Monthly Archives: June 2009

Last night was BeautySweetSpot’s official launch party at the Townhouse Spa in NYC.  It was a complete success thanks to everyone who contributed and who came out to support.  Lit with tea light candles and elegant candles from Vie Luxe, the spa was decorated with champagne flutes and wine glasses filled with spa rocks and BeautySweetSpot’s signature, cherries. 

Filled with guests and I have to admit, some gorgeous men, the Townhouse Spa offered mini-manicures, back massages, foot rubs, and their latest, spermine facials.  The DEX New York makeup artists and stylists provided glowing two-minute touch ups, sizzling summer hair styles and hair extensions.  Celebrity stylist, Sarah Shirley, was also there to share her fashion advice and raffled off a four hour closet clean out session valued at $600. 

Oh, and I can’t forget to mention, some of my guilty pleasures that were showcased through out the spa besides beauty treatments… a huge chocolate fountain was flowing in the front window with fruit and cookies to dip into it, chocolate covered cherries were passed, and a BeautySweetSpot special cocktail,  with V2 vodka, was served by gorgeous models all wearing BeautySweetSpot tight, white t-shirts.  Hot.

Thank you to the Townhouse Spa, DEX New York, Sarah Shirley and V2 Vodka for bringing BeautySweetSpot to life and of course, everyone who contributed and came to support me and my sponsors!  xoxo

Photos will be up soon!

Yes, you read it right.  Sperm is good for your skin, well spermine that is.  I was sitting at the Townhouse Spa with President, Jamie Ahn and almost spit out my tea when she told me about this new facial the spa was offering cleverly called the “Babyface Facial.”  

I came to find that spermine is a natural antioxidant that protects against free radicals and is found in places like the liver, and of course, in seminal fluid. Back in 2001, a bio-tech company called Bioforskning in Norway obtained the patent on spermine after it’s benefits on the skin were discovered by Norwegian scientists at the University of Tromso. (I wonder how this discovery came about… hmmm…)

Like anyone, I wasn’t so sure having spermine on my face would be very pleasurable, but Jamie convinced me otherwise.  It turns out spermine is 30 times stronger than Vitamin E, delays aging of the cells by 25%, protects the skin against UV damage, renders free radicals and stimulates the production of collagen.  I’m in!

Exclusive in the US to the Townhouse Spa and Acqua Beauty Bar in NYC, “The Babyface Facial” lasts 75 minutes and costs $250.  

A perfect smile goes a long way when it comes to first impressions.  The very reason why many celebs have turned to porcelain veneers, they’re perfectly straight, even and very white. I reached out to NYC cosmetic dentist, Dr. Debra Glassman who has many celeb clients including Jennifer Hudson to get the 411 on how to keep your teeth white and bright.

In office whitening normally takes about 45 minutes and costs about $500, but you don’t have to break the bank to get a stunning smile.  At home whitening kits are best done when using a gel technique.  ”Use trays over strips.  I find the strips work well on tiny teeth, but sometimes they don’t cover the entire enamel and cause the teeth to whiten unevenly,” comments Dr. Glassman.  She recommends using Mentedent Home Whitening Kit, $39.99.  

Once you complete a whitening kit, follow these tips to ensure your smile stays white and bright:

• Change your toothbrush every month because as the bristles wear, they won’t remove the plaque and stain as well.  
• Brush your tongue!  Plaque and bacteria build up on your tongue also create stains on your teeth.  
• Use a whitening toothpaste like StarBrite twice a day.  
• Chew gum.  Believe it or not, chewing sugarless gum has been approved by the ADA to remove food particles and stain from your teeth.  Try Orbit White.
• Have an apple.  They’re another great tool to keep your teeth stainless when on the go.
• Drink water after drinking coffee or wine.  Swish it around in your mouth, it helps.
• Brighten your smile with lipstick.  Stay away from orangey shades because it will bring out any yellow undertones in your teeth.  Try a blue red or berry tone.

Check out Dr. Glassman at GlassmanDentalCare.com.

Do you find yourself staring blankly at the wall of sunscreen in your local drugstore?  With so many options, how do you know you’re choosing the right one for ultimate protection? This year, Neutrogena came out with Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock 100+.  Yes, an SPF of 100, but don’t be fooled, the higher the number doesn’t necessarily mean it offers better protection.

Make sure you choose an SPF of 15 or higher with UVA fighting ingredients such as avobenzone or Mexoryl SX. It’s the UVA and UVB rays that cause skin cancer.  According to a recent article in the New York Times, “The difference in UVB protection between SPF 100 and SPF 50 is marginal.”

Cetaphil UVA/UVB Defense SPF 50, $13.99, is a great daily facial moisture. It’s non-greasy formula hydrates the skin, protects it from harmful rays and is loaded with Vitamin E to protect it from free radicals.  

Toss La Roche-Posay Anthelios 15 Sunscreen Cream, $30, into your beach tote. This water-resistant sunscreen contains Mexoryl SX and has just the right level of SPF.

Don’t forget your hair!  Protect your color with Aveda Sun Care Protective hair Veil, $26. It’s a water-resistant spray that protects your strands from UVA/UVB rays.  A mixture of cinnamon bark oils, wintergreen, Vitamin E, green tea, shea butter, coconut and palm oils will keep your dye job from fading.

Besides protecting yourself from the sun by using sunscreen, wearing a hat and sunglasses to shade yourself from the sun is always in style.  Check out this article on DERMAdoctor.com that gives the best tips and advice on choosing the best physical sun blockers.  

Whether your a fan of shaving or waxing, I’m sure most of you would agree that maintaining a level of neatness down there is a necessity, but are guys thinking the same way?

In the beginning of the year Schick released a commercial called “Mow the Lawn” to promote their new Quattro for Women TrimStyle razor that found it’s way to You Tube.  A little risqué, yes, but clever in concept.

Recently, Gillette decided to spread the same messaging to men about grooming their groins. The You Tube video already has 1,006,804 views to date and teaches men how to shave their sensitive areas by using,”short, light strokes” with a fresh blade to avoid irritation. The little man featured is actually a naked cartoon who gives the thumbs up and wiggles when he’s done (hysterical). My favorite line, “Trimming the bush to make the tree look taller.”

Have you ever ran into an unexpected out-of-control bush?