The Quest for "it"

NAVAN Chill Out with Cleo Spa & Salon

According to Susan Shin, the trend in spa life is evolving to combine relaxing "anti-oxidant" boosted infusion cocktails with rejuvenating and relaxing spa services.  If this is the case, I hope the next trend is to replace business dinners at Steak Houses and cocktails after work in crowded bars with socialization within the spas.  Imagine closing a multi-million dollar deal over Vanilla Chai Martinis or GreenTeanis after getting a 120 minute shiatsu or hot stone massage.  message.

To test out Miss Shin’s theory, we spent our Monday evening at the fabulous Cleo Spa on the Upper West side attending a "Chill Out" evening sponsored by NAVAN liqueur. We sipped fusion cocktails mixed with the relaxing.  NAtural VANilla essence of NAVAN (derived from vanilla orchids from Madagascar) in the form of Vanilla Chai Martinis and GreenTEAnis. We were treated to vanilla infused hot towels and scented hand massages which lead to a pleasurable unwinding experience.

Thus, the theory is true, there is n uncanny natural synergy of the spa environment with the soothing flavor of cocktails infused with natural vanilla in NAVAN.  The environment of Cleo Spa and Salon is sumptuous and no details to creation and decoration have been left undone.  For example, Korean artist Ran Hwang's wall installation is a fuchsia and gold cherry tree, composed entirely of buttons attached by pins (a Zen-inspired vision brought to life).   Also woven into the environment are natural materials such as wood and stone, giving rise to a modern interpretation of a luxurious beauty care lifestyle.  Ensconced inside, the outside world fades and a natural habitat emerges. The 5,000 sq. ft. spa's soaring 26 ft. high ceiling uplifts the soul and provides a haven--Cleo takes a holistic approach to beauty and offers a beauty care environment that can be incorporated into the daily life of men and women.

On the list of spa services are facials, manicures pedicures featuring green tea and milk treatments, a hair styling salon, massage services which include Swedish, deep tissue, shiatsu, hot stone and aromatherapy massages, a tanning room which utilizes a 100% organic spray tanning system, and an exclusive VIP beauty care area featuring a Cantilever stone fireplace, available by appointment only.

We spent the evening mixing and mingling with Socialite Paul Johnson Calderon,Spa Owner Cleo, Melissa Foss, Author Anisha Lakhani, Publicist Laura Rubin,  Publicist Kristian Laliberte, Designer Keith Lissner, The Real Houswives of New York City Alex and Simon van Kemp, Film Maker Nick Raynes, Lilly Schonwald, Victoria Kirby, Celebrity Lifestyle Blogger Tia Walker, Parker Fashion Director Megan Zillis and Roy Teeluck.

We were happy and refreshed upon leaving, grabbing a gift bag with some amazing Alterna and Goldwell hair products, as well as a sample of NAVAN and a gift certificate for a manicure. This place is what "it" is all about! Cleo is located at 157 Freedom Place (66th Sreet b/w West End Avenue and West Side Highway).

-Article by Douglas Marshall

*photos courtesy of Nick Hunt/Patrick McMullan

The "IT" Beauty Log Confessions of a Product Junkie: Jergens Natural Glow Gets My Vote!

                                  Hey,

Sometimes the most seemingly “unsuspecting” products provide the best fix for a product junkie.  People are often surprised when I tell them one of my all time favorite products didn’t come from Bergdorf or Bendel's; it comes from Duane Reade. I have tried almost EVERY one of those supposed moisturizers for face with a ‘hint’ of self tanner – and I found that the more expensive ones from places like Clarins (around $50) produce the most disappointing results.

The BEST facial moisturizer with a hint of self tanner that gives you a real natural color and isn’t greasy or smelly comes from Jergens. Say what??? Natural Glow Face daily moisturizer is so light and lovely and I swear I’ve come into the office after using in the morning and co workers have said, “why do you look tan” around noon. The color DOES develop! Sitting at my desk typing away and tanning, what could be better? This product is like  $10 so even if you hate it you can throw it out!  I think the best color to get is the one for Medium/Tan skin tone but they also have one for Light and Medium;  the one for Medium/Tan gives a really rich color and natural color.  Please note that that I do not advocate using this product alone. It is important to be using treatment serums or anti-wrinkle products from other lines underneath to give you the best possible  skin generating results.  I'm a big fan  of layering, from serums to treatment lotions and then moisturizing last. This moisturizer will provide light moisture and give you an even glowing color, but make sure you are using anti-oxidant serums layered under the Jergens.  This product is available at  any Duane Reade, CVS, Rite Aide, etc.

-Article by Douglas K. Marshall

Navan Chill Out at Amore Pacific

Hip and in the know New Yorkers gathered at AMOREPACIFIC’S Beauty Gallery and Spa downtown on Monday night for a NAVAN Liqueur ‘Chill Out’ party. Surrounded by decadent ambiance, guests sipped chic cocktails provided by NAVAN, like the signature NAVAN GreenTEAni (with green tea and mango) and the ever popular NAVAN Chai MarTEAni. NAVAN is the luxe vanilla liqueur (the only vanilla spirit made exclusively with natural vanilla from Madagascar) from House of Grand Marnier.

The atmosphere really lent itself to everyone actually being able to chill out, something not easily achieved in New York.  The vibe was decadently mellow thanks to the alluring orchids, candles and overall Zen opulence of the Beauty Gallery.  Chilling out was "taken to the next level" as guests were able to get therapeutic hand, scalp and shoulder massages in the tucked away beauty pods courtesy of the therapists of AMOREPACIFIC.

The party drew an exceptional crowd thanks to social powerbroker, Susan Shin.  The Quest for "it" was ‘chilling out’ with Broadway’s own Bebe Neuwirth, actor Nick Raynes, BlackTie journalist Sara Herbert-Galloway, fashionable designer Keith Lissner, actress and model Annabel Vartarian, Heir Apparent’s Kristian Laliberte, our own  Celebrity Lifestyle Blogger Tia Walker, Jewelry Designer Bianca Pratt, Events Director Nick Dietz, societyphotographer/columnist Christopher London, designer Miguelina Gambaccini, WWD’s Michelle Edgar, Model Ling (see photo at left), and Moet Hennessy’s Stephanie Chassing.

The gift bags were a perfect end to a perfect party. We each got a deluxe sample of the AMOREPACIFIC’S MOISTURE BOUND Refreshing Hydra-Gel, AMOREPACIFIC SPF 30 Day Cream and a small bottle of NAVAN Liqueur. Beauty & Spirits, we love that!

-Article by Douglas K. Marshall

*photos by Ben Gabbe for Patrick McMullan

The "IT" Beauty Log Confessions of a Product Junkie

Being beautiful isn’t easy, but it certainly isn’t hard.  You just need the proper tools or products of ‘substance’ to make it happen and enhance your personal beauty quotient.  Want that hair to shine, want those eyes to pop, want that skin to glow? Hair, skin, make-up products – by gosh there’s so many choices, but what’s going to do "IT" for you? You need to hear "IT" straight from the guy whose researched it, tried it, tested it and tested it 100 times again.  YOU need to hear "IT" from the Product Junkie.

While you were out party hopping, I was incessantly scanning the aisles of Sephora for the newest color pallet.  While you were spending a recent long weekend in St. Barths, I was in my bathroom with self tanners and bronzers achieving the color you were getting on the beach.  While you were in Bergdorf trying on that backless number for Thursday night’s event, I was at the spa getting the exfoliating body treatment in order to tell you just how you were going to get the softest skin to look flawless in said dress. I am the product junkie and I will lie, cheat and steal to get the best products – but I do it all for you.

The best way for a junkie to get a hold of some really great stuff is to pick up the gift bag on the way out of an event. Sometimes they have really great samples and it allows you to try just a little bit of something, perhaps just enough to get hooked. So was the case with Rene Furterer’s Karite Crème Revitalisante Intense conditioning cream.  One use and my hair was rocketed into the 4^th dimension.  At an investment of around $46.00 for a 6.8 oz tub, it’s more than worth it.  I bought the tub and scooped some out into sample jars for two friends – one with curly unruly hair and one with straight color treated hair (classic over processed New York blonde).  Both LOVED IT and their hair just looked so healthy and full of life – thus confirming my theory that this wonder conditioning cream will work for ANYONE.  Just get it, just get it, just get "it".  This treatment repairs, regenerates and beautifies hair with special selections of shea butter and ‘precious grains of quince pectins’ claiming to make hair bounce….IT does!  You can get this product at Zitomer’s or online at one of my favorite places to buy: BeautyExclusive.com.

-Article by Douglas K. Marshall

Green with Beauty?

You know all those "IT" girls, politicians and actors have all gone green, right? Eco-Friendly is the hot new trend for ‘08, especially as far as beauty is concerned. You can get a head start and you don’t even have to leave your couch to do it. Desert Essence Organics, known for utilizing windmill power during manufacturing and employing organic farmers from around the world will be launching two special kits on Home Shopping Network’s (HSN) Spring Beauty Hour on December 28^th.  This environmentally friendly company, producers of 100% vegan hair, body and face care products will be offering two body care kits with body washes and hand/body lotions containing yummy ingredients like Vanilla Chai, Bulgarian Lavendar, and essential oils of orange, lavender and clove to help moisturize, protect and smooth skin.

Jodi Drexler-Billet, the company’s Executive Vice President who has spearheaded the company’s efforts to reduce their carbon footprint by using post-consumer recycled papers and soy-based inks (we like her) will be hosting. Tune in on December 28^th at 1am, 8am or 9pm or check it out on HSN.com. With the strides in greenery that Desert Essence Organics has made, I’m sure green two thumbs uppers like Al Gore will be watching (and buying).

Article by Douglas K. Marshall