Regret, Revenge, And Other Things That Begin With the Letter R
Valentine’s Day is almost upon us, and although Red would seem to be an appropriate color for the occasion, we’d prefer that it wasn’t a part of our skin.
There’s usually nothing fun about being caught red-handed. Aside from looking bad, redness means inflammation. It’s not a good sign. The tight, chapped, raw feeling that accompanies red hands can render the process of hand-washing unbearable.
And if you struggle with brown spots, thinning skin, wrinkles or loss of elasticity on your hands, there’s a remedy for that too.
It’s all in one package, literally. Dermatologists Katie Rodan and Kathy Fields come to the rescue, and in their routine response to public demand they’ve created yet another outstanding anti-aging solution for savvy women of all ages.
If you regret the abuse and neglect that tip your hand to your real age, or if you simply want to prevent damage that you’ll undoubtedly lament later, I recommend Rodan + Fields. Their Anti-Age Hand Treatment bundles the top in technologies for this oft-overlooked area.
I can only describe their two-part regime as a genigma. It’s a word I made up. Part genius, part enigma.
Genius because the science behind it is simply brilliant, and enigma because I can’t understand how it works so fast.
I could seriously go on for hours regurgitating statistics and spitting up science about how and why the products work. But this is neither a term paper, nor a glorified press release.
We all want results and we want them immediately, if not sooner. The two products double team to really deliver, and fast. I recommend using them together.
To Have and To Hold
For beautiful, youthful hands, I cannot get enough of the Brightening Hand Treatment. It penetrates quickly, hydrating and restoring with all the goodies that your skin will love. It makes a tangible difference right away that, like any good woman, only improves with time.
With a pleasingly mild but luscious scent, it leaves you velvety–an unparalleled silkiness and almost matte, powdered finish–due to a key ingredient: corn starch.
I’ve tried a ton of hand creams, and quite frankly, I’ve really never felt anything quite like this. It firms the delicate skin on the hands and transcends mere moisturization.
Rich with emollient butters and the best oils, it also contains urea and hyaluronic acid to bind water to the skin providing sustained results.
To Protect and Defend
The Shield Hand Balm with SPF 30 ensures smart sun protection in a convenient, portable stick form. It’s like a giant Chapstick for your hands. How great is that? You can throw it in your purse or travel bag and reapply any time to only the backsides, without worrying about sticky fingers. It frees your hands up for other, more important things.
The sunscreen stick is anhydrous, meaning, it contains no water, which is critical in its stability and delivery of 4% ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid is vitamin C, a potent skin firmer that also powerfully lightens pigment, if you struggle with brown spots.
In addition, you’ll find the best in peptides courtesy of world-renowned peptide expert Timothy Falla, PhD, Vice President of Research and Development at Rodan + Fields.
You may have heard the buzz about peptides. They are short-chain amino acids that signal natural responses in the skin to decrease inflammation and build collagen, among other admirable epidermal things. Considered anti-aging powerhouses, peptides can be found in many Rodan + Fields products, and they use them generously.
Getting the Red Out
Both the hand treatment and the SPF contain optical brighteners to instantly reduce redness and minimize the appearance of veins, making immediate gratification, in this case, a good thing.
The new Rodan + Fields Anti-Age Hand Treatment Regime is a rarity, applying elegant yet serious skincare science, once reserved for face, to other extremely important extremities.
To Honor and Obey
Back to Square One: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It could take 20 years for you to acquire those unsightly brown spots, but they might hang around ’til death do you part. So, don’t forget your gloves. That way, if you choose to leave a mark, at least it will be discreet.
There will always be a soft spot in every girl’s heart for flowers and candy, but flowers die and chocolates don’t last long. While nothing is eternal, for a distinctive and lingering gift for Valentine’s Day or any day, I highly recommend Diptyque (pronounced dip-TEEK).
Famous for their unmistakable luxury candles, Diptyque also has a new line of unisex body products that are bomb–perfect for mom or dad, your girl, your guy, your child, grandparents or a cherished friend. Diptyque has something for everyone, even elegant corporate gifts for the discerning employer.
If you’re into aromatherapy and the powerful transformative possibilities of scent, you simply must spoil your Valentine with something from Diptyque. Trust me, they will love it.
Pure, Paraffin, Pleasure…
The diminutive Diptyque candle smells like nothing you’ve ever experienced, and believe me, you can really smell it. The standard votive boasts a tireless 60 hours of burn time and will undoubtedly outshine its cheaper competitors. It’s a smart choice.
With a Diptyque candle, you get what you pay for. Created using powerful concentrations of only the finest essential oils steeped in pure paraffin, they’re sure to set the mood for a romantic evening. Plus, a Diptyque candle will actually stick around long after Valentine’s Day has ended. Even unlit you can still smell the candle in the room.
You can choose from an endless exquisite bouquet of more than 50, yes fifty scents–that’s an amazing variety–in five categories of flowers, herbs, fruity, woods and spicy, so there’s something for everyone, no matter your preference. It’s a complete collection.
One of my favorite memories is the night I dined at the opening of a Francis Ford Coppola restaurant in California, where a flurry of Baies Diptyque candles and their intoxicating aroma seduced me.
Every celebrity is said to have their favorite Diptyque scent, and Coppola’s is Baies. It soon became mine too, and of the many scents to choose from, I still prefer Baies to this day.
Baies, pronounced, simply, ‘Bay,’ is a French term of endearment, meaning sweetie, or some such.
It’s composed of Bulgarian rose with notes of blackcurrant leaves–an irresistible melange of fruit and floral.
Reminiscent of a walk through blooming gardens in Europe, it smells absolutely delicious, and every time I encounter it, after all these years, I’m immediately drawn back to the first time I experienced it–that beautiful balmy night at the restaurant. It’s a powerful testament to the virtues of aromatherapy and memory recall.
The Art of Body Care
Once mistaken as primarily high-end home fragrance, Diptyque recently launched an ambrosial offering of luxury body care products for men and women, known as The Art of Body Care, to complement their lesser-known collection of eaux de toilette which has in fact existed since 1968.
Pick a simple spray or dip into the many tempting products from the line. The Art of Body Care is based on the history of beauty from around the world and includes so many gorgeous things–such as a hand balm from Spain, below, using organic ingredients from that region.
You can put a capful in the tub, or apply it directly on the skin. It’s a very luxurious olive oil and soaks right in so it won’t get on your clothes.
Common Scents That Aren’t So Common
Unlike ordinary synthetic fragrances, the Diptyque scents are inspired by essences commonly found in nature, and all the body products are unisex, so if you buy them for your sweetheart, there’s always the chance you can share.
A beautiful body cream from Istanbul, not Constantinople–lush with myrrh and roses–is a personal favorite of my friend Gregory Costanza, former regional sales manager of the intimate but elegant San Francisco Diptyque boutique.
It may surprise you that a man might enjoy wearing a floral such as rose, but that convention is worn-out. In Europe people are much more liberal with what constitutes a ‘feminine’ fragrance and gender specificity has been replaced by good taste.
The notes of myrrh and roses found in the body cream can be tied over to home fragrance too, making a great candle combination if you care to experiment. Remember, you can customize the Diptyque scents for your home and yourself by choosing any of the fragrance families and combining until you discover what suits you. This is the modern approach to aromatherapy.
A lot of couples come in to share fragrance, which is a great idea if you live near a boutique. The Diptyque staff is very hands-on with their clients. They really aim to please.
Because fragrance is highly personal, you can go to a boutique with your Valentine and identify the scents that you’re attracted to, and then you can coordinate them, together.
But there are only 14 Diptyque boutiques in the world, so if you can’t make it to Paris, London, Doha, Qatar or Dubai, you can call one of the three shops in the United States and let their accommodating, knowledgeable staff guide you on your purchase and educate you on how to burn a candle properly. Believe it or not, there’s an art to that too.
For ultimate convenience, most Diptyque products can come elegantly pre-wrapped, or you can opt to do it yourself.
Fragrance may be simple and straightforward for some people, or infinitely complex and indulgent. Whatever your approach, Diptyque definitely delivers.
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Nature gives you the face you have at 20.
Life shapes the face you have at 30.
But at 50 you get the face you deserve.
– Coco Chanel
That was then, this is now. Today we have a rich source of potent anti-agers at our fingertips that keep women looking amazing from head to toe during the prime of their lives–and beyond.
Join me as I unroot the best-kept secrets of anti-aging, including products in a wide range of prices, like serums, masks, lip balms and hand creams, in addition to non-invasive procedures and lifestyle choices that may seem insignificant, but make a most profound difference.
It doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and the advice, of course, is on me.
Read my story this week on a great new anti-aging hand regime and sun protection for hands.
I’ll give you the information and resources you need to get you the face you deserve…and, the body you’ve always desired. Please come along.
From my kit to yours, here are a few insider products that work for Everygal.
These little thingamajigs are complete genius. Bare Escentuals has created liquid-filled cotton swabs that make cosmetic correction a snap. The formula contains aloe vera and vitamin E, and you can pick up messes with ease.
This is especially important when creating the bright summer lip. Run the swab around the lip contour for a nice, sharp line then touch up with concealer. Or use them to tidy around the eye area. They’re five bucks for a pack of 24, at Sephora. Great for your purse.
At last, an elegant approach to hand sanitizers. Turn dirty digits clean, matte and baby soft, with the fresh antiseptic botanicals in Jao Hand Refresher, a makeup artist must-have. It’s an imperative before you touch a model’s face.
Jao leaves hands soft, not sticky, and smells deliciously of lavender, tea tree and eucalyptus oils. The experience is nothing short of ethereal.
Fortified with aloe, glycerine and chamomile, Jao won’t dehydrate your hands because it disinfects with ethyl alcohol, which is less drying, and it smells divine. Available in portable flip-tops or a convenient pump, your clients, and your hands, will thank you.
Sanitary equipment equals clearer skin. Makeup brushes can be a breeding ground for bacteria, leading to breakouts and other ugly skin conditions like dermatitis.
Cleaning brushes just got easier with Brush Off Brush Cleaner, the makeup artist’s choice. Just spray, wipe with a tissue, and you’re good to glow. Brush Off dries instantly.
Read about my favorite makeup brushes, designed by New York makeup artist Roque Cozzette. They’re cruelty-free, vegan and affordable. You’ll love them. Talk to you soon.
Valentine’s Day is but a heartbeat away, and wedding season is perpetual. Glowing skin is every girl’s dream, and though many skin care products make bold promises, few do what they say, and say what they do.
Soothe Sensitive Skin Treatment moisturizer is a gem. It does what it says it’s going to do–instantly–and the results are glorious. Simply put, it just feels good.
So many people have sensitive skin or rosacea and don’t even know it. For anyone suffering from skin discomfort, Soothe calms the raw chapped feeling and takes away the red, halting stinging and burning, fast.
With all the aggressive products out there–with the multitude of sins we inflict on our skin that make us sensitive, irritated, dry or overworked–this product is heaven-sent. It makes a thoughtful gift for any bride-to-be.
It immediately calms, and by rebuilding the skin’s natural moisture barrier, also known as the acid mantle, skin is protected from future flare-ups. Used consistently, results only get better with time.
This comforting cream is part of the four-product Soothe regime developed by Stanford-trained dermatologist duo Rodan + Fields, but you can always buy just the treatment cream, $80, separately.
Dewy and moist, yet matte, Soothe penetrates fast sans stickiness.
“For sensitive skin, what stays out of a product is as important as what goes in,” Dr. Kathy Fields stated. “The Soothe regime is free of fragrance, alcohol, added colors, parabens and surfactants.”
Rosacea is an extremely common condition in which the blood vessels of the skin dilate and constrict very easily in response to a variety of stimuli including spicy food, alcohol, embarrassment, heat, sunlight and menopause, according to Dr. Katie Rodan.
“It’s characterized,” she explained, “by intense and frequent flushing causing blotchy redness on the cheeks, chin and nose.”
For people with this chronic condition, the first priority is getting their skin under control. Although there are no over-the-counter medicines approved for treating rosacea, Soothe is the perfect regime for rosacea-prone skin.
But if you just need a good, neutral non-irritating moisturizer that will heal your skin and won’t conflict with your treatment products, the Soothe moisturizer is the ideal accompaniment to almost any skin care regime and is one of those products that I try to keep in my medicine cabinet year-round.
The Gentle Cream Wash, below, doubles as a great calming shave lotion to help reduce razor burn for the man in your life, if you can bear to share.
The four-product Soothe regime, $160, includes the Gentle Cream Wash, infused with nurturing ceramides, Aloe and vitamin E; the Sensitive Skin Treatment moisturizer; the Moisture Replenishing Cream, spiked with omegas and chamomile; and the Mineral UVA/UVB SPF 30 Sunscreen, a zinc-based formula providing broad-spectrum protection and packed with anti-oxidants to defend against environmental damage.
If your skin is in need of a little TLC, the Soothe regime will straighten matters out ASAP.
These products earn high marks in the feel-good factor. Say ‘I dew’ to radiant skin. Mazel Tov, and keep reading for exclusive interviews with top makeup artists next month who will share their beauty secrets for the blushing bride, or any smart woman who wants to look her best.
Perhaps rapper Eminem could conjure several ways to turn a phrase, but here at BSSTW, we will flatly admit that we cannot think of anything out there that can be likened to Pantone’s color for 2012–it’s named Tangerine Tango, and the fashion and beauty world is eating it up. A bit of a visual oddity, the vivid, saturated, iconic orange is now everywhere. It seems as though you cannot escape it.
The tangerine tones are coming from the European runways. Irreverent, rebellious and bold by nature, they are sure to attract attention, and with any luck, a bit of controversy.
Bottega Veneta’s silk blend petal hip dress, $2,650, from Barneys New York, can be worn casually for day with bare legs, flat sandals and a pedicure in the aforementioned Essie polish, above, or dressed up at night simply with a cashmere shawl.
Even in intimate circles, orange is making its presence scandalously known, as in this coral-lined lace bodysuit by luxury lingerie I.D. Sarrieri.
So as you can see, orange can be naughty or nice, depending on just how far you want to take it. Did you see the article on Tory Burch’s fab accessories, crafted in saffron saffiano leather, here on BSSTW? They mean business.
In fragrance also, the sweet, unmistakable orange is leaving its trace.
Her Orange Blossom body oil, $65, gives your legs an irresistible sheen and delicious fragrance. You can get it at Nordstrom.
Keep your eyes peeled for this juicy citrus. You will see it again and again in fashion and beauty, and of course you will absolutely fall in love, and learn unrivaled respect, for this complicated, intense, rich, ripe hue. Now that’s a rap.
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