

Usage tip: Use nightly after you cleanse and tone but before you moisturize. Remember the layering rule: apply products in order of viscosity from the thinnest to the thickest consistency. If you have a lot of discolorations target just those areas otherwise you can apply all over the face for an overall brightening effect.

The result: 10 years younger and as flawless as an orchid!

Blow

The two most amazing things about a vacation are: one the selfish opportunity to pamper oneself and two the unique ability to uncover new things. From new foods to adventurous experiences the things you can come across during your time off can be endless. On a recent trip to LA my resourceful sis decided our morning bonding time could consist more than just brunch and girl chat. She upped the ante and took me to what can only be described as heaven…for my hair!

Dry Bar new to the Brentwood area is a one stop blowout haven. Don’t get confused, this sleek white, trendy yet comfortable salon doesn’t offer cuts, colors or anything in between. They only do one thing and they do it right…long lasting, movie quality blowouts! Chose your blowout style from one of the five enticing bar options: Straight Up (the signature), Mai Tai (messy and beachy), Southern Comfort (lots of volume), Cosmopolitan (loose curls) and Manhattan (sleek and smooth). Then sit back as your hair is washed, expertly styled in under 30 minutes! And oh did I mention it’s only $35?! Yes you read that right! So as you sip the cucumber infused water and catch up on your emails or sinfully take a mental break with the latest US magazine issue your hair is transformed from so-so to head turning, "I just appeared in the latest Kerastase ad!" The best part is the blowouts last 3 days so it’s one less thing for you to worry about. All I can tell you is if I lived in LA I would be there for a standing weekly appointment (afterall a girl has gotta pamper herself). Other major cities have similar concept salons. In NYC check out the original, Blow. Downside: price varies from $40-60 based on length or texture. In SF take advantage of the newly opened Blo (cost is around $33).

Usage tip: Book in advance. This place is more popular than the local Peet’s Coffee!

The result: Perfect for date night or just cause, this quickie will take your hair to the next level.