NYC

Imagine All the People, Living for Today

I've never felt so alive.  Like most New Yorkers, I normally avoid Times Square at all costs on New Years Eve, but this year was different.  Joe and I experienced something that would have been on our bucket list  – had we known experiencing New Years Eve in this way was an option.  Our night?  As guests of Nivea, we were VIP's at a Great Gatsby themed party at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square.  Only pictures can even begin to capture the feeling and energy of the evening... 

Champagne was flowing, of course.  The party was surreal, but the real magic was being escorted by Nivea through Times Square. I say it's the energy of New York, the vivacious, electric, optimistic energy that keeps me alive.  Feeling this energy, in that moment was something different.  People from all over the world, a million of them, standing behind barricades – cheering, freezing and even slapping us high five – all there, for a common reason, a new beginning in the best city in the world.

Walking hand in hand with Joe and my group of media friends up to the Nivea stage (where we watched Icona Pop preform) was, what I thought was the best experience I've ever had in NYC.  (Except for the time I met the pigeon man in Washington Square Park who put the dirty birds all over me.  Such a NY moment.  Pic here.)

Of course I've always said you couldn't pay me to go anywhere near Times Square on New Year's Eve (or ever), but this night made gain appreciation for the cross roads of the world. Fast forward  T-20 minutes until midnight.  Our group moved back outside, again avoiding the hustle and bustle into a private area, and counted down into the new year.  Now this was the real high.  I'm still trying to figure out where the tons of confetti fell from, but it came down fast – as if Heaven exploded.  Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" was playing and in the middle of the million of us, it felt for a few seconds, maybe, that it was just Joe and I... looking up, laughing and dancing.

I'm Looking for An Intern!

Being an entrepreneur is wonderful, but being a one woman show is hard!  That being said, I'm looking for an intern!  Interested?  Read on for qualifications.  I promise, it's a fun gig! The ideal person:

  • lives in or has easy access to NYC
  • is a college journalism student
  • has experience in the editorial industry
  • is social media savvy
  • has a passion for writing
  • is detail oriented
  • has interest in beauty
  • is willing to attend industry events
  • is a fan of BeautySweetSpot.com
Responsibilities include:
  • pitching ideas for BeautySweetSpot.com 
  • the possibility of writing for BeautySweetSpot.com
  • interviewing experts
  • attending industry events
  • managing social platforms for BeautySweetSpot
  • researching trends and celebrity news 
  • assisting with TV segments

Please send resumes and cover letters to Jeannine Morris at [email protected].

Love, Life and Growing Pains: from A True New Yorker in True Love

Have you ever read The Secret? I live by it.  It's based on the law of attraction.  If you truly believe in something and exude the right energy, you can make it happen.  Read it.  I promise it'll change your life.  Over the past eight years, I've had five apartments, five roommates and the time of my life living year by year in New York City.  My whole career developed before my eyes thanks to the laws of The Secret, dedication and the relationships I've formed with the wonderful people of the beauty industry.  Enter a new chapter...

My story, as I knew it, and as you knew it, too, was about the writer who lived in NYC.  I didn't just live in NYC, I believe that the energy and culture of NYC keeps me alive.  I know, very Carrie Bradshaw, but it's real.  Only unlike Carrie, mine includes a real love.  No Mr. Big bullshit.

As Ms. Bradshaw said herself, "I’m looking for love. Real love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can’t-live-without-each-other love."  I found it.  The real, can't-live-without-each-other type.  With love comes marriage and with marriage comes compromise.  I'm learning that the art of compromise is to continue to put each other first without losing yourself along the way.

So I'm excited to announce that we're Jersey bound. Getting married next June, we're both setting up shop in Hoboken (for a little while at least).  Of course, I'll be in NYC for work daily for events, meetings and shoots, as I can't live without it.  I like to consider NYC my first real love, and even though we're just hopping right across the water it's an adjustment.  But I'm excited to celebrate what's next...

My last week living in NYC (for now) was appropriately spent with the DKNY team.  I couldn't think of a better way and can't wait to show you what we worked on.  Here's a sneak peek at behind the scenes of our latest project.  Yes, so New York... so me.

3 Tips on Growing In & Shaping Your Brows from Sania Vucetaj

Confession: I've been getting my brows shaped since I was in eighth grade.  Now, I'd do anything to have those brows back.  As ungroomed they may have been, they were full and beautiful.  Now, after years of waxing, threading and plucking, believe it or not I'm in an OK place, but need to be in a great place in time for my wedding!  I paid my first visit to Sania Vucetaj, a brow specialist recommended to me by Kathie Lee and Hoda, about three months ago and she gave me one piece of advice that in my seven years of reporting beauty I've never heard before and it changed everything.  

  1. Don't moisturize your brow area.  Just by experimenting on her own Sania found that when she skipped moisturizing her brow area, her hairs would fall out less and grow in.  "For me, it was a breakthrough," she says.  I put it to the test.  Three months later a gap I had in-between my brow and new growth was full!  It's hard to break out of the habit of slathering moisturizer all over your face, but seriously skip your brow area for growth!
  2. Stay away from magnifying mirrors.  "Nobody should see that much," she remarks.  "When you see too much, you lose perspective and you just keep plucking causing a domino effect." At the end of the day, one notices the little, light hairs underneath like you think they do. They only notice the good brow.  Remember, clean does not mean shape.
  3. Tweeze once every two weeks.  "Every hair makes a statement so tweezing is the most precise way to control your shape," she explains.  If you have hairs peeking through before your two weeks is up cover them with powder based nude eye shadow and remember less is more.

5 Things to Add to Your Holiday Wish List from NYC Spa Owner, Jamie Ahn

Recently I wrote about my favorite places to go for massages, the Townhouse Spa.  Here, the Founder of the Townhouse and Acqua Beauty Bar in NYC, Jamie Ahn discusses her top five items to add to your holiday wish list and it's all beauty treatments and covetable pieces of fashion.  I have to say, we really do have the same sense of style.  I have a feeling you'll be salivating over at least a few things on here as well.  Enjoy! 1. Luzern Force De Vie Luxe Creme

It brings a glow to tired skin, diminishes signs of lines and wrinkles, promotes fresh cell growth, and deep hydrates. Excellent for those wanting a combination of deep moisture and powerful anti-aging actives.

2.  Michael Kors Shearling Boots

3.  Renove Royal Perfect Collagen Mask

It contains CO Q10 & Royal Jelly which provides firmness and elasticity to help make the skin look more revitalized and lifted (exclusive to Townhouse Spa).

4.  Hermes Scarf

5.  Gift Certificate to Townhouse Spa for a Gel Manicure

Gel manicures don't chip and keep a glossy shine, so they're perfect for  holiday party hopping...in addition to a Aroma Paraffin Hand Treatment, which is super moisturizing.

I Can't Stop Smiling, Thanks to Invisalign... My Before & After Pictures

I never thought I'd have such a beautiful smile.  And that's not me being arrogant, it's true.  I deserve the right to brag about it today and probably for a few more months, because I've dedicated the past seven months of my life to abiding by the rules of Invisalign and it paid off. I'm very close to being done with my treatment and my smile is as close to perfect as it can get.  Let's just say, I can't stop smiling!  Check out my before and after pics! After switching my aligners every ten days, I'm almost at the point where I leave my last set of aligners in to allow my teeth to heal in their final position.  Then, I'll only have to wear them at nighttime (and trust me I will for the rest of my life).  The past few months flew by and my orthodontist, Dr. Hung, kept me on track by always showing me my ClinCheck and the progression of my teeth to date and how they'd look by my next visit if I continued to be consistent with my aligners.  Today, I'm proud to smile and even more excited to wear a bold lip look.

Check out my the before and after below of my ClinCheck images!

 

*I am a spokesperson for Invisalign (sponsored) and I have received complimentary treatment, but all of my thoughts and actions are my own.

My Top Places in NYC for Relaxation

Last Friday I decided to unplug, well as much as possible and treat myself and my skin to a day of wellness, which included pilates, a facial and a massage.  While I love checking out the latest treatments from spas across the city and even around the world, when I book myself a much needed day to de-stress I always turn to my two favorite spots  – Mario Badescu and the Townhouse Spa – for guaranteed results. Facials at Mario Badescu are no joke.  Pampering?  Somewhat, but what I like about their services is that they get the job done.  If you're one of those people who get facials twice a year to relax and enjoy a variety of masks being slathered on your face, while you get a hand massage, then this isn't the place for you.  For a busy New Yorker on a schedule, who wants an efficient skin cleansing with an added boost, this is the place for you.  I try to visit every three months.  They also have an incredible skincare line that works miracles.

The Townhouse Spa has been my go-to spa since my Cosmo days.  It's a three floor boutique spa in midtown that's always ahead of the curve with the latest treatments and technology.  Joe and I actually had a couples massage there on Friday night (as we do a lot) and besides giving a heavenly massage, they also cater to men very well.  There's a whole men's floor, which makes it more comfortable for the guys.  Just ask Joe.

Hair Extensions Are A Girl's Best Friend... How An Added Boost Can Make A Huge Impact

I'm back!  I'm back to being Jeannine Morris, the beauty blogger with long, full hair and I love it!  If you're a consistent reader of BeautySweetSpot you know that I've always toyed with hair extensions, from glue in to clip on and of course, the creme de la creme... Great Lengths.  I've been relying heavily on my clip ins for the past year, because with all of the on camera work I do, added hair is always an added bonus.  A visit to the Jeff Chaistain Parlor two weeks ago pushed me over the edge when my colorist, Jan Marie Arteca convinced me once again that it was time... go big or go home.  

That first salon visit ended in adding depth to my single processed chocolate brown hair with lighter brown highlights.  I loved it.  Dimension was needed, but now, so was more hair.  I'm addicted.  Jan put in the order for Great Lengths like she did before (see post) and I found myself back in her chair two weeks later.

Blending the two shades to continue the added depth she already started, she worked quickly and strategically and five hours later (yes, five hours and that's quick) I had the hair I always wanted.  Isn't it funny how much we let our hair define our image?  I mean, look at my before and afters!

I will say that if I wasn't on camera I wouldn't have gotten them.  My hair is long, but very fine.  When on camera it looks finer.  With the way my career is heading (and I hope it continues to steer this way), if added hair can help, I'm adding hair.  Don't let people trick you.  It's not just a celebrity thing.  Everyone in TV adds hair.  Check out the post I did on Kelly Ripa's new hair.   The added boost makes a huge impact.

Now let me tell you about Great Lengths.  I've had them twice before and fall in love with them over and over again.  The quality of the hair is the best I've ever come across in all of my experiments with extensions.  It comes from India and it's real.  Yes, it can be washed and styled and last about three months.  The bonds are made of keratin and don't damage your real hair, but care is crucial.

If you're looking for a boost, I would recommend starting with clip in extensions made of real hair.  They work so well and can be washed and styled.  I got mine at the Helena Collection in NYC.  They match your color and texture so well and can easily be popped in and out.  My only fear with the Great Lengths is that I'll be revolving my workouts around my blowouts!  That's what tends to happen.  Not this time I keep telling myself.  Not. This. Time!

I have to thank Jan Marie for always making me look fab!  The Jeff Chaistan Parlor is located at 29 W. 17th St. NY, NY 10011.

Everything You Need to Know About Sunscreen Including the New FDA Regulations

I'm completely obsessed with knowing everything there is to know about my skin, aging, sun damage and SPF.  My derm, Dr. Ilyse Lefkowicz, can back me up on that as I'm constantly picking her brain and bugging her for more and more info.  My days basking the sunshine are over and I now understand everything there is to know about protection  – sun protection to ensure I don't age any quicker and never welcome skin cancer.  Of course, I had to share her knowledge with you, because it's beyond interesting and helpful. Incidental sun exposure received during everyday activities accounts for approximately 80% of an individual’s lifetime exposure," states Dr. Ilyse Lefkowicz.  "Therefore, I always recommend applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher on a daily basis in order to help prevent skin cancer and aging."

When shopping for SPF you want to look for three things:

  • Broad-spectrum protection (protects against UVA and UVB rays)
  • Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 30 or greater
  • Water resistance

 

Broad spectrum is super important (UVA and UVB coverage) because the different types of rays do different types of damage that can both lead to skin cancer.  UVA rays can prematurely age your skin, causing wrinkles and age spots and can pass through window glass.  UVB rays are the primary cause of sunburn and are blocked by window glass.

"Because most people don’t apply sunscreen the way they are supposed to (most apply less than 1/4 of the amount they should, , I always advise my patients to use a higher SPF," Dr. Lefkowicz comments.  The proper dosage is about a shot glass full, or an ounce, to cover your entire body.

To break it down, Lefkowicz explains that SPF not only indicates how much longer protected skin can resist getting red than unprotected skin, but also what percentage of UV rays are screened.  An SPF 15 screens 93% of UV rays whereas an SPF 50 protects against 98% UV rays.  Her thoughts on an SPF 100?  Well, doubtful it can do much better than 50.

Beginning in 2013, you’ll see several changes to sunscreen labels required by the FDA.

  • For a sunscreen to carry the claim that it can prevent skin cancer and sunburn, it must offer both: 1) broad-spectrum coverage 2) an SPF of 15 or higher.
  • The FDA will ban companies from claiming that a sunscreen is “waterproof” or “sweat proof.” This is simply not possible. You’ll now see the term “water resistant.” The label also must state how long the water resistance lasts, either 40 or 80 minutes.

 

How to Have the Best Night Ever in NYC with StyleCaster

This was a really exciting project to work on!  I partnered with StyleCaster to host their "Best Night Ever" series sponsored by Clear Scalp and Hair Beauty Therapy.  We shot this and another episode in one day all around NYC.  I love hosting and working with the StyleCaster team was a great experience.  Check out the video and stay tuned for my next one!  Also, after watching my best night ever, tweet me @beautysweetspot sharing your best night ever using #bestnightever.  I can't wait to hear what you have to say!

Women In Need Gala, A Complete Success

Last night I was honored to attend the annual benefit for Women In Need at the Waldorf Astoria in NYC.  After working with the charity for the past six months and growing closer to the cause, it was miraculaous to see so many people come together in support. Merdith Vieira hosted the evening, which honored Cindi Leive, Editor-in-Chief of Glamour and Brendan Hoffman, President and CEO of Lord & Taylor.  Both gave powerful speeches, but the most touching talks and presentations were those that came from present and former WIN clients.

The room was decorated with huge portraits of smiling children from the shelters and the balloons you see in the photo above became decorations, but weren't there when we arrived.  Each of them cost $100 - $1,000 and people generously purchased them as donations.

My favorite part of the night was when the "Peter Jennings Prize" was announced.  It was an award dedicated to the children in the WIN shelters who achieved academically in essay writing.  Six children stood on stage, all dressed up with hope in their eyes and success in their futures. The winner, an eleven year old boy read his essay out loud in front of over a thousand people in the ballroom.  It was proof that this homeless boy was being well looked after and taken care of. I know myself from visiting the WIN shelters that this is just one example of all of the WIN children.

A single live auction was held and the prize made me want to bid, but I knew better.  It was to stay at Ferragamo's mansion in Tuscany, Italy for a week, all expenses paid.  Could you imagine?  It went for $23K.  I was so tempted to shout "$24!," but where the heck would I get the money from?

The benefit raised $1.8 million, which will be donated to all of the of the WIN shelters and help provide the homeless families of NYC with the supplies, counseling and shelter they need until they can get back on track and out on their own again.

Pucca Launches at Curve in US

After ten years of existence in other countries, it's finally America's turn to fall in love with Pucca, a Korean franchise that expanded out of one simple character.  Partnering with Warner Brothers, it was Nevena Borissova, the owner of Curve, a boutique for stylists, who really brought Pucca to life.  The launch party was held at her NYC store in the heart of Soho.  I had an exclusive opportunity to interview Nevena and watch the transformation of the cutting-edge boutique turn into a Pucca party celebrating Valentine's week.

"This project opened up a whole new thinking of what Curve is about," remarked Nevena.  "As soon as Warner Brothers came to me with the idea of partnering with Pucca I was excited because I liked what Pucca represented."

Besides throwing Pucca's launch party, Curve exclusively carries a line of clothing inspired by the character much like the rest of what is sold in the boutique.  Pucca represents a sense of freedom and girl power, but she's also the girl who's "always kissing her boyfriend and can kick ass."  

The night before the event, I walked into a store that was in complete chaos. The Curve clothes were all being stored in trucks out front, Pucca inspired clothing was being carried in and set on the racks, lighting was on the ground, hearts were being hung on the walls, the DJ booth was being set up and you could barely even walk without stepping on something expensive.   

However, the night of the party there was a red carpet out front, a step and repeat with Jessica Szohr posing in front of it, models wearing Pucca T's and funky shades, and Curve was transformed into a Valentine themed chic nightclub.  Pomegranate martinis were being served, flashes were going off left and right and Pucca was born.  With a crew of about 20 men, the total set up time between all of them was about 300 hours.