A New York City Health and Beauty Blog

Waxing, Shaving & Depilatories: Best Hair Removal Products and Tools

One of the beauty school fantasies estheticians have is that working in a spa is all facials, all the time. But seasoned estheticians will tell you they usually spend the majority of their time waxing- brazilians came out of the closet as a hugely popular service more than a decade ago, but it’s still a bit easier to wax lyrical about a fantastic facial than a session that gets any of your exposed areas smooth and hairless.

Compounding the share factor is that in order to get a great wax, you must to need a great wax, and lots of spa-goers don’t have the time or patience to sit around waiting for hair to grow and become visible before making an appointment. If you’ve got a stray hair (or a few), chances are you want it gone yesterday. Here are five of the best tools to achieve that end.

1.) Shaving: As someone who is half Sicilian and Napolitano, shaving isn’t just a necessity, it’s a religion. And while you can often find good, inexpensive options in the drugstore, razors are an area in which one cannot skimp. Gillette’s Venus Embrace offers a supremely close shave, making last year’s four-bladed razors seem obsolete. For a more luxurious shave, C.O. Bigelow carries fancy, apothecary-style Geo. F. Trumper Rose Shave Cream.

When shaving, the end of your shower is the most opportune time- hair is less prone to break beneath the skin and become a dreaded ingrown. Best for: legs, abdomen, underarm.

2.) Depilatories: One of the least popular forms of epilation, depilatories generally look good on paper (a cream that dissolves hair!) but carry some downsides that can be significant. Every few years I give them a try, and most smell like a perm and leave a chemical burn. Surprisingly, the most gentle depilatory seems to be Magic Shaving Powder, an old drugstore staple. It clears off hair efficiently with minimal irritation, though the mixing part can be messy. Best for: general bikini cleanup.

3.) Waxing: Waxing is a task generally best left for professionals, but it’s not too difficult to do a general once-over from home if you’re not aiming for a complicated area (like the bikini line) or attempting a major brow reshaping. If you lack the patience for in-between regrowth, there are several at-home waxing options. Bliss’ Poetic Waxing kit is nicely scented and thorough- a “hard wax” that doesn’t require using strips and has a lot of aftercare add-ons. Anastasia’s Pro Waxing Kit is adorable, tiny and comes complete with spatulas and strips.

To wax, start with clean, dry and moisturizer free skin. Smooth wax on in the direction of hair growth, and wait for it to set. Place fingers at the end of the wax or strip to prevent pulling, and quickly tear the wax or strip against the direction of hair growth. Use excess dried wax to remove any remaining pieces, and if you get into the hairline, an oil will dissolve the stray wax.

Use a soft cloth or tissue to smooth on an aloe or oil product to soothe skin and remove traces. Best for: eyebrows, upper lip, chin.

Do you do your own waxing, shaving, plucking or other hair removal? What’s your depilatory secret?

Gift Guide: Is Your Mom a Beauty Junkie, Too?

Mothers Day gift guide

Nearly every Mothers’ Day, I find myself reaching for a beauty-related gift for my mom even though it usually feels like she has everything. Perhaps it’s more a reflection on me and my predilections that I always select for her something beauty related- a service, a bottle of her favorite perfume or something that has a GWP. Cosmetics, fragrance and spa gifts seem like an easy choice, until you realize you’ve selected similar for every previous incarnation of the holiday, as well as birthdays and Christmas.

If you’re stuck this year, don’t panic. New and limited-edition options are introduced often, so there’s always something you can find that will probably delight the pickiest of moms. Here are five ideas for Mothers’ Day gifts for the beauty-junkie mommy:

1.) Eve Lom Travel Set: While women of all skin types are known to favor Eve Lom products, the rich and luxurious feel of the products resonate particularly well with women of a certain age. Eve Lom Cleanser is one of my desert island all time favorites, and this little kit includes a 15ml version with a muslin cloth, 15ml of Rescue Mask, 15ml of Moisturizer SPF 15, 15ml of TLC Cream and 15ml of Hand Cream- with a cute little white leather travel bag, too.

2.) A Spa Service: Location, preference and your mom’s skin type (for instance, you don’t want to gift your uber-sensitive skin having mom with a full-body salt scrub) will influence what spa service fits her best. Mani-pedis generally always work, unless your mom is really ticklish. An established and classic but still innovative spa like the Mandarin Oriental in NYC is an excellent choice for mom and daughter spa days.

3.) A Treatment Product: A spa day can be glorious, but a treatment product is pampering every day- a particularly nice gift if your momma lives far away and you want her to think about you. Philosophy’s Miracle Worker A.M. Duo has antioxidant infused pads and a serum to clear away dull, dead cells and renew skin. A gift like this is nice because it’s luxurious but also has a nice cumulative effect.

4.) Custom Fragrance/Sets: I shall acknowledge the caveat that most moms already have a signature fragrance, and it’s probably one you know well and associate with your mom. However, some women are adventurous with their favorite perfumes and some never settle down with one particular scent. For those moms, a custom blended Jo Malone fragrance set might be a thoughtful and one-of-a-kind gift that fits very well- or she could use the scents individually.

5.) A pretty, feminine makeup kit: Makeup as a gift is a bit tricky unless you know the recipient is really in love with a particular product, and then in that case, it kind of takes out a tiny bit of the fun because they aren’t being delighted by something new. A kit composed of popular products kind of has the best of both worlds, because it contains old favorites and often a new twist- like this adorable pink makeup kit from Yves Saint Laurent. Eye makeup remover, cult-favorite Touche Éclat and Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils come with a logo-ed little bag, and all items are usable whether your mom’s style is natural or a bit more vampy.

Have you selected a Mothers’ Day gift yet? Do you have a stock standard you know pleases your mom?

Get The Look: Kate Middleton’s DIY Wedding Makeup!

Last week we eagerly anticipated, as did many beauty junkies, the unveiling (hee hee) of Kate Middleton’s wedding makeup at the biggest nuptials in recent memory. Prince William’s new bride has been much emulated in her understated and elegant yet youthful style, and speculation about her makeup and dress on perhaps the most photographed day of her life was rife on the internet.

It’s said that Middleton took the brave step of doing her own makeup for the event, a choice that paid off in a graceful and flawless look:

“She’s had about three or four lessons with Kate at her private flat in Chelsea and has also gone, very privately to Clarence House. Arabella was [supposed] to be coming on the day as well but now she isn’t, because Kate’s comfortable and confident in doing it herself.”

Many commoner brides fear the prospect of doing bridal makeup without professional assistance, despite the lack of paparazzi at most weddings. But if you’d like to get a look like Kate’s, here are some key pointers:

1.) Eyes: If there’s one area Kate’s look is really bold, it’s her daytime smoky eyes. Relatively heavy liner was a huge component- Bobbi Brown’s Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner stays put but gives eyes dramatic definition. A slate-y violet like Mac Eyeshadow in Crystal is similar to Kate’s choice. Definitely curl lashes to get this look, and a mascara like Lancôme’s Définicils will define and hold a curl without smudging.

2.) Cheeks and Base: Kate’s matte skin finish didn’t rely heavily on bronzer or tanner, and just looked fresh. Clinique’s Superfit is both dewy and long-lasting, and Clinique Blushwear in Rosy Blush lends the same pinky, petal-bright finish. Blend mainly on apples of the cheeks without contouring for a similar healthy glow.

3.) Lips: The lip component is probably the most subtle of all in Kate’s wedding day look, with no reliance on super-pigmented color or thick gloss. The royal bride selected a pale pink (rumored to be Bobbi Brown Sandwashed Pink lip colour) that allowed her eyes to take center stage without washing out the rest of her face- a difficult balance to strike. Choose a creamy yet long wearing creme formulation to get this look, like Yves Saint Laurent Pur Couture in Beige Tribute. For longevity, line lips and fill in the entire lip area with a nude-pink liner like Chanel’s Aqua Colour Lip Crayon in Spice.

Did you get out of bed early to watch the wedding live? Were you impressed by Kate’s look?

The Royal Wedding and Bridal Beauty

The blogosphere has been pretty much consumed by the upcoming wedding of Prince William and the currently less royal Kate Middleton. The bride-to-be’s wedding look is as of now a carefully guarded secret, but it will be fun to dissect it and pore over what potions were used for one of the few real modern-day princess stories when we commoners finally get a glimpse.

While everyone is experiencing a little bit of monarch-envy, part of the fun of following the festivities is putting yourself in the future Princess Kate’s (probably impossibly unaffordable) shoes. The royal engagement ring has already sparked a replica frenzy, and wishful brides the world over will probably look to this Friday’s massive shindig for inspiration for their own weddings. (As well as bridesmaids, mother of the brides and guests that get to get all dressed up.)

So what guidelines always work for traditional bridal beauty? Here are some tips ahead of the fete:

1.) Create a clean canvas: The line between airbrushed and spackled can be thin, but if you’re going to be subject to a bevy of photo-ops, a good balance is important. (Luckily for us plebes, we get a lot more editing privileges and our worst wedding shots won’t be printed in OK!) Actual airbrushing is popular with brides- many makeup artists provide this service, but if you’ve got a few bridesmaids, you might want to invest in your own kit. Sephora carries the TEMPTU AIRbrush Makeup System, which is reasonably priced and provides comprehensive yet light skin coverage.

2.) Soft and blushy tones always work: A heavily bronzed, heavily lined or generally heavily made up look may not epitomize the “blushing bride” stereotype. Pink and pink-nude tones work really well for bridal beauty, and always look fresh, clean, and enhance natural beauty. Stila’s Convertible Color- Lilium and Gerbera are gorgeous pink hues- has been a best seller for years because it blends beautifully and creates a blushy glow. Tarte’s Blushing Bride Cheek Stain looks intense in the tube, but it was actually created for a blushing bride.

3.) But some extravagance is totally fine: While you may not want to go all out Vegas for wedding makeup- unless you’re getting hitched in Sin City- a few super-fancy tricks can totally be pulled off for wedding beauty. Shu Uemura’s Diamante Lashes are a subtle bit of sparkle, but lash extensions from a service like Bling Lash will keep your look going strong through the reception and honeymoon.

4.) Practice and prepare: For a planned and special occasion look, longevity can be a concern. Most brides test-run their look, but a few touch up tools can ensure you know what’s likely to smudge, shift or fade and at what rate. A product like Benefit’s She-Laq can help maintain your look throughout the reception, and Bobbi Brown’s Blotting Papers will soak up shine and pat away excess or shifted pigment.

Do you have any bridal makeup tips or tricks? What do you think Kate Middleton will choose for her big day?

Seven Super-Strong Anti-Aging Botox Alternatives

Did you see the story released over the weekend about Botox and its possible link to decreased ability to empathize? Excessive Botox has long been linked with an expressionless face, but it turns out that inability to physically express emotion (through frowning or other facial gestures) might actually inhibit your ability to feel empathy toward people. It seems when humans can’t mimic the facial expressions of others, the ability to actually feel those emotions could be reduced.

As an anti-aging skincare strategies go, Botox is also prohibitive both financially and as a time-investment. In addition to a high price-tag, the treatments need to be touched up fairly often to remain effective. (But they are really effective.) If you don’t have a trust fund or are terrified of needles, here are five skin treatments that don’t require a trip to the dermatologist.

1.) DDF Wrinkle Relax: Doctor’s Dermatologic Formula- also known as DDF- is a popular, dermatologist-style line due to their simple, effective products. DDF Wrinkle Relax is rich in water-binding sodium hyaluronate, and contains lipopeptide Matrixyl to plump and reduce fine lines. Acetyl Hexapeptide is also among the reparative ingredients in this skin serum.

2.) Peter Thomas Roth Firmx Growth Factor Extreme Neuropeptide Serum: “Peptide” is a word you hear a lot in relation to damage-repairing and age-defying creams, and PTR’s Firmx Growth Factor Extreme Neuropeptide Serum. Ingredients like  NEURO-BLOKKTM seem a bit- well, unscientific- but the product is designed to increase skin elasticity and hamper the muscle contraction that causes fine lines. At $150, it’s nearly a drugstore bargain in the realm of high-impact creams and treatments.

3.) Natura Bisse Diamond Drops: This top-shelf cream contains a skin-protecting ingredient called “Marine DNA.” Marine extracts are very popular in skincare, largely because in order for plants to thrive under water, they need highly concentrated nourishment. Diamond Drops isn’t a moisturizer- it goes on over your cream to protect and repair skin. In addition to its high tech ingredients, it also contains soothing lavender oil to calm skin and reparative grapeseed extract.

4.) Dior ‘L’Or de Vie’ La Crème: This fancy gold container houses an antioxidant-packed cream that is focused on renewing and repairing age and environmental damage skin has sustained. Dior ‘L’Or de Vie’ La Crème contains ingredients from a French vineyard that are put through a “17-step purification process (that) extracts every drop of the vines’ essence.” Hydroin, ectoin and hydroxyectoin are among the ingredients cited in this thick, skin-smoothing cream.

5.) Erno Lazlo ThranspHuse pHixation: Sometimes you need some on the spot, same-day results. Billed as a “surgiceutical” product, this lip-gloss like container proffers a “cooling, concentrated formula” with “Marine filling spheres” to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid draws and holds water, and a green tint masks redness.

Signs of aging aren’t necessarily the enemy, but a luxe, high-tech cream feels pampering and effective in your skincare routine. Have you found any high-impact creams or treatments that reduce damage? What’s your biggest skincare splurge?