Beauty Maverick

A Cut Above

I'm always up for trying new things, so when a girlfriend (with great hair) recently told me about the wonderfully hidden SoHo salon she frequents, I couldn't resist making an appointment for the very next day.

NY Mag best describes Aurbeautica's beautiful loft-like space, but their talented team of stylists (sans ego or attitude) is what truly distinguishes this salon from the rest. From the moment I arrived, I felt an intoxicating level of tranquility that put me to ease and allowed me to actually enjoy my time at the salon.

As it was only my first visit, I decided to go for a clear glossing treatment (amazing!) and a much-overdue haircut by Aurbeautica owner Jessica Nash, both of which turned out brilliantly. And, as an added bonus, they also use/retail the Davines product collection I was raving about earlier this week. It must be a sign.

Cost: $65 for a glossing treatment (which lasts up to six weeks) and $65- $120 for a cut.

Aurbeautica
594 Broadway
(b/w Prince and Houston St.)
Ste. 903
(212) 334 1004

C.O. Bigelow Mentha Body Vitamin Body Wash

I've always been a major fan of all things Bigelow, so I assumed the new Mentha Body Vitamin Body Wash would be as fabulous as their Mentha Lip Shine collection and equally as addictive. I was terribly mistaken.

The scent of the C.O. Bigelow Mentha Body Vitamin Body Wash misses the mint-mark, falling somewhere between a mouthwash and my grandmother's arthritis cream. Needless to say, it wasn't the most enjoyable scent to bathe in.

On a more positive note, the formulation itself is quite moisturizing and washes well so, if this sort of scent tickles your fancy, the C.O. Bigelow Mentha Body Vitamin Body Wash may be worth a try.

Retailer: BathandBodyWorks.com
Cost: $12.00

All You Need Is Love

Love doesn't even begin to describe how I feel about the splendid hair care collection by Davines that goes by that same name.

I have long, wavy hair that's also fine, so finding a descent shampoo and conditioner has always been a major pain as my hair constantly craves volume, conditioning, as well as frizz/curl control.

If you have a similar hair type, allow me to introduce my latest obsession (which may soon be yours too)- Davines Love Lovely Curl Enhancing Shampoo and Treatment Conditioner for Wavy & Curly Hair. This duo revived my formerly limp locks by providing a killer combination of volume, shine, and manageability. And, as if that wasn't enough, Love also makes my hair smell absolutely amazing.
A must buy.

Retailer: Drugstore.com
Cost: $16.99 ea.

Smashbox Decadence Eye Shadow Trio in Indulgence

I've tried loads of eyeshadow palettes created to achieve a smoky eye, but I've found many to be hit/miss due to the intensity of their pigments. Basically, one slip and you've got a nasty black eye.

Rich, smoky eyes can look incredible, don't get me wrong, but it's a look that's difficult to perfect and often risks being a bit too bold in the light of day.

Enter the new Indulgence Eye Shadow Trio by Smashbox. These three foolproof shades are easy to apply, subtly smoky, and perfect for use in the day and/or night. I applied this Trio of shades the other day (around 10:00am) and just added a little black eye liner on my inner eye line to intensify the look before heading out for the night. The result? I received a crazy amount of compliments on my eyes and the Shadow made it all the way to last call.

Retailer: Sephora.com
Cost: $28.00

Anastasia Nu Brow

After having read countless articles about the talent of Anastasia Soare, brow groomer to the stars, I felt compelled to try at least one of the products from her signature collection (which is just a bit more accessible than her LA salon for an East Coast girl...). So, what to try?

A full brow seems to be in vogue next season, so I decided to purchase the Nu Brow Brow Enhancing Serum as I've always been guilty of plucking, dying, and waxing my brows more than I should. It took a great deal of self-restraint but, for the past six weeks, I've stopped tweezing daily and have been penciling in a bit more brow whilst they prepare for their reappearance.

Sadly, there's been no noticeable improvement in the areas where I've been applying Nu Brow versus the areas left untreated. This product hasn't inspired my brows to produce any new growth, after six weeks of use (twice daily), and the entire experience has left me quite disappointed.

On a more positive note, if you've been looking for an overpriced brow gel to keep stray hairs in place- the search is over.

Retailer: Sephora.com
Cost: $35.00

Rainy Day Bliss

Today was a terribly wet Tuesday in New York, one where you wish you could just lounge about in bed all day. That is of course, if you're not in the midst of home improvements. Since our place was at capacity this morning, I decided to brave the Summer showers and head over to Bliss 57 for a few treatments to relax and stay dry until I could return to my Talula sweats and MacBook in peace.

The 57th Street location of Bliss is only about two months old, but it impressed me much more than their other spas in New York. From the staff at the front desk to the women who were cleaning, everyone was smiling, kind, and considerate. It was really refreshing to be in a spa environment where I actually felt relaxed and pampered, instead of feeling rushed from one treatment to the next with a forced friendliness that's as transparent as Chanel's 'Naked' handbag collection.

What was also so lovely about Bliss 57 was that every member of staff seemed to care about the quality of  service they provided, especially a woman named Yaffa who gave me one of the best pedicures I've had to date. If you have an hour to spare and can get yourself to the Bergdorf Goodman area, I highly recommend trying the 'Heel Magnolias' pedicure ($70), which includes a milk bath for your feet with warm stones, a magnolia-scented scrub down, and a leg massage with lightly scented Magnolia body butter. I added their hot paraffin pack ($35) to compliment this heavenly treatment, but the pedicure alone is also quite nice.

Bliss 57
12 W 57th St, (between 5th & 6th Ave)
3rd Floor
NYC NY 10022
(212) 219 8970

Rembrandt 2 Hour Whitening Kit

I've never been a fan of whitening strips or overnight gels as they're uncomfortable and need to be used repeatedly for results, so this (highly effective) one-time treatment is a refreshing change.

Use the Rembrandt Whitening Kit on a lazy Sunday, when you're watching Sex and the City reruns, and you'll see results by the time Mr. Big reappears to steal the scene.

Retailer: Drugstore.com
Cost: $18.99 (SRP $20.25)

Lancome Flash Bronzer

Upon the recommendation of a highly regarded beauty editor I'd met through work, I picked up a bottle of Lancome's Flash Bronzer Self-Tanning Gel for the Legs to use on my entire body and face too.

I'm a little cautious with self-tanners (especially one that says 'For Legs' on the tube...) as I've had one too many experiments go orange, so I chose to lighten the effect of the Flash Bronzer by mixing in a little of my facial moisturizer with the product for my face, knees, elbows, and hands. The self-tanner itself is tinted so application was super simple and stress-free.

Final verdict: I had a totally 'natural' bronze glow to my skin! I'm officially addicted.

Retailer: Sephora.com
Cost: $28.50

Stila Lip Glaze

The Stila Lip Glaze collection has so many shades to choose from, countless celebrity fans and makeup artist endorsements, they give the lips a brilliant shine, and also come in a plumping formulation, so what could there be to critique? Well, until recently it was the tiny size of these fabulous little pens.

I use to use one tube within a couple of weeks and be left wondering if it was worth it to just buy two at a time, but then the cost just wasn't worth it. Well, the lovely ladies at Stila have heard our cries for a good glossing and are offering their lovely Lip Glaze in a larger pen size (twice the size to be exact!) at the same price.

Happy shopping!

Retailer: Sephora.com
Cost: $20.00

Bliss FatGirlSlim

Am I missing something? This is the second time I've tried this 'cult favorite' product with no results. No slimming effect, no firming of the skin, it really felt no different from a basic drugstore body lotion.

Retailer: Sephora
Cost: $29.00