Beauty Maverick

Q&A with Garren

Click here to read my recent interview with superstylist Garren.

Wella Clear Scalp Shampeeling

The other day, I was showing a friend my rather spectacular dandruff— think desiccated coconut— and while I thought it had real sideshow potential, she was horrified, said something about a forgotten appointment, disappeared into a cab and hasn’t returned my phone calls since. One man’s meat is another man’s poison, apparently.

Maybe it’s the weather, the fact that there is zero moisture in the air, or my scalp’s lingering grief response to Michael Jackson’s death but the situation was admittedly chronic and needed to be managed or I was looking at a life without friends.

Enter Wella's Clear Scalp Shampeeling (it only sounds scary) from their System Professional line. This intensive anti-dandruff treatment shampoo is miraculous. I noticed a dramatic difference from the first use and after a week— put away your toboggans, folks— the ski season on my shoulders is over.

Highly recommended for preserving friendships (and healthy scalp).

— Claire

YSL Private Sale

Starts in-store & online on Monday, November 30th.

Happy shopping! x

Thanksgiving Reads

Alber Elbaz's greatest fear? Bloggers, believe it or not.

Glamour suggests 18 ways to pamper yourself over the holiday weekend.

Get your fix of Black Friday and Cyber Monday beauty deals at HairsTheScoop.com.

Stop the presses: Michelle Obama just ordered a pair of Robert Clergerie thigh-high boots.

Having a boyfriend can help block pain? U.S News explains.

Even Cocaine?

"Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels."
— Kate Moss, WWD. 

Unexpected Applications

Give your beauty staples a second look, and you may be surprised at what you see. Thinking outside the box— tube, jar or bottle— can instantly transform the most classic concoction into the latest innovation.

A few favorites:

Kiehl’s Superbly Restorative Body Oil
Glow from head-to-toe with this nourishing Body Oil, which doubles as a brilliant shine serum. Simply apply a few drops to the ends of your hair to calm frizz, smooth split ends, and tame flyaways.

Dr. Hauschka Lip Balm
Skip the pricey cuticle creams and use your favorite lip balm to condition your hands and nails instead. The trick is to use a balm formulated with natural oils, as it will absorb easily and won’t leave a sticky residue behind.

Stila Kajal Eye Liner in Topaz
Give into temptation, and draw outside the lines with Stila’s Kajal Eye Liner in Topaz. Used backstage at Fashion Week, this apricot nude liner adds a muted, matte finish to any cream-based lipstick when applied over top. Just be sure to sharpen the pencil before using it again on the eyes, to remove any bacteria.

Bumble & bumble Creme de Coco Conditioner
Create some space in your tub or shower by using your hair conditioner as shaving cream as well. Not only does it moisturize the skin, but conditioner also helps avoid those nasty nicks and cuts that can come from shaving with soap.

M.A.C Cosmetics Eyeshadow
The next time your roots start to show a little sooner than expected, reach for a rich, matte eyeshadow in the shade closest to your colored hair. Simply part your hair where desired, then gently rub the powder onto the visible re-growth for a temporary fix. 

Lancome Color Design Blush in Freeze Frame
If you’re only using this shimmery, soft pink rouge on your cheeks, you’ve been missing out. Try a touch of Freeze Frame on your eyes and lips too, for a youthful glow that lasts throughout the day.

Oscar Blandi Jasmine Oil Serum
Your hair won’t be the only thing sporting a healthy glow once we’re through with you. Apply a few drops of lightweight shine serum (for hair) to your legs, to achieve a subtle sheen without the greasy finish of a body oil.

Arrest Me, Please

So that I, too, can sue the state for a series of electrolysis treatments.

Breast Implants a Thing of the Past?

According to NY Daily News, Neopac— a revolutionary new surgical procedure pioneered by Sydney's Bernard O’Brien Institute of Microsurgery— is quickly gaining recognition as "the next generation in breast augmentation," and could effectively replace breast reconstruction and implants.

Sans silicone, saline or supplements, the Neopac procedure involves the insertion of a breast-shaped chamber— which contains a sample of the woman’s fat tissue that is connected to a blood vessel— under the chest skin. Then, within eight months, fat tissue is expected to grow and fill the chamber.

“Nature abhors a vacuum, so the chamber itself, because it is empty, it tends to be filled in by the body,” says Dr. Phillip Marzella of The Institute. “What we are hoping to do in the next two years is develop a biodegradable chamber so that the fat can grow inside the chamber, and then the chamber will vanish naturally.”

Clinical trials commence in January 2010. For additional information on Neopac, visit Bobim.org.

"Fake It" Like a Pro

Blame our obsession with success, love of luxury goods or addiction to uppers, but a good night's rest is as foreign as a front lawn to a New Yorker. 14+ hour days are the norm, and a symphony of ConEd construction, police sirens and AC/radiator buzz helps soothe us to sleep.

So how do New York women "fake it"? With creativity and discretion, naturally.

Bright Eyes
Treat, camouflage and illuminate the under eye area with this tried & tested trinity:

Benefit Ooh La Lift
Contains raspberry extracts and light-reflecting pigments to instantly perk up tired eyes. Can be used on bare skin, or under makeup.

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage
A unique two-tone system that allows you to match your skin's depth of color and undertone, as well as custom-blend your own perfect shade.

YSL Touche Eclat
The award winning, must-have, take anywhere instant highlighter that banishes shadows, erases signs of fatigue and leaves skin looking radiant.

Luminous Complexion
Revive sullen skin, correct tone and conceal blemishes with these must-have multitaskers:

Chanel Base Lumiere
A fresh, oil-free gel primer that evens out and illuminates the complexion.

Giorgio Armani Face Fabric Foundation
Its unique, lightweight Micro-fil formulation allows infinite blending and layering to enhance the natural glow of the skin.

La Mer The Treatment Powder Foundation SPF 15
Infused with gemstones that capture light to reveal a naturally flawless complexion, this luxurious powder is perfect for those who prefer a semi-matte/matte finish.

Philosophy The Supernatural Healthy Cream Blush
A super-blendable, creamy, natural mineral blush that moisturizes, energizes and adds sheer, healthy color to cheeks for the most natural-looking flush.

Smooth, Shiny Tresses
Pump up the volume, tame frizz and manage unruly hair with these latest innovations:

Living Proof No Frizz Shampoo & Conditioner
Whatever your hair type, this revolutionary duo of products is a must. Their key ingredient, PolyfluoroEster, creates an invisible shield on the hair to lock in moisture-proof smoothness and repel dirt and oil, so you can go longer between washes to break the frizz and damage cycle.

Oribe Smooth Style Serum
If you have thick/coarse tresses, opt for a moisturizing styling aid to smooth without stripping. This one, by celebrity stylist Oribe, is rich in exotic oils, which work to soften each strand and amplify shine.

Kerastase Noctogenist Voile Nuit
Fine, limp locks? Make the most of your "beauty sleep" with this innovative overnight treatment from Kerastase. It combines amino acids and a vitamin E derivative to effectively restore/renew, strengthen and protect.

'Tis the Season

Visiting friends or family this Thanksgiving holiday? If so, skip the uninspired bottle of wine/box of sweets and opt for one of these luxurious, seasonally-inspired gifts instead:

Extreme Beauty in Vogue by Phyllis Posnick
Produced in collaboration with Dolce & Gabbana, this coffee table must-have is both audacious and outrageous. Vogue's images distinguish themselves by their willingness to explore the limits of contemporary ideas of beauty, as captured by "the greatest photographers of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries." Hardcover. $55, Barneys.com.

Editions de Parfums Scented Soap Set
A trio of luxurious, unisex hand soaps. Included in the set: Anterenea (spicy floral), Vetivea (earthy vetiver) and Bigarade (bitter orange). $80, EditionsdeParfums.com.

D.L. & Co. Diffuser
Whether you choose to gift this elegant home fragrance diffuser in Lady Rhubarb (rhubarb blended with blood orange, sandalwood and vetiver) or Thorn Apple (applewood, vetiver, oakmoss, and patchouli), its beautiful glass casing and— ready-to-gift— silk hat box are sure to impress. Reeds included. $95, DLCompany.com.

John Derian Crystal Dome Paperweights
Playfully distinct, these brilliant little paperweights make the perfect host/hostess gift. And with so many images to choose from, you're sure to find something suitable for all occasions. $60, JohnDerian.com.